Located at the centre of Victoria’s eclectic and tightly knit Fernwood neighbourhood, Parsonage Cafe is a much-loved fixture in the community. After operating in its previous location for over a decade, the Fernwood Coffee team took over the current space, a former upholstery and automotive shop, in 2017.

A key facet of our design brief was to preserve the character, ambiance and community connections that have developed in its decade-plus tenure in the neighbourhood, while elevating the quality of design and materials, improving the mechanics of the space and creating an aesthetic that complements the Fernwood Coffee brand as it continues to grow and mature. Our approach to the interior design was to strike a balance between design and minimalism with a sense of real warmth and community.

With key references to Japanese minimalism and mid-century Austrian office interiors, we selected a palette comprised of five varieties of woods to create a warm and inviting space. A secondary palette of grays, whites and blues provides a counterpoint in the more robust kitchen and bar area, offering improved flow and operations for staff. Parsonage is an example of when thoughtful, but not overwrought, design is focused on creating a meeting place that welcomes the community with open arms.