Project Team

design: Annie Snell Design

Suppliers

joinery: Beclau
upholstery
: Mattaro Upholstery
lights
: Doug up on Bourke
signage
: Sign 4 You
stools:
Indigopop

4Fourteen is the third addition to the 2-hatted Four in Hand and Paddington Arms Hotel team, Colin Fassnidge, Carla Jones and Joe Saleh. Their new restaurant draws on their heritage, experiences, food philosophy and the Surry Hills locale.

Annie Snell Design and this team have worked together previously so there was already an understanding of the existing brand and how the new space would tie in with the other two venues.

True to Colin’s design philosophy of ‘nose to tail’, Annie Snell Design’s brief was to expose, utilise and to reflect and appeal to the Surry Hills local. Colin wanted the kitchen to be as open as possible – for all to see – warts and all.

The space, formerly a wood panelled bakery, was stripped back to expose the existing brickwork and enhance the natural height of the space by featuring the exposed timber ceiling structure. A common belief among the team is that there is an understated beauty in industrial forms and materials. Keeping costs low was paramount, so where possible we tried to use the structure as the finished material, stripping back layers rather than adding on as is usually the norm.

The aim of the design was to provide a space that invites you in and then makes you feel warm and welcome inside. Somewhere to linger over a meal or a place to gather for a quick drink, night cap or dessert.

The open kitchen format which was a must for Colin, brings the kitchen and the theatre of the staff in to the space. Its vast openness and view from the street connects to the outside and almost acts as a meet and greet to the restaurant.

The space was divided into five areas, mostly dictated by the position of the low line bar. The kitchen area provides high seating to enhance the connection between the preparation of food and the voyeuristic diners. The leather banquettes offer flexibility by allowing staff to reposition, even during service, to suit changing table settings. Bar stools with bar tables are found in the front area connecting with the streetscape, however the height was reduced to avoid overshadowing neighbouring diners. Traditional restaurant table seating is also provided.

A simple colour palate of dark green, black and white was created to compliment the natural materials used. Recycled timbers from old railway sleepers form work and serving surfaces for the bar and for the vertical structural support of the floor above. Reclaimed sandblasted bricks and textured tiles were also used for walls and bar supports.

Custom made cantilevered wall lights define the front bar area and recycled tin lamp shades are used throughout the dining areas. Low led strip lighting also help define areas as well as highlight the materials used. A highly detailed antique chandelier frames and connects the entry.