Cumulus Up is a night time wine bar on the first floor of an old factory in the city. The concept was to create a balance between old and new. Original high ceilings, metal framed windows, layers of old peeling paint, exposed brick against new herringbone patterned walls, velvety blackened steel to bar tops, shimmering metallic leather accents.

Elements appear mismatched yet have an overall coherence and clarity. It may look haphazard yet nothing is accidental. A finely balanced comfortable mix of custom designed, well-crafted pieces that go from luxe to fun.

Key elements are designed to create a warm almost reclusive club type feel to the space, as though it had been there for an indefinite amount of time.

The intrinsic operational and functional components such as the open bar, drystore and kitchen have black metal and fluted glass shelving structures that offer a framed obstructed view of the action. The floors and walls are heavily patterned in two tone oak creating an interesting envelope and a counterpoint to the industrial shell.

An array of seating options from the kitchen bar and the high bar tables with stools, the communal table with Corbusier’s favourite chair in pale beech with arms painted red at half tide mark, the soft grey leather banquette with diamond stitching detail has turned wooden legs sits alongside rough timber tables, round arabescto marble tables and the figure ‘8’ table feature classic No. 18 chairs in dark oak some

have customised seats in gold leather with studs. The brightly coloured ‘lolly’ pendant lights (custom designed) add a whimsical touch to the mainly dark colour palette.

A ‘heartbeat’ undulating shelf in black metal and gold brass runs alongside the window harbouring bottles and glasses.

Backlit bevelled mirrors in abstracted cloud shapes are angled to reflect the room.

The space was an empty shell which Pascale Gomes-McNabb added layers to. Sustainable materials used included an engineered board for the parquetry oak floors by Tectonic (Green Star rated) and FSC Certified acoustic panels are Echo Panel by Woven Image - compressed recycled PET bottles.

Pascale Gomes-McNabb recycled some of the furniture from other restaurants she part-owns. The overall design is for longevity, which is almost an oxymoron in the hospitality industry, but it is a comfortable interesting handcrafted space that is neither faddish nor fashionable.

As well, she utilised a limited palette of hard wearing good quality materials that will withstand a good beating for many years, as will the overall design and ambience. And she worked with her regular craftspeople to create bespoke elements, fitting her brief and space, thus little waste and non-mass produced elements were used.