Things of Stone

The massive stone elephant carving outside the Bali Warehouse in Noosaville first caught my eye and of course then I just had to stop and check it out. They also had some massive granite bathtubs out the front.

The bathtubs were perfectly smooth inside and just huge.

I think they'd look great as an outdoor tub with a gorgeous tall free standing spout and of course hot water plumbed in. It's easy to picture the tub surrounded by tropical plants with flowers floating on the water.

I felt like a kid standing before the lolly counter with so many beautiful choices.

More massive tubs, these carved out of the larva stone.

And of course then there were the other usual lovely and "interesting" carvings and garden ornaments. If only I had the room for a tub somewhere in my garden. Perhaps I need to design that into my reno!

Streets of Harlem Noosa

Last week was my birthday week. So a mini holiday on Hastings St was the perfect way to finish the week. Despite the torrential rain for the majority of it, I managed to get out and check out the shops on Hastings St. This street seems to be feeling the tight retail climate like the rest of the shopping centres around Australia and there were a few noticeable empty tenancies with lease signs.

However despite that, there were a couple of new comers that caught my eye for their quirky and innovative looks.

One of the stores is called Streets of Harlem. It's a joint project with father and daughter team Olivia and Gary Sellman and also Erica Stefani. The store is contemporary youth market fashion down stairs and upstairs has a salon and coffee bar.

The dark raw industrial street look inside instantly grabs your attention as it's a real point of difference from the usual brightly lit stores else where. Every where you look the details for the displays have been cleverly thought out.

The shoes are balanced on steel shelves on rusted metal walls.

Bare bulbs, brick walls, American iconism and exposed concrete blend together to pull off their image and become the perfect partner to their fashion style.

This is the service counter previously a work bench with the original vice left attached.

A wire cage over the service counter with the internal light.

The industrial chain mesh looked great and is an interesting twist on the usual thin chain curtains. It's great to find an interesting store and really exciting to hear the story behind it that the owners where also the brains behind the look and not scared to give it a go.

Visit Streets of Harlem on Facebook.

Santos Place

Santos Place at 400 George St captured my interest when I first walked through it a few months ago. It's the amazing high rise with the iridescent golden rainbow looking glass, which is all part of the very high energy rating that the building has.

The building is flanked by the law courts and sits between Tank and Turbot Streets. It also has a little hidden lane way on the ground level that links these 2 streets.

As a first timer through the North Quay lane it was like discovering a hidden design treasure. The lane way is home to Tank restaurant and also a little coffee shop. Both of these are very popular with the workers at this end of town.

The building features spotted gum timber, Qld Chilligo Marble, Orazio Gold Marble and Porphyry stone, which was commonly used in the early suburbs of Brisbane as it was quarried locally. The experience of walking through invokes visions of Frank Lloyd Wright with the lineal elements combined with the stone.

The building and restaurant were designed by acclaimed Brisbane firm Donavan Hill Architects. Even the fire sprinklers, which often pose a stumbling block in the design process have been given first class treatment. They have been featured and almost look like artwork they way they have been encased with the glass access doors. Often as designers we have to consider how to treat the sprinkler doors and look at ways to work them into the design but still meet all the building regulations for visibility and access.

The lane way contains some very eye catching artwork.

As I arrived out into Tank St I noticed more interesting urban art with this massive forest image printed onto glass and pinned off the building facade across the road.

If you have not been through this lane way, it's worth the few minutes detour when you are next down this end of town.

Riverbend books

Here's a favourite for people on the south eastern side of the river- Riverbend books. It's fair to say it's an institution and a great way to spend a few hours on a lazy weekend. Cafe and bookshop what a great combination.

Located on popular Oxford St, the cafe on the deck is shaded by the lanky and swaying black bamboo.

Breakfast seems to last for ever as it's too easy to become glued to your chair enjoying the sight of people passing outside and the fellow diners.

Something for the little ones- the chalk board on the front counter.

Once inside I dare you to leave empty handed as there is such a lovely range of books to interest all age groups. The owners have always been very proactive in promoting their store and there are many reading and social groups run from the shop.

One of the many eye catching details- book images printed onto the sun shades on the deck.

www.riverbendbooks.com.au