THE KETTLE BLACKNAME: LOCATION: DESIGN FIRM:
SOUTH MELBOURNE STUDIO YOU MEA FAVOURITE OF late sleepers and early
lunchers alike, beautiful brunch spots have
been popping up all about the place in recent
years. The Kettle Black in South Melbourne is
one such locale. From the team behind much-
loved Melbourne eateries Higher Ground
and Top Paddock is this space. It’s more
fine-dining-breakfast than humble cafe, yet the
mood here is laid-back and breezy. The white-
on-white heritage 1880s Victorian terrace
looks somewhat awkwardly wedged beneath
the modern Fifty Albert apartment building,
but there’s nothing clumsy about the design.
A mix of contemporary textures, from tiles to
wood and polished concrete, sits comfortably
next to original Victorian flourishes. “The old
and new are seamlessly linked by the elegant
playfulness of the foyer,” says Hana Hakim(formerly of Studio You Me and now of The
Stella Collective). Restrained brass touches
and accents of pistachio ice-cream green lend
a serenity to the cafe. “The primary ambition
was to create a feel-good space that was simple,
well-crafted and honest,” says Hana. Put the
kettle on – we’ll be stopping by!
50 Albert Road, South Melbourne;
thekettleblack.com.au PHOTOGRAPHY: PETER CLARKECLOCKWISE FROM
FAR LEFT: Accents of
pistachio green lend a sense
of serenity; The design mixes
contemporary and original
touches; The Kettle Black is
housed in a Victorian terrace;
A laid-back and breezy mood.BLACK
ON
WHITE
OLD AND NEW design is celebrated at
The Kettle Black; a REFINED YET BREEZY
cafe housed in a VICTORIAN TERR ACE,
polished off with CONTEMPOR ARY flourishes.
CULTURE | Inner beauty