Blacksmith Provedore by The Stella Collective
The Stella Collective’s newest design and hospitality venture stands strong and bright in Lake Mulwala.
Photography: Lillie Thompson
The design of Blacksmith Provedore marks a shifting landscape for regional hospitality and a new standard for country Australia. Photo - Lillie Thompson.
Standing proud, Blacksmith Provedore sits on the banks of Lake Mulwala, a modernist exploration designed by The Stella Collective. The restaurant space encompasses both the past and future of the quaint regional town, while the inspiration behind the design stemmed from nostalgic reflections of bygone rural Aussie summers.
Through the love of her hometown, owner Liz Bayles wanted to create a building, space and ethos for her regional community that stood strong and bright. Located steps away from the shores of the lake, the serene modernist building evokes a countryside utopia, featuring a whitewashed pavilion with arched windows and a timber porch, timber beams, soft dry pressed brick, sand dune walls, textured tiles, warm walnut timber and white onyx stone details. The interior and architectural facade finishes are the perfect balance between summer and winter palettes, to combine the ultimate multi-seasonal resort-like getaway.
A vintage Brazilian cheese cabinet has been lovingly restored and sits centre stage amongst the provedore area filled with bottles of wine. Photo - Lillie Thompson.
“I’m an outsider looking in on the phenomenon that is the collective memory shared by my Australian friends of theirchildhood summer road trips. To me the charm is undeniable and I wanted Blacksmith to reflect this in a modern way.”
“Blacksmith draws a comparison to a Slim Aarons scene but the design is quintessential Australiana. The glamour and appeal of Blacksmith reminds us of the good life that exists beyond the rabbit hole, but ultimately Blacksmith reminds us to walk on the sunny side, and smile”
Blacksmith Provedore owner and Mulwala local Liz Bayles and Hana Hakim, founder of The Stella Collective, Hana Hakim. Photo - Lillie Thompson.
The interior is a golden buttery explosion of soft dry pressed brick, sand dune walls, textured tiles and warm walnut timbers. Photo - Lillie Thompson.
Blacksmith was designed to not only blend but also enhance the environment of its neighboring mid-century motels and hotels. Photo - Lillie Thompson.
“Whilst the approach from the street is quite and simple, the approach by boat from Lake Mulwala is vastly different. ”
Details - terrazzo in shades of bottle green. Photo - Lillie Thompson.
The serene modernist building evokes a countryside utopia - with timeless simplicity as the primary focus of the design. Photo - Lillie Thompson.