Superfreak By YSG Studio
Superfreak by YSG Studio in Sydney's inner-west is a soulful sanctuary, where the vinyl keeps spinning within the soulful 1970s lounge-like interior.
WORDS: Hande Renshaw I PHOTOGRAPHY: Phillip Huynh I INTERIORS & STYLING: YSG Studio I BUILD: North House Projects
Green garden landscape mural painted across concealed storage and refrigeration by Creative Finish.
A Wonka-esque lamp crafted by the American artist, Autumn Casey, from The Future Perfect, has pride of place at the entry to the space.
Originally the renowned Serendipity ice-cream factory, the building was subdivided to house the Scout Pilates studio at its rear and a street-side small goods providore where Superfreak now resides.
“Our budget was a tight, so we prioritised tonal and textural interest, harnessing the power of nature to amplify energy, plus shades that glow amongst dappled sunlight.”
A sunken lounge-like enclosure features an integrated vinyl storage cavity and record player plinth illuminated by a custom lamp.Artwork by Venezuelan-Australian artist, Nadia Hernández, declaring ‘DESTINO’ (DESTINY) from Station Gallery.
Vinyl records are on high rotation at Superfreak.
Artwork by Venezuelan-Australian artist, Nadia Hernández from Station Gallery and a kitsch vintage Italian ceramic tower of lemons.
Once the renowned Serendipity ice-cream factory, Superfreak, by YSG Studio, is now a sumptuous sanctuary in Sydney’s Marrickville. With its 70s scenography and vinyl on rotation, the eclectic lounge-like cafe has become a haven for the local community.
‘Our budget was a tight, so we prioritised tonal and textural interest, harnessing the power of nature to amplify energy, plus shades that glow amongst dappled sunlight,’ shares YSG Studio founder, Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem. The eclectic and incredibly warm interior was completely gutted out, cleaning the slate to infuse the YSG Studio magical touch.
The interior is now covered in a spongey caramel-hued sealed cork underfoot (aiding acoustics) and layered toffee-shaded Maple timber joinery throughout. A sunken lounge-like enclosure features an integrated vinyl storage cavity, to house the selection of aforementioned vinyl records.
Despite its compact size, the dining area's layout effectively maximises the available area through clever spatial planning in the limited area. The entry is artfully organised, using subtle architectural cues to differentiate between functional and dining spaces, while preserving an overall sense of openness. A Wonka-esque lamp by Autumn Casey sets a playful tone on entry, and the sunken dining section develop a sense of coziness. The room's design allows for visual continuity while still creating distinct functional zones.
‘Raising good vibrations, we saturated the walls and ceiling in the main dining area in a comforting vat of mellow buttery yellow, painting the ceiling of the service and counter area a high gloss ‘fresh veggie’ green that sprouts down walls to form high datums,’ says Yasmine.
This is an interior that creates an almost-otherworldly distraction from the everyday. A mixing pot of hand-crafted elements; such as carpet cladding the banquette seating, an abstract leafy garden landscape mural painted across concealed storage and refrigeration, and quirky treasures scattered about including artworks by local artist, Mechelle Bounpraseuth, whose ceramics tenderly pay homage to her domestic life growing up in suburban South Western Sydney, and a suspended artwork in the shape of a fan by Venezuelan-Australian artist, Nadia Hernández, that declares ‘DESTINO’ (DESTINY).
Through ingenious spatial planning and layers of hand-crafted elements, YSG Studio has created an interior that radiates eclectic charm and genuine warmth, that’s sure to make it hard for you to leave!
See more from YSG Studio and Superfreak.
Quirky treasures scattered throughout include artwork by local artist, Mechelle Bounpraseuth, whose ceramics tenderly pay homage to her domestic life growing up in suburban South Western Sydney, including a giant custard apple set upon a pink washing basket and a bánh mi roll nonchalantly residing on a banquette ledge.
The walls and ceiling in the main dining area are painted in a comforting mellow buttery yellow, while the ceiling of the service and counter area is in a high gloss ‘fresh veggie’ green.
Carpet clads the banquette seating, clinging to the seated counter’s face and adorning the high stools.