The Restorative Cafe:  5 Design Ideas to Borrow from Juno in Australia

Photography via Juno Eatery

For the team behind Juno in McKinnon, Australia, one question is central. “Can a great local cafe rejuvenate a community?” they ask on their site. “We think so.” The eatery is housed on the ground floor of a concrete-clad apartment building designed by Ritz & Ghougassian, and the Juno team enlisted the same firm to fit the interiors. Here are five lessons to borrow from spare interiors that feel cool, laid-back, and anything but cold.

1. Arrange the pantry like a boutique: In the entry to Juno, housemade jams are displayed with elegance.

2. Draw on the walls: Chalk illustrations by artist Bobby Clark add a sense of play.

3. Enlist double-duty dividers: A minimal bar doubles as bench seating.

4. Conceal, cleanly: Fiberglass panels slide open to reveal storage for dishes and glassware.

5. Don't add: The team committed to clean lines—and resisted any urge to add more.