Two Trees livewires Mim and Jordan engaged graduate of architecture Kirsty Hetherington of Owen and Vokes and Peters to redesign the petite South Brisbane locale. Wanting the space to reflect the cafe’s careful consideration of the craft at hand, and the honesty and purity behind each cup, Kirsty has utilised minimal textures and humble materials to draw focus to the demonstration of craft and to create a sense of order and clarity. White American Oak is used to identify places or events throughout the journey of a visit, highlighting moments of haptic exploration – places for the hand to touch, the elbow to rest, to sit on, a frame to talk through, cakes to select from.

A minimal colour palette has also been engaged, directing the visitor’s attention back to the objects and ingrained theatrics in the space. A background of enduring white-painted pine is bordered by a black stained floor and green support highlights, acting as a humble backdrop for the discerning details that Mim and Jordan take such pride in shaping – black porcelain coffee cups, brown paper bags of beans and beautiful filter equipment.

The hallway element introduces a sense of direction, anticipation and discovery to the cafe, offering a place to wait for a takeaway coffee while sneaking glances at those lounging around the large communal table, or an avenue to upstairs – for when the impending bar is complete. The welcoming kitchen table in the main space encourages interaction between strangers and regulars, while the timber veil concealing the brewing process, allows you to watch the faces of the baristas, but cloaking the cup until its arrival.

James Pratt of Exit Eighty Six crafted the furniture, including the custom table, coffee bench and stools with forest green legs, and was also the carpenter for the build along with Samuel Sargent (of The Belligerents), who is also a furniture maker. The exterior gained a new lick of forest green paint – Mim’s favourite colour – while new branding has been executed by two recent graphic design graduates Paul Hatch and Jacqui Dyson. The handpainted wooden menu holders were fashioned by local homewares label Cubbylove, with The Autumn Co. printing up the paper menus. Follow the Two Trees journey from first incarnation to relocation, before paying a visit to see the renewed look.