Article by ADR contributor Emily Taliangis. Images by James Geer.

Abeo Design has created a truly unique bar and dining experience with its recent project, Junction.

In collaboration with Altis Architecture and Seesaw Studio, Abeo Design has brilliantly captured the heritage and character of Victoria’s Moama Echuca riverside region – a place where the rustic charm of colonial days and the comforts of contemporary culture meet.

The brief was to create a sophisticated yet relaxed culinary destination within the expanding Moama Bowling Club, with a focus on engaging a youthful, cultured clientele of locals and seasonal holidaymakers.

The firm has cleverly placed emphasis on creating flexible, intimate pockets for smaller groups within the large venue, incorporating a cocktail lounge, cellar room and wine bar, formal restaurant space and outdoor terrace, a private alfresco lounge with fire pit, and a central circular lounge to be used for private functions. The overall effect is a combination of the formal and informal, of spacious and intimate – and above all else, of sophistication and warmth.

The interior features the use of raw and traditional elements, embracing the rustic and industrial aesthetic of the surrounding riverside area. Harsh finishes such as ground concrete, rusticated steel and brushed copper, alongside an earthy palette of distressed leather, hides and natural linens bring texture, personality and a sense of comfort to the space.

Timber planks made from reclaimed produce bins and recycled bricks line the walls, creating multi-layered visual appeal. Vintage veranda columns, antique church pews and art deco mirrors dot the menu, as do ornaments and curios from local bric-a-brac stores. This attention to detail is Abeo Design’s point of difference, resulting in a project that clearly stands apart from others of its kind.

Abeo Design has been shortlisted for the 2015 Interior Design Excellence Awards within the Hospitality category.

abeodesign.com.au