The Grounds of Alexandria Returns to Sculpture by the Sea with an Arizona-Inspired Pop-Up Cafe
Hobbits are out, cacti is in.
Everyone's favourite whimsical seaside house is back for another year. Master of whimsy, The Grounds of Alexandria is returning to Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea for a third year, relaunching their pop-up cafe along the scenic walk at Tamarama from October 20 to November 6.
The styling this year has moved away from last year's Hobbiton (so long Sackville-Bagginses, you fools!) to gallop full pace towards a Western desert theme.
After a recent trip to America's southwest, Ramzey Choker and Therese Moussa (co-founder and creative developer, respectively) have decided that 2016 will be the year of Arizonian architecture and arid vegetation. The traditional hacienda (made with insulating adobe, so popular in warmer climates) is the structural inspiration this year. You can expect bountiful succulents and cacti, as well as textured floral rooftop of seaside daisies.
The Hobbit-style house from last year will be remade into an American southwest oasis, popping with terracotta peach, coral and salmon — so make sure you bring your selfie stick. The outside will be treated with a green patina (like an oxidised copper) to give it a weathered look. It's an interior decorating dream come to life.
"We want to create a house that blends in with the sunrise; we've designed it to be in harmony with its surroundings in Bondi and want it to feel like it's been sitting on the hill for years," said Moussa.
Chef Paul McGrath will be serving up a selection of the Grounds fare, including brekkie bowls, seafood platters and signature burgers with some Arizonian flavours (which are, for the record, lime, chilli and coconut) thrown in for good measure. Have a look at the vid below to see Moussa working her magic with paints for the house.
The Grounds by the Sea will pop-up at Marks Park in Tamarama from Thursday, October 20 until Sunday, November 6. It will be open from 7am until 7pm each day. For more info, visit thegrounds.com.au.
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