Dunes Palm Beach Restaurant & Event Space by Olivia Bossy.

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Dunes in Sydney’s Palm Beach for a cozy beachside villa. But it is in fact a restaurant and event space by Sydney based designer Olivia Bossy who brought us that perfectly paired back apartment in Freshwater. According to Bossy, the renovated space respects the much-loved venue and evokes a domestic sensibility rather than a commercial one explaining that “it is somewhere to lounge and read a book, meet some friends at the large communal tables for a long lazy lunch and finish the day with sandy feet and a martini.”

Homey in one instance and transformed the next, Dunes is a flexible space that can be adapted to the various needs of the venue. With weddings held most weekends, the built-in seating, shelving and other furniture are the foundations upon which to elaborate on. Bossy explains that “it is recognisable as Dunes with this framework but also able to be dressed in a multitude of ways.”

There are exquisite moments within Dunes that invite you to pause and take notice from the rendered shelving and articulated fireplace to the moody maroon archway and tiled benchtops. These are neither loud nor rambunctious scenes but rather delicate vignettes that capture the subtle touch and crisp detailing for which Bossy is known. The bar benchtops which are a combination of fibreglass, porcelain panels and Japanese tile are incredibly tactile and are a nod to local surfing and boating culture.

Dunes is adorned with art and objects that are rather eclectic yet feel highly personal within the space. “A lot of thought and time went into restoring and sourcing vintage furniture and objects and finding ways to make new pieces from what we had,” says Bossy. Custom made pieces are present throughout the project and bring together many local artisans to achieve the desired ambience. These include large scaley ceramic wall lights, coffee tables made from old doors and offcuts, hand-painted cupboard handles and tapware made using basic parts welded together.

Whilst given autonomy of every aspect of design, there is a sense of clarity in Bossy’s work where every detail is incredibly considered yet not overdone. The detailing may be precise but the vibe isn’t formal or stuffy. Treat this like your very own coastal escape and sit back, relax and enjoy!