Littlemore wanted a solid timber chair that was designed in Australia. вЂњThe timber has been wire brushed so you feel the grain, the metal mesh and our solid steel I beam,вЂќ explains Littlemore. The bar is constructed from solid concrete and American oak timber. Any design comes together right at the last minute though вЂ“ it wasnвЂ™t until the furniture arrived that it looked remotely like a restaurant!вЂќ says Littlemore. Working within a commercial building had restrictions and we were very conscious of our neighbours throughout the process. вЂњThe most challenging part was turning the space into a restaurant вЂ“ with kitchen, services, grease trap and air conditioning. вЂњI wanted a foot rail that was really comfortable and looked amazing.вЂќ Littlemore says her favourite feature in the space are the I-beam foot rails around the bar and kitchen.

The hardwood columns were left in their original state and concrete, timber, steel and glass were introduced. Rendered brick walls were stripped back and floors polished. She also wanted to use natural materials and local Australian designers. When it came to designing the restaurant, Littlemore had a few priorities on her list. I knew that if the original timber columns were as beautiful as they are, that if we stripped back the surface finishes we would end up with a beautiful space.вЂќ вЂњIt was a furniture showroom with a painted white asbestos ceiling. Littlemore recalls that she knew she had found the right place when she saw the solid ironwood columns and the ceiling height. Originally a bingo hall for the Air Force Association, then a Chinese lodging house and brothel, it became a garage, and then most recently the Spence & Lyda furniture showroom. Built in 1927 the space has a colourful history. The food has its own cult following thanks to head chef Nathan Sasi reviving old world techniques such as pickling, curing, cheese making and whole animal butchering.ДЄl and Rebecca worked with architect Annie Snell for the warehouse conversion in Surry Hills. Since then the 150-seat Nomad venue has gained its position as being the place to go for boutique Australian wines. The pair managed to secure the perfect site in Surry Hills and they opened the fabulous Nomad restaurant in October 2013.

After travelling around AustraliaвЂ™s best wineries, restaurateur Al Yazbek and Interiors architect Rebecca Littlemore returned home to Sydney with plans to set up a vineyard-style вЂњcellar doorвЂќ in the city.

Nomad eatery