Ewert Leaf has created a welcoming community hub for an independent bookstore in Australia.

The project addresses the needs of a space with a proud focus on supporting other local businesses through products sold in the café, as well as hosting local authors and book clubs.

The design incorporates mid-century inspired elements to create a welcoming space with the sense of warmth and familiarity of a home living room. Functionality was key to allow for the display of more than 10,000 books on the small site – as a result, custom shelving was created at the perfect height for the volumes and combined with rolling ladders to be able to access the high-level books.

Cost-effective and sustainable materials such as cork flooring, low-VOC paint and timber-look laminates were implemented to achieve both the budget sustainable ethos and aesthetic.

This project has been longlisted in the small retail interiors category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Designer: Ewert Leaf

Project: The Chestnut Tree Bookshop