Warm and Familiar – Lilian by CTRL Space

As an homage to Europe and the authentic Italian Osteria, Lilian is imagined as a place founded on laid-back approachability. CTRL Space utilise the warming and familiar tones of darkened timber and softly rendered plaster walls to create a series of spaces to convene, gather, be fed and tackle a tipple or two.

Located in Auckland’s Grey Lynn, Lilian is essentially an extension of the home – inviting, warm and intended to feel like you’ve been embraced from visiting. In its highly populated siting, its insertion as an approachable hospitality offering is thoughtfully curated and becomes a balance to its neighbours. Inspired by the traditional Italian Osteriaand the familiar feeling of being in a timber-clad enclave in Europe – watching people while not feeling seen – the bar and restaurant space is envisioned to have a broad appeal. Through a layering of hard, textured and softened elements, the space comes together as a series of zones, able to be expanded or reduced to a more intimate scale, depending on the gathering. CTRL Space take lead from an authentically European sensibility in conjuring such a humble and honest place for shared nourishment.

Through a layering of hard, textured and softened elements, the space comes together as a series of zones, able to be expanded or reduced to a more intimate scale, depending on the gathering.

Built by Made By and Blanc Industries, Lilian is named after someone you might know, and visiting her is a natural extension of that acquaintance. The intentional wholesomeness of the menu and beverage offering is reflected in the interior approach, where warm and softly subtle nuances in texture offer variation and an interplay with incoming and glowing light sources. Combining a crafted approach, each inserted element has been proposed from this same familiar place of making, referencing a handmade quality and expressing its inherent process.

Inspired by a domestic environment and the feeling of being within someone’s home, the openness between the kitchen and preparation space and dining allows for a shared experience. Through a united visual connection, other senses are also able to be engaged in the partaking of space. Internally, a combination of hand-leathered marble stone tops the benches, and together with hand-painted walls intended to replicate an aged and tobacco-stained affect create an established feel. Notes of aged brass and bronze then layer an additional tactile element that patinas and has its own imbedded life. Aged leather, timber and glass then finish the space, softened by the amber glow of exposed bulbs.

Internally, a combination of hand-leathered marble stone tops the benches, and together with hand-painted walls intended to replicate an aged and tobacco-stained affect create an established feel.

Lilian utilises an honest and layered approach, in injecting depth and a known familiarity of space, where CTRL Space have crafted a feeling through materiality, texture and warm glowing elements.