ROSES

Nestled in the heart of leafy Newtown, The Retreat occupies a site with deep community roots.Once home to the historic Bareena Post Office. This mural extends that legacy of connection, bridging private and public space. Flowing across the boundary wall, it gently reaches out to the surrounding neighbourhood, offering a visual gesture of welcome to passersby and patrons alike.

The work draws inspiration from the gardens that define the area, a suburb known for its quiet streets lined with leafy trees and manicured gardens. The large, roses evoke familiarity and nostalgia, yet their scale and abstraction elevate them into something more immersive and atmospheric.

Within the courtyard, the mural becomes a living backdrop: it softens the architecture and invites calm conversation. Viewed from within the dining room, framed by the tall windows, it shifts and deepens as the afternoon light moves across the west-facing wall.

The warm, earthy palette harmonises with the restaurant’s interior tones, grounding the artwork within its setting. The result is an experience that is both elegant and intimate, a reflection of the surrounding community and a celebration of beauty found in everyday nature.