At Bar Lettera, design and storytelling intertwine in a celebration of form, light, and texture. Conceived by Jordan Design Studio, this North Sydney bar pays homage to Australia’s first female sculptor through expressive, art-driven design.
Central to the space are the striking lampshades crafted from one of our printed fabrics… statement pieces that anchor the interior with warmth, depth, and character.
These sculptural shades not only illuminate but also define the ambience, giving Bar Lettera its distinctive edge and inviting patrons into a world where artistry meets atmosphere.
We asked the Director of Jordan Design, Sophie Jordan, a few questions about her design decisions…
What inspired the form of the lampshade structures in this space, especially in relation to the project’s muse, Theodora Cowan and her sculptural work?
The sculptural fabric lampshades were inspired by Theodora Cowan’s fluid yet deliberated approach to form. We wanted to capture the same sense of movement and felinity that characterised her work – pieces that felt hand-shaped rather than manufactured. Their scale and gentle curves bring softness to the space, while still feeling confident and refined.
Did you work with a specialist lighting manufacturer or custom fabricator for the shade structures?
We worked with the window furnishings company, Solis who were fantastic to work with.
Can you walk us through the selection process for the Walking the Wire pattern and colourway used on the lampshades.
We needed a fabric that would carry the pattern on both sides, was lightweight, offered acoustic benefits and a good price point – not an easy combination to find! Walking the Wire, printed on an acoustic curtain base fabric, could meet all of these. The pattern echoes the sense of movement we wanted to capture, while the warm colour ways diffuse the light beautifully, giving each canopy a soft, radiant glow.
Any challenges with this project that you overcame?
The building’s architecture is impressive but tends towards a corporate aesthetic, with extensive glazing enveloping most walls. Combined with the double-height dining area further posed a significant design challenge, as we needed to infuse the space with intimacy and warmth. The canopies beautifully enabled us to bring the space back to a human scale and provide a calm intimate contrast.
The Result
The Materialised team were fantastic to work with – from the outset they were incredibly prompt in providing a wide range of custom samples. The colours were an exact match to what we envisioned, and their attention to detail made the entire process effortless. They really understood the creative intent behind the project, which made collaboration seamless from start to finish.
Bar Lettera feels exactly as we hoped: sculptural, warm and quietly confident. Every material choice, including the custom canopy fabrics, played a key role in bringing the design narrative to life.
The Team & Credits
Client: Bar Lettera
Design: Jordan Design Studio
Lampshade Manufacturing: Solis
Photographer: Tom Ferguson
Materialised Team: NSW
About the Author: Catherine McGowan
