Lifting spaces
The Warring Group has unveiled two new additions to The Terrace – Hugo and Botanic, each a masterclass in refined design, natural materials, and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Hugo, a French-influenced restaurant, and Botanic, a purpose-designed, light-filled event space, share the signature Warring Group aesthetic: clean marble bar tops, plush furnishings, a mirrored ceiling reflecting the Avon River, and soft, ambient lighting.
“We wanted both spaces to feel contemporary yet warm – a balance of form, light, and natural finishes,” says Jen Warring, who co-directs the creative elements across the group with her husband David. “We love working with natural marble and granite. They’re not only durable and practical for commercial use, but they also bring depth and character. The Patagonia Quartzite connects the two venues visually – you can see its beautiful tones even from outside. It’s warm, colourful, and has this wonderful depth. Because both spaces have darker elements, it also looks incredible when backlit. We worked closely with Peter Carroll from Slabco, a specialist importer and stockist of natural stone, to source the stone from Brazil, and Shane Boyd fabricated and installed these stunning standout features.”
Renowned for its dramatic veining and variation, Patagonia Quartzite fuses white quartz, feldspar, and rich earthy tones – deep chocolate, gold, black, cream, and beige – into a mesmerising natural pattern. Each slab was hand-selected and imported to meet the Warrings’ design expectations. The translucent qualities of the stone lend themselves beautifully to backlighting, creating a dynamic, atmospheric feature behind the bar that shifts subtly as the light changes throughout the day.
This project continues a successful partnership between Slabco, Shane Boyd Granite, and the Warring Group, who have previously collaborated on other acclaimed venues such as Rocca and King of Snake. Each showcases a curated selection of natural stones – from Rosso Lepanto Marble from Turkey and Nero Marquina from Spain to Italy’s iconic Carrara Marble – materials chosen as much for their durability as their artistry.
Drawing inspiration from European travels, Jen and David worked with Maelstrom Design to create bespoke pieces that echo Hugo’s French sensibility. The restaurant’s red leather dining chairs, inspired by the logo, are instantly distinctive. “We wanted something really unique – to bring in a sense of French charm,” says Jen. “It’s wonderful seeing people notice and comment on the details.”
Montreux Furniture manufactured the velvet dining chairs that complement the dining space at Hugo, as well as the elegantly simple dining chairs for Botanic, both making a subtle yet striking statement.
To complement the interiors, Kim Chan Florist and Event Stylist crafted a floral design for Botanic. Under the glass roof, graceful white cosmos – symbolising harmony, peace, and balance – cascade from suspended baskets, creating an ever-fresh, living atmosphere. “We worked off Jen’s brief, says Kim, “she wanted it to feel inviting, inspiring, and natural. “ It captures the easy beauty of nature within a contemporary, welcoming setting.”
For Jen, hospitality design is about the total experience. “When you’re designing these kinds of spaces, it has to be the whole package,” she says. “At Hugo, people are staying longer, relaxing more. The design invites people to slow down and remain within the space.”