Sea Stars Play Cafe

Sea Stars Play Cafe, located in Mawson Lakes South Australia, was playfully designed and built by Brett Kelly and the Total Fitouts Adelaide Central team. Brett’s team were tasked with project managing the complete concept to completion commercial hospitality fit out, design, defit and build.

Adelaide’s inaugural underwater themed play cafe was designed by Total Fitouts Interior Designer Nella Abiad.

Russell, the owner of this innovative space, wanted to build an underwater themed paradise which appealed to both children and adults. The scope included four fully enclosed party rooms, the Splash Cafe and a mini car track. Nella, one of our talented commercial Interior Designer’s, worked with Russell to create the practical elements of the desig offering expert commercial interior design advice on how to create unique play experience. Nella guided Russell through the whole design process also helping him to develop a theme, business name and brand. Nella’s input was crucial throughout the design process from the initial ideas and concepts stage, right through to the design development stage. 

Nella says, “the oceanic theme of this playful hospitality fit out was considered and thoughtfully executed. The interiors, equipment and style selections perfectly capture the personality of the brand whilst offering a beautiful café space for adults to take a break too.”

The client worked closely with Nella and MJ Playgrounds, a leading Australian commercial indoor playground equipment supplier, to bring the underwater themed vision to life. The team created a state-of-the-art playground, featuring practical, safe, equipment and interactive screens. Nella had a clear vision of the play space she wanted to create. The owner imported the ‘Scandi’ style, kid-friendly equipment from overseas, and it arrived in a huge shipping container.

The Total Fitouts team of local shopfitting experts modified the defitted blank canvas, which used to be an F45 training studio. The space required partial ceiling removal to allow for installation of the oversized playground equipment. Nella designed and coordinated the remodelling of the space in conjunction with the site supervisor and playground equipment consultant. Other project challenges included numerous council approvals and close collaboration with building certifiers and specialists was essential to ensure full compliance of all areas including new bathrooms, which carried the underwater theme, as well as a full commercial kitchen.

Navy, ocean blue, coral and pink accents were painted throughout the zones to create an underwater atmosphere and a curving wave motif was added to bring even more oceanic elements to the space. Neon lights in the shape of sea creatures and a playful starfish logo featured throughout the hospitality fit out. At the front of house Total Fitouts carpenters handcrafted bespoke wooden shelving and cleverly hidden storage to tick all the functional design boxes. 

Custom joinery was skillfully created in front of house areas with a beautiful blue tile selection offsetting the timber bench-tops and shelves. Custom vinyl flooring was installed beneath the café, in the shape of a splash, contributing towards the underwater theme. Nautical blue touches were offset with popular white VJ cladded counters. 

Nella says “The design creates a unique visual experience in the indoor playground world. Most play cafe’s use a combination of bright primary colours, therefore I purposefully selected aquatic pastel colours throughout, which are much easier on the eye for all end users.”

Ball pits, giant slides, a mini car track and digitally interactive zones (with interactive throwing games and projection screens) were installed to give heaps of adventurous options for kids, whilst their parents relax in the comfortable Splash Café. 

“The design is playful, happy, and clean. I simply loved the soft pink and blue colour choices, and the kid friendly neon signage, which really created a happy ocean atmosphere.”

Clever branded signage, intricate sea creature motifs, lighting and storytelling murals completed the look, adding layers of fun and playfulness to the space. The innovative space screams fun and adventure and is a real oceanic playground.

The Total Fitouts Adelaide Central team expertly managed the complete design, defit, construct and build project, delivering bespoke touches, custom timber joinery, neon lighting and oceanic finishes. The result another memorable, adventurous, retail fit out for the Total Fitouts local team of fit out professionals.