Lello’s Italian embrace: warmth, elegance and artisan pasta

Melbourne’s new favourite pasta bar, Lello, in Flinders Lane, offers a fresh and authentic take on traditional hand-made pasta offerings. Each dish tells a regional story, so when owners Chris McIntyre and Leo Gelsomino (who is also the head chef) wanted a beautiful new fit-out to reflect the elegance and comfort of Leo’s food, they turned to Sarah Elshaug of Maitland Street Interiors. With a background in marketing within in the food and beverage industry, Sarah fully understands what drives people to choose their favourite food destinations.

For owner Chris, it was important that the interiors captured the connection between their food and the joy of eating with family and friends: “Lello’s delicious pasta uses traditional recipes and techniques, and captures the authenticity and expertise of Leo’s heritage. We wanted an interior that reflects the comfort and tradition of artisan pasta, and to create areas that make people feel as though they are in an extended elegant living space with their loved ones.”

Underpinned by beautiful images of the cliffs of Capri by photographer Katie Carmichael, Sarah has used a palette that captures elements of stone and sea to create distinct zones within Lello.

A casual coffee bar takes full advantage of the street-front window, and is a perfect place to unwind with an Atomica coffee to watch the colour and movement of Flinders Lane. A circular living green wall, from Pap’s Vertical Gardens, and soft pink pendants over a pale timber window bar ensure it is a soothing space to start the day, or to simply catch your breath.

The dining areas make the most of the largescale photographic art, letting it take centre stage and grounding the room with dark floors, grey-panelled walls and dusty-pink banquettes again softened with durable grey wool felt by Burel Fabrics. It’s graceful and comfortable - a space that promotes fine food and spending time with friends.

“Using Dulux Deep Artic on the walls, with simple timber tables and white chairs, has lightened up the part of the restaurant with the least access to natural light. It also ensures that Leo and his team can showcase their craft, and provides a peek ‘backstage’. It’s a great way of letting food-lovers in, and showcasing Lello’s ambitions: to ensure that well-made, traditional pasta – and the skills required to make it - remains important and appreciated.”