| 17 T T Kim Bowden Nostalgia reigns in revamped eatery The building has been re-imagined as the “spiritual home” of Whitestone Cheese. “When you walk in, it just smacks of cheese. I elevated all the chillers so when you walk in you get to see all the different wheels.” Annabel Berry Creative Co: Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT When designer Annabel Berry was handed the reins on the Whitestone Deli & Diner project, she didn’t hold back. With a colour palette inspired by blue cheese and Otago sunsets, the revamped 1950s’ building on the state highway running past Ōamaru is now impossible to miss – and that was entirely the point. “We wanted to stop some of the 15,000 cars that drive past each day,” Annabel says. “It originally was a red-brick building, but we went quite bold.” Once home to the old Tui Tea Rooms, the building has been re-imagined as the “spiritual home” of Whitestone Cheese, the iconic North Otago brand founded by Annabel’s parents-inlaw, Bob and Sue Berry, in 1987. Annabel led the charge on both the interior and exterior makeover – earning two Resene Colour Awards in the process. One was for the diner’s eye-catching exterior, painted a shade of blue colour-matched to the veining in Whitestone’s award-winning Windsor Blue. Warm tones drawn from Otago’s sunset skies – and adored by Sue Berry – round out the exterior scheme. “When I first painted the building, it was a shock for some, and it was definitely a talking point,” Annabel says. “But once the signage and interiors went in, and it all came together, the locals were really proud of it.” Inside, that vibe continues with candy-striped floors, plush curved-booth seating, layered textures and a pastel palette. “The biggest feedback I get is that it captures the history and nostalgia of the original tea rooms.” But the real star is the cheese: “When you walk in, it just smacks of cheese. I elevated all the chillers so when you walk in you get to see all the different wheels,” says Annabel. The Deli & Diner serves up cheese-laden dishes, attracting locals and tourists alike. Among the menu items: Pan-fried Ferry Road Halloumi with tomato, house-made chilli jam, mesclun and pickled cucumber, fiery jalapeno poppers made with gooey Totara Tasty and bacon, and a Campbell’s Bay baked brie. The project was a personal and professional high point for Annabel, made even more meaningful by the fact that 95% of the tradespeople used were local. “It’s without doubt, the most successful project I’ve been involved in,” she says. “Every inch of that space was considered.” While Whitestone Deli & Diner is proudly rooted in small-town Ōamaru, the design ambition was anything but parochial. “You know, we’re in small-town Ōamaru, but we want to push the boundaries as much as anyone in a big city – and we can,” Annabel says. With a background in corporate marketing, Annabel now specialises in commercial interiors, using her business-nous to elevate brands across New Zealand through her company Annabel Berry Creative Co. She’s currently working on projects in retail, office, and retirement sectors, but is deliberate about only taking on a few clients at a time to ensure each receives her full attention. “I’ve never put up a white wall ever,” she says. “If people want to do something interesting and bold, then I’m the right fit.” • Specialists in Structural Steel for homes and workshops • Machining and mechanical services • Light fabrication • CNC plasma cut designs • Pipe threading and welding • Machinery repairs, from lawnmowers to farm equipment • Roof flashings and retail supplies 3 Korora Road, North Oamaru Business Park (03) 434 9084 Open Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 9am-12noon www.apexengineering.co.nz
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