Situated in the heart of Melbourne with direct access to the South Yarra Riverwalk, Marmont is more than just a restaurant—it’s a study in considered design. A space where materiality, mood, and meticulous attention to detail converge to create an experience that evolves from day to night.
The venue is the latest from Crown who have partnered with international hospitality figure Grant Smillie – who brings his signature blend of elevated dining and immersive atmosphere to Melbourne, working alongside a team of leading designers, including Mitchell and Eades, Studio All, and lighting specialists South Drawn.
From the moment guests step inside, they are met with an interplay of rich textures, soft curves, and warm, intimate lighting—an essential component in shaping the ambience. Luke, co-founder of South Drawn, was tasked with creating a bespoke lighting collection that not only complemented the interior vision but also brought its own sculptural presence to the space.
A Collaboration Anchored in Craftsmanship
For Grant, lighting is more than just a finishing touch—it’s a crucial factor in defining the guest experience.
“Lighting’s pretty much critical in any design outcome when it comes to the designing of a restaurant,” he explains. “Getting the tone and the mood right for the guest experience is pretty much one of the most important elements. You can make it look pretty, it can have great furniture, but if it doesn’t feel right, there’s always a reason for it.”
With that in mind, the collaboration with South Drawn was about more than just aesthetics—it was about creating a collection that would enhance the restaurant’s shifting moods throughout the day and night.
“This project was interesting because the vision created for the space by the interiors and Grant was quite intimate, and it had different kinds of atmospheres through the day,” Luke notes. “The pieces themselves were decorative, had a functional element, but also needed to work with the different moods the space presents.”
Designing for Atmosphere
Unlike off-the-shelf lighting solutions, South Drawn’s approach is grounded in material exploration and local craftsmanship. For Grant, that hands-on process was essential.
“By using local designers, you get to go to the warehouse or the factory and understand the process. Once you understand what’s possible, sometimes you end up in a pretty special place—because what you were thinking and what can happen are two different outcomes.”
That freedom allowed for a lighting design that feels intrinsic to Marmont’s identity. “A lot of the refined detailing we developed for a residential project, we were able to bring to this and then shape a lot of the design DNA to suit each space throughout the restaurant,” says Luke.
A Collection Defined by Materiality
South Drawn’s design philosophy is deeply tied to materials—how they behave, how they can be manipulated, and how they interact with light. The Marmont collection reflects this, drawing inspiration from South Drawn’s Torii collection, known for its use of ribbed glass.
“The starting point was actually our Torii collection, which traditionally is ribbed glass, but it has this rich, warm glass element. We started pulling out details—organic textured slumped forms—and were able to push that through different collections. The pendants, the chandelier, they all have different functionality, but they share this common tie and DNA through the whole collection.”
This cohesion gives the lighting a sculptural presence, enhancing rather than overpowering the space.
Trust and Collaboration
A project of this scale requires more than just design expertise—it demands trust.
“When you trigger on a design that comes out to thousands and thousands of dollars, it’s pretty important to get these things right,” Grant acknowledges. “And that comes down to trust—trusting the people you work with to get the best outcomes.”
That trust allowed South Drawn to push the boundaries of what was possible while staying true to the space’s vision. “We worked really closely with the interiors and Grant through a whole process of material exploration, trying all sorts of different directions for different pendant types and light types.”
A Lighting Collection That Feels Like Home
Beyond aesthetics, there was a desire to root Marmont’s lighting in its local context. “Being a local restaurant based right in the centre of Melbourne, we really wanted to pull that narrative through the whole collection,” says Luke.
By working with local manufacturers and artisans, South Drawn was able to create lighting that not only complemented the interior vision but also spoke to the origins of the space itself.
“Throughout other pieces in South Drawn, we work with a lot of local manufacturers and makers. That detailing and attention to detail was something we wanted to use in this collection to create something honest to its material sources and the origins of the space.”
A Final Glow
The result of this collaboration is a lighting collection that does more than illuminate—it defines the space. Each piece feels like it belongs, enhancing the restaurant’s ambience without overpowering it. “We had a pretty easy eye-to-eye kind of moment—we both knew exactly what we wanted to achieve,” says Grant. “As soon as you can do that, then let the experts do their jobs, I’ll do mine, and hopefully, the end product, as you can tell, is a really great outcome.”
At Marmont, lighting is not just functional—it’s part of the restaurant’s DNA. A testament to design, craftsmanship, and the magic that happens when creative minds come together.
