Bistrot Bisou, Hotel Indigo Melbourne: Fashion, Heritage, and Hospitality

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Lane, Hotel Indigo is a boutique hotel that celebrates the neighbourhood’s rich history of fashion, creativity, and reinvention. Once the centre of Melbourne’s rag trade, the laneway is remembered through bold interiors that weave textiles, lighting, and curated art into every guest experience.

At the ground-floor restaurant, Bistrot Bisou, these stories come to life. The design pays homage to the area’s garment-making heritage and to celebrated local figures such as fashion photographer Helmut Newton, whose career began in this very precinct.

Crafted by Suede Interior Design, the interiors layer texture, pattern, and light to create a dining space that is as vibrant as the city outside. A key element of this vision is the use of Havwoods’ Mayne timber flooring from the Henley Collection, a cross-sawn surface with a textile-like texture that subtly echoes Flinders Lane’s fashion roots. The flooring adds depth, warmth, and a tactile quality to the restaurant, enriching the guest experience while ensuring durability for a high-traffic hospitality setting. 

Complementing the flooring, Ermont PurePanel Veneer, complete with matching edging, was used by L & K Joinery to craft a bespoke wine rack, adding refinement and continuity of timber surfaces across the space. Together, these elements showcase the versatility of Havwoods’ products for both flooring and joinery applications.

Bistrot Bisou forms part of Hotel Indigo’s broader narrative, one that weaves local history into contemporary hospitality. From its dramatic lighting to its layered finishes and art-inspired styling, the space embodies Melbourne’s creative energy while inviting guests to connect with the city’s cultural fabric. 

As a striking example of how timber flooring and surfaces can enrich hospitality interiors, the restaurant highlights the character and durability of Havwoods’ products. Discover the possibilities with our Henley Collection and PurePanel Veneers, order your free samples online, visit a Havwoods showroom, and sign up to our newsletter to explore the latest projects and product launches.