Category: Restaurant Decorating

Life is more beautiful if occasionally we take the time to enjoy life’s little pleasures like meeting with good friends and taste a cup of coffee while listening to music in a unique atmosphere like seems to be from these pictures. We stumbled across this gorgeous leisure destination in Varna, Bulgaria and decided to share with you guys, because we love its original-looking design and flawless execution. It’s called Graffiti Cafe and is part of a four-story, chic boutique hotel, along with a gallery of modern art, restaurant and nightclub. Despite its suggestive name, Graffiti, the beautiful place doesn’t have a hint of graffiti anywhere.

Aiming to be a natural continuation of the hotel’s modern and impactful aesthetic, the Graffiti Cafe’s exterior and interior designed by Studio MODE feature a unique contemporary design with a strong visual identity inspired by the work of Escher, artist known for his impossible woodcuts constructions which explored the infinite in the ceiling and pillars. Large and all white with black accents and a sufficient dose of artistry intentionally making reference to the Gallery of Modern Art situated on the next level of the building, the trendy coffee house is a great mixture of carved wood with modern furniture and pristine splendor. Details of the street styling, artificial emotion and art forms inspired by natural materials impress the visitor’s eyes, being ready anytime to keep you company. Therefore it’s not surprising that such great concept is the winner of Restaurant and Bar Design Awards in the European International an overall bar category.

To satisfy all technological and functional requirements, the designers split up the area into two zones: the front zone was incorporated into the exterior for an open affect, creating public space and feeling of console silhouette of the building; the rear zone was separated through floor and roof design that allowed reducing depth of space while keeping the cafe’s beautiful panorama. The linear elements that begin on the curvy pillars and continue onto the ceiling are extraordinary and it’s clearly that help create a cohesive environment, that really accentuates the sleek modern design of the all-white interior. The geometric floor tiles are amazing, mimicking the three-dimensional wall treatment on the back wall that create a sense of depth. To add a more natural touch, they dispersed greenery throughout. Enjoy the photos!

Photos © 3inSpirit

Project details:

Name: Graffiti Cafe
Architects: Studio Mode
Location: Varna, Bulgaria
Completed: 2011
Area: 300 sqm

The Starbucks Coffee Shop in Fukuoka, Japan, showcases an incredible use of wood, an interesting design approach that is present in many architectural projects of renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and his staff from Kengo Kuma and Associates. This time, they imagined an intriguing yet highly original interior design for the franchise “Starbucks”‘s shop the city of Dazaifu, where you can relax and enjoy a great cup a coffee.

Inspired by another project of them, Prostho Museum Research Center, whose architecture originates from the system of Cidori, an old Japanese toy, Starbucks Coffee’s structure features a never seen before system of weaving thin woods diagonally. The main purpose of building such a structure was to harmonize it with the traditional Japanese buildings in one or two stories found along the main path on one of the most major shrines in Japan.

2,000 stick-like parts in the sizes of 1.3m – 4m length and 6cm section were necessary to make this assembly throughout the coffee shop, four steps come to one point because of the diagonal, resulting in a more complicated joint than in Prostho Museum Research Center. Four wooden sticks were divided in two groups to avoid concentration on a single point, creating in this way a unique shape that is diagonally multiplicated  along the walls and ceiling from the entrance to the other end of the shop in order to bring in a sense of direction and fluidity.  The method used in designing this structure was taken from the traditional architecture of Japan and China and improved with state-of-the art technology. The result is a cave-like space with simple, minimalist furniture and of course with a predominantly natural wood color palette. Take a look on the pictures below and tell us how do you find it using our comment section.

Photos © Masao Nishikawa

Project details:

Architects: Kengo Kuma & Associates
Location: Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Client: Manten Corporation
Structure: Jun Sato Structural Engineering
Facility Design: Tosai Corporation, Kyu-den Ko Corporation
Construction: Matsumoto-gumi Corporation
Purpose: Coffee shop
Total floor area: 210.03 m2
Completion: 2011

Seeing some pictures of this 3D project, it was difficult for us to figure out that this place is not a whimsical themed park for children, but an original looking bar design. Who would have thought? French graphic designer Jean Jullien is responsible  for organizing this very attractive and playful concept of a bar located in Nantes, France, right at the top of a 144m building called Tour de Bretagne.

Very suggestively entitled “Le Nid” (which means “the nest” in English), the bar is very popular since its opening and it may be a pleasant way to start your journey to Nantes. A bit unusual for a bar design, “Le Nid” is home to a strange white bird (40 meters long), half asleep, who watches quietly over the city. His reassuring presence invites the visitors to come enjoy the 360° view. His large body serves as a bar, whilst his neck runs to the other end of the space having of both sides enormous eggshells turned into seats and tables. On the walls, a series of bright posters immortalize in a graphical manner 14 emblematic places of the metropolis. The location has also a unique soundtrack,  Niwouinwouin, which add originality and completes the ingenious artwork.

Photos © Jean Jullien

Wine lovers have a new hotspot to go in Budapest. A tremendous modern display of furniture pieces, materials and textures, DiVino is one of the newest wine bar was designed by Budapest-based design studio Suto Interior Architects in a beautiful Europe capital: Budapest, Hungary. The attractive 130 m2 place is located right next to Szent István square, in the heart of Budapest’s city centre and awaits guests in an impressive design setting. By reinventing an existing, fully furnished and equipped restaurant, with dull colours and strong stone surfaces, which was closed for months, a wine bar with a modern minimalist look and feel was born and has an instant success.

The concept underlying the redefinition of this space is to allow guests experience exclusive offers from Hungarian, second generation wine producers in a dynamic bistro environment. Its wine selection is based on the very best bottles of the 25 cellars listed as organizational members. The entrance of DiVino Wine Bar has retained that unique features of the beautiful old building, with big glass shop-front through which share the marvellous view of the st. stephen’s basilica. Showcasing a trendy and youthful attitude, the linear interiors are simply amazing blending industrial elements with minimalist design.

An awesome light-system highlights a mix of materials including pine and concrete and a dark color palettes (gray and black). The pine is used not just on the furniture but on the wall and millwork details as well, in order to warm up the dark space. The large wine bottle wall  at the entrance adds a lot of character to the space. Very unique and special indeed. What do you think? Share your thoughts on our comment area.

 Photos © Suto Interior Architects

Dramatic, yet inviting, mysterious and sexy, the Koko Restaurant and Bar is among the hottest dining, drinking and socializing space in Montreal, the largest bilingual city in North America and is known for its stylish sophistication and internationalism. And how could it not be so if it was envisioned by interior design firm Robert Bailey Interiors and it’s part of one of the world’s hottest new hotels designated by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

What did designer Robert Bailey with Koko Restaurant and Bar is creating an oustanding hospitality environment ideal for both daytime and evening, as a restaurant and a destination cocktail lounge, which celebrates sumptuousness and perfectly reflects the Opus Hotel experience and compliments the Opus brand.

Once  you step inside, a gorgeous playful mix of chic contrasts evoking the baroque style instantly captivates you, creating an intimate and positive guest experience along with an exquisite Quebec specialities consisting in the freshest combination of modern and clean flavours with Western culinary techniques. The designer’s vision for this project was to create a mysterious, exotic and sexy place and the inspiration he took from the drawings of Aubrey Beardsley and buildings’ art nouveau architecture seems to led him to this amazing result merging of opposites.

He played with sleek lines, old and new neo-Baroque furnishings and finishes, ornate against minimal on a dramatic silver, black and white backdrop. Beyond the monochromatic palette, there is a vibrant green accent which runs along the length of the floor in the grand salon which we also find on the outdoor terrace that gives energy and excitment to the overall restaurant design. Glittering chandeliers and over-height ceilings contribute to the stylish and sophisticated ambiance helping you relax and enjoy the occasion. What do you think of the Koko Restaurant and Bar’s design? Share with us your opinions in the comment section below.

Photos: © Robert Bailey Interiors.

Fasten your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served! In a never before seen, yet amazing setting, at a height of 50 metres, you can have a dinner to remember. Maybe it’s the most extravagant meal you’ve ever dreamt, so how about a dinner in the sky? It’s sounds really crazy, but who doesn’t want to experience such a fantastic dinner? The concept is unique, exclusive and innovative and is already operating  in over 40 countries from Europe and SUA and hosts any type of event such as breakfast in the sky, lunch in the sky, cocktails in the sky, meeting in the sky, internet café in the sky and newest, golf in the sky, even your marriage can be celebrated up in the air and the list goes on.

The event can be held anywhere as long as it has a surface of approximately 500 m² that can be secured and has the authorisation of the owner. Dinner in the Sky means exclusivity and safety: an exceptional suspended platform at a height of 50 metres by a team of professionals for a session of 8 hours that can be personalised according to the client’s wishes. It can accomodates 22 people around the table at every session with three staff in the middle (chef, waiter, entertainer…)  and may include others cranes with a platform at the same height as the table, for entertainment such as music or presentations.

Moreover, depending on the event, you can choose to have lights, heating, sound, TV screens and even customised underneath banner with seat stickers. Regarding safety, you don’t have to worry about: it’s designed to offer maximum security according international standards, getting the official authorisations from the toughest countries such as US, Canada, Australia, South-Africa. Enjoy unique moments which will surely be an unforgettable memory and your guests will remain with a wonderful lasting impression! Here you have some pictures to get an idea, but you can see many others visiting their site.

Photos: © dinnerinthesky.com

PHOS is a new Greek restaurant designed by lmarchitects  in 2012 and located on the Greek Island of Mykonos. As any other project designed by lmarchitects team, PHOS restaurant expresses the designers’ belief that tradition and new technologies can coexist at a trancedental level. The Greek light was the source of inspiration, which gave also its name “PHOS” (the Greek work for light) and shapes the identity of this beautiful restaurant area. The project distinguishes throught the use of traditional elements displayed in a contemporary view which creates a great modern look and feel.

All design elements convey a sense of serenity and calmness, a very romantic place where you can have a wonderful dinner experience. White dominates the color palette of this lovely Greek restaurant, where the decor pieces’ arrangement is simple and stylish. Pretty nice is also the combination of semi-open ceiling with lighting system, while the refraction of light and shadow creates a charming and romantic feel.

We can’t imagine how bright would be during the day with the sun beating down and reflecting, but we can surely say that as it look from these pictures night time would be a perfect time to eat there. We like it’s overall appearance and feeling, especially the way it honors the original character of surrounding buildings.

Photos: © Vaggelis Paterakis.

Name: Phos restaurant
Location: Mykonos, Greece
Design: 2012
Construction: 2012
Design Team: Lila Galata, Mariza Angelidi, Ariadni Kafetzi, Bettina Velliou

Opened in 2011 in Hong Kong, The Loft restaurant is an invitation to a stylish and tasteful eating experience in a captivating space. Designed by Hong Kong based design studio Joey Ho Design, The Loft is part of the re-branding series for the Italian chain Spaghetti House and its concept is based on the corporate strategy of being served in a “house”, to have an idyllically homely dining experience. The loft-style is what characterises this charming restaurant, which is an interesting fusion of old and new elements, cozy and modernly ones.

The Loft restaurant’s spacious open-space is defined by a minimalist design where everything matches very well creating that home-like mood which the designers wanted to achieve it. Chic and clever combination of wood, bricks and polished concrete, black and brown tables and  cozy long bench sofas along with accessible bar, coffee tables, bookshelves filled with books and photo frames make the entire background of this distinctive loft. The bright combination of black, white and red colors give dimension and create a playful game of strong contrasts. Not to mention the sketched graphics of domestic scenes designed on the walls and ceilings, which ensures the uniqueness of this discreetly luxurious interior.

Photos: © Joey Ho Design Limited.

Project details:

Designer: Joey Ho Design Limited
Client: Cafe de Coral Holdings Limited
Location: Shop G20, Citygate, Tung Chung, Hong Kong
Size: 3927 square feet
Year: 2011