Out The Door

Name: Out The Door
Location: San Francisco, CA

The sister to San Francisco acclaimed Slanted Door, Out The Door takes on a new approach to modern Vietnamese cooking in an incredibly stylish environment.

The space is clean and well thought through with a large counter, butcher block community table at the front of the store, and banquette seating flanking the wall. 

Using natural materials like slate and wood adds warmth to the space. This is contrasted by clean lines and organized seating which add structure and modernism.

Image 2 © Sunset

Image 3 © Aliceqfoodie

Image 1,4-5 © Indoarch

Local Favorite; Big Shoulders Coffee

Name: Big Shoulders Coffee
Location: Chicago, IL

Big Shoulders takes cues from it's Chicago location with both the name, and interior.

The interior is kept simple with nods to Chicago's industrial & manufacturing background throughout.

The black subway tile with matching grout is streamlined and clean while still maintaining the timelessness of the material.

 The use of caged bulbs, exposed duct work, and strong metal fixtures are reminders of Chicago's manufacturing, industrial, and blue collar past.

Image 1,3 © Yelp

Image 2,4-5@ Kaper Design

Matchstick Coffee

Name: Matchstick Coffee
Location: Vancouver, BC

Matchstick, located in Vancouver, is a great example of a well thought through concept on a small budget. 

Matchstick's branding and logo evoke the warmth and playfulness of their owners while also drawing connection to the handcrafted quality of their product.

Matchstick did a great job understanding their concept and core identity and portraying it to the public through their use of simple, raw materials and clean color palate. 

The minimalism created inside of the space not only helps with small budgets, but also keeps the interior unfussy and uncluttered. This direction thoughtfulness of objects and space speaks to the owners clear vision of their brand and product. 

The large, live edge community table is one of the largest visual components of the space (other than the long service bar on the opposite wall) and emphasizes Matchsticks desire to be a community gathering space. This long table can transform to meet multiple needs through the day in a variety of situations and brings people together.

Large groupings of the same artists work create a much bigger visual effect than their initial cost.

Image 1© Scout Magazine Flickr

Images 2,3 © Matchstick Facebook

Image 4 © Raul P Flickr

Image 5-7 © Cleanhotdry

Gowings Bar & Grill

Name: Gowings Bar & Grill
Location: Sydney, Australia

Located in the QT Sydney hotel, Gowings is an Australian meets European brassier. With a luxe mixture of materials, the interior creates an upscale and comfortably chic environment.

The space is divided up into multiple areas, each with their own signature style that all work together with the use of mixed metals and gilded finishes.

I love the storefront like displays created for the wine room and seafood, treating the ingredients inside like works of art.

Photos 1-3 © Artinfo

Image 4 © Gowings Facebook

Pi

Name: Pi
Location: St Louis, MO

Located in downtown St Louis, Pi brings warmth to a large space through the use of materials and space planning.

The use of reclaimed, rough wood throughout the space creates a united space while also adding warmth to an otherwise overly large footprint.

Utilizing ceiling drops and vertical breaks, they managed to break up the space into smaller more manageable portions that allow multiple group types.

I love how they tied the space into the agricultural roots of the area by the use of the barn wood and steel, giving a nod to local barns.

All photos © Architizer

Bar & Co

Name: Bar & Co/ Kitchen & Co
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Design: Joanna Laajisto

Located in Helsinki, Bar & Co was designed to outlive trends. In order to create this, timeless materials and thoughtful approach were used.

The space was divided up into three rooms, the butcher's room, the library, and the smoking room. These spaced all have their own identity and feeling but also feel united and continuous. 

The butchers room features Carrera marble, clean white walls, subway tiles and industrial fixtures and accessories. 

I adore the meat grinder detail as well as the industrial yet simple wall fixtures.

The library introduces warm textures and textiles while still remaining clean and distinctly finnish.

From here, you transition into the smoking room which continues the green introduced in the library. Adding moulding and bistro chairs gives the space a distinct bistro-feel while also remaining clean and uncomplicated.

All photos © Mikko Ryhänen via Yatzer

Kolonihagen

Name: Kolonihagen
Location: Oslo, Norway

There is something so rustic and unfinished about Kolonihagen that creates a warm and welcoming space.

With rich, dark wood floors and exposed brick walls, The mismatched furniture allows the space to feel unpretentious and familiar.



By using found items, and keeping the furniture in the same light, earth-toned color family, the space still feels pulls together and cohesive.

A wood plank wall was crafted to separate spaces and hanging bulbs provide just enough light while adding a romantic glow throughout the space.

All photos © Kolonihager Facebook & Kolonihager Web

Outsider Tart

Name: Outsider Tart
Location: London

Located in London, Outsider Tart is a bakery & cafe that perfectly juxtaposes rustic and whimsy.

Utilizing vintage and found items and contrasting them with rustic displays and bright colors creates a perfectly balanced interior.

With limited space, every detail had to be thought through to make sure it made just the right impact. Maximizing space using the long display table in the middle creates flow while also breaking up the space. 

One of my favorite elements in the space is the ceiling that was created with sheet pans. Utilizing ordinary materials in unexpected ways also helps drive home the whimsy aspect of the cafe. 

Image 1-3 © We Heart

Image 4© World Architecture

The Sound Table

Name: The Sound Table
Location: Atlanta, GA

The Sound Table merges music, food, and cocktails into a modern package filled with local artists.

Using locally sourced Ambrosia Maple along with reclaimed timbers and locally crafted lighting, the space feels local, modern and clean.

The slat benches located throughout the space contact the exposed brick walls and add a touch of scandinavian simplicity and lightness.

Image 1 © SpoonFed Atlanda

Image 3 © Eater Atlanta

Image 2,4 © Creative Loafing via James Camp

Divino Wine Bar

Name: Davino Wine Bar
Location: Budapest
Design: Suto Interior Architects

Davino Wine Bar created a modern and warm spot perfect for displaying wine and serving customers. Utilizing a neutral color palate and limiting the materials used helped keep them on budget and focused in the design.

Utilizing strong geometric shapes and the light pine creates a great backdrop for the restaurants wine display while also providing a feature wall and focal point.

Concrete counters and diamond plating for floors helped establish the dark grey, black, and silver used to balance out the large quantity of pine.

I enjoy that all components follow through with the simple yet strong geometric aesthetic. Having the lights mirror the shape of the bar and wine display tie the space together and give it a harmonious feel.

All images © Architectural