Commercial Spaces with Soul
Designing a commercial space is not about floor plans. It is about crafting an atmosphere where people linger, feel, and share a meal. Here is how I blend heritage with modern needs to create spaces that feel alive.
This video offers a glimpse into the vintage, romantic world we created for The Lovefools restaurant. From the stained-glass windows and aged walls to the cozy seating nooks, every detail was designed to transport guests to another time.
The walls in The Lovefools were hand-painted by me to achieve this perfectly imperfect, aged texture. Paired with vintage-style lighting and floral upholstery, the dining room feels like a treasured find, a place with history and heart.
A quiet corner at The Lovefools, where the dim lighting and curated art create an intimate mood. Seeing this space thrive, filled with people enjoying the atmosphere, brings me immense joy. It was truly made with love.
Looking into a private dining nook at The Lovefools, you see how color and light create a unique vibe. The green walls, stained-glass window, and lace tablecloth come together to form a cozy, romantic setting.
Another intimate corner at The Lovefools, perfect for a quiet conversation. The vintage-style armchair, stained-glass window, and classic chandelier all contribute to the restaurant's timeless and soulful character.
A peek through a doorway reveals layers of texture and pattern. The exposed brick wall, floral curtain, and antique furniture create a rich visual story. I love discovering these different angles each time I visit.
For another heritage restaurant, we restored and refreshed the original architectural details. This circular Art Deco stained-glass window became a focal point, complemented by new wood paneling and black-and-white striped marble flooring to honor the building's history.
About Commercial Spaces with Soul
I personally hand-painted the walls at The Lovefools to achieve that perfectly weathered texture, because a room should feel lived-in from day one. Instead of starting with a blank canvas, I look for original architectural quirks like forgotten Art Deco glass or tired beams, and build the entire mood around what the building already holds. If you are aiming for a commercial space that carries a history, let's look at your site’s story together.
When designing for businesses, my aim is to move away from the sterile, cookie-cutter look. Whether it is a heritage cafe or a contemporary workspace, a building needs a heartbeat. My process starts with listening to the walls. In heritage buildings, I prioritise restoration, preserving stained glass, original tiling, and timber. For new shells, I introduce salvaged materials and honest textures—limewash, reclaimed brick, and natural lighting—to create a sense of belonging.
My approach to commercial interior restoration relies on a collaboration between myself and the craftspeople who understand the soul of a building. We focus on:
- Adaptive Reuse: Giving forgotten structures a new purpose without erasing their character.
- Atmospheric Lighting: Designing the light to shift with the day, creating intimacy during dinner or openness for a midday meeting.
- Material Integrity: Choosing finishes that age well and tell a story, like brass hardware that develops a patina or terrazzo floors that feel solid underfoot.
Every project involves a conversation between the old bones of the structure and the new life we bring to it. If you have an empty or neglected space that deserves a second chapter, I would love to explore its potential with you.
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