Alfred Coffee

Name: Alfred Coffee
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Multiple)
Design: Joshua Zad

One look around the Alfred Coffee in the Alley location and you'll realize this is not your typical coffee shop. Bolder than what we are used to, it creates a great buzz of energy that is refreshing from a design stand point. 

IMIG's

Name: IMIG's
Location: San Diego, CA
Design: All the bells & whistles

Located within the Lafayette Hotel in San Diego, IMIG's has it's own distinctive style making it a great dining experience even for locals. 

Lowbrau Bierhalle

Name: Lowbrau Bierhalle
Location: Sacramento, CA
Graphic Design: Band

Lowbrau bierhalle is a modern interpretation of the traditional German Beer Hall. I love that they took a traditional concept, reinterpreted it for their local, and created a space that refreshingly different while still playing homage to the original. 

Hock Farms

Name: Hock Farms
Location: Sacremento, CA
Design: Beta Form Industries

Hock Farms is a bright & slightly modern space that still captures a bit of rustic warmth within it's walls.

Messhall

Name: Mess Hall

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Design: StudioUnltd

With a mix of mid century modern and rustic, Messhall creates a space that fits well within it's historic dome roofed structure. 

Laurel Hardware

Name: Laurel Hardware
Location: West Hollywood, CA
Design: Sam Marshall

Located inside of a converted hardware store, appropriately named Laurel Hardware creates a space with a great mix of industrial and vintage.

Brooklyn Girl

Name: Brooklyn Girl
Location: San Diego

Located in San Diego, Brooklyn Girl is a great example of two regional styles coming together to create a great mix. 

Gjelina

Name: Gjelina
Location: Venice, CA
Design: Modern Arc

Here is another great, industrial restaurant space. Located in Venice California, Gjelina mastered the rustic, glamourous,slightly modern, and industrial feeling. The interior is paired with some great branding and logo work which carries through the vintage, industrial, and modern feel.

I absolutely love their use of wood on the ceiling and brick floors and enjoy the mismatched door styles covering up the wine wall. The variation throughout the space allows it to feel casual and unpretentious while the low lighting at night creates a romantic and intimate feeling. 

Photos 1-4 © Modern Arc

Image 5 © Susiefoodie Flickr

Bumble Los Altos

Name: Bumble Los Altos
Location: Los Altos, California

I love it when companies take design seriously, but realize that design doesn't have to be serious. When Bumble Los Altos showed up in my inbox, I couldn't have been more excited. The entire space was created on the concept of family dining and features multiple spaces for eating & playing. The entire space feels like you have entered a great friend's home, rather than a restaurant.

There is a communal dining space perfect for group get-togethers, bar for a quick lunch or glass of wine, lounge and play space centered around an interactive fish tank, indoor and outdoor play spaces for kids and outdoor patio for date nights.

Keeping the colors simple and sticking to a neutral palate with hits of grey and yellow, keeps the space bright, inviting and fun.


What I enjoyed most about this space, and concept, was that the entire space was designed for families but wasn't overly simplified. It reminds us that family dining can go beyond ball pits and happy meals.

All photos © Bumble Los Alto

A look back; 2011 Reader Favorites

 The Reader Favorites from 2011 (clockwise from top left);

The Fat Radish, NY
Colonie, NY
Mazzo, Netherlands
Gilt Bar, Chicago
Fish Bar, Chicago
Bell, Book & Candle, NY
The Coffee Studio, Chicago
The Viceroy Hotel, California

Viceroy Hotel & Resort; Santa Monica

Name: Viceroy Santa Monica

Location: Santa Monica, Ca

Designer: Kelly Wearstler

The Viceroy Resort in Santa Monica shows a great balance of color, traditional and modern. I adore the bold kelly green color that is showcased throughout the public spaces and think the preppy and modern color palette works perfectly to highlight the wonderful environment of the space.

All images © Viceroy Hotel & Resorts

Ella Dining Room & Bar

Name: Ella Dining Room and Bar

Location: Sacramento, CA

Designer: UXUS

The concept of Ella was 'Rustic Luxury' and I think Uxus nailed it. The space is calming with texture everywhere, from the lamp cords and drapes to the vintage shutters and raw wood.

I love the private dining room and the large utensil graphics on the walls. I also appreciate the correct use of scale throughout the design. (Definitely something typically missed in designs, especially those created by individuals whom dont have the required education and background in design.)

All images © Amassing design