Interior Architecture for an Italian Restaurant Inspired by the 1950s
This project began with several challenges: a very tight budget and a completely dilapidated space, requiring full demolition and rehabilitation into a warm and welcoming environment. The client wanted to create an Italian restaurant inspired by the 1950s, with an authentic and convivial atmosphere, while rethinking the kitchen layout to meet modern needs.
Starting with the idea of transporting guests to 1950s Italy, I first sought out period photographs of Italian landscapes and everyday scenes. These images, reworked in sepia tones, became the central inspiration for the design. Brown and ochre hues became the dominant palette, creating a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. For the façade and signage, corten steel, evoking an elegant rust, was chosen for its robustness and industrial character, while also giving a subtle nod to the southern Italian landscapes with a touch of limoncello.
The project also included the complete creation of the restaurant’s corporate identity: from the logo to the menu cards, and the design of the storefront. The use of materials such as wenge wood, porcelain tiles imitating corten steel, and vinyls featuring sepia photographs of Italy helped anchor the establishment in a retro and authentic atmosphere. The goal was to create a space filled with texture and dreamlike elements, where every detail evokes the Italian spirit of the 1950s while remaining functional and welcoming.