TENNESSEE: a bakery cafe in arlington
this semester of school has by far been my favorite. we’ve moved into a realm where designing everything from the layout of the space to the wall materials to the light fixtures really count. looking to my past and being inspired by the coffee shops i loved in nashville, i took a spin on an empty space in arlington, massachusetts and recreated a bakery cafe with a nashville feel.
I began with pulling inspiration images, wanting the space to feel rustic yet welcoming. a place where one felt comfortable pulling their feet up on the sofa.
we were given the empty floor plan and the requirements (number of display cases, kitchen square footage, handicap accessible bathroom, etc.) and had free range from there.
i wanted the space to be one in which people could learn and share knowledge between sips of coffee. a large chalkboard wall, comfy leather sofa and lighting worthy of an art gallery lit the stage. hatchprint, a signature style of nashville, led customers from the front of the space to the back. and my love of geometrics shaped my kitchen.
many drawings later, the space came to life. boston is in need of more off-brand coffee shops, and i wouldn’t mind one that marks my lattes with a heart.
