Designing a restaurant that's impossible to forget

The best restaurants don't simply serve great food. They create an experience that begins the moment you walk through the door.

For this Tunbridge Wells restaurant, the brief was to transform an empty former phone shop into a vibrant destination that reflected the creativity of artist Erika Simm and celebrated the bold, joyful personality of Palette Pizza & Art.

Every part of the interior was designed to contribute to that experience. Colour runs confidently throughout the space, with layers of pattern, playful materials and unexpected details creating an environment that feels immersive rather than decorative. Despite the variety of colours and finishes, the palette has been carefully balanced so the restaurant feels cohesive rather than chaotic.

One of my favourite features is the hand-painted floor, inspired by the splattered paint of an artist's studio. It quietly reinforces the restaurant's identity while bringing movement and energy to the space beneath your feet.

Even the guest bathroom was designed to be memorable. Rich pattern, bold colour and playful details transform what is often an overlooked space into somewhere guests can't resist photographing and sharing, extending the restaurant's personality well beyond the dining table.

I believe commercial interiors should tell a story as clearly as the food they serve. Every decision, from the colour palette to the artwork and materials, was made to create a place that feels joyful, distinctive and unlike anywhere else in the town.

Palette Pizza & Art, Tunbridge Wells