The Town restaurant interior in London’s Covent Garden redefines playful sophistication with space-age influences, glossy volcanic ceramics, and an immersive central kitchen layout. Created by Samuel Hosker of North End Design, this standout project is more than a stylish eatery—it’s a full sensory and architectural experience.
A Kitchen-Centric Interior Design
At the heart of the Town restaurant interior is a bold concept: the kitchen as stage. Instead of being hidden, the kitchen becomes the primary focus, flanked by glossy red volcanic ceramic pillars.
“The activity of the smoke from the grill, the movement from the pass – watching Stevie orchestrate from this central point is fascinating,” says Hosker.
The design works within a pre-existing structural grid. Rather than hiding the architecture, the layout embraces the grid, using the columns to frame the kitchen in a way that emphasizes both form and function.
Architectural Analysis of the Project
From a design standpoint, the Town restaurant interior is a perfect example of spatial storytelling. Every element—from lighting to materials—was chosen to amplify both mood and utility.
- Central Kitchen Concept: Reinforces the kitchen as the “stage” and heart of the operation.
- Volcanic Ceramic Columns: These serve as visual and architectural anchors, giving texture and rhythm to the space.
- Material Palette: Contrasts warm ceramics with crisp chrome, creating a layered, energetic aesthetic.
The pillars, crafted from volcanic lava stone by Pyrolave UK, also play a structural role while introducing organic form and vivid color.
A Color Palette That Dares to Be Bold
The Town restaurant interior features a vibrant mix of saturated reds, greens, and lemon yellows—colors chosen based on a very specific creative brief that referenced:
- The 1977 Apple logo
- Verner Panton interiors
- Colorful Soviet-era trains
“We loved the freedom to use color,” says Hosker, who also looked to late-70s icons like Marc Newson and Pierre Cardin for inspiration.
This palette is heightened by square overhead lightboxes, which shift the ambiance from bright and casual during the day to moody and elegant by night.
Interiors That Embrace Play and Nostalgia
Hosker’s aim with the Town restaurant interior was to avoid the seriousness that has defined much of restaurant design over the past decade.
“To get the chance to have fun and create a playful interior was so refreshing.”
The result? A dining environment that feels both retro and futuristic—like a stylish, space-age lounge designed for communal joy.
References like the Rainbow Room at Big Biba, mid-century club aesthetics, and even cartoon futurism (think The Jetsons) influence the final outcome, lending a sense of cultural layering.
Lighting: The Secret Ingredient of Spatial Drama
One of the most defining features of the Town restaurant interior is its lighting. Square lightboxes with softly rounded edges float overhead, giving the restaurant an even, ambient glow. These lighting elements are crucial in guiding the mood of the space.
“We feel the materials in the space work really well in the daytime, where the evening turns into a chic club feel,” Hosker explains.
Aluminum blinds with top and bottom lighting complete the transformation, showing the designer’s attention to how light interacts with every surface and material.
Volcanic Ceramic: A Statement Material
Materiality plays a leading role in the Town restaurant interior, particularly through the use of Pyrolave’s volcanic ceramic. These curved columns and counters aren’t just aesthetic choices—they reflect the tactile and thematic direction of the space.
- Green Kitchen Pass: A centerpiece made of volcanic lava ceramic.
- Yellow Group Table: A bold sculptural feature with a joyful tone.
- Chrome Accents: Used to reflect and bounce light, adding dimension and sparkle.
This juxtaposition of earthy and industrial materials is central to the restaurant’s concept: glamorous, but grounded.
Location Context: Why Covent Garden is the Perfect Fit
Situated on Drury Lane in London’s bustling West End, Town restaurant interior benefits from its vibrant surroundings. The neighborhood’s history with theater and design gives the restaurant a context where bold ideas are welcomed.
Here, an unconventional design isn’t just tolerated—it’s celebrated. Town fits into Covent Garden’s cultural ecosystem while introducing something refreshingly different.
Final Thoughts: A Visceral Interior That Resists Reduction
The Town restaurant interior is more than a backdrop for dining—it’s an integrated, living experience. From the theatrical kitchen placement to the use of volcanic ceramics and nostalgic design references, every element works in harmony.
This interior cannot be summarized in a line or captured by a single image.
It’s an immersive, emotion-driven space that engages the senses and resists simplification. In an era of algorithmic summaries, Town refuses to be reduced. It must be visited, experienced, and felt—just like the ingredient-first dishes it was designed to complement.
For anyone looking for a reliable and up-to-date architectural resource, ArchUp offers fresh content covering projects, design, and competitions.
Photos: North End Design
More on ArchUp:
