Tucked away in the heart of Whitstable, Keller gave us the opportunity to transform an ageing and rather awkward building into an intimate wine bar and restaurant with plenty of personality and a gentle nod to its mid-century past.
Working with the existing building rather than against it, we retained and reinvented wherever we could. The original sapele bar was carefully relocated and given a new lease of life, with reclaimed timber, marble and the original brass footrest finding their way back into the finished scheme. A bespoke mid-century inspired screen provides a glimpse of the activity behind the scenes without giving everything away, while clever joinery, warm lighting, tactile fabrics and carefully considered details make the most of every inch.
As well as the things you see, there was plenty of thinking behind the scenes. We considered staff flow, storage and ergonomics, incorporated new equipment and services, created two new WCs and worked around the inevitable surprises that come with an older building. All without losing sight of what Keller needed to be: relaxed, intimate and somewhere you might accidentally stay for another glass.
And, of course, we finished it with the things we love most. Artwork, planting, accessories and those all-important final details bring everything together and give Keller its distinctive character.
The result is a space that feels as though it has always belonged in Whitstable, just with a rather fabulous new chapter.

Restaurant & Wine Bar - Interior design, space planning, finishes, furniture, lighting, bespoke joinery, artwork, planting, accessories, procurement, installation and styling

Design | Deliver | Style
Client: Dan Smith and Elliot Ashton-Konig
Photography: Samuel Wiles & Mike Taylor Photography