This Popular Coffee Shop Gets A Glamorous Makeover
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at Solaire gets transformed into an Art Deco, jazz-age cafe
Coffee shops are usually modern-industrial affairs, with brick walls, distressed wooden tables, and factory-style lamps. But have you ever seen a café with studded chesterfield sofas, velvet armchairs, rich fabrics, and burnished gold details?
There is such a coffee shop, and its overall design harkens back to an era of glamorous, jazz-age bars—it is the Coffee Bean And Tea Leaf branch at Solaire Resort and Casino, which was given the Art Deco treatment by Wilmer Lopez of Space Encounters.
“The CBTL (Coffee Bean And Tea Leaf) team is one of those rare clients that gave us absolute creative freedom; the concept was our call,” shares Wilmer. “The location in Solaire near the theater required a design that will be as grand as the venue. That’s when we decided to go the Art Deco route but with more theatrics and glitter. We looked at Art Deco cinemas in the So-Cal area for inspiration; this would make the interior design remain conceptually true to CBTL’s roots.”
READ: Design 101- What Is Art Deco?
Entrance
Gone are the modern burgundy-and-white CBTL interiors, and in place are subdued, indirect lighting, wooden paneling, curved walls, and distinctly Art Deco sunray patterns on the railings.
Counter area
Polished wood tables replace the usual rustic wood communal tables, and crimson velvet chairs are used in lieu of stools. Typical Art Deco details such as streamlined surfaces and geometric forms can be seen in the cashwrap counter.
“We then proceeded to plan a space that would reflect the brand’s vision: warm colors, welcoming layout, greens, airy, filled with comfortable corners so one can really enjoy their coffee,” the designer explains. “Once that was pinned down, we added all the Art Deco elements, from dark marble counter tops and tables, brass fixtures, to graphic patterns and posters that show a 1920s aesthetic.”
Lounge area
Deep, leather chesterfield sofas surrounded by a variety of seats, among them Papa Bear chairs, classic club chairs, and burnished gold stools make for an inviting (and beautiful!) place to enjoy a cup of coffee. “An overarching theme that we have for all CBTL branches designed by Space Encounters is ‘Living Rooms,’” says Wilmer. “Comfortable seating with classic Art deco and mid-century lounge chairs and sofa are laid out to recreate the intimacy of living rooms.”
Vignette
The Space Encounters team used larger-than-life Art Deco posters “that, when one looks closely, have jazz singers and noir detectives holding CBTL cups. Brass and golden metal frames, lamps, and screen dividers add the sheen of the jazz age.”
Banquette detail
“A lot of the design elements highlighted the ceiling height,” shares Wilmer. “Panels run from floor to ceiling, and wall sconces seem to stretch vertically.”
The new branches deviate from the typical modern-contemporary interiors of the CBTLs of yore, and now have specific themes for different locations, with a relaxed and casual feel for the Tagaytay branch, and a pastel-washed midcentury look for the Podium branch. “CBTL has this vision of having special branches as dictation by location…we’re currently working on a Tagaytay branch that we’re equally excited about.”
Visit the new Coffee Bean And Tea Leaf branch at G/F Shoppes At Solaire Resort And Casino, 1 Aseana Ave., Parañaque City
