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CREATIVE DIRECTION & Design

THE LITTLE ROOM

CONCEPT, DESIGN, BUILD.

This bar and restaurant is a project I dreamed up based on my favorite places to eat and the historic neighborhood this project landed in. We designed, and brought the project to life alongside Mac Donald General Contractor and my business partner, designer Noah Johnson (all branding can be found here: https://noahmjohnson.com/thelittleroom). Together, we handled every detail from floor plans and project management to general design. We turned it over the business owner to execute the final details. What you'll see below is our layout with decorating details still to be finished by the business owner.

FACADE REDUX

Process:

We began with the front of the building, which required the façade to be fully demolished and re-cast. I chose concrete because it made the most sense financially while also allowing us to achieve a period-correct look that matched the neighborhood’s Deco character. The façade and doorway had been structurally compromised after a car struck the building prior to our project, making them unsafe.

I drew inspiration from Art Deco façades in the Pico area, photographing buildings and creating a sketch. I then sent these to designer Noah Johnson, who elevated the concept with his own design approach and passion for Los Angeles’ architectural history. The result was an intensive structural redesign of the building’s front.

INTERIOR

Strategy and Inspiration

We started with an empty white box and a corner entry. This was a perfect canvas to execute the concept; we guide people in and walk straight to the bar which is flanked by cozy booth seating.

HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, all needed to run underground so we had to demo a little more than a third of the floor. This was a process as you'll see below. Once we had the fundamentals set we re-poured the floor and got to designing.

Before:

During:

DESIGN:

The interior design for the space was prefaced in the idea of bringing old quality built warm wood surfaces back to the West Adams neighborhood - drawing on historical references from the Victorian and Craftsman homes in the area. I wanted the experience to feel like it's been there forever and you've just never heard about it. Real wood pieces were hand picked and collected from up and down the east coast some potentially 150 years old: wood paneling, light fixtures, a fireplace mantle retrofitted as a backbar, refinished and stained, and also added to by master carpenter Larry Haynes. The lighting referenced in the pictures below are just work lights. The idea is a warm dark space lit by specific light fixtures.

WIP:

WRAP UP:

Coming from a family deeply rooted in the restaurant industry and having worked in restaurants myself I bring a unique, boots on the ground approach to design, functionality, and operations. Every detail of this project was carefully considered to create a seamless experience, from booth layout and eye-lines to back bar and kitchen flow. It wasn’t just about how things look and function for the guest; it was about making life easier and work stations smarter for servers, bartenders, and line cooks too. This was critical for bar top width and drink rail placement to, where pos printers go for most efficiency, jockey locations, types of fridges etc.. with major help and guidance by Los Angeles based Bartender and Cocktail master, Vay Su.

I stepped away from the project to allow the business owner to do the final decorations. We purchased a ton of great light fixtures, paintings, memorabilia etc..

I learned a lot and worked with incredible subcontractors and would love to do this again.