As a designer, I’m always on the lookout for new places with great design. One of my new favorite places is Holsem Coffee in North Park. The minimalist, clean lines and symmetry throughout, create a calm, relaxed feeling the second you walk through the door. Subtle details abound, you can tell the owners put a lot of careful thought into every aspect of this space. The standout detail for me is the bookmatched stone above the coffee taps. That’s something you usually only see used in residential applications – maybe on a mantle or in a master bath. But it’s so impactful here! It creates a focal point, that draws you back to the coffee bar, which is where the real magic is happening.
The design and ambiance are probably the first things people notice when they walk into a new place. Good or bad, I think we often make assumptions about the quality of the food in a restaurant (or the drinks in a coffee shop) based on our first impression of the design. It just sets the tone for the experience. At Balboa Design Group, we understand that. It seems like the owners at Holsem get it too!
