Design Inspiration

When you’re craving design inspiration for your home, look no further than your local eatery! We bring you three restaurants with distinctly different styles—each brimming with design ideas that you can replicate in your own home.

Hello, Sailor

HELLO, SAILOR feels like a Palm Springs hideaway from the 1970s has landed on the docks of Lake Norman. We can’t stop gushing over the oh-so-groovy finishings and decor in this recently opened Davidson, NC, eatery from acclaimed restaurateurs, Katy and Joe Kindred (owners of Kindred in Davidson, NC). From the white stone walls to the cactus wallpaper and mid-mod light fixtures suspended throughout, every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create a whimsical atmosphere. Part cheeky, part retro, all fun. On the floors, trendy (and durable!) terrazzo meets slate tiles. Rattan and wicker chairs play nicely with the leather butterfly chairs that flank the citrus green fireplace. Warm walnut wood and gold chrome details throughout tie the space together. The bright and casual fare is served on retro peach trays and parquet wooden bowls, ideal for outdoor dining on their patio, or sipping summerinspired cocktails at their tiki bar. Every vantage point offers a dose of mid-century modern design inspiration. If your home features an open-concept floor plan, utilize an interesting wood partition to create defined spaces, as seen in the entryway of the restaurant. To keep the entire space cohesive, establish a playful color palette (we love Hello, Sailor’s peach, mustard, and natural greens), and be sure to include lots of complementary textures and finishes (think rattan, leather, velvet, and stone).

HELLOSAILORNC.COM

Guglhupf

“A little bit German. A whole lotta yum.” is how this Durham, NC, gem describes itself. We might add, “And a heavy dose of deliciously eclectic design.” GUGLHUPF is a bakery, biergarten, and café that is as visually interesting as its history. German-born owner Claudia Kemmet-Cooper opened the bakery 20 years ago, passionate to share delicacies from the southwest region of Germany. Over time, the concept and building itself have expanded to include breakfast, lunch, and an incredible full biergarten menu in the evening. Locally sourced, seasonal ingredients are at the heart of the chefdriven menu. The atmosphere is dynamic with architecturally striking features—soaring ceilings inside are illuminated by dangling shell chandeliers and paper lanterns. Rich tones of burgundy and orange fill the walls. Touches of bauhaus art nouveau are scattered throughout. Ornate metalwork, figurines and water features flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The outdoor patio is both dog-friendly and kid-friendly, “Children are highly encouraged to have fun and play in the fountains...especially in their Sunday-best attire,” laughs Kemmet-Cooper. Take a design note from her approach—have fun and be bold! Mix eras, styles, and finishes to create a unique space that’s wholly yours.

GUGLHUPF.COM

A guglhupf is a yeast-based cake with raisins traditionally baked in a circular bundt mold.

We love this gallery wall of colorful prints. #SoNesty!

Laura Lee's

It’s official—we have a thing for green tufted booths...especially the booths at LAURA LEE’S in Richmond, VA. The soft sage green booths run the length of the restaurant and are balanced perfectly by the green bar in the adjoining room, painted in the same subtle hue. White tin ceilings and an abundance of natural light keep the space feeling bright and cheerful. Above the booths hangs a gallery of curated prints, adding splashes of poppy color to the exposed brick wall. In your own home, gallery walls are a great way to add color, pattern, and interest to a room. Use a mix of your own photos, small (i.e., affordable) paintings collected on your travels, and prints from art books, or even wallpaper samples. Play with scale—use prints of similar size, as shown at Laura Lee’s, or mix it up by using oversized prints, balanced with small pieces like polaroid photos, postcards, or quotes from your favorite books.

The only thing as vibrant as the decor at this neighborhood hot spot is the food itself. Trust us, the fried chicken and hush puppy platter will not disappoint—a perfect blend of sweet and salty, served with dipping sauces, slaw, and buttery biscuits. Craft cocktails in dazzling glassware elevate the experience. Follow this trick in your own home—building up a collection of mismatched vintage glassware in jewel tones, found at antique stores and flea markets.

LAURALEESRVA.COM

TEXT BY JASMINE BIBLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH CECIL, AARON H. BIBLE, SUSAN KALERGIS