The design of Cinnamon Ballsbridge is a celebration of playfulness and humour.

Tasked with the challenge to transform an empty shell retail unit into a restaurant, café and takeaway with a new mezzanine kitchen and bar, KLD were appointed to carry out the interior architecture and design for new Cinnamon restaurant. “Combining multiple functionalities and experiences in a small and compact unit, we wanted to create a dynamic and engaging environment that offered multiple experiences to the user, despite the size of the space.”

Taking cues from the brands existing pink and maroon colours, KLD sought to create a more impactful, feminine and playful design and to elevate Cinnamon as a brand. The space was inspired by dreamscapes and installation art, with a focus on verticality and oversized scale. Every element of the space was considered and designed by KLD to draw the visitor inside and encourage them to interact with the different areas. KLD designed all the light fixtures, reminiscent of oversized lollipops, to the wall cladding, tabletops and built in seating to maintain a bold and toy-like feel throughout. “We wanted to create a light-hearted and childlike space with an element of escapism.”

KLD used soft and sinuous curves to lead you on the journey through the space. Soft pastels are heightened with textural changes from soft leathers, glistening tiles and high gloss lacquered surfaces. The colour palette was kept deliberately simple and repetitive so that it visually connects. Mirror was incorporated in various ways to echo the full height dramatic glazing and bring in the natural light.

The unit has full height glazing on the front and side which KLD wanted to maximise. With over 4m high ceiling, KLD sought to retain and emphasise the scale and verticality of the space. “The main entrance wall was deliberately kept double height to create drama. We designed the main wall and bar wall to be deliberately oversized, to offer the visitor a ‘doll house’ effect of feeling miniature.”

To maintain maximum floor space for diners, they designed the kitchen onto a new mezzanine first floor, disguising it with mirror cladding to reflect the natural light. They used the mezzanine to visually zone the experiences on the ground floor and to create more intimate and cocooned spaces under the mezzanine.

Shapes and forms were kept primary almost like simple building blocks and buttons to engage with, with a range of textures to touch.