Something we’ve missed
We didn’t get the chance to register for this year’s competition at the 2023 International Muse Awards Competition, but it was brought to our attention that an article came out soon after we received the news about our result last year.
Our Summer Ideology project brought home a Silver Medal at the 2022 International Musse Awards.
With well over 6,000 entries received from across the world, the MUSE Creative Awards and MUSE Design Awards resumed their mission to honor creative and design professionals’ excellence.
“The IAA team was caught off-guard by the work submitted for the second season of 2022’s MUSE Awards. These entries were truly astounding, and they certainly bring the level of competition up a notch,” Thomas Brandt, spokesperson of IAA, noted. “It’s amazing as always to witness great works lined up in the competition. The team is absolutely in awe of the level of creativity and ingenuity that is in the industry.”
Rudy’s Ramen
If you find yourself in Wicker Park, do not miss the opportunity to savor the best ramen in the City.
The Design of Rudy's Ramen - a testament to a passionate entrepreneur's journey from the corporate world to a soulful haven of culinary delights.
September Issue ~ 2023
Livingetc - Modern Home Design and Style
A KITCHEN ISLAND SOLUTION FOR SMALL KITCHENS - The IKEA hacks that add value to a home – the small changes that will make a big difference when selling your home.
'If there's really no room for an island of any kind, Cristiana recommends focussing on wall storage: 'If there’s an odd corner or a small useless space, then you need to focus your attention on the kitchen wall organization & storage. Plenty and fun products that will fit your space. Maybe even go a touchV further and transform that awkward space into a fun accent corner (with a touch of fresh paint).'
CHICAGO BASED INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANY TAKES ON LONDON
Perpetuum Designs, a reputable interior design studio founded in Chicago, US back in 2016, has recently started to showcase its talent in the UK.
With her latest completed project – Entice by Marlen (London) and back in 2021, Dot (Sheffield), interior designer Cristiana Crin shows serious potential for the hospitality industry in the UK.
The Design
"The design and ambiance created inside FONDA Cantina play a crucial role in telling the restaurant’s genuine and joyful story of Mexican culture.
To bring this vision to life, Lachowicz enlisted the talents of the creative team at Perpetuum Designs. A hospitality design leader in Chicagoland and abroad, Perpetuum Designs partner Cristiana Crin piloted FONDA Cantina’s design efforts to create a space that radiates the personality and values of the restaurant and the team behind it.
The design of the restaurant is vibrant and daring while inviting and comforting at the same time. The aesthetic incorporates natural materials and textures inspired by the homes, monuments, natural colors, and rustic tiles of colonial Mexico.
Eye-catching original brick walls of the building are blended with design elements such as hand-woven bamboo lighting fixtures, wood bead wall lamps, a breathtaking 12-light branch chandelier, rich wallcovering murals, crafted wood elements, and more.
Following the story of the team’s heritage, Crin, and her team hand-picked decor pieces to fit the custom-built elements of the restaurant to create a comforting vibe. Most decor elements featured throughout the restaurant are hand-made by artisans from Mexico.
The L-shaped, 5,100 square foot space first draws diners’ eyes to a sleekly designed 11-seat pergola-topped bar and 80-seat main dining room which can be converted for private parties for up to 50 guests behind functional and elegant sliding doors.
Down a polished narrow hallway off the main dining room and passing FONDA Cantina’s lively open kitchen, diners are led to the “cantina” side of the property which creates capacity for additional reservation and walk-in business with a 20-seat bar and additional seating for 40 guests, plus a street-side walkup window to be opened for late-night service."
~ Foodgressing, Chicago.
"Chicago-based firm Perpetuum Designs, also behind the aesthetics at Stay & Play Game Cafe in Irving Park and the Jibarito Stop in Pilsen, selected an earthy palette to offset blue and rust-colored fiber wall art, woven bamboo light fixtures, and decorative painted tiles, many of which were sourced from Mexican artists and craftspeople, according to a rep."
- Chris Peters/Eater Chicago.
Redfin - How to Perfect the Holiday Mantel
Published on December 7, 2021 by Ana de Guzman
Focus on the colors of the season
It seems that magenta and blue are the leading colors for this Holiday Season, but we’d like to point out something far more important. Focusing on natural elements, rather than color, combined with abundance for a rich effect, will welcome and color (or color combination) in the mix if thought outright. With abundance in mind, greenery, wooden, wreaths, mixed with candles, ribbon, miniature toys or statues, glass bowls, wrapped gifts….will create the perfect Holiday Mantel and add magic to any space. – Perpetuum Designs
Observator - Romania - Fără diplomă de bucătar, dar pasionat de gătit, un român a deschis unul dintre cele mai de succes restaurante din UK
Published on November 27, 2021 by Alexandra Paraschiv
“…Iar design-ul este pe măsură. Gândit tot de o româncă plecată din ţară, doar că în Statele Unite ale Americii. Cu ajutorul Cristianei, Ovidiu a făcut din Dot un local fabulos. Şi nu oricum. Au îmbinat tradiţionalul cu. modernul. Şi au încercat să aducă aici ceva din amintirile de acasă….”
YorkshireLive - UK - Lockdown and an App: How Clubhouse brought exotic designs to Sheffield
Published on November 19, 2021 by Maynard Manyowa
“It was a beautiful collaboration; the client participated a lot in the construction execution and we were able to see step by step our proposed specks come to life. From burned wood finishes to a selection of irregular circular light pendants, dressed up menu board, and handcrafted (and I may add extremely well-executed) décor frames.”
The National Restaurant Owners Podcast, New York - Design, Layout & Functionality in Your Restaurant
Published January 10, 2021 by Kyle Inserra
Owning a restaurant can be a lonely, stressful existence. Kyle Inserra knows this first hand as a 15 year veteran of the hospitality industry. On the show, he shares his experience and interviews fellow industry professionals to provide you with the insight our industry often lacks. Whether you're opening your first restaurant or considering adding units to your current concept, there's always something new to learn, and who better to learn from than those who have successfully done it.