Dear Guest: A Cinematic Bakery Design in Los Angeles
Studio Jialun Xiong blends nostalgic aesthetics with whimsical fantasy in a new cafe.
1Cinematic Bakery Concept
Located on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake, Dear Guest is a bakery designed by Studio Jialun Xiong. The owner, who has a background in the film and gaming industries, sought to create an environment isolated from the outside world. The space functions as a curated fantasy, resembling a meticulously constructed movie set.
2Eclectic Design Influences
Jialun Xiong draws from a diverse range of historical and cultural references to define the aesthetic. The interior incorporates elements of 1930s Art Deco, Parisian boutique hotels, and traditional Japanese ryokan inns. These disparate influences are synthesized into a cohesive visual language that feels both familiar and distinctly otherworldly to visitors.
3Warm Color Palette
The interior utilizes a warm palette of butter-yellow walls and joinery, which subtly references the golden crusts of the bakery's viennoiseries. Mahogany-hued furniture provides a rich contrast to the lighter walls. Grey stone flooring grounds the space, while a silver-lacquered ceiling and metallic cornices add an unexpected shimmer to the overall design.
4Graphic Circular Motifs
A recurring circular motif provides graphic coherence throughout the cafe. This is visible in the three round mirrors behind the banquette seating, white polka dots on the terracotta upholstery, and circular cut-outs in the Void Chairs. These elements unify the space while maintaining a playful, whimsical character consistent with the studio's vision.
5Custom Furniture Pieces
The project features bespoke furniture designed by Studio Jialun Xiong, including the Void Chair and the Skeleton Lounge Chair. The Void Chairs feature butter-yellow leather upholstery, while the Skeleton Lounge Chairs utilize brushed-metal frames with cocoa-brown leather. These sculptural pieces demonstrate the studio's precision while offering a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere for guests.
6Japanese Lantern Reinterpretation
Lighting plays a crucial role in the cafe’s atmosphere, with custom pendant lights suspended above the tables. These fixtures feature delicate metal frames and raw-silk shades, reinterpreting the traditional Japanese lantern silhouette through an Art Deco lens. The lighting design contributes to the orchestrated environment, enhancing the space's cinematic and immersive qualities.
7Whimsical Bathroom Details
The boutique-hotel inspiration extends to the bathroom, which features hand-painted illustrations of hotel paraphernalia like service bells and white gloves. An illuminated circular panel and mirror transform this functional area into an optical composition. This detail highlights the project's departure from strict minimalism toward a more whimsical, narrative-driven design approach.
8Evolution of Design
Dear Guest marks a shift from the graphic minimalism previously associated with Xiong’s work. By embracing a more whimsical sensibility, the project showcases her ability to absorb varied influences into a unified language. It stands as a testament to her precise design vocabulary, creating a space that remains unmistakably her own.