# Dear Guest: A Cinematic Bakery Design in Los Angeles Studio Jialun Xiong blends nostalgic aesthetics with whimsical fantasy in a new cafe. - **Source:** [Yatzer | Live Beautifully. Explore Endlessly.](https://brifing.si/source/57804b69-e268-401e-a34d-76c69a2bf2e6) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6cc3785d-31de-477a-9ed5-06ba40bf6343 ## Cinematic 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. ## Eclectic 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. ## Warm 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. ## Graphic 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. ## Custom 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. ## Japanese 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. ## Whimsical 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. ## Evolution 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. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.yatzer.com/dear-guest-los-angeles-studio-jialun-xiong — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._