Influx Cafe, a family-owned neighbourhood eatery best known for its coffee and locally-sourced ingredients, selected architectural design firm Colkitt&Co to collaborate on the cafe’s third California location at the North Parker – a new mixeduse retail and residential development by Jonathan Segal.
With the simultaneous construction of other notable restaurants on the ground level including La Perla, Under Belly and Modern Times, the team was challenged with creating a modern and inviting eatery over a 10-month renovation period.
As the Golden Hill and Little Italy locations are an important part of the fabric of the community as a coffee hangout with health-oriented breakfast and lunch menu items, owners Jason Twilla and Gina Bledsoe wanted the new space to incorporate similar contemporary design with pops of colour.
Taking cues from the previous two locations, Colkitt&Co worked closely with the owners to elevate the design concept and refine architectural details by adding symmetry and linearity throughout the cafe.
The new space, housed in a glass exterior, boasts a modern, utilitarian and inviting interior. Featuring a white and grey colour palette accented by pops of red, succulents in glass terrariums, white architectural steel furniture frames, polished concrete floors, geometric-patterned fabric draped over the seating and variegated strips of walnut wood that wrap around the kitchen and front counter, the space is brimming with Scandinavian-inspired decor.
Colkitt&Co also collaborated with local craftsmen, Wood and Silver, on custom dining tables and a long outdoor bench made from varying strips of teak which is placed adjacent to folded Ibeam tables and chairs for alfresco dining.
The final result is a clean and minimalistic space with personal touches from the owners, including a rebuilt vintage Italian espresso machine, hand-selected plates, silverware, and fabrics.
