Creamy colours soothe the eye and calm the spirit. Warm woods can breathe new life into a space, making it at once more inviting and polished. Together, neutrals like ivory, off-white, sand and caramel are incredibly versatile, transcending trends and embracing multiple styles. When paired with the right textures — like woven fabrics, tactile wallpapers and rattan — they can lean classic, modern, Nordic even Mediterranean.
These pairings particularly shine in restaurant decor. They enhance the dining experience by highlighting flavours and aromas without overshadowing them. Welcoming and homely, they create an atmosphere that’s neither intrusive nor loud. So it’s no surprise these cosy spots are thriving in their respective cities. Spot any similarities?
Milk Beach, London
Designed by Studio A-nrd in the heart of Soho, Milk Beach adopts a laid-back beach-club approach. The golden colours, driftwood accents and natural materials evoke a sun-kissed atmosphere, while splashes of pale pink on the walls recall the soft light of coastal sunsets.
Amator, Copenhagen
Inspired by cosy Danish home dining rooms, this intimate lunch spot in Copenhagen’s Østerbro neighbourhood is decked out in warm, neutral shades, raw timber furnishings and linen elements — all designed by Polish practice Wiercinski Studio.
Mika, Miami
The Miami restaurant of Michelin-starred chef Michael White is inspired by breezy Mediterranean rivieras. While the menu highlights seafood, pastas and crudos, the dining room features a creamy palette of wood, ochre, light brown, and luxurious upholsteries like velvet and leather.
Hermosilla, Madrid
Housed in a mid-century building in Madrid’s Salamanca district, this restaurant, designed by Plantea Estudio, lets textural neutrals do the talking. The interior is all earthy tones, with coral-red marble as the star on countertops and backsplashes. Exposed concrete, brick and plasterwork add depth and dimension to the space.
IDEAL, Bogotà
Copper, terracotta, linen and natural wood grains set the stage at this Bogotá steakhouse designed by architects Lorenzo Botero and Martín Mendoza. The warm, earthy tones are complemented by leather seating, bronze accents and rattan light fixtures, while beams of sunlight stream in through the restaurant’s large windows. It all makes for a soothing supper.
Dalla, London
Described by owner Gennaro Leone as ‘the perfect environment for that simple pleasure’, Dalla, in London’s Hackney, is outfitted in creamy shades and Mediterranean details that evoke the simplicity and warmth of a Sicilian family dinner. In these laid-back environs the dishes — deeply rooted in Italian heritage — steal all the attention.
Quince, San Francisco
A historic 1907 brick and timber building in Jackson Square is the backdrop for Quince, a beloved Bay Area fixture. Designed by Steven Volpe and Diego Delgado-Elias, it incorporates a palette of earthy shades and rustic materials, complemented by wooden elements and vintage terracotta tiles that exude warmth. The menu, focusing on fresh, seasonal Californian ingredients, has an easiness to match.
