Our new favorite downtown spot (and everyone else’s, it seems)? De Maria, the “hip cafe by women, for everybody,” as the New York Times calls it. The place lives up to the hype; the food is great and the interiors, by MP Shift cofounders Amy Morris and Anna Polonsky, are quirky and fresh. Here’s the story.
“Nolita is traditionally known for being the home of New York’s independent art scene, so we wanted to create a laid-back artist vibe,” Anna says. “We wanted the place to feel like it’s been home to many artists over the years, with each one adding their own touch.” Join us for a look around.
Above: The exterior on Kenmare Street, on the edge of Nolita in Manhattan. Photo by Nikki Brand. Above: The inspiration for the color-block tiled mural over the bar came from a piece by David Novros, which he created for his friend Donald Judd, according to Amy. Photo by Nicole Franzen.
“We worked closely with chef Camille Becerra and co-owner and creative director Grace Lee, who named the place after midcentury NYC artist Walter De Maria,” Amy says. “We’re focused on creating spaces that feel inviting and lived-in, places you want to stay awhile. To achieve this we often focus on imperfect details, not overdesigning.”
Above: “Except for one communal midcentury table we sourced at the Brooklyn Flea, the tables and banquettes already existed in the space,” Anna says. “We covered the banquettes with leather from Global Leathers in midtown.” Photo by Nicole Franzen. Above: The vintage cafe chairs are from Europe and the Cape Long sconces are from Cedar & Moss, mounted on improvised wood brackets. Photo by Nicole Franzen. Above: The ceramics were sourced from Workaday Handmade, SinDstudio, and Fefo Studio. Photo by Nikki Brand. Above: The designers painted the brick surfaces white and bleached the floor (for ideas on getting the look, see Remodeling 101: Easy Whitewashed Scandi Floors and Remodeling 101: How to Create a Scandi Whitewashed Floor). Photo by Nikki Brand. Above: A quirky tile detail adds a graphic note to an otherwise standard subway-tiled wall. Photo by Heidi’s Bridge.
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