A few weeks back, we shared the interiors of the London Plane in Seattle—a restaurant with flower shop, bakery, retail, and takeaway located in a former bank building in the city’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.
Photography by Ellie Lillstrom for Remodelista.
For the look, Dillon and Anderson took inspiration from bars and restaurants in Paris and London, plus the whimsical, half-bright and half-dark children’s store, Bonton, in Paris.
1. Design for flexibility.
Dillon and Anderson kept to their design vision, but when making most decisions, practicality reigned: “I wish I could say it was genius design thinking,” Anderson said of the final result, “but in reality, when you’re designing a commercial space like this, it’s just one decision that leads to the next.”
The Little London Plane was first envisioned as part wine bar, part event space, intended to host goings-on outside of just food and wine: a space for authors, artists, makers, and others to collaborate.
2. Stock good-looking things so you won’t need to hide them.
One half of the Little London Plane functions as a bar and kitchenette.
Water bottles, mugs, and votives are stored above a white apron sink at one end of the bar.
The back bar has a brass countertop, painted shiplap trim, and brass hardware on shelving and cabinet pulls. Dillon and Anderson are both sailors, and they have a penchant for nautical design.
3. Nautical style is always a good bet.
The bartop is one piece of solid oak; the woodworker fashioned a special blade to cut its rounded edge without breaking up the slab into smaller chunks.
4. White shelving is best for display.
Ceramic vases by Judy Jackson add color to the otherwise neutral dining space. A storage wall that runs almost the whole length of the space is mostly white, with a little light wood—a design choice for which Anderson takes credit.
5. Want a high-end vibe? Invest a little.
Two long, solid oak tables by Codor Design can accommodate sit-down dinners. Though it was a sizable investment, Dillon and Anderson picked Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chairs to accompany two custom oak dining tables.
Walls are painted in Cloud White from Benjamin Moore.
6. Keep your holiday decor.
7. Give store-bought wares an artist’s touch.
Gold pendant lights hang above the dining tables.
“The gold and brass touches harken back to Parisian bars,” said Anderson.
A custom storage wall runs nearly the whole length of the space.
8. A storage wall is always a good idea.
9. Make a repair a thing of beauty.
A floor repair by the front door.
The Little London Plane at 322 Occidental Ave. in Seattle is open to the public for special events and rentals.