Photography courtesy of Basic Kitchen.
With their new restaurant Basic Kitchen, Kate and Ben Towill, the married creatives behind design and development company Basic Projects, are bringing something unique to downtown Charleston: a relaxed, all-day bistro-style cafe serving decidedly healthy “fuel.”
The renovated space invites interaction with ample bar seating and an open floor plan. The couple loves to mix old and new, evident in the vintage rattan table lamps on the bar and the contemporary fixtures from The Urban Electric Co., including their Pop, Harper, and Raval designs.
The tables and benches in the main dining room were custom made by local carpenter Ryan McKeirnan of RHM Woodworking.
Aged leather banquette seating, custom-made by a local car upholsterer, complements the white walls.
An intimate corner with local papers and stools by The Mine.
Open shelving showcases bulk grains and other essentials.
Shades of blue are seen throughout the space, from this backsplash, clad in Tabarka Studio tiles, to the cabinet doors.
A framed cyclist jersey lends a dose of wit (and is a nod to a cross-country bike ride Ben took part in several years ago, for which he raised money for Just Food; Kate joined him for a bulk of the way).
An egg and avocado dish on offer.
The lush outdoor patio area features more seating and a space for the Towills to grow the citrus and herbs used in the menu’s dishes.
The space is packed with tropical plants.
Ben and Kate, outfitted in their signature blue.