Lesson 1
Today's objective: What do I want 🧐
Today's outcome: A swipe file full of your favorite design styles
Hi Coffee Loving Friend!
We're not going to waste any time — let's jump right in to start creating that dream coffee bar of yours!
This step is one of the most fun in the coffee bar design process!
You get to start to dreaming up what you want your coffee bar to look like, or if you already have a bar setup, you can decide what changes you're looking to make.
How things are designed matters.
How things look and function matter.
Function = usable
Form = usable AND beautiful
When something looks and functions beautifully it's much more enjoyable to use. And that includes your coffee bar.
Creating a space you love spending time in, love looking at, and love sharing with others is the type of space we want you to end up with at the end of this process!
The overall look
There is no shortage of design inspiration to be had ... just check out my instagram page to see how unique some coffee bar designs can be!
Here are 12 different design styles and a coffee bar example that fits each (if you're on your phone turn it landscape to better see these visuals):
Art Deco
Photo: @seventeenandfive
Bohemian
Photo: @ordinary.yr
Contemporary
Photo @__lamaa._
Farmhouse/Country
Photo @nomad_coffee
Industrial
Photo @akatsukiya
Mid-Century Modern
Photo @vincent.patrizi
Minimalist
Photo @casa.minimalism
Modern
Photo @og_amer
Shabby Chic
Photo @herbrws
Scandinavian
Photo @kyle.magyar
Rustic Cabin
Photo @thehunterhouses
Tropical
Photo @coffeeliberb
Homework
Choosing a theme
It will really help your design process if you choose a design style direction … something you really like the look of.
Personally, I have always loved rustic/vintage design and mid-century modern. So I generally try to combine these two styles throughout my coffee bar (and home in general). Just to prove it to you, here's a photo of a R. Huber Scoop Chair I'm sitting in as I type this sentence … truly a dream heirloom piece of furniture for me!
Of course a design style can be changed at any time (or you can merge various styles) so don't worry too much, but for now it will help guide your design decisions moving forward.
Pro-level move
Here's a few practical steps you can take now to start turning your dream coffee bar into reality. This exercise is simply for you to get a better feel of what design styles look like in different design contexts:
- Start googling examples of design styles you like — example: 'mid-century modern living room' or 'bohemian design'.
- Sign up for a free Pinterest account and start searching specific design styles.
- Surf Instagram and use hashtags to search for different design styles. Example: #midcenturymoderndecor
- Create a swipe file on your computer desktop or your cell phone photo app and start saving photos of design styles you like most.
- Use the screen capture function to save photos from Google, Instagram or Pinterest to make it quick and easy.
- **The photos in your swipe file are (although some can be). Choose photos of anything that reflects the overall design style you want your coffee bar to be.
NOT primarily of coffee bars
This folder of photos will become your design inspiration source to help guide decisions as you begin to create or enhance your coffee bar. This is a similar idea to creating a 'mood board'.
If you have a free 11 minutes check out this video that does a solid breakdown of various design styles. When watching, start to think of your own home and where you plan to build your coffee bar:
10 INTERIOR DESIGN STYLES EXPLAINED | FIND YOUR DESIGN STYLE
Last thoughts
Choosing a design style is our first step because it will guide us the rest of the way.
- Just remember, how something is designed matters.
- If you're creating your very first coffee bar this step will help keep you on track as you build it out.
- If you already have a coffee bar and want to enhance/re-design it, then choosing a design style will give you a reference point to help guide the changes you make.
- You can design your coffee bar in the same style the rest of your home already is, or you can incorporate a different style for your bar than the rest of your home.
- There are truly no hard fast rules — do whatever you love the look of!
Just a reminder … this step of the design process should be SUPER FUN! All your ideas are on the table right now … Don't limit your coffee bar dreams just yet... once we get to the next few steps in our process we'll start to refine our planning to reflect reality.
- Reply to this email and let me know what design style you're thinking of choosing for your coffee bar.
- Attach 1 photo you saved that captures your coffee bar design inspiration best.
- Attach a photo(s) of the space in your home you want to create your dream coffee bar … this is essentially a 'before' photo.
Until next time,
Mike
