Twenty1, Torquay, UK

Twenty1, the bar, lounge and eatery known for its tapas is packed with contemporary urban design complimented by stunning views of the Torquay harbourside – especially at sunset. Michelle Lyons-Machin of Michelle Lyons Interiors worked on this design scheme over the space of three years, seeing a dramatic change from its original identity as a single-floored Thai restaurant, to the three-floored social hub that it is today.

Use of Raw Materials 

Michelle has heroed raw materials throughout the scheme – a key characteristic of a truly urban style interior.  Her use of brick slip and stone feature walls; corrugated black metal wall coverings and diagonal timber wall cladding combines an array of colour and texture to give the restaurant an authentic industrial vibe.

To echo this, she has chosen to incorporate our Sheffield range of bespoke dining and poseur tables using various combinations of tops and bases. She has selected galvanised and black steel x-frame bases paired with rustic waxed pine and silvery zinc tops. These create fantastic focal points throughout and help to give a feel of continuity whilst creating different heights and shapes. To accompany the taller tables, Michelle has chosen the Sheffield Stool which also has the hard, machinist style that the tables exude. The stools use the same gunmetal steel frames as the tables and bring some warmth to the raw, industrial feel with their solid oak seats.

Bold Multicoloured Seating

A glorious combination of bold coloured seating has been used in this scheme. This creates an exciting landscape across the bar and complements the use of monochrome, geometric pattern used in the flooring and soft furnishings. The vintage blue and yellow colours of the Hammerwich Ribbed Café Chairs mirror the buttoned and fluted upholstered bench seating in teal and mustard. The faux-leather stacking chairs have a distressed quality to the upholstery and ribbed stitching, which tie in well with the urban feel to the scheme. 

By upholstering our Industrial Stacking Chairs in bold primary colours, Michelle has elevated the scheme and combined a soft, comfortable edge to a usually hard and utilitarian style chair. The colours bounce around the wooden booths and the chessboard flooring, creating splashes of contrasting colours that reflect the Spanish-style tiles used in the bathrooms.

Buffalo Leather

The addition of Buffalo leather on the Strand Stool and Ascot Chair running through this industrial interior brings a softer element to offset the harder qualities of the steel and zinc. The leather warms up the scheme and creates layers of interest to keep the eye entertained throughout the different zones of the bar and restaurant. The colour mirrors the wooden cladding on the walls and the wooden bespoke booth areas. Natural scarring and marks on the leather give a raw and authentic feel, creating an aged vintage appearance. The tubular steel creates a harder element to the chairs bringing back the industrial style in a subtle way. It is the aged studs to the back of the Strand Stool that reinforce the vintage style that contrasts so beautifully with this retro-utilitarian style scheme.

If you’re in need of some inspiration, are opening a new café or commercial space and not sure where to start with your furniture, contact the friendly Peppermill team to help you create a spectacular space.