Cinder St Johns Wood, NW8 London
“Kissed By The Flame”
Cinder was founded by renowned chef Jake Finn who had previously opened his First restaurant with Nefarious’s designs in 2021 in Belsize Park which has gone on to become a neighbourhood favourite.
Nefarious was tasked to design a restaurant on the busy and bustling hi-street of St Johns Wood. However this space sprawled across two floors and was an empty white box when Cinder took the unit over. So we decided to have the same rustic charm as the original Cinder on the Ground Floor with a seductive speakeasy in the basement for private events and dining over-flow. The family resemebelence is clear with those bare plaster walls and high-level greenery, but to add more elegance we added some glittering chandeliers and elegant café curtains between seating areas.
Below: We wanted the focal point of the cafe to be the counter so the rest of the main space is plastered in a neutral plaster with terracotta wall lights and roped backed FF&E. Due to the linear nature of the counter tile we wanted to add some contrast by adding curves to the space in ways such as the arched walk way into the back area with hand-painted signage as well as the bespoke finishing station with a scalloped up-stand.
Above: For the basement we wanted to create a space where you could have an affair, with its timber panelled wall and ceiling it give a more traditional feel which is counteracted by the exposed concrete floor and raw edged rugs. For the bar we created a complete timber base bar and over bar with beading details and traditional feeted partitions. We cant wait to have a signature cocktail here on a fun London weekend.
Photography: Amy Heycock