Architecture studio vPPR has borrowed architectural details from a historic department store in Surrey to design the interiors for Café M, which features a scalloped counter and pendant lighting.

The London practice referenced the distinctive scalloped tile cladding of the building's exterior for part of its renovation.
One-metre-high ridged timber panelling covers the walls throughout to visually link separate spaces, while a custom-made Corian bar repeats the scalloped design at a larger scale.

"The challenge was to bring a sense of order and calmness to the front of the store, while retaining the character and charm of the existing medieval architecture," said vPPR's Jessica Reynolds, who co-founded the practice in 2009.
"We achieved this careful balance by reinterpreting a historic element, a tile, and transforming it into a contemporary architecture language which compliments rather than competes with the existing space," she added. "Also reinforced by atmospheric lighting."

A bespoke brass light fitting above the bar echoes the wavy pattern used elsewhere in the cafe, and metallic pendants illuminate the dining areas. Further lighting is also concealed at the top edge of the wooden panelling.

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