My Design Journey with My Kitchen from Sham Hanifa
Hello dear ones,
This week, I want to tell you about one of my most ambitious projects in the world of interior design, created for a client who was in another country. The most challenging aspect of the project was that we started in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I was contacted by Sham Hanifa, a Malaysian chef who has been living in Ireland for over 20 years. Sham has an admirable career and is a very charismatic man who has won the hearts of the Irish audience with his talent and culinary selection. His vision for this new space was clear: to offer a creative fusion of high quality, with the local community taking center stage. A project that, without a doubt, resonated with me.
The result was "My Kitchen", a versatile space where three worlds intertwine: a cozy café, a vibrant restaurant, and a market that celebrates the best of local producers.
The location, which I had only briefly visited to take some measurements, presented its own challenges due to the lockdown. However, we decided to take the risk of working remotely, trusting in our ability to bring the vision to life. We agreed that I would oversee the project whenever necessary, and this allowed us to move forward.
The project began to take shape with the first sketches and the development of a style that we wanted to be fresh, cheerful, and eclectic. We aimed for the space to reflect both Asian and Irish roots, combining noble materials and natural elements that would convey the freshness of the land and the importance of the local market. A place that would not only offer food but also connect producers with the world.
I began by seeking inspiration from Spanish and Italian porcelain, which were popular in Venezuela in the 1980s. I wanted floors in warm tones that would bring luminosity and freshness to the space. To create contrast, I chose oversized geometric shapes, adding a modern and creative touch. Ultimately, the kitchen had to feel like a laboratory. I selected solid oak wood to reinforce the sense of comfort and warmth. The color palette mixed astringent tones, evoking the vibrant street food streets of Asia, softened with neutral shades that connected us to the locality of the space.
For the graphic identity, I decided to work alongside the Guimarães brothers from "Próximo Studio." Together, we fine-tuned the brand until we had an identity that perfectly complemented the visual style of the space and the concept we had developed with Sham.
I worked with local carpenters and blacksmiths, used high-quality Portuguese and Spanish materials, and made virtual trips through various Irish stores to find unique pieces that would give the special homey touch we wanted to create.
After a year and a half of work, this beautiful project was completed. Months after its opening, I visited them, and we shared a delicious feast. We took the opportunity to capture photographs of both the interior of the space and the exquisite food.
I send you my warmest regards and hope you enjoy this project as much as I did.