Theodora by Home Studios

Home Studios brings its aptitude for designing hospitality spaces to Theodora, a new restaurant in Brooklyn. Featuring an earthy palette and a patchwork of colour and texture, the design confidently recalls the architectural and culinary tropes of the Mediterranean in the heart of Fort Greene.

Chef and owner Tomer Blechman conceived Theodora as a progression of its popular sister venues Miss Ada and Nili. Seeking to evolve the eateries’ Mediterranean sensibility and focus more on seasonal produce delivered within an open-fire kitchen concept, he tapped Oliver Haslegrave of Home Studios – a local practice carving out a reputation for cult-favourite New York bars and restaurants – for the interiors.

“Much like the ingredients of a meal cooked by fire, simplicity and quality are paramount at Theodora, with materials and details aiming to provide character as they age with time,” says Haslegrave.

Home Studios has channelled the energy and eclecticism of time-worn places and traditions into a contemporary space that not only sits well within the practice’s growing portfolio but also reflects Theodora’s essence. “Much like the ingredients of a meal cooked by fire, simplicity and quality are paramount at Theodora, with materials and details aiming to provide character as they age with time,” says Haslegrave.

Stucco walls and aged, raked plaster surfaces by Ben Lai – a New York-based artisan who specialises in experimental textures – have a painterly quality, while terracotta, Zellige tiles, custom timber joinery and shelves crafted from Ceppo di Gré bring additional tactility. Also, a flurry of smaller, quirkier elements entertains the eye, like the mosaic-tile trim snaking the interior perimeter and the handcrafted ceramic pendants made in collaboration with Rhode Island-based design studio Ben & Aja Blanc.

Home Studios has channelled the energy and eclecticism of time-worn places and traditions into a contemporary space that not only sits well within the practice’s growing portfolio but also reflects Theodora’s essence.

The layout, which encompasses a casual wine bar set-up at the front followed by a relaxed restaurant scene towards the rear, facilitates various types of socialising under one roof. By the entrance, a window alcove is kitted out with a banquette seat and a couple of inviting streetside tables. This area flows onto a bar flanked by timber and rattan stools, and a wall-mounted timber counter – the perfect spot to linger with a pre-dinner cocktail or a glass of wine from the thoughtfully curated list.

Further into the space, there are a handful of clandestine nooks as well as chef’s table-style seating facing the wood-fire grill. The former caters well to more intimate dining, whereas the latter leans into the heat and intensity of the kitchen, which is arguably Theodora’s beating heart. Lastly, towards the back, there are booths and freestanding tables primed for larger groups and family-style gatherings.

This diversity of seating cleverly allows fora variety of fluid, food-centric experiences knitted together by Home Studio’s unfussy yet alluring design response – a sentiment fittingly aligned with the welcoming generosity of a Mediterranean mindset.

Interior design by Home Studios.