House of Dré creates "playful and familiar" interior for Tom's Pasta restaurant

Formica, leatherette and dark-wood furniture lend a retro feel to the interior of this east London eatery, which local studio House of Dré designed to evoke classic Italian trattorias.

Tom's Pasta is located within Hackney Downs Studios – a creative hub and community space where Andreas Christodoulou, founder of House of Dré, also has his studio.

Chef Tom Haydon asked Christodoulou to design a new dining room, bar and kitchen in a space adjacent to the existing restaurant, in order to increase the total number of covers and provide additional cooking space.

The room needed to retain the welcoming feel of the original restaurant while displaying a cohesive design language that elevates the brand and reflects its Italian-inspired menu.

"We wanted to level up Tom's Pasta from a local start-up to a stylish restaurant," Christodoulou told Dezeen.

"With that growth, we wanted to make sure the brand kept its playful east London appeal and stayed true to the approachable vibe that makes Tom's so loved."

Haydon's brief called for a contemporary take on the traditional Italian trattoria that needed to incorporate elements including a backlit kitchen pass, plenty of storage, cosy dining booths and a showcase of local art.

Rather than directly referencing Italy, House of Dré drew inspiration from the traditional east London eateries established by Italian migrants in the middle of the 20th century.

A palette of simple, familiar materials, including stainless steel, linoleum leatherette seats and formica tabletops, nods to the heritage of these Italian establishments.

The focal point of the space is the bar, which functions as both a kitchen pass and an additional seating area for guests. Its walnut-wood surfaces bring a sense of warmth and tactility that is complemented by a streamlined stainless-steel top.

Christodoulou explained that his favourite detail within the space is a decorative gold fringe that adds a glamorous touch to the modernist kitchen counter.

"I run my hand across it every time I walk past," he said. "It's a playful moment that says everything about Tom's Pasta. Even as the space grows up, it still doesn’t take itself too seriously."

Bespoke banquettes installed along the walls combine with loose seating that allows for a variety of configurations. The dining tables were custom-made to match the interior palette, while the rest of the furniture was carefully sourced from vintage suppliers.

The room's colour palette references the restaurant's menu, with a tiramisu cream hue set against a buttery yellow that evokes Haydon's homemade pasta.

The warm tones are separated into two blocks to break down the high ceiling, with the upper section providing a backdrop for a rotating showcase of work by artists from Hackney Downs Studios.

A simple lighting scheme provides ample light for the kitchen area, while creating a warm and intimate environment for diners. Bespoke scalloped wall lights illuminate the artworks and small table lamps provide additional illumination.

The interior aims to retain the unpretentious, family-oriented feel that Tom's Pasta is known for, as well as accentuating the connection with the local neighbourhood.

"This project is about collaboration and has community at its core," Christodoulou pointed out.

"A local restaurateur, a local designer and a space that celebrates local artists. It is not about luxury – it is about creating something playful, familiar and deeply reflective of this part of London."

Christodoulou founded House of Dré in 2020 and has since completed a range of projects spanning interior design, sculpture, furniture and industrial design.

His approach focuses on capturing the spirit of a place and elevating the users' experience through the considered application of art, design and craftsmanship.

Other recent restaurant designs in London include the colour-drenched Cicchetti in Piccadilly and a Chinese eatery in Shoreditch "straight out of Hong Kong's neon nights".

The photography is by Milo Hutchings.

The post House of Dré creates "playful and familiar" interior for Tom's Pasta restaurant appeared first on Dezeen.