New Digs: Seattle’s Meat & Bread

By Laura Aguilera-Flemming

Earlier this spring, Vancouver-based sandwich shop Meat & Bread opened a new location in Seattle’s rapidly redeveloping Capitol Hill neighborhood—their first U.S. location, and the biggest one to date. In just eight months, the design was executed from “top to tail” says Craig Stanghetta, founder of Vancouver’s Ste. Marie, the studio that designed both the Seattle space and the original Vancouver location. With help from Seattle construction firm Dovetail General Contractors, project architect Babienko Architects, and metal shop Architectural Elements, the light-filled space came together with regional flair. Designed with a similar ethos as the initial location (there are now three in B.C.), M&B’s Seattle digs embrace the rugged and historic character of its building, a 1917-built warehouse. Aside from adding lighting, Stanghetta and team left the original concrete wall behind the cook line untouched to highlight the juxtaposition of new and old, or what Stanghetta calls “the best of both worlds.” Other interior details include elements of bespoke art and lighting, including a custom standing lamp, bar stools, and architectural detailing on the ornate matte black walls. A famous Lou Reed quote laser-cut into the back wall adds some pop culture flair: “One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into jazz.” The spacious 2,000-square-foot café provides plenty of seating and a retail area in the center dedicated to merchandise such as meat rubs and condiments. Whether stopping in for a quick bite or staying to experience the laid-back atmosphere, Meat & Bread offers a unique dining experience complimented by a daily selection of four hefty sandwich options—including a grilled cheese for brave vegetarians venturing into the carnivorous fold.

“We wanted the space to feel like the home of a cool friend—one who can cook like a gifted chef, has a great record collection, cares about art, and has a laissez-faire attitude but sharp and focused taste,” says designer Craig Stanghetta of Vancouver’s Ste. Marie studio, describing his design inspiration. 

Meat & Bread’s 2,000-square-foot space was constructed with a variety of raw and rustic materials, including miles of white oak, iron, concrete, unfinished brass, coarse clay-based tile, and matte black-painted metalwork.

A variety of lighting designed by Stanghetta appears throughout the space. The barn door track-light pendants, located under the mezzanine, were designed by Juno Lighting and purchased through ConTech Lighting. According to Stanghetta, the pendants are strategically hung to articulate the height, length, and flow of the space.  

There are no secret ingredients at Meat & Bread. All spices, seasonings, and sandwich components are visible to customers within the shop. According to Stanghetta, “Meat & Bread’s core philosophy is to not ‘hide’ the back of house, but rather to maintain a degree of openness and transparency.” Having an open and connected space speaks to the simplicity of the core ethos of Meat & Bread. 

“We're extremely happy with how this place turned out, and have loved working in Seattle,” Stanghetta notes. “The food, art, and design scene is a great inspiration. We're excited to do it again for the next location—coming soon.” Look for Meat & Bread’s second Seattle location, at 400 Fairview Ave North between downtown and Lake Union.

Photo Credit: Colin Bishop

Small Tea Makes a Big Impact

Earlier this year, Portland-based Andee Hess of OsmoseDesign was on the ground at Art Basel Miami, reporting on the fair’s happenings and influences in a blog post for GRAY. More recently, just south of Miami in Coral Gables, Hess debuted Small Tea, a store, café, and retreat where guests can sip and shop for 84 teas from around the world. With a material palette inspired by by items used during the tea production process (abaca cloth used for drying tea, neutral brown and tan tones throughout), Small Tea includes a “scent station” where customers can smell and explore teas and tea blends, and custom lighting with ceramic elements courtesy of Portland’s Pigeon Toe Ceramics. Here in Seattle we’re known for our coffee obsession, but we’d gladly kick the caffeine for a chance to sip some tea in this calming and stylish sanctuary.

The oval “scent station” at Small Tea gives patrons a chance to smell and sample 84 teas from around the world. Shelves in the background display handmade copper tins for tea-tenders to dispense blends. 

In the lounge area above tables, chairs, and stools, ceiling boxes are wrapped in abaca cloth, a material used for drying tea. The patterning reflects the Small Tea logo, and, according to Hess, “creates a rhythmic shadowplay.” The feature was designed by Osmose and assembled and installed by Goldenwood in Miami. “I read a lot about the history of tea and harvesting process,” says Hess. “We explored the patterning that corresponded.” That study led to the uniquely textured ceiling details. 

Three steel rods with custom ceramic teacups by Pigeon Toe Ceramics use LED lighting to bring a soft glow to one corner of the store.

Images Courtesy of Ken Hayden.

Room of the Week: Vida Design

Category: Lobby/Commercial

Design: Vida Design  

Location: Portland

Goal: Hired by Capstone Partners to decorate the interiors of the new Burnside 26 apartments, Portland’s Vida Design aimed to create an inviting entry lobby that would reflect—and attract—the broad age range of the eastside demographic. It’s the first thing guests and residents see when they enter the building, so designer Rachel Sowieja and her team designed the space to be more than just a seating area, but a gathering place where locals can work on their computers, read a paper, or get to know their neighbors.

Inspiration: “We took the neighborhood culture into account,” says Sowieja of the gentrifying and diverse Burnside. “Vida headquarters is located only a few miles from the property, so we were able to obtain a keen understanding of the community and overall aesthetics. Much of our inspiration came from two popular TV shows, Mad Men and Portlandia, so the interiors are a mix of midcentury modern and Portland rustic charm.”

Breakdown: The Vida team drew in midcentury-inspired furniture including colorful chairs and a gray sofa from Joybird. The fireplace has a concrete hearth; surrounding walls are clad in Accoya wood, adding texture and blending with the neutral palette. The central table was designed by Vida and locally made by Sublime Design. The rug, an unexpected bohemian detail made from patched-together antique Turkish rugs, was ordered through Etsy and came directly from Istanbul, Turkey. Michi Design, of Bend, Oregon, crafted the drum light overhead.

Get the Look: “Make the fireplace the focal point and instead of hanging artwork above it, flank vibrant and bold abstract pieces on either side,” advises Sowieja. “Mix midcentury elements with older, antique pieces—such as the antique rug—and newer, more modern items. Make sure you incorporate a few items in a similar aesthetic. The commonality of the midcentury sofa and goldenrod chairs help pull this look together, creating a cohesive yet eclectic look.”

Image Courtesy of Shelsi Lindquist Photography.