Whilst aimlessly browsing the web yesterday afternoon, I stumbled upon a design project that instantly caught my eye, but it wasn't until I realized its purpose, that I had to do a double take on some of the images in order to make the connection. After a quick scan of the provided imagery, I noticed that the designers,Jean de Lessard Créatifs, wanted to be more out there with their design and more diverse to your average coffee shop.

Completed only days ago, and located in Westmount, Montréal, Canada, The Standard Café, is created with a symmetrical, minimalistic and elegant approach and offers a flavorful selection of Grand Cru coffee and deliciously intricate pastries. The reason behind the unexpected recognition of the interior's services was due to the use of the sophisticated but muted, Matte, black finishes and implemented golden features, as well as the general layout of the space, which gave the impression of a petite boutique for a comsetics line or a designer clothing firm. It was certainly a pleasant surprise and I was more intrigued by this unforeseen design approach than I would probably have been, had it prevailed to be the conventional outlet I first imagined it to be.

Since I first started this blog and since the new year of 2017 revealed to us some of its already talked about interior projects, I have noticed an increase in the use of Brass by many architects and designers. Just like many of these designs, brass is repeated in the current scheme as the focal attribute of its surroundings. If you look closely at the pictures below, you can pick out how the brass has been reinforced to balance out the black, matte painted walls, the hickory zig-zag flooring and the white quartz, showcasing table and main worktop.You can also spot its subtle horizontal and vertical application against the matte walls, matching the straight lined concept and transforming the space to feel more open with how the light bounces off the lavish material. Playing a big part on the store's appearance, the brass finish is continued even in profound areas such as on the stools' feet, the hanging light fittings and of course on the room's centre of attention, the stand-alone pastry display.

Hefty, custom made furniture is positioned throughout the room, with a mix of a pony hair-like fabric and the herringbone pattern of the textile on the spectacular, low-legged armchairs, which add a classy charm to the café. The strong contrast between the ebony, white and gold textures are further enhanced through the particularly dramatic lighting, reflecting off them and allowing them to show off their unique opulence. Their influence and emphasis is not limited come daylight. In fact, the store's, ceiling high, window facade, provides a bountiful exposure, letting more than enough natural light to pass through and filter out all the elegant properties of this cosy and exclusive interior.

[Designer]

[Project coordinator]

[Flooring]

[Lighting]

[Materials]

600 Square Feet

Photos ©Arc Street Journal,Jean de LessardEat, Drink & be Carrie

Photography courtesy ofAdrien Williams