Nicola Weetch designs London Fields record bar to feel lived-in

Hackney restaurant and listening bar Bambi has been doubled in size with a revamped interior and a custom-made stainless-steel-and-wood wall cabinet for vinyl records.

Designer Nicola Weetch led the interior design of the project, which came about after Bambi expanded into an empty venue behind the back wall of its London Fields space.

"The design challenge was to make a space that not only worked for music, but also as a restaurant and bar," Weetch told Dezeen.

"The DJ booth in the middle of the room and record wall were essential for the music side of things, but we ensured that we had a large open kitchen and large bar as you walked into the space, so all three aspects were given equal importance in the space."

The now 180-square-metre venue is located in a warehouse space that had also been used as a nightclub.

It was given a makeover with a simple material palette, while Weetch worked with a lot of existing finishes, so as not to discard materials that were still usable.

"We kept the palette quite simple, not wanting the space to feel overworked, through a combination of stainless steel to give reflections in the space – especially in the evening with lower, warmer lighting – oiled oak, cork and felt-linen curtains which give a warmth and richness of colour," Weetch said.

A custom-made DJ booth and record wall was hand-built on site for Bambi's resident DJs, who play exclusively vinyl.

A large, eye-catching record-storage unit, made from wood and stainless steel, stand behind the booth.

"We brought stainless steel into the space because we loved the juxtaposition with the wood finishes and how stainless steel reflects light within the space," Weetch explained.

"It also tied together the food, drink and music, as elsewhere we have a stainless-steel ageing cabinet, stainless steel wine fridges and of course, the disco ball!"

The surfaces in Bambi mostly have a warm, polished feel, which Weetch contrasted by leaving the existing scruffy, industrial floor intact.

"We wanted Bambi to feel lived in, almost like you had stumbled across an amazing hidden gem that had been in this warehouse building for years," she explained.

"We felt leaving the floor, with its years of use as a nightclub back in the day, achieved this feeling of being weathered and 'found' and avoided it feeling like a shiny new place dropped in."

Bambi's walls were decorated with playful artworks by illustrator Alec Doherty, who also created the bar's wine glasses, which feature two characters that kiss when the glasses are clinked.

"We have collaborated with Alec on all the artwork in the space as we love how his work focuses around human interactions, combining strong primary colours and playful themes," Weetch said.

As part of the expansion, Bambi now also features a wood-panelled mezzanine area that overlooks the main space, as well as a larger outdoor area.

The revamped Bambi is the latest bar to open in Hackney, with other recent additions to the east London nightlife including lesbian bar La Camionera and De Beauvoir listening bar Goodbye Horses.

The photography is by Beca Jones.

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