In Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood, the newly opened Bar di Bello offers a 2,000-square-foot study in "Milanese sensibility." Designed by local studio 22RE, the restaurant’s interior acts as a physical extension of its Northern Italian menu, trading the typical breezy California aesthetic for a more structured, European urbanity. The space is conceived as an open dining hall, balancing the warmth of walnut millwork with the disciplined lines of Art Deco.
The floor plan is dictated by a central bank of seating, framed by beige floor tiles that define a clear circulation path for both staff and guests. At the heart of the room sits a bar crafted from red travertine, a heavy, tactile anchor that establishes a sense of permanence within the symmetrical layout. Custom banquettes, finished with curved walnut backs and russet velvet cushions, reinforce the studio’s aim for "crafted precision" while accommodating a 40-cover capacity.
The design is further grounded by a curated selection of modernist furniture and lighting that nods to Italy’s mid-century industrial legacy. Sconces by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and chairs by Vico Magistretti sit alongside ceiling lights by Olivier Mourgue, creating an environment that feels less like a contemporary trend and more like a deliberate channeling of the urban energy found in historic European cafes.
With reporting from Dezeen.
Source · Dezeen
