A Colorful Tile Mural at L.A.'s Sweetfin Takes Minimalism Up a Notch

When co-founder Brett Nestadt set out to design the fifth location of Sweetfin, a popular Los Angeles poké restaurant, he knew that spending time on creating a cohesive atmosphere was as important as developing a tasty menu. He wanted to interpret Scandinavian and Japanese influences for a casual California setting, which is confined to a small dining space on a well-trafficked city street. The result not only satisfies his objectives, but is a smart example of how to maximize the impact of a minimalist design. For starters, the dining area is centered around a focal point of brightly-colored tiles, and the adjoining materials — like light-colored wood against white seating and fixtures — place the attention on this eye-catching subject. Then, the layout of the furnishings complements the structure of the space itself, curving right alongside its frame. And in keeping with a paired-down aesthetic, the intrigue is in the details: geometric lines throughout the locale provide just enough interplay with the rest of the decor. Its a look that's definitely hip, but approachable enough for everyday meals.