CLIENT: El Bolero
CLIENT: El Bolero
Location: Dallas, Texas
Year: 2015
Program: 4,250sf
For this restaurant concept, deriving its name from the the common shoe shiners seen in all parts of Mexico, we wanted to use this as the forefront of our design. We looked for inspiration in geometrical patterns, textures and urban art and fixtures that accentuated the culture and vibrance of Mexico City. We wanted to combine elements that gave the space an clear Mexican identity mixed with a casual and modern vibe.
A main courtyard entrance space invites you into dual patio and interior space entrances. Outside, the floors are lined with concrete geometrically patterned landscape pavers and natural wood seating. A custom wood and steel mixed open air trellis frames the patio space and on one end a margarita bar is complete with a colorful full wall mural. Inside, the main floor is laid out in custom Guadalajaran concrete patterned tiles, contrasted with a custom diamond shaped grid ceiling in black, the space references the old trade craft with the Dallas moden vibe. The space is complete with hand painted abstract cacti murals and custom mosaic walls depicting Mexican artists including Frida Kahlo. Vibrantly colored tiles and raw terracotta screen blocks clad the walls on one end, while painted CMU block walls wrap the others. Custom tall wood crafted doors, ‘pila’ cast concrete sinks and brass industrial fixtures combine with the eclectic finishes for an upscale, lively Mexican restaurant.
Branding
El Bolero’s brand is a hand rendered interpretation of a Mexican shoe shiner. Textured and finely detailed, this badge is mixed with a bold main typeface for a complete. Complete with geometric brand pattern collateral, inspired directly by Guadalajaran Concrete tile patterns the bolero brand becomes a playful yet modern embodiment of the beloved, hard working and skilled shoe shiner.
