At Lucky Buns, Framed Prints and Wall Decor Create a Kitschy and Laid-Back Atmosphere

ART DECO-INSPIRED details are paired with 1960s and ’70s aesthetics alongside eclectic and purposefully kitschy decor, creating a dining experience brimming with retro fun.

1. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP

Evoking images of a white picket fence, the restaurant’s ceiling is embellished with timber. With a lattice-like design drawing eyes across the entire restaurant, the timber visually opens the space and “creates a comfortable look for the whole design,” says Matt Vargas, Architect at Washington, D.C.-based design firm //3877.

2. GUIDING LIGHTS

Different styles of light fixtures define areas of the restaurant: Hanging pendants provide a bright pop of color over the bar, string lights line the ceiling and spherical fixtures illuminate the tables.

3. IN BLOOM

Though the hexagonal tiles look vintage, this art deco-inspired feature was a new installation for Lucky Buns to highlight the wrap-around bar. Adding retro flair is the pattern of yellow flowers created by the tiles, which complement the vibrant color palette.

4. KNOCK ON WOOD

Against all the varying details and bright hues are warm woods, seen throughout seating, flooring and tables, bringing “warmth and a lot of texture,” making the eatery “feel welcoming,” says Vargas.

5. ART POP

Inspired by ’60s and ’70s art and modern pop culture, framed prints and wall decor create a kitschy and laid-back atmosphere. Overall, the restaurant’s design intentionally “contrasts the existing building’s beautiful, sleek exterior of metal and glass,” says Vargas. Homey and fun, the design also “feels slightly whimsical yet inviting.”

PHOTO GALLERY (6 IMAGES)
📷 Joseph D. Tran