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interior

Coffee shops, regardless of where they are located, always have one thing in common: the cosiness and warmth. It is an inviting space that smells like coffee and tastes like chocolate. While this beloved drink is what draws people in but it’s the ambiance that makes them stay and maybe indulge in a second cup.

When it comes to a good café interior design, there is more to it then it seems. It can be used to broadcast a message, give people a chance to know who they are and what they stand for; but in any case, it is a symbol of a thorough experience.

Recently, Canada’s Second Cup Coffee Company opened its doors in Karachi. The brand first came into Pakistan in 2013 and has been expanding immensely since then. It has 500 plus outlets spread over in 34 countries.

And while the theme of all the outlets is on the same lines, every shop has its own design characteristics that make it special.

According to Interior designer Muhammad Usman Hafeez from ‘The Workshop’, the design concept of the cafe revolves around natural elements so that it brings the customers close to nature.

Even though all of their branches have its own charm, each one is supposed to give you a homey feel. At the base level, it incorporates greys and basic elements - like wood and metal - so it exudes a minimal and natural ambiance,  “For all the cafes that we have designed, we always choose natural elements in their native state. Our design represents verdurous vibes which draw energy from the ‘pure spirit’ of used materials.

"We use tiles of terracotta and concrete texture, stucco finishes for walls, granite and wood for table tops and yellow-pine solid planks for ceiling, shelving and doors. Antithetical to common practice, our metal is powder coated as a final finish instead of being polished," explains Hafeez.

As you enter the space, the first thing that you notice is the colour palette as most coffee places prefer having warm tones for a cosy vibe. However, Second Cup Coffee boasts a clean neutral palette which is quite an intelligent choice if you want to emphasise on the decor. “Having a neutral palette helps enhance the bits of colour and greenery that we have put up. It gives you the room to be more creative as you build on the layers of decor,” says Hafeez.

The design of the first floor is like an introduction to the brand and its products. There are coffee blends put on display in a corner and the big wall on the right has a map of Canada depicting the origin of the franchise. On the left, you witness the staff at work as they busy themselves brewing away aromatic coffee.

The furniture is in vibrant jewel tones of velvet and some leather sofas that add a touch of luxury. The chairs are purposefully dissimilar to add bit of quirkiness and excitement to the place. “Our clients often enjoy this part as this process of design allows them to customise bits like pick a favourite chair or colour as they would at their own home. Our furniture is a tool for enhancing furnishes into sofa settings and creating spaces which mirror gatherings, like they would happen in someone's backyard,” enthuses Hafeez.

While there is all this hustle and bustle here, stepping down the wooden stairs is a complete contrast. From potted plants on the stairs to one in every corner of the room, the cafe does make you feel a little closer to nature. It has a soothing impact on you especially the small green section under the stairs - leafy plants surrounded by a stone wall - which really breathes life into the space. The upstairs is well-lit by a lot of natural light that is coming through the glass walls while there are no windows downstairs. Yet, the space feels lively which would otherwise feel dull. Apart from the colourful decor, the lights are placed strategically. 

“We make sure that the quality of light is well guided. It focuses on certain elements of significance and creates a well-lit ambiance as our clientele is majorly family-oriented and light plays an important role in space assessment.

The usage of COB, Rope, spot and hanging lights in this manner not only sharpens aesthetics but creates interest for viewers and users.” 

Coming to the food, the cafe offers a range of handcrafted nuanced blends imported from the likes of Colombia, Indonesia, America and Brazil.

Whether you like your brew to be strong or light, you’ll find something to your liking in either of the categories of hot and cold. For this particular evening, we indulged in one of their signature White Mocha, which delivered a nice hit of caffeine without being too sweet. The savouries weren’t as exciting as the menu had limited items available - we tried the Chicken sandwich which was served with a side of store-bought crisps. However, one thing that was truly worth trying was their cheesecakes. Whether it was a classic New York Cheesecake, a Chocolate or Strawberry Swirl, it will truly satisfy your craving with one of the best in the city!