While fast-food restaurants often feature dingy plastic furnishings and retro lighting, Australian chain Nando's is introducing refreshingly modern, bright and designed spaces. Inspired by the history of Portuguese sailors exploring the world, the 135-sq-m Nando’s Canberra has a raw, natural concept. The focal point, a ceiling installation made of curved plywood panels, is above the raised seating area and accented with rope and copper detailing. ‘These panels evoke and abstractly convey the interior structure or “ribs” of an explorer’s sailing ship,’ says Kristina Hetherington, director of Design Clarity. ‘The finishes include tone-on-tone decorative floor and wall tiles, white washed brick and copper details to create a natural aged, raw look.’ Laser-cut timber combines with rustic wall paint to accent the concept of being on a ship.

SNOG

The first frozen yoghurt store in the United Kingdom, called Snog, is designed by Studio Uribe.
Snog is a retail concept invented by Ico Design Consultancy. As the name implies, Snog derived from snow and yoghurt, the store offers pure frozen yoghurt and all kinds of natural toppings and healthy tea.

“Snog is a new retail concept offering pure frozen yogurt, natural and green tea. Snog's formula uses non-fat organic yogurt and milk, is low in calories and is sweetened with organic agave nectar – free from sugar and artificial sweeteners. You can choose from 15 healthy toppings, including fruits, nuts and granola. The shop interior evokes the feeling of summer,” explains Pablo Uribe.

The yoghurt store features eye-catching fluorescent colours, edgy typography and a quircky illustrative style.

Studio Uribe collaborated with lighting designer and architect, Dominic Harris from Cinimod Studio, to create a bespoke, high-end interior space. Dominic explains: “The concept for the store was to evoke the feeling of a perfect never-ending summer. The interior is deliberately quirky, with a photographic grass floor and British flowers on the glass walls. A key element is the digital sky which will adjust the mood of the store perpetually throughout the day and evenings.”