3/27/2025

Designing for Impact: How Our Team Translates Brand into Built Environments:

At Swatch Interiors, we believe commercial spaces should do more than function—they should make a statement. Whether it’s a stylish salon, a warm and welcoming restaurant, or an inspiring coworking space, our team approaches each project with a deep understanding of what makes a brand resonate.

With a large-scale coworking hub currently underway and new salon and restaurant designs on the horizon, our commercial portfolio is growing—and so is our reputation for creating spaces that feel as intentional as they are beautiful. We dive into each client’s brand story, voice, and visual identity, then shape every detail of the design to speak directly to their audience. The result? Spaces that leave a lasting impression, build connection, and elevate the overall experience.

Umi Sushi was once a dated, 2000s-era sushi bar with an abundance of turquoise and a layout that no longer reflected the owner’s evolving vision. Our clients sought a bold transformation, something chic and metropolitan, with subtle nods to Japanese anime culture. While the overall floor plan remained largely the same, we focused our attention on reimagining the bar area, back bar liquor display, lighting, seating, and furnishings.
The design directive was to breathe new life into the space with a fresh palette, improved lighting, and a modernized ambiance that would appeal to a broader audience—especially younger, downtown diners. A bold pairing of hot pink and turquoise was selected as the core color story, grounded by neutral tones and textural layers inspired by traditional Japanese interiors. The goal: create an environment that feels lively and contemporary without losing authenticity or balance.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

- achieving visual impact without overwhelming the space. The original design leaned too heavily into color and retro themes, making the restaurant feel kitschy and chaotic. Our task was to retain the vibrancy the owners loved while introducing enough restraint to avoid a childlike or overly playful aesthetic.
- The bold palette of hot pink and turquoise, while high-impact, required careful placement and contrast. We needed to incorporate these saturated tones in a way that felt curated, not clashing. The layout, though unchanged, had to be refreshed visually to support better lighting and flow, especially around the bar, which was a central focal point.
- Marrying the contemporary downtown vibe with anime-inspired elements without making the space feel theme-y or theatrical. Striking that subtle balance between inspiration and sophistication was key to the final success of the project.
- The building and space was old and unlevel, so needed attention to the detail during construction
Abundance of dead space behind the bar was an opportunity to do something visually interesting for liquor storage, hence the interesting shapes that sufficed for fun shaped bottles of Sake.

CHALLENGES

- we layered in hot pink and turquoise as purposeful accents—reserving their use for lighting elements, feature seating, and strategic touchpoints throughout the space. This allowed us to celebrate color without letting it dominate.
- Neutral backdrops—soft wood tones, stone textures, and matte black finishes—provided the visual relief needed to let the more playful colors shine. The bar received a full redesign, with a sleek new liquor display that draws the eye upward and highlights the restaurant’s centerpiece offerings. Seating was updated with sculptural, comfortable forms that nod to modern Japanese dining lounges, while custom lighting installations added depth and mood.
- We subtly referenced Japanese anime through form, graphic accents, and lighting choices—avoiding literal or overly thematic decor. The result is a stylish and memorable dining space that feels fresh, curated, and totally unique. Umi Sushi now has a distinct identity that reflects both the client's creative personality and the elevated experience today’s diners expect.

SOLUTIONS