ERNEST LOVES AGNES

True to Lajeunesse’s design philosophy, the key to this project was retaining the cozy and inviting character of the space that people had come to love during its 20-year tenure as The Kingfish Café. All while restoring and renovating the space from the studs up. To do this, Lajeunesse focused on enhancing the natural character of the building. He brought in 80-year-old Fir to finish the bar floor, antique hardware and built-ins to complete the bar tops and bar back, and recycled The Kingfish Café’s copper bar top as new tabletops.

 Once the heart and character of the space had been captured in the construction, Lajeunesse infused the structure with playful, contemporary touches. Handmade Italian tiles to line the walls, mid-century chair accents, bold and bright photography, and beach wood and decoupage bathrooms, to name a few.

 Although the restaurant has a certain Italian elegance, Lajeunesse’s inspiration was global: “The dark wood finish, floor tiles, brass inlays and accents were all inspired by a trip to Buenos Aires in 2014.  I fell in love with all the 100-year-old cafés and bars that lined neighborhoods like San Telmo, and I wanted to bring that same spirit to this project and space.”