- Interior
We have written about Yakusha Design and their furniture and decoration collection FAINA before, but now we would like to highlight a special project where their unique aesthetic was applied to the interior of an eatery. The result looks relaxing (the perfect lunch break) with a monochrome colour palette that also gives the eyes a moment's rest.
This new eatery in Kiev is named 'Istetyka'. At Yakusha Design, the agency responsible for the interior design, they explain that this is a contraction of two Ukrainian words meaning ‘to eat' and 'aesthetics'. ‘The aesthetics of ready-to-eat food is the main message of the eatery traced in the interior of the space and the dishes served. The owners sought to change the attitude to fast ready-to-eat food — turn ordinary into a ritual, food into an experience,’ we hear. 
It doesn’t have to be big to make it noticed’
The spaces are rather modest and understated. The intention is to relax here, and the colour and material palette certainly contributes to this. ‘We eliminated the excess and used a monochromatic color palette to allow the eye to rest. Calm, fluid, relaxed — this is how the space feels,’ we are told by Victoria Yakusha, founder of the design agency. ‘You don't have to make something big to make it noticed. Here, we focused on the essence. And to emphasize it, we created a lot of air, enhancing the power of the void. Freedom allows us to see what's important,’ we also hear. 
The restaurant is divided into three zones: the seating area with round tables for multi-person gatherings, smaller tables for one or two people along the side wall, and the kitchen separated from the rest by frosted glass. Many of the furniture and decorative pieces were designed by local Ukrainian craftsmen, supplemented by pieces from the Faina collection. As usual with Yakusha Design, the connection with nature and the ecological aspect is also clear in this project. Many materials such as clay and wood have a natural origin and we also see many soft, organic forms. The whole is also balanced by interesting contrasts such as the cold concrete walls and the warmth of clay, or uneven textures and the smoothness of steel. ‘This all harmoniously coexists in the space, as all in nature is,’ Victoria Yakusha concludes. 
Another inspiring realisation that highlights the talent of this design studio and their philosophy!
Photography by Yevhenii Avramenko