Interior Design is the art of designing the inside of spaces to create a welcoming and stimulating atmosphere. Shapes, Texture, Light and Colour are the prominent elements that make a space meaningful. Colours are an important design tool for forming the perception of a space. Perception is what a person perceives of a space. The physical qualities of a space combine with the background of the users to create an impression either positive or negative. Generally speaking, however, each colour has its properties and significance. Warm colours, red, yellow, and orange are associated with energy and positivity while cool colours like blue, green, and magenta are associated with calmness and relaxation. The interior of a space depends on its intended function.
Cafe Kathaa – A Cozy Haven
Cafe Kathaa on FC Road in Pune combines the traditional and modern elements of interior design and planning. A metal arch marks the entrance to the café, followed by a semi-covered outdoor seating adjacent to the main café building. Originally a bungalow, it retains the rooms and has transformed them into different sitting bays. Each bay has its distinct style, yet everything blends in smoothly. One bay has low seating sofas which are common in Indian culture. The remaining bays have traditional four-people tables with metal chairs
Kathaa offers both covered and semi-covered seating areas. The approach road to the bungalow has an open sit-out, with varied seating arrangements. The pale blue compound wall is decorated with upcycled frames, which adds to the rustic vibe of the cafe. The pathway leads to two interconnected bays, billing to the right and low seating to the left. Further inside through the bays are the reading bays. The two reading bays have distinct colour palettes. The first is a cosy reading nook with a bookshelf. It has metallic rectangular tables, which facilitate intimate conversations. A dark grey with a hint of green complements the otherwise earthly palette.
The adjacent bay stands out with light blue walls with white accents. Blue is generally associated with stability and evokes a sense of tranquillity in the users. White tables complement the blue, breaking the monotony. Kathaa has become an iconic place and hosts a variety of recreational workshops, comedy nights and family parties. The tranquil eatery gets transformed into a lively bistro at night.
Waari Book Cafe – An Eclectic Workplace
The Waari Book Cafe tucked behind the bustle of Karve Road in Kothrud, offers a plethora of books and games to its visitors. Unlike Kathaa, the entrance of this cafe opens into the counter and indoor seating spaces. The flexible spatial arrangement gives users a choice according to their comfort. A combination of colours is used to give the space an eclectic vibe.
The cafe is a versatile workspace, for individuals seeking solace for work and groups engaging in lively discussions. The bright yellow walls and red flooring resemble the eclectic bohemian style and contribute to an energetic environment. The mix of wooden tables, foldable chairs and mattresses embody the bohemian ethos of mixing and matching. A steel partition separates the indoors from the outdoor seating. This area has a personal workspace along with tables for smaller groups to interact.
After its inauguration in 2016, the Waari Book Cafe has become famous for the ambience it offers. Due to its vibrant atmosphere, people of all ages enjoy spending time here.
A cafe is a social hub, a culinary destination and a creative space. A good cafe is known for its food, ambience and service. Cafes are good examples of comfort architecture and stand testament to the effects of colours on the human mind. There are examples in cafe architecture where colours are used haphazardly and create a negative atmosphere. The interiors of any space should complement its function more so in the case of cafes. In this case, the interiors cater to the intended function of the cafes. Yellow and blue are used in both spaces but in different capacities. In a limited space, light blue and yellow exuberate stability and calm to anyone who looks at it, while in a larger space, they act as a background to the energetic mix of colours. Both reading cafes double as workspaces. Despite their difference, both establishments offer unique experiences to the users through two different approaches to interior design have their respective influences on the users. While Waari used diverse furniture to add to the vibrancy of the space, Kathaa used signature furniture pieces that have become an identity for the cafe. Overall both cafes offer a variety of good quality food and beverages along with a plethora of titles to read from. Waari is sought out for a quiet evening while Kathaa is frequented by shopping enthusiasts out on FC road.
References:
- Colour psychology (2024) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology#Influence_of_color_on_perception (Accessed: 28 May 2024).
- Interior Design (2024) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interior_design#Styles (Accessed: 28 May 2024).
- Waari Book Cafe – Pune (no date) Connecting Traveller. Available at: https://www.connectingtraveller.com/place-to-visit-in/pune/waari-book-cafe (Accessed: 28 May 2024).
