At L'Ouvrier in Toronto the formula is simple: gallery white walls and concrete floors serve as a backdrop for a number of clever DIY installations and a few carefully placed fluoro accents.
Designer Courtney Wotherspoon of Spoon Studio started with a clean canvas, painting exposed pipes and walls in a medium gloss white, then added some serious creativity. DIY installations featuring commonplace objects such as black electrical cords, steel construction nails, thumbtacks, and plastic bags. The main dining area is comprised of vintage table bases paired with thick-cut wood slab tops, all in a wash of white; and a mix of Bouroullec Steelwood chairs and classic Eames dowel-leg chairs. Since its opening, L'Ouvrier is the new favorite spot in Toronto, with visitors like Arounna of Bookhou (whose blog we first spotted the restaurant on). The restaurant is located at 791 Dundas Street West; for more information, go to L'Ouvrier.
Photography via The Marion House Book, unless otherwise noted.
Above: Wotherspoon used a standard black electrical cord in a curled up design against the white wall.
Above: A detail of the simple table setting with menus also designed by Wotherspoon. Photograph via Bookhou.
Above: A collection of DIY and building materials are wrapped in small bags.
Above: The installation aims to elevate standard building materials such as steel screws and extension cords by displaying them in their own cases.
Above: Photograph from L'Ouvrier.
Above: A single fluorescent red table top stands out against a sea of white and is surrounded by four Steelwood Chairs by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Magis ($679 each from Nest Living).
Above: Wotherspoon painted a series of found driftwood in various patterns to use as wall art. For more, see our post DIY: Painted Natural Objects as Decor.
Above: An pattern made from simple silver nails dashes across the wall on one side of the restaurant. Photograph from Spoon Studio.
Above: A design in fluorescent pink string. Photograph from Spoon Studio.
Above: Photograph from Spoon Studio.
Above: Photograph via Bookhou.
Visiting Toronto? See our 13 favorite restaurants, hotels, and shops in our Toronto City Guide. Ready for your own DIY project? Sift through our archive of over 200 DIY Ideas to get inspired.