Here Chicky Chicky

The design inspiration for this fried chicken concept is a blend of 70s family room, mid century dinette, and your cool uncle with the fast car. From the cherry wood paneling to the funky plaid upholstery, and the padded counter, we are feelin’ groovy. The marquee lights on the counter and gold glitter balls evoke disco date nights at the movies. Large branded wall graphics recall the surf graphics of the era. A champagne vending machine elevates the humble fried chicken worthy of prom night!

Located in the historic Cummins Station, originally a transit warehouse utilizing Pullman trains. We took inspiration from the romantic train travel era — luxury accommodations combined with exceptional service. Avoiding any obvious train themes, we created a space that is at once nostalgic, pampered and sexy. The raw space was industrial so we added warm lighting, and wrapped the concrete columns for an upscale feel. Art deco prints, and a diverse seating plan makes this first class bar feel swanky. 

Wild Wasabi Sushi is in Downtown Nashville, located in the historic Cummins Station. Xan was tasked with creating a branded interior that would elevate the experience without alienating regular clientele. We kept their main color, and created and entirely fresh space starting with a maximized workflow for the staff. They had outgrown their original space plan so we created an entry, new wait stations, more seating, and reworked the counter for better connection between the sushi chef and guest. The concept is inspired by classic Japanese design — natural materials, light tones, clean lines, rice paper shoji screen entry, modern but not too serious.

Hey bruh, let’s meet on the rooftop for the seafood boil! Situated on the top floor of the Canopy Hotel in Bethesda, we designed a little piece of paradise. This large, bright space is the second Hello Betty location from Sage Restaurant Concepts. Featuring the Boat Bar, the patio is unforgettable. We created intimacy in this large space with gathering nooks, not a bad seat in the house. The design is nautical inspired, with some material inspiration carried over from the first location. The palette is energetic and vibrant to enhance the surf vibe.

It might be Another Gallery, but we think it’s THE BEST SPACE to host your event! This was a labor of love, and we are well suited to plot and plan the perfect space to balance all that was required to activate it. We started with an original brick building on Santa Fe Drive, performed an elaborate dance with the City for too long, and at last opened the doors. This sprawling urban property is the definition of multi-purpose — an art gallery blends into an event space, complete with a commercial kitchen. The gallery’s glass garage doors open featuring a large mural in the courtyard, calling you up to the fabulous rooftop bar with views of downtown. Did we mention the private artist studios and classroom?

This flowing cafe is a spin off of the popular Olive + Finch. A sister concept designed for scalability, growth and expansion. The bright, robust bakery is filled with plants, cozy nooks, and tempting goodies — perfect for the laptop crowd. A thoughtful variety of seating options makes this a great spot to connect with friends day or night. The cafe’s moody blue walls, and adjustable light package help transition the space from coffee to intimate cocktails. 

How do you transform a brand icon’s building and make it your own? We certainly enjoy a challenge. Our focus was to activate the design from all sides of the building’s exterior. To create a shining destination among the concrete. The design solution had to work from daytime into the evening. Inside, our charge was to take the DBC brand and give it legs to stand on its own. We planned for distinct dining areas to allow for flexibility in use. We love the biscuit kids wall graphic! The interior is a nod to the parent brand Atomic Cowboy with our use of midcentury industrial tones.

Xan set out to create an irresistible space that pulls the guest in from across the street. Light filled and spacious with tall ceilings, it just feels good. With a skilled eye to properly launch a new brand, there is no confusion in the customer’s mind. A large glass wall separates the on site production area from the patron space. Designing around the large walk-in/retail demands, in addition to full service, Xan had to consider the hours of beer production as they relate to hours of operation. The design relies heavily on the graphic brand, with a blend of pop colors to create a vibe in contrast to the historic nature of the building.

When chef Natascha Hess came to Xan for help with her first fast casual spot, the world was in the middle of the 2020 Covid shut down. With a small budget and a space to match, we were excited for the challenge. Ginger Pig’s name honors the magical root, featuring ginger infused Asian street-style food inspired by the chef’s time overseas. Our design solution balances the desire for a neighborhood bar feel, with a fast casual service model, all the while avoiding the look of a stereotypical Asian restaurant. The design is gritty meets street, and at the same time feels approachable. We relied on moody lighting, custom steel dividers and booths, contrasted with warm, reclaimed wood. There is a dedicated space for the bar, and fixtures in pops of color throughout. The corrugated metal ceiling reflects the red hot neon sign asking customers “have you eaten?”  Finally, a mural by JUURI, and directed by Xan gives the space strong chi.

Xan shares Upward Projects’ passion for rustic buildings ready for new life. Collaborating with this design forward client delights and pushes our creative solutions to new heights. Each café location is immaculately restored to create a welcoming atmosphere tailored to the neighborhood demographic. The design honors the building’s physical and cultural history with a focus on warm wood, an energetic color palette, bold patterns, mid century textures and eclectic statement pieces that make the space truly unique.