Life & Style INTERIORS
Delicious Design
An OKC designer has helped create a timeless restaurant in Ardmore. By M.J. Van Deventer Photos by Ryan Wells esigner Justin Venk faced quite a challenge when Audrey Edelen asked him to renovate a dark and forgotten space for her new Ardmore restaurant. She wanted to transform the drab locale into a warm, inviting cafe that was full of light and energy but still had a feeling of antiquity. There was serendipity in Audrey’s choice of Justin for her project. Justin and his wife had recently moved back to Oklahoma City from New York, where Justin started his design firm, Facet 14 Studio, while completing his master’s degree at the New York School of Interior Design. “In the ultimate ‘it’s a small world situation,’ Audrey happened to know both of my brothers-in-law,” Justin relates. “She mentioned to one of them she was planning to open a restaurant in Ardmore, and he suggested she call me. “As a designer, every job is personal, but there is something special about being able to return home and work so closely with a family connection. I loved the aesthetic Audrey was aiming for, and our visions for the space were very much aligned, so it worked out beautifully.” The design concept was warm and uncomplicated, inspired by classic New York and Parisian bistros. The clean lines play well against the vintage-inspired materials, including rough-sawn flooring, aged brass finishes and antique mirrors. With its soft gray lacquered walls accented with glazed-brick tile, the restaurant takes on the vibe of a French bistro with classic ceiling tiles and custom
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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2016