No matter what type of pub you are opening, remember first impressions truly do count. We know that cooking is an art, and your talent or interest in good food have brought you to this decision. You are constructing and creating this new canvas. A place of your own, where your culinary talents can be savoured and enjoyed. But just because your are a culinary artist, or have mastered the art of the food business, in general it does not mean that you have automatically inherited the art of interior design. The way you create each meal, season each dish, the feeling of knowing just how to make a certain dish is the confidence you want to express when your patrons, or guests walk through that door. Now the question stands, should you hire an interior designer, or not?
Consider first of all your budget. Let’s make it plain and simple! How much can you afford to spend on a professional interior designer? Take your time and seriously consider it. I’m sure that when you first considered opening your pub you took the time to consider location, types of menu items, the name of your pub, so you should do the same for the pub’s interior designer, then take your time and shop around. Use your resources. Maybe you have a friend that has an eye for decorating but maybe not the degree. Would that person be a more inexpensive resource to help you pick and coordinate your pub furniture? Or do you feel that a professional would better understand your needs? Remember if you choose a friend to help you, choose wisely. You don’t want to incorporate someone who may want to take over the whole business, or may feel hurt if don’t absolutely agree with all of their ideas. This may ultimately waste more time and money if you do not choose wisely.
Modern, classic, café, swanky, imagine how you want the theme of your pub to look in your mind. Feel the warmth of colours or the cheeriness of the lighting. Envision how these will a play a role of the mood of the pub and how you want to enhance the whole experience for your customers. Will your customers be sitting deep leather chairs or would they like a more contemporary design such as Polo chairs or even bean bags? Whatever your look it is much harder than you think to put style, form, and function together. Even if you feel that you can put it all together have you thought about where to shop and how to find the best deals? Have you truly considered the small details that can turn into big issues down the road?
Take for example incorporating barstools into the pub: are you knowledgeable enough to know what measurements you need to make your customers comfortable? Do know which colours compliment which textures? Do you really have the time to figure those small details out? Little things like this can take away from creating the perfect pastry or main dish that will be served at your establishment.
It is very true that patron’s, or people in general can be very picky. Living up to a customer’s high expectation of what they want in a pub can be trying. That is why more and more restaurateurs are choosing the option of hiring a professional. Patrons tend to first judge a pub’s food before they have even sampled a bite. As they walk in the door their mind and senses have already pre-determined how good a meal will be, or even if they will return and dine there again. You think that your are ultimately selling a meal without understanding that you are also selling an atmosphere, a place that is not only where than can get a bite of food but a place that may be a safe haven from their work or from their worries. You can make the most stunning and exquisite lobster in lemon butter sauce, but if your pub is not inviting and the mood is not just right your special dish will not truly enjoyed by your patrons.
If you feel that it is more appropriate for you to do the professional interior designer thing, don’t just think because you see professional in front of their name that persons must be good. Find out information on the individual or the design firm. See if they have referrals from previous clients. Visit previous client’s establishments. Chances are that if you find the designs that they have constructed for previous clients that those they me be a good fit for you as well. Remember the time it takes you to research a designer or design firm is much less than if you designed the pub layout yourself. You want to feel secure that you will have a person that can help your make the look of your pub just right.
Once you have chosen the right person to bring to life your vision of how you want your pub to look, don’t be intimidated! Remember this person works for you. You have gotten to the place where you have that canvass to express your culinary talent. Enjoy the experience of picking out colours while the designer works on picking out textures. You want the help of good interior designer but remember this is your vision and your pub. Have fun! Let them help you put all the pieces of the interior of your pub together and enjoy it. Let it be an extended expression of you and your food. Not only will you feel that the establishment has décor that speaks about you but an atmosphere that will make patrons comfortable and coming back for more.
