In the heart of Hackney, a new culinary destination is proving that the secret to a successful restaurant interior lies in the delicate balance between nostalgia and modern wit. Tom’s Pasta, the latest venture from chef Tom Adams, has opened its doors with a design identity that feels both strikingly fresh and comfortingly familiar. Created by the local studio House of Dré, the space is a vibrant homage to the classic Italian-British trattorias of the mid-century, reimagined for a contemporary East London audience. By utilizing a palette of primary colors, Formica surfaces, and kitsch architectural details, the designers have created an environment that shuns the seriousness of “fine dining” in favor of a joyous, community-focused atmosphere. It is a space where the design is as bold as the ragu, inviting diners to step out of the grey London streets and into a sun-drenched, retro-inspired sanctuary.
A Love Letter to the Mid-Century Trattoria
The creative vision for Tom’s Pasta began with a deep dive into the aesthetic of 1950s and 60s Italian cafes. House of Dré aimed to capture the specific “vibe” of these spaces—places that were once the social hubs of their neighborhoods, characterized by durable materials and a lack of pretension. To achieve this, the studio leaned heavily into the use of Formica, a material synonymous with the era’s diner culture. The tables, finished in a signature pale blue with contrasting edges, provide a tactile connection to the past while remaining incredibly practical for a high-traffic pasta bar. This choice signals a departure from the “industrial-chic” trend of exposed brick and reclaimed wood, offering instead a clean, graphic, and purposefully “synthetic” beauty.
The layout of the restaurant is designed to maximize social interaction, centering around a communal dining experience. The seating features a mix of built-in banquettes and classic bistro chairs, upholstered in a cherry-red leatherette that pops against the checkered flooring. This high-contrast color scheme is a hallmark of House of Dré’s playful approach, ensuring that every corner of the room is visually engaging. By focusing on “familiar” silhouettes and materials, the designers have stripped away the intimidation factor often associated with trendy London openings, creating a space that feels like it has been part of the neighborhood for decades.
The Art of Playful Proportions
Architectural details at Tom’s Pasta are treated with a sense of whimsy that borders on the cinematic. One of the standout features is the use of oversized, rounded archways that frame the views between the dining room and the open kitchen. These arches are painted in a bold, sunny yellow, acting as a visual “portal” that draws the eye toward the culinary action. The exaggerated curves and saturated hues create a “toy-like” quality, lending the space a sense of fun and approachability. This design language is consistent throughout the venue, from the chunky, rounded edges of the bar counter to the globose light fixtures that hang like oversized pearls from the ceiling.
This play on proportions extends to the custom-made shelving and display units, which house a curated selection of Italian pantry staples and vintage glassware. Rather than hiding the functional elements of the restaurant, House of Dré has turned them into decorative features. Stacks of tinned tomatoes and bottles of olive oil become part of the color palette, reinforcing the restaurant’s commitment to simple, high-quality ingredients. This integration of product and place blurs the line between a traditional grocery store and a modern eatery, adding to the layers of nostalgia and authenticity that define the Tom’s Pasta experience.
Materiality and the “Checkered” Identity
Perhaps the most recognizable element of the interior is the classic black-and-white checkered floor, a design staple that House of Dré has utilized to ground the more colorful elements of the room. The floor acts as a neutral but rhythmic base, tying together the red upholstery, blue tables, and yellow accents. It is a classic trope of the Italian-American diner, yet here it feels updated and purposeful. The studio also experimented with tiling in the bar area, using small-scale mosaics to create a textured, hand-finished look that contrasts with the smooth, machine-age surfaces of the Formica tables.
Lighting plays a crucial role in maintaining the “warm” retro atmosphere of the restaurant. Eschewing the harsh glare of modern LEDs, the designers opted for a combination of neon signage and warm-toned pendant lamps. A custom neon sign, glowing in a soft pink, provides a contemporary focal point that bridges the gap between the 1950s inspiration and the 2025 Hackney location. This mix of materials—from the “low-brow” leatherette to the “high-design” custom neon—reflects a sophisticated understanding of how modern diners perceive value and atmosphere. It is an interior that values “character” over “costliness,” making it a perfect fit for London’s evolving hospitality landscape.
A Community Hub for the Modern Age
Ultimately, the success of Tom’s Pasta lies in its ability to facilitate a sense of community through design. The “playful and familiar” interior is more than just an aesthetic choice; it is a spatial strategy intended to encourage people to linger, talk, and share. The open kitchen allows diners to see the craft behind their meal, while the communal seating arrangements break down the barriers between tables. In a city where digital convenience often comes at the expense of human connection, Tom’s Pasta offers a physical space that prioritizes the social joy of eating.
As House of Dré continues to make its mark on London’s interior design scene, projects like Tom’s Pasta show the power of looking backward to move forward. By reclaiming the visual language of the mid-century trattoria, the studio has created a venue that feels uniquely suited to the needs of the present. It is a reminder that good design doesn’t have to be cold or complex to be effective. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of Formica, a splash of yellow, and a checkered floor to create a space where everyone feels at home. Tom’s Pasta isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a vibrant, neon-lit celebration of the enduring magic of the neighborhood restaurant.
