THE BRIEF

Salerno is a lively, new Italian eatery located in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, offering a relaxed dining atmosphere and specializing in authentic Neapolitan pizza. The brief was to create a fresh, welcoming environment that captures the spirit of a traditional Italian pizzeria while incorporating a modern, urban, and laid-back vibe.

THE SOLUTION

We designed a vibrant, contemporary interior that blends Italian dining traditions with an industrial, edgy flair. The design includes a mix of neon signs, raw textures, and exposed industrial elements, creating an energetic yet comfortable environment. The layout offers a variety of experiences, from a casual front section perfect for quick lunches and coffee, to a cosy central area ideal for intimate evening meals. The open kitchen, where diners can observe the pizza-making process, acts as the focal point of the restaurant. With its bold lighting and modern design elements, the space feels both dynamic and inviting, enhancing the overall dining experience.

THE RESULTS

Salerno has rapidly become a popular destination for pizza lovers in Edinburgh. The thoughtfully designed interior, combined with a commitment to authentic Italian flavours, has helped the restaurant establish itself as a go-to spot for both locals and visitors.

THE BRIEF

Ragu is a brand-new Italian restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh, bringing authentic handmade pasta and bold Italian flavours to the city. The vision was to create a space that reflects the heart of Italian dining—warm, welcoming, and full of character—while embracing a modern, industrial aesthetic. The goal was to design an interior that feels effortlessly stylish yet comfortable, making a strong first impression in Edinburgh’s vibrant food scene.

THE SOLUTION

We crafted a striking interior that blends rustic Italian charm with an edgy, industrial feel. The space is defined by its rich, rusty tones, exposed textures, and contemporary finishes, creating a bold yet inviting atmosphere. Industrial lighting, raw materials, and warm earthy hues balance modern sophistication with the comforting essence of Italian hospitality. Every design element—from the layout to the lighting—was carefully considered to enhance both the dining experience and the efficiency of the space.

THE RESULTS

Since opening, Ragu has quickly established itself as an exciting new destination for Italian food lovers in Edinburgh. The restaurant’s distinctive interior has set it apart, drawing in guests who appreciate both its bold design and its exceptional cuisine. The fusion of modern industrial aesthetics with a warm, inviting ambiance has made Ragu a standout addition to the city’s dining scene, ensuring it leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.

THE BRIEF

Luci’s is a brand-new Italian restaurant in Cleadon, South Tyneside, created to bring an authentic taste of Italy to the heart of the community. Space ID was commissioned to design a warm, inviting, and stylish dining space from the ground up—one that captures the essence of Italian hospitality while offering a contemporary and elegant atmosphere. The goal was to craft a setting that feels both timeless and fresh, perfect for everything from casual lunches to special evening celebrations.

THE SOLUTION

Space ID designed a space that embodies the charm of a traditional Italian trattoria with a modern, refined twist. Using a warm Mediterranean-inspired palette, rustic textures, and bespoke furnishings, the interior reflects both the vibrancy of Italian culture and the welcoming spirit of Cleadon. A striking feature of the design is a Cole & Sons wallpaper mural panel depicting an atmospheric Italian cityscape, adding depth and character to the space. Enhancing this, interactive lighting within the tiny windows of the mural brings the scene to life, with lights turning on and off to create a dynamic, immersive experience for diners. Thoughtful details, ambient lighting, and carefully selected materials create an atmosphere that transitions seamlessly from relaxed daytime dining to an intimate, candlelit evening experience.

THE RESULTS

Luci’s has emerged as a standout destination for Italian cuisine in the area, offering guests a beautifully designed space that enhances their dining experience. The combination of sophisticated yet approachable design, authentic Italian charm, and unique interactive features ensures that Luci’s feels instantly welcoming—whether for a quick espresso, a leisurely meal, or a special occasion.

THE BRIEF

Space ID was commissioned to reimagine the existing Pemberton Carvery restaurant at Ramside Hall in Durham, creating a fresh and inviting dining space that reflects modern tastes, while honouring the venue’s rich heritage. The design needed to balance a bright, contemporary aesthetic with a sense of timeless elegance, ensuring it appeals to a diverse clientele throughout the day and evening.

THE SOLUTION

Space ID delivered a dynamic redesign that combines light-filled interiors with thoughtful details and a colourful palette to create a welcoming ambiance. Inspired by Durham’s natural surroundings and the rich history of Ramside Hall, the space features bespoke furnishings, modern finishes, and curated artwork that reflect a sense of place. The space was designed to seamlessly transition from relaxed daytime dining to an atmospheric evening setting.

THE RESULTS

The transformation brought a renewed sense of energy to Ramside Hall’s dining offerings, blending sophistication and accessibility. The new space has been met with enthusiastic feedback from guests, offering a memorable culinary experience in an environment that feels fresh, vibrant, and distinctly Ramside.

THE BRIEF

Tango was already a well-established standout burger destination in Durham, attracting locals and tourists alike. The owners wanted to expand and to do that they needed a larger premises. The new Tango location was envisioned as a space that would match the vibrancy and creativity of their gourmet burgers, with an emphasis on quirky charm, comfort, and an inviting atmosphere. The design needed to integrate Durham’s character while offering a fresh, memorable dining experience.

THE SOLUTION

We crafted a playful and eclectic interior that reflects Tango’s bold personality. The space is split into 3 different areas; the front space, which is for your casual daytime dining and coffees, the central area, for an intimate dining experience, and the back area, which transports you to a sunny climate surrounded by palm trees and vibrant colours. The design features vintage and industrial elements, colourful murals, and statement lighting, bringing the quirky vision to life. Local influences, such as nods to Durham’s cultural heritage, were subtly woven into the space to create a sense of community connection. Functional considerations, like comfortable seating and efficient flow for diners and staff, were seamlessly incorporated without compromising the aesthetic.

THE RESULTS

Tango has become a favourite among Durham’s food enthusiasts, praised for its unique ambience as much as its menu. The bold and memorable interior has helped the restaurant stand out in a competitive market, drawing steady foot traffic and glowing reviews. Customers frequently highlight the design as part of their dining experience, strengthening Tango’s brand identity as a quirky, must-visit spot in the city.

THE BRIEF

Space ID was commissioned to design luxury serviced apartments for Ramside Estates in Durham, based on a fictitious monk character transitioning from a DJ lifestyle. The design had to balance a calm, sophisticated daytime aesthetic with a vibrant, dynamic energy at night.

THE SOLUTION

Five luxury apartments were designed, each with a unique style, reflecting the ‘Funky Monk’ persona that we created as a narrative with our brand team. The apartments cater to diverse groups, offering both short stays and long-term rentals. Space ID worked alongside Curate to provide bespoke artwork and branding to complement the theme.

THE RESULTS

The project achieved a distinctive blend of luxury, functionality, and creative energy, providing an unforgettable stay experience for guests.

THE BRIEF

As trusted partners with the Award winning Manorview Hotel Group, this is the 10th Hotel we have been commissioned to design since their fruition in 2008.

Brisbane House Hotel is situated on the seafront of Largs on the Firth of Forth with magnificent views over towards the Isle of Cumbrae and Isle of Bute, Manorview wanted to transform this already successful hotel into an exclusive wedding destination offering luxurious facilities and a stunning outlook.

THE SOLUTION

All areas of the boutique hotel have been refurbished, but the extra special touches include a stunning duplex honeymoon suite with private balcony and spa, a dedicated wedding Bridal Dressing room, and an upgraded glass-fronted function suite with doors that slide open to an extended terrace – all boasting panoramic views of the Clyde.

6 small single rooms have been re-configured to provide 4 brand new stunning double rooms and an outside ceremony area has been integrated into the scheme with a garden area for the all important wedding photos.

THE RESULTS

The photos speak for themselves and with the impressive CGI’s produced by Space VR prior to completion allowed the hotel to maximise its wedding sales and showcase the venue in all its glory.

THE BRIEF

As the last stop to Antartica the client was looking for a solution for both residents of the island but also tourists and visitors stopping off. We were tasked with creating cost effective, environmentally conscious interiors and exteriors using materials that would be resilient to the weather conditions which are very inhospitable at times and with a need to be lightweight for transportation costs. A tight budget was imposed and a need to create a neutral housing scheme alongside a billionaires playground experience with the stand alone, off grid sky lodges.

THE SOLUTION

To maintain the ethos of the location, we needed to visit the islands and see why the buildings looked they way they did and what had been learnt over the centuries with regards to the materials used and the environment. The population was small and the community very close in spirit. The lack of imposed planning and access to materials for both initial construction but also maintenance resulted in a very simple, but unique rhythm to the buildings and their look. Neighbours working together to ensure each plot works alongside the next. A primary set of colours alongside neutral white cladded buildings. Architecturally a move from Victorian brickwork (not out of place in areas of the mainland UK) through corrugated panels to more modern cladding systems of Cedral. The interiors a modest, clean but modern approach targeting the youth and more mature aspirations. Following design styles common the UK housing market, but simplified to approach for shipping of materials.

THE RESULTS

Still in construction, the houses and cabins are still yet to be unveiled. The design and approach were rigorously analysed for cost feasibility and target aspiration approval. A resounding acceptance of both elements leads the way to further work with the client group.

THE BRIEF

Having worked alongside Ramside Estates for over 20 years, we were tasked with helping the client redefine their very successful main business by developing a new area of accommodation and flexible experiences. Using a growing trend on the market, the client was keen to capitalise and create a new set of ‘treehouses’.  From the ‘battleship’ houses for upto 12 people to a more boutique experience of an A Frame for up to 4 people. The main element and a much used cliché – the client wanted the WOW factor. The key, to create an immersive experience you would not find at home. Each treehouse was to have a different interior.

THE SOLUTION

We nestled unique shaped structures within the woodland to the boundary of the site and clad them in materials that complimented the backdrop and deliberately but slowly age. The interiors of the Battleships became flexible hire spaces allowing different sized groups and function uses from small weddings to team building weekends. The spaces escapist with champagne luxury. From Emperor fur covered beds, to dual showers and hot tubs on the balconies with high end integrated kitchens with chefs for hire for a personal party. The landscaping became the interior and elevated walkways lead you into a timber clad get away.

THE RESULTS

With occupancy levels near 90% a majority of the time, the client has commissioned a further 28 to be considered and developed.

THE BRIEF

The brief from John Adamson was to transform the old Grade Il listed Hope Inn pub into a beautiful restaurant serving bistro style food and fine wines, with 10 rooms in the coach house at the back of the building, and a pub at the front that is welcoming to guests, locals and travellers alike. This project was to have a lot of character. With the name ‘The Impeccable Pig’ we were to make this one standout from the crowd in Sedgefield and feel warm and inviting to clientele.

THE SOLUTION

Working within a listed building within a sensitive conservation area made expanding the venue into a commercially viable venue challenging and pushed both the boundaries of the architecture and fabric of the existing building. Exposing the previous existence of the structure allowed hidden features to be explored and enhanced, giving rise to a mid-level exposed fireplace, lending itself well to the village pub feel we were keen to maintain.

We commissioned Amy Dover to illustrate him for the brand identity as a well-travelled, Victorian gentleman in the form of an “impeccable” pig and form three huge portraits of him. We created human characteristics for him, and a tone of voice for the project that flows through every piece of the customer journey.

THE RESULTS

The results were an interesting space with unique features, including three commissioned artworks, a horseshoe shaped bar, glazed atrium, bespoke marble floor, vintage leather ribbed oval seats, marble tables, a canopy of olive branches and fairy lights, emerald green drapes, black wrought iron balustrade with gold highlights and polished brass rails, 14-seater dining mezzanine area with suspended canopy of wisteria, a handmade table and an imported French mural.