Transforming a Restaurant – Fonda Cantina

In restaurant interior design, walls should never be an afterthought. At Fonda Cantina, the wallpaper became one of the strongest architectural elements in the entire space.

When designing hospitality spaces in Chicago, especially restaurants that rely on atmosphere as much as cuisine, visual storytelling matters. The custom floral wallpaper installed at Fonda Cantina was selected to create depth, warmth, and cultural reference without overwhelming the room.

The oversized botanical pattern introduces movement and dimension. Instead of using paint or generic finishes, we intentionally chose a large-scale wallcovering to anchor the seating area. It immediately defines the dining zone, softens the acoustics, and creates an Instagram-worthy focal point — something every modern restaurant interior design project needs.

The earthy tones within the wallpaper integrate seamlessly with the natural wood flooring, custom millwork shelving, woven pendant lighting, and leather banquette seating. The integration was not accidental. Every finish was layered intentionally so that the wallpaper feels embedded into the architecture, not applied on top of it.

This is where collaboration with the general contractor becomes critical. Proper wall preparation, precise alignment of pattern repeats, and clean installation are essential for high-end restaurant interior design execution. A statement wallpaper only works if it is installed flawlessly. The craftsmanship behind the scenes ensures that the design intent is respected.

In hospitality interior design, wallpaper is more than decoration. It creates atmosphere, reinforces brand identity, and shapes how guests experience a space from the moment they sit down.

#interiordesign #hospitality

Restaurant design is about details. And sometimes, the strongest design move is letting the walls speak.