Te Extraño, Extraño is an interior design project conceived for a restaurant in Mérida. The project is rooted in the idea of creating an introspective atmosphere inspired by the craftsmanship and raw authenticity of an artist’s studio. A fundamental aspect of the proposal is its adaptability, allowing the space to transition seamlessly between day and night while responding to different rhythms, experiences, and types of guests.
The design integrates custom on-site carpentry and sculptural concrete seating, establishing a cohesive architectural language throughout the space. A chromatic palette composed of muted greens, soft pinks, warm terracottas, and earthy sand tones evokes a sense of calmness, warmth, and familiarity.
Materials such as wood, steel, concrete, and glass define both the construction and ornamentation of the project, encouraging natural light and cross ventilation while strengthening the relationship between interior and exterior spaces. Texture plays a central role in the spatial experience, where mosaics, polished concrete, fabrics, glass, and handcrafted pavements coexist harmoniously alongside carefully selected lighting fixtures.
Upon arrival, an outdoor terrace serves as an inviting prelude to the dining experience. Concrete benches and wrought-iron tables with marble tops create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for outdoor seating. The façade, composed of glass and concrete, reinforces a sense of transparency and openness while preserving the intimacy and containment of the interior volume.
This same intention is reflected in the solid structure of the open kitchen, conceived as the heart of the project and enclosed by robust walls that emphasize its centrality and permanence within the space.
Inside the main dining hall, concrete booths are strategically arranged to generate a variety of atmospheres and scales of interaction, allowing both intimate and communal dining experiences to coexist naturally. Adjacent to the kitchen, a custom-designed bar counter becomes another focal point of the restaurant, complemented by a wall-mounted shelving system that merges functionality with visual elegance.
Toward the rear terrace, the project deepens its connection with nature. A clay-finished floor and a green metal structure reminiscent of a greenhouse frame a majestic pich tree, creating an outdoor environment that feels organic, serene, and immersive.
Furniture selections, from wooden indoor tables and chairs to wrought-iron and marble outdoor pieces, as well as custom-made wooden doors and windows, follow principles of simplicity, functionality, and material honesty, intentionally reducing the space to its essential elements.
The project emerges as a celebration of the relationship between architecture, design, nature, and gastronomy, inviting guests to inhabit a warm and meaningful atmosphere where culinary experience and spatial design become deeply intertwined.
