My partner and I spent over a decade exploring and enjoying the evolving café scene in London. It was our hobby. Whenever we had a chance to check out a new place or visit an old favourite, we were there.

I think this is what has made us a little different. Coming from the customer side of the scene, combined with the fact that we have our own interior design studio, means it’s a very customer- and design-centric café.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
For me and the other staff in the café, we all really love the interactions with our loyal customers.

We’re based in a residential location, so a lot of our customers live nearby and are regulars. We get to know everyone and feel like we’re building a community.

Also, a lot of care was taken with the ergonomics of the bar during the design process, so the baristas very much enjoy the ease of flow when working in the café.

If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?
For first-time visitors, we actually advise: “Order your usual drink.”

The idea is that they will hopefully get to experience something they’re used to, but even more delicious.

Otherwise, we have an excellent reputation for our filter coffee, which comes highly recommended, especially for customers who are used to ordering espresso-based black coffee, such as Americanos or long blacks, from their regular spot.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
We found very quickly that our seats were filling up and that we needed more space.

A room at the back, which was initially imagined as a cloakroom, was transformed into an informal seating area with low benches, stools, a rug and paper lanterns to soften the mood.

It also became the place for my long-gathered sticker collection to live and is therefore now known as the sticker room.

It’s fun, and we invite customers to add their own stickers, so it’s become an interactive, ever-changing part of the café, perfect for groups and loved by kids.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
I think, for me, it’s the concept of café culture and how important that has always been as a visitor to other cafés.

The importance of how a space feels in terms of atmosphere, such as lighting, music, design, but also the smaller touchpoints like chairs, tables, the water station, and even having nice toilets with hand soap that gives you a little joyful moment of fragrance.

I want it to be a space that feels good and welcoming.

With all that in place, it’s then a case of making sure the coffee is on point as well.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
I recently went to Madrid for its coffee festival, which had a very international feel.

It was inspiring to see what everyone was doing and useful to gain a different perspective on the London scene.

I also had the opportunity to explore local cafés in Madrid, which were excellent. It was inspiring to see their approach, from cool interiors and delicious coffee to their brewing methods.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
Music is such an important part of the atmosphere at Moonstruck. We have a very carefully curated playlist based on instrumental electronic music. One of my favourite artists is Burial. It would be amazing to have one of his beautifully haunting sets performed live in the café.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
We have an art gallery in the basement called Under the Spell, which a lot of visitors never realise exists despite the signage we have.

The art space is run by my friend Jéssica Varrichio, an art curator from Brazil now living in London.

She brings in artists who inspire her. The programme is very contemporary and ranges from video installations to sculpture and everything in between.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
I would say Moonstruck would be my favourite album of all time, Melody A.M. by Röyksopp.

The calm energy it has and the golden hues of the album cover match the warmth you feel in the café.

The interior has a distinct Scandinavian design influence, so the fact that the duo is from Norway fits perfectly, as does the style of the album. It blends seamlessly with the soundscape we create on a daily basis.

Answers by Liam Clifford, owner of Moonstruck Cafe. Photos by David Wilman.

La entrada Moonstruck Cafe se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

The project follows three performers from varied backgrounds, without defining them by discipline. Their movements form a woven, non-linear story. Paper shifts from passive to active, becoming surface, structure and sound, touching the skin.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
I learned and developed my knowledge of the black-and-white darkroom process, having primarily used digital photography prior to this. I also learned the benefits of working with collaborators who have complementary skill sets and aligned visions.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
Balance, harmony, space, quiet.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
A discussion of paper as a versatile, tactile and organic material, and how it can be moulded to reflect each dancer’s style.

What’s been the most difficult thing you’ve faced recently in your creative process?
Simultaneously having to create and analyse.

What is your favorite coffee shop and why do you like going there?
The studio/apartment upstairs, where I can share ideas and collaborate.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
Slowly Emerging. Soundtrack by Hiroshi Yoshimura.

Which studios, laboratories, or workshops have you collaborated with recently or would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Making Books School by London Centre for Book Arts.

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
I have been enjoying, for some time, the artistic eye of Pavlos Kozalidis and his graphic, composed way of seeing.

Director: Jimin Lee
DOP: Christopher Faulkner
Photographer: Rob Palmer
Talent: Harry Symington // Donna Kim // Elisa Blasi
Stylist: Hannah Lewis
Hair & Makeup: Yankee Tsang
Set Design: House of Baby
1st AC: Mikey Sneddon
Sound: Jan Brzezinski
Editor: Jimin Lee // Christopher Faulkner

La entrada Breathing surface se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

Recently, I made the official illustration for the Embassy of France in Korea, and I am currently working on the visual identity of an ethical shop in France.

My biggest project recently was directing and animating an entire music video. It is called HBC (from the neighborhood Haebangchon), and the music is by Yangbans. It was a huge challenge, as it was only me, myself and I doing it. It took two months, working seven days a week.

I am also working on an exhibition that I am planning with my husband, who is a composer. This exhibition will display several “dream house” sketches and watercolors according to my own criteria, some very small and some quite big. Six major drawings will be displayed with a QR code linked to a track my husband composed while looking at the piece. Everything will look quite architectural and isometric.

I am also always sketching and always carry a sketchbook in my bag. This has been an ongoing project for four years now. I am also busy with smaller projects in between these three.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
I am learning a lot about architecture these days. I have no pretension of claiming that my ideal house sketches are legitimate or even feasible. I am doing it because architecture is what I draw the most, and interior design has always been a strong interest of mine.

But even though I approach it from my perspective as an animator and illustrator, I still want it to be credible and for people to picture themselves in the spaces I am creating. Which means learning things such as the average counter height, a typical door width and what makes a coherent house plan.

What words, ideas or emotions were running through your head?
I am very often thinking about optimization, such as how to give two functions to one piece of furniture. Working on this project makes me feel excited, curious about the future and inspired.

Dream is also a word I have a lot on my mind.

While thinking about a house before starting to sketch it, I often space out in a very abstract way and can see shapes and colors. I hope this more abstract side of my mind will find its way onto paper in this exhibition.

Was there any conversation, film, music or book that found its way into this work?
Not especially, but I do have a few inspirations that probably influence my work. I am thinking about Arm in Arm by Remy Charlip, the drawings for A Room of One’s Own designed by Margarethe Fröhlich, Little Nemo by Winsor McCay, or Kowloon Walled City, for example.

What was the most difficult thing you faced this month in your creative process?
I am feeling really okay about my work. But usually once or twice a year, I run into a huge crisis of “coherence,” if that makes sense.

I need everything I make to look as though it was obviously made by the same person. So I often struggle creatively to make School of Life animations match my sketches or my watercolors.

I feel like I found my way, for now, but who knows in six months?

What is your favourite restaurant and what would you recommend us to have there?
I don’t eat much meat anymore, but when I read “favorite restaurant,” I can’t help thinking immediately of Le Relais de Venise in Paris.

There is only one menu, so just go and see for yourself. The sauce is what will make you want to come back, for sure.

If your life were a movie this month, what would its title be and who would make the soundtrack?
It would be something like The Warmth of the Freezing Morning Calm.

I am in South Korea. It is really freezing outside, but home feels like a warm, cozy pillow observing the frost.

The Korean band Yangbans would make the soundtrack.

Recommend us one or several artists you follow, who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
I love the world of Karlotta Freier. Her relationship with nature feels like magic to me.

I like the minimalism of Kobayashi Chiaki and the simplicity of the lines.

I love the isometric drawings of Harriet Lee Merrion. Architecture like this tends to inspire me a lot.

La entrada The warmth of the freezing morning calm se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
Disfrutamos mucho la parte donde las ideas todavía son simples: probar cafés, conceptualizar ideas o conectar con personas que comparten intereses en común.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
Entender que no necesitamos hacer demasiado ruido para conectar con las personas correctas. Disfrutar lo que duran los procesos y esperar con paciencia cada etapa del proyecto.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
Ideas sobre la honestidad de los procesos, materiales y objetos. Contemplar el paso del tiempo en lo que nos rodea y disfrutar de las cosas simples.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
Nos inspiran mucho los proyectos pequeños que construyen comunidad de manera genuina, especialmente los que mezclan cultura, diseño, música y café de forma natural.

Si pudieran invitar a alguien a colaborar por un día, ¿quién sería y qué harían juntos?
Principalmente artistas o diseñadores locales para observar su proceso creativo y cómo conectan con el café.

¿Hay algún objeto o detalle del proyecto que tenga una historia que pocos conocen?
Algunas de las fotografías de etiquetas en las primeras bolsas de café de Álamo fueron tomadas por nosotros.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
Nos gusta mucho la cultura japonesa y hay un libro que influenció parte de la filosofía de la marca que se llama In Praise of Shadows, en el que se describe cómo la ausencia de recursos como la luz se utilizaba para encontrar belleza en la arquitectura, el arte y los objetos de una casa en la cultura oriental.

Answers by Carlos Puente Valladares, Fundador de Álamo.

La entrada Álamo se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

Es diferente desde cómo nace, por la valentía de aventarnos a la aventura sin saber nada, ni de café ni de lo que nos esperaba. Por su concepto comunitario y de escaparate artístico, que es lo que nos mueve y guía.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
Abrir y ver a las plantitas cada mañana, regarlas con amor mientras la máquina se pone las pilas, el primer molido de café para calibrar. Los vecinos que pasan y saludan, los clientes frecuentes que ya llegan como parte de su cotidiano, cuando tenemos casa llena y se escucha el barullo de la gente en este espacio. Cuando, al azar, escogemos algún cafecito especial para hacer un filtrado y regalarlo a los clientes que están allí en ese momento. Explicar y compartir lo que hemos aprendido de este fascinante mundo cafetero con quienes llegan. Descubrir nuevas cafeterías y cafés deliciosos en nuestro andar por este mundo.

If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?
Platicar con los baristas, jaja. Echarse un jueguito de mesa. Rayar la pared.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
Algo que al principio nos pegó muchísimo fue cuando todas las cafeterías y restaurantes empezaron a copiar nuestro concepto de talleres artísticos, pero con el tiempo entendimos que fuimos referente e inspiración de algo nuevo en la ciudad.

Otro desafío ha sido la educación y difusión de la cultura del café en la ciudad. Casi nadie entendía que no éramos restaurante ni comedor, y que nuestro menú se centraba en el café.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
Tenemos un montón de proyectos y personas del mundo del café que nos inspiran. Uno de ellos es Carlos de Perrito Barista: su filosofía y forma de vivir el café es pura poesía y comunidad. Daniela from Estudio Café, nuestra maestra e inspiración para vivir, entender y difundir el café desde lo político y social. Erick from Estresso Café, un tipazo que se atreve, prueba, falla, lo vuelve a intentar y te inspira a jugar con el café. Proyectos admirables como Mono Azul, Tu Yo Café en Querétaro. Espacios como Coffeedenciales en redes sociales son gasolina para entender, seguir y no desistir.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
Pues lo último que hemos hecho y nos ha inspirado a seguir buscando nuestro sello muy personal de servir y estar en este mundo del café fue habernos ido a probar y explorar cafés a lugares donde el café es parte de sus rituales ancestrales de vida como Italia, Grecia, Londres, Francia. Esa experiencia nos ha regalado amplitud de perspectiva e impulso de atrevernos a seguir experimentando y curioseando sin miedo en este mundo.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
A los chicos de Tu Yo Café de Querétaro, para echar harto chismecito cafetero de datos random del café en la historia mientras probamos cafés raros de algún rincón del mundo. A Dany de Estudio Café para platicar acerca del impacto social, político y comunitario de las cafeterías. A Silvana Estrada para echar palomazo en este rinconcito cafetero. Y a El Kanka, porque desde que soñamos cómo se vería este lugar y qué vibras queríamos transmitir, siempre pensábamos en él cantando aquí como amigos íntimos, jaja.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
Casi toda nuestra decoración tiene una historia detrás. Cada detalle que se ve vintage es en realidad mobiliario y decoración que una vez fue parte de la casa de nuestra bisabuela paterna. Pero sí existe un detalle muy especial: los macetones que dan la bienvenida a quienes llegan. Son unos macetones de más de 110 años y hoy guardan nuestra entrada.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
Sería un pueblito chiquito en el mar donde todos se conocen, se saben sus nombres y se cuidan y procuran entre todos.

It would be Hojas de hierba de Walt Whitman. Celebra lo imperfecto, lo humano y lo cotidiano. Parece muy simple, y eso es el regalo.
Tendría un ritmo sabrosón tipo a Buena Vista Social Club.

La entrada Tosco se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
A volver a tener paciencia en un contexto en el que la mayoría del tiempo se reconoce a la inmediatez como un sinónimo de amor.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
“Entre menos forma tengo, más me expando…”. Amor, familia, amigos, café, pigmento, sketchbook, metro del DF, azul ultramar, siena tostada y ocre. Lo que quepa en mi totebag. Un diario visual.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
Sí, en especial Self Portrait as a Coffee Pot de William Kentridge.

What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
El sobrepensar antes de hacer un trazo, una mancha. Sobrepensar cada momento en lugar de transmitirlo con colores y plastas.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
Quizás no una película, pero sí una novela, y se titularía Para mí, esto es Dios y el infierno al mismo tiempo.

Which studios, laboratories, or workshops have you collaborated with recently or would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Creo que me gustaría poder colaborar con Tony Delfino o crear ilustración para la marca de máquinas de espresso La Marzocco.

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
Sería una lista enorme de artistas, admiro a muchos en distintos temas… pero me inspira mucho el trabajo de Seher, Hannah Flowers, Edward Povey.

La entrada Dios y el infierno al mismo tiempo se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
I’ve been slowly collating more of a portfolio of landscape, underwater and wildlife photography. As an ecologist, I’m fortunate that I can take my cameras out into the field as part of my work while surveying for fauna and flora, and I try to capitalise on this where I can. I’m hoping to document more endangered species and how they interact with their environments. I’ve got a trip booked to the reef in a few months’ time and hoping I get some shots worth adding to a portfolio.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
I’ve become a lot more aware of my surroundings, I’d say. Whether that’s listening for bird calls, scouring the undergrowth for a plant or some coral for a nudibranch, you begin to notice a lot more. It slows you down and you find things you wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s something I’d like to continue getting better at.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
I often feel rushed when I’m taking photos. A bit of stress that I’ll miss the moment and the subject might move on or the conditions will change. I’ve ruined a few photos feeling this way, but it’s a good learning curve.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
I think many people have had similar conversations when shooting film, but getting to use an old diving camera has sparked plenty of conversations. It’s gratifying to get to talk about my Nikonos-V with people who used to dive with them pre-digital.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
Has to be Honto in Brisbane.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
Title maybe It’s the humidity that kills you . Soundtrack by Violent Soho.

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
My favourite Instagram account (that unfortunately no longer exists) was @luke.and.elle, if I remember correctly. It’s been gone a while now, but their photos were inspiring.

Other than that, it would have to be Robert Walwyn. His work with aerochrome, HIE, and the photos he’s taken of the regrowth after the bushfires is awe-inspiring —go check him out!

La entrada Es la humedad la que te mata se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

Alongside commissions, I always make space for personal projects. At the moment, I’ve been designing and illustrating a playing card deck, as well as turning some of my sketchbooks into small zines, as a way of giving a second life to some of my more exploratory work.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
To have fun! I’ve been drawing every single day for years, and sometimes I need to consciously remind myself to return to experimenting and play. Letting go of expectations or outcomes, and allowing imagination to run freely, can be essential at times to create the most honest results.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
Drawing book covers is both an incredible opportunity and a responsibility: it’s about telling a story through illustration and visually representing someone else’s narrative. I love reading and doing research in order to capture the essence of a story.

In my personal work, I’m still telling stories, but in a quieter, more open-ended way. I’m particularly interested in the concept of home, interior spaces, and the meanings they carry in our lives. My sketchbooks are filled with places—real and imagined—that present a narrative without showing the characters. I like the idea that viewers can create their own stories.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
Film, music, and books are among my biggest sources of inspiration. I like to constantly surround myself with art in all its forms. Recently, I’ve been inspired by the book The World According to Colour by James Fox, which explores how colour shapes our perception. It resonated strongly with my use of colour, especially blue.

Two films that visually inspired me recently are Tampopo by Juzo Itami (1985) and Hamnet by Chloé Zhao (2025). The first for its playful approach to storytelling, and the second for its sensitivity and the way spaces and emotions go hand in hand.

What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
Balancing time. Working as a designer during the day and as an illustrator in the evenings and on weekends, it can be challenging to find space for personal projects. I’m constantly thinking of new ideas and projects, so the real difficulty is being patient and giving each idea the time it deserves.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
One of my favourite spots is Campania, in Bethnal Green, East London. Being from Italy myself, it feels a bit like home. I’d recommend ordering a few plates to share, with a glass of red wine.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
The title would be something like Rooms Filled with Light—a film about spaces and interiors, where drawings come to life within them. The soundtrack would be 70s-inspired, with songs by Nick Drake, Brian Eno or Carole King.

¿Has colaborado recientemente con estudios, laboratorios o talleres, o te gustaría hacerlo en el futuro?
Recently, I’ve been collaborating mainly with publishing houses on book covers. In the future, I’d love to expand my practice further into film and music. Both are huge inspirations for my work, visually and emotionally.

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
One of the biggest influences on my work is Egon Schiele, who is almost my favourite illustrator. I love his sketches and the intensity of his simple lines.

Among contemporary artists, I really admire illustrators like Bijou Karman and Eniko Katalin Eged. Bijou Karman’s work inspires me with its warm colour palettes and its 70s influence, which feels fun and nostalgic. What I love about Enikő’s work, on the other hand, is its unique folk-inspired style, as well as the recurring animals and patterns.

La entrada Habitaciones llenas de luz se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

Four years ago, my wife and I decided to connect these rooms and turn them into a little neighborhood coffee shop.

Our area was very much underserved in terms of coffee shops and could really benefit from a nice, cozy space open to everyone.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
As soon as the sun appears from behind the buildings, our outdoor seating area turns into a little oasis. Das Schöneberg faces south, so we enjoy direct sunlight almost the whole day. Even if the temperature is as low as 10°C, it feels nice to sit outside and bathe in the sunlight.

If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?
I’d say: just come in, get a coffee, sit down and enjoy the view out of the big windows overlooking the neighboring park. There’s something deeply relaxing about a cozy space, a good cup of coffee and a nice view.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
It has been tricky creating a space that feels comfortable and accommodating for, hopefully, the whole neighborhood. No matter if you’re a parent with your five-year-old child, a group of seniors meeting up for a chat, someone who just came out for a walk with their dog, or anything in between.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
As a neighborhood coffee shop, our main influence is the neighborhood. So we try to “go with the flow.” Besides what we add to or remove from our menu, this also influences everything from our opening hours to the space itself.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
Last year, we were fortunate enough to be able to expand our team quite a bit. Within 12 months, we grew from being a little coffee shop run by its two owners to having a team of eight people. Every new team member has inspired us immensely and led to smaller and bigger changes in every aspect.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
Lance Hedrick.

My wife and I are not only first-time coffee shop owners, but this is also the first coffee shop we’ve ever worked in, period. So somewhere around four to five years ago, we started the process of collecting all the necessary skills and knowledge to make this dream of having our own little coffee shop a reality.

Nothing has been more inspiring and useful than Lance’s YouTube channel.

I would mainly just like to show some gratitude, have a good time and brew something tasty together.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
The area now occupied by the toilets used to be a cigarette store roughly 50 years ago. When we started work on the coffee shop, there was still some old furniture in the corners and old advertising posters for cigarette brands that don’t exist anymore lying around.

If you go back in time even further, up until the end of the 19th century, you would find a canal in place of our outdoor seating area. A small but busy waterway used to transport all kinds of goods around the city.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
Home by Planet of Souls.

Music is an extremely important part of what gives a place like ours its identity. For the past couple of years, we’ve been curating a playlist that has been the constant soundtrack to daily life at Das Schöneberg.

This is one of the tracks from it, and the title says it all.

For us, Das Schöneberg has become home, and we hope that everyone who visits, whether for five minutes or five hours, feels at home too.

Answers by Daniel Leberl, owner of Das Schöneberg.

La entrada Das Schöneberg se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

Ahí apareció un reto completamente distinto. Ya no era solamente desarrollar un producto que sobreviviera bien al delivery; ahora también había que aprender a dar servicio, construir experiencia y entender cómo hacer sentir algo dentro de un espacio físico… algo que nunca habíamos hecho.

Lo diseñamos pensando en cómo se siente pedir una burger, sentarte en la barra y ver cómo la hacen frente a ti. Creo que desde el principio eso hizo que el proyecto se sintiera muy honesto. Nada está escondido.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
Definitivamente el rush. Cuando empieza el caos. Música sonando duro, la plancha explotada, órdenes entrando, delivery llegando, gente esperando burgers en barra… ahí es cuando el lugar realmente cobra vida.

Y creo que lo más cool de ese momento es ver a gente completamente ajena al proyecto disfrutando algo que nosotros llevamos años construyendo. Ahí es cuando entiendes que la idea sí conectó con alguien más allá de ti.

Y del espacio… definitivamente la barra. Ahí pasa todo. Ves cocinar, ves salir órdenes, ves gente esperando, ves delivery mezclado con gente comiendo en sitio. Me gusta porque el lugar nunca intenta esconder cómo funciona.

Somos muy obsesivos con detalles pequeños que probablemente nadie nota conscientemente… pero sí terminan sintiéndose.

If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?
Personalmente diría la cheeseburger. Para nosotros define muchísimo el concepto porque una burger sin complicaciones es muchísimo más difícil de hacer bien de lo que parece.

Ahora… hay gente que te va a decir que el chicken sandwich es el producto clave; otros, la bacon cheeseburger. Creo que depende muchísimo de cada quien y eso también habla bien del menú.

Y también sentarse en barra. Waldo’s no está diseñado para vivirse igual desde cualquier lugar. La barra literalmente es parte de la experiencia.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
Creo que más que replantearnos algo, el desafío real ha sido mantenernos fieles a la idea inicial mientras el proyecto crece.

Hoy, abrir un restaurante fácilmente puede convertirse en querer hacer demasiado: menú gigante, demasiadas ideas, demasiadas colaboraciones, demasiadas cosas pasando al mismo tiempo.

Y creo que uno de los ejercicios más difíciles ha sido entender qué cosas sí suman al concepto y cuáles simplemente distraen. Mantener claridad cuando empiezan a aparecer oportunidades es mucho más complicado de lo que parece.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
Creo que estamos en un momento donde existen marcas haciendo cosas increíbles y súper admirables. El reto realmente está en cómo desarrollas algo que pueda estar cerca de ese nivel de ejecución, servicio y experiencia sin perder identidad en el intento.

Venimos de ver marcas que quieren ser universales y terminan sintiéndose iguales.

Pero más allá de referencias específicas, creo que lo que más nos guía es no complicar algo que funciona bien. La marca es directa, el producto es honesto y entiendes lo que es Waldo’s desde el primer instante. Así debería sentirse todo lo que hacemos.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
Lugares con personalidad real. De esos donde entras y sientes que alguien tomó decisiones muy específicas y no intentó gustarle a todo el mundo.

Si tuviera que mencionar una referencia, probablemente diría Nemesis. Me gusta mucho la obsesión que tienen por cada detalle. El producto, el diseño, la experiencia, la forma en que presentan las cosas y cómo logran que todo se sienta genuino.

Al final, los lugares que más me gustan suelen tener algo en común: tienen personalidad y se nota que detrás hay gente que realmente se preocupa por lo que está construyendo.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
Probablemente alguien fuera de la industria gastronómica.

Un diseñador industrial, alguien obsesionado con la música, la moda, la arquitectura o la dirección creativa. Siempre me ha parecido mucho más interesante cuando la comida se mezcla con otras disciplinas porque empiezan a salir ideas raras.

Capaz haríamos algo súper absurdo.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
La gente debe pensar que Waldo’s fue diseñado solamente pensando en verse cool… y la realidad es que hubo muchísima improvisación tratando de resolver problemas que nos íbamos encontrando en la propiedad.

Tuvimos la fortuna de trabajar con un grupo de arquitectos increíbles y, entre ideas, pruebas, cambios, mil vueltas y decisiones súper sobre la marcha, terminó saliendo algo muy especial.

La cocina abierta también nació muchísimo más desde una obsesión por cómo queríamos operar y relacionarnos con el cliente que desde una intención estética.

Y creo que eso es justamente lo que hace que el espacio se sienta tan natural. Nada fue demasiado forzado.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
Probablemente sería una ciudad.

Una ciudad rápida, intensa, medio caótica pero muy limpia, llena de lugares pequeños donde las cosas pasan de verdad. De esas donde encuentras un spot increíble casi por accidente y después quieres regresar todo el tiempo.

Creo que Waldo’s tiene esa personalidad. No intenta explicarse demasiado. Lo entiendes cuando lo vives.

Answers by Danny Vielma, fundador de Waldo’s.

La entrada Waldo’s se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

Who have you recently connected with that is influencing or engaging with what you do?
Nos encontramos sumamente inspirados por la calidez humana y laboral de proyectos locales como Platinos Pizza and Chato Cafecito; su hospitalidad, tacto, creatividad e innovación nos llenan de motivación.

Share an anecdote about something that happened recently that was significant to you.
Para nosotros ha sido importante crear un lazo fuerte con nuestro equipo. Las chicas de nuestro equipo son nuestra familia y la razón por la que el café funciona de manera tan increíble. Algunas de ellas se han graduado de la universidad recientemente y otras están por hacerlo, y nos llena el corazón acompañarlas en estos logros.

What are they preparing or developing for the coming months?
En los próximos meses tendremos eventos constantes de música, ya que nuestro fundador, Bryan MVO, es un apasionado de la música. También tenemos preparado mejorar nuestro sistema de sonido para acercar una mejor experiencia auditiva a nuestros amigos que visitan el café.

What project, brand, or space do you recommend we check out, and why?What project, brand, or space do you recommend we check out, and why?
Recomendamos ampliamente checar el trabajo de Manada, un café increíble y marca de cerámica en GDL. Es un proyecto que admiramos y seguimos por la calidad y creatividad de su menú de bebidas y por sus objetos tan bien cuidados.

If you had to describe the current state of the project with an image, phrase, or feeling, what would it be?
Estamos en un momento en el cual nuestro proyecto se siente como una casita donde todos nuestros amigos tienen designado su espacio y llenan con su presencia lo que hace falta para que todo tenga congruencia.

Answers by Andrea Pizarro, Gerente de Monman Coffee House.

La entrada Monman Coffee House se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
What I keep learning is how important it is to give creative processes enough time to settle, with all their different moments of motivation, frustration, excitement, demotivation, etc., without letting the anxiety of wanting to finish too quickly take over. Also, being open to the idea that a project can shift and mutate as it develops, instead of staying too rigid with the initial idea.

What words, ideas or emotions were surrounding you during this process?
When I started the trip, I tried not to impose any specific concept or idea onto the work. I felt that once I came back to Madrid and looked through all the images, the concept would reveal itself naturally. And that’s pretty much what happened: an idea I’d been thinking about for a long time started to emerge, related to how spaces designed for excess, fantasy and escapism can also generate stillness, disconnection and a certain silent discomfort. Emotionally, I was able to reconnect with the euphoria of being in the places that inspire me and generate new ideas.

Was there any conversation, film, music or book that slipped into the work?
So many things. Sometimes I feel really influenced by my photographic, musical and literary references. Just to name a few: The Doors, Jim Morrison himself, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Lana Del Rey, Elvis, Bukowski, Jack Kerouac, Joan Didion, etc. Before the trip, I read Softly, As I Leave You by Priscilla Presley, where she autobiographically recounts her personal journey from leaving Elvis up to the present day. I became a bit obsessed with the story and decided I wanted to create something related to the Presleys while I was in Las Vegas. Visually, I think my biggest influence has been and still is Robby Müller, cinematographer of many of my favorite films, including Paris, Texas.

What has been the hardest thing you’ve faced lately in your creative process?
The classic burnout.

What’s your favorite café and why do you like going there?
I have a few, but lately I’ve been going a lot to Four in Madrid. It’s located in a tiny square with tables outside, and the area feels unusually calm for the city.

If your life this month were a film, what would the title be and who would make the soundtrack?
I think I’m going to steal the title of an existing film because I feel pretty identified with Whiplash, the movie about the drummer who becomes obsessed with his work. The soundtrack would definitely be “Caravan” by Buddy Rich.

Which studios, labs or workshops have you collaborated with recently, or would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Since February I’ve been working a lot at Contado Pierde in Madrid. It really changed my practice because being able to rent the space monthly allows me to take the necessary time to print each image and get to the result I’m actually looking for.

Recommend one or more artists that inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or way of working.
For people who don’t know him, I always recommend Joel Sternfeld, one of the old-school photographers from the same generation as Eggleston or Joel Meyerowitz. There are several interviews on YouTube where he talks about his process: he spent years traveling across the United States photographing American society using an 8×10 camera. What I find most interesting is that, because the format was so expensive, he said he could often only afford to take one or two photographs a day. And even if the light or the landscape wasn’t exactly how he wanted it, he preferred not to shoot. I think it’s a really beautiful way of thinking about photography, through patience and waiting.

La entrada Whiplash se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.