RESTAURANT INTERIORS: NO. 246 BY SMITH HANES

When I was younger, I had this assumption that the restaurants that served the best food were the ones that were extra upscale and dark. All of the tables had a candle or two and you had to dress up to match the ritzy ambiance. Well today, my thoughts are just the opposite. My idea of a good restaurant is one that has really good food (obviously), but is comfortable and has a beautiful ambience of character and charm. I have to say that this restaurant, No. 246, is the perfect example. It was designed by Atlanta designer Smith Hanes and is located in Decatur, GA. The distressed hardwood floors, the lighting (yes!), the artwork, and the simple styling all come together and create a welcoming environment - one that would make you assume the food is fantastic before you even taste it. That very point is what good restaurant design is about and I think Smith nailed it here...  

P.S. His wife is just as talented as he is. She owns Bella Cucina Porta Via, a specialty food store here in Atlanta that I had the pleasure of photographing last year. You can see it here... 

Images by Andrew Thomas Lee