CANVAS INTERIORS LTD

From Underperforming Café to Mexican Destination

Cafe Chula began life as an underperforming café serving coffee, tea and pastries.

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Canvas Interiors was brought in to rethink the business from the ground up developing a completely new concept and translating that vision into a distinctive hospitality destination.

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The result was Cafe Chula: an authentic Mexican restaurant with a strong food and drinks offering, including an extensive tequila and margarita list.

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Building the Concept

The project went beyond the interior. We worked closely with a Mexican chef who helped us rethink the kitchen and develop an environment capable of supporting the new restaurant concept.

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The interior was then designed to reinforce the experience, drawing on authentic Mexican references rather than relying on a predictable or overly polished interpretation.

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Walls were distressed to create a faux-concrete finish, while vintage chandeliers introduced warmth and character.

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We sourced authentic tiles directly from Mexico alongside original Mexican movie posters, which were framed and incorporated throughout the space.

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Designed Around Authenticity

Some of the most distinctive elements were created by adapting existing pieces rather than introducing conventional restaurant furniture.

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Beautiful church benches were custom adapted into wraparound banquette seating and upholstered with brightly coloured cushions, creating informal, communal seating with a strong sense of character.

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Every element was intended to feel collected rather than manufactured - creating an environment that felt established, individual and genuinely connected to the culture behind the concept.

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A Complete Hospitality Transformation

The finished restaurant created a much more compelling proposition for customers: a distinctive Mexican dining experience rather than simply another café.

The transformation extended across the concept, menu, kitchen, interiors and overall guest experience.

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The Result

Following the transformation, weekly revenue increased from approximately £4,000 to £25,000.

That’s a more than six-fold increase in weekly revenue.

Cafe Chula also developed a strong profile within London’s hospitality scene and became a regular destination for notable visitors, including film director Tim Burton and chef Yotam Ottolenghi.

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Our Role

Brand & Concept Development · Interior Design · Kitchen Design · FF&E · Sourcing · Bespoke Furniture · Design Delivery

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The Takeaway

Cafe Chula demonstrates what can happen when brand, concept, food, interiors and guest experience are developed as one coherent proposition.

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Rather than simply redesigning an existing café, Canvas helped create an entirely new hospitality concept and bring it to life in the physical space.