Mr D
All day cafe
Sector
Leisure
Location
Florina, Greece
Year
2024
Design Team
Kallirroi Tzimika
Eleana Aspragathou
Maria Avramidou
Grammatiki Promogianni
Eleutheria Moura
Who is Mr. D?
This project involves the redesign of a small 40-square-meter all-day café located on the banks of the Sakuleva River in Florina, Greece. It is the latest venture of the Diafonidi twins, who already own two other hospitality businesses along the river. Formerly operating under different management for over twenty years, the space now seeks a bold, fresh identity—within a limited budget and without structural changes.
The new concept had to meet a dual requirement: a cozy and welcoming café by day, and a mysterious, atmospheric bar by night. The selected name, "Mr. D," becomes the narrative catalyst. While seemingly referring to the owners (Mr. Diafonidis), the design departs from the literal and draws inspiration from art—specifically, the surrealism of Salvador Dalí, reflecting the local presence of young art students from the Fine Arts School of Florina.
Elements from Dalí’s paintings inform the space: "The Eye" (1945) inspires the curved shape of the wine rack; "The Elephants" (1948) lead to a sculptural metal structure above the bar. A monumental plaster rosette—borrowed from neoclassical mansions lining the river—is exaggerated in scale and becomes the central lighting element. Dalí himself appears, reflected and distorted in a mirror above the fireplace, his mustache rendered in glowing light.
The palette is bold: royal blue and peach pink. Lighting, mirrors, and rich materials (oak, black-and-white marble finishes) craft a surreal, immersive environment. Completed in October 2023, “Mr. D” transforms a modest space into an expressive, dual-natured hospitality experience.
