White Design at the Blue Pumpkin

Posted on Oct 22, 2010 in Design Election, Featured | 22 comments

It’s time for some good design

that will knock your socks off (or so I hope). Last Friday’s post, To Grid or Not to Grid? got some people talking about the disjointed design of a Florence shoe store. Today’s post will be different. I want to show you a space that completely caught me off guard in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Most eateries, cafes, night clubs and tourist shops in Siem Reap are thrown together using basic materials and minimal decor – after all, the importance lies in shelter and structure…decoration is not a concern.

… until you walk into The Blue Pumpkin. Just steps away from the Old Market on Hospital Road in Siem Reap, lies one of several Blue Pumpkin locations. This upscale bakery and gelato shop is unlike any other in the area.

Photo courtesy of LechuaPhotography.com

Here is a view of the Blue Pumpkin interior while sitting at the back of the bakery on the main floor.

The bold, contemporary design is well put togethe and very cohesive. Every inch of the space has been professionally designed, and it shows. I wish I had more personal photos to show you the attention to detail, but I will have to rely on fellow travelers for some help.

Photo courtesy of TBpumpkin.com (sorry it's so tiny)

This design concept is ultra-mod for the rest of Siem Reap. The funky, curvilinear forms of the furniture and the contemporary white colour scheme is so refreshing. The design style here reminds me of something I saw in Honk Kong, especially because of the use of shiny, lacquered acrylic surfaces and use of glass partitions.

Photo courtesy of Asher Hung from Flickr.com

The upstairs features a large, upholstered banquet-style seat that is wide enough to recline on. The bench stretches along one side of the venue, providing everyone with a “prime seat” (where your back is facing a wall and you can see all the action in front of you).  A mobile table tray rests on the seat so that you can lean back, relax and enjoy your meal comfortably.

Photo courtesy of TravelPod.com

Photo courtesy of Spirlie from Flickr.com

The seats are draped in some kind of bed sheet (or tablecloth?) to protect the upholstery. I think The Blue Pumpkin can do without this…it does look tacky and sends a “I-know-you’re-a-messy-eater-here’s-a-drop-sheet” message to patrons (not good). The sheet also gets all twisted and looks disastrous after patrons have to shimmy off the seat.

Photo courtesy of TravelPod.com

The Verdict:

Overall, I like this interior – I find it contemporary, relaxing (very Zen), well-lit, and spatially well laid out. There’s  lots of circulation space to browse the goodies on the main floor, and ample room between tables and the banquet on the second floor. The bright white colour scheme is a welcomed change from the colourful Siem Reap streets. I have very little to criticize here…(except for the already mentioned sheets), but this place could be REALLY impressive if there was a ceiling treatment that added texture and helped disguised the plain, white ceiling fans. I’d like to see a natural finish on the ceiling (like bamboo, woven wood tiles or jute panels) that could tie in the bamboo accessories and brown floors.

What are your thoughts? Does The Blue Pumpkin pass the Design test? Would you vote for it in a Design Election? Please share your thoughts below in the comments section.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

22 Comments

  1. Staci Edwards
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    Wow! I love this space, and I love that it is so unexpected!
    Wonderful post Tania!
    xo

  2. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    Thanks, Staci. It was a welcome surprise, that’s for sure.

  3. Björn | October 22, 2010 at 2:24 pm

    Completely agree with the sheets but I love the idea of lounging back like that. I’m not a fan of the arctic look though, hehe. I would instinctively bring a sweater.

    It would be perfect in a more homely style. If I cant fall asleep there it’s not relaxed enough :P. Dislike the plastic chairs. It’s either you suffer on the plastic or have the most relaxed lounging bench ever. No middleground.

    Wonder what the lighting is at night, but doubt they are open late?

  4. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    What a thorough critique, Björn :) Thanks for stopping by and commenting. The lighting at night is different on each floor – the main floor has recessed pot lights (Don’t remember what type of lamps are actually used) but they are warmer colour temperatures, so it doesn’t feel like that cold flourescent light-bulb effect.The upstairs doesn’t have any ceiling lights, instead, the lighting is all ambient. There are built-in lights behind the bench seats and the occasional sconce on the columns. I also think there are candles on the tables at night. The vibe is a little more intimate upstairs, almost like night-club meets swanky lounge. They serve dinner but not sure how late they are open. Good eye on the plastic chairs – they were surprisingly comfortable considering how sticky plastic chairs can feel when you’re sweating up a storm in the Cambodian heat :)

  5. jeff
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    mmmmm, Blue Pumpkin. Really enjoyed that place. We hit a few nice(ish) bakeries over in asia. Remember the one in Saigon where we ate upstairs before we caught the bus to Cambodia? It was cool as well.

  6. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    Oh my god I don’t remember which one you’re talking about?!

  7. Maureen Coates
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 3:28 pm

    My first thought when entering an eatery…IS IT CLEAN?…when you have all white interiors with glass and white tabletops, the management must always be on their toes to make sure it at least APPEARS to be clean. I am drawn to the pristine-look interior of this space and would want to relax and eat there. I actually like the open, white ceiling…because it says fresh and clean to me. Ceiling fans which are a necessity also create a lot of dust so I would keep the ceiling open as they have…however, introducing a colour up there might break up the white and add some visual interest to that massive expanse. The banquets are a huge problem for me….not an “eating in bed” type of person…but am willing to try anything. Sheets, tablecloths…whatever they are, have to go…recover in durable, cleanable fabric which does not show dirt…so not white…maybe BLUE as in Blue Pumpkin. The toss cushions at the back need to be restuffed…no support…they should be big, bold and beautiful….introduce some of the colours on the wall from first floor in first photo…remember the name of the restaurant Blue Pumpkin. Are there colours or patterns indicitive of Cambodian culture?

  8. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    Thanks for your comment, Maureen – so detailed! I LOVE IT! For the record, I have to say, this place was incredibly clean. In fact, I would buy a couple of baked treats just so that I could use their pristine bathroom facilities (North-American-standard cleanliness is pretty rare in Cambodia). I did enjoy the vibe of the space, it was very relaxing, but again, the novelty of such a contemporary interior was what really caught my eye. As for the banquets, they are a little difficult to eat at, but there are standard tables and chairs for those who aren’t prone to reclining and eating. I did notice many people enjoying beverages on the banquets (reading their travel guides) which seemed more appealing to me than eating.

    I like your idea of the blue banquets – it might be very striking and take away from their fresh-white-clean aesthetic, but a durable navy blue fabric (wipe-able as you mentioned) along the seat could be very striking (with the backrest in white). Or maybe even an icey blue to play up the cool atmosphere and “blend” more with the white aesthetic. The toss cushions have indeed seen better days. As for indications of Cambodian culture….no. There is nothing Cambodian about this space – that’s why it was so strange. And oddly enough, there are several Blue Pumpkins in other Cambodian cities, but I couldn’t find any of the cultural references there (not even in the food selection outside of some spring rolls).

    Thanks so much for your commentary, I truly do appreciate and love your interaction!

  9. sharon | October 22, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    I don’t like the beds & sheets. Seems a bit unhygienic to me :( My silly North American sensibilities are coming out. I do, however, appreciate the overall design & concept at work here. What may seem cold to us N.A.’s usually suites the climate just fine in a hot country. So I’m not against the scheme. I would love to know how they came about that name … The blue pumpkin? I love that you’ve been all over the world and to places I’m not sure I would/could go … but you’ve made them all feel so exotic! Thanks for sharing your adventures :)

  10. Shannon @ What's Up Whimsy
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    Totally unexpected!! You could see this type of design in any major metropolitan city!

    The Blue Pumpkin definitely passes the design test for me. I love the large arrangements of bamboo and the crisp white decor. The look of the “slipcovered” benches upstairs doesn’t really bother me as much as the fact that I think it’s a little gross. It looks like people are putting their feet up on the bench while lounging and I have a thing for germs on the bottom of people’s shoes. Another weird idiosyncrasy of mine. Ha ha.

    Other than that, I will give Blue Pumpkin an “A for Effort!”

  11. Wendy | October 22, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    OMG – love this place… great spot to hung out and chat with friends!!! Have a great weekend Tania!!

  12. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 11:07 pm

    Thanks, Sharon :) I was a little unsure of my own ability to visit these “exotic” places but now I thrive on it. and you’re absolutely correct when you say that the “cold” decor suits the climate there..it’s stifling in Cambodia…this snow-white interior is incredibly refreshing to walk into off the streets. Thanks so much for commenting,

  13. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    Ahah Thanks for grading the Blue Pumpkin, Shannon :) I love that you are grossed out by the shoes on the bench. It’s a very valid point. I think I became overly desensitized to the lack of hygiene practiced in most of the places I visited…this place was squeaky clean compared to some others (remember the pile of hair in the barber shop post? LOL). Thanks for commenting :)

  14. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 22, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    Thanks, Wendy, hope you have a great weekend too :)

  15. Jacqueline
    Twitter:
    | October 23, 2010 at 12:37 pm

    I was so surprised to find out this cafe was in Cambodia. I think it looks really interesting, and I like the all white decor. It makes the space more about the people noshing on the goodies and less about the environment. I think the bed idea is kind of cool, but I agree, the tablecloths have to go! Thanks for reminding me realize that interesting design can be found anywhere!

  16. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 23, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Jacqueline. Interesting design IS everything – I just have to make sure I have a camera to capture it all :)

  17. Doyle
    Twitter:
    | October 23, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    Tania WOW!!! this brings back so many fond memories of Vietnam for me. When I was there I was Designing a 6 level home for My client My Uyen Ngo and her Husband Bradley O’Leary. From conception to completion I Visited the site 2 times for 2 weeks each trip… My clients are well known in Vietnam and we always got the “Red Carpet” treatment where ever we went. They took me places that were so beautiful and well designed like The Blue Pumpkin. People don’t be fooled that this country has no design abilities there are plenty of well designed spaces. If you ever get a chance to visit I say absolutely treat yourself and visit this beautiful country.

    The Blue Pumpkin get a PASS!!! Great Post Tania, keep them coming…

  18. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 23, 2010 at 10:30 pm

    Thanks for the PASS, Doyle :) It makes me so happy that you visit and comment here often. Thanks for your support. Sounds like you had a ball in Vietnam – a much different experience than I did (hardly any red-carpet treatment for a backpacker!). I was so pleasantly surprised to stumble upon the Blue Pumpkin in Siem Reap – it was definitely one of the nicest places *I* could afford to eat and drink at :)

  19. Doyle
    Twitter:
    | October 24, 2010 at 8:05 am

    Just remember us little people when you have your own design show and your the big STAR!!! your way beyond any of these other “Design /Interior Designers/Bloggers… Don’t stop what your doing, your AMAZING!!! You write 3 articles, REALLY? amazing…

  20. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 24, 2010 at 5:05 pm

    haha If I ever have my own design show and I’m a “big star” I will have you on as my first guest, Doyle. LOL

  21. Connie @ Sogni e Sorrisi
    Twitter:
    | October 30, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    I totally agree with Maureen’s “is it clean” comment and how it relates to this decor. A cool and unexpected space to be sure!

  22. Tania
    Twitter:
    | October 30, 2010 at 6:22 pm

    Thanks for your comment, Connie. Maureen touched on so many great points – glad you can relate to the “clean” feel.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. All White Interior Design | Passport To Design - [...] upon an all-white space during my travels (except in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which I wrote about HERE) – most ...

Leave a Reply


Leave Your Twitter Name: (no http or @) Twitter