Holmes Sweet Homes

The Challenge

We first worked with Holmes Sweet Homes when they were just starting out — an ambitious new dessert and coffee shop. Three years later, they’d outgrown their original home and evolved into something more. Still all about ice cream, desserts and good coffee, but now with a licensed bar and a busy evening trade. The next space needed to feel like a more grown-up version of the original. And so, they brought us back in to help make it happen.

What we did

The new unit had potential, but wasn’t the easiest — tight corners and partitions meant the space felt closed in. We reworked the layout to open things up, improve flow, and create a multifunctional space that could adapt from daytime coffee and desserts to evening drinks.

We kept the spirit of the original store design but elevated the look and feel. A flame ceramic tiled bar and dessert counter, richer colour palette, and warmer lighting scheme helped shift the space into something more mature, while still feeling welcoming. Seating was designed with flexibility in mind — booths, banquettes, and low-level options that support different ways people use the space throughout the day and into the evening.

Throughout, we made sure to hold onto what made Holmes work — the sense of fun, the community feel, but designed a space that could do more and grow with the business.

Insight & Strategy

Branding & Graphics

Concept, Design & Development

Technical Design & Drawings

Results

A confident, multifunctional interior that reflects how far the brand has come — and gives them space to keep growing. Still unmistakably Holmes Sweet Homes, just sharper, more versatile, and built to work harder from morning coffee and midday desserts to last orders.

Exactly the kind of project we love — helping a strong independent take the next step with purpose, clarity, and a space that delivers.

Booths and customer seating areas at Holmes Sweet Home

See project

“The design knowledge and expertise that Retail Experience Design has was invaluable to us – it helped us to launch and push our new business venture forward.

Superbly functional, but also full of our personality, the RED team helped us create a design for our new dessert cafe that was aligned to our vision and importantly, to our budget.
Brilliant designers, highly recommended.”

Holmes Sweet Home

Let’s transform your space together

If you want to know more, get in touch – we’re always happy talking shop.

Contact us

Working with the Café & Restaurant Sector

In this diverse, dynamic industry – we understand that attracting customers takes energy and originality.

But applying the principles of good interior design, we can help you create a space that wows customers and grows your business.

How we can help you

Create a memorable restaurant and café experience.
Make your space as efficient as it is inspiring.
Working collaboratively – by understanding your brand, creative influences and business goals, we can make the most of your space and your budget.

Find out more