Warm and cool tones inform the wine bar and French restaurant Bar Etoile from Jill Bernheimer of popular natural wine shop Domaine LA, chef Travis Hayden, and Julian Kurland. Lovers Unite, a design and architecture studio led by Karen Spector and Alan Koch, approached the space by blending elements of French New Wave and the spirit of the city it’s located in, Los Angeles. Other contrasting elements, namely tone and temporality, result in an interior that is comfortingly familiar yet refreshingly new.

The space can be thought of in three parts: the bar at the center of the space and the two halves on either side of it. The sides, while similar, are not identical. On one half of the Melrose Hill space, the bistro-like outpost is clad in dark brown wood panels set against rounded blue banquettes. Lovers Unite continues the paneling around the back of the space toward the wine coolers with fridges framed in blue. The outward-facing seating and moody lighting are chic but not too fussy, like a fictitious restaurant in a Godard film.

The other half of the space inverts this tonal setup with white walls and brown, linear banquettes to pair with dark blue chairs. On this side, the wall is decorated with a gallery of artwork, including handmade ceramic works featuring trompe l’oile wine labels by ceramicist Anthony Dominici.

The contrasting colors are finished by the curving bar counter that anchors the space in the middle. The all-zinc bar continues the warm and cool duality, set beneath a rounded soffit that’s lacquered and glossy blue on its underside, and wood on its exterior. The bar unites both contrasting halves, introducing a sleek, new color and material element for a moment of play.

Lovers Unite also developed the branding for the bar. A custom glass floor mosaic, a minimal, straightforward menu, neon signage, and brand mark by the studio amount to a fully cohesive interior. The details craft a space that is both moody and timeless.