Sweet Dreams: A Bakery Concept Heats Up in the West Village

Don't you admire people who decide to take a big risk and chase their dreams?  I love stories of people who leave conventional, successful careers in order to pursue something totally different. 

My friend Umber is one of those people.  Successful by any measure, Umber left behind the prestigious world of finance to pursue her dream ... to open a world-class bakery in the West Village of Manhattan. 

 { Via Haute Living }

Umber and I have had some fun discussions about the interior design of her bakery, which is slated to open in September 2012. 

Her family is from Pakistan and she was raised in Michigan.  She grew up traveling the world and she now resides in New York City.  A true woman of the world!  It's important to Umber that this place reflect who she is - both approachable and sophisticated, with an appreciation of the old and the new. 

Imagine a jewel of a bakery, tucked into a cozy cobble stone street in the West Village...

... What design elements would you hope to see?

In order to have an approachable, artisanal feel, but to also maintain refinement and sophistication, the bakery will need a mix of media - reclaimed wood and exposed brick, warm lighting, copper accents. 

{ Via Shop Keep }

The bar at ABC Kitchen would make a great counter:

{ Via Smith Ratliff }

To ensure the space doesn't become too rustic, Umber wants to incorporate urban elements as well - industrial filament lights could do the trick:

{ Via Restoration Hardware }

I like Restoration Hardware's take on mixing industrial with classic:

{ Via Restoration Hardware }

White subway tile on some of the walls would lend a clean, streamlined look:

To incorporate Umber's heritage, I thought it would be great to hang framed black & white photos of Lahore, Pakistan on an exposed brick wall:

{ Via Blog Baberafzal }

{ Via 3 bp }

Rustic, quaint and traditional...

{Via Brondmo }

Meets savvy, urban and sleek...

What will the final result look like?  It's fun to dream!