Wynwood Restaurant Metallic Feature Wall

The Challenge

The restaurant — a new concept in Wynwood — was designed around a bold, contemporary aesthetic. The dining room featured exposed concrete, dark wood, and warm lighting. The designers wanted a feature wall that would add warmth and shimmer without feeling kitschy or dated.

The wall would face the main dining area, be visible from the entrance, and would likely be photographed frequently by guests. It needed to hold up to cleaning, contact, and Miami’s humidity.

The Solution

We proposed a metallic Marmorino finish — using mica-based pigments to create a subtle, sophisticated shimmer rather than a high-gloss metallic effect. The color was a warm bronze-copper, designed to complement the dark wood and exposed concrete.

The finish would be applied with hand-troweled movement to create depth and variation — so that the wall reads differently depending on the angle of view and the lighting.

The Process

Days 1–2 — Surface Preparation. The substrate was prepped, repaired, and primed with an alkali-resistant primer suitable for lime. Given the commercial environment, we took extra care to ensure the substrate was stable.

Day 3 — Base Coats. Two base coats of lime putty were applied, each troweled thinly and allowed to cure.

Day 4 — Metallic Pigment Layer. A first layer of metallic Marmorino was applied with mica-based bronze pigment. This layer established the base color.

Day 5 — Final Metallic Layer. The final layer was applied with deliberate trowel movement to create variation in the metallic effect — some areas more concentrated, some more diffuse. The result was a wall that felt like aged bronze.

Day 6 — Sealing and Inspection. A protective sealer was applied — chosen for durability in a commercial environment. The wall was reviewed with the designers under the restaurant’s lighting.

The Result

The metallic feature wall became the signature element of the restaurant. It catches light from the pendant fixtures and shifts subtly throughout the day. At night, with the restaurant’s warm lighting, it glows.

The wall has held up well in commercial use — no peeling, no fading, no damage from cleaning. In 2024, the restaurant received a design award for its interior, with the feature wall specifically cited.

Project Details