Andy Thornton transforms Norwegian old building into a cafe

UK-based Andy Thornton has substantially renovated and modernized an old building to create modern bar-cum-café for Alf & Werner. The building is located on the opposite side of the main harbor. Before Alf & Werner’s take over of the site, the ground floor served as a wet fish shop.

Thornton has removed sections of the brick walls on the ground floor to create full height picture windows, a new wider staircase to provide access to all floors, new external timber boarding and a new roof.

Andy Thornton was asked to create a modern bar on a small, restrictive site which would make the most of the view out of the new windows of the harbor front, but not an island bar in the middle of the floor.

The building’s exterior is painted in subtle white to match with the surroundings. The first floor features more traditional-styled décor with a modern ground floor.

Andy Thornton’s in-house design team produced a concept that featured an illuminated bar front and granite countertop for the ground floor bar. The back fitting features guilt framed mirrors with the silvering worn away so that one can see through the window behind.

High level fixed seating booths with illuminated strips to the fixed table tops act as a divider between the bar standing area and seating area. The more traditional first floor bar features copper-fronted bar. This is made from oak with medium oak stain finish.

The Andy Thornton fit-out team manufactured and installed all of the interior joinery items at Alf & Werner. They also fitted the timber and tiled floors and completed decoration to walls and ceilings, including the cracked and flaking render effects to the walls on the ground floor.

Decorative lighting was also supplied by Andy Thornton to add the perfect finishing touch. The client has asked the company to look at a further club area on the second floor which will be part of future developments to the site.

Andy Thornton is a leading supplier of restaurant, pub, and hotel furniture, lighting and accessories for the hospitality industry. The company’s lighting collection includes pendant lighting, ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, wall lighting and exterior lighting.