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DIY Design & Build
DIY Design & Build
When the right solution doesn't exist, build it.
When the right solution doesn't exist, build it.
When standard solutions were too expensive, unavailable, or simply unsuitable for the space, I often chose to design and build my own.
At Taverna Lefkada, this approach resulted in a wide range of custom-built elements, from furniture and decorative pieces to functional equipment and technical systems.
Furniture & Custom Elements
Furniture & Custom Elements
Several elements of the restaurant were designed and handcrafted specifically for the available space and the Mediterranean concept, including the bar, decorative furniture, lighting fixtures, flower stands, shelves, shutters, and other custom details.
Some solutions also required a more technical approach.
I designed a pair of self-closing swing doors that use their own weight to return automatically to the closed position, without springs or additional closing mechanisms.
I also developed a folding staircase mechanism designed to require minimal effort when opening or storing it.
Custom Ventilation System
Custom Ventilation System
One of the most substantial projects was the design and construction of the restaurant's ventilation system.
Rather than purchasing a complete commercial solution, I developed an integrated system including:
extraction ductwork · ventilation motors · kitchen hood · fresh-air intake · air curtain
The system was designed around the restaurant's specific layout and operational requirements and built using individually selected components.
This solution alone generated estimated savings of more than €5,000 compared with available commercial alternatives.
The Idea Behind the Projects
The Idea Behind the Projects
These projects were rarely about building something simply because I could.
They usually started with a practical question:
Can this work better, fit the space better, or be built more efficiently?
The process was always similar:
Identify the need → Design the solution → Build → Test → Improve
For me, hands-on work is another form of problem solving, one where the final answer happens to become a physical object or system.
Demo - examples
Demo - examples
Ventilation System
Ventilation System
The Problem: Small restaurant specific layout and operational requirements;
The Solution: Design and build extraction ductwork · ventilation motors · kitchen hood · fresh-air intake · air curtain using individually selected components, and manually crafted ones;
The Result: Space saving, more than €5,000 in savings, modular equipment that is easier to maintain, as only the damaged components need to be replaced.
Ladder for main store room
Ladder for main store room
The Problem: Really tight space to insert a classical solution;
The Solution: Design and build a custom ladder;
The Result: Space saving, more than €1,000 in savings, easy maintenance (made only from common parts);
Innovative Self-Closing Swing Doors
Innovative Self-Closing Swing Doors
The Problem: Conventional spring-loaded swing doors are often rigid, require noticeable force to open, and rely on mechanical components that can wear out or fail over time.
The Solution: I designed a unique, gravity-based self-closing mechanism that allows the doors to return naturally to their closed position using their own weight, without springs or complex mechanical systems.
The Result: Easier and smoother staff movement, increased reliability, virtually no maintenance requirements, and a simpler mechanism with fewer components that can fail. A unique custom design built around simplicity, durability, and ease of use.
Illusion Suspended Bar
Illusion Suspended Bar
The Problem: I wanted to create a distinctive piece for the restaurant and, as a personal aesthetic choice, eliminate the conventional corner support leg. However, achieving this type of custom structural solution can be particularly expensive.
The Solution: I designed and handcrafted a custom suspended bar with a structural approach that allowed the corner to remain unsupported by a visible leg, combining functionality with a clean and unique visual identity.
The Result: A one-of-a-kind piece of furniture with a refined aesthetic expression and substantial cost savings compared with commissioning a specialized custom furniture solution.
Floating Bookcase
Floating Bookcase
The Problem: I wanted to create a distinctive piece of furniture for the restaurant that would serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose, while introducing an element of visual surprise.
The Solution: I designed and handcrafted a custom bookcase using a concealed structural solution that creates the illusion of the shelves floating without visible support.
The Result: A one-of-a-kind piece of furniture with a clean, refined appearance that naturally draws attention and reinforces the sense of craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout the restaurant.
Key Advantage: Unique design · Floating illusion · Handcrafted execution · Strong visual identity.
Custom Lighting Fixtures
Custom Lighting Fixtures
The Problem: I wanted the lighting to become part of the restaurant’s identity rather than rely on standard, mass-produced fixtures that did not fully match the Mediterranean atmosphere and overall design concept.
The Solution: I designed and handcrafted several custom lighting fixtures, combining simple materials, functional requirements, and decorative elements into pieces created specifically for the restaurant.
The Result: Unique lighting elements that contribute directly to the atmosphere of the space, strengthen its visual identity, and create a more distinctive customer experience while also reducing the cost of purchasing specialized designer fixtures.
Key Advantage: Custom design · Handcrafted execution · Strong visual identity · Cost optimization
Tension-Supported Tables
Tension-Supported Tables
The Problem: I wanted to create a series of distinctive tables that would challenge the usual perception of how furniture is structurally supported and introduce an element of visual surprise within the restaurant space.
The Solution: I designed and handcrafted multiple custom tables using a tension-based support system, where chains and tension elements are arranged so that each table appears to float. In each piece, one of the chains visually mimics a conventional table leg, even though it functions entirely in tension rather than compression.
The Result: A set of functional, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that combine structural logic with visual illusion, immediately attracting attention and encouraging curiosity about how they actually work.
Key Advantage: Unique structural concept · Floating illusion · Handcrafted execution
Built-In Storage Cabinet
Built-In Storage Cabinet
The Problem: After decommissioning an existing doorway, I wanted to make practical use of the remaining space without reducing the restaurant’s already limited usable area.
The Solution: I designed and built a custom storage cabinet directly within the former doorway, using the existing recess to create additional storage while integrating open shelving for decorative elements.
The Result: Valuable storage capacity with a minimal footprint, while transforming an unused architectural opening into a functional and decorative feature of the restaurant.
Key Advantage: Space optimization · Integrated storage · Custom design · Decorative functionality
Handcrafted Outdoor Planters
Handcrafted Outdoor Planters
The Problem: I wanted the outdoor area to have its own visual identity while using planters that could fit the available space and integrate naturally with the restaurant’s Mediterranean character.
The Solution: I designed and handcrafted custom outdoor planters specifically for the terrace, adapting their dimensions, proportions, and appearance to the surrounding space.
The Result: Functional decorative elements that help define the terrace, integrate greenery into the overall design, and contribute to a more distinctive and welcoming outdoor atmosphere.
Key Advantage: Custom dimensions · Handcrafted execution · Space integration · Mediterranean identity
Custom Outdoor Shading System
Custom Outdoor Shading System
The Problem: The restaurant’s outdoor area is exposed to strong winds, and commercially available fabric shading solutions repeatedly proved unsuitable, with some tearing under local weather conditions.
The Solution: I designed and built a lightweight supporting structure and developed custom fabric panels specifically adapted to the terrace. The panels were produced by a seamstress according to my specifications, with their shape and construction designed to better withstand strong winds.
The Result: A customized shading system better suited to the local conditions, combining weather resistance, lightweight construction, functionality, and integration with the terrace design.
Key Advantage: Weather-adapted design · Lightweight structure · Custom fabrication · Improved durability
Handmade Mediterranean Decorations
Handmade Mediterranean Decorations
The Problem: I wanted the restaurant’s interior to feel authentic and distinctive, rather than rely on generic decorative elements that could have belonged to any space.
The Solution: I designed and handcrafted a series of decorative elements specifically for Taverna Lefkada, using simple materials, natural textures, plants, rope, custom shelving, suspended details, and Mediterranean-inspired visual references. Each element was created to fit the architecture of the space and contribute to the overall identity of the restaurant.
The Result: A more cohesive and recognizable atmosphere, where decoration becomes part of the customer experience and reinforces the Mediterranean character of the restaurant.
Key Advantage: Handmade identity · Mediterranean atmosphere · Custom integration · Attention to detail
Backlit Greek-Style Window Decorations
Backlit Greek-Style Window Decorations
The Problem: Some areas of the restaurant had limited natural light, and I wanted to make them feel warmer, brighter, and more connected to the Greek Mediterranean identity of the space.
The Solution: I designed and handcrafted decorative shutters and realistic window compositions with integrated background lighting. The idea was to recreate the feeling of looking toward a bright Greek exterior, even in darker interior areas.
The Result: A stronger Mediterranean atmosphere, greater visual depth, and the impression of natural light entering the space, transforming otherwise dark walls into warm and inviting decorative features.
Key Advantage: Greek-inspired identity · Illusion of natural light · Handcrafted design · Enhanced spatial atmosphere
Backlit Brick Effect Bar
Backlit Brick Effect Bar
The Problem: I wanted the bar to become a strong visual focal point while keeping the design consistent with the restaurant’s warm, handcrafted Mediterranean identity.
The Solution: I designed and built a custom bar featuring a brick-inspired background with integrated backlighting, using light and texture together to create depth and highlight the structure.
The Result: A distinctive centerpiece that adds warmth and character to the interior, enhances the atmosphere in the evening, and reinforces the restaurant’s custom-built visual identity.
Key Advantage: Integrated lighting · Textured design · Strong focal point · Handcrafted execution
Recycled Brick-Effect Walls
Recycled Brick-Effect Walls
The Problem: I wanted to introduce the warmth and texture of exposed brick without the weight, cost, and space requirements of conventional masonry or decorative brick cladding.
The Solution: I created a realistic brick-effect finish using recycled polystyrene packaging, individually shaped, textured, and finished to reproduce the appearance of exposed brick.
The Result: A lightweight and distinctive decorative surface that creates the visual impression of real brick while reusing materials that would otherwise have become waste.
Key Advantage: Recycled materials · Lightweight construction · Handcrafted finish · Cost-efficient design
DIY Design & Build
DIY Design & Build
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