After Hours

Tucked behind sister restaurant Solo, Nook is an intimate, quietly luxurious refuge made for lingering.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Graeme H Wyllie

Nook, defined as “a corner or recess, especially one offering seclusion or security”, is indeed the perfect name for this intimate speakeasy. Connected to Solo, a restaurant in the heart of Sandton, the bar’s atmosphere is warm, luxurious and a little mysterious thanks to the layered textures and rich colour palette crafted by interior designer Dino Mavrokordatos of Onid Design.

Dino gave us some insights into the design process behind Nook.

What was the brief for Nook? 

“It is not every day a client asks you to turn a storeroom into a bar. The brief was to transform an unused 110m2 space into a speakeasy that connects to the existing restaurant, Solo. The real challenge was the entrance: how could we make someone feel like they had discovered something new? With a speakeasy, that moment of arrival is everything.”

How did you conceptualise the space?

“The concept was rooted in the relationship between Solo and Nook. We wanted the transition to feel intentional, so we carried through certain textures and materials. But Nook needed its own identity. Where Solo is hard and more structured, Nook is softer, warmer and more intimate. The contrast makes the relationship between the two spaces feel natural and considered.”

How would you describe the overall atmosphere of Nook?

“Nook has a quality that is hard to define. You walk in and almost immediately feel like you can settle in and stay a while. 

“Every decision focused on the guest experience. We worked closely with an acoustic consultant from the beginning because sound was a priority for the client. Lighting plays an equally important role; quality lighting delicately highlights textures and draws guests in. The result is a space that feels elevated but restrained.” 

There are a number of subtle yet striking features – what would you say are the standout design elements that anchor the space?

“The main features in the space include the deep maroon sofa which anchors the room with warmth. While the pill-shaped back of the bar, wrapped in hand-applied gold leaf, adds a feeling of quiet luxury. The monochromatic graffiti balances it all, stopping the space from taking itself too seriously. That tension between luxury and rawness gives the bar its character.”  

Were there any design or technical challenges you encountered?

“The acoustic ceiling was the most significant challenge. Coordinating all the services and lighting within it, without compromising its final design, required careful planning. We were determined to preserve its linear composition, a detail that also exists in Solo. This is another element that connects the two spaces and makes the experience harmonious.” oniddesign.com | @onid_design_dino

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