Thursday 10 July 2008

Well you did ask...

For the 'before' photos, that is....am hoping she is going to 'forget' the Cath Kidston Roberts radio..but I bet she won't! The lovely red coffee machine is still being experimented with. It's much harder than it looks to make the perfect cappuccino, you know! I'll get there.
Some of you will be pleased to hear that Ihave met a lovely coffee supplier today who does a great line in flavoured syrups to add to the coffees-chocolate, vanilla, almond, cointreau...the list is endless.





The big nasty fridge below is going-too much like a chip shop bottle fridge, but we are going to move it into the back kitchen instead.



And these are the 'during' photos....my lovely Dad at the back in the 'ghostbusters' outfit, wielding a paintbrush. He has painted all the red out, ready to be painted cream in the next week or so. As much as I love red I wanted to make the place look totally different, and we have decided to go for a cream and sage green colour scheme, with oilcloth on the tables, nice and subtle, and hopefully, welcoming.





Everything that you can see was already in the cafe, but we have bought the lot. So now we just need to focus on how we can keep the stuff but change the atmosphere a bit.

Thankyou so much for your fabulous suggestions so far, it really has been incredibly helpful. They have all been written down in the ever expanding notebook, and we are going to start finalising the menu next week hopefully.

Any thoughts on a seperate childrens menu? Or is that making things complicated? Should we just keep a section for the little people inside the main menu?

As well as the kitchen area you can see in the photos there is another kitchen at the rear of the building, and a toilet. We have also got an office come storeroom which is rather handy for shoving boxes in as they are delivered.

So, what do you think?? Please remember it is work in progress- I am slightly scared at showing you these photos!

27 comments:

dragonfly said...

I'm so excited for you! It all looks like it's full steam ahead. You'll need to sit down with a great big cuppa when you've finished!

kristina said...

Don't be scared--it's looking fabby already! K x

Carol said...

Hi Anna, I understnad your feelings about showing us!
I think this is such an exciting time...all those idea's ! I bet you cannot sleep.
You have not told me where it is ?
is it near me?
Carol xx

JuliaB said...

Oh LOL!!! When I was 14 my Saturday job was in a cafe called "Jays Cafe"!! (I think i did a post about it a while ago). Are you going to rename it? It looks WONDERFUL!! You lucky lucky devil. x

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Well I've only just found your blog after your visit to me but what I see so far looks great!

So exciting, I would love to be doing something like that!!!

I'm looking forward to keeping up to date with all developments!

Victoria xxx

{oc cottage} said...

What a job you have taken on! Good luck!!

M ^..^

julia said...

It's looking great, and it's the perfect size, not too small to ba cramped and just big enough to retain that cosy, welcoming feel. Can't wait to see it when it's all done.
As for children's menu I would just have a small selection in the main menu and keep them simple.
Good luck!
Julia x

April said...

It's looking brilliant - please keep us in on every stage of development so we can live through this with you if only virtually!!

With the children's menu I think it's nice to include it on the main menu - it certainly makes C feel more grown up to have the same menu as us - and not a really bright shiny one with scary cartoons on (or is that just me?) She does like puzzles etc though to stave off the boredom.

I've just remembered a fab little cafe we went to in Launceston on holiday last summer which was called "Mad Hatters" and was full of all sorts of Alice in Wonderland stuff and an amzing collection of teapots. I really love things like that that make a place feel unique and special.

April xx

Claire said...

That looks great, I'm sure you will have it looking all cosy and shabby chic looking! How exciting.
My boys love pasta, either with meatballs or carbonara plus small slices of garlic bread. There is an excellant childrens play centre near me, the toys are all gorgeous wooden ones and beautiful dressing up outfits but its their menu that is great, it offers yummy food, lots of pasta, soups and waffles (not the potato kind...lol) with diffrent toppings, I'll try and find the website to see if they advertise the menu, they also do lovely drinks for the childen too like milkshakes and hot chocolate....claire xx

mollycupcakes said...

It looks fabulous now when it's completely finshed it will look amazing honey.
I love the idea of having a small sofa and soft chair part, they always go down well with us mum's.
As for the child's menu, I think maybe keep it on the other one. It's less fussy that way. Owww get me! lol flaming know it all LOL
I'll post off that recipe hun x
And email you with a few ideas. Oh how I wish I opening it with you. Your going to have so much fun sweetie. Enjoy every moment of it. You're going to shine.
Many big hugs.
Catherine x

tess said...

love it, love it, love it!
sage and cream sounds great, clean and fresh. I think childrens menu on the main menu, and also maybe option of just smaller portions of the grown up food for little ones who aren't that little, but can't quite eat a whole adult meal - which is what my too are like at the moment.

Curlew Country said...

It looks a fantastic space Anna and I can just see it cream & sage green with the oilcloth - lovely! I'd say include the children's mneu in the main one. When I go to a cafe with the boys, the fewer things there are to fall off the table the better! I find a few choices or the offer of smaller versions of adult portions helpful, too much choice leads to a bigger fuss!
Has the cafe got a name btw?
Good luck!
Stephx

Country Cottage Chic said...

It's looks like you are well under way with the transformation! I'm sure it'll be fabulous when you are finished - looking forward to the next installment!

Tracy said...

OMG!!!! You've bought a cafe??!! FABULOUS! I am so very thrilled and excited for you! Such wonderful news...I go away a week, and look what you get up to ;o) This is terrific...and I've been loving catching up on your posts, news and photos. It sounds like you're in full swing and by looks, making a grand start already. So you have a name for the cafe already? I like your paint scheme. And kiddies menu is a great idea--but keep it small and easy. Can't wait so hear/see more in the weeks ahead! We're just back from London--had WONDERFUL time. Now resting travel-weary feet and doing laundry this weekend...holiday's over--LOL! ((BIG HUGS))

Janette said...

what a lovely light space, and your new colour scheme sounds fab. Definately be the sort of cafe I would like to come in and relax in - are you going to have some squash comfy seats and books which customers can browse through whilst there - would certainly encourage me to stay for a 2nd cup.

Ragged Roses said...

Anna I think it is wonderful! It looks lovely already without all your fab ideas, you must be full to the brim with excitement. As for children's menus I wouldn't worry too much, but I do know that children always like to feel a bit special (don't we all) so little portions served with a flourish (a paper flag, a paper parasol, something that the grown ups don't get). I bet that notebook of yours is bursting!
Kimx

Kitty said...

It's going to be just lovely - cream and sage green is perfect. Relaxing and classy at the same time.

Personally speaking, I like to see the children's menu listed on the main menu, but it makes my kids feel important to have their own little menu. That hasn't really helped much, has it? :-p

x

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

WOW Anna.. it is great to see your new establishment in the flesh.. well virtual flesh!??
It is a lovely space and though it might seem a bit daunting now it won't take you long to transform this place and put your special mark on it..
You must be eating, sleeping, dreaming, talking etc cafe thoughts..
Very exciting..!

Michelexx

OhSoVintage said...

Gosh, isn't it big!! It's going to be absolutely gorgeous especially in those colours. Bet you are so excited and can't wait for opening day.

Alchamillamolly said...

Oh wow how exciting - well done its going to be terrific - like the sound of the colours. The very best of luck in your venture - I think its just what you need at thie moment in your life - You must be so excited

Miss sew n sew said...

It looks really nice the cream paint has definitely brightened the place can't wait to see it all when it's finished like the sounds of the green sage oilcloths.
Hope she leave's the robert's radio for you that would be a bonus!
I think you should keep a small simple section for the children's food in the main menu.
Good luck this is so exciting!
Sarahx

April said...

Hi Anna

Just wanted to let you know that I've left you an award on my blog!

April xx

periwinkle said...

looking forward to seeing the finished pics now. I agree with the majority on having the kids menu with the adults. One suggestion is if you are going to offer say spaghetti bolognese offer it with 2 types of pasta like spaghetti and penne as my little one likes bolognese but cant actually handle spaghetti - does this make sense
?
lisa x

Mocha Sticks said...

Ooooh we have the same tables and chairs! I didn't have much choice but white for my interior, but I do have Gill's fabulous cups to brighten it up. Will put some photographs on soon!

dottycookie said...

Oh my goodness it's going to be wonderful! When are you hoping to open?

I'd vote for keeping the children's menu on the main one, and also second the idea that maybe little people could just have smaller versions of the grownups - I am always impressed by cafes who offer that rather than chicken nuggets (ick).

Funkymonkey said...

It's al looking great. Can't wait to see it finished.

moss stitch said...

Hello,
Last as usual to reply!
Childrens menu should be on the main one but it works really well if it on their colouring page too. I'm sure you could get these printed in bulk quite quickly - but think about getting a few different images as they become boring after a while - especially to returning customers! And they can collect them!!!
Your cafe looks fab. I quite like the red! It looks very bright and light. People love sofas - well I do anyway!!
I am awaiting the big email!!
;-))

Love
G
xx