Old Photocopy Shop Turned Hip Cocktail Cafe

Hello! After a busy and colourful year, we're back on the blog. One of us is about to enter motherhood and the other back from travelling. We're so excited to show you our latest project located in Makati's new and upcoming art hub.

Tucked in The Alley of Karrivin Plaza along Pasong Tamo Extension, is a cozy little cafe called Writer's Block; it serves both coffee and cocktails.

How it started.

We started designing this project back in December 2015 and here we are a year later finally able to blog about it. A lot has happened since, but we are so happy with how it turned out.

On the left is a photo of our first draft sketched on a napkin during our initial meeting. This went through many revisions but you'll see photos of the final outcome later on.

Before and After.

The space was previously a digital photo ID and photocopying shop. This is a photo of Jackie (our client) and I figuring out what to do with the facade.

Since we were working with a small area, we decided to open up the whole front with glass windows to allow more light to come in and make the place feel spacious.

There were so many things we wanted to do to make it cozy. From furniture, lighting, colour scheme and greenery. It was going to be a lot of work but we were up for the challenge.

Here's how it looks now! We added a little take-out counter so that people in a rush could order their coffee and go without having to line up inside and crowd the small space.

Here's a full view of the al fresco seating area.

These two photos below show the interior of the old photocopying shop. We tore down the white wall and the area with the glass window. The photo below on the right was the back office. We also took out everything but decided to leave that small cement bench and incorporate it into the cafe.

Taking out the wall gave us more space for storage, decor and seating.

This is the counter area where they serve pastries, coffee and in the evening...cocktails!

Here's a view of how it used to look from the front.

This is what it looks like now. See the concrete bench that was saved?

Jackie's pastries are a must try. Have a look at what they offer on a daily basis.

This is their menu as well. Coffee and cocktails!

Here's a photo of us with the owner, Jackie Arceo. This is our second project together and like the first (Local Edition Coffee and Tea), we're so proud of how it turned out.

Hope you enjoyed our little makeover as much as we did!

With Love,

Michelle & Isa