Kafe Nordic — Seoul, South Korea
Located in a quiet residential area of the Korean capital is the bright yellow house-shaped Kafé Nordic. The garden-level coffee shop, by local firm Nordic Bros Design Community, has transformed the neighbourhood and drawn people from the nearby Comme Des Garçons flagship. The Scandi-yellow exterior was chosen to energise the peaceful residential area. Inside are vividly coloured furnishings in different shapes and scales by Emeco, Flötotto, Hay, Ton and Yong-Hwan Shin - plus witty lighting by Ingo Maurer and Lune du Matin. Equally rigorous is the black and white geometric patterned wallpaper, which extends down to cover portions of the wood floor. In fact the floor combines a fascinating combination of 27 patterns, the result of a collaboration between designer Patricia Urquiola and Mutina. The wall-mounted menu promises homemade sandwiches, coffee and tea.
ADDRESS
683-46 Hannam-dong
Yongsan-gu
Seoul
South Korea
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
‘It is a collaborative adventure, not a service provision’: Ilse Crawford on design as a tool for advancement and enhancement
Designer Ilse Crawford, founder of Studio Ilse and a revered shapeshifter in the industry, reflects on design in 2025 and finds cause for optimism
By Ilse Crawford Published
-
Meet Daniel Blumberg, the British indie rock veteran who created The Brutalist’s score
BAFTA-nominated Blumberg has created an epic score for Brady Corbet’s film The Brutalist, in cinemas this week; listen here
By Craig McLean Published
-
China’s Alila Shanghai hotel is a stylish hub of idle tranquillity
Alila Shanghai, the brand's first urban resort in Greater China, is a serene bolthole amidst the pulse of the Jing'an district
By Daven Wu Published
-
The coolest design-led coffee shops in Seoul
Seoul counts more coffee shops per capita than any other city in the world – cut straight to our six must-visit spots
By Robert Schneider Published
-
Oneworld unveils first-ever branded lounge in Seoul Incheon Airport
A new Oneworld futuristic lounge opens in Seoul as the airline alliance gears up for its 25th anniversary
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Seoul is Best City of 2024
Seoul’s unique mix of culture, art and style goes global, thanks to an unstoppable new wave of dynamic creatives. Discover the Wallpaper* Design Awards’ Best City
By Fiona Bae Published
-
JW Marriott Jeju is a sleek island beauty
JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa launches, marking the hospitality brand's first resort in South Korea’s largest Island
By Daven Wu Published
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro Published
-
Discover the Fritz Hansen pop-up hotel in Seoul
Contemporary design meets a traditional setting in Fritz Hansen’s Seoul retreat
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
By Dimity Noble Last updated