In the heart of Kyiv, the opening of Namelaka café’s second location marks a shift from a simple patisserie to a masterclass in spatial branding.
Dubai-based NEMOV Studio moved beyond aesthetics to treat pink as a foundational, structural material. Utilizing five distinct varieties of natural pink marble, entirely stripped of imitation or dye, the studio imbued the space with an intellectual weight and durability that defies the typical tropes. “The core of Namelaka is a sense of fairytale nostalgia for the adult world,” says cofounder Yelyzaveta Redkina.
Haussmann-inspired interiors
The resulting 3,230-square-foot space unfolds as a sequence of crafted scenes informed by the purified classics of Haussmann-era Parisian residences. Rather than relying on excessive ornamentation, the skeleton of the interior is defined by clean, rhythmic arcades.
The guest transition begins at the entrance, where a heavy brass handle engraved with a wheel symbol signals a departure from the urban bustle. Visitors pass through a decompression portal into a sophisticated narrative grounded in a monochromatic layering of pink.
A journey through Namelaka in Kyiv
Inside, the first salon pays homage to the 19th-century culture of high patisserie. Desserts are showcased like protagonists within elegant arched niches, set above a pink poured terrazzo floor inlaid with a brass logo.
Moving deeper into the patisserie, the second hall is anchored by the bar. This monolithic structure, crafted from one of the project’s five types of natural pink marble, mirrors the architectural pièces montées of historic confectionery.
Adjacent to this space is the library, which cultivates a quiet, intellectual atmosphere. Here, a curated collection of Ukrainian fairytales sits alongside a soft pink grand piano.
Grounded in Ukrainian craftsmanship
While the overarching aesthetic leans heavily toward French high culture, the execution remains deeply rooted in contemporary Ukrainian craftsmanship. The narrative culminates in the fireplace room, which features expansive canvases by Ukrainian artist Nataliia Brichuk that dissolve the boundaries of the room.
Meanwhile, the bathrooms offer a distinct contrast to the surrounding monochromatic palette, where pink, green, and wine-toned Gucci wallpapers wrap around curved ceilings to create an immersive, cocoon-like effect.
