Lima-based design studios Ghezzi Novak and Blanco have collaborated on the intimate new eatery Mérito in thePeruvian capital’s Barranco district. Housed within a historic two-story building, the restaurant’s natural materials reflect the cuisine.
The interior’s warm, earthen palette of wood and clay complement adobe bricks. Surfaces in certain areas are left exposed, while others are graced with timber planks or wood panels outfitted with narrow vertical slats. The downstairs portion of Mérito is anchored by a blackened wooden island used by guests and staff alike. Blackboard-colored stoneware lines the floors beneath the charcoal wood counter to further accentuate the rustic aesthetic. A more conventional dining room is housed upstairs with a wooden banquette fixed upon three sides of the room. In contrast to the restaurant’s moody lighting design, a skylight filters natural light into the space.
