The Little Mule

Name: The Little Mule
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Design: A Friend of Mine


Combining two of my loves; coffee & bicycles, Little Mule creates a rustic and warm space tucked away in a small alley way in Melbourne.





As a custom bike shop and cafe, Little Mule serves coffee and food while crafting custom bikes and selling accessories.


The exterior garage door lifts open during business hours allowing you to order right from the street. (very San Francisco-esq; probably another reason why I find the space so charming.)


The interior space is a mix of rustic, custom-built tables and mismatched industrial stools, with bikes hanging on the walls.

Not overly done, Little Mule creates an inviting and rustic space filled with hand crafted details true to their bike building origins. 

Branding the business with their simple logo, allows cohesion within the space as well and creates a graphic backdrop from the street.


Tandem Coffee Roasters

Name: Tandem Coffee Roasters
Location: Portland, ME


Everyone knows that my love for Portland (The original, East Coast version.) runs deep. To see Portland's restaurant and coffee culture expanding as quickly as it is couldn't make me any happier. Tandem, Portlands newest third wave coffee roaster just set up shop in the unlikely East Bayside neighborhood and created a tranquil and bright space to match.




Using a bright color and material palate of whites, grays, and light wood allows the space to feel open and welcoming. Allowing portions of the brick wall to remain exposed helps the space feel authentic and raw and hints at the buildings past.


The space is kept sparsely furnished with simple shop stools and industrial pendants which allows the central focus to be on the roasting and brewing process. 




All Photos © The blue ferry

Local Favorite; Heritage Bicycles

Name: Heritage Bicycles
Location: Chicago, IL

There is little I love more than a local coffee shop on a cold chicago afternoon. The newest to hit the Chicago scene decided to raise the bar a bit and is not only supplying the windy city with Stumptown, but also with locally, handcrafted bicycles. The space merges the two beautifully. With a handmade, yet refined feel, the interior is comfortable and inviting. The long communal table in the center of the space acts as the landing ground for the the biking community to grab a cup of coffee while waiting for a tire change or tune up. Booths are upholstered with bags from beans imported by Stumptown and there is even a light fixture made from Edison bulbs and bicycle rims. Walls are decked out in moldings filled with either mirrors or chalkboards listing specials and services and add a great amount of light to the space. Overall the space feels well pulled together and just as hand crafted as the bicycles and coffee they feature.













Image 1-5 © lgrab
Image 6 © Bicycle Retailer