SUBLIME GUATEMALA CITY

The inspiration for Sublime was simple: the green of Guatemala, the central market, and the use of traditional Guatemalan materials such as petate and baskets (adapted in plastic for the screens). The goal was to create a dynamic, unpretentious, and most importantly, comfortable space that complements the food concept.

The green walls represent the lush greenery of the country. Growing up in Quetzaltenango, I vividly remember the deep green forests of Cerro El Baul, often shrouded in mist at the summit. The Central Market, with its use of green and painted baseboards to protect the walls, was also a significant source of inspiration. The wall treatment here blends elements of baseboards with a height that evokes the feel of a forest. The porcelain floor, designed in a woven pattern, represents the typical baskets of Guatemala, closely tied to both the market and the cuisine. Additionally, partitions were created using plastic threads, a material commonly found in shopping baskets, further tying the design to the market concept.

For the bar, hostess station, and private dining room lamps, petate—a traditional woven matting—was used in an abstract form to create furniture and lighting pieces, giving the space a distinctly Guatemalan feel.

The outdoor dining area extends the interior, using the same finishes to create a seamless transition between the two spaces. In the dining and Wine Lounge areas, original pieces by Labrica were used, including custom-designed items like the Bastón Cocktail and Bastón Lounge chairs, made from metal and upholstery with hand-woven fabric from Guatemala in jade tones.

Conacaste wood was combined with black petate and antique glass—elements that evoke memories from my childhood.

In the private dining area, neutral tones dominate the walls, with green accents in the lamps and wallpaper that reflect a jade touch. The transition to the Lobby Bar occurs through antique doors from the Cine Lux in Zone 1, leading into a space with blue tones that set a more tropical and light atmosphere. The blue tone plays with the concept of dual tones, creating a painted baseboard that repeats throughout the restaurant.