Studio Shayne Brady designs MOR restaurant

Studio Shayne Brady has unveiled the interior design for MOR, a new restaurant by chef Tom Sellers at the Carbis Bay Estate in St Ives, Cornwall. This marks the first UK regional project for the design studio and the first opening outside London for Sellers' HiStory Hospitality group.

The 335 square meter restaurant and bar is designed as an immersive coastal dining destination. It draws inspiration from Cornwall's dramatic landscape while incorporating influences from Japanese minimalism and British craftsmanship.

Design Philosophy and Atmosphere

Shayne Brady, founder of the studio, aimed to create an emotion-driven space that tells a story. The design responds directly to the restaurant's culinary philosophy, which centers on local produce and seasonal seafood. Natural timber and stone textures provide warmth and tactility throughout the interior.

The space is designed to transition subtly from day to evening. Warm yellow ombré tones in the dining room reference sand and sunlight. The bar area adopts richer, moodier reds to create intimacy after dark. Specially designed lighting by Studio Shayne Brady deepens the immersive atmosphere, allowing the environment to evolve naturally across the day.

Craftsmanship and Collaboration

Furniture and detailing pay deep homage to British craftsmanship. Bespoke elements were developed in collaboration with specialist local makers and artisans. The studio engaged a number of key collaborators to realize the vision.

Artwork by Cornish artists Stewart Kent and Neil Pinkett, along with The Connor Brothers, features throughout the space. Local artisans were also engaged to craft a statement fireplace made from Cornish granite.

Technical Challenges and Materiality

A defining feature of the project is a soft fabric ceiling installation. Studio Shayne Brady developed it to evoke the movement and fluidity of the coastal environment. This feature became one of the project's most technically challenging aspects, requiring careful coordination between concept, engineering, and operational requirements.

The studio sought to retain and reinterpret elements of the existing building. This approach grounds the restaurant within its setting while creating a fresh visual identity. Shayne Brady described the work with Tom Sellers and his team as a true collaboration. He stated that Sellers' vision for storytelling inspired the creation of a space attuned to its location and materiality. The completed interiors aim to be cinematic yet grounded, and contemporary while deeply connected to place. Executive Chef Tom Anglesea leads the restaurant day-to-day.