UNILIN Evola brings the perfect blue to KafKaf

730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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UNILIN Evola brings the perfect blue to KafKaf

UNILIN Panels, has helped to create an Instagrammable Parisian hotspot at KafKaf, a Middle Eastern inspired coffee bar with an interior by design studio Fairly…

After just a few months of opening in the 11th district of Paris, KafKaf boasts an online community of some 15,000 followers and has become a favoured meeting place for the local community. UNILIN Evola decorative finishes have been used in a scheme created by studio Fairly, unusually developed before the bar’s location had been decided.

Adeline Paty, co-founder of design studio Fairly, comments: “Even before the final site was determined, we had to develop the concept and select the materials and furniture. We had the opportunity to start at the very essence of the project without getting lost in site-specific challenges. This ultimately led to stronger and more radical design choices.

“Whoever walks through KafKaf’s door has to feel like they’ve travelled to Tunisia without running into cliches and so used a few small, original Middle Eastern details in the interior. Everything also had to be connected – the colours of the coffee makers and other decorative accessories are in the same hues as the finishes. Terracotta-rose comes up in different places and surfaces and on the skirting boards and some chairs you’ll find black accents. The famous Majorelle blue, contrasting with the rest of the interior, gives the bar its unique identity.”

The original colours and high-quality finish of UNILIN Evola HPL panels, notably in Persian Blue, captured the aesthetics of KafKaf and fitted with the sustainable goals of Fairly. Offering a finish that delivers impressive durability and low maintenance, UNILIN Evola is ideal for the busy café, with the décor’s matt finish to giving the colour an authentic richness.

“Of course, the most important reason for choosing UNILIN Evola for the bar and counter was that perfect blue hue. It was precisely what we wanted.” continues Adeline Paty. “In addition, we always recommend solutions to our customers that have the smallest possible CO2 footprint. During a visit to UNILIN’s production site in Belgium, we were impressed by the company’s global, sustainable approach – particularly its use of recycled wood in panels. For a company called Fairly, this means something.”

UNILIN is one of our recommended suppliers and regularly feature in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: UNILIN

Hamish Kilburn / 11.11.2020

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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