Introduction to Café Nuances

Bathed in a warm orange glow and anchored by a counter clad in crushed silver metal, Café Nuances’ new outpost in Paris brings a raw, futuristic edge to the historic streets of Le Marais. Designed by Crosby Studios, the compact space plays with reflection, texture, and light to turn a simple coffee stop into an immersive, hyper-designed encounter.

At street level, a full-glass facade reveals an inviting glowing interior in which the only decor is a volume wrapped in small metal panels that evoke broken shards, and small metal volumes for visitors to take a seat. The walls are finished in Café Nuances’ signature gradient orange, creating a luminous backdrop that intensifies with the changing light. Mirrored surfaces on the ceiling and the monolithic seats reflect and multiply the room, giving the compact space a heightened spatial ambiance.

all images by Jenia Filatova

Design and Materials

The choice of materials emphasizes texture and tactility. Stainless steel surfaces dominate — from the polished cube stools to the coffee equipment and fixtures — forming a palette that feels both raw and hyper-designed. Matching the counter, some seats are topped with the same crushed metal fragments, reinforcing the material language throughout. The floor, finished in smooth grey concrete, adds an understated contrast to the more reflective elements above.

Café Nuances opens new outpost in Paris

Crosby Studios’ Practice

This location marks a stylistic evolution for Café Nuances. Conceived by Harry Nuriev, whose Crosby Studios’ practice often blends minimal forms with bold chromatic and material experimentation, the café becomes a curated interior experience, as well as a spot to enjoy coffee in the French capital. The artist and architect’s past work has included interiors and installations across Paris, New York, and Moscow, often pushing the boundary between furniture and sculpture.

bringing a raw, futuristic edge to the historic streets of Le Marais

Reflection, Texture, and Light

Crosby Studios plays with reflection, texture, and light to create an immersive atmosphere. Mirrored surfaces on the ceiling and the monolithic seats reflect and multiply the room, giving the compact space a heightened spatial ambiance.

Crosby Studios plays with reflection, texture, and light

bathed in a warm orange glow and anchored by a counter clad in crushed silver metal