Get This Look: Tacofino Commissary

Tacofino Commissary, a recent addition to Vancouver’s East Village, is setting the bar for organic design and west coast minimalism

Vancouver’s notorious fish taco food truck Tacofino has given its baja-inspired cuisine a more permanent residence and opened the doors of its first stationary restaurant, The Tacofino Commissary. With this new venture came a new look, as the infamous blue and orange made way for steel, concrete, reclaimed wood and an innovative use of greenery.

The design concept was developed by Omer Arbel, owner and founder of OAO design firm and creative director of Bocci, who was approached by Tacofino to take on the project.

A self-proclaimed fish taco lover, Arbel took to creating a space that brought the outside in with a distinctly west coast feel. What emerged was an organic design scheme that blends the natural with the practical.

To achieve this organic look, Arbel used materials in their natural, unaltered state. Reclaimed wooden tables accompanied by bench seating, a pebbled concrete floor and unadorned walls successfully bring the simplicity of the outdoors to the restaurant.

While the aesthetic is simple, the custom-made Bocci terrarium lights that dangle delicately from an ornate tangle of copper wires above make a striking design statement. Each white orb houses a planter of bright green succulents and cacti, adding both a pop of colour and a touch of whimsy to the otherwise minimalist interior.

This fresh use of foliage paired with the modesty of the raw wooden tables is reminiscent of the old growth forests and lush vegetation of the Tofino coastline, where Tacofino first began its culinary adventure.

Like the look? With just a few key pieces you can recreate this organic look at home. Click through the slideshow to see how.

Wooden Table

A minimalist design concept allows natural materials and textures to create dimension and interest in the space.

A reclaimed wooden table with rough steel legs like Restoration Hardware’s Flatiron Dining Table (left) or West Elm’s Design Workshop Woodtop Table (right) is understated yet modern.

Bocci Terrarium Chandelier

While the table centres most kitchens, it won’t distract from the piece de resistance in this design: the custom-made cacti chandelier by Bocci.

Bench Seating

Bench seating is cozy and invites a more intimate dining experience. Try this rough reclaimed wood bench from Pottery Barn to match your heavyset table.

Stool Seating

This many-sidedTorque Stool from Anthropologie is a great textured accessory for any organic room design, while the Tractor Stool from Restoration Hardware is simple and easily complements table or bar seating.

Raw Wooden Side Tables

Rustic wooden side tables like this Timber End Table from Urban Barn or the all-wood Forza End Table from Country Furniture will add an organic element to sitting and living rooms.

Natural Fibre Carpet

If you don’t have a concrete floor in your home, natural fibre carpets and rugs in dark tones like these Basket Weave Sistal Rugs from Restoration Hardwarewill contrast the airiness of the cacti chandelier and add another dimension of natural texture.

Complementary Terrariums

Complement your terrarium chandelier with other green accessories like these hanging planters from West Elm (left) or a tabletop terrarium like West Elm’s Wire Terrarium (top right) or this oval design from Indigo (bottom right).