Burgundy wood, white marble, and blue define Chiquita’s interior

Chiquita by SahuquillodeArriba is a 59-sqm café, bookshop, and wine bar in Valencia’s El Botànic neighborhood, designed for product designer Gloria Izquierdo. The project combines coffee, books, and wine in a continuous interior that uses color, material contrasts, and custom furniture to connect the different functions.

A full-length ash wood bookcase stained deep burgundy runs along one side of the space, extending into the bathroom and serving as the interior’s main architectural feature. Opposite it, a continuous bench and small white marble tables introduce lighter surfaces, while the textured ceiling is finished in soft blue. Integrated shelf lighting, wall lights, and table lamps add a domestic quality to the space.

the burgundy storefront introduces Chiquita to Valencia’s El Botànic neighbourhood | all images ©Oleh Kardash HorlayChiquita brings reading, coffee, and wine into a shared interior

The renovation by Studio SahuquillodeArriba preserves the existing building’s character by restoring the original walls with a thin, breathable coating that addresses damp while retaining their texture and imperfections. At the back, a large communal table accommodates book clubs, meetings, and other activities, supporting Chiquita’s role as a space for cultural exchange.

Through its compact layout, custom furniture, and restrained palette of burgundy wood, white marble, and blue surfaces, Chiquita brings the functions of a café, bookshop, and wine bar together in a shared interior.

the main interior brings together the café, bookshop and communal seating within a compact spacethe burgundy shelving contrasts with the textured blue ceiling, creating the project’s distinctive material palette