Blacksheep designs interiors of Jamie’s Italian in Birmingham

Jo Sampson, founder of Blacksheep, says that the consultancy was recommended toOliver’s team in October 2009 and was appointed to design Jamie’s Italian in Westfield before working on the interiors of restaurant 15 London, which reopened this month.

The Birmingham project has been won on the strength of these and Sampson has sought to create ’an honest interior’ which references the ’fresh food values’ of Jamie’s Italian to ’support the food without being the hero’, she says.

Jamie’s Italian Birmingham will differ from its Westfield sister restaurant, which was designed with the shopping centre’s high-end setting in mind, Sampson says.
’There’ll be a slight industrial feel, but without it being too stark and there will be an essence of rustic Italy,’ she adds.

Timber-lined walls, aged metals and a natural stone floor will be introduced to give a weathered look. Mezzanines will be added to break up the 6m-high ceilings and industrial light fittings will be used.

Sampson has tried to garner a convivial atmosphere with social seating for groups and couples working along sightlines of ’views and other people’ and a signature open kitchen.

The Birmingham restaurant is expected to open in next month.