Brewin Teaware
Like the perfect cup of tea, this tea shop invites a moment to pause and breathe. Its design melds the Old-World elegance of Eastern tea culture with contemporary living. Ink-wash bamboo wallpaper and softly-lit metallic gold accents quietly capture attention; no detail is overlooked – even display screens are shaped in the form tea trays.
The entrance, inspired by the Suzhou gardens, immediately sets a serene tone. This carries through to the reception’s water-and-mountain mural wall and handmade solid wood stools; both create the feeling of a secluded natural retreat.
Interior Design Awards
Our Success
A display of handmade porcelain tea cups and backlit jade cups is eye-catching and feels like an art installation.
Graphic brush-written Chinese wall calligraphy layers in more Eastern elegance, enriching the space with poetic charm. The effect of all the elements transcends a retail display. This is a space for dialogue – between tea and people, between people and culture.
With this tea shop, the designer wanted to create a space where people would slow down the moment they stepped inside. It was designed to invite customers to pause, to breathe and to savour a cup of tea.
Using the texture and warmth of a teapot, a teacup and each crafted object, the designer weaved the ancient spirit of tea culture into modern life. Though the wares themselves are silent, they carry thousands of stories and bring the elegance of ancient Eastern tea culture into contemporary living.
The entrance draws inspiration from Suzhou gardens, emphasizing the idea of “borrowing scenery” and a sense of Eastern tranquility.
Each display screen takes its form from the outline of a tea tray. The gold-metallic frame paired with ink-wash bamboo wallpaper subtly convey restrained beauty.
The display shelves combine metal and wood to form a firm yet graceful aesthetic.
The backdrop features a custom bamboo-shadow motif to evoke serenity.
In front of the custom screen stands a 10-ft-long handcrafted solid wood display table, positioned as the visual centerpiece of the store. Its distinctive leg design and intricate craftsmanship embody the spirit of artistry and meticulous attention to detail.
Behind reception, a mountain-and-water inspired mural forms the background, accompanied by hand-made natural solid wood stools. Together, they create the feeling of a secluded retreat hidden in the mountains — a place where one can find peace in simplicity.
The tea cup display, shaped like a tea tray, showcases an elegant collection of handmade porcelain teacups.
On the lowest tier, the designer added tiny LED lights to illuminate the white translucent jade cups and make them softly glow. Combined with the backlit panel, this installation becomes a visual highlight that captures every visitor’s attention.
At the corner, simple brush-written Chinese calligraphy adds a touch of Eastern cultural elegance, enriching the space with poetic charm and quiet sophistication.
This space is not merely a display of utensils, but a vessel for dialogue — between tea and people, between people and culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our design process began with understanding the essence of tea culture - its history, ceremony, and philosophy. These concepts informed the spatial arrangement, material choices, and visual motifs. We layered Eastern cultural elements with contemporary design features to create a space that feels both timeless and welcoming.
One of the main challenges was creating an interior that balances cultural depth with retail functionality. We resolved this by integrating symbolic design elements - like ink-wash bamboo wallpaper and display screens shaped like tea trays - while ensuring the layout supports clear product visibility and fluid customer movement.
The finished space offers a tranquil yet engaging retail experience that transcends a typical store interior. The design elevates the act of shopping into a moment of calm reflection, reinforcing the brand’s story and encouraging visitors to connect with the products on a deeper level.
The project has been won Honorable Mention on IDA design competition 2025
To begin, we typically ask for a project brief that includes your goals, target audience, spatial requirements, budget, and timeline. From there, we’ll work with you to clarify your vision and outline a tailored design plan.
Email info@dexignmatter.com with your location, retail space type (shop-in-shop, standalone, mall kiosk), timeline, and budget range. We'll schedule a consultation to discuss your vision and see if we're a good match.
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Dexign Matter is an independent creative interior design studio based in Toronto.