Bells + Whistles: Winner of World Design Awards 2025. Originally designed by B+W Studio in 2007, Starlite began as a true design/build project, hand-crafted by the firm’s principals as a steakhouse lounge that evoked the glamour of the rat pack days of the 1950s while drawing on an eclectic mix of influences, from the organic architecture of John Lautner and the dramatic stalactites of Carlsbad Caverns to the cinematic stylings of Star Wars set design, 1970s Italian Futurism, and Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. Sixteen years later, B+W revisited their own creation, carrying forward the DNA of their original concept but elevating it into an even more dramatic and theatrical expression of space. Tasked with reimagining a beloved institution with a fiercely loyal clientele protective of its legacy, the designers were challenged to evolve the concept without compromising its soul.

They preserved the details and vibe that had made Starlite iconic while simultaneously bringing a sense of grandeur and refinement befitting the present moment. The result is a design that respects its roots while expanding into something new, successfully reinterpreting a classic and heightening the guest experience. The refreshed Starlite pairs raw and imposing rock walls with a softer, more tactile palette of rich fabrics and custom furnishings, creating tension between ruggedness and luxury that heightens the drama of the space. At its center, a sculptural hexagonal bar in travertine and wood commands attention, grounding the room beneath a chandelier that recalls a starry constellation. This cosmic gesture simultaneously nods to the bar’s name and its cinematic inspirations. Warm tones of copper, walnut, and velvet imbue the interiors with a sense of grounded luxury, while a mirrored ceiling amplifies the subterranean, cave-like quality, adding depth and intrigue to the guest’s visual experience. Every element of the redesign, from the material selections to the lighting strategy, was calibrated to preserve the bar’s original personality while reintroducing it in a more glamorous, theatrical form. The effect is both familiar and transformative. Patrons who cherished the Starlite of old recognize its spirit in the details, yet encounter a wholly revitalized version of the institution they love. This delicate balance of reverence and reinvention underscores B+W’s ability to work within the tension of nostalgia and innovation, drawing from their original vision but allowing it to mature, expand, and take on new dimensions. The space now feels like an immersive cinematic set, a dreamlike lounge that captures the mystique of midcentury modern glamour while layering in fresh sophistication and sensuality. By anchoring the design in bold gestures, such as a monumental bar, a starry chandelier, and raw stone walls, while enriching the experience with tactile luxury, reflective surfaces, and thoughtful lighting, Starlite has been reborn not as a departure from its origins but as a glamorous evolution of itself. It is a design that embraces memory and innovation in equal measure, ensuring that while every detail is new, the essential character and magnetic allure of Starlite remain exactly as patrons remember. Only now, it is grander, richer, and more cinematic than ever before.

Project Details:-
Firm
Bells + Whistles

Designer
Barbara Rourke + Jason St John

Project Name
Starlite

Project Category
Restaurant Interior (Built)

Team
Barbara Rourke + Jason St John

Project Location
San Diego

Country
United States

Photography ©Credit
©Kimberly Motos

Bells + Whistles is a Southern California based interior design studio specializing in hospitality and restaurant environments. Founded in 2000, the studio’s principals lead a multidisciplinary team that has designed many of Southern California’s most celebrated spaces. Originating as a design-build firm, Bells + Whistles honed its craft through hands-on fabrication in wood, steel, and interiors before evolving into a full-service design studio. Guided by the belief that everything should be bespoke and never derivative, the studio delivers distinctive, one-of-a-kind experiences. Its award-winning portfolio includes multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and an extensive roster of loyal, word-of-mouth clients.