Bells + Whistles: Winner of World Design Awards 2025. Housed in the original 1970’s Morey Boogie Boards factory, Wildland’s 13,000 SF space is vast and sun-drenched, conceived by Los Angeles-based interior design studio Bells + Whistles. In a rigorous process that played out over three years, everything but the cinderblock walls of the building was custom made to fit Wildland’s unique blend of woodsy comfort and coastal style. Walking through a patio flanked by two live oak trees, guests are drawn into the bustling action of the restaurant, with views of the bakery behind a long counter and pastry cases, a custom beige Mugnaini wood-fired oven anchored in the open kitchen, and a walk-up bar centered in the dining room. Sprawling floor-to-ceiling windows draw natural light into a warm space with rough concrete floors, handcrafted burnt-orange terra cotta tiles and white rift oak millwork. Custom touches include a bespoke sound system, a one-of-a-kind, 10-foot painted tapestry of a desert landscape by Tyler Hays and heavily textured, hand-troweled plaster walls by San Diego-based plaster artist Sasha Seyb. The effect is one of constant discovery, allowing guests to have a unique spatial experience each time they visit Wildland, in a manner that mirrors the restaurant’s dynamic menu.

The back of Wildland’s main space can also be sectioned off into a semi-private dining area, allowing large groups to gather amidst the restaurant’s hustle and bustle. Tucked further behind is a private dining room that matches the energy of the main space and seats up to 18 at a long table, with terra cotta pendant lights hanging above, olive green Venetian plaster walls, also by Sasha Seyb, and a wall of ribbed glass framed in white rift oak.

Nestled in the back corner of the same building as the casual and bustling Wildland, Lilo is an intimate, 22-seat culinary haven. With a name nodding to friendships rekindled over time (a relationship that has been “lying low”), Lilo is a celebration of shared connections over a beautifully-crafted, soulful 12-course tasting menu that traverses global seaside regions from California and beyond.

Guests begin their experience in the intimate garden that’s anchored by a cascading Australian Bottle Tree and encircled by a serpentine cedar wall. The overall design seamlessly blurs the outdoors and indoors, and upon entering the earth-toned 22-seat dining room, guests are surrounded by textured walls that mimic local cliffside strata, by plaster artist Sasha Seyb. Artwork from French painter Cédrix Crespel accents the walls, under a ceiling of undulating white oak slats reminiscent of ocean waves. The 14-seat chef’s counter and two intimate chef’s tables enveloping the open kitchen are crafted from oak and oceanic evoking quartzite, allowing all guests to experience the interactive elements of Lilo. Uncanned Music, a sound design agency that Resnick and Chef Bost have worked with for years, curates the acoustic environment with a vintage reel-to-reel tape machine and record player.

A Design Rooted in Carlsbad- The core directive from John Resnick and Chef Eric Bost was to create a restaurant that felt intrinsically connected to Carlsbad, reflecting the natural terroir, regional history, and local community. This vision deeply influenced every design decision for the property.

Harmonizing the Local Landscape, Cuisine, and Design- The culinary program at Wildland and Lilo emphasizes sourcing produce and products from local farms and vendors, with menus that highlight the seasonal abundance, brightness, and bounty of Southern California cuisine. This farm-to-table approach was mirrored in the design process, ensuring a cohesive experience from the food on the plate to the atmosphere of the space.

The design team’s comprehensive approach covered all aspects of the property, including:

• Programming and customer flow
• Restaurant, kitchen, and bar layouts
• Restroom and private dining room designs

This meticulous planning aimed to create a seamless and unified design experience throughout. Furthermore, to support the local community and talent, all furniture, millwork, and lighting were sourced from local artists and designers.

Ultimately, the design successfully realized Resnick and Bost’s vision, resulting in a restaurant that truly speaks to and embodies the spirit of the Carlsbad community.
A core principle guiding the transformation of the former Morey boogie board factory into Wildland + Lilo was a strong commitment to sustainability. This commitment manifested in several key areas:

Preservation and Adaptive Reuse- Instead of a complete demolition, a conscious decision was made to preserve the existing factory structure wherever possible. The original walls, roof, and floors were retained, significantly reducing waste and the environmental impact associated with new construction. This adaptive reuse approach honors the building’s history while giving it a new purpose.

Locally Sourced Materials- This strategy minimizes transportation emissions and supports local economies, further reducing the project’s environmental footprint. All new materials were carefully selected with their environmental impact in mind.

Mindful Development in a Beach Town- While Wildland + Lilo represents a larger culinary venue than typically found in the sleepy beach town of Carlsbad, the decision to create an all-day offering was driven by the clients’ recognition of a community need for excellent service and high-quality ingredients. The sustainable design choices aimed to integrate this larger establishment thoughtfully into the existing local context, demonstrating a commitment to responsible development even in a growing market.

Project Details:-
Firm
Bells + Whistles

Designer
Barbara Rourke + Jason St John

Project Name
Wildland + Lilo, aka WILO

Project Category
Restaurant Interior (Built)

Team
Barbara Rourke + Jason St John

Project Location
Carlsbad

Country
United States

Photography ©Credit
©Élodie Bost, Gage Forster, Shelby Moore, 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.