In the ever-evolving world of hospitality design, few spaces manage to capture the imagination quite like CallMe Ten. Designed by the visionary RENESA Architecture Design Interiors Studio, this restaurant is not merely a dining establishment—it’s a curated spatial experience that challenges conventional ideas of what eating out should feel like. Nestled in the vibrant fabric of urban India, CallMe Ten stands as a narrative—one that unfolds through color, texture, geometry, and above all, intention. For those who believe that ambiance is as important as flavor, this restaurant doesn’t whisper; it speaks clearly and confidently, with bold design language that resonates well beyond its walls.
Walking into CallMe Ten for the first time feels like entering an alternate dimension, one where geometry and mood interact on an emotional frequency. You’re not just stepping into a space; you’re stepping into an idea. RENESA’s ability to manipulate spatial perception is uncanny—they don’t rely solely on high-end finishes or conventional luxury markers. Instead, they craft with light, contrast, rhythm, and nostalgia. From the moment you see the layered arches and warm pastel palette, there’s a tactile intimacy that immediately draws you in. It doesn’t feel sterile or over-styled. It feels alive.
Color is one of the most expressive elements in the design of CallMe Ten, and RENESA deploys it with masterful precision. The blush pinks, terracotta reds, and peach gradients evoke a dreamlike softness, yet their repetition across varying textures—brick, polished surfaces, soft upholstery—grounds the space. In many ways, the color palette is an emotional design element, inviting guests to relax, to smile, to engage. A good friend of mine who works in fashion design visited CallMe Ten and described it as a “pantone poem”—a space where even the light seemed to be in conversation with the walls. That kind of emotive detail isn’t accidental; it’s a product of architectural storytelling.
This storytelling isn’t only aesthetic. There’s a functionality behind every curve, every shadow, every seating layout. Modern architecture and restaurant design demand a balance between form and function, especially in urban spaces where square footage is at a premium. RENESA’s approach is deeply mindful of how people move, how they interact in semi-public environments, and how important it is for a restaurant to facilitate everything from quiet dates to buzzing group dinners. The zoning within the restaurant subtly shifts your experience: closer to the bar, the energy lifts; in a tucked-away corner, intimacy is preserved. No signs, no directions, just design guiding you silently.
Much of this nuanced spatial choreography is achieved through RENESA’s signature play with symmetry and repetition. The repetition of arches, a nod to both traditional Indian and European architectural motifs, creates a rhythmic cadence that keeps the eye moving and the mood immersive. The furniture choices complement this ethos—curved edges, rounded tables, soft materials—all reinforcing a sense of circularity, softness, and comfort. It reminds me of how well-composed music builds a mood with repeated notes and harmonies, only here the instruments are wood, tile, and light 💡.
In an age where every restaurant aims to be "Instagrammable," it would be easy to assume CallMe Ten is another example of form over substance. But that assumption misses the deeper layers of RENESA’s approach. They haven’t just created a backdrop for photos; they’ve constructed a vessel for memory. A couple celebrating an anniversary might remember the warm hue of the lights that made their wine glow. A group of colleagues debriefing after a long week might recall how the banquette seating wrapped them in a soft cocoon of color and texture. These aren't generic experiences—they’re personalized, made vivid through atmosphere.
RENESA’s commitment to materiality elevates the space further. Every surface invites touch. The microcement floors provide a subtle tactile feedback underfoot, contrasting beautifully with the polished pink terrazzo that catches light in gentle ways. Exposed brickwork offers a rustic counterpoint to the refined detailing, a reminder of context and place. There’s something profoundly human in this choice—a willingness to show material honesty while still crafting elegance. My cousin, an interior designer who visited CallMe Ten on a recent trip, commented on how the materials felt “alive, like they had a story before they got here.” That sentiment lingers.
Of course, good design doesn’t exist in isolation. It responds to its environment, and CallMe Ten is no exception. Positioned in a bustling part of the city, the restaurant manages to be both an oasis and a mirror to its surroundings. The noise outside fades as you step through the threshold, but the pulse of the city remains—filtered, softened, and rendered poetic by the space. It’s a reminder that architecture at its best isn’t escapism, but a deeper engagement with life as it is. RENESA doesn't shy away from this contradiction; they embrace it, embedding dualities into every layer of the project.
Even the lighting design is a narrative in itself. Gentle, diffuse illumination avoids the harsh spotlighting common in many modern spaces. Instead, pendant lights with custom finishes, wall sconces strategically placed to accentuate curves, and ambient floor lighting build a visual warmth that draws people together. A restaurateur I know once said that lighting is the secret ingredient of hospitality—it sets the tempo for conversation, the pace of eating, the comfort of lingering. At CallMe Ten, this wisdom is visible in every flicker and glow.
What sets this restaurant apart, perhaps more than anything, is the authenticity of its design philosophy. RENESA isn’t chasing trends or replicating a formula. They are creating experiences grounded in context, material richness, and emotional resonance. The restaurant isn’t a showroom. It’s a living, breathing canvas that changes with the hour, the guest, the occasion. There’s room in it for celebration and reflection, for laughter and stillness. It’s the kind of place you find yourself describing to friends long after the meal is over—not just for the flavors, but for how the space made you feel 🌸.
Design, at its core, is about empathy. It’s about understanding how spaces shape behavior, mood, memory. CallMe Ten is a masterclass in this empathy—proof that good design doesn’t just look good, it feels right. As you sit back in one of its gently curving chairs, sip something citrusy and cold, and look around at the soft interplay of shadows and form, you realize that this isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a conversation between you and the space, and it’s one worth lingering in.