White Sparrow is a beloved brand of the O.C. that came to rise against all odds in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning first as a mobile coffee cart in 2020 that later called home to a local bookshop corner, they soon decided to make a leap into their first brick and mortar when a prime location on Old Town Tustin’s Main Street became available. Joining this project after initial demolition and construction began, what was once a 1950s barbershop was essentially a blank slate with just the beginnings of plumbing trenches and framing. Despite the primary challenge of only a month or so to work with and strained supply chains, its compact size offered a lot of opportunity to make large impact with simplistic moves. 

The concept was mainly informed by uniting the brand’s established visual direction and the noted description of the local community feeling young and vibrant in comparison to the more historic architecture. This translated into working with the restrained palette and subtle dimensionality of only whites, ceams, and grays – a classic complement to Southern California and a clean backdrop that comes alive behind an extensive product offering, rich coffee, and bright matcha concoctions. The pared back approach also allows room for a few selective statements including the bold playful pattern across the bar and softly curving plaster bench, that are both reminiscent of the sweeping graphic gesture found in the brand’s logo.