Located in the vibrant commercial corridor of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, J Tea & Bake is a thoughtfully designed café and pastry shop executed by Ken Design. The project embraces a Modern Minimalist style, leveraging light, materials, and geometric simplicity to craft an atmosphere that is refined, functional, and deeply immersive.
Understanding the site
The property selected for J Tea & Bake was previously used for commercial services, which meant a relatively well-finished space in terms of ceilings, walls, flooring and basic mechanical systems like electricity and plumbing. The location itself is a strong-asset positioned on a well-trafficked commercial street, easily accessible to both foot traffic and drive-by customers.
The layout was originally divided into three zones. Two open areas at the front and a functional section at the back that included a storage room and restroom. However, the two front spaces were awkwardly separated by two offset partition walls, disrupting spatial continuity and visual flow. This structural issue became one of the key challenges in the design phase.
Fortunately, the site had several advantages. The rectangular layout, with no dead corners, offered a clean canvas for spatial planning. The large glass storefront allows abundant natural light, helping to eliminate any feeling of confinement - especially important for a café that aims to provide both dine-in and takeaway services.
But there were also some problems. The space was not very large so the layout had to be very efficient. The dark tiles on the floor and the white panel lights on the ceiling made the shop look more like an office than a café. These materials had to be changed or covered to fit the new concept.
Design concept – Where Modern meets Minimal
Following detailed consultations with the client - who was seeking a simple yet elegant identity for the café, Ken Design proposed a fusion of Modern and Minimalist design philosophies. This hybrid approach is particularly well-suited to small-to-medium-sized service spaces and is widely favored across the U.S. for its clean lines, efficient layouts and calm, inviting aesthetics.
The design strategy focused on reducing clutter and maximizing usability. Rather than rely on excessive detailing, the team curated a restrained material palette, precise lighting design and well-composed forms. Each component - from curved walls to accent lighting - was positioned with clear intent, resulting in a space that feels understated yet characterful.
At J Tea & Bake, minimalism does not equate to blandness. Instead, it serves as a framework that highlights purposeful elements, allowing both visual harmony and emotional warmth to emerge naturally.
>>> Read more: Designing a modern, youthful café in the U.S.
Smart space planning
One of the first strategic moves was to remove the two partial divider walls, allowing for a continuous, open layout that visually and functionally connects the entrance, service counter, and seating zones. This approach greatly enhanced circulation - an essential feature for a café operating with both sit-down and grab-and-go models.
The result is a layout that serves maximum functionality without compromising on comfort or spatial openness. Despite the modest footprint, the space was organized with great efficiency:
- The pastry display, barista counter and pickup station were all consolidated along one side to streamline operations.
- Seating areas were arranged along both side walls, allowing for a variety of configurations: single tables for solo guests, as well as larger communal tables for groups.
- Clearances between seating and circulation paths were carefully calculated to prevent congestion, even during busy periods.
Feature elements
A major visual highlight of the interior is the built-in wall cabinet system featuring arched niches - a gesture that softens the linearity of the space while providing functional display opportunities. Inspired by contemporary architecture with subtle East Asian influences, these curved recesses introduce movement and depth to otherwise flat wall planes.
The niches house an array of decorative items - ceramic tea sets, packaged products, and artisanal objects - carefully selected to reflect the brand’s identity. Each alcove is framed with recessed LED lighting in a warm color temperature, creating a gentle glow that accentuates the items within and contributes to an overall ambiance of calm sophistication.
Material palette
The interior design carefully balances natural materials with modern craftsmanship to achieve a warm yet polished look. This interplay between hard and soft surfaces reflects the café’s dual nature: efficient and contemporary, yet welcoming and personal.
- Chairs feature solid oak frames with softly rounded edges, paired with muted gray fabric cushions for a sense of casual elegance.
- Tables are constructed using engineered wood finished with light woodgrain veneer - visually coherent with the rest of the interior while being practical for daily use.
- The service counter is constructed using cast concrete for a sturdy, monolithic appearance, then paired with vertical wood slats at the base for warmth and texture.
Lighting strategy
At J Tea & Bake, lighting is not just about visibility - it’s an integral design material that helps shape the emotional and visual experience of the space. Each lighting layer is calibrated for both functionality and atmosphere:
- The barista and pastry zones utilize ceiling-mounted track lights in a neutral white, providing clean, consistent illumination for both staff workflow and product visibility.
- In contrast, the arched display niches are lit with warm-toned LED strips, creating a cozy, elegant contrast to the operational areas.
- Ambient lighting in the seating areas is subtle and diffused, using pendant lights and wall sconces to build intimacy without overpowering the space.
The J Tea & Bake project encapsulates what Ken Design does best: crafting customized, high-performance spaces that marry aesthetic vision with practical needs. From navigating site constraints to orchestrating design across continents, this project proves that great design knows no geographic boundaries. With its minimalist language, modern materials and strategic layout, J Tea & Bake is more than just a place to grab coffee - it’s a space where design and experience coalesce into something memorable.
>>> Read more: Bringing the nostalgic charm of Vietnam’s subsidy era to a café space in the U.S.
If you’re an overseas business owner seeking a creative partner for your next café, restaurant, or F&B space, Ken Design offers a proven, collaborative process tailored to international clients. Contact us through hotline 0987 413 998 or Fanpage to begin transforming your vision into a reality - no matter where you are in the world.
