We have carried out many design projects and application processes with Saray Muhallebicisi, one of the longest established shops in Istanbul, growing and sprinkling with the city. Some places make up the memory of the city itself; and we need to understand and hear them. While we were forming the world of Saray Muhallebicisi, we always focused on returning to “self”. This place, which was born in Beyoğlu about 85 years ago and which was located as the “Saray Pudding House” next to the famous cinema “Saray Cinema” of those times, we have set our starting point as Beyoğlu so that it does not cause any contradictions with its story.
We have actualized the first of our interior designs, inspired by Beyoğlu, at the Vadiistanbul branch of Saray Muhallebicisi. Based on the tram, which is one of the first elements that come to mind when we talk about Beyoğlu, we designed a service bench and placed it as the first thing notable when you enter the venue. We went to different solutions in different branches, but we did not neglect to take the tram with us. Çiçek Passage, another of the symbols of Beyoğlu, was one of the points we were inspired. Therefore, while designing the Saray Muhallebicisi branches, we designed ceiling arrangements resembling the famous glass ceiling of Çiçek Passage.
When designing large spaces, we care to create different sections in the space, not with physical elements, but with touches. In this way, we can not only maintain the feeling of spaciousness provided by the large area, but also create small and character-specific sections that appeal to different tastes. Picking out different furnitures is one of the most important tools we use to do this.
We used lots of large chandeliers with antique look, with the idea that one of the main ways of telling the story of Saray Muhallebicisi, which is growing on its deep-rooted history, is to place nostalgic elements in the modern space. We loved the feeling of these chandeliers, as if they were coming from one of Beyoğlu’s ancient apartments.
We have followed one single photograph left from that first shop of “Saray Pudding House” and let that old photograph free our horizons. We designed a section that we inspired from the facade of the shop, and placed it in the branches.
While designing the Saray Muhallebicisi, we included plenty of ceramics along with wood in floor and wall coverings, and we made sure to choose these ceramics from hand-made ones. Today, we wanted to take a look at the various ceramics in different branches we designed.
We reprocess the removed wood from the facades of destroyed old wooden houses and use it as a floor covering in many projects. We also included this material in the branches of Saray Muhallebicisi. In this way, we both contribute to sustainability and add a story to the place with these old materials.
We have also not forgotten the “sahlep” salesmen which is one of the indispensables of mobile vendor cars and a trademark of Beyoğlu. We wanted to send a final greeting to Beyoğlu, with sahlep served in the venue, served from these traditional cars. You can spot these cars in many branches of Saray.
