Launderette: A Modern Neighborhood Gem in East Austin
- Location: Austin, TX (Holly Neighborhood)
- Designer: Margaret Vera (Interior Design) & Cerberus Fabrication (Custom Elements)
The Curation
Housed in a converted 1950s gas station and laundromat, Launderette is a celebrated Austin destination known for its "casual cool" and vibrant Mediterranean-inspired American fare. The design, led by Margaret Vera, maintains the "spirit of the neighborhood" by blending the building's industrial history with a stylish, contemporary diner aesthetic.
Our products were curated to enhance this "airy and homey" environment. In a high-traffic restaurant where the energy flows from the polished reclaimed wood tables to the sunny outdoor patio, the White Lucy Bar Stools fit perfectly. Their open, geometric wireframes offer a "light and airy" feel that doesn't obstruct the view of the open kitchen or the large front windows. In the limited space of a busy neighborhood café, the Lucy collection provides a voluminous presence without the bulk, ensuring the dining room remains open and inviting for brunch and dinner crowds alike.
The Synergy
The synergy between Bend Goods and Launderette is rooted in a shared "design ambition": taking humble, industrial roots and elevating them into something sophisticated and artistic. Much like Chef Rene Ortiz’s menu—which is innovative yet unfussy—our wire furniture represents a 21st-century "reinvention" of the mid-century canon.
Bend was a natural use case for this project because the restaurant celebrates "technical rigor" and honest materials. The White Lucy Bar Stools echo the clean lines of the long, curved bar and the cast-iron legs of the custom furniture found throughout the space. Our high-performance powder coating ensures that the stools are "built like a buffalo" to handle the daily hustle of one of Austin's most popular eateries, while the white finish provides a crisp, modern pop against the "vintage charm" of the 1950s architecture.
The Legacy
Since opening in 2015, Launderette has become a permanent fixture in Austin’s culinary history, earning accolades as a James Beard Award semifinalist and a Michelin-featured destination. The project stands as a testament to the power of "adaptive reuse," transforming a local washateria into a "modern design icon."
Our chairs have been an integral part of the Launderette experience since the very beginning, proving that "wire, done right," offers a lifecycle and durability that mid-century masters would have admired. By living alongside the historic integrity of East Austin for over a decade, Bend Goods continues to prove that thoughtful, geometric design is as enduring as the community it serves.
Products Used
White Lucy Bar Stools: Utilized at the signature curved bar for their sculptural elegance, comfort, and ability to provide a modern, airy essence in a historic hospitality environment.
