JoJo’s Bar, Chagrin Falls
Located inside a historic building and reimagined as a modern Italian-American steakhouse, JoJo’s blends old-world hospitality with a polished, tailored design language. The space feels classic, but not dated; dramatic, but not overly ornate. Every material choice contributes to that balance, from the black lacquered wall paneling and limestone checkerboard floors to the toile upholstery, chandeliers, artwork, and custom metalwork that defines the bar itself.
Designed by W Design Interiors, the project carries a Ralph Lauren-inspired sensibility: layered, refined, and architectural. The palette is grounded in contrast. Dark millwork gives the room weight and sophistication, while lighter patterned upholstery and stone flooring bring rhythm and movement. The result is a hospitality interior that feels established from the moment you enter, as if the space has always belonged to the building.
The Bar as the Centerpiece
In a restaurant like JoJo’s, the bar is not simply a service area. It is the visual anchor of the room.
The metal bar top creates a strong horizontal line through the space, giving the bar a substantial, crafted presence. Its finish adds texture and depth against the darker architectural elements surrounding it, while also introducing a material that feels durable, timeless, and suited to the pace of a working restaurant.
This is where metal becomes more than a surface. It becomes part of the atmosphere.
The bar’s metalwork helps bridge the historic character of the building with the more contemporary direction of the interior. It feels refined without being precious, industrial without feeling cold, and substantial without overpowering the room. In contrast to the decorative details around it — the chandeliers, patterned seating, artwork, and layered wall treatments — the metal introduces a sense of structure and permanence.
A Layered Material Story
What makes the design of JoJo’s especially compelling is the way each material plays a distinct role.
The checkerboard flooring establishes a classic foundation. The black lacquered paneling adds depth and formality. The toile upholstery brings in a tailored, almost residential softness. The chandeliers create drama overhead. The artwork adds color and personality.
Then there is the bar: grounded, polished, and architectural.
The use of metal gives the space an edge that keeps it from feeling too traditional. It sharpens the overall aesthetic and adds a level of craftsmanship that can be felt both visually and physically. In hospitality design, that tactile quality matters. Guests interact with the bar closely. They lean on it, gather around it, order from it, and experience the room through it.
For JoJo’s, the bar had to feel like a centerpiece, not an afterthought.
Historic Character, Modern Execution
Because JoJo’s occupies a historic Chagrin Falls building, the design needed to respect the existing architecture while still creating a fresh hospitality experience. The renovation preserved the sense of character associated with the original structure, while the new interior brought in a more deliberate and elevated point of view.
That balance is visible throughout the project. The space does not rely on nostalgia alone. Instead, it uses traditional references — patterned textiles, classic stone flooring, rich paneling, warm lighting — and reinterprets them through a modern lens.
The metalwork supports that approach. It introduces a crafted, architectural element that feels both practical and refined. In a room filled with decorative richness, the metal bar top becomes a grounding feature. It gives the design a center of gravity.
Designed for Atmosphere
Hospitality interiors are ultimately about feeling. They have to photograph beautifully, function well, and create a memorable experience for guests.
JoJo’s achieves that through contrast and restraint. The room is layered, but controlled. The palette is bold, but cohesive. The bar is prominent, but integrated. Nothing feels accidental.
For La Bastille, the project is a strong example of how custom metalwork can shape the identity of a space. In this case, the bar is more than a place to serve drinks. It is the architectural centerpiece of the restaurant — a defining material moment within a larger design story.
At JoJo’s Bar, metalwork helps transform a historic building into a modern steakhouse interior with presence, polish, and permanence.
Are you an interior designer looking to add a pewter bar to your next project?
Reach out through our website, and our Director of Business Development will be in touch with you.
Just looking for now?
Download our lookbook here.