Paper MillCoffee

Paper Mill Coffee

Interior Design for Paper Mill's flagship coffee shop and roastery in Tallinn, Estonia. Housed in a listed art nouveau building dating back to 1911, it served as the fire station within a large paper factory complex. Designed remotely from London during the pandemic, it was an adventure into colour and texture, seeing the space only through video and photos until the start of the build. The concept plays with the historical references of the industrial era, futurism, cubism and abstract art, contrasting the avant-garde to the art nouveau facade.
Helen Sirp Interior Design Paper Mill Coffee

Inspired by the machines and industrial elements, the once alive Paper factory is transformed into an artisan Coffee factory of sorts. Reminiscent of that, the menus are designed on paper rolls, and the cardboard tubes become ceiling lights. The custom built structures are industrial metal tubes with robust key clamp connectors, painted a tonal range of coffee colours, mustards and oranges. The bar front reverses the tube motif as a cutout pattern from the surface.

The bar tops and tables are cut from a selection of Durat colours, combined with vintage operator chairs in a factory line layout and retro lamps from the Eastern block. Angular bar stools are a custom versions of Toivo Raidmets chairs.
Helen Sirp Interior Design Paper Mill Coffee
Helen Sirp Interior Design Paper Mill Coffee

The interior is completed to perfection by the minimalist paintings of Sandra Sirp, matching the tonal range of the space. Inspired by the pandemic shortage, the lavatories serve as a secret stash for toilet paper rolls.

Interior Concept & Design: Helen Sirp
Photography: Marek Metslaid, Helen Sirp
Helen Sirp Interior Design Paper Mill Coffee