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18 August, 2026
Barbana, a Mediterranean Café in the Sierra de Málaga
A complete renovation and redistribution of the space to create a relaxed and visually striking atmosphere at Barbana.
Project overview
Location: Teba, Sierra de Málaga (Málaga).
Type of venue: café with a dual purpose (coffee/ice cream and drinks).
Type of project: complete renovation and redistribution of the space.
Area: 50 m² (a small space, optimised to make the most of every square metre).
Capacity: around 20 guests between the indoor area and terrace.
Duration of the renovation: 10 months.
A complete renovation and redistribution of the space to create a relaxed and visually striking atmosphere at Barbana.
A complete renovation and redistribution of the space to create a relaxed and visually striking atmosphere at Barbana.
Located in a picturesque village in the mountains of Malaga, the new premises had to stand out visually and offer a cozy and sensory experience from the first glance.
With this premise, we carried out a complete renovation and redistribution of the old premises, managing to give life to a new cafeteria with a completely renovated and contemporary aesthetic, without losing the Mediterranean soul that defines the region.
3 main objectives
Barbana is a small venue —just 50 m² between the indoor space and terrace, with capacity for around 20 guests—, so before choosing the furniture, three clear objectives shaped the entire renovation:
- Make the most of every square metre: ensure that a compact space feels comfortable and functional, without feeling cramped or wasting any corner.
- Make the same small venue work for two very different purposes —coffee and ice cream during the day, drinks in the evening— without losing visual continuity.
- Create a venue that stands out visually in the village, combining a contemporary aesthetic with the Mediterranean soul of the region through local materials, colours and textures.
Making the most of just 50 m².
The main challenge was fitting everything a hospitality venue needs into a small space —a bar, coffee/ice cream area, drinks area and terrace— without making it feel cramped. This was achieved through a complete redistribution of the space that makes use of every corner, along with a side bar that does not take space away from the tables.
A venue that needed a complete transformation.
The project began with an outdated venue that lacked visual impact. The solution was a complete renovation, with a new exposed-brick façade that evokes traditional Andalusian architecture and an interior redesigned from top to bottom.
Two businesses in one (small) space.
Coffee/ice cream and evening drinks have different rhythms and appeal to different customers, yet here they coexist within just a few square metres. The solution was a side bar divided into two functional areas, separating the uses without disrupting visual continuity or taking up more space than necessary.
Guiding customers through the space without signage.
Instead of using signs, colour, materials and natural greenery were used to define the different areas and intuitively guide customers from one space to another.
Withstanding the intensive use of a café.
A café that operates from morning to night requires durable materials. This is why high-resistance porcelain flooring and wood and rope furniture designed for intensive daily use were chosen.
Creating a Mediterranean atmosphere without falling into clichés.
Authenticity was achieved through a carefully considered palette: aqua-toned tiles, limewashed walls, wicker ceilings and wood panelling, while avoiding an excess of decorative elements.
Our team found the right solutions
The facade, built with exposed brick and with a modern aesthetic, evokes the traditional Andalusian architecture. Entering we can see the side bar divided into two functional areas: one designed for drinks, and another dedicated to coffee and ice cream, differentiating the use without losing aesthetic continuity.
Inside, a sense of visual harmony has been achieved through colours, materials and natural greenery, all carefully selected to guide customers through the different areas.
The aqua-toned tiles evoke coastal landscapes, while limewashed walls add freshness and a sense of tradition. Wicker ceilings envelop the space in warmth, complemented by wood panelling and high-resistance porcelain flooring with a natural finish. Together, these materials, colours and textures evoke coastal aesthetics, tradition and authenticity.
Lighting plays a leading role, with a carefully curated selection of handcrafted lamps accompanied by wood and rope furniture that reinforces the Mediterranean and natural character of the space —such as the FABIO upholstered chairs in earthy tones, tables with ETORE teak tops and HORMIGO micro-concrete tops on ELARA and AUGUST bases, and ENZO wooden stools at the bar—.. Every corner has been designed to create a sense of calm, simplicity and enjoyment.
For the terrace and outdoor areas, weather-resistant pieces were chosen (such as the olive-green PIAMONTE OUTDOOR CHAIR), maintaining the natural aesthetic of the interior while offering greater resistance to outdoor conditions.
At Barbana, we deliberately chose to avoid:
- Installing two separate bars: instead, a single bar divided into two areas was chosen, making more efficient use of both space and staff.
- Using delicate flooring finishes: high-resistance porcelain flooring was selected to withstand the intensive daily use of a café.
- Overloading the venue with themed décor: an authentic Mediterranean feel was created through a limited palette of materials —limewash, wicker, wood and tiles.
- Using signage: the different areas are defined through colour, materials and greenery rather than signs.
- Choosing heavy or difficult-to-move furniture: lightweight wood and rope pieces were prioritised, making everyday tasks easier for staff.
These are the key decisions behind the final result:
- A side bar divided into two areas instead of two separate bars. In just 50 m², every square metre counts: a single bar serving coffee/ice cream and drinks saves space and optimises staffing, frees up room for tables and keeps the interior visually cohesive.
- Furniture proportioned to the size of the venue. Compact pieces with lightweight profiles —wood and rope chairs, stools at the bar— were chosen to maximise the available space and allow a small venue to breathe, while the terrace provides additional seating capacity.
- High-resistance porcelain flooring. In a café subject to intensive use, porcelain flooring withstands constant foot traffic and frequent cleaning much better than other finishes, while offering a natural aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the overall design.
- Upholstered chairs in earthy tones and wood and rope furniture. They bring Mediterranean colour to the project, are lightweight —important for staff who need to move them every day— and the upholstery can be replaced in the same colour, making maintenance easier.
- Teak and micro-concrete tabletops on metal bases. They combine a natural aesthetic with durability: teak withstands humidity and intensive use well, while micro-concrete provides a highly durable contemporary finish. The metal base provides stability for tables subject to high turnover.
- Colour, materials and greenery as “signage”. Instead of signs, changes in materials and colours guide customers between the different areas. This design choice keeps the aesthetic clean while improving the overall experience. Instead of signs, changes in materials and colours guide customers between the different areas. This design choice keeps the aesthetic clean while improving the overall experience.
Every restaurant teaches us something different.
At Barbana, we confirmed that a small venue —in this case, just 50 m²— is not a limitation, but an opportunity to make smarter use of space. With a carefully planned layout, a bar divided according to function and compact furniture, the same space can accommodate two different concepts —a café by day and a cocktail bar by night— without compromising visual continuity or creating a cramped atmosphere, while the terrace provides additional seating capacity. We also found that, in a café located in a small village, choosing authentic local materials —limewash, wicker and Mediterranean tiles— creates a stronger sense of identity than additional decoration, and that combining them with highly durable flooring and furniture ensures the design can withstand intensive daily use.
A bold new look rooted in local culture.
This project not only transforms a place, but reinterprets the spirit of the environment with a groundbreaking proposal in image and deeply rooted in the landscape and local culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make the most of a small hospitality venue?
With a complete redistribution of the space to organise the different uses, a side bar that does not take space away from the tables, compact furniture with lightweight profiles, and a terrace that provides additional seating capacity. At Barbana, just 50 m² accommodate coffee, ice cream, drinks and a terrace.
How can a daytime café and an evening drinks venue work in the same space?
With a side bar divided into two functional areas —one for coffee and ice cream, the other for drinks— that separates the different uses without disrupting visual continuity, while maintaining a consistent palette of materials throughout the space.
What type of flooring is best suited to the intensive use of a café?
High-resistance porcelain flooring: it withstands constant foot traffic and frequent cleaning better than other finishes, while offering a natural aesthetic that fits perfectly into Mediterranean-style interiors.
What furniture is suitable for a high-turnover café?
Lightweight, durable pieces: wood, rope or upholstered chairs with replaceable upholstery, and tables with teak or micro-concrete tops on metal bases. They withstand daily use and are easy for staff to move.
How do you guide customers through the space without filling it with signs?
By using colour, changes in materials and greenery to define the different areas. This intuitively guides customers through the space while maintaining a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.
How do you create an authentic Mediterranean aesthetic without falling into clichés?
With carefully selected local materials: aqua-toned tiles, limewashed walls, wicker ceilings, wood panelling and natural-look porcelain flooring, while avoiding an excess of decorative elements.
Is teak a good choice for café tables?
Yes. Teak withstands humidity and intensive use well, and the tabletop can be refinished over time. Combined with a metal base, it is a solution particularly well suited to hospitality environments.
Are these furniture pieces available to reorder or expand later?
Much of the furniture used at Barbana is part of MisterWils’ permanent stock, making it possible to replace items with the same model or expand the venue while maintaining a consistent aesthetic.
Project developed by
Barbana location:
C/ San Francisco 16-P01
29327, Teba
Málaga – España
Project developed by
Ubicación de Barbana:
C/ San Francisco 16-P01
29327, Teba
Málaga – España
Furniture used in the project
ETORE TEAK WOOD TABLETOP
In stock
✔ In stock: 74 units
118,58€ 982,52€Price range: NO DISCOUNT APPLIED (excluding VAT) 118,58€ through 982,52€
Curry
Mustard
Sage Green
Tile
FABIO UPHOLSTERED CHAIR
In stock
✔ In stock: 116 units
95,59€ 131,89€Price range: NO DISCOUNT APPLIED (excluding VAT) 95,59€ through 131,89€
Olive Green
PIAMONTE OUTDOOR CHAIR
In stock
✔ In stock: 295 units
163,35€ 175,45€Price range: NO DISCOUNT APPLIED (excluding VAT) 163,35€ through 175,45€HORMIGO ROASTED CONCRETE TABLETOP
In stock
✔ In stock: 10 units
206,91€ 568,70€Price range: NO DISCOUNT APPLIED (excluding VAT) 206,91€ through 568,70€AUGUST HIGH TABLE FRAME
Out of stock
✖ Out of stock (made to order or coming soon)
95,59€ (VAT included)Latest news in trendy furniture | MisterWils
Brown
Dark Green
TEDDY UPHOLSTERED CHAIR
In stock
✔ In stock: 88 units
95,59€ 107,69€Price range: NO DISCOUNT APPLIED (excluding VAT) 95,59€ through 107,69€
Boiler
Bordeaux
Camel
Champagne
Moka
+2
Navy blue
Sand
WESTON UPHOLSTERED CHAIR
In stock
✔ In stock: 245 units
107,69€ 127,05€Price range: NO DISCOUNT APPLIED (excluding VAT) 107,69€ through 127,05€
Green
Ivory
Olive Green
Tile
NOBU UPHOLSTERED CHAIR
In stock
✔ In stock: 51 units
114,95€ 131,89€Price range: NO DISCOUNT APPLIED (excluding VAT) 114,95€ through 131,89€Professional registration in MisterWils PRO
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Basic information on data protection:
Your data will be processed by MISTERWILS S.L. for the sole purpose of responding to your query or request. They will not be transferred to any third party. Our retention period, if you are not a customer, is 1 year. You can exercise your rights of access, rectification, limitation of processing, portability, opposition to the processing and deletion of your data and not to be subject to automated decisions in our mail: [email protected]. To learn more you can visit our Privacy Policy.
Professional registration in MisterWils PRO
Complete the unique registration process and gain access to all the exclusive benefits of MisterWils PRO.
Enjoy your discount as a professional
Sales representative available for questions and doubts
Custom-made furniture, customized projects
Customized shipping and dropshipping
Basic information on data protection:
Your data will be processed by MISTERWILS S.L. for the sole purpose of responding to your query or request. They will not be transferred to any third party. Our retention period, if you are not a customer, is 1 year. You can exercise your rights of access, rectification, limitation of processing, portability, opposition to the processing and deletion of your data and not to be subject to automated decisions in our mail: [email protected]. To learn more you can visit our Privacy Policy.
Professional registration in MisterWils PRO
Complete the unique registration process and gain access to all the exclusive benefits of MisterWils PRO.
Enjoy your discount as a professional
Sales representative available for questions and doubts
Custom-made furniture, customized projects
Customized shipping and dropshipping
Basic information on data protection:
Your data will be processed by MISTERWILS S.L. for the sole purpose of responding to your query or request. They will not be transferred to any third party. Our retention period, if you are not a customer, is 1 year. You can exercise your rights of access, rectification, limitation of processing, portability, opposition to the processing and deletion of your data and not to be subject to automated decisions in our mail: [email protected]. To learn more you can visit our Privacy Policy.
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