# Modest Minimal Toronto Restaurants Guido Costantino Projects has Designed the Occhiolino Space By Amy Duong | Published 2025-04-23 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/occhiolino References: [fielddesignoffice](https://www.fielddesignoffice.com/) & [guidocostantino](https://www.guidocostantino.com/)  Canadian design firm Guido Costantino Projects has designed the Occhiolino restaurant, which is near the city's Little Italy neighborhood. It takes over what was once a mechanic's shop set back from the street. The team at the studio wanted to protect this industrial background by retaining the warm feeling of the building when transforming the space into a [casual restaurant](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorino) for the owners Nick Manzone and Luke Donato. It has [arcaded walls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capiche), which are made from straight stacking grey bricks in the front of the original building. The team explains, "The light-filled space from Guido Costantino Projects is an embodiment of [modest minimalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sko-restaurant). There was intentionality and discipline in avoiding luxurious materials and fussy ornamentation, which felt wholly inappropriate to the essence of the building's blue-collar form and history." Image Credit: Riley Snelling ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 20% | Freshness: 39% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Modest Minimalism:** Embracing modest minimalism in interior design creates visually appealing spaces that focus on simplicity and functionality, moving away from ostentatious luxury to resonate with a broader audience. - **Repurposed Industrial Spaces:** Transforming former industrial sites into trendy eateries injects new life into old structures, offering novel dining experiences that cherish the heritage and original charm of the location. - **Promotion of Local Culture:** Highlighting a community's unique identity through restaurant design fosters a stronger connection with customers, providing an immersive cultural experience that enhances dining pleasure. ### Where This Applies - **Interior Design:** The industry is witnessing a shift towards minimalist and functional design elements that articulate simplicity while maintaining an aesthetic appeal. - **Urban Redevelopment:** As cities evolve, the transformation of derelict spaces into vibrant community hubs paves the way for innovative uses of industrial architecture. - **Culinary Arts:** Restaurants are exploring how thoughtful design complements culinary offerings, creating cohesive experiences that intrigue and captivate diners. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Toronto Pizzeria Interior Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/north-of-brooklyn-1.md) - [Modern 1970s Milan-Inspired Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oretta-downtown.md) - [Fast-Casual Industrial Style Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rale-milanga.md) - [Opulent Dining Venues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sammarco.md) - [Grotto-Like Punctuated Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cibaria.md) - [Playful Restaurant Elevations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toms-pasta.md) - [Minimal Interior Sushi Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sushibox-restaurant.md) - [Bank-Transformed Italian Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lina-stores-1.md) - [Paired-Back Chinese Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pairedback-chinese-restaurant.md)