One of my absolute favorite things about Parisian cafes is how they set up the seats in a way that encourages people watching! Of course, we had to add that little detail to our Parisian cafe installation! For this backdrop, we borrowed all of the iconic elements of a street-side cafe and turned our studio into a little bit of Paris. This interactive installation would be so perfect for a brunch party! Read on to see how we did it!

We’ve been excited to do this ever since our ice cream truck installation (did you miss it?). Use the ledge to serve as a buffet — or add little potted plants!

Materials Needed: 26″ Savage seamless paper (in bright white), ruler, pencil, oblong dish, x-acto knife, scissors, painters tape, red acrylic paint, paintbrush, 1/4″ by 48″ wooden dowel, fishing wire, gaffers tape, cardstock (in light gray and pink), glue stick

Step 1: It’s best to make for an area that already has a shelf, but if not, we used this from Ikea. Measure the width and depth of the top of the shelf. Then cut a piece of seamless paper that is 26-¾” wide and 8-1/2” plus the depth of the shelf.

Step 2: Draw a line to section off the top 3” of the paper and the bottom 5-1/2” of the paper. The remaining middle section should be the width of the shelf.

Step 3: Trace the bottom of the dish along the bottom of the 5-1/2” section to make a scalloped edge. Glue cardstock to the back end of the 5-1/2″ section. Then cut out the scallops.

Step 4: Apply painters tape to the pencil lines and paint every other section red. Once dry, carefully remove the tape to reveal stripes!

Step 5: Fold back the 3” section at the top to create a tab, and the 5-1/2″ section.

Step 6: To hang the awning, cut the wooden dowel to size, then tie two long pieces of fishing wire to both ends the dowel. This dowel will lay under the fold of the scallops and support the weight of the awning. Secure the ends of the fishing wire to the ceiling with gaffers tape, so the dowel hangs horizontally. Rest the fold where the scallops start on top of the dowel, then attach the 3” tab section to the wall with gaffers tape.

Step 7: For windows, cut six 10-¼” by 8 ½” rectangles out of gray cardstock. Tape the windows to the wall, under the awning.

Step 8: Print a Paris cafe design onto red cardstock and cut out the elements. Cut a second set of letters out of pink cardstock. Layer the pink letters underneath the red ones to create a drop shadow, then glue them together. Tape the design the to wall.

Step 9: For decorative bricks, cut fifteen 5-⅛” by 2-½” rectangles out of pink cardstock. Tape three bricks to the wall in a pyramid formation. Repeat for the rest and you’re all set!

Crafting by Justine Pon
Photography & Styling by Naomi Julia Satake

SHOP THE POST: Top, stripe pants, beret, bistro table, pink cups, 11″ balloons