AN EYE FOR DESIGN
Those who have lounged on the back patio of Washington Dining & Cocktails, sipped coffee at Thump downtown or cozied up into a booth at Drake or Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. have unknowingly enjoyed the work of Sara Hobin. A local designer, long-time Bendite, and mother of three boys, Sara Hobin creates spaces that speak to people’s desire for comfort, beauty and function not only at home, but in their dining spaces.
Hobin’s career in design came a bit later in life, but the seeds were planted early on. At age 12, she wrote down “interior designer” when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. That childhood dream job quietly took a backseat while she pursued a career in the business side of creative work. With a degree in journalism and advertising from the University of Oregon, Hobin launched a successful career working for advertising agencies first in San Francisco and then later in Bend.
Although immersed in the world of advertising, Hobin continued to nurture her eye for design, remodeling her home several times and assisting friends with their homes’ spatial planning and design. Her talent didn’t go unrecognized by those closest to her.
A DESIGN CAREER BEGINS
Her portfolio began to take shape when her brother-in-law leased the building on the corner of Riverside Drive and Wall Street in downtown Bend in 2013. Hobin eagerly accepted the offer to participate in the interior design of the space that is now known as Drake. The project provided Hobin with valuable experience in spatial planning, materials, branding and marketing.
The spaces she creates are purposeful and intentional to satisfy a range of clients with an inviting and elevated appeal. Sara Hobin Design work is recognizable at multiple other Central Oregon restaurants, including Walt Reilly’s, El Rancho Grande and most recently, Mountain Burger in NorthWest Crossing. There, Hobin and a team managed a comprehensive redesign from concept development, naming, branding, signage, menu creation to the interior design.
In approaching the space’s aesthetic, Hobin found inspiration in modern mountain design, a style that incorporates natural elements of mountain living with contemporary design principles, emphasizing clean lines, open spaces and functionality. The remodel involved substantial spatial and aesthetic changes. “We took an existing space that was beautiful, but it was dark and Old World. We brightened and lightened it up,” said Hobin.
A RESTAURANT REDEUX
The first step was painting the existing red brick a welcoming cream color, accentuating the existing beams on the ceiling and setting the tone for the space’s new identity. Hobin’s experience in spatial planning came into play in the alteration of the kitchen. Her team opened up the exposure of the space with the addition of windows accented by shiplap. The more open concept still allowed for a separation between the bar and dining sections. Down-lighting was replaced with scone fixtures to create a brighter atmosphere.
Outdoors, Hobin’s focus was on comfort. “We redesigned the outdoor patio, adding a fire pit and lounge seating, effectively creating an al fresco living room.” The welcoming area beckons those passing by into the space.
Her approach to a color palette is rooted in her marketing sensibility. She explained, “I like to use two main colors consistently throughout the project, colors that we tie into the restaurant’s branding and marketing.” Hobin uses wallpaper in many of her projects as a way to further expand on a client’s individual style and personality.
In design, these small details often elevate a project from good to exceptional. “It’s the little things that add depth and character,” she emphasized. At Mountain Burger, Pendleton fabric accents can be found throughout the space, in bench upholstery and patio pillows. Eye-catching blue and white wicker chairs and regional-inspired artwork by artist Andy Thornton infuse the bar area with personable charm.
ENRICHING SPACES FOR DINING AND LIVING
Hobin’s design philosophy, as she puts it, is to craft spaces and experiences that are both captivating and comfortable while maintaining a classic, approachable and friendly allure. In addition to her restaurant design projects, Hobin has notably worked for more than a decade to build and grow the home-staging business Style 8 Design alongside its owner, Jennifer Thornton.
Hobin’s unwavering dedication to her craft enriches local spaces, making them more welcoming, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing for all. See more of Sara Hobin Design projects or learn more at sarahobindesign.com.
