Years. It’s literally taken us years to finally document our Pallet design project through the lens of our favorite COLLECTIVE photographer, Kerri Fukui. We’ve given you a few less-than-stellar, point-and-shoot perspectives on this, our first-ever restaurant design project…and we’ve documented the top-notch staff and menu in a business feature. But here we are today, finally presenting our commercial first-born with a proper set of COLLECTIVE images. And rather than hash out the details of a project that’s been wrapped since 2012, we thought we’d offer something different in the way of enlightenment. Here are a few things that you may not have known about our design choices for Pallet:

We helped name it. 

1. Pallet may seem a misspell (see: palate), but it’s an intentional nod to the building’s beginnings as a loading dock. Terribly clever.

2. Speaking of the name–and you’re likely to have noticed this one already–the 8-foot “walls” separating the entry from the diners on either side are actually crafted of pallets.

3. Every painting in Pallet was commissioned specifically for the restaurant. Cody enlisted his uber-talented sister-in-law, Courtney Derrick, and the two curated a set of works that would underscore the moody vibe of the space. Courtney painted every last piece, from the landscapes to Porter Rockwell. 

 The handsome couple on the north wall? They’re actually her great grandparents. #fam

4. Nearly all of the lighting in Pallet is salvaged, with a few exceptions (e.g. the globes over the bar and the art lights).

5. The bar on the south wall of the space (just near the kitchen) is in the shape of Utah, and the wee bulb that floats above is placed just where Salt Lake City lies. #hometownpride

6. The mirror behind the main bar is essentially a puzzle. Squares and rectangles from all different places were pieced together and framed in salvaged wood. And we love it.

Said one Harvard professor, “Occupied time feels shorter than unoccupied time.”

7. The typewriter outside the restrooms was not meant simply to be cute or promote community engagement…it’s also a bit of trickery, based on an old study involving elevator wait times and impatience. Really, it’s a distraction…something to take the sting out of waiting for the restroom after a few glasses of red. You’re welcome.

8. The floors and lid of the restaurant (that fantastic skylight included) are completely original to the space. Wouldn’t have dreamed of messing with that business.

9. The large, metal doorway that leads to the hallway and restrooms was one of the original loading docks. The right side (covered in corrugated metal) doesn’t lead anywhere, as the kitchen wall is just behind, but we wanted to maintain the complete facade, nevertheless.