Sketchbook: Rossella

Welcome to Sketchbook — a space where we share the latest ideas and culinary experiences emerging from the Faber studio.

Rossella is a third-generation Italian restaurant - a rarity in itself, and the starting point for the design of their second site in Muswell Hill, following the original in Kentish Town.

The concept draws from the idea of layers of history. From the grandfather, who established the first restaurant in the 1960s, through the father in the 70s, to the current generation, each era has left its mark. Rather than referencing a single moment in time, the design brings these influences together - allowing the story of the family to be felt throughout the space.

A central bar forms the heart of the restaurant, dividing the main dining room from Nonna’s Lounge - a more energetic, late-night space defined by chrome detailing and bold, square ceiling lights. Across the interiors, furniture and finishes subtly reference the 70s and 80s, with tubular chrome, varied colours and layered textures creating a sense of evolution rather than uniformity.

The result is a space where the past isn’t preserved - it’s present. A restaurant shaped by its history, but very much alive in the present day.