From brunch to dinner at Krug Pizza Bar

Krug Pizza Bar, located in the village of Viškovo, Croatia, is a cosy and stylish venue, equally suited for an evening with friends or a relaxed family brunch. The restaurant recently moved to a larger, more modern space and expanded its culinary offerings. “It was a brilliant decision,” says interior designer Lara Komadina, who led the project. “Viškovo is a vibrant and thriving commercial area, and a place like Krug was much needed. The new venue, which previously housed a restaurant, had great potential but required a complete makeover to meet the Krug brand standards and recreate the desired atmosphere and buzz.”

Krug Pizza Bar is the perfect spot to meet at any time of day, “A place where you can enjoy brunch or lunch during the day and a fine dinner in the evening,” explains Komadina. “For the interior, I aimed to create a smooth transition from traditional to modern styles. The space is dominated by natural tones, complemented by bold accents such as blue and red. We used wooden chairs with a traditional design and warm-toned wood panelling. Black and white ceramic tiles highlight specific areas, while the remaining tiles were chosen in muted, earthy shades. By combining these elements with soft ambient lighting, customised decorations and greenery, we have created a space that is both aesthetically refined and highly functional while maintaining a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.”

Komadina combined traditional restaurant motifs with a modern touch, incorporating decorative elements and a large pizza kiln as the focal point. “The design process involved countless sketches, research and creative experimentation,” she explains. “Ceramic tiles have always been central to my vision. The Fioranese collections perfectly captured the sense of balance I was striving for, seamlessly bridging traditional and modern styles.”

The interior layout balances open and private spaces, making the restaurant suitable for all types of guests during both the daytime and evening. “At first glance, the space is striking – large, airy and full of potential. However, distinctive features such as the large open entrance posed challenges during the renovation due to limited flexibility. But rather than seeing these constraints as obstacles, we embraced them and focused on creating a space that would be as functional as possible. Of course, ensuring that it was visually appealing was just as important to us.”

For Krug Pizza Bar, Komadina chose I Cocci Siciliani tiles for the floors and Le Riggiole tiles as Art Deco accents. “These tiles perfectly convey the story we wanted to tell, beautifully complementing other interior elements such as my customised wallpaper and wood panels to create an atmosphere of warmth and accessible elegance,” she explains. “I used Le Riggiole tiles to define specific areas, exploiting their bold design to make a statement, while the remaining tiles feature more subtle yet equally striking patterns. Combined with other materials, these choices make for a cosy and inviting interior.”

Komadina frequently incorporates ceramic tiles into her projects. “They are not only beautiful but also highly functional, which is an essential aspect for me,” she explains. “They offer a long-term solution, and the continuous advances in materials and technology have further increased their versatility. Ceramics can elevate interior design projects by combining aesthetic appeal with practicality.”