Local design studio Mammoth has reimagined a former Chinese restaurant in Williamsburg into Field Guide, a serene farm-to-table dining space inspired by the bucolic landscapes of Upstate New York and the muted visual language of American painter Andrew Wyeth.
Led by chef Tim Meyers, the restaurant reflects his roots in rural New York, with ingredients sourced from the region and interiors that evoke its pastoral calm. The design team at Mammoth embraced the challenge of blending Williamsburg’s urban aesthetic with a more rustic sensibility, ultimately crafting a space that balances nostalgic charm with contemporary elegance.
Wyeth-Inspired Lighting and Materials
Mammoth founder Maryana Grinshpun shared that Meyers had specific design aspirations: he wanted tablecloths and a space that didn’t follow typical restaurant tropes. The goal was to evoke the ambiance of 19th-century dining spaces, where simplicity and character took precedence.
Instead of candlelight, Mammoth opted for ultra-thin pendant lights by Lodes, suspended delicately over each table. “We wanted to reinterpret the warmth of a single flame in a modern way,” Grinshpun explained. “These lights sway gently, mimicking the flicker of candlelight, and create a soft, intimate glow throughout the restaurant.”
A Bar Rooted in Artistic Influence
At the heart of the restaurant sits a stunning bar with a limestone base and a rippling, translucent acrylic top, hand-sculpted to catch and reflect light. This feature draws inspiration from Hiroshi Sugimoto’s installation Appropriate Proportion, which also plays with light and materiality.
The bar’s countertop emits a soft sheen that enhances the surrounding finishes—including hemp-covered barstools and a still-life-style photograph by New York artist Oliver Jevremov, featuring found objects and fruit reminiscent of Dutch painting traditions.
Reimagining Tradition with a Modern Edge
To root the space in its Brooklyn location while still nodding to countryside tradition, Mammoth lined the walls with aluminium channels and silver leaf panels, a modern take on wainscotting. The restaurant also features oak flooring that adds warmth and continuity.
“We intentionally avoided generic restaurant styles,” said Grinshpun. “Instead, we asked ourselves: what did restaurants look like before they all started looking the same? That question guided our design process.”
Local Talent, Global Inspiration
Mammoth, based in Dumbo, Brooklyn, is led by Maryana Grinshpun and Jessica Maktal, and is known for transformative renovation projects across New York City. Field Guide joins a growing list of bespoke Brooklyn interiors, including Plan Plan’s Nin Hao and a minimalist wine bar by Studio Ahead.
Photography by Pratya Jankong captures the intimate textures and ambient light of the finished space.