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Wildland + Lilo, aka Wilo

  • Prize
    Winner in Interior Design Restaurant – Casual
  • Company/Firm
    Bells + Whistles
  • Lead Designer
    Barbara Rourke + Jason St John
  • Interior Designer
    Bells + Whistles
  • Hospitality
    John Resnick
  • Construction Company
    Hawkins Construction
  • Photo Credit
    Élodie Bost, Gage Forster, Shelby Moore, Kimberly Motos
  • Location
    Carlsbad
  • Project Date
    04/2025

Housed in the original 1970s Morey Boogie Boards factory, this adaptive reuse turns an old industrial space into two connected dining experiences: Wildland, a bright café, bakery, and pizzeria, and Lilo, an intimate 22-seat tasting restaurant tucked within. Over three years, every detail was reimagined to reflect Carlsbad’s coastal landscape and community spirit. Natural light floods Wildland’s concrete and terra cotta floors, Venetian plaster walls, and custom wood-fired oven at the heart of the open kitchen. A quiet garden wrapped by cedar and anchored by an Australian Bottle Tree leads to Lilo, where textured plaster walls echo nearby cliffs and white oak slats ripple like waves. Handcrafted materials, local artistry, and sustainable design tie both spaces together. Just six weeks after opening, Lilo received a Michelin star, affirming the shared vision of craft, connection, and a true sense of place.