Founded by Hannah Collins, ROY emphasizes the importance of communal dining and connection. With a history in the hospitality sector, including time at San Francisco’s The Slanted Door and Beretta, Hannah uses her deep understanding of hospitality to craft spaces that celebrate food, drink, and ambiance. After graduating from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2013, Hannah launched what’s now ROY, a design firm known for its unique approach to texture, color, and patterns, boasting an impressive portfolio across the U.S. Learn more about Hannah Collins in today’s Designer Friday.
Media Noche, inspired by Cuba’s culture, was aimed to be “Instagramable” with its white, plant-filled interior and custom-designed pink floral cement tile floor.
Andrew Joseph: If you weren’t a designer, you’d be a …
Hannah Collins: Lawyer. I have always been fascinated with the Judiciary system and I am the one trying to get picked for jury duty.
AJ: What’s your favorite cocktail?
HC: Negroni.
AJ: What’s something you always travel with?
HC: My dogs. I have 3, they range from 10-90 lbs and usually always have at least one with me.
At Jo’s Modern Thai, Hannah Collins kept elements of the owners Thai heritage with various methods, one of them being the Rattan bar stools placed against the zellige tiled bar kick.
AJ: What was your first job?
HC: Working at my mom’s coffee shop.
AJ: Are you a good cook? If so, what’s your specialty?
HC: I like to think so! I love to bake but people are obsessed with the salads I make, even if you aren’t into salads. I have had incredible chefs over to my house for dinner and they always mention the salad.
At the SPQR restaurant, Hannah Collins enhanced the space for chef-owner Matthew Accarino’s Italian dishes, infusing iconic emerald and brass touches while highlighting cherished artworks, creating a rejuvenated yet familiar ambiance.
AJ: How would you describe your personal style?
HC: American classics with an alternative edge.
AJ: How would you define your work in three words?
HC: Timeless, High-low, Conceptual.
About the Designer | ROY’s design ethos is inspired by their passion for hospitality, believing the simple act of gathering over a meal is a fundamental part of life. From quaint wine bars to taquerias to chic Italian bistros, the firm’s designs are conceptually driven, preserving functionality, while honoring each client’s heritage and vision, and showcase ROY’s unique use of texture, color, patterns, and materials.
The studio’s expansive portfolio features restaurants, breweries, cafes, bars and hotels throughout the United States, including staples like Barzotto, Kaiyo, Hazies, Yonder Escalante, Sam’s Anchor Cafe, The Tailor’s Son, The Riddler, and SPQR. The firm is currently working on a number of upcoming spaces in California and beyond, as well as expanding their services to include brand visioning, graphic design, verbal identity, naming strategy, brand collateral, print production and implementation.
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