Our collaboration with Taste began in the heart of Norfolk’s Ghent District and has since grown into a lasting partnership built on shared values of quality, community, and craftsmanship. Each Taste location is more than a café — it’s a gathering place that celebrates local flavor and thoughtful design.
From the reclaimed Sycamore surfaces of Taste Ghent, where our relationship first began, to the refined mix of Sycamore and Walnut in Taste Westhampton, every element was crafted to reflect the brand’s signature warmth and authenticity. Each piece honors both the land and the people behind it — built by hand, made to last, and designed to bring people together over good food and good company.
Taste | Ghent, Norfolk, VA
Located on 21st Street in Norfolk’s vibrant Ghent District, this Taste location marks the beginning of our ongoing relationship with the iconic Virginia brand. When Taste sought to bring warmth and authenticity into their café environment, Benevolent Design Co. was proud to help shape a space that reflects their dedication to quality and community.
Completed in Spring 2016, the project features handcrafted surfaces and furnishings made from reclaimed Sycamore slabs, responsibly sourced and milled in Richmond, VA. The natural grain and organic character of Sycamore bring a soft contrast to the café’s clean, modern aesthetic — celebrating local materiality and timeless craftsmanship.
Custom pieces included:
Countertops with vertical faces — reclaimed Sycamore slabs
Coffee table — reclaimed Sycamore slab
Coffee service station — reclaimed Sycamore slabs
Merchandise display table — reclaimed Yellow Pine
Each element was designed to balance beauty with everyday function, grounding the space in natural texture and honest materials. The result is a warm, inviting interior that captures the spirit of both Taste and Benevolent Design Co. — thoughtful, enduring, and unmistakably local.
Taste | Westhampton, Richmond
Located in the Westhampton neighborhood of Richmond, Taste expanded beyond Hampton Roads with this warm, contemporary space that continues the brand’s signature blend of specialty food market and upscale café. As with previous collaborations, Benevolent Design Co. was honored to help bring the Taste experience to life through thoughtful craftsmanship and locally reclaimed materials.
Completed in Summer 2018, the project highlights reclaimed Sycamore slabs sourced from the northeast region of Virginia Beach, paired with elegant Walnut accents to balance natural warmth with modern function. The result is a space that feels both refined and rooted — a continuation of Taste’s commitment to quality, community, and local connection.
Custom pieces included:
Counters — reclaimed Sycamore slabs
Bar-height tables with built-in power supplies — reclaimed Sycamore slabs
Coffee table — reclaimed Sycamore slab
14’ communal table — Walnut
Dining tables — Walnut
Each piece was crafted to reflect the natural character of its materials and the enduring partnership between Taste and Benevolent Design Co. — built to serve, gather, and inspire for years to come.
