Ruthie’s Frozen Custard

Ruthie’s was a bit of a design puzzle: how do you make a frozen custard shop feel simultaneously like New Orleans, a Midwestern diner, and Southern California all at once, and make it feel completely natural?

I worked closely with owner Adam Gerber to create a space that is comfortable, functional, beautiful, and, most importantly, fun. We pulled from everywhere, finding pieces that make a place feel familiar and genuinely loved. It’s nostalgic without being retro, polished without being precious, and playful without feeling childish.

I think we really nailed it.

Photos by Haley Rowe-Kadow