Co.de co-owners Markéta and Lukáš with their assistant
Text: Martina Hošková, M.Zisso; Photo: Archive
Have you ever enjoyed the many relaxing walking trails and city views of Prague’s Vítkov Hill? This green area creates a natural borderline between two distinctive neighbourhoods: Karlín on one side, and Žižkov on the other. And it is in the latter neighbourhood, located right below the hill, that this original concept store and cosy café is – which we would like to draw your attention to, and suggest as a great spot to finish your next trip to the neighbourhood with. “We love to mix the old with the new because that is where the real home is,” says Markéta Rašková, co-owner of Co.de coffee and design shop on Husitská street. Why not try something new next time as well?
Drink. Eat. Shop. Relax.
The life paths of Markéta and Lukáš, the co-owners of Co.de, crossed in England, and it was also back then that they got the idea of a home design store combined with a café. After 12 years in England, the time was ripe for some major changes in their lives. They decided to move to Czechia, and together transform this nice dream into a reality. “Žižkov attracted us with its character, history, and special charm,” remembers Markéta. “A few days after finding our current location, we quit our jobs and started renovating the space ourselves. Within four months, we opened our dream!”
Inspired by the English approach to life and the character of Prague’s genius loci, Co.de wants to be a combination of both, and suit – as well as inspire – the taste of the locals. The primary concern is the quality, combined with a unique story behind each piece being offered here – both in home furniture and refreshments. In the shop, you can expect a fine selection of interior home pieces, especially from smaller manufacturers. Many of those manufacturers also pride themselves in their sustainable label. In the café, only quality and fresh ingredients are used in order to allow you to indulge in the honest taste of the drinks and food offered here.
“The mix of what we like, what we cherish, what reflects our personality – that should be our home.”
Making our homes bolder
“In the interior, we love to mix the old with the new because that is where the real home is. The mix of what we like, what we cherish, what reflects our personality – that should be our home. We hope to inspire people to make their homes bolder, more colourful, more unique, and different than what their neighbours next door have :). Our mission is to bring soul to your home,” describes Markéta in regards to Co.de’s vision.
In the shop, you can find modern, as well as vintage, decorations such as vases, candleholders, bowls, shelves, hangers, mirrors, and clocks, all of which can be easily combined together in modern, bohemian, scandi, or even traditional homes. A big portion of home textile is the pillows – cotton, wool, or velvet materials. In terms of lighting, there is a nice selection of hanging lights, floor and table lamps, and especially hanging rattan lights – hand-made very precisely, in a very high quality, beautiful, and modern design, so that people can easily include them in modern interiors as well.
Homemade desserts are made from quality ingredients
A notable part of the shop’s items is high-quality furniture. Many pieces they sell in Co.de are unique, whether they are original (vintage), newly made but looking ‘aged’, or are of a brand-new modern style. Original (vintage) furniture pieces such as cabinets, TV consoles, side tables, dining tables etc. are retouched and repaired as necessary – but the main point is that people can appreciate the history and feel of the piece, with its beautiful patina and marks of time. “We have pieces of furniture that are refurbished, with every little detail made to meet the needs of everyday use so that people should not be afraid to purchase such a piece – it’s not going to be just for décor, it’s fully functional!” ensures Markéta.
The second mentioned category of the new but ‘aged’-looking furniture includes pieces such as cabinets, dining chairs, dining tables, and chests of drawers made out of reclaimed wood, with their original patina and marks of the time – so they look old, but they are newly-made. These are also very original pieces of furniture; every piece could be slightly different. This furniture is made from FSC reclaimed recycled wood, which is the only globally recognisable certification for sustainability in this field.
The last category of new modern-style furniture offers items such as dining tables, chairs, cabinets, racks etc. made in modern and chic designs – a great quality for the price tag. As the owner concludes, “In terms of what sort of styles people can find at our place, it is rather wide as we bring to life bohemian and eclectic styles, which are rising in popularity everywhere (and especially outside of the Czech Republic), but are slowly gaining popularity here as well. However, we also love the modern urban style – where you can combine a bit of scandi, light industrial, and a more classic style, but with focus on quality, materials, and even sustainability.”
“We hope to inspire people.”
Co.de café is open every day
Serving honest food
Co.de café was inspired by similar places in England. Open every day, you can make it your “home office” Monday to Friday, as well as a chill stop on weekends – and feel free to bring your fur babies along, it’s no problem at all! Waiting for you are homemade carrot cake, lemon cheesecake, Pavlova roulade, chocolate brownie with salted caramel, granola, and nut cookies, to name a few currently on the menu. “We bake according to our tried and tested recipes that we have collected from our travels, or that we are currently inspired by,” says Markéta.
There’s something for those who don’t have a sweet tooth as well, of course – homemade sandwiches from local artisan bakeries pastries like paninis, bagels, and grilled sandwiches. Their coffee comes from a local coffee source roaster as well, and in summer, you can enjoy a cold brew, matcha latte, espresso tonic, and other iced coffees.