Farm-to-fork cuisine served in retro-chic style—just steps from the airport security line? Leave it to Root Down to keep things interesting. Chef and restaurateur Justin Cucci’s new outpost in Denver International Airport’s Terminal C takes cues from the original Root Down (a converted gas station in LoHi) with an industrial, eclectic look that features reclaimed and repurposed materials. But for this location, Cucci and architect Ted Schultz added mod furnishings and aviation-centric accents to complement the views of real-life 747s outside. Root Down DIA, Denver International Airport, 8500 Peña Blvd., 303-342-6959

rootdownFlooring Like the first Root Down, this location’s floor is covered in reclaimed wood from parquet basketball courts.

Walls Another Root Down signature is the wall clad in repurposed tin can lids, but this iteration includes a vertical garden to soften the industrial space.

Furniture Curvy Saarinen executive armless chairs and semicircular booths add a hint of hip diner style. The tables were custom-built using reclaimed wood.

Lighting Cucci installed a cloud-shaped collection of vintage globes—mostly thrifted or bought on eBay—as an eye-catching chandelier.

Accents Air-travel-inspired accents include an installation of silver airplane sculptures. The bar, topped in wood repurposed from old bowling alleys, features mini vignettes with old suitcases filled with vintage travel gear.

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Get The Look: Try Root Down DIA’s retro-travel aesthetic at home.

armchairSaarinen executive armless chair, starts at $1,049, Knoll, knoll.com

airplaneAirplane hook, $12, Urban Outfitters, urbanoutfitters.com

globeIlluminated World Lamp, $99, The Land of Nod, landofnod.com

copperplanterCopper vertical wall planter, $189.95, Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com

5280.com Exclusive: Click here to read more about DIA’s foodie revolution.


—Root Down DIA photography by Carmel Zucker; Chair:courtesy of Knoll Inc.; Plane: courtesy of Urban Outfitters; Globe: courtesy of the Land of Nod; Planter: courtesy of William Sonoma