Author and award-winning chef Maria Bradford has brought the bold and vibrant flavours of Sierra Leone to Sevenoaks in Kent with her recently opened debut restaurant Shwen Shwen. Located just off Bank Street, where guests enter through a transformed courtyard, the restaurant interiors have been brought to life by highly regarded hospitality designers 20.20.
The ‘Cotton Tree Yard’ and two-storey restaurant, bar and guest services are transportive to Maria’s hometown of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Maria’s passion for her first, female-owned restaurant radiates not just in her leadership, but in her food. Taught first by her mother and grandmother, Maria inherited a love for cooking that spans generations. In her book and her kitchen, she honours these traditions, showing how food in Sierra Leonean culture goes beyond sustenance – it is the heartbeat of community, connection and home.
Design Inspiration for Shwen Shwen
The rural villages and rich culinary traditions of Sierra Leone inspired the whole interior design concept. 20.20 spent time with Maria to understand the rich cultural tapestry that’s inspired the menu and the warm, social atmosphere. Cotton Tree Yard is named after a Cotton Tree that stood in Freetown, a symbol of peace and freedom for Sierra Leoneans.
Abundant with colours and texture, customers are welcomed into a courtyard filled with greenery and glowing lights. This intimate dining experience has three dining areas, one outside in the courtyard, one on the ground floor and on the first floor, seating a maximum of 72 guests.
Design Story
The ground floor stands as a celebration of both Kent and Sierra Leone – a meeting point of two worlds, blended with care and deep respect. Lighting, designed by Dar Leone – a fellow Sierra Leonean, female-owned brand – casts a soft glow over the space, where Maria’s books and hand-picked decorative items are displayed. These touches speak not just of her roots, but of the personal journey that led her to this milestone. Every tile and fabric was handpicked with intention, drawing inspiration from the traditional fabrics of Sierra Leone. The first floor features a quiet tribute to Lion Mountain in the Freetown Peninsula, an iconic silhouette softly outlined across a feature wall. It’s a national symbol that has always stood proudly in Shwen Shwen’s branding, now brought to life in the space itself.
Subtle nods to Krio architecture and historic Sierra Leonean villages are thoughtfully embedded throughout the interior, gently grounding the design in memory, legacy, and place. The upholstery and finishes are more than just design features; they’re storytelling threads, carefully woven into the space to reflect both heritage and artistry.
The colour palette features darker warm wall paint finishes, earthy-toned upholstery, walnut flooring, antique mirrors, a gold ceiling finish and stone-effect table tops.
Jon Lee, Executive Creative Director at 20.20 says” “Meeting Maria and helping her create Shwen Shwen has been a total privilege. Her heritage and story have provided a rich canvas for us to draw on in the restaurant spaces. We are delighted with the restaurant and wish everyone at Shwen Shwen every success.”
