I spotted this on NY times recently and just had to visit it. Located on Madison Avenue, D’Espresso, designed by Nemo Workshop, conceptually and literally turns a normal room sideways, creating a striking identity for the emerging brand, according to the the designers.
The "books" are actually tiles printed with sepia-toned photos of bookshelves at a local travel bookstore that ring the room, including the floor, walls and ceiling. And the spherical glass lights jut out horizontally from behind the bar, rather than hanging from the ceiling.
The "floor" is the left-hand wall with a dark hardwood herringbone pattern. The banquette almost looks like a couch that could be resting on that floor.
And BTW the coffee is excellent!!