The Story Behind The Shape of Water Restaurant
The Shape of Water Restaurant in Palm Coast, Florida, is far more than a dining destination—it is a work of art born from a shared dream, tireless dedication, and a creative fusion of engineering and sculpture.
The story begins in May 2016 when Brent Bruns met Jennifer Butler. Jennifer was not only a talented hair stylist but also a gifted artist and sculptor. During their hair appointments, she shared her passion for an artistic technique called Faux Bois—French for "false wood." Using a mix of concrete, rebar, and chicken wire, Jennifer sculpted lifelike wooden textures that seamlessly intertwined with the natural elements on her property, including an awe-inspiring two-story treehouse constructed around a large oak tree. Her early use of Paper crêté (a concrete-infused paper mache technique) demonstrated both creativity and innovation.
Brent, an aeronautical engineer turned entrepreneur, had a multifaceted career ranging from aircraft design and military service to textile manufacturing, graphic design systems, and high-end real estate sales. In 2017, while searching for a new location for his real estate office, he found a unique property on A1A in Palm Coast. But after meeting Jennifer and learning more about her work, Brent envisioned something much bigger: a one-of-a-kind restaurant that would offer an experience unlike any other.
Together, Brent and Jennifer formed a partnership that blended engineering precision with artistic mastery. They purchased the property in December 2017 and began transforming the land. Their first major project was "The Bleeding Heart Bridge," a Faux Bois masterpiece that took over 460 hours of labor to complete. Using rebar, multiple layers of concrete, and painstaking hand-carving techniques, they brought this structure—and many others—to life.
The duo developed and perfected their Faux Bois and Faux Roche (false rock) techniques. Every structure, waterfall, river, and sculpture on the property was handcrafted by Brent and Jennifer using these methods. Faux Bois is a rare art form originating in 19th-century France, involving the manual sculpting of concrete over steel frameworks to mimic natural wood. Faux Roche added realism and dimension to their creation, often incorporating inert materials and rocks for mass and visual impact.
The restaurant’s aesthetic was inspired by the romantic elegance of the 1940s Key West, capturing the spirit of Ernest Hemingway through its French-American cuisine and atmosphere. With rivers, waterfalls, caves, a gastropub named "Guinevere's," and a towering 8-foot fire pit, the venue was designed to be a place for romantic dining, intimate events, and destination experiences.
From 2017 to 2022, the team invested over 24,000 hours, using more than 500 cubic yards of concrete, 5 tons of rebar, and 10,000 square feet of chicken wire—all in pursuit of creating an unforgettable environment. Every rock, riverbed, sculpture, and bridge was handcrafted, with care taken to preserve and protect the natural trees and roots on the property. The technique allows the artists to go 6" every few days.
Today, The Shape of Water Restaurant is a testament to what passion, vision, and artistry can achieve. The result is a living, breathing piece of immersive art.
Discover the magic of how it all began—and why The Shape of Water is more than just a restaurant. It’s an experience designed to stir the senses and capture the heart.