interior
This week You! takes a look at the beautiful interior of a chocolate outlet that celebrated their 10th anniversary recently...
We all know that French interior decor is bold, sophisticated and chic. French interiors have an original flair and are rarely flashy, but they often have a bit of sparkle in the form of an antique chandelier or vintage gilded mirror. This is exactly what Lals Patisserie by confectioner Lal Majid is all about. In this regard, You! talks to interior designer and hospitality consultant Shireen Waheed of Concept 971 about her design philosophy while doing up the place.
“Basically the inspiration comes from age old and quaint European street cafes and patisseries,” says Shireen. And as soon as you enter the patisserie, the bold yet tasteful use of green colour married with black and white makes you feel like you have stepped into a chic French restaurant.
After Shireen designed Lals’ outlet in Dolmen mall, Clifton, she was approached for the renovation of the patisserie’s head office and larger outlet at Khayaban-e-Shahbaz. According to Shireen, “I like to give respect to spaces that have been created and also keep renovation budgets economical. I only touch and change elements that will have a high impact to the interior. Basically, the main focus was to revamp the flagship outlet and give it a new look for the 10th anniversary celebrations.”
The interior has been changed from ‘cute’ to ‘beautiful’ and even the facade of the patisserie has been re-created. “A brick finish with ornate lanterns and a chocolate brown and gold scalloped awning dresses up the exterior. Our corporate colour, the French green, has been brought in by changing the contemporary plain glass windows to French windows in that colour. The outlet signage has also been changed to a vintage signboard in the same green with antique gold lettering. The old world signage lights have been customized in the same antique gold to illuminate the lettering,” apprises Shireen.
The patisserie’s main accent colours in their corporate identity is pastel green and chocolate brown, so the exact pantone shade of green has been used all around the place as well. “Known as the French green in certain paint companies, it is a very classic colour in period European interiors and comes out beautifully when used with other rich materials and tones. In this case, I have absolutely loved bringing in the high gloss black and white floor and touches of gold in accessories. We have also made an entire line of funky patterned black and white chocolate boxes with bold accent colours and black and white checkerboard menus,” informs Shireen.
Regarding the renovation, Shireen says, “Black and white cast iron and marble cafe tables with black wooden chairs have been laid out throughout the place. All the woodwork has been changed to the French green and accents of gold have been brought in through ornate mirrors, chandeliers and wall sconces.
“I have brought down the two storey high illustration on the main interior wall which had been there from the opening. It has been replaced with a French green, wooden paned bevelled mirror constructed on the double storey wall. This not only makes the place look grand but also gives the illusion of spaciousness,” states Shireen.
A large gold framed blackboard with the menu and specials adorns the landing of the stairs to the second floor. Framed decorative mirrors have been installed all over the ceiling in different designs and sizes in shades of gold and silver. The effect is very dramatic and playful. The ceiling also appears less heavy and higher than before. “The ceiling being very low was made lower by decorative wooden bars with ceiling lights. So, I removed them and painted the ceiling the same French green. Also, we have created colourful illustrations of our products for e.g. macaroons, pastries etc. and have placed them on the walls in small but heavily gold and silver gilded frames,” she adds.
The accessories used at the eatery are limited to intricate and ornate mirrors on the walls and ceiling - a very rich and bejewelled visual that goes extremely well with luxury chocolates that they offer. There are miniature retro illustrations of some of the products framed in gold and silver gilded frames that are placed in the niches on the walls.
The best part was that the patisserie was closed for only a day and a half when the floor was being laid out. “The entire renovation was done during nights and then we would do a deep cleaning and open the outlet every morning. I have done many restaurant renovations internationally where we had to work like this. It is very hard operationally but it keeps the sales alive and the outlet does not lose money,” states Shireen.
Coming to the yummilicious food, the patisserie has introduced some interesting menu items as well including the ice cream macaroon sandwich, brick oven baked thin crust pizzas, sweet and savoury crepes. There is some new mouth watering breakfast fare as well, which is a must try.