The Secret of Artistry
The Secret of Artistry: Classic, with a Twist
Taking an edgy approach to a historic space
How do you tastefully design a restaurant in a historical building so it feels young and hip? You trust JAQUE.
- When the owners of a planned 42-seat restaurant in secured a highly sought-after space in the heart of a bustling metropolitan area, they faced a daunting design dilemma: How can we maintain and honor the building’s historical features while also creating a quirkier vibe that matches our menu and desired clientele? The answer: Bring in JAQUE. From the moment JAQUE entered the space, she had a vision of what to do. She loves dichotomies and stimulating juxtapositions, so while this restaurant would be rich in history, it would also be young at heart (and even a little naughty).
- Labelling the restaurant a Secret created an irresistible mystique that matched the compelling contrast of its small scale and larger-than-life interiors. Pairing the ornate white ceiling with slate-gray walls was a design choice every bit as bold as the owners’ vision. JAQUE’s many other choices perfectly matched the spirit of the chef’s menu: classic with a twist. She used time-honored shapes in the décor to maintain the room’s stateliness. But she used them to frame bolder and quirkier objects—including mannequin hands, feet and other human objects—to create a playful experience that gives the restaurant a definite edge. The finished space is hip, modern, clean-lined and fantastic in the traditional sense of the word. The Secret’s out, and it’s a perfect destination for a first date, anniversary or journey deep into your imagination.