Transformed in May 2018, this new eatery in London’s Pimlico is a stunning example of a historic building turned bustling restaurant / bar space. The culinary vision of restaurateur and hotelier, Omar Shabaan, this latest London hotspot was designed to establish a ‘neighbourhood haunt’ that seamlessly integrated into its location. The interior needed to be cohesive with the Mediterranean-inspired menu that was to be offered.
Tasked with bringing this concept to life was London-based commercial design curator Sella Concept, whose team of spacial designers, led by Tatiana von Stein and Gayle Noonan, worked closely with architecture consultants from Wilson Holloway. The result is a space that is as welcoming as it is unique, with a distinctive Milanese aesthetic. A bold mix of materials includes polished terracotta and multi-coloured terrazzo tiles, rust-coloured tubular suede banquette seating set against scalloped Sapele wood slats on the walls. The flooring plays a major role in uniting each design element in the restaurant, with Havwoods’ product specified to cover the whole surface of the floor. End Grain from the brand’s Henley collection was not only chosen for its durable engineered construction but its unconventional style, too. The natural warmth of this flooring was selected to supplement this bespoke interior, with the design’s distinctive cross-section showcasing the beautifully-organic growth rings of the wood. The product is conveniently supplied in standard length planks, with a tongue & groove fit system, so offering a highly convenient choice for commercial installation but with the visual effect of individual wood tiles when laid.
The Henley collection from Havwoods presents a range of high-performance, pre-finished engineered planks with a superior-quality oiled and lacquered surface. An excellent choice for high-footfall installations, or areas that are exposed to heavy-duty use such as restaurants or bars, the textured surface ensures that any superficial scratches and marks are naturally disguised without distracting from the floor’s original aesthetic. Sawing, brushing, burning and planing techniques are applied to the wood in order to add character, and every product is tested to ensure that these processes have not weakened the plank’s structure. Applied with a traditional tongue and groove fit profile, Henley is available in a variety of widths ranging from 120-260mm.
