Encompassing the interiors, façade, and patio of a first generation restaurant improvement, the project is located in the ‘A’ali’i shops at the Ward Village mixed-use development on O’ahu Hawaii.

As the flagship restaurant for an ambitious and innovative restaurant group, it was important to the client that the design be bold and transportive. Informed by a global perspective, the design team met the directive with an elevated, holistic ambience that will play a part in the group’s mission to bring meaningful change to the dining landscape in Hawaii.

The interior is a striking convergence of maximalism, Art Deco and contemporary styles where saturated colors intermingle with plush florals, animal prints and crisp geometric shapes in unexpected ways to create a complex visual feast for the eyes. In the spirit of an eccentric artist’s apartment, the restaurant interior is composed of three areas: the main cocktail bar and lounge at the entry, a dedicated raw bar, and the main dining room.

The restrictive layout of the space made for a tight squeeze for incorporating the extensive kitchen needs of the chef while maximizing the seating potential of the restaurant. The flow, driven by these confines, is straightforward with one guest space flowing into the next, and all bar and kitchen functions along the opposite side of the space for efficiency. Seating across from the main bar serves as a more casual, lounge-like dining experience. The back dining is separated to feel like a more tucked away, private experience with its darker palette and lower ceiling. Restrooms are discreetly tucked behind the bar to avoid any interruption of the dining experience.

The cocktail bar is flanked by the smaller raw bar which echoes its design features including a ribbed bar face of teal-blue tile, amazonite marble bar top, decorative brass shelving and a slatted, baroque-inspired molding arching over the back bar. Overhead, a hexagonal chandelier of polished brass is set in a mirrored recessed cove, casting an ambient glow over the space and creating a dramatic focal point in the room. Facing the bars are twin curvilinear banquettes in sumptuous fabric whose palette of pinks, gold, chartreuse and claret is formed by an explosion of giant flower petals. The softness of the room is accentuated by translucent, purple drapery. Underfoot, marble-look black and white porcelain tiles laid out in an oversized diagonal chevron pattern tweaves through, and visually links, the three spaces.

Deep mulberry is the dominant color in the main dining room and serves as the backdrop for layers of flora and fauna prints, textured upholstery, and large chromatic portraits of exotic animals. Plush velvets surround, including an ultra-feminine floral print banquette and dining chairs in saturated Kelly-green velvet. Additional accents include polished brass and high-gloss tables tops, layering in a touch of luxe glamour to complete the Avant Garde vibe.