By Annie Aggarwal
Photography: Prashant Bhat; courtesy
the designer
Read Time: 2 mins
. |
Minnie
Bhatt Design’s recent project, ‘Madeira and Mime’ immerses diners in a
Portuguese maritime feel, in keeping with the gastro-pub’s namesake…
Christened
after an archipelago in Portugal, the quaint charm of distressed paint, reclaimed
wooden shutters in dull Prussian blue, faux ocular rose windows with their
gleaming panes, mix of rotund and rectangular tables… evoke a sense of intrigue
in this 1500 sq. ft. space in suburban Mumbai.
‘Madeira
and Mime’ beckons via its quirky facade in shimmering mustard yellow with a traffic signal to match, harking on expected playfulness inside. One steps in, onto a floor of black and white tiles, a neoclassical
touch adding a marked character and a touch of whimsy to the compact space.
Custom-made lamps designed in mild steel with a pulley system for height
adjustment, hang low across the space, instantaneously catching the eye.
The
space with a single opening – the façade side – has been cleverly anointed with
four ocular faux windows that mimic the feel of the natural light filtering in
via their mirrored reflective surfaces – a simple yet interesting take on
augmenting spatial perception.
Seating
is efficient yet varied amid this striking composition of elements - a bar
along the length of the room; comfortable sofas at intervals, with one along
the oversized partially-open kitchen window at the far end; and the mix of
light-weight wood and metal chairs and high bar seats. There is a sense of
harmony in the furniture; faux leather upholstery in perfect sync with the marble
and tile tabletops adds colour; whilst textural elements vie for attention in
the mild steel shelves and recycled wood panels of the bar’s apron, all playing
to the ambience of a languid Portuguese pub, understated and amiable.
Once
seated, eyes are drawn to the intricacies of this subtly thematic space. Under
the ceiling lined with services, frames of artistic oeuvres and photographs
line the walls. An old timber bookshelf and a vintage fridge readapted as a
shelf for games and books add to the easy-going feel. Small planters add a
tinge of green, while novel trinkets like a captain’s wheel here, or a
telescope and globe there, models of ships, coloured glass bottles and menus
like navigation charts, all work in harmony to make this place fresh and
inviting.
Fact File
Name of
client: Square Meals Hospitality
Design Firm:
Minnie Bhatt Design
Design Lead:
Minnie Bhatt
Chief Associate Designer: Misbah Kapadia Jaiswal
Junior Assistant Designer: Manali Deokar
Area: 1500sqft
Interior
cost: INR70,00,000
Location: Mumbai
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