Modern techniques used to decorative effect
The Lebanese restaurant Al Sultan in London’s Mayfair
The Lebanese restaurant Al Sultan in London’s Mayfair recently underwent a redesign by interiors company IDEA. The key feature is the decorative metal grille in a traditional Islamic pattern, reworked for a more contemporary feel. In laser-cut aluminium, powder-coated in golden tones, the grille is lit from both the front and back to give an otherwise tight space the illusion of volume. It wraps itself around the curved shape of the white lacquered bar and appears to weave around the whole restaurant.
Custom-built ring chandeliers throughout the space reflect an amber shimmer on the Venetian stucco of the ceiling. The bespoke wenge and walnut sunburst parquet floor is again reminiscent of traditional Islamic ornamentation, and a lacquered sunburst walnut chef’s table is placed in the main part of the restaurant. The clean lines of the sofas and chairs are a deliberate artistic complement to the detailed patterns on the walls and floor, explained IDEA. The interiors and branding company is based in Sofia, Bulgaria and provides design services across Europe. With the exception of the chairs, by Italian company Calligaris, almost everything in the restaurant is a bespoke creation based on its designs, produced in Bulgaria and assembled in the UK.
The parquetry is by Artistico. The grille was CNC-cut by Lock Furniture, which also produced the shells for the chandeliers in the same pattern. The LED lighting and lighting controls are by Pixel Factory, a subsidiary of IDEA that delivers complex lighting systems and solutions to commercial properties.
