WATTS FOR DINNER?
Restaurants have long been known for their ability to transport you from the ordinary; whether through a sophisticated, luxurious atmosphere or a vibrant and theatrical ordeal, they transform dining into an experience rather than a necessity.
First alluded to in Ancient Egyptian records dating back to 512BC, restaurants developed into the concept we know today in late 18th-early 19th century Paris. Named after the French term restaurer, meaning ‘to restore’, restaurants have always been a refuge. Consequently, the atmosphere of their interiors becomes crucial to the dining experience they offer.
Watts have always been involved in the interiors of hospitality. For example, the restaurant in the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel was previously named after its architect, and the patriarch of Watts 1874, George Gilbert Scott.
Today, Watts continues to influence the atmosphere of restaurants around the globe. Our vast archive of historical designs bring a depth of narrative to contemporary spaces. A tour from London to Paris, then across to Hong Kong and finally New York City, will take you around some of the world’s most renowned dinner spots…
Tigermilk, London
We will begin our feast of the senses in Tigermilk’s latest location in London. Designed by Studio Leche in collaboration with Christie Ward, the Mexican restaurant with a twist demonstrates the ability of historical designs to add depth to a contemporary space. Studio Leche adorned the restaurant’s seating in one of our most statement designs; the Aurea Indienne.
The Aurea Indienne is part of our collection in collaboration with Castle Howard. It has been meticulously redrawn to create a continuous design influenced by the castle’s original 19th century patterns. The design honours the tradition of toiles peintes or ‘painted cottons’ that were imported into Europe from the late sixteenth century for making garments and soft furnishings. Originally documented as an Indienne Tree of Life border fabric, the design was likely purchased by Rosalind, Castle Howard’s 9th Countess.
The design therefore drenches the restaurant in historical significance. This layers multiple narratives, making the contemporary space alive with stories of what has come before it. It also blends seamlessly with more modern elements of the restaurant; the pink aligns seamlessly with the menu’s dainty pink Pisco N’Roses cocktail, or sweet Berry Bliss dessert. The design therefore both complements and expands the atmosphere of the restaurant; demonstrating the power of interior design in hospitality.
Cecconi’s, Mayfair
Just a fifteen minute walk away, our Alhambra handblock wallpaper was used by Ilse Crawford and the Soho House team for Cecconi’s Mayfair. The restaurant’s upmarket, ‘theatrical’ North Italian dining - with dishes’ final flairs being added at the table - is the epitome of luxury. Serving elegant staples such as lobster spaghetti and ribeye steaks, Cecconi’s offers a refined dining experience.
The Alhambra wallpaper seamlessly complements this exclusive atmosphere; its neutral tones, against its soft shimmer, creates a subtle statement - a glamorous neutral. Named after Granada’s Islamic palace, its geometric design embraces the art of Spanish Renaissance architecture that characterises the palace and fortress.
The handblock wallpaper further enhances the restaurant’s upscale atmosphere due to handblock’s long and complex manufacturing process. The pressure and weight of wooden blocks are used to indent on paper, with the depth of the indentation being impacted by the versatility and skill of the printer. The paper is ‘festooned’ after each individual colour has been laid, before being individually hand rolled. This process echoes Cecconi’s commitment to artisan flair.
Carbone, London
Also in Mayfair, in what used to be the American embassy, sits London’s latest answer to calls for Italian fine dining: Carbone. Inspired by mid-century American supper-club culture, the high-end restaurant - brought to life through Ken Fulk’s impeccable taste - matches the extravagance of its New York counterpart. Emulating exclusivity and mid-century romance, the highly awaited restaurant has brought the vibrancy of 1950s Italian restaurants in New York to Mayfair’s elegant dining scene.
The restaurant’s many bars and seating areas, each offering a unique moment for the customer, have an undercurrent of vibrant and rich red tones throughout. The restaurant’s service captains even attentively circulate the restaurant in burgundy tuxedos designed by Zac Porsen. In the lower level bar and lounge, the red tone becomes the room’s design statement; our Veronese fabric lines the walls, creating an ambient space that embraces diners. Fulk customised the design to create an exact fit for the space; he curated a tailor-made colourway and reduced the scale of the design. The swirling damask brings an almost hypnotic quality, while the fabric-lined walls add a bespoke touch that enhances the restaurant’s ambition to offer a dining experience unlike any other. The deep red tones are reflected by mirrored panels, conjuring illusions of being miles away from London’s bustling streets.
Les Jardins du Presbourg, Paris
Our next location takes us on a speedy Eurostar journey into Gare du Nord, Paris. A short Metro journey away from this bustling station, the beautiful Les Jardins du Presbourg can be easily spotted for its fusion of nature and design.
The restaurant epitomises ‘Intemporel et raffiné’ - timeless and refined - dining. It offers a range of atmospheres throughout the day and whether it’s a relaxed and bucolic brunch, a refined lunch by the Arc de Triumph, or a vibrant evening ‘soiree’ - our Florentine Bargello fabric helps facilitate these shifting dynamics. The design’s peak and troughs echo the restaurant’s fast moving, ever changing environment.
Additionally, named after a suite of chairs found in the Bargello Palace in Florence, this design brings Italian history to the restaurant, making it a space that transcends geographical boundaries. This again leans into the space’s dynamism.
Cafe De l’Alma, Paris
A short stroll away, our next location takes us to Paris’ sophisticated 7th arrondissement. Cafe de l’Alma offers a Parisian Brasserie that blends classicism with modernity. To create this blend, designers Gilles and Bossier used our Jardin d’Usse velvet on the seating with matching grasscloth wallpaper panels and bespoke ceiling design for the restaurant’s private booths.
The Jardin d’Ussé tapestry is a design inspired by a pair of 17th-century verdure tapestries from Château d’Ussé’s private collection. Woven in Oudenaarde, a Flemish town renowned for its tapestry weaving, this piece celebrates nature’s tranquility and romance. It captures the enchantment of Château d’Ussé, the French castle said to have inspired Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty. Printed on high-quality fabric and wallpaper, this design seamlessly blends Cafe de L’Alma’s modern interiors with historic artistry. It creates a dark, romantic atmosphere that creates a unique dining experience.
Mondrian Carna, Hong Kong
For our next decadent feast, we will head to Hong Kong. The Mondrian Hotel’s Carna restaurant, a contemporary Italian steakhouse designed by Joyce Wang, offers sophisticated cuisine and a showstopper atmosphere. This is echoed, and iterated by, their curtains and upholstered seats in our decadently rich Montepulciano fabric.
Named after a renaissance hill town in Italy, the fabric echoes the restaurant’s Italian cooking and ‘cosy renaissance sanctuary’. Alongside the restaurant’s use of the Hong Kong skyline as its backdrop, in lieu of a wallpaper, the bold, inherently luxurious, Montepulciano fabric maintains the richness of this statement design throughout the restaurant. This creates flow, and reflects the restaurant's fusion of cultures. It creates the cultural hotspot that Mondrian hotels pride themselves on.
Wall Street Hotel, New York
The final stop on our tour takes us across the globe to New York City. Located in the heart of the city’s financial district, The Wall Street Hotel’s French chophouse, La Marchande, is adorned in our Aristoloche design. Designed by Charles & Co, the restaurant emulates the epitome of chic dining. The Aristoloche’s rich browns pick up on accents from the restaurant’s flooring and upholstery, creating a highly cohesive interior.
Lifted from a quintessential Flemish 16th-century verdure tapestry, the design’s birds and cabbage leaf design brings the softness of nature to the city’s flashy financial district; creating a calm refuge that still embraces the area’s upmarket energy. It also again adds historical narratives to the space, adding complexity to the interior’s contemporary elements.
Future Projects
From refined London retreats, to romantic dinner spots in Hong Kong, Watts designs continue to shape unforgettable hospitality spaces worldwide. Persuading rich, historical narratives to talk again, Watts 1874 propels the subtleties of age-worn designs into the 21st century, bringing balance and depth to contemporary dining rooms. Whether your project calls for heritage damasks, panoramic murals, or playful florals, Watts offers a collection ready to set the scene.
Written by Molly Wraith