Design LSM

The world’s only Southern Indian restaurant to hold a Michelin star has closed its doors to the public whilst the highly acclaimed designLSM completely redesign the interior.

The client’s brief was for designLSM to create a unique, contemporary interior, which reflects the spirit and authenticity of Quilon. Dark grey tones are accentuated by vibrant splashes from amber, jade, green and blue fabrics throughout the 200sqm restaurant, 17sqm bar area and 79sqm private room. Layered and intricately-patterned Jaali screens finished in bronze, limestone-rendered walls, weathered timbers and atmospheric lighting provide greater depth of textures, as well as areas of interest. A bespoke, wenge candle wall – inspired by a Hindu temple in Kerala – consists of small portholes filled with tea-lights which throw out a warm, magical glow. Remarkable attention to detail has been executed with stained grey, curved wooden slats applied to the low ceiling, creating a soft wave-like effect. Striking elements include a hanging feature consisting of 1,100 individual, hand-printed ceramic discs, and an imported bespoke 8ft Indian fishing boat, which will be transformed into a glass top bar.

Executive Chef Sriram Aylur comments: “designLSM’s creative flair and subtle attention to detail is second to none and I’m delighted with their vision for the restaurant’s new look. They have captured the essence of Quilon, whilst at the same time giving it a contemporary, fresh look.  I want the décor to match the standard of cuisine, and finally it will.”

The Quilon Restaurant will re-open in March with the official launch party on 28^th March 2012.

Lacoste have once again enlisted award winning designLSM to implement a brand new Knightsbridge flagship concept which will be the largest Lacoste store in the world. Work will commence on 15^th January and the client brief for Steven Wragg, Senior Designer is to create a classic Lacoste retail environment with a quintessentially English twist.

A series of rooms will be created within the 7470 sq ft space using different tones and features within each area. Specific clothing collections and accessories will be displayed in each room, providing the customer with a visual journey of the Lacoste range.

The site, previously a French Connection outlet features a 3-storey high staircase in the centre of the building which creates fluidity.  A minor challenge for designLSM was the unusual shapes and angles which have had to be taken into consideration when designing the layout of the furniture.

Huge LED screens will show promotional material throughout. The eagerly awaited store will launch in April 2012. Richard Potzesny, Retail Director, Lacoste UK commented “This is an incredibly exciting project for Lacoste UK and having worked with designLSM on previous concepts we didn’t hesitate in using them to implement this large-scale scheme. We are confident they will creatively fulfill our brief, resulting in a professional, contemporary finish.”

BOXPARK, Shoreditch is the world’s FIRST pop-up retail park made up of shipping containers housing select, ground-breaking brands. The original concept by Roger Wade, creator of Boxfresh will feature a double Lacoste L!VE unit which has been specially designed by Steve Wragg, Senior Designer designLSM.

Work commenced on the two 40 ft shipping containers on 1^st November 2011.  The space which is 565 sq ft in total includes trademark Lacoste L!VE features and a till unit which is unique to the store. The project was handed over on 23^rd November – the only challenges Steve encountered was working in such a small space, the containers are far smaller than they appear to be!!

BOXPARK, Shoreditch launches to the public on 3^rd December 2011 – IMAGES COMING SOON.

When Director Simon McCarthy and Senior Designer Sally Williams were asked to transform a HSBC building into Carluccio’s Glasgow they wanted to incorporate traditional features, be sensitive to the surrounding area and Scottish climate. Subtle changes, such as positioning the retail area in front of the entrance, using earthy tones for the banquettes and colourful lighting has resulted in a warmer interior which is unmistakably part of the Carluccio’s family.

Twitter @Carluccioscaffe  @designlsm

Primrose Hill adds Negozio Classica, which consists of a wine retail outlet, bar and dining area to its charming neighboorhood scene. The interior, reminiscent to the Notting Hill flagship store has been created by Karen Mitton, Senior Designer designLSM. Inspiration came via a trip to Tuscany and visit to Avignonesi Vineyard where rustic buildings sit harmoniously against rolling landscapes.

Negozio Classica Primrose Hill consists of a basement kitchen, ground floor and mezzanine. The interior has been designed to evoke memories of Tuscany using warm, natural materials and reclaimed timbers.  Earthy hues, aged oak table tops and exposed brickwork are highlighted with ambient lighting. White pepper and umber plasterwork provides a stark contrast against vibrant, vintage style lighting and oversized letters.

The 90sqm front of house space has been fitted with bespoke oak shelving to accommodate the extensive fine wines sourced from small, authentic Italian producers. A bar area with stools sits on decorative floor tiles, reminiscent to patterns and colours found in Tuscany.

Located on Wimbledon High Street, The Lawn Bistro is owned by restaurateur Akbar Ashurov and chef Ollie Couillaud, formerly of La Trompette. The clients brief was for designLSM to create an elegant, spacious and friendly dining environment. The site, formerly Lydon’s restaurant was dark with a heavy colour scheme. With the emphasis on opening up the interior – a large bar area towards the front of the restaurant was created.

A palette of warm grey with an accent colour of orange in the seat buttons, bar stool seat pads, feature chairs and on the stair runner has been applied. Commissioned artwork and blocks of Cole & Son wallpaper provide additional focus across the dining room, which seats 65 covers.

The basement, which was formerly redundant, now boasts an impressive wine display and tasting area featuring brightly coloured armchairs. The grey shop frontage reflects the clean, warm interior and introduction of canopies creates a high street presence.

The Hilton Olympia hotel was a large-scale project, made up of multiple phases. The brief was a complete refurbishment of the ground floor public reception areas, first floor bar and restaurant to create a flowing, relaxed space.

The initial phase saw the removal of the escalator, which had been the only way to approach the first floor bar. By replacing the escalator with a modern, glass staircase a greater visual impact has been created and the first floor bar is now a destination venue. The bar, which is distinctly visible from Kensington High Street, has an organic feel to it – a deliberate contrast to the orthogonal lines of the building.

designLSM restyled the restaurant interior applying a fresh colour palette, revamped the lighting and introduced a bespoke, display screen. New, decorative lighting was fitted and a private dining room area created.

Simon Spiteri, Architectural Director comments; “Not all structural changes were made at ground level due to a limited budget and timescale constraints. However, the overall brief has been answered and the end result is a distinctive and timeless piece of interior design which flows throughout the reception, bar and lounge areas.”

El Cantara, the Morrocan and Spanish restaurant located in Soho will launch a second site at Westfield, Stratford City today. Located in the Great Eastern Market the interior design consists of a Moorish delicatessen and a relaxed, friendly tapas bar.

The client brief for Karen Mitton, Senior Designer designLSM was to create an authentic interior in a quick turn-around. Traditional items have been sourced from both Spain and Morocco, they include very expensive Argan Oil and hand painted Spanish bar tiles.

The other completed units include Lacoste, Tortilla and The Real Greek.