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A STAR CHEF OPENS HIS LATEST HOTSPOT, WHERE DURUP DRAPES CREATE THE SEXY-COZY MISE-EN-SCÈNE
Celebrated Copenhagen Chef Andreas Bagh is known for creating that rare darling in the high stakes world of fine dining: a restaurant where the atmosphere is just as good as the award-winning food. When Andreas invited Durup to help with the design of his latest venture - an upscale Italian bistro called Ambra - it was a no brainer: our love of pasta almost surpasses our love of textiles. Almost!
Andreas presented us with a very unique design challenge. Ambra means Amber in Danish, a nod to the grounding palette of the space: terracotta floors; travertine tables; brown and reddish accents; rich, warm lighting. In other words, earthy but make it luxury.
What to someone else might seem like a contradiction in terms was for us an opportunity to create a truly bespoke expression of the executive chef’s vision. The drapes had to elevate but not dominate, and bring just the right balance of sexy-cozy to create a foundation for the restaurant’s carefully curated aesthetic.
We searched high and low through our unique global roster of textile suppliers to find the perfect linen: a natural fabric that, in the right weave and weight, is the very definition of quality. Our color palette was a beautiful neutral contrast to the bright vibrancy of the food. For the bistro effect, we added a short, sheer curtain on an antique brass rod - the perfect classic compliment to the restaurant’s white-jacketed waiters. And for a little added spice, we chose a striped fabric for the seat cushions from renowned Italian textile house Dedar. The connection to Italy here was, pun intended, Durup's Chef’s Kiss.
“Ambra is an elevated and sexy space that is also uniquely absent of pretense,” said designer Nicoline Durup. “We brought that vibe very intentionally not only with the textiles we chose, but also with the accompanying hardware. This is contemporary Italian bistro dining at its best, the sort of hotspot where you can enjoy the best Negroni in the city and also bring your grandma for a plate of good pasta on her birthday. Whenever I come here, I start dreaming of Rome.”
