A Michelin Star Sanctuary in the Heart of Mayfair by These White Walls
PROJECTS 15.10.24
These White Walls’ founder, Rose Murray was approached by Hedonism Wines to create a new concept restaurant for acclaimed chef, Ollie Dabbous, in Mayfair.
With a design concept based on “Dwelling” and by reimagining the everyday to inspire and delight customers as they journey through the restaurant. The three floors—Above, Ground and Below—were each given their own distinct narrative.
“Hide—where the uncanny of the everyday is continually revealed.”
Taking ‘HIDE-as-Hidden’ as a curatorial cue, they commissioned three female artists, RACHEL DEIN, SU BLACKWELL and THE CLOROFILAS to create site specific installations, each designed to challenge our perceptions of the ordinary.
ABOVE - A HIDE WITHOUT WALLS
The restaurant Above, with its expansive views across St James’ Park, is a Hide without walls. A frosty glazing unwinds from the fairytale stair, enshrouding Ollie’s feature kitchen, where guests can catch a glimpse of the chefs at work. Light finishes and fine detailing give Above an air of delicacy and elegance.
Bespoke tables and chairs, finished with tactile brass detailing, are set beside full height glazing. Here guests dine under the golden glow of eggshell pendants. Artist Rachel Dein’s hand-cast botanical panels perfectly capture the ephemeral. Her compositions of foraged flora delicately celebrate the fleeting beauty of London's wild flowers.
The team gathered treasured trinkets from the client's friends and family for Rachel to cast amidst the foliage. These momentos—subtly set in time and hidden in plain sight—form the backdrop to the disappearing dining room, known to guests as the HIDE & SEEK tables.
GROUND - THE HIDE, THE HEARTH, THE HOME
The warmth of the rustic, warm patina of antique oak, bronze mirrors and aged brass welcomes guests as they enter the restaurant. Ground is handsome, confident and homely. Guests enjoy an open wood-fired stove, gently swaying on rocking chairs as they dine.
Nestled at the core of the spiral staircase, the rotating 'Rummager' cabinet quietly turns—its movement a manifestation of the wild spiralling momentum of the stair.
“We boldly stained the staircase's treads in gradient shades—each tread transforming from dark fumed oak Below, to the pale oiled oak of Above. This transition refers to the distillation process below, where activated oak slowly darkens clear liquor into amber fluid.” comments Rose Murray.
BELOW - THE HIDE BENEATH HEDONISM
A trap door is set into the stone floor at Hide’s nearby sister-establishment, Hedonism Wines. Standing over it, These White Walls wondered what might lie beneath this unassuming hatch...The basement bar, Below is their answer.
These White Walls commissioned Su to create an Arch of Escaping Stories where comestible characters might be seen to escape the culinary collection. The installation celebrates the potential of a well-loved library to excite the imagination.
