Babbo

BRIEF

The client wanted the design to reflect a traditional, Tuscan inspired, family run restaurant. As the location of Babbo is in London’s prestigious Mayfair, the interior design and food offer needed to be high end yet have the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of a family run restaurant. Inspiration for the design was also taken from the name, ‘Babbo’ which means ‘Dad’ in Italian.

working with the space

The site was small and narrow so our initial endeavour was to help increase the amount of covers and use what facilities already existed in order to be cost effective. We achieved this by exploring different layout options and sourcing slim furniture suit the traditional, intimate aesthetic we were striving for.

The existing staircase, a steel and glass structure, wasn’t suitable so we removed the glass elements and stripped it back to its structural core. Following this we introduced a new wooden balustrade, steps and handrail; these enhancements allowed the client’s vision of a rustic yet luxurious Tuscan inspired restaurant to begin to be realised. We also stripped back the building to expose brickwork as this was very much inline with the client’s vision.

timeless european elegance

Babbo restaurant’s interior combines timeless European elegance with warmth and abundance. Luxurious antique features meet exposed brickwork and natural, oiled oak cladding, which has been applied to the floor, stairs and bar front. Classic, French style tiles weave through the space, featuring around bar front and in the bathrooms. Antique chandeliers and French gilt framed mirrors add authentic charm to the restaurant, which is warmly lit. Wall lights and traditional lampshades are affixed to the earthy brickwork. Wine walls feature as the staircase ascends and in the mezzanine area which is used for private functions.

Personal touches

We collected black and white photographs of fathers with their children from friends and family of Babbo restaurant, as well as adding some photos of our own. The photographs, which capture intimate family moments, are framed on the wall.