Nature will never fail to be a source of inspiration. The appeal of bringing the outdoors in continues to be a strong interior design movement, including for commercial spaces, where the use of greenery and green elements remains as popular as ever.
And for these local eateries, most of which have undergone a recent refurbishment, the use of trees, plants and hanging arrangements, as well as colours and patterns found in nature are central to their design. Design Dispatch highlights a handful of places that mastered it.
Chophouse
Since its recent renovation and rebranding, carried out by design studio DAAA Haus, the interiors of Chophouse have been elevated to reflect a glamorous dining experience. Lush greenery is a central part of the design – a moody, leafy wallpaper was used throughout the space, while tall plants with deep green fronds create an almost exotic environment, while simultaneously functioning as a divider between the bar area and the restaurant.
Palazzo Parisio
With its ample and immaculately-kept gardens, it’s easy to see why Palazzo Parisio would make it to this list, where natural elements are as evident inside as they are outside. Within its main restaurant, which was refurbished earlier this year, a palm print wallpaper, soft shades of pastel green and tall plants work harmoniously to create a nature-inspired setting that’s as uplifting as the gardens beyond.
The Medina Restaurant
The picturesque The Medina Restaurant located within a 500-year-old Norman residence in Mdina doesn’t require much to amplify its charm. In the courtyard, the old limestone walls are the perfect canvas for the dense greenery all around, setting the colour scheme for the rest of the sheltered outdoor area. The grey/green apertures, deep green chairs and carefully-selected crockery underscore its classic and classy setting.
Trishna
In this vibrant Indian restaurant located in Gozo’s capital city, the visual connection to nature is strong – an aspect of its design that was central to the brief. The team at DAAA Haus sought to transform Trishna’s interior into one that resembles an outdoor space through elegant and contemporary finishes in a soft colour scheme as well as green and dried foliage, inspired by India’s rich culture and landscapes.
Tribe
In Valletta, an edgy eatery designed to transform its offering throughout the day is replete with fun and quirky details. Designed by Carlo Schembri from &Bold Studio, Tribe is an eclectic and playful space that “needed to be detached from its surroundings” and filled with its own curiosities, the studio explains, including the installation of a neon-lit ‘all-seeing eye’ set against a dense and vibrant flower wall.
Main photo: Diana Iskander
