Garden House Restaurant is located in a historic space that was once a wine shop but underwent restoration and changed its purpose. A white mansion adorned with intricate columns and mouldings, reminiscent of a Mediterranean villa, now hosts the restaurant. STUDIO SHOO faced the task of creating a minimalist interior against the grand architecture that would invite guests to step inside.
The entrance to the restaurant is through four tall wooden doors with carvings. The designers paid great attention to the pavilion's history and sought to convey it within the interior. They preserved the historical chandelier inside and adorned the windows with carvings and national ornaments. The main areas of the restaurant include a dining hall with an open kitchen and a pizza oven, a summer bar, a spacious terrace, and an open gallery surrounding the pavilion. In the hall, instead of a sink, the designers installed a large vintage bathtub on legs.
The project emphasises eco design principles with an abundant use of natural materials. Light wooden and rattan furniture, woven lamps and hammocks, soft velvet and linen textiles, lush vegetation in clay pots and straw barrels immerse guests in an atmosphere of relaxation at an exotic resort or a friends' artist retreat. On the mezzanine, there is a small private garden.
The colour scheme of the project echoes the Mediterranean feel, with olive hues, delicate blue, and peach tones reminiscent of a sunset sky. Weathered plaster, painting, and painted poured floors were used for wall finishes in the main colours of the pavilion.
Behind the pavilion, there is a terrace enveloped in tropical greenery. Everything here encourages a shift away from the noise and bustle of a big city: a woven hammock, cushioned sofas, and a decorative summer bar. In the centre of the terrace, there is a summer kitchen with a grill and a smoker.
On the three-metre grill, lamb ribs and kebabs are grilled in an intriguing combination with homemade yoghurt, squash caviar, and hummus seasoned with Lebanese and Moroccan artisan spices, which the restaurant owners bring from Essaouira, Morocco.
