In Interior Design, great restrictions can demand great creativity. Looking back at recent renovations I have had the pleasure of being involved in, this one really shows how a few small- but smart- changes can make a BIG impact even when a budget is tight. This steakhouse located within a big, chain hotel received a desperately needed makeover thanks to some minor, but very strategic cosmetic changes.
There were some unique challenges in designing this restaurant renovation:
- Tight budget
- No major construction allowed
- Work within design guidelines of a strongly branded hotel
LOBBY :
^ Before, this lobby did not set the kind of mood a patron would expect upon entering a high-end steakhouse. The pink and green ceramic tile floor and yellow walls also lacked a unifying color scheme. With minor cosmetic changes and limited budget, the restaurant lobby now hits a more sophisticated note and primes guests for the dining experience. The new flooring is a wood-look porcelain tile, which combines the warmth and character of a wood floor with the durability of easy-to-clean porcelain tile. New club chairs invite guests to relax in comfort while they wait, and earth-tone walls with an accent color below the chair rail tie the updated color scheme together.
BAR & LOUNGE :
^ Before, this bar and lounge area looked shabby and mismatched. The chairs were worn and begging to be replaced, and the old, patterned carpet automatically dated the entire room. The budget did not allow for a complete renovation of the bar millwork at this time, so the solution was to focus on other elements that we could change and would pack the biggest punch. The wood-look porcelain tile was continued into the bar area from the lobby for a sleek, updated look that is easy to maintain. The bar chairs were replaced in favor of a more contemporary style.
- DESIGNER’S TIP: Sleek, faux leather on the seat and inside back of a bar chair is durable, easy to clean, and won’t break the budget. The outside back of a chair can be a great place to incorporate an accent fabric like this one, creating visual interest without sacrificing durability on the inside surfaces that get the most wear.
BAR AREA DINING :
^ Before, the bar area included a few scattered dining tables that just didn’t feel like a part of either the bar or the dining room. Now, the scattered dining tables in the bar area have been removed and replaced with exotic marble, high-top tables that can either be separated (as shown) or pushed together to create a long, communal table.
DINING ROOM
^ Before, the booths and banquettes that defined the dining room were having a bit of a design identity crisis in this fine-dining steakhouse. Without having to spend a cent on millwork, the banquettes and booths throughout the restaurant have been refreshed and refined. A change of upholstery contributes to the modern steakhouse atmosphere the client wanted to achieve with this renovation. In the next phase of renovation, marble tabletops will be added in place of the existing, linen-covered wood tables.
- DESIGNER’S TIP: By identifying and prioritizing which items would make the most immediate, dramatic impact, we were able to phase this renovation into stages. Sometimes, if we wait until budget allows for the ultimate, grand design vision, it is likely nothing will happen for a long time. But if a renovation is planned, organized, and managed carefully, the owner and users of a space may start enjoying and benefitting from the changes much sooner.
