Sophistication with a jungle theme

Press, 10 February 1988, Page 35

Sophistication with a jungle theme

The setting conjures impressions of a sub-tropical jungle, the mood is relaxed yet with sophistication and the place is Mullaly’s Restaurant. Using a Somerset Maugham theme as the focus, the interior designers, Wendy Campbell Design, Ltd, chose fittings and furniture to blend. “We created a feeling of refinement, a South East Asian feel which is removed from the present time and is in a different part of the world. The setting dates back to the golden stage of the expanded British Empire,” says Mr Francis Chapman who, together with Wendy Campbell, designed the restaurant’s interior. Graham May is the contracts manager. “Our selection of articles was influenced by the refined good taste of the era,” Mr Chapman says. In choosing the theme, the designers started with

an abstract and looked at it in terms of what would be appropriate and fit the perceptions and expectations of the owner, Mr Bryan Mullaly. Market research had shown where to aim the market and a theme to fit this was needed, and then an interior designed to support the concept. “Get it wrong, and it is like a play with the wrong actors,” Francis Chapman says. The architecture lent itself to the jungle theme and the colour schemes followed naturally. The terracotta and soft olives are jungle colours and are ones diners can feel relaxed with. “The greens really work and give a slightly romantic feel,” Graham May says. The designers made a conscious effort to bring the outside inside, to give diners the impression of eating in a closed courtyard.

The dramatic entrance foyer has a Catalan floor that is terracotta in colour. This leads to the pale olive green carpet in a colour called “Chicago” with flecks of terracotta. The curtains were chosen to fit the theme and for their versatility. Light and airy, they are surprisingly heavy. They have to work effectively in bright daylight as a fliter and as a backdrop in the evening and have enough interest in themselves, Mr Chapman says. The white fabric has a

terracotta motif which is repeated throughout the decor in minute detail down to the mirrors. With the selection of the chairs no expense has been spared for the comfort of the diners. The cane chairs were imported and then painted in the same shade of Chicago green as the carpet and enhanced by attractive cushions. These are covered in a polished cotton called “Birdsong” which is interesting, serviceable and perfectly fits the theme.

Every jungle is teeming with plant life and just enough plants have been chosen to reinforce the sub-tropical environment The plants help define areas and give a feeling of spaciousness. Attention has been given to detail to give the restaurant a definition all of its own. The stained glasswork in the entrance door and the light fittings have been specially made. The woven wall coverings give a textural illusion with a subtle reference appropriate to the feel.