Many restaurants in London have the word nightingale in their name but the latest addition to the offering in Mayfair, called simply Nightingale, is not to be mixed with any of them, although one could argue that the name lacks creativity.
The newest Nightingale is already being talked about as the upscale Mayfair neighbourhood’s chicest addition. It is also touted as a fresh departure from the slightly stuffy gentlemen’s-club, fine-dining offerings so prevalent in the area.
German born Felizia Berchtold and her partner, Oskar Kohnen, founders of London-based design studio Tutto Bene, are the creatives behind the design of the all-day Nightingale that has 30 seats inside and another 30 on the tree-lined terrace for alfresco meals.
The designers wanted a timeless feel for the restaurant, but they also wanted something that is different from its neighbours, something more functional and comfortable, something that invites lingering and slowing down.
They were inspired by the classy yet casual and unhurried atmosphere found in Viennese cafés, in Berlin’s coffee houses, and in European theatre and museum cafés.
Nightingale’s design is a harmonious combination of white pleats, moss-green hues and funky stainless-steel curves. The design language is tough to nail down or categorize, but the resulting ambience is balanced and light, rather than nervously mixed, and positive fresh rather than darkly old-world.
At Nightingale, the key design piece turned out to be the Satellite Pendant they custom-designed for the space. It is a group of five pleated pendants that spin overhead. They are made of fabric and steel and are more of an art installation than a lighting fixture.
Satellite pendants were created with Viennese lighting house Kalmar, founded in 1881. Several other pleated features stemmed from these pendants establishing a theme that plays nicely against the more industrial vibe of the green tiles and steel.
Nightingale is Tutto Bene’s first complete project yet the partners confidently designed most of the furniture and accessories, which contributed to the poised overall feel.
Berchtold and Kohnen are new as partners, as is their company, but they are not not without experience. The two met during Milan. Design Week in 2023, fell in love and quickly realized they wanted to combine their passions. Kohnen has run his own architecture and design firm for more than a decade and Berchtold has designed both products and spaces for an equally long period. – Tuija Seipell
Images by Ludovic Balay
