Architect Abhigyan Neogi, Founder and Principal Architect at Chromed Design Studio, wanted this space to encapsulate an untainted European Cafe’s experience. The grounding goal for the upcoming new cafe was to build an unmatched joy of indulging in the whiff of a perfectly-brewed cup of cappuccino alongside the aroma of breakfast bakes or a plate of juicy fresh fruits.
He also wanted to craft a charming setting with garden-fresh bouquets of flowers and watching the day and people pass you while being seated in the outdoor area, on the cobblestone streets.
Paris Paradise
The site of this café brings two structures to the table, where the brief was straightforward and simple- to give a cottage-like feel to the space. Additionally, to add a unique edge to the space, the idea of inspiration from flower shops in Paris came to be.
The cafe is divided into four zones- the smaller of the two cottages habituates the kitchen, while the bigger one accommodates the café with indoor seating and an extensive bar. The third zone becomes the amoeba-shaped space between both cottages, where the outdoor seating is aligned.
| Project information |
| Name of the project: Cafe de Flora Name of the firm: Chromed Design Studio Design Team: Abhigyan Neogi, Prashant Mallick, Kopal Kumar, Vasundhra Nathawat Location: Delhi Completion date: 20th November 2022 |
A blooming entrance
As far as the first impressions are concerned, the expressiveness from the streets of Paris is incorporated into the facade. All of it- the fluted panels of bison board, the floral arrangement to amp up the character of the space, the arched and panelled windows, the glowing name of the cafe, or the paint that adorns and brings out the light shades of whites and pinks of the bloom, the entry to this boho chic cafe calls out to all the bohemian souls out there!
Last but not least is the entry to the cafe- conceptualized as an entrance to a florist, lined with a fresh supply of flowers, imparting a fragrant welcome into the Florentine experience this place has to offer.
Enticing interiors
Moments after one crosses the picturesque Parisian storefront. They come face-to-face with the quintessential, charming vintage interiors of the place. This place carries a certain femininity from the vegetation suspended from the ceilings to the prim furniture interspersed throughout the space. To achieve and arrive at the rare colour that graces the walls was a result of twenty rounds of paint sampling.
Balancing textures
Apart from this, the palette largely comprises of white and black monotones, wallpapers, and wooden textures. To balance the freshness and cool-hued interiors, wooden flooring is laid, initiating warmth and geniality.
Victorian essence
Continuing the furnishings and furniture on the same lines, a design language of everything all-white in wrought iron garden furniture was followed. As heavy as it sounds, the chairs were designed in a way that they continue the Victorian feel instead of a bulky one. To negate the robustness of iron, heavy and thick cushioning was added, bringing comfort to the guests dining here. While the soft curves and waves on the backrests of chairs define delicacy, the table is topped with marble for ease of maintenance and makes it sturdy, also keeping the theme of the cafe intact.
Similarly, the lighting is kept around the idea of the French Riviera. Vintage wrought iron fixtures finished in golden colour are suspended from the white PVC ceiling.
Opulent outdoors
Dripping with elegance, the lighting theme continues in the same language in the outdoor seating area, differing in tone and shade, changing to rustic black. This outdoor space is an irregularly shaped area between both cottages, reflecting the idea of Parisian streets, with tables aligned alongside the windows of the structure. For a synonymously defined continuation of space, the live kitchen is also finished in the same way the facade is. This helps the guests to weave a story of relevance and relativity.
To top it all off, the toughened glass partition separating the two spaces is designed to be sliding-folding doors that open up to spill the interiors out to the outdoors, cohesively binding the whole cafe together. While the kitchen engages the user in activity on the exterior, the bar’s activities occupy people’s attention in the interiors.
Inculcating a sense of earthiness in the Indian context, the flooring in this area is dominated by colourful tiles, giving the absolutely beautiful beiges, blues, purples, and greens of the café life by balancing out elements.
All these design decisions sew together a thoroughly bespoke instagrammable cafe in the heart of New Delhi, becoming the ideation hub for countless future writers and artists, the same way cafes in Paris do.