Like all things designed, the process is a personal journey where you go through many inhibitions and self doubt, before you reach the final product. Currently the project closest to my heart, that I have been keeping a secret for more than 6 months is about to be launched in the city of Karachi, and I’m so glad to be the Interior designer of this fabulous vision. My dearest family cum clients Mustafa & Alifia, apart from being ultra modernist and progressive in their individual work are also great people to work with. Their most endearing quality as clients has been that they trust in your vision, and let everyone do their job.
This December, there will be an unveiling of a fresh new perspective on Cheese, Meat, the right ambiance and everything in between. A completely reimagined industrial-chic restaurant from Mustafa Totana of the fit in5 fame, its rumored to introduced Raclette Cheese- (its Swiss and its melted, need I say more?) and Wood Fire Meat ( rustic and mouth watering? Absolutely!) in our city of lights.
The design process was a grand journey of new concepts and amalgamation of the old. Starting off with the concept of a modern day Cheese Cellar experience, we started working on the mood board with the key elements, Wood, Barrels, Greens and Candles. As Cheese lounges are a very mid 20th century European concept, we immediately futurized it by putting industrial as the predominant theme, and layering it Cheese Cellar elements. Once on the same page with the concept building, the design itself provided many challenges, space limitations, climate and non availability of the required technology to name a few.
What this cafe lacks in space it makes up with the tactile experience and sophistication. The space design is experimental and experiential- a window into the new age cheese lounge. There is seating for all kinds of groups and for the special sunny days when you have a date with yourself, there is a cleverly designed niche to sit on your own, enjoy your meal and reflect. It’s my favorite spot in the entire place. We have thrown in a surprise Texan Hawaiian element to connect and provide a wholesome visual experience.
I’m all jitters and can’t wait for the project to take shape, it’s always a bit unnerving- the whole experience of putting yourself out there in the open. Seeing it progress little by little each day is extremely exhilarating to say the least. I love work on site experience, missing out on the daily visits being here in Dubai, but due to technological advances I can stay totally abreast.
Beautiful woodwork and over the top graphics, a project of hard work, vision, out of box thinking and pushing the boundaries. I won’t tell much before the launch but be prepared for a lot more posts on this current love of my life. And do pray it to turns out like I see it and be this huge huge success, Ameen. Sit tight lovelies, coming through is a roller coaster filled with a tactile, sensational kaleidoscopic journey !
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