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Inspiration
Bambini, a Theatrical Trattoria
A Mediterranean breath of fresh air comes to the Palais de Tokyo restaurant with Bambini, the festive restaurant from the Paris Society group! A whimsical place from the successful architectural duo of Friedman and Versace that unveils the latest version of the restaurant space in Europe’s largest contemporary art centre. The duo has brilliantly reimagined the brutalist surroundings of the location by following a “decorative approach” driven by emotion and exuberant Italian imagery. Using components from the physical environment and their will to embody them with the romantic soul of the boot-shaped country, the two creatives have turned 13 avenue du Président Wilson into a popular and sophisticated trattoria. A veritable theatre of the transalpine art of living, it embodies what’s most flamboyant in Italy! Beauty and an aesthetic of abundance inspired by the ancient as well as the contemporary – Delphine Versace and Virginie Friedmann have enriched it with plant motifs from the bar to the tables and the terrace. Roman lime, Murano glass sconces and satin fabric with stripes: each corner has been closely studied to play noon and night in a room where everyone joyfully assumes their role in a theatrical setting. It’s the feeling of “sunny and elegant Mediterranean homes, where guests talk loudly, doors slam and meals last until all hours of the night”, accentuated by cornices, trellises, panels and other rattan suspensions that proudly display themselves while leaving their share of light to the tasty dishes offered on the menu! Arrancini, pizza, polpette and many types of pasta: so many gourmet and traditional offerings that smell like the sun and invite you to a Latin interlude.
Bambini restaurant, Palais De Tokyo, 13 Av. du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, reservations on their website www.bambini-restaurant.com/en/ and by phone: 01 40 70 86 08.
Author
Juliette Bruneau
Photographer
Valerio Geraci
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TSF
Virginie, Delphine: can you introduce yourselves, please?
Virginie, Delphine
We established the Studio three years ago to assist our clients in designing and creating unique living spaces. Our approach is mainly based on compositional work, an abundance of material combinations, enhancing the value of traditional skills and expertise, and combining styles, periods and custom-designed furniture.
TSF
What is your background?
Virginie, Delphine
Delphine graduated from the Beaux-Arts and began her career in contemporary art, while Virginie worked in scenography. She subsequently devoted herself to creating living spaces, aiming to design unique and coherent environments.
TSF
Tell us about the origins of Bambini. How did you feel about this important undertaking?
Virginie, Delphine
Paris Society wanted to set up a popular and lively trattoria. We fell in love with the place. It’s fantastic to be able to create a restaurant in the biggest contemporary art centre in Europe. Which, moreover, was one of the results of the 1937 Universal Exhibition.
TSF
Bambini is the latest addition to the Paris Society family and is a genuine ode to the Italian art of good living. What were the challenges involved in winning the tender for the Palais de Tokyo restaurant?
Virginie, Delphine
The main challenge in designing Bambini was to completely rethink the space to bring in more warmth and a cosier feel while leaving the brutalist shell exposed to respect the architecture of this iconic building. We used a variety of elements, including cornices, trellises, panels and supersized rattan pendant lights, to resize and give structure to this massive space. The beaded curtains add a picturesque touch to the space, too. To create a contrast with the raw, minimalist environment, we chose to give way to abundant vegetation and used a multitude of natural elements to punctuate the decor. The walls are finished in a sienna colour or Roman lime plaster. They are complemented by pilasters and wall lights in plaster or Murano glass.
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We wanted to celebrate a bohemian and elegant way of life that is fresh and relaxed. We took those things that brought the most joy and pleasure to our Italian hearts as references for the project.
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TSF
Here, at the ultimate address, how did you look at hospitality in a new light? What were your inspirations when you were planning this place?
Virginie, Delphine
We wanted to celebrate a bohemian and elegant way of life that is fresh and relaxed. We took those things that brought the most joy and pleasure to our Italian hearts as references for the project. It is an evocation of both festive, theatrical Italy and traditional, authentic Italy. We have drawn on the wealth of Italian craftsmanship and design to create a dialogue between periods and styles that forms the common thread of the décor. The antique blends in with the contemporary, the classical conventions become fanciful. Italian design is an integral part of our decorative approach. Referring to the masters seemed to us the obvious way to go. Italy arouses many emotions in us. The carpet is inspired by Venetian marbled paper, and the rugs evoke Greek mythology (geometric lines and labyrinths) and Carlo Scarpa’s motifs and architecture. The plaster lamps are the work of Alberto Giacometti. All the furniture is custom-designed: benches, armchairs, lighting, chairs, ceramic vases, etc. All these original pieces bring an unusual touch to the place and reinforce its unique identity. Starting with the large solid wooden table supported by two meticulously carved sinuous columns, which pays homage to Casa Malaparte.
TSF
What materials and colour palettes did you use to develop the set design?
Virginie, Delphine
At Bambini, noble materials and craftsmanship coexist unashamedly: from Murano glass to plaster, turchesite, stainless steel and Sienna brocatelle marble. We have alternated striped satin fabrics with celadon and red-brown velvet and floral prints. The furniture is in metal or rattan, evoking the charm of the sunny and refined homes of the Mediterranean where guests talk loudly, doors slam, and meals last well into the night.
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We have drawn on the wealth of Italian craftsmanship and design to create a dialogue between periods and styles that forms the common thread of the décor.
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TSF
How did you manage to create continuity between the indoor and outdoor spaces?
Virginie, Delphine
The notion of the garden runs throughout our decoration and can be found in all the spaces and decorative elements: frescoes, fabrics, furniture, pictorial elements, trellises, etc. In ancient Rome, the garden was a place for people to gather and converse. Bambini sets the stage for a way of life.
TSF
Are there any specialities on the menu that you particularly like?
Virginie, Delphine
We love sharing antipasti: arancini, green bean salad with pistachios and ricotta secca, aubergine parmigiana, vitello tonnato…
TSF
And at the bar?
Virginie, Delphine
Bloody Marys!
TSF
Where will we see you next?
Virginie, Delphine
A restaurant in the 11th arrondissement: “Orgueil”, run by Eloi Spinnler (a young chef who trained at Ducasse), a hotel in Nice on the Promenade des Anglais, a house in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and a restaurant in Doha.
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The notion of the garden runs throughout our decoration and can be found in all the spaces and decorative elements (...)
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