Designing a space that pays homage to a culture while maintaining a contemporary viewpoint is no small feat, but it’s precisely what Tushar Joshi, the principal designer at Utkarsha Vastukaran design studio, achieved with the design of Colonel Saab.
Located at the former heritage place Trafalgar Square in the heart of Central London, Colonel Saab, an Indian modern heritage restaurant from Roop Pratap Chaudhary, offers a smart Indian fine dining experience.
For Joshi, the inspiration for the design came from the travel tales of the owner Roop Pratap Choudhary’s father, Col. Manbeer Choudhary, and his wife Binny Choudhary, who traversed the Indian subcontinent. The designer aimed to create a space that would reflect Indian culture while also paying homage to the Choudhary family’s experiences.
The moment you walk into Colonel Saab, you’re greeted by the old-style jazz music playing in the background. This sets the tone for the nostalgic atmosphere that Joshi and his team aimed to create. The artwork in the restaurant was handpicked to reflect the rich history and traditions of India and is museum-worthy.
Every corner of the restaurant reflects the essence of India while maintaining a contemporary viewpoint with an old soul, and this is evident in every design element. The bold colours and textures of the furniture, combined with intricate details in the hand crafted brass and glass lighting fixtures with dual finish, make sure that the design’s soul remains Indian.
The use of traditional Indian textiles fabric orginally known as khim khaab as well as the traditional zardozi work and patterns was a crucial element of the design. Joshi and his team found a perfect balance between old and new by combining modern elements with traditional Indian textiles and patterns, resulting in a space that feels modern yet familiar and evokes a sense of nostalgia.
18th century beautifully hand-crafted door with white metal/silver sheet mounted over carved teak wood model. This door is designed especially for stone temples which were made near out skirts between the border areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The narrative stemmed from the client’s brief of a luxurious and personalised haven. The idea behind the restaurant is the tribute to the couple. The grab and go section of the restaurant is the crystal glittered chandelliers which gives you a sculptured palatial feel at the entrance.
This restaurant alludes to a timeless charm celebrating the ethos of vintage luxury finest art pieces used by the designer, using special Battsar art from Orissa and old rugged doors. There is sense of luxe in both the space and selection of materials the art and creativity how well are they used.
