Negative space is an incredibly powerful tool in design. Expertise tells us this space is just as important as substance, creating room to release and reflect. Brilliance must be given space to breathe. In the grand scheme of life, time spent appreciating the small things is never wasted. Intentional and dynamic, TABRA by Andreea Cornila makes good use of our short time here on earth, infusing tactile materials with an expertly rendered sense of volume.
A singular yet determined skylight dominates the room, bathing the interior in a concentrated beam of light. Soft, delicate orbs decorate the surrounding walls, offering a small yet endearing warmth to the burgundy-drenched room. The walls, chairs, and booth upholstery all reflect this rich hue, adding a chic opulence to the space.
The highly lacquered gloss of the tables in contrast with the warm pile of the upholstery makes for a striking tablescape. Clear glassware and minimal setting leaves room for the food and the ambiance to take precedent, focusing on what is most memorable about a meal.
The bar features generously curved chrome siding, buffed to a mirror finish and reflecting the herringbone floor below. Inset racks for wine glasses hang above, suspended in space by a stately built-in cabinet that creates a surprising amount of height, despite it’s size. Cornila invests heavily in the dynamics between volumes, and it truly shows in her work.
The kitchen is intentionally open, guests invited to see the action and witness the process. Anyone who dines frequently truly does want to see what goes on behind the curtain, whatever that might be. With this honorary placement, the back-of-house/front-of-house divide is blurred, centering the act of service. “Every gesture at Tabra, from the tactile portals to the curated textures and contrasting spatial moods, is designed to engage the senses. It is a space that honors history, embraces contemporary elegance, and celebrates the art of gathering,” states the designer.
These textile portals echo the Art Deco influences of the era, this space originally being used as places for living. Wanting to preserve the natural flow of the wine cellar, the upholstery adds a new weight to simply stepping through. As the original casings could not be preserved, these golden archways pay homage to the decades of history that have shaped these walls, and will continue well in the future.
Founded in Bucharest in 2019, Andreea Cornila is a Romanian interior and product designer. With a strong attraction to shape, balance, and color, her command over these tenets of design is apparent within her work. Unafraid of a color drench or a pop (or room) of red, her style is bold, sophisticated, and quite singular.
To learn more about Tabra Restaurant by Andreea Cornila, visit andreeacornila.ro.
Photography by Vlad Patru & Andrei Vintila.
