Parisian restaurant: Brazilian-informed murals bring character
The interiors of Parisian restaurant was designed by artist Florence Bamberger and architect Arnaud Behzadi, combining elements of Brazilian and French design.
Oka Fogo is the newest restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Raphael Rego, who is originally from Rio de Janeiro, and is situated in the 17th arrondissement of Paris.
Behzadi created interiors that try to evoke the essence of Rego’s food, and Bamberger added vibrant wall and ceiling murals to provide even more excitement.
Every one of the two eateries has their own personality.
“House” in the language of the native Tupi people of Brazil, Oka is a cozy 16-seat dinner-service Parisian restaurant that evokes the spirit of an opulent yet cozy lounge.
Fogo, which means “fire” in Portuguese, is a nearby less formal area that provides a dining al fresco.
This forty-seat venue, which has an adjacent bar and grill, is open for lunch and dinner.
Every one of the two eateries has their own personality.
“House” in the language of the native Tupi people of Brazil, Oka is a cozy 16-seat dinner-service restaurant that evokes the spirit of an opulent yet cozy lounge.
Dining al fresco is possible in the less formal Fogo, which means “fire” in the neighborhood. This forty-seat venue, which has an adjacent bar and grill, is open for lunch and dinner.
Behzadi said to Dezeen, “I approached the project as a journey through a house.”
“I see Oka as a prestigious living room and Fogo as an interior garden.”
The emotive murals by Bamberger support this strategy.
She has reinterpreted Édouard Manet’s painting Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe in Fogo. The vivid style of the work is inspired by the free-flowing lines of Brazilian artist José Francisco Borgès.
The Oka mural is not on a wall, but rather on the ceiling. Brazil’s flora and fauna, as well as items that symbolize the country’s culture, serve as the inspiration for this more abstract piece.
In homage to the materials used by Brazil’s renowned mid-century designers, Behzadi selected intensely textured marbles and richly toned woods for the interior design palette.
The exterior is where the pairing of stone and wood is first seen, with panels of Amazonian Jatoba wood situated atop an Iranian marble pedestal adorned with striae.
“I decided to interpret a classical style for the storefront,” Behzadi remarked.
“It’s a very Parisian approach, using an exotic material to start evoking the interior that you will discover inside.”
Inside, a variety of stones, such as white travertine and varied green-toned marbles, complement the ornate oak furnishings and woodwork.
Sculptural wall lights by designer Cathy Crinon, Behzadi’s former business partner, and chairs designed by the late Sergio Rodrigues. A Brazilian, are two more striking elements.
“There’s definitely a Brazilian influence here,” Behzadi continued.
The venue also has a vaulted ceiling wine and champagne tasting room and an alcove dining area with seating for six that boasts a mirrored ceiling and a curving red velvet bench.
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