Esmée | Space Copenhagen

Danish design studio Space Copenhagen has designed the interiors of Esmée, a new restaurant located at the beautiful “Kings Square” in the heart of Copenhagen, near the Royal Danish Theatre and Charlottenborg Palace.

Esmée pays homage to the essence of the Classic French brasserie and cuisine, with a classic setting in a modern interpretation. Simultaneously elegant, fun, comfortable and unpretentious, the atmosphere aspires to dreamy, vibrant and buzzing nights out. This is the second time Space Copenhagen has brought their design expertise to the Kongens Nytorv space, having designed the much-acclaimed restaurant Geist in 2011.

With Esmée, Space Copenhagen has conceived a space that reflects a sense of optimism and playfulness and seeks to celebrate the joys of social interaction to mark the reopening of Denmark’s hospitality industry, following the challenges presented over the past year. For Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard Rützou, founders of Space Copenhagen, using design to fuse together a blend of contemporary yet rustic influences to create a timeless and approachable culinary destination in the heart of Copenhagen was paramount. Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean, Space Copenhagen’s design offers a nostalgic nod to Southern European dining and is echoed throughout the interiors.

The refined variety between the main areas allows the space to evolve seamlessly throughout the day, offering an elegant yet playful destination for socialising. Starting as a relaxed morning coffee spot, the restaurant then becomes the perfect place for a light casual business lunch or catching up with friends. Later in the day, Esmée becomes a destination for early evening cocktails, followed by an exquisite dinner from the kitchen of acclaimed Chef Andreas Bagh. Inspired by La Belle Époque in France, the restaurant will serve an à la carte menu rooted in classic French dishes with a Nordic touch. Throughout Esmée, Space Copenhagen has utilised the beautiful Fly Light designed by Pierre Chareau in the 1920s and reissued by Galerie MCDE. Rather than utilising conventional shades, these pieces are composed from alabaster panels in sculpted, geometric shapes that shed light in soft hues. In addition to Fly, space has also used Fly Gaby, a reinterpretation of Chareau’s design by Hauvette & Madan.

Space Copenhagen has collaborated with Studio Oliver Gustav on the indoor planting scheme and on the sourcing of a dramatic Italian cabinet and a selection of decorative items deployed throughout the space.

The Bar

To the left of the main entrance sits a distinctive bar, finished in a high-gloss hand-painted deep plum – the texture and finish of which references the front doors of classic Copenhagen homes. This is finished with a natural stone countertop. In the bar area, a sensual dark palette of red and burgundy complements the inner restaurant’s more neutral colour palette. This space features high bar seating upholstered in a plum leather from Space Copenhagen’s new durable leather collection, NUANCE for Sorensen Leather, complemented by a bouclé fabric of the same shade. Acting as a standalone bar and focal point of the restaurant, natural light streams in through the large windows behind the bar, which open to the outdoor area at the front of the restaurant, with lounge seating and high tables allowing for al fresco dining and casual drinks.

As you move deeper into the restaurant, the light filters from the bar into the more intimate dining spaces, with large-scale hand-crafted wicker lighting from Atelier Vime in France hanging above the tables. Large trees in the dining areas, together with the hanging lush greenery in the bar are used to bring the outside in and echo the restaurants lush courtyard.

A palette of subdued neutrals, greys and greens set the tone of this space, distilling an atmosphere of lightness and softness. The rustic chalky stone floor, sourced in France, is striped on the diagonal in monochrome canvas and sand shades to optimise the layout and complemented by floor to ceiling draped Belgian linen curtains from Swedish brand Astrid.

The Restaurant

The main dining area features original columns which have been used to divide the space and draw the eye upwards to create a sense of height. Mirrors on the walls create depth amongst the natural sandy tones, with marble-effect paint from Copenhagen-based brand St. Leo and matte paint panels, adding subtle texture to the space. The neutral surroundings are offset by verdant banquettes, the seats of which are upholstered in a deep green leather, also from Space Copenhagen’s NUANCE collection with Sorensen Leather, while the comfortable cushioned backs feature a tactile patterned Dedar fabric. These booths sit alongside soft Loafer Chairs designed by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition and classic bistro-style upholstered bentwood Vienna 144 chairs by Gebrüder Thonet. The dining room leads to a spectacular courtyard and outdoor dining area surrounded by trees, featuring a u-shaped bench seating arrangement in a cumaru hardwood that will patinate over time. The courtyard also features neutral coloured exterior dining chairs from Danish brand Sika Design made in alu-rattan with taupe seat cushions.

The restaurant features an open kitchen in the second dining area on the opposite end of the space with generous tables and booth seating along the façade adjacent to the outdoor dining area on the bustling square of Kongens Nytorv. Beyond the kitchen lies a multi-purpose room which can be closed off for private dining or split into multiple tables for additional covers. For this area, Space Copenhagen worked with Studio Oliver Gustav to source a beautiful vintage Italian cabinet which serves both as a waiter’s station as well as a focal design piece for the interior.

Commenting on the design, Signe Bindslev Henriksen says: For Esmée we wanted to create the feeling of a fun, lively, urban Orangery by bringing the verdant courtyards into the space and by using a lot of plants and trees throughout. In addition, the use of the colour green in a multitude of shades, both on the walls and on the upholstery has created a light and naturalistic tapestry.

Peter Bundgaard Rützou adds: Returning to a place we have designed before is both humbling and challenging. We wanted to respect the beautiful Kongens Nytorv space but completely reinterpret it and see it through new eyes. We feel that the design of Esmée has a real sense of joy and celebration about it, which really feels right for these times. It is also the perfect foil for the meticulous cooking of chef Andreas Bagh.

Photography: wichmann+bendtsen

Address:
Kongens Nytorv 8
1050, Copenhagen
Denmark