Compton Verney restaurant reopens after refurb
The design is inspired by Compton Verney’s art collection, housed in a Grade 1 listed mansion, and its 120 acres of landscaped grounds, designed by Capability Brown
Compton Verney art gallery has revamped and reopened its restaurant following a refresh led by architectural interior design firm Sculpt.
Previously a more functional ‘grab and go’ style café, the new look aims to reflect the evolved multiple course dining offer.
The design is inspired by Compton Verney’s art collection, housed in a Grade 1 listed mansion, and its 120 acres of landscaped grounds, designed by Capability Brown.
The materials and colour palette bring the surrounding landscape into the 235 sq m / 2500 sq ft space featuring natural colours, lighting effects, wood panelling that reflects the tall trees found in the grounds.
Lightboxes in the main space show pieces from the collection, bringing the art into the restaurant. These are easily changeable to allow the space to be updated over time to tie into a theme of a current exhibition or to temporarily customise for special events.
According to the gallery, the new design elements “needed to slot in neatly with existing features to harmonise, modernise and reduce waste”. For example, the original table bases were retained, and new solid wood and marble-effect tops added. The old tabletops have been reused in a new restaurant.
Different finishes and approaches were used to create a mix of “casual” and “more intimate” dining areas within the vast space.
The furniture throughout the restaurant uses a mixture of fabrics to add to the “texture” and “variance” of the large space.
Additionally, the restaurant also features Glow-in-the-dark elements and tone-effect countertops and chairs. The overall flow was also improved, resulting in a new entrance where it had previously overlapped with the gallery entrance.
Geraldine Collinge, CEO, Compton Verney, said: “We’ve been thrilled to be able to collaborate with Sculpt to transform our restaurant into a welcoming, creative space. It has been greatly received by our visitors who are making the most out of taking time out of their day to spend quality time in the restaurant with family and friends. The restaurant reflects the bringing together of our collections and scenic landscape with delicious locally sourced food for our visitors to experience.”
Ash Wilson, founder and creative director, Sculpt, added: “We wanted to create a space that keeps visitors immersed in the art and the landscape as they dine. Places like Compton Verney play an important role in our cultural heritage. It’s been an honour and a privilege to design a place for visitors to pause, rest and take stock of their visit.”