Bougie Lighting for a Contemporary Vibe

By Randy Reid

Images courtesy of Tivoli, LLC

Pasadena’s First Neo-Bistro Uses Light as an Eccentric Sculptural Element.

When the name of your restaurant literally means odd or strange, you need a unique décor and food offering that lives up to these unexpected themes. Bar Chelou delivers in both areas. With a name based on a French word meaning bizarre or weird, Bar Chelou has become a welcome and exciting addition to Pasadena’s culinary scene.

Located in the same 98-year-old Spanish Colonial Revival building as the Pasadena Playhouse, it is the city’s first neo bistro. To say that the business is thriving would be an understatement thanks to its quickly built reputation for offbeat abstractions.

Chef and owner Douglas Rankin has created an eclectic menu that features distinctive flavors from around the world. Following in the steps of the bistronomy movement that started in Paris, Rankin offers an array of unique culinary options designed to amaze patrons’ palates, as well as their eyes. James Beard Award winning LA Times food critic Bill Addison noted the restaurant “…brings a welcome jolt of eccentricity to local— and really, regional—dining.”

Yet, the menu is just the beginning of what can only be described as a truly amazing and unexpected experience. As Rankin prepared for the opening of Bar Chelou in January of 2023, his goal was to create an unparalleled atmosphere that would match his inventive food offering.

He was already off to a great start thanks to existing artistic design elements left behind by the building’s previous occupant, including starburst tiles and a central oval bar near the entrance that was painted in a brilliant emerald green. The initial vision for the bar was to have the lighting serve as a semipermanent pop-up.

Rankin wanted to use the existing 3” downlight fixtures. However, under the previous design, the fixtures were concealed by a fabric wrap that did not complement the new atmosphere. Lead by Karen Spector, co-founder of Lovers Unite, Rankin’s team searched for the right lighting designer to bring his vision to life, which took him across the country to lighting designer Sara McElroy, president and founder of Brooklyn-based Silver Shoe Design.

“We needed the flexibility to design with loose parameters that could be adjusted onsite,” said McElroy, who also had other criteria in mind when identifying a new lighting solution. First, the lighting had to cast a warm glow that would span across various areas within the restaurant. Second, the fixtures had to form a sculptural element that gradually increased in complexity as they culminated over the bar. And finally, McElroy wanted the lighting to impart depth to the walls and other surfaces it traversed.

With these criteria in mind, McElroy ultimately specified the Flexile LG system from Tivoli, which provides a 360o bendable lighting surface without any shadowing. Its 1.25” bend radius with a 0.98” diameter allows for curved applications with UV-stabilized and food-grade environmental silicone housing.

The Flexile LG offers versatile mounting choices, featuring a sturdy telescoping bracket that conceals surface clips, providing lighting designers with the freedom to explore diverse creative applications. Tivoli's Flexile LG series boasts a maximum run of 16.25 feet and consumes only 4.5 watts per foot. It is offered in a range of color temperatures, including 2300K, 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, and 4000K. Additionally, it can be dimmed using MLV, ELV, 0-10V, DMS, and TRIAC, allowing for customization to create almost any desired ambiance.

“I really liked the user-friendly nature and standardization of the Flexile LG fixtures,” said McElroy. “It enabled us to craft a custom element using readily available components. Its literal and metaphorical flexibility were the key factors driving its selection. Plus, the lighting fixtures emit a gentle, inviting light while also serving as visually striking elements.”

The new lighting design starts in the hallway and extends gracefully throughout the dining area, sweeping over the communal table and ending in a captivating sculptural display above the bar.

“This artistic gesture visually gains momentum and impact as it spans across the space, effectively creating a genuine neo-bistro ambience throughout the restaurant,” said McElroy. “The result is a simple, yet visually engaging, sculptural element that wraps the space in warm light.”

PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

Architect – Lovers Unite, Los Angeles, CA

Lighting Designer – Silver Shoe Design, Brooklyn, NY

Distributor – Regency Supply, Chatsworth, CA

Electrical Contractor – Dubois Electric, Valencia, CA