CONTRACT HIGH
N I R VA N A
AMAL RESTAURANT
An ode to whimsical opulence, a Toronto restaurant, designed by Studio Munge, is an elegant escape brimming with custom details.
and interior designer Alessandro Munge, founder of award-winning firm Studio Munge, is Amal, a luxurious new Lebanese restaurant in Toronto. Resplendent with layered details and custom pieces, Amal is a feast for the eyes, no matter where they land. The interior’s white walls and architectural millwork serve as a neutral backdrop for bursts of pastel blues, mint greens, and burnt-orange tones reminiscent of Mediterranean shores. “Guests will instantly feel at ease as they enter, due to the welcoming and immersive nature of the layout,” 70
GRAY
Munge says. “And, as they journey, a sense of marvel will take over in the discovery of handcrafted curiosities.” Those unique decorative accents include one-of-a-kind furnishings, artisanal pendant lights, custom rugs, and an 850-square-foot ceiling mural, which was designed by Canadian art studio Moss & Lam and hand-painted on-site by a local artist. “We wanted to create a memorable and connective experience,” Munge says. “In the age of fast fashion and disposable experiences, I always want our dining rooms to be more than the setting for a meal. The space must be thoughtful and the backdrop for a memorable, transportive moment.” »
FROM TOP: The main dining
area of Amal, designed by Studio Munge, features a 700-square-foot custom rug and a ceiling mural designed by Moss & Lam. Guests experience a sense of opulence from the moment they approach the host stand. OPPOSITE: A semiprivate dining area is framed with custom-designed laser-cut screens featuring a modernized eight-point star pattern. MAXIME BOCKEN
CROWNING A 25-YEAR PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ONE OF CANADA’S TOP HOTELIERS, Charles Khabouth,