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« In pizza we trust »...
Margherita
BY LAURA GONZALEZ
A mantra as a slogan, publicised on the façade of the former Pub St Germain, announces the cosmopolitan spirit of this contemporary brasserie signed Laura Gonzalez. The 900 square-metre space which covers three floors, solemnly renamed Margherita, has successfully been converted by the interior designer, hand-in-hand with Thierry Bourdoncle, the owner, into a cosy, multi-facetted and friendly restaurant. The renovation was considerable, fed by the international travel and culture of the pair. For this project, Laura Gonzalez took an interest
wood coffee table and velvet sofas –, one
state. «We simply respected the identity
in the smallest details, from the choice
dining room for 8 people and a games
of the place», explains the interior
of menu, the tableware picked up at
area with blackboard, it gives young
architect. Now, the wooden and rough
garage sales and on Ebay, and the name
parents who enjoy brunches and dinners
concrete floors of this former stationery
of the establishment, through to making
with their friends a real alternative. The
shop respond to walls covered in noble
antipasti jars and bespoke furniture.
warmth is emphasised by the choice
materials by exceptional craftsmen:
of wall coverings – panelling, bricks
18th-century bricks, panelling, varnished
A modern-day trattoria consisting of a
and Ressource roman plaster –, which
wood cladding, old patinas, etc. The
succession of spaces where everyone,
accentuate the room’s cosy atmosphere
decoration features the recipe which
regardless of the time, company or
and the «home sweet home» decoration:
has made Laura Gonzalez so successful:
occasion, can come together to meet.
children’s drawings framed on the
a mix & match of antique and bespoke
The ground floor opens onto a large bar
walls, figurines of super heroes sensibly
furniture, enhanced by a few exceptional
made of wood with dining tables and,
lined up, kilims on the floor, Caravane
items, notably the Ochre and BTC lamps,
on a lower level, a more casual dining
mirrors with multi-coloured braids and
not forgetting the essential touch of
hall flanked with a pizza bar with a view
Scoubidou lamps picked up from Ventilo.
greenery designed by Arôm Paris.
onto the little terrace in the Cour du Commerce. On the first floor, where the
Lastly, Laura Gonzalez has created two
cosier atmosphere features more wood,
retreat areas on the ground floor and
Laura has installed a second cocktail bar
first floor: a wooden alcove with a large
and a pizza counter.
marble table and kilim benches, and a private dining room in Little Italy style
Another flight of steps and the signage,
with brick walls, a high table, leather
created in collaboration with The Office
stools and an olive oil library.
agency, displays: KIDS’ Kingdom. «I think this is my favourite space...» states the
At Margherita, warmth is expressed in
young mum. Designed as a living area
the cuisine and the decoration. Removed
with two lounges – industrial coffee
of its artifices, the once intimidating
table and club armchairs versus solid
area has been restored to its natural