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.

Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean, the interior offers a nostalgic nod to Southern European dining 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 lunch. Later in the day, Esmée becomes a destination for early evening cocktails, followed by dinner from the kitchen of chef Andreas Bagh.

Throughout Esmée, Space Copenhagen champion the Fly Lights designed by Pierre Chareau in the 1920s and reissued by Galerie MCDE. These pieces are composed of alabaster panels in sculpted, geometric shapes that shed light in soft hues. In addition to Fly, the designers also specified Fly Gaby, a reinterpretation of Chareau’s design by Hauvette & Madani. Space Copenhagen 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 interior.

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. In this area, a sensual dark palette of red and burgundy complements the inner restaurant’s more neutral colour palette. The space features high bar seating upholstered in a plum leather from the designers’ own new 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, which open to the outdoor area at the front of the restaurant.

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Moving deeper into the interior, 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 restaurant’s lush courtyard. A palette of subdued neutrals, greys and greens set the tone, distilling an atmosphere of lightness and softness.

The main dining area features original columns 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, 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.

Commenting on the design, Signe Bindslev Henriksen of Space Copenhagen 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.”

[Images courtesy of Space Copenhagen. Photography by wichmann+bendtsen.]