A Wardrobe Change from Daytime to Evening - Silks Restaurant Interior Design Suits the Mood

Well known for its sumptuous details and rich ambiance, the interior of Silks restaurant is an evocation of the color and textures of the Orient. Inspired by the romance of the Old Silk Road, it is an environment of unique wall treatments, hand-painted silk chandeliers, superb linens, fine crystal and contemporary china.

Appropriate to its Pacific Rim influenced cuisine, the interior of Silks serves as a backdrop for two rather different dining experiences. By day, the restaurant hosts the financial district and the international travelers doing business in San Francisco for whom the Mandarin Oriental is home.

At night, hotel guests, traveling couples and area residents come to Silks for its intimate atmosphere, spectral food and exceptional service.

What could be done to enhance the experience of one without detracting the experience of the other? The answer came in the form of designer Brad Lublin who was commissioned to create an “evening ensemble” that would be put in place for dinner and be removed during the day. Lublin spent the previous decade in set production at the American Conservatory Theater working on scores of plays.

“The challenge was designing a set of new elements that could be changed quickly by the staff,” said Lublin, “while still invoking substantial change to the surroundings. In effect, we were creating a scene shift to travel from the day into the new evening decor. This was achieved using sumptuous new peony lace silk brocade tablecloths influenced by the robes of the Imperial Chinese Court. These tables are then draped with overlays of only the finest cotton.”

While Silks is known for its intimacy and warmth, Lublin emphasized those features in the layout of the room. Heavy velvet draperies were installed in the foyer that dampen sound and improve acoustics while functioning as a screen, disguising the transformation. The foyer and the different dining areas were divided with silk chiffon sheers and fine silk tieback tassels.

“These panels add a splash of vertical color to the horizontal plane of the existing design,” Lublin continues. “In order to create a softer more naturally hued light, pure shantung silk shades were installed and used in conjunction with new lighting technology. It all tied together with new drapery hardware of fine polished brass to mirror elements throughout the hotel.”

Sal Abaunza, general manager of the hotel and the driving force behind the innovative design comments, “It’s part of our dedicated and long-term commitment to great dining at Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco. Our clientele has come to expect the very best.

So to exceed their expectations, we are now able to present to someone at dinner a subtly more beautiful room than was experienced that very day at lunch.”

Reservations can be made at Silks by telephoning +1 (415) 986 2020 or by contacting the hotel directly at +1 (415) 276 9888.