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5 4 • r e s t a u r a n t d e v e l o p m e n t + d e s i g n • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 overscaled in the more casual areas. The idea was to take traditional elements and modernize them by playing with scale. We had 13-foot ceilings to work with, so the lighting style ended up being critical to helping create intimate-feeling rooms, even though they're actually quite large." Another feature of the main room that works well from both an operations and a design standpoint is the area des- ignated for private dining. Located at the back of the room, it can be partitioned off with the large drapes or, when not needed for private groups, left open for general dining. The patterned Spanish-style tiles lining both sides of the arched wall that separates the dining areas from the bar becomes the room's most distinctive feature. It runs the entire length of the room, — roughly 23 feet long — extend- ing from the restaurant's entry area into the private dining area as well. "We wanted to bring in that tradi- tional detail of Spanish tiles and how eclectic that can be in traditional Span- ish culture. It adds to the layering of all these different patterns on top of each other. We wanted traditional touches, but to modernize it we found a tile that has those types of patterns with a variety of neutrals and pops of color," Oldham says. "We also played with scale. Some of the tiles are 8 by 8 [inches] or 6 by 6, and the largest is 24 by 24. They create this nice quilted pattern that is show- cased on both sides of the space." Channeling Retro Havana Attention to melding traditional, Spanish-inspired design details with modern-yet-retro infuences is evident in Paladar's casual dining room as well. In addition to the large-format light fxtures and tile wall feature on one side, custom furnishings and millwork were keys to PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR The casual dining room features bold teal walls and warm wood furnishings along with large, framed art pieces celebrating Latin life and culture. Overscaled lighting helps to create an environment that's distinct from the more formal main dining room. Lighted residential-style cupboards with painted white wood frames put Paladar's extensive rum collection on display in the back bar.