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Issue link: http://rddmag.epubxp.com/i/595518
4 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 • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 FURNITURE W hen Christopher Lawton and Micah Stanley of L + S Architects re- searched furnishings for Grace, their 2014 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant Design Award– winning project in Chicago, they spent months looking for chairs. Comfort, style, size and durability were critical, and hundreds of samples tested didn't measure up. After all, guests at Grace typically spend three hours at the table enjoying chef-owner Curtis Duffy's multi- course tasting menus, and the chairs had to be right. "We followed the philosophy that the things that guests are in immediate, tactile contact with should receive the most energy and investment," Lawton says. "Things that are a bit farther away and that guests really don't come in contact with could be less fne, but the chairs were critical." Indeed, no matter the concept, whether Michelin-starred restaurant like Grace or QSR chain, furniture selection demands careful consideration. Looks and comfort are important, but durabil- ity is equally so. Mistakes are costly and can have a real impact on branding and guest satisfaction. For starters, designers and opera- tors should make furniture selections through the brand flter with an under- standing of how they will contribute to the restaurant's appearance and style of service. Old-school notions of what fts best in certain segments, such as plush, high-end furnishings in upscale restaurants and hard, uncomfortable installations in fast-food operations, no longer apply. In fact, infuenced by the design aesthetics and consumer appeal of fast casual, both ends of the dining spec- trum have migrated toward brand- appropriate versions of casual-yet- sophisticated furnishings — often made from reclaimed or otherwise environ- mentally friendly materials. 2015 PRODUCT ISSUE Classically Elegant Seating The Sofa chair from MityLite blends the essentials of traditional restaurant seating with the comfort and design of an upholstered seat and backrest. It supports 1,000 pounds, features glued and screwed mortise and tenon joint construction, and is available in several wood fnishes. Non-marring polypropylene chair glides protect foors, and operators can choose from a diverse line of fabrics. www.mitylite.com Stackable, Stylish Metal Chairs emuamericas' Darwin collection of indoor/outdoor chairs emphasizes classic themes by utilizing a metal sheet mesh with a contemporary geometric structure. The Darwin collection features tubular steel chair frames and ergonomic proportions of the stackable seating components. The Darwin collection includes side chair, armchair and barstool styles in several metal fnishes and colors. www.emuamericas.com Bar-Height Banquettes and More Carolina Custom Booth Co. offers a variety of seating options, including bar-height banquettes. CCB also offers a standard line of upholstered and wood seating and can modify existing designs or create a new custom seating style. www.carolinacustombooth.com