Spectrum was contracted by the Boykin Lodging Company to complete a partial renovation of an existing restaurant located within a hotel in downtown Chicago. The challenge was to give this tired restaurant a completely new look, while staying within the constraints of a tight budget. After researching the space, we decided to retain the existing hardwood floors and stucco walls, and the tabletops, which would be skirted with crisp white cloths and butcher paper to conceal the existing finish. The existing heavily textured walls appeared harsh and cold upon entering the space, so they were faux painted in a warm, rich, ochre palette to feel softer and more welcoming. Additionally, faux painted murals, custom designed by our team, were added in the private dining areas to compliment the banquette upholstery fabrics. Heavy, library style chairs were specified, a timeless and low maintenance alternative to upholstered dining chairs. New settee style banquets were used and upholstered in a bright cobalt and lime-green harlequin pattern fabric. The hostess station, wait stations, and banquet end-cap walls were custom designed by our team and built using two tones of wood veneer in a diamond marquetry pattern to mimic the banquet upholstery fabric. The oversized, custom-designed wall murals, which were computer generated (a cost savings versus hand painted) and framed out with oversized gilded moldings, were chosen to provide maximum impact for minimum dollars. The window treatments were designed to soften the expanse of glass without obstructing the breathtaking view of the city beyond.
