Entrepreneurs throw a spotlight on festive red

Limousine, Montreal

A proper neighbourhood bistro, Limousine caters to the young, professional newcomers to the Saint-Lambert suburb, across the St Lawrence River from downtown. The menu covers the classics: onglet-frites, salade Niçoise, crevettes and escargot. And the decor, by Ivy Studio, takes its cues from the red-velvet banquettes of Paris, with heavy red curtains and upholsteries accessorised with bronze, rich woods and mosaic floor tiles.

Kiko Kostadinov, London

Kiko Kostadinov’s flagship in east London. Photography: Studio Hahn.

Menswear designer Kiko Kostadinov enlisted THISS Studio to design his first flagship boutique, in east London. Doubling as an exhibition space for artist and collaborator Ryan Trecartin, the shop features chrome pontoon railings, flipped upside down and mounted to the ceiling to function as clothing rails. The deep maroon of the carpet is extended up the walls and into a colour-drenched tunnel lined with a deep red curtain.

Tyga, Melbourne

Australian restaurateur Tommy Tong calls this brand new restaurant-lounge ‘neo-Southeast Asian’, but the design by Brandworks have channeled 1970s Bangkok in a ‘stylo-milo’ fit-out that makes liberal use of glass bricks and cherrywood. Vintage speakers and permanent DJs make Tyga a stop on the listening-bar landscape.

Museo Reina Sofia Cinema, Madrid

Adding a confident modernist energy to this historic building at the centre of Madrid, Bach Arquitectes transformed a former auditorium into a top-of-the-line audiovisual cavern for film screenings and events. The reception area is doused in tomato-red paint, and a suspended triangle absorbs the acoustics while mirroring the red of the velvet seating and curtains.

Nino Osteria, Milan

Blood-red wood panelling and rose flooring set the tone at this modern Italian that focuses on domestic red wines. The interiors were a collaboration between Diego Rossi and the trio of architects behind Oooh Studio, who balance out the claret colour with deep greens.

Bastian Spazio, Mexico City

Photography: courtesy of Bastian Spazio.

This members’ club in the southwestern outskirts of Mexico City has a retro-futuristic feel with porthole windows peeking out through red-stained walls, and floor tiles the shade and sheen of lipgloss. The furnishings were customised in a palette of reds as well, by club designers Garza + Terán of Monterrey.

Nordic Knots, London

The first London flagship for this Swedish rug-maker is located in a red-brick Mayfair townhouse swathed in saturated fabric and, naturally, custom mohair rugs. The bedroom mock-up is draped in Grand Burnt Red fabric produced by the company, and it’s all thrown together by the interior design arm Nordic Knots Studio.

Soil Nihonbashi, Tokyo

Photography: courtesy of Soil Nihonbashi Hotel.

Outfitted in a suite of terracotta colours, this 14-room hotel sits around the corner from Tokyo’s central station. The rusty elements play into the vintage feel of the interior and coordinate with the rippled window boxes outside, conceived by architect Kiyoaki Takeda. Terracotta brickwork appears outdoors and in.

Caffè Zaffri, New York

Both the sun-kissed and mood-lit dining rooms at Caffè Zaffri riff on the Lebanese-flavoured menu, with tones of cinnamon, blood orange, tomato and spice. Post Company is responsible for the tactile upholstered booths, silk trim, custom wall coverings and identity on the rare-red menus.