AB Concept designs Milanese restaurant: Paper Moon’s first London outpost at Raffles London in The OWO
November 22, 2023
International architecture and design studio AB Concept has unveiled its design for world famous Milanese restaurant Paper Moon’s first UK restaurant, now open at Raffles London in The OWO in Whitehall.
Bringing the authentic and timeless flavours of Italy to one of London's most iconic settings, Paper Moon offers world-class dining and hospitality. Welcoming guests throughout the day, and serving eclectic, seasonal dishes that celebrate the restaurant's Milanese roots. The bustling bar offers a menu of classic aperitivi alongside traditional Italian cocktails with a contemporary twist, and an array of fine wines.
Located in Whitehall and overlooking Royal Horse Guards, The OWO building is moments away from Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, and St James’s Park. One of London’s most storied addresses, Britain’s former Old War Office, the building has been inhabited by Britain’s leading statesmen, including Sir Winston Churchill, and served as inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond series.
AB Concept’s restaurant design for Paper Moon London seeks to invoke the ambience of an Italian home within The OWO’s Grade II* listed Edwardian Baroque building. Featuring a warm tonal colour-palette, accented with golden textures and lush greenery, the 109-cover restaurant is divided into three sections: a foyer, bar and library, and main dining area. Several private spaces are offered, in addition to an outdoor courtyard. The design concept sensitively unites the building’s original architecture, completed in 1906, with the finest of Italian fabrics, furniture, and natural materials for a sophisticated, atmospheric dining experience. The project is Paper Moon’s third collaboration with AB Concept, following the studio’s design for the outpost in Milan which opened in 2018, and the Algarve location inaugurated in 2022 within the W Hotel.
“For Paper Moon’s latest space, we set out to create a design that speaks to the restaurant’s Milanese roots yet adapted to the majestic building of The OWO and London’s unique context as a city. As such, the design concept centres around inviting guests into the warmth of an Italian home within an Edwardian setting. With a tonal colour palette, we have used the finest of Italian fabrics, furniture, and techniques to create a textured and ambient dining environment. This is the third Paper Moon restaurant that AB Concept has collaborated on, and we’re delighted to be a part of the restaurant’s expansion to London”. Ed Ng, Co-Founder of AB Concept.
Guests enter through an intimate foyer, reminiscent of a family-home hallway, lined with Venetian paint and a travertine dado that serves as a backdrop for Paper Moon’s signature framed movie scenes. The existing white mosaic flooring was preserved and is now warmly lit by antique brass sconces, which focuses the eye on a floor-to-ceiling tree at the end of the hall. The tree, another signature Paper Moon feature, conceals the cloakroom from view and beckons guests towards the bar area.
At the centre of the statement bar and library is a natural quartz bar counter by Italian natural stone brand Antolini, separating the lounge from the main dining area. Behind this are two sensitively restored alcoves infilled with mirrored mosaic tiles by Milanese supplier Materiae, finished with metal mesh glass doors, which illuminate the muted tones of the interior with glittering light. The seating further echoes these golden hues, with swivel bar stools upholstered in deep orange leather, while Ceccotti Collezioni’s Janine chair is carved from warm grey walnut with yellow leather cushions. A second wall of Paper Moon photo frames and a curated selection of Eichholtz glassware accessories adorn the lounge, adding to the relaxing setting.
In the dining area, original preserved façade windows offer guests spectacular views of London’s iconic Horse Guards Parade. To maintain the window’s original bomb-proof design, an inner pane of glass has been fitted inside each frame. Mirrors magnify the scenic views and bounce daylight into the interior. Green planters and discreet lighting fixtures sit between the window panes, in continuation of the intimate Italian home aesthetic.
A second statement tree stands in the middle of the dining area, concealing the service station. Brass lamps bask the room in a soft glow, allowing the tree to cast leaf-shaped shadows onto a ceiling covered in sound absorbing Dedar fabric. Around linen draped tables, guests can relax in AB Concept’s Viola chairs, designed in partnership with Poltrona Frau, which feature warm grey wool upholstery and an ash wood frame. Additional sofa seating features a bold, eclectic pattern to juxtapose the quiet luxury of the interiors and create a welcoming environment.
The owners of Roof Investment Ltd. Serdar Kianni and Ilhan Eksioglu are credited with introducing Paper Moon restaurant to London, bringing with them over fifty years of combined hospitality experience.
Claudio Bertoni, Partner of Paper Moon Milano, commented: “It’s an absolute joy to see our restaurants continuing to grow worldwide. Our aim is to create a truly remarkable and individual dining experience that encapsulates our home in Milano across the globe. We are a family run business and home is at the heart of everything we do across our nine restaurants. We can’t wait to bring Paper Moon to our new location in the iconic OWO building in London and bring our guests on a journey to experience the flavours and history of Italy.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Paper Moon London is officially open as of September 2023. For more information, please visit www.papermoonlondon.com
Paper Moon, London
The OWO, 7 Horse Guards Ave, SW1A 2EX
Reservations: +44 20 3963 5949
Open Hours
Restaurant:
Monday-Sunday, 12:00-23:00
Bar:
Monday-Saturday, 12:00-01:30
Sunday, 12:00-24:00
ABOUT AB CONCEPT
AB Concept is an international interior design and architecture studio founded in 1999 by Ed Ng and Terence Ngan. The studio's unique design approach draws similarities to how a chef develops a recipe, exploring local culture and experimenting with tastes and skills. This approach results in bespoke experiences through narrative-driven interiors with meticulous attention to detail, creating moments that matter in luxury environments across the hospitality, commercial, and residential sectors.
AB Concept works on a global scale with offices in Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, London and Milan, serving clients in 16 countries and over 30 cities, from holiday destinations such as Algarve and Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat to gateway cities like London, New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo. The studio collaborates closely with internationally-renowned hospitality, restaurant, and luxury brands, including Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Rosewood, Waldorf Astoria, and W Hotels. Recent projects include the acclaimed Paper Moon Giardino restaurant in Milan, Lalique's flagship store in Shanghai, and the bar Argo at the Hong Kong Four Seasons, named one of the world's top 50 bars.
Ultimately, design is about being. In addition to spatial design, the studio continues to develop a portfolio of design products. To date, the studio has worked with Tai Ping on a capsule collection of couture rugs and hand-blown Bohemian glass lighting for Czech manufacturer Lasvit. With a reputation for exceptional design projects and a commitment to innovation, AB Concept continues to explore what design can do, not what it looks like.
www.abconcept.net | @ab_concept
For AB Concept media requests please contact CAMRON: abconcept@camronglobal.com
ABOUT PAPER MOON
Established in Milano in 1977, Paper Moon is a renowned Italian restaurant located in the heart of Milan’s fashion district. Since its inception, the restaurant has grown in stature and maintains its reputation as the destination of choice for Milan’s residents and socialites. Today Paper Moon boats nine incredible worldwide locations, including Doha, the Algarve, Istanbul, and Hong Kong. Each restaurant combines timeless charm, attentive service, and an extensive menu of traditional Italian dishes.
For Paper Moon media requests please contact IP Agency:
tabitha@ipagency.com