TREVOR KITCHEN & BAR

Toronto, Canada

This cavernous basement space had a storied past of unsucessful restaurants, hindered by extremely low ceilings and tight spaces. The chef/ owner wanted to use this challenging but very central downtown location to establish his signature restaurant and bar. To accomplish this, the basement area was opened up by peeling back layers of past renovations; rough stone foundation walls were discovered behind crumbling plasterboard and original timber structural beams were stripped of layers of paint to expose their warm weathered texture, adding character and lending the space a rich and intimate environment. Portions of the existing internal partitions were carved away and a new open riser staircase was installed to open up views across the dining room and create a more theatrical entrance. The low ceilings remained but with strategic lighting and soft tones, the constricted feeling of being underground was minimized. A handpainted Art Nouveau-inspired decal winds its way down the entrance stairway and turns to embellish portions of the ceiling. Dark and glossy finishes contrast the with the rougher existing wood and stone textures while ample candlelight accentuates the intimacy of the small subterranean establishment.