Parisian Designer Chahan Minassian is Behind the Interiors of Pavyllon London and Bar Antoine

Pavyllon London and Bar Antoine, the flagship restaurant and bar at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane from multi-Michelin-starred French chef Yannick Alléno, opened its doors on July 1, 2023 with interior design courtesy of acclaimed decorator, gallerist, designer and collector Chahan Minassian. At Pavyllon London and Bar Antoine, Chahan’s artful interiors balance elegance and warmth, creating a space where locals and Mayfair-frequenters can sense true belonging.

A longtime collaborator of Chef Yannick, including Pavyllon Paris and Pavyllon Monte Carlo, Chahan has been revered by the likes of Architectural Digest, Vogue France and Forbes for his cosmopolitan style, with a heavy emphasis on the use of contrasting textures in similar tones, to create a timeless yet modern result.  This signature approach is equally inspired by his time as the European Creative Director of Ralph Lauren as it is by his Middle Eastern background, being born in Lebanon to an Armenian family. On the collaboration, Chahan says, “Our approach is the same, his is on the plate, mine is with space. We complement each other naturally and for this restaurant, we worked hand-in-hand.” 

An Overview

Pavyllon London and Bar Antoine marry the chic conviviality of a Parisian apartment with the residential feel of a British club through the use of contrasting textures and fabrics in complementary tones. Together, Chef Yannick and Chahan have collaborated on the design, inspired by their joint belief of the kitchen as a space to perform.

As such, the room is dominated by a bespoke counter, seating 30, and allowing guests a front-row seat to the theatre of the restaurant. To contrast with the kitchen serving as the focal point, Chahan has utilised materials in calming tones, which creates an inviting environment, ultimately leading to a dynamic dining experience that encapsulates London’s lively nature, local characters and the shared passion for hospitality of Chef Yannick and Four Seasons.

The Layout

Guests are welcomed by a vast-ceilinged reception hall, which soon unfolds into the expansive 90-cover dining room. Realised in the signature Pavyllon palette of fresh blue-greens, the open space offers immediate visibility of a diverse range of dining options; from relaxed lounge seating to conversation-sparking counter dining.

The drama of the kitchen is the ultimate draw. Framed by a sweeping custom-made counter, the dining experience is inspired by Chef Yannick’s childhood among the bistros of Paris. At the counter, guests get an unprecedented insight into the chef’s inventive gastronomy from within one of Mayfair’s most prestigious addresses. 

Opposite the kitchen, two main dining areas facing onto the street offer versatile space whether for breakfast, tea in the afternoon (in the separate tea parlour) or a leisurely dinner with close friends. Characterised by curved lines and a natural sense of flow, upholstered banquettes wrap around corners and round tables are softly lit by Murano glass table lamps.

Key Design Materials and Artwork

Hand blown Murano chandeliers designed by Chahan himself hang overhead, while a striped carpet underfoot runs the full length of the restaurant. Texture is carefully layered in with ribbed lacquer panelling and tactile fabrics, as well as an exacting edit of ten different marbles in creams, taupes, greens and browns to ground the palette. A series of cylindrical columns evoke the grandeur of a historic food hall.

The focal point in terms of art is a 7-metre (23 foot) ceramic wall, custom-made by renowned New York ceramicist Peter Lane, who has earned himself the reputation of a “Master of Clay” through working with the material for more than fifteen years. The large-scale artwork used up to 5,000 kilograms (5 tons) of clay, before hand-sculpted into horizontal and vertical layers by Lane and then carefully installed directly onto the wall, resulting in a deeply textured bespoke piece of art. The clay is finished in an oxidised aged turquoise, to compliment the rest of the space. Surrounded by undulating wood panelling, this bridges the two-storey space, separating the main restaurant from an upstairs private dining space.

By sensitively expressing the essence of Pavyllon through a British lens, Chahan Minassian has once again proved himself the perfect collaborator to one of the world's most acclaimed chefs.

About Chahan Minassian

Chahan Minassian is an interior designer, antique dealer, gallery director and designer. Born in 1961 in Lebanon into an Armenian family, Chahan Minassian arrived in France in 1976. After studying interior design in Paris, he joined the prestigious firm of Ralph Lauren where, for seven years, he was the creative director for Europe. In 1993, he created his own interior design agency, Chahan Interior Design, rapidly attracting commissions in the United States, Canada and Japan, as well as in Europe. Chahan’s signature style is hushed elegance, with a willingness to play with shades of soft colours and textures to create juxtaposition. Throughout his designs is a hint of Californian style yet it is his taste for art and tailor-made pieces of work that ensure his locations remain sophisticated.