French Glam on a Budget: 15 Ideas to Steal from Mimi, New York's Sexiest Bistro - Remodelista
A few weeks back, we discovered Mimi in New York City’s West Village. Photography by Alison Engstrom for Remodelista. “Lots of the design came from the Art Deco period and then the resurgence of that in the 1970s,” says owner Daniel Bennett. We recently stopped by to uncover, in the light of day, just what makes the space so sultry at night. Deterre, who designed the space in partnership with architect Francesco Galetto, splurged on just one design element: the dramatic marble wall behind the bar. 1. One statement-making splurge goes a long way. A curved bar, custom-built for Mimi, is a welcome contrast to the straight lines—shelves, chair legs, and marble borders—throughout the space. 3. Handwrite for maximum charm. Add a sense of offhand intimacy with handwritten notes and signs, like place cards. 4. Add authenticity with vintage lights and fixtures. Deterre sourced all of the light fixtures from vintage shops throughout Europe. Taking the time to seek out original details automatically adds atmosphere according to Bennett My grandmother Mimi the restaurant s namesake always had nice things The weight of them the smell of them the touch It s just something you can t fake to someone... ...who s paying close attention I truly believe this adds to energy in a room that people can subconsciously feel Or customize vintage finds The Art Deco style fixtures above the banquettes are vintage from Paris originally white the team spray painted them a dramatic black To create drama, pick a color palette and stick to it. At Mimi, nearly everything is blue, white, and red, inspired by the French flag: reupholstered blue velvet banquettes, blue and red painted shelves, and the legs and backs of chairs and barstools. 5. Take inspiration from the tricolour. Take inspiration from high-budget and adjust it for your space. 6. Get the luxe look for less: Use marble as a border. Embrace small dining areas with intimate seating and (not pictured) a U-shaped banquette. 8. Be bold: Add drama with a painted floor. A concrete slab that had supported a pizza oven in an earlier life posed a design and budget problem. Consider painting a section of floor for a big impact with little effort. 9. Save money with simple vases and market flowers. Rather than extravagant arrangements, the Mimi team sourced simple glass vases in New York’s flower district and fills them with bunches of market flowers, like the gladiolas shown here. Keep small spaces from feeling closed-in by using clever, partly transparent, dividers. 10. Keep dividers transparent. “The language of the wood divider was meant to match the back bar shelving,” Deterre says but, left unpainted, it’s a nod to the team of Japanese carpenters that worked on Mimi. Details on the table and bar are simple and classic: wax-paper coasters, simple drinking glasses, and print materials, designed by Deterre, that echo the Art Deco vibe. 11. Make an impact with small details. For a space that feels glamorous but not too glossy, embrace patina: half-spent candles and well-worn wood floors next to marble. 12. Find the glamour in the well-worn. 13. Be provocative in the bath. Small bathrooms are for bold choices. At Mimi, a stairwell leads to two small WCs with black accents, nude line drawings by artist Alba Hodsoll, and provocative “no smoking” signs by a New Yorker cartoonist. By the door: hooks for easy coat storage and a motorcycle helmet (courtesy of French owner Luis Levy). 14. Make a French getaway. Outside, a Manhattan sidewalk is transformed into a charming dining area thanks to red and blue cafe chairs and tables, unfolded each evening before service. 15. Even the simplest outdoor space can become a Parisian-style terrace.