Philippe Chow, Nashville

CONCEPT: Translating traditional Chinese aesthetics into modern opulence, the upscale eponymously named Beijing cuisine restaurant Philippe Chow (New York) recently opened its fourth locale – this one inside a historic former train depot at Nashville’s Cummins Station.

1. BRANCHING OUT
   Guests are guided through one of the restaurant’s dining rooms and bar by a 40-foot light fixture adorned with porcelain ginkgo leaves. In Chinese culture, the ginkgo tree is a symbol of long life and endurance. The fixture design was a collaboration between the client and the design firm and was created as a nod to the brand’s legacy, according to Hunter McCalla, Interior Designer, //3877, the Washington, D.C.-based firm behind the restaurant’s design.
2. GILDED IN GOLD
   Just as gingko trees are symbolic of endurance in Chinese culture, gold is symbolic of good fortune – and Philippe Chow is gilded in gold. The building’s structural columns that run throughout the space were opulently reworked to showcase pillars of gleaming gold detailing and vintage mirrored tiles, reminiscent of art deco aesthetics.
3. THE GREAT WALLS
   Dark-toned wallpaper patterned with abstract shapes sets a dramatic yet luxurious vibe in the 10,000-square-foot restaurant. In other areas, the walls are trimmed with dark wood to add richness and warm visual texture. “Pattern, color, texture – any detail we could find a place for, we wanted to include,” says McCalla. “Our goal was to ensure a tactile and visual experience.”
4. HAVE A SEAT
   Jewel-toned velvet banquettes and upholstered gold chairs with rounded edges and soft curves add a touch of comfort amongst the opulence, welcoming guests to sit, recline and relax. “This is a big, cavernous space, so to have upholstered items felt like an absolute must,” says McCalla. “We made sure everything was soft, plush, velvety and richly colored.”
5. COLOR CODE
   The core color palette was crafted to distinguish this location from other Philippe Chow designs, emphasizing reds, blues, gold and plum tones to evoke both modern luxury and historic Chinese art. “In Chinese tapestry and art, there is a huge level of detail, which we have incorporated in a more modern form,” says McCalla. “But there’s also a very standard color palette that you can find throughout history, and we wanted to connect to that heritage.”