Cafe Varvara

The architectural bureau of Anastasia Kasparyan was asked to create the restaurant interior for the Russian kitchen Varvara. Located in the historical center of Moscow among old-world backstreets and mansions, it presents Russian culture for its guests in a modern way. The project design, inspired by the image of modern Russian beauty, is filled with iconic symbols – embroidery, ornaments, and images from fairy tales – presented on a backdrop of concrete finish and old-time brick walls.

Goals: To create a restaurant interior that would become an attraction point for connoisseurs of modern Russian culture, art people, theatergoers, and travelers. To reflect the concept of the establishment in the design based on traditional Russian culture, filling it with iconic symbols – embroidery, ornaments, and images from fairy tales – while shading it with modern details presented on a backdrop of concrete finish and old-time brick walls.

Solution: We uncovered historic archways that were previously bricked up. This made it possible to place a welcoming area for the bar in the central part of the restaurant, surrounded by five seating areas. In order not to lower the ceiling after installing utility lines and visually make it look higher, we lined it with custom decorative lamps made of perforated metal.

The coloring decision was based on traditional Russian images, using active reds and greens. In the interior, wall paintings were copiously used, inspired by the image of the guardian of the hearth from Russian folklore as well as traditional patterns and embroidery designs. A frieze in the form of a lace cloth lining the window-side wall gives the finishing touch to the artistic theme.