Ribbed velvet walls and curved wood details decorate this restaurant by Marc Ange Design Studio on the border between Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica, which has just reopened following January’s devastating fires.
Muse, the contemporary French restaurant from chef-owner Fardad Khayami, was fortunately spared damage by the fires that swept through the area, but like many businesses, had to close its doors while the area was made safe.
Marc Ange Design Studio, which has offices in Los Angeles and Paris, completed the interiors where “French surrealism meets Italian romance” for the space in fall 2024.
The restaurant provides 35 seats in the main dining room, four at the bar and a 12-person private room.
Bathed in soft, warm lighting, the caramel-toned interior features plenty of curved shapes and filleted corners to give the space a feminine look.
Several works by renowned Catalan-Spanish painter Joan Miró decorate the walls, adding graphic counterpoints to the homogenous colour palette.
The works on display will rotate, offering diners the chance to experience different masterpieces each time they return.
“In Los Angeles, where such elegance is special, Muse is a haven for those who seek beauty in both design and cuisine – an oasis for art lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and anyone yearning for authenticity,” said studio founder Marc Ange.
Banquette seating is tucked into niches lined with reeded velvet panels, illuminated with cove lighting behind the edges of the benches and the reflective ceiling.
“Dining nooks are enveloped in rich wood paneling and a palette of warm, earthy tones – beige, brick, and gold – creating a cocoon-like environment that invites comfort and conversation,” said the design team.
The same reeded effect is applied with a golden metallic finish across the back bar and counter front.
Herringbone parquet flooring extends into a corridor that leads to the washrooms, which is enveloped in walnut panels that curve onto the ceiling.
Sconces with a vertical bulb set in the centre of brass, walnut and blackened metal layers, echoing the shapes of the door frames and the concentric reliefs traced on their surfaces.
The same light fixtures are used inside the bathrooms, where ribbed wall coverings and frameless circular mirrors are positioned above dark pink stone sinks and walls.
The overall ambiance is intended to combine European nostalgia with California’s laid-back vibe, creating a space for the community to gather.
“It’s an intimate experience, suspended in time,” said Ange. “A tribute to art, gastronomy, and the spirit of friendship.”
The Los Angeles fires destroyed thousands of acres of land, hundreds of homes and many important architectural landmarks, including residences designed by Richard Neutra.
Earlier this month, local architects proposed a memorial in the Palisades neighbourhood that would maintain the century-old facade of a fire-ravaged building and open up a block for community use.
The photography is by Pablo Enriquez.
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