HOUS September 2010 : Page 66
LES GIVRAL PHOTO BY DEBORA SMAIL ...continued 2. The New Rustic Chic Any room—even the most contemporary—feels warmer when natural or semi-fi nishedwood is a key design element, says designer Rogelio Rendon, who built the sculptural spray of crisscrossing pine two-by-fours lining one wall above concrete fl oors and mod white tables and chairs at casual Les Givral’s Kahve on Wash Ave. “Wood is a humanly associative material,” he philosophizes, pointing out a similar eff ect at new Dillon Kyle-designed Canopy restaurant, known for its zigzagging walnut planks on the ceiling. “Wood is simple and kind of calms down a space.” It’s the vibe drawing diners to the cool comfort of other hip new eateries like BRC, Bistro Alex and Haven—all loaded with soft lighting, slickly urbane art and furnishings, and richly stained reclaimed wood planks. “It balances contemporary design elements with comfort,” says Bistro Alex owner Alex Brennan Martin, noting his color palette of brown, blue and green, complemented with materials native to Texas, such as rough-hewn, naturally knotty mesquite lumber thatwraps thewalls and ceiling to become a central feature. What could feel like a log cabin or ski lodge gets glossed up with accents like chrome light fi xtures, understated décor and sheer but textured window treatments. “It’s not over-the-top,” concludes Rendon of the trend. “It proves that a little gesture can go a long way.” Elements of Style Find the just-right light, and don’t you dare chicken out... Natural Facts Textures and tones tend to the natural, à la wood and concrete.While Bistro Alex goes rich with brown and touches of green, the more mod Les Givral’s, below, sticks with earthy neutrals. Its creamy gray wall paint is Sherwin-Williams’ “Roman Column.” bistro alex “takes its inspiration from some of the textures found in texas, so there’s defi nitely a homey, rustic feel when you walk in,” says owner alex brennan martin. go to tHe ligHt Tilting subtly to sleek sophistication puts the chic in rustic chic. At Alex, lighting that combines a track systemwith the accent of white drumlamps suspended over tables by chrome supports does the trick. BoConcept’s “Utrecht” pendant, above, mimics the style. $799, 4302Westheimer Rd., 713.877.1900 take a seat Bistro Alex uses contempo seating with a fi brous feel. For Baker furniture’s reminiscent Sorbonne chair, designer Jacques Garcia tightly wrapped fabric to a wingback frame for a sharp silhouette. $4,320, 1111 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.627.3235 Picture tHis Artsy nature photos factor in: Canopy has wall-sized shots of treetops, asHaven hangs Ralph Smith’s big still lifes of food, like quail eggs. At BRC, Austin photgrapher George Brainard’s small black-and-whites of roosters balance saloon-savvy details such as reclaimed “shiplap” pine panels. Fowl photos start at $100 at georgebrainard.com continued... 66 | | September 2010
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