David Collins evokes early-20th-century Paris for Colbert restaurant

David Collins and Sands Thomas have designed the interiors and branding for the Parisian-style Colbert restaurant, due to open later this month in London’s Sloane Square.

Colbert interior

Source: David Loftus

Colbert interior

The consultancies have previously worked on projects together including the Brasserie Zédel, also run by operator Rex Restaurants. Pete King of King Design worked alongside Sands Thomas to oversee some areas of the printed graphics application.

The Colbert will have ‘the look and feel of a Parisian-inspired pavement café’, according to Rex, recalling designs that would have been fashionable in early 20th century Paris. It aims to give the impression that the space has been built up gradually. Shayne Brady, senior designer at David Collins Studio, headed up the interiors work.

Colbert interior

Source: David Loftus

Colbert bar room

Features will include Art Nouveau decorative arches, bespoke cornices, plaster friezes and Victorian tiling. As with Brasserie Zédel, the walls will be decorated with art, original French posters, vintage photographs and other memorabilia, aiming to give each of the three rooms a distinct feel. The original Thonet Colbert café chair has also been reproduced for the restaurant opening.

Colbert bar room

Source: David Loftus

Colbert interior showing the French posters

Sands Thomas was appointed to the project at the beginning of the year, and was briefed to create branding that could be modified for different applications.

Colbert logo variations
Colbert logo variations

Andrew Thomas, Sands Thomas co-founder, says, ‘We didn’t want an absolute standard logo and typeface to be applied to everything, so it helps to create the feel that the restaurant has developed over a number years, as with the interiors.’

The Colbert lettering uses a modified version of the 1937 Piegnot typeface. A Fleur-de-Lis marque and red and grey colour palette is used across the branding which can be seen across all touch points including singings, menus, matches, uniforms, glassware and crockery.

Colbert exterior, showing the Sands Thomas branding
Colbert exterior, showing the Sands Thomas branding

Colbert is due to open in mid October.

Colbert tea labels
Colbert tea labels
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