Wholesome Indian Setting

The brief of this restaurant designed by Chromed Design Studio was to blend a food-centric design with retail products, so the entire look is manifested as a subtle symmetrical mix of both, writes Himani Ahuja

Name of Project: Too Indian
Area: 3000 sq.ft
Location: Rajouri Garden, New Delhi
Cost: 1.5 crore
Client: Viva Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. by Varun Puri
Design Team: Kanika Suri & Abhigyan Neogi
Architecture/Interior Firm: Chromed Design Studio
Completion: May 2017

This 100-seater restaurant-cum-retail space is conceived to celebrate Indian-ness; the name “Too Indian” is crafted with the intent to denote the characteristics of a modern Indian, while providing the visitor with an experience of slow-moving time and the vernacular as imbibed ethos.

The idea conceived also explores the spatial quality around and inside the space, which does not claim to be a prototype design. Fusing modern culture into the choice of decor and design; creates a story that is told through the wholesome Indian setting. The entrance through the glass door encased within the complete glass wall with steps leading to it; is dominated by MS sheet and wrought iron railings. Visible amply from the outside, is the distinct green feature - a large wall at the entrance filled with planters from top to bottom.

The retail shelves run straight in line with the columns and bronze mirror running bands on beams, which accentuate the interiors, while intimacy and sharing is highlighted by communal seating. The mix of seating spaces including bar chairs, tri-seaters, four seaters and booth seating, are all in sync.

Too Indian is an amalgam of tradition and modernity. A dialogue is attempted through the translations of flooring patterns shifting from one of Bharat Tile’s Heritage Graphic collection to retro black and white pattern tiles to wooden chevron flooring. Equilibrium is achieved through the combination of elements of a homogeneous palette - Indian Marble & Black Granite both with leather finish, bar front with silver Indian frames and reflective mirror on the ceiling, teak wood on kitchen front, and a series of circular glass windows of coloured and fluted nature.


The colour scheme accentuated is through Asian Paints colours, namely Ironic (Bronze), Morning Glory(White) and Elm Groove(Blue) in the indoors, where a relaxing dining space is dotted with custom-made furniture procured by the client, the bar installation is by Vishal of Hookah Pani, and the bespoke lights are by Ritika of MGM (Mother Gone Mad) Studio.


With a heightened ambience of India and its appeal, Too Indian is designed using intrinsic design features, devoid of extraneous decorative elements, therefore, creating a classic space, symbolic of simplistic, elegant design.