Miss Rose, Brussels – Belgium

The restaurant is located in a building from the ’60s/’70s with imposing brutalist architecture, situated in the most beautiful and lively area of Brussels, Le Petit Sablon, among antique shops and the most renowned art galleries in the city. Giovanni Bruno, a famous Michelin-starred chef already known in the area with his starred restaurant SENZANOME, entrusted us with the challenge of designing a pop-up restaurant dedicated to the world of women. In addition to the design challenge, another challenge was the temporary nature of the restaurant, which required impactful design using “poor” but effective materials.
(I can affirm that in this project, I had the opportunity to experiment and realize the true power of color, which is my great passion. When used wisely, color proves to be a “poor” and democratic element in terms of cost but capable of transforming a mediocre space into something extraordinary.)
We started with the fundamental study of the flooring, choosing a carpet designed by our studio, sinuous and feminine, but with a decisive and sweet character. Pink and its shades had to be the guiding element of the restaurant, which, with its large windows and pink canopies with mirrors, overlooked a gray street, almost like a dreamy apparition that elegantly whispers “I have arrived, and my name is MISSROSE.”
Some elements were deliberately left raw, such as columns and concrete beams, to emphasize the contrast between the “masculine” solidity and the feminine world represented by materials like velvet, colored carpet with sinuous curves, antique pink fur stools, and a simple yet sexy mise en place, creating a contrast between two worlds, one masculine and one feminine, with the latter emerging victorious. Mirrors were used both as elements of reflection and lighting and as an integral part of the scenography, enhancing the ritual of consuming dishes that seem like works of art. These mirrors, with their ever-changing reflections, act as virtual monitors, making the space even more emotional and dreamlike.
Behind the large sofa, a natural pink “forest” adds another metaphysical and surreal touch to the space, transporting guests to a dreamy environment. Tables with tops in shades of pink and burgundy fill the space with elegance and discretion. The armchairs, upholstered in velvet in various shades of pink, add a refined touch, creating a cozy and sophisticated environment. Their careful arrangement evokes an atmosphere similar to that of a theater stage, allowing the diners, themselves actors, to feel like protagonists of a special evening.
The large windows facing the main street offer a spectacular view of the interior, attracting the attention of passersby who can admire the “performance” that takes place during dinner. The artworks hung on the windows, similar to those of a museum exhibition, depict iconic characters born in Brussels, paying homage to the city through the creativity of artist Beppe Mora.
In the basement, a private room without windows offers a minimalist space dominated by a large pink table, surrounded by a series of elegant armchairs. This almost sacred environment invites guests to a unique culinary experience, where the presentation of the chef’s dishes becomes a kind of ceremony. In this intimate space, each meal is transformed into a ritual, a moment of sharing and gastronomic contemplation.
The bathrooms, accessible via a spiral staircase, represent a sort of descent into the “female” world. Here, customers are welcomed into an entirely pink space; this chromatic choice creates a unique and immersive atmosphere, transforming the bathrooms into a distinctive and memorable sensory experience.