Café Carmellini, Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York
Location - New York, NY
Product Used - Bespoke Versailles Quadro HW3880
Designer - Martin Brudnizki Design Studio
Photographer - Joe Thomas
Instagram - m_b_d_s_
A Layered Dining Experience in a Landmark Setting
Set within the richly restored Fifth Avenue Hotel, Café Carmellini offers a refined yet expressive dining experience that blends French and Italian culinary traditions. Designed by MBDS, the restaurant captures the spirit of the historic mansion while introducing a bold, contemporary energy. The result is a space that feels both timeless and theatrical, where every detail contributes to a sense of occasion.
Design That Balances Heritage and Glamour
Café Carmellini is a study in contrast and cohesion. Ornate architectural detailing, mirrored panels, and decorative glasswork nod to the building’s heritage, while layered lighting, jewel-toned seating, and lush greenery introduce a maximalist, bohemian glamour. Statement chandeliers cascade through the double-height space, creating a warm, ambient glow that enhances the richness of the interiors.
MBDS approached the design with a focus on storytelling, allowing historic elements to coexist with contemporary finishes and vibrant textures. The space unfolds as a series of intimate moments, from the elegant bar to the softly framed dining areas, each unified by a cohesive material palette.
Bespoke Flooring as a Foundation
To ground the expressive interior, Havwoods collaborated closely with MBDS to develop a bespoke flooring solution that would complement both the scale and intricacy of the space. The result is a custom Versailles pattern crafted from Quadro (HW3880), a character grade, brunette-toned wood from the Venture Plank collection.
The geometric precision of the Versailles layout adds rhythm and movement underfoot, while the natural variation of the character grade introduces depth and authenticity. The rich, warm tones of Quadro enhance the layered palette of the restaurant, tying together the wood paneling, upholstery, and metallic finishes.
Performance Meets Craftsmanship
Selected not only for its visual impact, Quadro offers the durability required for a high-traffic hospitality environment. As part of the Venture Plank collection, it delivers premium, high-performance engineered hardwood flooring designed to withstand the demands of daily use while maintaining its refined appearance.
The bespoke nature of the installation ensures that the flooring feels integral to the design rather than an afterthought, reinforcing the overall narrative of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
A Cohesive Hospitality Environment
At Café Carmellini, every element works in harmony to create a memorable guest experience. The interplay of light, texture, and materiality draws guests into a space that feels both grand and inviting. Underfoot, the Versailles pattern provides a subtle yet powerful foundation, guiding movement and anchoring the room’s dynamic design.
Through close collaboration with MBDS, Havwoods delivered a flooring solution that not only meets the functional needs of a busy restaurant but also elevates the aesthetic vision. The result is a sophisticated dining destination where historic character and modern luxury are seamlessly intertwined.
