Design Dish: Tangata by Heather Ashton

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What was the brief given to you and how did you approach it?

When Patina asked me to work on the renovation of Tangata at the Bowers Museum, the owner, Joachim Splichal really gave me the creative freedom and allowed me to present my vision. I viewed the Museum as a clean and modern space, so the restaurant needed to be brought up-to-date to complement that aesthetic while still respecting the original Spanish courtyard that borders the outdoor dining area. I knew immediately that I wanted to streamline the interior and develop a color story that complemented the wine-colored bougainvillea in the courtyard. Everything else fell into place from those two moments.  

 

What were some of the biggest challenges?

Before this new iteration, Tangata had the same design since the early nineties and with that, a very loyal following. It was a challenge to create a new, fresh space while still appealing to the space’s core clientele. The result is a successful balance of the two.

 

Is there any one element that you’d like us to point out or share with our readers?

The lighting is my favorite aspect of the space. It’s a band of wood veneer stained a deep red and then formed into a ribbon shape. It really makes the room. I also love the wine color that serves as a pop of color throughout the entire space. It adds a sense of warmth and depth to the clean, modern aesthetic. 

 

 

 

Were these pieces custom-made or designed by you or was there a brand or a collaboration with an artist etc. that you’d like to highlight?

The banquette was custom made to my design specifications as was the bar and back bar.

 

Photo: Jennifer Mehditash / Bowers Museum