Daphne Toronto: A Cinematic and Sculptural Reimagining of the American Bistro.
- GRAY AWARDS
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Daphne by Studio Paolo Ferrari is a finalist in the 8th annual GRAY Awards in the Hospitality Design breakout category.
FINALIST
Breakout category: Hospitality
Designer: Studio Paolo Ferrari
Photographed by: Joel Esposito
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SUBMISSION
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Poised at a natural tension of eras. Toronto’s newly opened Daphne is a contemporary and eclectic reimagining of the quintessential American bistro. Sprawling and set across a series of distinctive rooms, Daphne embodies both the unexpected while bringing in the warmth and nostalgia of New England prep. At once intimate and grand, eccentric and sculptural, convivial and experimental, the deeply imaginative space is reminiscent of a great residence that’s evolved over time, designed to create an experience of wonder and subtle awe.
Guests are greeted by an intimate arrival space, where a transparent full-height wine cabinet allows a glimpse at the dining rooms that beckon beyond, instilling intrigue at what’s to come. Through a draped passage, guests step into the voluminous and vaulted Great Room — an immediate exemplification of the ever-present sophisticated grandeur that permeates Daphne. With an energetic and vibrant open kitchen, an atmosphere of excitement and energy is immediately set. Innovative and surprising, the entirety of the kitchen is on display — from the finishing touches on plates to the prep kitchen — evoking the abundant spirit of hospitality and the feel of being hosted in an elevated and welcoming home.
Moving into the Drawing Room, the enveloping, colour-blocked space is softened and lightened by playful design touches and greenery. Details await discovery here, from commissioned pencil drawings on the red ochre-hued walls that appear as photographs from a distance, to a botanical-inspired hanging pendant, reminiscent of forms in early Karl Blossfeldt photography.
A mirrored corridor with a wrap-around hand-painted landscape mural leads to the artistic bar and onto its gently curving walls, bringing in the quality of a lush conservatory. Here, the atmospheric back-lit, glass-topped bar is an artful focal point inspired by filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, while at the same time, the fluting on the bar’s exterior is a nod to Beaux-Arts American architect Henry Bacon. A renewing departure from the expected restaurant layout, a separated bar space creates two distinct yet unified spaces for guests to explore and experience.
Daphne is a world unto itself, awaiting discovery. The entirety of the furniture and lighting is custom-designed, further establishing it as a space truly without parallel. The designer’s interiors often reference deeper inspiration from art, architecture, and cinema, and Daphne proves no exception. At the heart of the project is a cinematic duality of an immersive, Kubrick-inspired experimentation, contrasted with the softness and conviviality of the beloved aesthetic of a Nancy Meyers film. Unexpectedly playful and thoroughly redefining, the interior design takes on the timeless sophistication of the American bistro, inspiring guests to experience at once the joy of discovery and the effortless comfort of home.
DESIGN TEAM:
Paolo Ferrari, Shelley Tang, Stuart Mcquarrie, Joanna Wenderska, Janine Yeung, Lukas Chan, Patrick Augustynowicz, Wandia Muchiri, John Gaitan, Rajeshta Julatum
DESIGNER PROFILE:
Globally recognized, Studio Paolo Ferrari is a practice at the cutting edge of international design established in 2016. Today, the studio works with prestige and emerging luxury brands or through private commissions on hospitality, retail, and residential projects, delivering highly considered guest experiences through attention to detail and full immersion into worlds both luxurious and distinct.
A distinctive, vision-forward approach has defined Ferrari’s output as he continues to collaborate with industry-leading clients all over the world. With the ever-expanding presence of the digital, Studio Paolo Ferrari believes in pursuing work where experiential worlds evoke a quality of awe. Through a user-centric design approach, which emphasizes ritual and artistry, Studio Paolo Ferrari occupies the rare space where timelessness and courageous invention coexist.
The studio is currently involved in projects throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Throughout his career, Ferrari has worked with luxury heavyweights including Accor, Raffles, St. Regis, 1 Hotels, Four Seasons & LVMH.
The 8th Annual GRAY Awards is sponsored by:
