Ambient lighting meets glossy finishes inside Millo Bucharest

High-gloss materials were paired with warm adaptive lighting and geometric shapes inside Millo, a restaurant in Bucharest completed by local design duo AE02.

Designers Anda Zota and Elena Viziteu set out to create a "theatrical atmosphere" at Millo through a rich interplay of textures, combining lacquered walnut walls with reflective microcement flooring, terrazzo and marble surfaces.

"The design of Millo tells a story of materiality, light and meticulous detailing," AE02 studio co-founder Anda Zota told Dezeen.

"We wanted to keep the palette timeless and interesting at the same time, and felt like natural materials were the best choice," she said. "We liked the idea of lacquered wood because it feels elevated and unique."

Located on the ground floor of a contemporary but art deco-inspired office building in the Romanian capital, the interior was designed to echo the style of the wider building.

"The flooring reinterprets the geometric rhythm of the facade's columns through a combination of microcement and cast-in-place terrazzo," Zota said.

A rounded custom-made terrazzo dining table takes centre stage in the restaurant, which also features a series of smaller individual tables around the perimeter.

The studio designed a sculptural ceiling feature above the main table as a "volcano of light" that would emit an orange, lava-like glow.

To adjust the atmosphere from day to night, the light shifts from yellow to orange to red.

As well as being a focal point for the interior, the designers explained that the geometric ceiling feature was designed in response to the poor acoustics of the original space.

At night, the space can host events and parties using a bespoke sound system by Finnish audio company Genelec and a small DJ booth. These were integrated into the stainless steel and cherry Levanto marble bar and concealed beneath a removable wooden cover.

Towards the rear of the restaurant, a second terrazzo table serves as an informal space for drinks and small plates. An angular aluminium lamp, created by local metalwork designer Andrei Arion, runs along its length.

Behind the table, a textured glass window framed by a geometric stainless-steel panel cuts through the wood-panelled wall, providing glimpses of silhouettes in the kitchen.

"Pigmented in a warm reddish tone, the cocktail table creates a harmonious contrast with the high-gloss wooden walls," Zota stated.

"These reflective surfaces echo silhouettes and light, adding a dynamic dimension to the space."

The interplay of light and shadow was a key consideration for the designers, with LED strip lighting added at the base of the ceiling slopes to "accentuate the textures and geometry".

The material palette was continued in the bathrooms, with cherry Levanto marble walls and sinks contrasted against stainless steel light fixtures.

Other Bucharest bars and restaurants recently featured on Dezeen include a tiny cafe squeezed between two residential buildings and a listening bar set in a communist-era apartment block.

The photography is by Ollie Tomlinson.

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