By Nicola Walker
Copper Blossom cocktail bar at 107 George Street in Edinburgh has recently undergone a refurbishment and the results are stunning. Designed by Tibbatts Abel, the venue uses colonial and plantation elements but with a truly modern feel.
The copper-coloured curved central bar is still the focal point of the venue with its marble top and overhanging gantry which is now interlaced with a more natural hanging leafy greenery. These elements of planting are a theme that runs throughout, with multiple larger plants and rustic plant pots on the tables, which add a real freshness to the space.
Around the bar there are some beautifully upholstered fringed bar stools with stonelike pillar stands. They have installed moving wicker fan installations, which give a colonial feel, and both free-standing and table lamps are dotted about to make it feel homely,
The eye-catching tiled floor has a black and white chevron pattern, while the exposed brick walls are painted cream.
The venue has several differently decorated areas which create cosy corners and creative nooks. Although contrasting in decor they still feel very much part of the same venue.
In one of my favourite areas the neutral walls give way to a stunning statement wallpaper which looks like a colourful canvas with splashes of red, blue, orange and black. This does not just cover the walls but also stretches over to cover the roof area. Here, the booth seating is a light teal and there are also brighter red tub style chairs which are trimmed at the floor.
Throughout the venue they have created more punches of colour through the furniture and especially with these modern, comfortable, and beautifully upholstered chairs. These range from green and red to mustard coloured and most have leather seating with a plush velvety upholstered backing.
Every detail of the furniture has been considered from the piping, tassels, bases, and the range of multiple scatter cushion that adorn them. Some of these scatter cushions are brightly patterned and others are more muted in colour and design, but these have been trimmed to create more texture.
The tables vary in shape with square, round and oval designs and all are made from beautifully polished wood. Some even have stands which echo the stone pillar effect of the bar stools.
In another area they have utilised the original rectangular marble tables which are now coupled with peachy coloured leather studded chairs. Over the tables hang pendant lights on chains with wide rattan shades. This area is softer in colour but is brought to life with the more natural light.
The layering of colour, materials and texture continues throughout the venue with bright curtains that also have tassels to match the chairs. These have been used to add warmth and connect the differently styled areas together.
Adam Tibbatts from designer Tibbatts Abel told DRAM, “We wanted to modernise the palette and be quite punchy with the furniture and the statement wallpaper. We took out a raised area to the left to make it more accessible and wanted to make it more comfortable to increase the dwelling time. The movement and colour of lights are designed to allow the space to transition smoothly from day to evening.”