HUITRERIE : OYSTER BAR, White Pearl in Paris Water 

On the left bank, l'HUITRERIE an oyster bar decorated in the style of a cabinet of maritime curiosities is located in the 15th district of Paris. 

The place was formerly a florist’s shop and then a tea room, before we pushed the walls back. Tiny, much longer than it is wide, crooked with its incomprehensible twists and turns … the project on rue Mademoiselle took 3 months to complete. 

The two creators of this restaurant called on the Soraya Deffar design office to create a strong, bespoke identity based around their concept, working on decoration, design and communication around the future brand name. As you will have understood, we had to create everything. 

The Designer imagined a concept based around travel, sea adventure and discovery, using as her start point Christopher Columbus and pearls, which, with luck, can be found in an oyster. 

The aim was to get out of the “FISH” mould, but remain nonetheless evocative and subtly place the product within the concept, having fun with it and thinking it out even down to the logo. 

Soraya DEFFAR has combined styles and eras to create unique decoration, turning it into a real setting imprinted with references to the navigator’s adventures. 

The focal point of the décor, covering one of the walls at the back of the restaurant, is a digital hanging showing a seascape. It gives an illusion of depth to the room, opening it up towards the horizon. The designer has created a made-to-measure fresco for a more panoramic effect intended to create the illusion of perspective.

To create more rhythm within the long room, we used colourful seating in various shapes and of different visual heights, to achieve a more dynamic feel.

Objects evoking vintage navigation instruments have been carefully selected and placed on made-to-measure units. 

The bar is decorated with tiles inspired by Portuguese azujelos. We chose the Work Lamp fittings by Design House Stockholm together with a range of vintage-look light fittings to perfect the voluptuous look of this “handmade” restaurant. The light fittings have been given an extra boost with the use of colourful electric wires. Here again the various light sources have been placed at different heights. 

From the silky textiles to the fluorescent cording, it’s all in the detail here: chic and sober colours brightened up with touches of fluorescent yellow, a combination of traditional and modern. The midnight blue ceiling and natural stone look floor with its hints of scales and sand ensure you feel as though you are sailing over the ocean.

The Soraya DEFFAR signature is found at every level of this creation, from the logo through to the clothing worn by the staff. L’Huîtrerie is a picture to eat, resolutely graphic and original, seafood lovers find here an address to satisfy all their iodine-soaked appetites. 

A clever combination of daring and authenticity that enhances a restaurant specialising in shellfish and seafood in a clearly stated design setting …