In the world the vision of Italy often passes through tourist images and stereotyped ideas. But, occasionally, there are creative people who draw inspiration from the “Bel Paese”(beautiful country) in order to give life to something new, able to recreate an Italian atmosphere without slipping into kitsch. This has happened in Beijing. Here the Florentina has opened its doors, a restaurant that – through mentions at high-level –winks at the Tuscan capital. Signed by Emma Maxwell, a very capable designer specializing in the field of hospitality, the Florentina goes back to the ancient engravings with views of Florence.
Inside, the wallpaper with sophisticated designs by Fornasetti alternate with traditional wood panelling and interact seamlessly with the floors in Carrara marble and with brass-effect finishings. Classicism is tempered by touches of colour, such as vitamin-green chairs in the bar area. Emma Maxwell said: “The light continually shifting on marble surfaces, the cloudy skies and the resonance of the buildings and structures in Florence hugely influenced me. The challenge of interpreting the magical alchemy that a city contains is something that I relish. For Florentina, I wanted to transport customers to another place, a place of light, illusion, beauty and contrasts”.
WHERE: Courtyard 2, 6 Fangyuanxi Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing