Corian® solid surface serves up style and substance at Fifteen
Cornwall based design consultancy Absolute Design specified Corian® for the table tops at the latest Jamie Oliver inspired restaurant, Fifteen Cornwall.
In beautiful Watergate Bay just outside Newquay, the new restaurant has a funky yet sophisticated “beach hut” feel and is run by the Cornwall Foundation of Promise.
“We wanted to create something that reflected what had gone before, yet stood on its own merit and translated Fifteen’s original urban look into something that was more relevant to a coastal location,” comments Helen Blake of Absolute Design.
The commitment to fine dining remains key, but rather than using traditional linen tablecloths, with all the impracticalities and environmental impact of regular laundering, the table tops are made from Corian® solid surface in Glacier White. There are 22 square top tables and four round tables.
“We wanted to portray a certain elegance with the finishing touches but Fifteen doesn’t do linen so Corian® is designed to represent a white starched table cloth,” says Helen Blake
The advantages go beyond the fresh, clean aesthetic, as Corian® solid surface offers durability, stain-resistance and ease of maintenance, meaning the tables will keep on looking good in this busy environment. Regular cleaning will take care of day-to-day spills and scuffs, but should any accidental damage occur, the surface is repairable and renewable, offering a longevity of function that enhances sustainability – a key concern of both contemporary designers and the Fifteen Foundation. The homogenous nonporous nature of the material helps support hygiene, a must in any restaurant environment.
Corian® solid surface in Antarctica and Nocturne is used for the two restaurant bar tops, and the material is also used on desk tops and waiter stations. Nocturne was also chosen for the large oval table top in ‘The Garage,’ a private dining area which seats 12 people. This monochrome colour selection serves a striking contrast to the accents of pink elsewhere in the design scheme.
Corian® works well both aesthetically and practically with a variety design materials, including metal, glass and wood, all of which feature strongly in the décor of Fifteen. The key feature of the design however is provided by the bay itself, revealed in all its natural, ever-changing glory by the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the restaurant.
Fifteen General Manager Polly Dent is confident that the standard of the interior design will contribute to Fifteen Cornwall’s image as a world class restaurant: “I’ve been bowled over at the interiors of the restaurant. Absolute Design has done a magnificent job meeting our brief to create a restaurant that reflects the energy, vibrancy and style of Fifteen, very much driven by Jamie Oliver himself, whilst reflecting the amazing position of the restaurant right on the beach.”