James Latham has supplied a variety of hardwoods and other products, including HIMACS, to support the fitout of a new restaurant in London.
Located in a beautifully restored former bank near Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell, London, Morchella is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and wine bar, offering one of the capital’s chicest new dining experiences.
The venue achieves a welcoming atmosphere by combining historic and contemporary features, with the warmth of natural timber contrasting with solid surface technology.
TDUK member James Latham, a leading independent timber, panels and decors distributor, supplied a number of Oak hardwoods and other timber products, as well as HIMACS, a solid surface material made from a blend of 75% natural mineral and pigments.
This is a project that not only exhibits the very best in modern hospitality design, but also serves as a showcase of the range and breadth of James Latham’s products and the different ways in which they can be fabricated to achieve design perfection.
Crafting the vision
The setting is as much the secret of a great dining experience as the venue’s food and service offering.
To enhance Morchella’s interiors, the owners commissioned specialist fabricator Parker & Co Design & Build to help bring their ambitious multi-sensory vision to life.
In this busy restaurant, Parker & Co knew the choice of finishes was pivotal. They selected durable, easy-to-clean materials that could withstand continuous use while also packing a visual punch.
Creative Director Tim Parker chose James Latham’s HIMACS specifically for its ultra-hygienic properties and workability, alongside a range of Oak hardwood products for their versatility and durability.
Promoting natural elements
Solid and veneered Oak, as well as Maple, was used throughout the restaurant to create an attractive organic quality.
Solid and veneered Oak, as well as Maple, was used liberally throughout the restaurant to create an attractive organic quality that complemented the HIMACS solid surface.
The cabinetry, tables, and bar tops feature rich, honeyed hardwood tones, contributing to the overall ambiance.
Solid Oak provided a sturdy and timeless foundation, while the veneered Oak offered a refined finish, maintaining the wood’s natural beauty and supporting the restaurant’s overall Mediterranean theme. Maple, known for its durability and smooth finish, contributed an extra layer of style and sophistication, without compromising on required performance.
Pushing the boundaries
Morchella’s tables also feature 86 unique, hidden drawers with cutlery inserts sculpted from HIMACS.
To achieve this, Parker & Co laminated 12mm Terrazzo Classico on top of 20mm Alpine White to create a 32mm block before carving out spaces for the cutlery.
This experimental approach produced a distinctive design that exceeded the fabricator’s expectations.
Ensuring thematic continuity was crucial, so seven sheets of Terrazzo Classico were used for four round dining tables and three large waiters’ station worktops to add elegance.
For tonal contrast, three sheets of muted HIMACS Maui were used for three different waiters’ stations, further enhancing the visual interest of the interiors.
Ultimately, the interplay between the natural timber and HIMACS showcases how modern and traditional materials can merge for truly striking results.
Tim says: “We strive to create spaces that not only impress visually but also function seamlessly for our clients and end-users. It was a joy to work with James Latham.
“Their consultancy was invaluable, especially in the ingenuity needed to work with HIMACS in a new way…and produce something truly unique. Not only that, the quality and finish of its sustainably-sourced hardwoods and veneers are second to none. When you see the finished space and the seamless dialogue achieved between these materials, I think the results speak for themselves.”
* This article was originally published in the November/December 2024 issue of TDUK’s Supplying Timber magazine.
