The Lucky Pig brand pays homage to the 1920s Prohibition Era, its name inspired by the American mobster Lucky Luciano, and the ‘Blind Pig’ watering holes that hosted evenings of debauchery and illicit drinking. The interior design of this new Fulham venue is the result of a collaboration between interior stylist, Georgina Harper, and design consultancy, lustedgreen.
The design team’s brief was to create a new venue that reflected the signature style of The Lucky Pig speakeasy, yet one that would act as a standalone bar and – for the first time – a restaurant. With its high-end finish, the venue appeals to the upmarket Fulham clientele, while retaining the fun and vibrancy of the epoch that inspired it.
“As the Fitzrovia concept draws on the style of the prohibition era speakeasies, we created a narrative that The Lucky Pig Fulham pre-dated prohibition, and was an incarnation of the height of the roaring 20s, before it was forced underground,” explains Georgina and lustedgreen designer, Ashley Wilson.
“Deco played heavily in the inspiration for the restaurant with the use of decadent fabrics, fixtures and finishes as featured in historical restaurants of the 1920’s from around the world.
“It’s not just the ‘look’ of Deco that we took inspiration from though, we really wanted to evoke the modernity and spirit of the roaring age, and how it broke traditions and challenged boundaries.”
It was crucial that the space was able to adjust its atmosphere and offering throughout the day, from casual breakfasts to the buzz and excitement of the evening entertainment. For this reason the team designed the space to be light and airy at the entrance, before slowly becoming richer and more formal towards the rear.
“Lighting played a key part in creating this dual function, combined with features such as antique and black mirror detailing which help to reflect light but also create an opulent, lively atmosphere in the evening,” says the design team.
Black and gold are key to the restaurant’s colour palette, and can be found throughout the venue, from the exterior signage to the entrance staircase, bar, kitchen pass, light fixtures and furniture.
Elsewhere, the use of materials such as the reclaimed marble floor, parquet timber bar and highlights of brass, stand out against the ornate vintage lighting, luxurious Chesterfield seating and antique accessories.
“The final look is a little more glamorous than we originally set out to achieve, but that is how the project developed and we agree it successfully kept some of the quirks of the original Lucky Pig, but set it apart in its own unique way, which was an important part of the brief,” says Georgina and Ashley of the end resuly.
“A space has been created which has a sense of speakeasy and Deco but is subtle enough to not age over time and keep its relaxed yet luxurious feel. It’s modern, challenging and collides traditions to reflect the bravery and fortune of the 20’s we wanted.”
