Vancouver Bar Inspired by Honk Kong Love Motels
Meo cocktail bar in Vancouver has been modelled on the Hong Kong love motels of the 1970s and 80s, resplendent in floral patterns, pink hues and feline accents. Designed by Ste Marie, the Asian-fusion restaurant is heavily influenced by the “hedonistic energy” of the love motels.
GALLERY
To evoke these spaces, plush pink drapery and lush carpeting with vintage floral patterns were added throughout the dining and bar areas. Bold red accents are introduced through 1970s Guzzini pendant lights, which pop against the dark wood panelling across portions of the walls.
“The dimly lit room is aesthetically inspired by Greg Girard’s series on Hong Kong nightlife in the ’70s and ’80s, and by the clandestine ‘love motels’ of a bygone era,” said the studio.
A raised area with angled steps follows the dropped ceiling and is wrapped by a banquette that serves rows of small tables. At the back, a painterly scene of mountains, flora and buildings is reflected in a series of mirrors on the perpendicular wall. Other built-in seating areas are tucked into corners and niches, while guests can also sit at leather-covered stools along the wood-panelled bar.
Warm soft lighting from a variety of pendants, sconces, cove lights and bar-top lamps creates a sultry mood, and allows the illuminated blue front of a jukebox to stand out. “A glowing old-school jukebox, reminiscent of Girard’s photos, adds a sense of nostalgia and novelty to the richly textured atmosphere,” the studio said.
Several curios and decor items – many of them feline-themed – were sourced by the owner from thrift stores in Taiwan. Meanwhile, artworks include a portrait of a Persian cat found at a garage sale and a vinyl-printed mural of a photograph taken inside a North Korean hotel.
“These elements, combined with the plush pink monochromatic interiors inspired by motel bedspreads, create an immersive environment that transports guests back in time,” said Ste Marie. “Meo invites with warmth and wonder: a playful escape where the night is always young and full of possibilities.”
Meo
Location Vancouver, Canada
Architect St Marie
Photography Conrad Brown
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