Le Pain Français, Sweden

In the heart of Scandinavian minimalism, stands proud this maximalist-in-your-face-decadent bistro. Inspired by surreal Parisian elegance, it is a playful tribute to the late 19th century and the Belle Époque in the early 20th century; the golden era of Gustave Eiffel and Jules Verne.

A whimsical distortion of proportions, combined with an unrestrained use of colour, texture and materials give the space a very magical quality. The bistro has three floors, and a small basement for dining. The entry floor is divided into two parts, the actual entrance Porte de Paris and Trochadéro, which transforms into a bar with a disc jockey in the evening. The second floor is made up of two planes: Le Salon Royal, and Le Boudoir, where fine-dining mix with afternoon tea.

Tufted velvet booths sit under ornate ceiling with moldings, oversized chandeliers throw light on intricate relief work – the elements are emphatic, larger than life, and dramatic. There’s no holding back. For all those who wonder, how can one create a bold statement, look no further.