Upon entering Lily, a Vietnamese restaurant on Clement Street in San Francisco’s multicultural Inner Richmond neighborhood, the tone is set by a large-scale mural that runs along the entire length of the space.
Located opposite the open kitchen, the artwork depicts Along the River During the Qingming Festival, an ancient Chinese scroll painting that’s considered the Mona Lisa of China. “This mural is not often seen, especially this large, where you can see all the details up close,” says Nathan Reed, senior associate at Cass Calder Smith Architecture + Interiors, which handled the design of the eatery. “The actual scroll is 10 inches tall, so this is magnified significantly.”
To round out the design of the 49-seat concept, the firm’s San Francisco office employed a range of natural materials. For instance, stone lines the countertops, soapstone covers the tabletops, and blackened steel is featured throughout. “These are all living finishes that we selected specifically to patina over time to infuse the space with a soul,” Reed adds. A large wall display of apothecary drawers and antique mirrors further nods to this influence.
Terracotta bricks floors add texture underfoot, while geometric patterned metal screens installed on the ceiling convey the theme of antiquity. Above the bar, intricate light fixtures call to mind woven lanterns. “[The space] reflects the Chinese heritage of the owners and Lily the namesake rather than the expected cuisine,” Reed adds. “It’s about honoring family and heritage.”
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