London interior design studio A-nrd have added a pinch of spice to Soho with the completion of the new Darjeeling Express site. Partnering once again with pioneering chef and restaurateur Asma Khan, A-nrd have designed the interior of the critically acclaimed restaurant which has relocated back to its original
location and spiritual home at Kingly Court in time for its tenth anniversary.

Upon entering guests are transported into an interior which nods in subtle and sophisticated ways to Asma’s heritage and inspiration at every touch point.

The colour palette of the intimate interior takes guests on a journey to the golden hour of India, where warm, earthy, soft tones come alive.
This palette is complemented with a light lapis blue, a colour that became popular in the Northern India when the mineral began being imported from Afghanistan and was used as a synonym of sophistication in Muslim architectural details. Used sparingly on lower walls, the jewel tone not only adds a counterbalance, but references for those familiar, the recognisable blue wall conceived by A-nrd studio for the original Darjeeling Express restaurant which featured in the Netflix Chef’s Table series.

The kitchen itself was created by a central partition wall with regular openings framed with rich, dark oak counters stacked with handcrafted ceramic tableware and stoneware dishes that invite customers to lean over and peek behind the scenes. Handcrafted authentic glazed Zellige tiles in a rich amber colourway
punctuate the walls in-between, whilst large opaline flower shaped wall sconces provide a soft illumination.

Lining the exterior wall, window booth seating looks out across Kingly Court. With a reputation for their custom approach to furniture, here the studio has designed dark oak benches with a slatted construction and curving back which are paired with bespoke Burly wood tables, both of which were inspired by old photographs of Asma travelling on the namesake Darjeeling Express train. Upholstered backrests for comfort feature in mismatched textiles chosen by A-nrd to represent the richness of patterns found in India, with
colour blocked patterns sitting side-by-side with hand stitched decorative detailing.

A curvaceous and monolithic cocktail bar with vintage effect mirrored backbar is unquestionably one of the stars of the space. This beautifully crafted bar made from solid dark oak features a scalloped front counter inspired by Mughal architectural shapes. Here, 6 sleek bar stools designed by A-nrd studio are upholstered in a soft, buttery yellow hued leather designed to complement but not distract from the feature bar.
Asma’s ancestral Havelis was particularly inspirational for A-nrd studio for the creation of the new interior; from the dark wood accents to the shape of mouldings and joinery detailing, the marble table tops and the extensive greenery which sees trailing plants in baskets hanging from beams and planting throughout around the restaurant, kitchen, and bar.