Smart window decoration as mood creator and room divider

Custom window decoration takes restaurant interior to next level

A stylish renovation does not have to be a major rebuild. This is proven by clothing specialist Arido. By cleverly using new colours, curtains and cushions, the interior of Marhaba restaurant was given a complete makeover. Without having to replace the floor or the fixed furniture.

When restaurant Marhaba in Dadizele made plans for a renovation, they wanted one thing above all: to give the restaurant a new vibe while creating a warm, cosy place that remained flexible. With years of experience in custom-made window decoration and interior textiles, Arido was the perfect partner to translate that wish into reality.

The biggest challenge? The open space, which can seat up to seventy guests, had no way to separate small groups. "We came up with a solution for that with semi-transparent curtains," explains Kaat Bekaert, co-director at Arido. "These create subtle partitions without losing the openness of the restaurant." The curtains playfully follow the level differences in the space, including an elevator. By working with curves in the rails, the layout perfectly matches the architecture and adds dynamism to the whole.

A new colour palette

Marhaba's existing interior breathed mostly beige and brown. To still achieve a fresh, contemporary look without major works, Arido sat down with interior designer Celine Grymonprez and they came up with a warm rust-coloured palette - the trend colour of the moment. The banquettes remained, but the new wall paint, curtains and custom-made cushions create a totally different atmosphere.

"We combined two types of fabric for the cushions," explains account manager Lieselotte Hellyn. "A soft velour fabric in two shades for extra luxury, and a firm fabric with more structure and a pronounced rust colour to add spice."

Customisation down to the smallest detail

Arido was also fully involved technically. "Because the curtains hang in the middle of the shop, they had to be perfectly finished along both sides," says Kaat. "We couldn't just use a standard wave finish, because then the white ribbon would be visible."

Using specialised know-how from their own confection workshop, Arido found an elegant solution: a special stitching technique that simultaneously provides the necessary strength and preserves the wave effect, without distracting finishes. "That is typical of our approach: customisation that combines aesthetics and functionality," says Lieselotte.

For a catering business, not only looks are important. All fabrics supplied by Arido are fireproof certified and washable. "This is essential in restaurants, where fabrics need to be cleaned regularly," Lieselotte explains. "Our materials are wrinkle-free and easy to maintain, so everything is back in tip-top shape quickly after a wash."

Fast turnaround, seamless execution

The renovation had to be done in a lightning-fast two weeks. Because Arido has its own fitting service and workshop, the curtains and cushions could be produced and fitted at short notice. "We even went to the weekend to install the curved rails to meet the deadline," says Kaat. "On Monday, the curtains were finished and by Wednesday the restaurant could already be open again."

Besides the customisation and installation, Arido also played an advisory role throughout the renovation process. For instance, they suggested involving an interior designer to make sure colours, shapes and materials were perfectly matched. "We always think beyond just the window decoration," concludes Kaat. "At Marhaba, we not only developed a functional solution, but also renewed the character of the business. That's where we as Arido make a difference."