Commissioned to redesign The Mandarin Cake Shop at the Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou, interior design practice CCD/Cheng Chung Design drew inspiration from the region’s rich cultural heritage and 19th-century British artistry applying a design language that blends Oriental elegance and contemporary design. Situated off the hotel’s lobby, the revamped space pays tribute to the enchanting allure of Lingnan culture (also known as Cantonese culture) focusing in particular on the charming Lingnan gardens as depicted by British architect and noted topographical artist Thomas Allom, whose engravings were used to illustrate numerous 19th century travel books. Animated by lush green tones, scenic murals of 19th century Guangzhou and bespoke furnishings that mix antique and modern stylistic influences, CCD’s dreamy scenography complements the confectionery’s artisanal creations providing a beautiful backdrop for the Mandarin Oriental’s ceremonial afternoon tea service.
To enter The Mandarin Cake Shop, visitors have to traverse an elongated vestibule which makes the double-height, light-filled space of the cake shop at the end of it all the more glorious. Swathed entirely in green tones, the intimate passageway showcases vitrines in antique bronze ensconced in French-style arched alcoves along the walls and a freestanding jewellery-style display cabinet in polished steel, offering visitors tantalising glimpses of the shop’s artisanal pastry and confectionary creations that will be served during the tea service. In direct contrast to the antique-inflected furnishings, the vestibule’s sleek, unadorned design conveys a contemporary feel creating a past-meets-present ambience that carries on in the main space.