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Millo by Minnie Bhatt Design: An eatery dipped in minimalistic décor with homely aura

The restaurant is designed to give a fresh look, that was hospitable, inviting, and approachable to the users

Millo is located in Kamala Mill Compound, Lower Parel, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, and provides a much-needed escape from it. Following the pandemic, when people only met on digital platforms, this eatery was established to allow them to meet in person – a space conducive to catching up with family and friends.

Millo was created in a place where numerous restaurants have previously operated. The client desired to develop a fresh look that was hospitable, inviting, and approachable. Additionally, it should be a composition that makes the best use of the available space, with a welcoming atmosphere that doesn’t overwhelm visitors.

The colours are pastel blue and dead pink with a few artworks in bright colours. Given the small size of the downstairs area, a pastel colour scheme was chosen, and the staircase was moved to one side of the room.

The main challenge was relocating the existing staircase to another location, which was overcome by successfully working out the details and having it fabricated as planned. Originally, the staircase was in the centre of the room, dividing the spaces on both levels into two distinct areas. By relocating it to one end, a larger unified space was created, which aided the seating layout and increased the number of covers.

Downstairs, there’s a bar that looks like an old-world China cabinet, as well as a corner table with artificial bone inlay and a library next to it.

The upper level has seating with a living room-style layout in the middle, including couches, consoles, table lamps, and a running sofa at one end. The décor is minimalistic with homely artefacts and pastel walls. There is an 8-seater PDR tucked into a back corner with soft green walls and custom pendant lights.

The material palette consists primarily of mild steel and glass window panes with accents of wallpaper, veneer, and cement tile.

In essence, Millo is the living room of a house with a verandah on the ground floor. The place has the cosiness and appeal of a living room, which makes guests want to spend a lot of time there.