13 Jun 2025

Layering light, texture, and gold in this forest-inspired Yorkville restaurant

ARIDO Ontario

The design team at Ted Design International, Peter Yip and Matthew Yip, were challenged by their client to create a restaurant / bar based on the concept of a Shakespearean tale of how spirit and noble elemental spirits can weave their influence into affairs of the heart, where human love is played out in its truest archetypes. The ethereal interplay in Midsummer Night’s Dream takes place in a forest during the night of the solstice, opening a gateway into magical interventions.

Interior Designer: Peter Yip, ARIDO
Design Firm: TED Design International

Photographer: Eric Lau

In the dining area the walls are clad with rhymical walnut wood framed panels of shimmering moss green mylar wallcovering

This intimate space, captures the feeling of being shrouded by tall trees and dense flora in a moon-lit forest. The walls are clad with rhymical walnut wood framed panels of shimmering moss green mylar wallcovering. The simple grey and white ceramic floors, do not detract your attention, but give the appearance of light penetrating a tree canopy.

Patrons are welcomed at a gilded ceramic reception desk and escorted to their table. The black MARQUINA marble topped tables and gold legged chairs are at bar height, elevating the guest and having the feeling of comfortably being perched on a tree branch.

Black door in vertical slats next to an arched glass door, both are embellished with golden butterflies. The walls are covered in shimmering moss green mylar wallcovering

exclusive premium wine and spirits lounge. A custom wood open display case flanks the soft lounge seating only up to four patrons. A scaled down butterfly and leaves lighting fixture hovers above

On route, is the impressive central bar. This sculptured, curvilinear, organic shaped bar, re-enforces the theme with a black marble top and golden ceramic tiles. The counter appears to float by underlighting the top.
Above the bar, floats a custom-made sculptured metal light fixture. A kaleidoscope of stylized gold metal leaves and butterflies flutter across the ceiling, accompanied by glowing fireflies.

At the furthest point in the dining room is an area that can be configured for private groups with the use of floor to ceiling moveable screens. The four panels have gilded large scale, laser cut steel flower cut outs. They also serve the purpose of shielding the corridor leading to the restrooms.

The theme and design treatment also extends in the restrooms, with an added feature of a custom-coloured Kohler gold toilet.

The four panels have gilded large scale, laser cut steel flower cut outs. They also serve the purpose of shielding the corridor leading to the restrooms.

VIP patrons are indulgenced in the exclusive premium wine and spirits lounge. A custom wood open display case flanks the soft lounge seating only up to four patrons. Another scaled down butterfly and leaves lighting fixture hovers above.

At first glance this restaurant / bar seems very simple, yet elegant. When time is spent looking at all the individual elements that seamlessly come together, the harmonious integration is obvious.