Two young chefs, Niclas Yngvesson and Gustav Knutsson, opened Bhoga 3 years ago. Their goal was to create a restaurant with a broad target group, a restaurant they would like to visit themselves – while still offering an ambitious menu. They wanted a relaxed alternative to traditional fine dining restaurants while maintaining a focus on Nordic ingredients. Bhoga quickly became one of Sweden’s top restaurants and was rewarded with a Michelin star after only one year. The client wanted to change the interiors and create an environment that better reflected the cuisine and ideals of Bhoga: to use the best seasonal Nordic ingredients in an innovative and imaginative way, but to never feel overly contrived – modern Nordic gastronomy with a twist. The interiors should serve as an extension and enhancement of the food experience.
Conceptually, the challenge was to create an upscale restaurant that somehow communicated such high ambitions and modern innovation without losing its authenticity and personality. It was also a challenge to meet the ideals of the kitchen, in which appreciation for raw ingredients made the dish. Local producers deliver the food; the interiors should reflect the same values. The challenge was to offer an inclusive yet concentrated atmosphere, preferably with a twist.
Today, Bhoga is a composition of different surfaces, textures and lighting. The natural materials, such as hemp, linen and wool, are manufactured in Scandinavian factories. The tables are made of real oak by a local carpenter. The iron and wooden shelves are painted black. To create a dynamic expression and make the small room feel bigger, we created zones with darkness and light using natural, earthy colors, like green and gray. Moreover, we chose lamps, barstools and chairs in classic Nordic designs with a modern twist, like the Fredericia Søborg chair, or the classic shoemaker lamp in a new interpretation from Calabaz Älmhult. We also created a unique pattern with a retro touch for use in graphic profile units, such as menus, business cards, and even in the interiors – the wallpaper, bar and the specially designed sofas all feature elements from the pattern.