TABRA by Andreea Cornila Immerses and Inspires

Negative space is an incredibly powerful tool in design. Expertise tells us this space is just as important as substance, creating room to release and reflect. Brilliance must be given space to breathe. In the grand scheme of life, time spent appreciating the small things is never wasted. Intentional and dynamic, TABRA by Andreea Cornila makes good use of our short time here on earth, infusing tactile materials with an expertly rendered sense of volume.

A modern dining area with red walls and ceiling, round red tables, red chairs, wood panel accents, wine glasses, and soft lighting.

A singular yet determined skylight dominates the room, bathing the interior in a concentrated beam of light. Soft, delicate orbs decorate the surrounding walls, offering a small yet endearing warmth to the burgundy-drenched room. The walls, chairs, and booth upholstery all reflect this rich hue, adding a chic opulence to the space.

A restaurant interior with set tables, patterned upholstered chairs, wooden walls, and warm ambient lighting.

A restaurant dining area with red tables and chairs, set with plates and glasses, dimly lit by round wall lights and featuring wood-paneled walls and a herringbone floor.

A glossy red table set with white plates, glassware, and silverware is paired with a curved upholstered chair against a backdrop of dark red curtains.

The highly lacquered gloss of the tables in contrast with the warm pile of the upholstery makes for a striking tablescape. Clear glassware and minimal setting leaves room for the food and the ambiance to take precedent, focusing on what is most memorable about a meal.

A modern bar area with a mirrored counter, hanging wine glasses, a wooden ceiling, and a plant arrangement, set against red walls and herringbone wood flooring.

The bar features generously curved chrome siding, buffed to a mirror finish and reflecting the herringbone floor below. Inset racks for wine glasses hang above, suspended in space by a stately built-in cabinet that creates a surprising amount of height, despite it’s size. Cornila invests heavily in the dynamics between volumes, and it truly shows in her work.

Modern restaurant interior with dark red walls, bar stools, and draped curtains; a set dining table and a view into a white kitchen area are visible.

A modern bar with hanging wine glasses, a dark countertop, and a green floral arrangement against a deep red wall.

Dimly lit restaurant interior with tables set for dining, bar stools facing an open kitchen, and a chef working in the background.

The kitchen is intentionally open, guests invited to see the action and witness the process. Anyone who dines frequently truly does want to see what goes on behind the curtain, whatever that might be. With this honorary placement, the back-of-house/front-of-house divide is blurred, centering the act of service. “Every gesture at Tabra, from the tactile portals to the curated textures and contrasting spatial moods, is designed to engage the senses. It is a space that honors history, embraces contemporary elegance, and celebrates the art of gathering,” states the designer.

A person walks upstairs on a red spiral staircase in a dimly lit interior with plants and round wall lights.

A small restaurant dining area with tan chairs, metal tables set with plates and glasses, wooden floors, and red curtains covering the windows.

These textile portals echo the Art Deco influences of the era, this space originally being used as places for living. Wanting to preserve the natural flow of the wine cellar, the upholstery adds a new weight to simply stepping through. As the original casings could not be preserved, these golden archways pay homage to the decades of history that have shaped these walls, and will continue well in the future.

Modern restaurant interior with wood accents, a curved bar, wine display, and small dining tables with burgundy chairs; patterned golden pillars and red ceiling add color.

A restaurant table set with empty wine glasses and plates, featuring a yellow patterned bench, large mirror, and burgundy drapes.

A modern restaurant interior with burgundy walls and chairs, wooden tables set with glasses and plates, a window with a potted plant, and wall-mounted circular lights.

Modern restaurant interior with orange walls, large red velvet mirrors, yellow chairs, patterned bench seating, set tables, and a window showing trees outside.

Modern restaurant interior with wooden tables and chairs, a polished wood bar, floor-to-ceiling wine display, pendant lights, and large windows with red curtains.

Founded in Bucharest in 2019, Andreea Cornila is a Romanian interior and product designer. With a strong attraction to shape, balance, and color, her command over these tenets of design is apparent within her work. Unafraid of a color drench or a pop (or room) of red, her style is bold, sophisticated, and quite singular.

Modern restaurant interior with wood accents, ambient lighting, set tables with glassware, and a bar area with hanging glasses.

To learn more about Tabra Restaurant by Andreea Cornila, visit andreeacornila.ro.

Photography by Vlad Patru & Andrei Vintila.

Growing up in NYC has given Aria a unique perspective into art + design, constantly striving for new projects to get immersed in. An avid baker, crocheter, and pasta maker, handwork and personal touch is central to what she loves about the built environment. Outside of the city, she enjoys hiking, biking, and learning about space.

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