Shabnam Gupta captures the soul of Mexico with its Spanish grandeur in Pompa, Mumbai.
A vivacious spirit and effortless charm reverberates through Pompa; an interplay of traditional Mexican aesthetics and modernity imbues vitality and warmth to this restaurant in the heart of Mumbai. Shabnam Gupta, of The Orange Lane, renowned for creating artistic and maximal visuals in her designs, has captured the soul of Mexico, encapsulating some of its elements and brazenness yet staying understated. Even though Pompa translates to flamboyant in Spanish, the space is anything but that, veering away from the usual Mexican cliches and capturing the quintessence of Mexican design ethos it sculpts a distinct identity.
Fusion of colour and artist explosion dots every corner of this 4000 square feet 100 seater in Bandra’s Linking Road. Terracotta flooring, classic half-height white panelled walls, rustic accents, traditional pottery and textural fabrics are all reminiscences of the Mexican villas. A gorgeous sage green envelops the skin of the walls and ceilings intercepted with jewel tones that animates the spaces, making them radiate energy and life.
Glamour strikes at the staircase itself, spice red vertical slats juxtaposed with printed and colourful tiles splashed on the walls are romanticised further by red exotic pendulum lights, creating intrigue to the enchantment yet to unfold inside. The front door of Pompa echoes the Mexican influences, with scrolling wrought iron grilles woven with rattan in the middle, prompting a touch of rustic elegance. Emerald green patterned ceramic flooring, an arresting Pompa signage stationed majestically against white and sage green walls and a picturesque stained glass window glow welcomingly and invitingly at the foyer. But what pivots attention is an artistic wicker tamarind-shaped bench, a showstopper indeed, overall a captivating photo booth to pose and create memories.
The scenic beauty of the terrain with cacti in the backdrop of mountains on a stained glass window crafts a compelling vignette of the lands, elegantly adorns the walls at the reception, complemented with tall green cacti in deep blue ceramic pots. A cluster of masks wearing floral crowns ornament on the opposite wall pays homage to the traditional old-world charm. A glamorous hostess desk with strips and tassels encapsulates its bohemian appeal. Colour me red, it comes true in both bathrooms. Red hot tiles highlighted with printed ones stand in conjunction with the vanity that seamlessly integrates into a concave red background, which stands positioned strategically in front of a full-length slanted mirror, a dramatic visual that strikes awe.
At a glance, the restaurant exudes an eclectic vibe with a row of cheerfully printed sofas on one side where vibrant Mexican blankets punctuate the walls with their indigenous art. Also known as serapes or sarapes, these colourful iconic textiles with geometric patterns that personify the elements of nature, are not just decorative; they are vital cultural symbols. Streaks of natural light stream through the gauzy curtains framing the colourful windows on the opposite walls. Sitting parallel, the sofa and the high-top seating defy subtleness and boast bold-coloured fabric with tassels riding their borders, enriching the overall aesthetic appeal.
The piece de resistance is the beautiful lit bar. An illuminated circular tree-like structure with red tiles on the facia elevates the glamour quotient while the seamless circular bar counters, brass footrests and stub lights cast a dazzling enchantment from all sides. An elevated emerald green flooring, a graceful stage for the vibrant seating and the rustic earthen urns and old green bottles in the background, all collate to infuse a sense of history and character. Colourful heritage windows form the façade with beautiful Mexican architecture in strong colours of green, off-white and scallop-styled curtains in deep red to filter in wisps of natural light.
Ornamental lights hang from the beams, artfully crafted from fabric and nuanced with tassels, and are elegantly scattered to match the furniture style throughout the space. Geometric patterns on the wall mouldings and the floorings create a visual rhythm which is paused with vintage terracotta pots, symbolic Mexican influences. Be-speckled with greens, miniature pots of succulents and creepers create balance and bring the outside in with their freshness. Harmoniously melding the traditional Mexican with a contemporary narrative Shabnam Gupta has created a distinct vernacular in this Mexican adventure.
“‘Pompa’ is envisioned as a vibrant, visually immersive restaurant that not only pays homage to traditional Mexican aesthetics but also embraces modern design elements. The design aims to transport patrons to the heart of Mexico through its captivating and culturally rich interior design,” says Shabnam Gupta, Founder & Principal Designer, The Orange Lane and Peacock Life.
