Carbone, UK

Project Overview 

Set within the former US Embassy building, now reimagined as The Chancery Rosewood by David Chipperfield, Carbone London captures the famous warmth and glamour of the New York institution.

Collaborating with lead interior designer Ken Fulk, Nulty designed an atmospheric lighting scheme that draws guests into the moody design narrative. The impact of light is felt from the moment guests enter the ground floor bar and becomes more pronounced in the subterranean restaurant, where the team curated the darkness to produce a scheme rich in ambience, contrast and drama.

Design Concept 

The ground floor bar embodies Carbone’s signature upscale New York style within a classically London setting. Here, a balanced hierarchy of light emphasises the materials and craftsmanship. Spotlights accentuate the aged tin finish of the ceiling, while concealed joinery lighting highlights the textures of the zinc-topped oak bar and makes the glassware sparkle. Decorative luminaires reinforce the mid-century aesthetic and bring a sense of intimacy to the setting.

A mural depicting fantastical supper-club scenes creates a moment of drama in the staircase down to the restaurant. Linear LEDs graze the wall along the steps and lines of light hidden in the stringer details produce a soft, diffuse glow to intuitively guide people through the space. Each stringer fitting features an opalised element to diffuse light evenly and produce a soft, consistent glow.

In the basement restaurant – entirely devoid of natural daylight – the lighting design is an important storytelling element, drawing out key focal points such as a red coffered ceiling and the crimson-red velvet curtains at the concierge desk. Carefully integrated layers of light ensure that the bar is the brightest point, activating the amber-fluted glasswork and brass detailing to make the setting resonate with warmth and character.

Lower down, the lighting is purposefully subdued. Decorative wall sconces and table lamps produce softly layered illumination. Picture lights illuminate the artwork, with colour temperatures carefully balanced to present the colours of the art in the best possible way.

The entire lighting scheme is controlled by a DALI system, featuring multiple scenes that transition from late lunch to evening dinner and late-night bar. The team employed gradual transitions to ensure seamless, almost imperceptible shifts throughout the day.