SpaceInvader revitalises British fine dining at BLOK

Images courtesy of SpaceInvader

Presented with a somewhat under-used restaurant, Northern design practice SpaceInvader strove to create an intimate, layered dining space for Lanelay Hall in South Wales. Pairing a rich, textured palette of black quartz and warm oak panelling with soft, ambient lighting, Lanelay Hall’s hotel and spa adds a third string to its bow with the newly rebranded destination restaurant, BLOK. Seasonal, British fine dining dishes make up BLOK’s menu, while a modular, 16-seater central booth and generous indoor planting were introduced in hopes of making the 134 sq m space feel more inviting to local diners and hotel guests alike.

The restaurant also boasts an upgraded and exclusive private dining area, elevated by two new, full-height glass showcases displaying a selection of wines and curing meats. Alongside the 3-metre-high wall panels in Georgian oak, a period ceiling with detailed cornicing was retained and restored, painted in a warm cream shade and complemented with wallpapered borders. New flooring laid throughout is Versailles Dijon from PlusFloor, a herringbone timber LVT designed to maintain the heritage feel of the space.

Constructed with a timber frame and upholstered in a rust Zimmer + Rohde Infinity Cord 385 fabric, the central seating booth was pivotal to BLOK’s new configuration and increased the capacity from a 48 to a 60-cover restaurant. The rest of the freestanding furniture was bespoke-made by contractor Dawnvale, including dining tables with twisted timber bases and marble-effect tops. Ochre rattan tub chairs and blue banquette seating under the bay window are upholstered in fabrics by Sunbury Design, while chargeable task lamps provide each table with a warm, ambient glow.

BLOK’s private dining room was intended to offer guests with an exclusive, elevated space to enjoy an intimate dinner party, as well as providing restaurant overflow during particularly busy periods. Views into the theatre kitchen give diners a glimpse into the preparation process, while a large, striking dining table takes centre stage with a dramatic black quartz top. The two statement glazed cases displaying wine and prime cuts of meat can also be seen from the street outside, inviting passers-by inside to bend in elbow and indulge in fine British cuisine.