“Here’s a tip for business people who are looking for the right lighting solution: this is a job for experts.” Christine Gilbert and Pascal Vandenhoucke casually offer this bit of advice based on their own experience. Their restaurant “La Tonnelle” (“The Arbor”) located on the banks of the Meuse River in Yvoir, has been entirely revamped. The couple turned to Cebeo to provide them with a lighting plan, as their contractor urged them to. And while the outcome may seem low-key, it fits perfectly with the restaurant’s overall atmosphere.
“We found that after 12 years in business, it was time for us to overhaul the style and the interior of La Tonnelle,” they explained. Christine is the chef, and Pascal is the maitre d’ of this small restaurant. “The interior had the rustic look typical of the Ardennes region. We were looking for a new style, one less common in the area”
The original arbor that gave the restaurant its name is still there outside, but inside is an entirely different story. As color consultant, Christine’s brother worked out a new design that creates a sober, modern, low-key mood. There are no frills, but lots of warm colors.
“That still left us with the question of lighting, however. We wanted to avoid changing the basic wiring and making additional holes in the walls. Initially, we tried to figure it out for ourselves, with the idea of placing spotlights over the tables. But we soon changed our minds when or electrical contractor advised us to ask Cebeo for an opinion.”
Space and atmosphere
A Cebeo lighting specialist went to the La Tonnelle to size the situation up. “It didn’t take her long to come up with a custom solution, based on a combination of functional lighting and coziness. It was exactly what we were looking for. The place now looks roomier because the lighting follows the direction of the floor. It’s important for customers to see what’s on their plates, but they should also be able to enjoy a meal in a pleasant atmosphere. The cubic wall fixtures and elegant table lamps further enhance that atmosphere.”
A job for experts
Christine and Pascal already feel completely at home in their renovated restaurant. And if they had it to do over, they would approach renovation in the same way. In other words, they would let experts handle what is clearly a job for experts, and that goes for the lighting arrangements as well. “We made the right choice by doing business with Cebeolightstudio. And in any case, people who place a premium on lighting should always turn to experts. We’re more convinced than ever that you should stick to what you know best.”
