100 Top Tables 2020 Best Ambience award: Sevva – founder and style icon Bonnae Gokson on why every little detail counts
- Bonnae Gokson runs the 22,000 sq ft eatery like a five-star hotel – she has curated every single element, from the smallest to the largest
Creating the perfect ambience is extremely important to Bonnae Gokson, style icon and founder of Sevva, the recipient of the Best Ambience award.
“The overall ambience intention with Sevva is glamorous residential, but an easy glamour. A place that is cosy, comfortable, happy, sensuous with soul, and welcoming to all,” she says.
Achieving this takes work, and talent. “Creating the perfect ambience in Sevva is like being the conductor of an orchestra. Much like if one instrument is too loud or not in sync, if one element of the space is not in sync with the rest, the ambience will not be perfect,” Gokson says.
As Sevva’s “conductor”, Gokson says it is all about detail. “Ambience is detail. It is all about the details, especially the small details, all need to be in harmony.” She offers as an example the music, for which she has created the play lists, training staff on the style of music to play at any time to create a particular mood.
Gokson is hands on with all the details, running the 22,000 sq ft space like a five-star hotel. She has curated and selected every single element, from the smallest detail to the largest.
One of the latest ambience design elements Gokson has conceptualised is the dramatic one-of-a-kind sculptural installation adorning the ceiling in the revitalised Harbourside dining room. It consists of 100,000 silk flowers and 36 custom-made gypsy chandeliers featuring more than 76,000 handcrafted crystals in 20 jewelled tones.
The design choice was inspired by Gokson’s passion for kaleidoscopes. “I have loved kaleidoscopes ever since I was a child, and I also knew I wanted something different, something colourful – colourful like life.”
The overall impact is an impressive focal point that radiates warmth and shows Gokson’s mastery of the use of colours and texture.
The Taste Bar has an enhanced entrance designed to create an intimate, warm and contemporary space to cater to small events and private functions for up to 50 people. “It is now a perfect private function space, in addition to being a chic bar, for guests to enjoy our signature cocktails, fine wines and champagne paired with our wide selection of refined small plates,” Gokson says.
In other areas mirrors have replaced the ceiling to add light and height, and furniture reconfiguration opens up the space while creating more privacy for guests.
There is also new flooring throughout the restaurant and kitchen, new decking on the wraparound terrace, with walls rebuilt to improve functionality, and an upgraded state-of-the-art sound system throughout, for concert-level quality.
While the overall appearance of the space is important to Gokson – and a trademark – it must also be practical. “Sevva has to work as a flexible space, from operating in its day-to-day format to being able to be transformed for private parties and events. This is also something that I keep in mind, it needs to be practical, too.”
It was also important that the space was not over-designed. “Visual editing is also key to creating the right ambience.”
Gokson says, “I have always been very creative, very inquisitive, and very naturally I can envision colour and layering in my mind when I am conceptualising. Therefore, inspiration comes from many places. From the numerous countries and cities I have travelled to through to more local elements, such as the wet market. From a piece of art to a piece of fabric, from my own personal evolution, inspiration is everywhere.
“My mind puts concepts together very fast and I am always learning new things, new ways, and looking and learning from different perspectives and how these can be put together.”
She feels “totally honoured” by the award. “I work with my heart and my passion for design and creativity, and am humbled for this to be recognised.”
