A contemporary Italian restaurant in the heart of Île-de-France

Zaza, an Italian restaurant designed by French practice Romaric Le Tiec Studio in the town of Montévrain about 30 kilometres east of Paris, balances warmth with geometric rigour, aesthetics with functionality. The design agency teamed up with interior architect Charlotte Vinet to convert a large 500-square-metre unit into a sensory experience, where every detail helps create a welcoming and refined atmosphere. “The challenge was to create a warm environment in a space full of windows and located in a busy area,” says Le Tiec. The solution is a sequence of spaces that gradually unfold: from the entrance threshold, the layout alternates between more intimate areas and convivial settings, culminating in a discreet private event room. Materials play a central role, carefully selected to evoke an Italian spirit while avoiding cliché. Porcelain stoneware floors from Marca Corona’s Terracreta, Terra.Art and Elisir Royal collections become textural landscapes. Terracreta captures the tactile appeal of clay, with decorations that suggest the passage of time. Terra.Art introduces colour and graphic motifs that add rhythm and personality. Elisir Royal, laid in a chevron pattern, recalls the bourgeois elegance of 20th-century Italy with a richly knotted and veined wood effect that combines tradition with modern design. In the bathrooms, the Mirabilia collection in the Foliage and Jungle variants transforms wall niches into decorative botanical-inspired compositions. In this exercise in style and lightness, ceramic tiles become a form of expression. “The choice of colours and materials recalls the atmosphere of Italy, with matt and glossy tiles and a palette of warm tones balanced by deep green and golden light,” the designers explain. The lighting design complements the spatial layout, creating reflections and nuances that shift throughout the day. The designers also addressed the issue of sustainability with sensitivity. “We always try to reduce our environmental impact through an intelligent approach,” notes Le Tiec. “For Zaza, we chose durable materials such as ceramic tiles for the floors, walls and counter and installed curtains on the windows to reduce heat losses in both summer and winter.” Zaza is more than a restaurant: it is a place designed for hospitality and atmosphere, where food, materials and design come together to create an authentic and memorable experience.