Gold, in all its dazzling beauty, is a material of prime value, holding a universal significance in many historical contexts, from aesthetic flourishes to artistic statements and even political propaganda. In contemporary culture, especially in entertainment, iconic metal is inextricably linked to stardom – gilded Oscar statuettes, shimmering red carpet fashion, and the warm glow of marquee lights. Located within the recently reimagined W Hollywood Hotel, Cafe Goldie Exudes a luminous aura that harnesses this wealth of symbolism while adding a fresh layer of lore.
Directed by designer Alexa Nafisi-Mowagher, Adian Studio Infuses Old Hollywood with a distinctly Californian sensibility.
The honey-gold color reflects off various surfaces, filling the interior with an amber light that is reminiscent of the hills at sunset when the city seems to melt into the atmosphere. Custom, shiny brass fixtures add ambiance while custom velvet seating in saturated mustard tones brings both richness and warmth. The globe pendants – referencing the iconic vanity bulbs of mid-century film sets – serve as a reminder that Hollywood glamor has always been built on the intersection of display and intimacy. The result is a captivating space that celebrates spectacular performance while remaining in touch with human scale and every person’s ability to access it. Guests are immersed in an environment that feels both cinematic and deeply personal.
The romance of space is further enhanced by its mythological muse: Venus, goddess of beauty, love and fertility. Inspired by her striking looks, the design softens graphic post-modern lines with feminine curves and flowing shapes. The marble counter is crafted like a sculpture; Eateries that cradle custom banquettes in luxurious intimacy; The chandeliers, hanging like glittering jewels, hint as much to celestial myth as to Hollywood vanity. Incorporating these influences, Café Goldie positions itself at the intersection of mythology and modernity, where every detail feels connected to a narrative purpose.
“We were tasked with responding to the recently reimagined lobby space and concept design Rockwell Group But we wanted to bring our own feminine touch,” shares Nafisi-Mowagher. “They focused on sunsets and golden hour and we wanted to bring the graceful, curious and sensual nature that is Venus.”
Yet this project is not merely a nostalgic tribute to the past. “What’s indoors is outdoors and what’s outdoors is indoors,” she says, explaining how California’s limitless landscape also informed the design. Folding doors open onto the patio, filling the café with natural light day after day, while greenery – lush potted plants and botanical accents woven throughout – create a sense of continuity between the cultured interior and the natural world beyond its threshold. This integration honors the quintessential California ethos of living in constant dialogue with the coast.
That ethos also informs the menu. Café Goldie’s dishes bring freshness to the forefront, echoing the lush accents of the space. The vegetable-rich selection serves as an edible extension of the greenery spanning the dining room. Entrees coat the plate in a glow, the same way sunlight filters through a café’s expansive screens. Even the café’s beverages embrace this dialogue, be it a refreshing cocktail, as crisp as the California breeze, or a delicious aftertaste reflecting the richness of the interior’s golden palette. In this way, the café becomes a sensory ecosystem where food, design and atmosphere reflect each other.
The attention to detail is deeply experiential. Every corner is cozy, allowing customers to immerse themselves in relaxation. This approach ensures that while the space exudes drama with its shiny brass, milk glass and supersaturated colour, it also offers moments of relaxation. Diners never feel exposed; Instead, they’re surrounded by seats that feel inviting and safe, complemented by layered flashes of light on multiple levels. Such choreography of light and comfort ensures that glamor is never intimidating, but creates a warm, welcoming embrace.
Fabrication also becomes part of storytelling. Many of the café’s distinctive elements were custom-designed: chandeliers crafted in collaboration with Eye Works, mustard yellow velvet seats by Falcon, and retractable entry doors that alter the boundary between hotel and café. Each special piece reinforces Café Goldie’s intrinsic identity as a crafted world, expressed in great detail. Even finishes like Gia Tile’s Casablanca Squares and Portola Paint’s honey-toned walls were chosen to deepen the golden hour story.
The cumulative effect is an eatery that goes beyond typical hospitality functions. Café Goldie has become a platform where design and cuisine come together in perfect harmony. The glamor of old Hollywood is not reproduced as a set piece, but reinterpreted for an interactive performance. Guests are invited not only to dine, but also to participate in a spatial experience where history, culture and sensory delights meet. And it claims that glamor doesn’t need to be cold or inaccessible; Instead, it may be as warm and enduring as its infamous golden color.
To learn more about Café Goldie by Alexa Nafisi-Mowagher of Aedion Studio, visit adeanstudios.com,
by photography MJ Kroeger,
