Kellie Burke, of Kellie Burke Interiors, of West Hartford Center, CT is the exclusive designer charged with designing the interior spaces of Bricco Trattoria using a style that would elevate Bricco’s mission to be the premiere restaurant that is “ Imaginative, comfortable and sophisticated. Fresh, surprising and always with a passion for great taste.” The owners also wanted the restaurant to convey food and décor that reflects “preserving traditions” of family meals together with food fresh from the farms and vineyards.
Kellie joined with the chef, Billy Grant, to better understand his personal style and vision. Visits were made to his favorite restaurants in the New York City environs, with Billy highlighting the individual elements he admired from each location. The special aroma of one, the energy level of another, soothing lighting and inviting warmth of another were highlighted to Kellie. Drawing upon annual summer trips through the country-sides of Italy, Billy shared his personal photos and spoke of strong impressions left with these experiences.
Kellie was also presented with the challenge to create an atmosphere that incorporates the spirit and history of the local Glastonbury community, one that highly values the local orchards, berry fields, farms and family. Glastonbury also has a rich history of past industrialization including leather, woolens, cotton, and soap production. Billy, the chef, grew up in East Hartford, a neighboring community to Glastonbury, with an early love and appreciation of the area.
The restaurant must convey hospitality and establish an emotional connection with each customer, to compliment the simple, fresh, and great food all will experience. Kellie responded brilliantly with a design solution that addresses each of these multi-faceted needs.
Faced with former bland office space that required gutting, Kellie began creating an environment that blends the comfort and the family focus of an Italian farmhouse, a rustic vineyard home and an infusion of raw natural materials with classic industrial elements. Most designers stay true to a certain style. Kellie eclectically mixes and blends in each project undertaken, such as in this case, Italian farmhouse, meets industrial/warehouse.
Guests have been wow’ed by the interior that greets them.
From the moment guests enter Bricco Trattoria doors, they are transported to a stunning space that is sophisticated yet utterly comfortable, cozy, with hints of sparkle, and bright yet warmed by dark, rich walnut woods. Kellie designed specifically to make all feel welcome, whether donning golf shorts or evening attire.
Lighting and luster are two of Kellie’s signature design elements, both of which are stunningly brought to the dining spaces. Kellie uses her hanging lighting statements to help define and create complementary, flowing dining spaces.
Guests are in awe of the unique, lighting statements made throughout the restaurant. The surprise of finding raw rope incorporated in large scale chandeliers in the bistro corner sets the stage for even more fabulous lighting statements to come. In another dining area, tall round barrel-like shades of strips of natural linen are reminiscent of oak wine barrels found in Italian vineyards. Illuminated large, antique glass wine bottles hang in the intimate wine cellar dining niche providing the perfect accent and soft lighting above wheat- toned upholstered, seating benches and family sized table.
The partnership of chef Billy Grant and interior designer Kellie Burke, makes Bricco Trattoria a very special restaurant that successfully delivers the vision of Billy of wonderful food served in comfortable, yet sophisticated surroundings that preserve traditions while nourishing the
creation of new traditions of truly memorable dining.
Kellie Burke Interiors
993A Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06107
