San Antonio's Newest Old World-Inspired Restaurant Is Set in a Former Mansion
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When it comes to historic cities below the Mason–Dixon, few beat New Orleans. From the colorful cuisine and ornately detailed interiors inspired by the metropolis’s Cajun, Creole, and French roots, the Big Easy isn’t hard to love. That’s why New York City-based interior designer Crystal Sinclair used New Orleans’s celebratory energy as the driving force behind the newly opened Restaurant Claudine in San Antonio, Texas, bridging the wide gap between the two culinary havens of the South.
As for the dining outpost’s layered aesthetic, “It’s very New Orleans French Quarter, but with a slightly modern twist,” Sinclair says. “It’s regal and elegant. We wanted the restaurant to feel inviting, like stepping into a grandmother’s home in NOLA.”
As a former mansion erected in 1910, the building featured plenty of built-in elegance, but when Sinclair was tasked with its redesign, there was a lot of work to do—especially because the project was a total gut renovation, which included a much-needed extension that would become Restaurant Claudine’s busy kitchen.
Since the space was built as a private residence, Sinclair saw no need to adhere to the traditional restaurant layout, featuring one large dining room and perhaps a smaller area for private parties. Instead, she used the former home’s rooms to create unique vignettes featuring their own distinct styles. Not to mention, “the space was run down and very dirty,” so transforming it into a sophisticated eatery whose interiors would be worthy of the upscale French and Southern cuisine presented Sinclair with an opportunity to experiment.
“To achieve that regal feel, we went with custom wallpapers and drew in some great paneling. Antique chandeliers and sconces were also extremely necessary, as they bring the elegance and Old World vibe to each room,” Sinclair adds. In fact, nearly every space within the 2,500-square-foot restaurant is covered in a Chinoiserie-inspired wallcovering and accented with a sizable collection of antique lighting.
It’s not very often that antiques and lavish floral wallpaper come together to make a space feel cool and contemporary, but Restaurant Claudine features a “modern twist” that somehow effortlessly nods to both historic New Orleans and present-day San Antonio. Sinclair explains, “The place just wants to hug you the moment you enter.” That's what we'd like to think they mean by Southern hospitality.
Yellow Dining Room
Sinclair says, “This room took a while to nail down. We knew we wanted it to feel the most regal,” so she covered the walls in a yellow Chinoiserie wallpaper and added a touch of texture to the ceilings by way of a 19th-century chandelier from France.
Seating Nooks
Because the restaurant is a former residence, each dining room was designed differently to embrace the concept of Old World vignettes. These spaces, both swathed in yellow wallpaper and blush accents, prove to be perfect complements. As for the one on the left, Sinclair says, “It’s a soft room. We love the mix of materials here.” One such standout material is the muted metal on the Waldorf Astoria sconces.
Private Room
For the private room, which is also available for everyday seating, Sinclair opted for a custom pattern by Nauzha. If the space boasts an old Italian feel, Sinclair has the lighting—vintage chandeliers and sconces from Italy—to thank for that. “We wanted the space to feel regal and classic yet modern and fun. I loved the color green for the space and wanted to accentuate it with the coral drapes. The two pop in a beautiful way.”
Moody Dining Room
Sinclair's favorite space is one of the few that lacks an ornate floral wallpaper is the moody, dramatic dining room is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Teal. It also features the biggest collection of vintage pieces, including the chandelier from Etsy.
Bathroom
“The bathroom is so happy! It just makes you smile. I love the mix of the pink Zia Tile with the House of Hackney floral wallpaper, brass fittings, and an avocado-colored ceiling, door, and trim,” Sinclair gushes. The glossy metallic elements, including the Circa Lighting sconce.
Q & A
House Beautiful: How extensive was the project?
Crystal Sinclair: It was a full gut renovation. The owners even added an extension to accomodate the kitchen.
HB: What are a few ways you achieved your vision?
CS: Wallpaper, wallpaper, wallpaper, and moulding! To grab that regal feel, we went with custom wallpapers and drew in some great paneling. Each room is a little different from the rest to create a distinct feel for each space. Vintage chandeliers and sconces were also extremely necessary, as they bring the elegance and vintage vibe to each room.
HB: Did you encounter any memorable hiccups, challenges, or surprises during the project? How did you pivot?
CS: The green paper in the private room was a challenge. The original source fell through because they were disappointed with the sample they provided. Nauzha to the rescue! Not only were they fast (two weeks), but they were also quite affordable.
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