A few weeks back, we discovered Mimi in New York City’s West Village. Alexa was the earlier adopter; then Julie wandered in for dinner with Janet (a Remodelista founding editor), and shortly after, Christine, our London editor, stopped in.
Opened by a young team of French and American owners, including model/designer Camilla Deterre, the space in an old Greenwich Village building was, surprisingly, transformed on a tight budget, with handwritten signs, clever use of marble, and vintage details. “Lots of the design came from the Art Deco period and then the resurgence of that in the 1970s,” says owner Daniel Bennett. “We knew it would be French, so we all went to Paris and went to the flea markets to pick out fixtures. The colors are all the same as the French flag, and the lines are all straight, with lots of mirrors, marble, and steel. We were all very interested in creating a jewel box—something that looks like nothing from the outside but is beautiful on the inside.”
We recently stopped by to uncover, in the light of day, just what makes the space so sultry at night. Here are 15 ideas to steal for maximum sex appeal on a budget.
Photography by Alison Engstrom for Remodelista.
1. One statement-making splurge goes a long way.
![deterre, who designed the space in partnership with architect francesco ga 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-bar-area-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
2. Embrace curves.
![a curved bar, custom built for mimi, is a welcome contrast to the str 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-bar-area-detail-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
3. Handwrite for maximum charm.
![add a sense of offhand intimacy with handwritten notes and signs, li 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-bottles-on-bar-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
4. Add authenticity with vintage lights and fixtures.
![deterre sourced all of the light fixtures from vintage shops throughout europe. 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-bottles-behind-bar-light-fixture-alison-engstrom-e1499790146508-733x978.jpg)
5. Take inspiration from the tricolour.
![to create drama, pick a color palette and stick to it. at mimi, nearly everythi 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-seating-area-full-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
6. Get the luxe look for less: Use marble as a border.
![take inspiration from high budget and adjust it for your space. & 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-seating-area-mirrors-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
7. Encourage intimacy.
![embrace small dining areas with intimate seating and (not d) a u shaped banque 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-nyc-seating-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
8. Be bold: Add drama with a painted floor.
![a concrete slab that had supported a pizza oven in an earlier life posed a desi 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-red-floor-area-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
9. Save money with simple vases and market flowers.
![rather than extravagant arrangements, the mimi team sourced simple glass vases 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-back-banquette-alison-engstrom-733x1061.jpg)
10. Keep dividers transparent.
![keep small spaces from feeling closed in by using clever, partly transparent, d 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-wooden-shelves-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
11. Make an impact with small details.
![details on the table and bar are simple and classic: wax paper coasters, s 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-card-and-glass-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
12. Find the glamour in the well-worn.
![for a space that feels glamorous but not too glossy, embrace patina: half spent 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-tile-wooden-floor-alison-engstrom-733x1100.jpg)
13. Be provocative in the bath.
14. Make a French getaway.
![by the door: hooks for easy coat storage and a motorcycle helmet (courtesy of f 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-front-door-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
15. Even the simplest outdoor space can become a Parisian-style terrace.
![outside, a manhattan sidewalk is transformed into a charming dining area thanks 32](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remodelista-mimi-exterior-alison-engstrom-733x1098.jpg)
More French style this way:
- GreenHouse: A Natural Wine Bar in Paris, Botanical Edition
- Fashion’s Favorite Restaurant in Paris: Clover on the Left Bank
- Expert Advice: How to Decorate Like a Frenchwoman
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