Entrepreneur, Instagram influencer and founder of Hong Kong’s Sevva, Bonnae Gokson, on why running a restaurant is like conducting an orchestra

Creating the perfect ambience is extremely important to Bonnae Gokson, style icon and founder of renowned Hong Kong restaurant Sevva – recent recipient of the 100 Top Tables 2020 award for Best Ambience.

“The overall ambience intention with Sevva is glamorous residential, but an easy glamour. A place that is cosy, comfortable, happy, sensuous with soul, and welcoming to all,” she says.

Achieving this takes work, and talent. “Creating the perfect ambience in Sevva is like being the conductor of an orchestra. Much like if one instrument is too loud or not in sync, if one element of the space is not in sync with the rest, the ambience will not be perfect,” Gokson says.

As Sevva’s “conductor”, Gokson says it’s all about detail. “Ambience is detail. It is all about the details, especially the small details, all need to be in harmony.” She offers as an example the music, for which she has created the playlists, training staff on the style of music to play at any time to create a particular mood.

Gokson is hands on with all the details, running the 22,000 sq ft (2,044 square metre) space like a five-star hotel. She has curated and selected every single element, from the smallest detail to the largest.

One of the latest ambience design elements Gokson has conceptualised is the dramatic one-of-a-kind sculptural installation adorning the ceiling in the revitalised Harbourside dining room. It consists of 100,000 silk flowers and 36 custom-made gypsy chandeliers featuring more than 76,000 handcrafted crystals in 20 jewelled tones.

The design choice was inspired by Gokson’s passion for kaleidoscopes. “I have loved kaleidoscopes ever since I was a child, and I also knew I wanted something different, something colourful – colourful like life.”

The overall impact is an impressive focal point that radiates warmth and shows Gokson’s mastery of the use of colours and texture.