TAMAYO

As you enter Tamayo, you are greeted and inspired by a captivating partition of totem poles joined by 3” rope spanning 15’. Features of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, these Hand-Carved Teotih Totem poles bring a meaningful artistic tradition. These totem poles were carved with figures and events that represented distinct meanings, bringing a rich cultural history and feature the faces of warriors, symbolizing a strength and resilience that will guide you to your dining experience, as well as offering protection. Totem pole carving was originally a way for communities to tell stories, mark events and commemorate their ancestors. Carved and crafted from sustainably sourced wood with layers of animals, mythological tales or ancestral figures, each totem creates a richly symbolic narrative which were meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, honoring the culture they came from while supporting the communities of the artisans who create them.

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The interior design of the TAMAYO restaurant in Denver is a stunning combination of modern Mexican elegance and earthy warmth. The concept revolves around creating a cozy atmosphere that combines Mexican Hacienda elements with natural aesthetics. The use of rich light & dark woods with rope and stone accents creates a sophisticated, yet comfortable and approachable contrast. Lava stone and select fabrics with Mexican cultural patterns with colorful tones add warmth and touches of interest. The arrangement of soft curved seating are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, creating dining spaces within a large area with custom upholstered banquettes and custom designed and produced chairs made from solid wood flormorado (Tabebuia rosea) oak with pure finishes. 

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Ambient lighting with custom designed lighting fixture clusters in the main dining room made with jute and natural sisal fabric and sisal tassels accentuates the textures and colors of the interior. Carefully arranged quartz candle groupings and plush floral features placed in hand-fired Terracotta planters are strategically placed to further soften the style and connect the interior with nature. The walls have a unique texture and glazing that complements the stone, rattan, burlap, copper accents and wooden elements, creating visual interest and depth. 

A feature wall of hand-crafted and fired ceramic flowers, representing the flowers of Mexico, adorn the vintage rustic wood plank wall in the private dining room. As you journey to upstairs you will pass a hacienda wall design accented with relevant sculptures and interesting tiles such as the enriched stone tile design reproduction of  Mayan glyphs found on the surfaces of an ancient stone altar. Each stone tells a story, one of which is the Mayan stone with the eye of Chac the Rain God. 

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As you come through the archway of the grand hacienda stairwell with handmade Mexican clay tiles on the stair risers which compliment the large metal & sisal tassels chandelier, bringing you to the well appointed, comfortable yet flexibly designed private dining and meeting room with smoked mirror wall to open the room and with hacienda, rattan and shutter design features carried up from the downstairs design. 

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A spacious enclosed summer Terrace extends the interior style outdoors, while maintaining the consistency of the design. It features similar materials and textures, with an abundance of greenery and floral, creating a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor with Dijon + military green and tobacco color accents and luscious white and red bougainvillea vine floral displays.  Selected lighting pendants adding a touch of whimsy and more than a little bit of fun to an upscale casual interior with unique pendants, each with hundreds of small beads, hand-carved from mango wood and carefully placed in mesmerizing patterns inspired by the rays of the sun. The terrace has an approachable bar with a beautiful wood shingle bar face and lounge area with comfortable and well well-appointed furniture, hand-crafted chairs from Mexico and wood grained ceramic tables in the dining room, also an adjoining outer terrace lounge with beautiful and comfortable furniture, featuring a fire pit to seat around and enjoy cocktails and Chef Sandoval’s amazing Modern Mexican cuisine.