Photo credit: MetaphorEdge,
Location: Bourbon Steak, San Francisco, California,
Wood Highlights: The painted high ceiling design in the main dining room at the top of the stairs incorporates
multiple profiles to great impact, scaled to be seen clearly from below.

Main Character Clout: Moulding at Bourbon Steak

Chef Michael Mina’s newly opened Bourbon Steak, along with NBA local Warriors star Stephen Curry’s the Eighth Rule cocktail lounge, both inside the historic Westin St. Francis, brings moulding design to a level of richness and theatrical elegance rarely seen in contemporary hospitality. From top to bottom at Bourbon Steak, rich gray and green walls, enveloping architectural trims, and highly considered millwork establish an epic, cinematic atmosphere that gives the restaurant and lounge main character clout the moment one enters. The impressive central bar with richly planned out moulding anchoring the base of the counter seating, paired with a metal framework above, and an epic original ceiling design commands attention and sets the stage for a memorable and glamorous evening. Never before has the lobby been so engaging and inviting to socialize and marvel at the workmanship of the interior over delicious food.

 

Photo credit: MetaphorEdge,
Location: Bourbon Steak, San Francisco, California,
Wood Highlights: The central bar design features multiple moulding profiles
below the countertop, anchoring the room. Edge details at the planters
flanking the booths smartly mark the entry.  

Moulding Takes the Lead

The opening of Bourbon Steak also reportedly marks a symbolic return of fine dining to Union Square. The location is meaningful as chef Mina began his San Francisco career in this same historic hotel, and the relaunch circles him back to the space where his culinary legacy first took shape. The splendid interior design and character of the historic remake of the lobby and restaurant, which is serving on two levels, is the very first impression on new diners and the moulding design skillfully leads the way from the front door with its polished impact, wood trim wraps the lower area for holding slender palm trees, and distinctive booth seating next to the bar. The immersive interior of Bourbon Steak and its expansive lounge was crafted by renowned hospitality design firm AvroKO, whose thoughtful approach to material, scale, and spatial drama complements the space’s theatrical millwork and rich architectural detailing.

Photo credit: MetaphorEdge,
Location: Bourbon Steak, San Francisco, California,
Wood Highlights: Painted ceiling mastery at work expands the drama above the
walls and natural wood floors.

A Palette of Grays, Bright Greens and Architectural Showmanship

Bourbon Steak’s interior relies on deep layered moulding, high baseboards, significant built up trim, and restored ceiling treatments, all to build a layered sense of refinement. The deep green and gray tonal palette celebrates the new era of fine dining with elegance and the judiciously placed jewel toned feature shines against the calm woodwork. With all this considerable detail, shadow lines sharpen, open room boundaries have some structure, and the rich saturation of millwork amplifies every curve and edge of the millwork.

In the upper dining area, the built up moulding at the ceiling in particular frames the dining room with a continuous grid of architectural rhythm and extra layers. The ceiling change of details define zones of dining without building more walls. This sense of enclosure is both grand and intimate, essential to fine dining environments and memorable spaces.

Photo credit: MetaphorEdge,
Location: Bourbon Steak, San Francisco, California,
Wood Highlights: Vertical rectangles made of moulding march
along the millwork behind the generous booth seating deeper in the
space while palm trees flank the glazed entry.

Layered Moulding as Scene Setter

The enhanced moulding immediately elevates the space. Where many restaurants lean on lighting or furniture for atmosphere, Bourbon Steak leans on elaborate trim, showing how a thoughtfully scaled profile can become a primary design move. The trim’s crisp edges and glistening paint finish along with natural wood trim featured anchor the spaces, giving the place both a nod to the past and the modern present for a new kind of classic American steakhouse, feeling modern and sophisticated.

The pairing of elaborate moulding elements within paneling and substantial baseboards creates a solid vertical balance. The eye is guided upward and downward through the space repeatedly since there’s so much to take in while gathering.

Millwork Details Carry the Experience

Trim Stories: Framing the Views

The interior architecture shows how trim softens the transition between the lively Union Square streets below and the refined dining setting inside past the bustling lobby. The custom details anchor the views across the room from all points, offering additional privacy and revealing drama.

The leading millwork provides strong grounding, literally and visually. The scale adds weight to the room, relating back to the visitors, stabilizing the tall ceilings and dark tones.

Architectural Moulding as Brand Identity

When moulding is executed at this level, it does more than decorate; it communicates. Bourbon Steak uses millwork to express:

• Luxury
• Confidence
• Celebration
• San Francisco heritage
• A visual connection to Mina’s culinary legacy
• A rare experience to enjoy Stephen Curry’s Bourbon pour

This is historic reimagining as storytelling.

Stephen Curry’s bourbon, Gentleman’s Cut, created in collaboration with Boone County Distilling Co, sits with polish and craftsmanship throughout the space to elevate the flavor experience.

Emotional Tone Thru Design Elements

Moulding revealed in multiple ways defines the emotional tone of a space. At Bourbon Steak, moulding transforms a large, multi level dining floor into a cohesive multi layered architectural experience. Moulding supports lighting strategy, frames wall expanses across the grand room, marks the check in desk, and subtly aides in acoustics. The result: guests feel enveloped, grounded, and held by the rooms.

For architects and designers, this is a masterclass in how historic and new trim can transform hospitality interiors into signature destinations, inviting repeat and extended stays.

Further Reading

Explore more from the Lowpensky Resources series:

• PacBell Heritage Lobby: SF History in Grand Trim Design
• Above the Fireplace Mantel: Trim with Character
• Rolling in Deep Door Casings: Bold Transitional Trim

Make the Scene with Dramatic Custom Trim

Looking to bring this level of architectural refinement into your next project? Explore Lowpensky’s made to order moulding profiles, designed and milled in San Francisco for residential and commercial projects that demand craftsmanship, presence, and longevity. Send over your unique design and your specifications for a quote today.

Photo credit: MetaphorEdge,
Location: Bourbon Steak, San Francisco, California,
Wood Highlights: Trim behind the check-in desk calms and commands the moment with vertical lines
and a trio of rectangles, paired together with the more active desk in a matching species.

Photo credit: MetaphorEdge,
Location: Bourbon Steak, San Francisco, California,
Wood Highlights: The use of repetition in the built up trim breaks down the scale of the wall,
incorporated with the lighting, sound system and the fireplace focal point, flourishing with a bright green inset mural, framed with traditional moulding.