Ivar Johan Pettersen is a well-known interior designer who works with restaurants,offices, and private homes. When he was tasked with renewing Bergen's own legendaryrestaurant Wesselstuen, he felt both humble and proud.
"I remember so well being a child and accompanying my father to Wesselstuen. The smell ofwaffles, beer, and soda on a Saturday afternoon. It was always the highlight of the week," recalls the interior designer.
Pettersen goes on to talk about its warm, dark, and good atmosphere. There was a buzz of good talk, food and drinks in the room.The Bergen local, who grew up with parents who also worked with furniture and interiordesign, approached the Wesselstuen job with great respect.
"It's great to come back to Bergen to work with Wesselstuen. I'm humbled by the fact thatthere are many people who have their own relationship with the restaurant, and I don't want to wreck that."
Looking to create a cultural meeting place
Wesselstuen has long been a haunt of artists, theatre people, journalists, and locals. Pettersen's idea is definitely not to modernise it — Wesselstuen should remain classic and lovely — but it was time for an update.
"I don't want people to be surprised when they walk into Wesselstuen. You should feel like you're at home in the good old spot. But if guests are surprised, I want them to be pleasantly surprised," says Pettersen with a smile. It is the famous poet Johan Herman Wessel who is the inspiration for Wesselstuen. Originally from Akershus in Eastern Norway, Wessel lived out his happy bohemian days in Copenhagen until his death.
"He's going to be here. We'll see him in pictures and words, and in the atmosphere," saysPettersen.
Wesselstuen will have an international flavour
Pettersen points out that Wesselstuen is located between three different theatres, all of which are very important to Bergen's cultural life.
"Ole Bull, Det Vestnorske Teateret, and Den Nationale Scene. It's Broadway in Bergen. I want Wesselstuen to be Bergen's answer to Oslo's Theatercaféen. I hope this spot will emerge as a cultural gathering place. A place you stop by before going to the theatre, and a place for everyone who wants to experience a good and relaxed atmosphere."
In other words, Wesselstuen should remain familiar to its regulars, just a little bit fresher.
"There will be shades of red and warm colours. A touch of Ralph Lauren. We used someelements from the brand in both the wallpaper and in the choice of textiles. Wesselstuen should be a good local restaurant familiar to the people of Bergen, but it should also havean international flavour," says Pettersen.
