Excerpt:

Eating is, without a doubt, one of life’s greatest pleasures — but it coexists with other delights, such as good company and the comfort provided by a welcoming space. Interior design is essential to achieve this quality.

“Today there is a wide range of restaurants, and many of them are spectacular. The food must be excellent, but the space should also surprise you and, at the same time, be comfortable, pleasant, invite long conversations, and become a memorable experience,” says Paulina Morán, who was in charge of the interior design of Ixi’im Restaurant (2016), winner of the Prix Versailles for the most beautiful restaurant in the world in 2018.

Heart of Corn and Henequen

After collaborating on the interior design of Chablé Resort & Spa, Paulina Morán was invited to bring to life the interiors of Ixi’im, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, whose culinary concept, led by chef Jorge Vallejo, is based on corn — the inspiration behind its name.

The restaurant sits amid the ruins of an old henequen hacienda. There, a new offset structure was built without touching the original walls, establishing a respectful dialogue with the historical heritage.

“In that space, we sought to combine the traditional Yucatecan aesthetic with the site’s industrial character. Upon arriving in Chocholá, Yucatán, we sourced local materials, crafts, and manufacturing to give the project a narrative, while also generating economic benefit in the region and showcasing local culture,” explains Morán.

Ixi’im Restaurant

For Ixi’im, the designer used local materials, crafts, and production to create a narrative that blends its history with its new identity. The walls are coated with *chukum*, a type of stucco with a soft finish that resists humidity and helps regulate temperature, while in other areas, the natural patterns formed by fungus over time were preserved. The result is complemented by sumptuous and comfortable furniture.

“In the furniture, we maintained a reminiscence of the old henequen factory’s machinery: the bar is made with monoblocks, the countertop from thick wooden slabs, the tables have industrial iron bases, and the sinks are carved from single pieces of stone. At the center, they feature marble plaques reminiscent of the old houses on Paseo Montejo,” Morán details.

“Ixi’im is a project built from the heart — we searched and created everything with the utmost care. Every piece was custom-designed. We succeeded in making the space speak with meaning and purpose, with a true sense of being.”