Header: Serhii Denisov
Molfar is a Ukrainian restaurant in the centre of Brussels, at Rue Bodenbroek 12, close to the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. Due to its location, the restaurant occupies a historic building which is more than 300 years old. Due to the uniqueness of the setting, it was very important to have a lighting design that would be just as special, but in a way that wouldn’t compete with the already dense architectural setting.
Expolight was the company entrusted with the challenge, with Mykola Kabluka, the lead designer, having worked alongside Optical Metaphor, the company’s glassblowing workshop, and interior design studio NUMO BURO. Completed in August of 2025, the project went on to win in the “Chandeliers“ category at the LIT Lighting Design Awards.
A layered approach
The lighting design can be described as layered, as Expolight used accent lighting across the walls, warm beams on metal and timber, biodynamic scenes that shift through the day, shadow-casting luminaires in the restrooms and two custom light-glass objects. The result is a restaurant where most of the atmosphere comes from this dynamic between controlled light and heritage, making for a truly unique dining experience.
The restaurant’s custom lights
The main chandelier, a custom piece in glass, mirrors, amber colour and fire-like forms, was designed around the figure of the “molfar”, a Ukrainian Carpathian healer and magician. Mirror fragments are set at different angles, so they multiply the reflections from the warmer glass pieces around them. Its elements hang at different heights, giving the object a looser profile that reminds one of drops, leaves, flames and organic pods.
Amber, clear and smoky pieces were combined with the mirrors so the chandelier would change as the viewer moved around it. In the darker parts of the dining room, the amber glass resembles a low fire suspended above the tables, with the mirrors sharpening that effect and washing it throughout the room.
A second custom fixture created specifically for the restaurant is described by Expolight as a caustic “cigar”. This piece, a glass vessel containing two independent light sources, throws moving patterns onto walls and the ceiling. The projected reflections behave like smoke or waves, shifting with the time of day and the level of surrounding light.
Light and interior
Dark timber panels, wood flooring, sculptural carved columns, textured rock-like walls, brass details, candles and amber glass form a warm and heavy interior, which is complemented by layered lighting. Black tracks and compact spotlights sit above the room, while narrow beams pick out tables, food, walls, carved details and metal surfaces. Brass is lit with amber accents, making the material appear warmer and deeper.
For the furniture, the interior designers chose round dark tables, slim dining chairs, benches and timber counters, which end up becoming the perfect backdrop to bring the eye up toward the custom lighting pieces. Candlelight adds another layer, giving some extra intimacy to the tables.
One dining wall made of stone was given circular illuminated elements that act as little pops of décor, which, in their simplicity, don’t compete with the wall’s texture that’s brought out by side lighting. Nearby, the open kitchen and chef’s table are separated from the rest of the restaurant by a raw-edged timber counter, which, due to the light of the custom chandelier above it, sees all its texture glow. Around it, the interior designers added light stainless-steel high chairs.
In the restrooms, the lighting designers decided to add shadow-casting luminaires that project graphic patterns onto the ceiling. This choice creates an interest in a room so often forgotten, taking advantage of the dark to form a striking light show.
Complete control of the light
All luminaires are controlled through Expolight Cloud Control, so lighting scenes can be adjusted remotely and coordinated for lunch, chef’s table service, wine, dinner and late use. The biodynamic system also changes the light through the day, with softer daytime settings and lower evening levels.
Project information
Lighting Design Company: Expolight
Lead Designer: Mykola Kabluka
Other Designer’s Name: Optical Metaphor
Interior Design: NUMO BURO
Client: Serhii Denisov
Photo Credit: Ivan Avdeenko
Date: August 2025
Location: Brussels, Belgium
