Laurence Nerry (asker) Mar 14, 2008:

Thanks again. "Suave" was in my first list, actually, but I put it aside, thinking it sounded a bit tongue-in-cheek. But "urbaine" is definitely it. I think it'll go nicely with "épurée", that Stéphanie mentioned.
Thanks to both of you, and everyone else for their constructive help !

Tony M Mar 14, 2008:

I think you might want to work along the lines of 'suave' and 'urbaine', if that's any help.

Laurence Nerry (asker) Mar 14, 2008:

Thank you for your helpful comments. I think you've summed it up, Tony: "a successful contrast" or a "fortunate confrontation". I think that was what was escaping me in the first place, because for me the opposition between "classic design elements" and "sleek, uptown attitude" was not obvious. So I suppose I'll have to find better adjectives for "sleek and uptown", to express more the idea of modernity.

Tony M Mar 14, 2008:

'meet headfirst' suggests more of a confrontation — clearly, here, a fortunate one! — but I think you might want to look for a verb in FR that suggests a successful contrast

Laurence Nerry (asker) Mar 14, 2008:

Oui.

Stéphanie Soudais Mar 14, 2008:

C'est la description de quoi ? Un restaurant ?