But as we moved further south, not necessarily chasing the sun, we came to appreciate the more colourful and open scenery of the Mediterranean.
Although France is quite a large country, there are the same wonderful familiarities that can be found wherever you go. For those who read my last blog about my trip to Paris, here is the next instalment… as we move further south in France, firstly to Bordeaux and then to Saint-Tropez. Like Paris, buildings in Bordeaux are also primarily constructed with sandstone, with original wrought iron features.
Combining original features and finishes, wallpaper patterns and textures, with modern furnishings and fittings, creates a beautiful and classical finish that instantly feels welcoming. I find that in France I am constantly in awe at the ways that different materials and styles are used in interesting ways, and try to incorporate this into my own design inspiration.
Hotel interior design
It has always been a dream of mine to one day have the opportunity to design a boutique hotel. So naturally, when visiting hotels when I’m on holiday, I am always eager to see how they are designed and appointed. Timelessness is history, and I love the history of Europe and France. I am drawn to traditional things. It’s that feeling of permanence that is emulated in the design there, which is how I design homes for my clients, so they feel instantly at peace in their environment.
In our hotel in Bordeaux, the traditional features of the building remained, such as the original wooden flooring and paneling, finishes that even those in new homes are seeking to recreate.
Our hotel room in Saint-Tropez was quite different from the room in Bordeaux; in keeping with the history and traditions of the South of France. Although you may spot that once again the design incorporates a freestanding bath in an open bedroom/bathroom as opposed to the more observed en-suite in a hotel.
When designing a home for a client, I ensure that the design is cohesive throughout the home. That the entire home feels like one space that continues effortlessly and seamlessly to the next, which is how we achieve a high-quality, timeless design for our clients.
Our hotel in Saint-Tropez felt very cohesive and I appreciated that special touch, as we entered the restaurant, it provided the same warm, welcoming atmosphere as the rooms. Using the same orange as the colour palette, the same stone finish for the flooring, soft lighting and ornate furnishings… the design even flowed through to the outdoor entertaining areas such as around the swimming pool.
Inspiration doesn’t just come from design…
Alongside taking inspiration from the rich history and culture that we found travelling around France, there was another element that enriched my experience there: the amazing food. No matter where we were, we enjoyed delicious, fresh food, whether that be a warm pastry straight from the baker on a morning, juicy fruit from a market as a mid-morning snack or freshly caught and sourced seafood for lunch. With such vivid colours, compelling textures and smells to accompany them, it’s hard not to continue to be inspired even when taking a break from exploring.
My restaurant experiences during our entire stay, no matter where we were, were simply an inspiration. From the spectacular locations or buildings, immaculate decor, the way they serve food/wine, then of course, the food itself, just amazing.
I hope you’re enjoying my journey so far, join me next time for the final instalment of my French trip and how Europe continues to inspire me as an interior designer, in my work, my life and my own home.
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