Towards the end of last year, I shared with you here a series of blogs about my travel experiences in France, with so much adoration that it had to be shared in three instalments. (read Travel Inspired Interior Design Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3). My love of travel has meant that I have been fortunate to stay in some wonderful hotels all over the world, each with its own unique style and feel. From the moment you step through the door to the little chocolate left on your pillow at the end of a long day sightseeing, your hotel experience is a very important part of your journey.
As an interior designer, I am passionate about designing beautiful homes for my clients, creating spaces that they love and walls they live their best lives within. Home interior design has been and always will be the focus of our work here at Marylou Sobel Interior Design. But my dream commercial project will always be to design a boutique hotel.
Aesthetic, comfort
When you stay in a hotel, it should be the same aesthetic and comfort level as your own home, if not better. I personally prefer boutique hotels or homes that emulate hotels, to towering high-rises that can never feel homely. When you’re staying at a boutique hotel, you’re often greeted by name, not just a room number.
Staying at a hotel is an experience, not only in the aesthetic but right down to the finer details, the finishing touches. The amenities available, the complimentary toiletries or bathrobes in a beautiful en suite. Thoughtful touches like a toffee placed by your bed, a bed that has been expertly made with quality linen on plump pillows and a supportive mattress. Like any business, my own included, the experience is created by the perfected management processes and consideration of the finer details across the board.
Hotel interior design excites me as I am helping to create a magical experience for those that are staying there, playing such an important part in their holiday or trip. Ensuring every part of the space is comfortable, impressionable, has the ‘wow’ factor, while providing them with the comforts of home.
Hotel interior design
Designing a hotel wouldn’t be that different from designing a home. You still want the same feeling to be there when you walk through the door. When designing a home, we are considering every element, the difference is that a hotel has a few more dimensions to consider than a house.
As with home interior design, getting a brief from the client during initial consultations is going to determine the success of the project. Of course, complete artistic freedom would be wonderful, but a brief helps everybody in the process. There are so many different aspects to consider; how many bedrooms (what size are they, are they different sizes), how many floors, restaurants, activities spaces such as spas or saunas. As with any of my interior design work, ensuring that a cohesive design is achieved throughout the entirety of the space is key to delivering a timeless design that effortlessly flows from one room to the next.
Creating interiors to love
Hotel interior design affords a little bit more artistic license than when designing a home for a client. Designing a boutique hotel would be an opportunity to introduce lots of colour, different fabrics and furniture. Although the methodology is the same, in that nothing is designed in isolation and every element is considered, a hotel experience can be more flamboyant.
Here in Australia, the design of the hotel could very much play on its location. There are so many stunning coastal areas, expansive wineries or hinterland forests. When designing it is important to consider where the property is and how that ties into how the hotel should feel on the inside for those staying there. After all, the hotel is part of your experience of that special location. Sometimes, the hotel is the only reason to visit that location.
Hotel design that I love
Funnily enough, I am not critical of hotel design when I am staying there (unless it is particularly terrible), but more so appreciative, often in awe of what has been created. If somewhere is really beautiful, there is an instant respect and consideration unlike nothing else.
I personally admire Kit Kemp, founder and creator of Firmdale Hotels, which began in London but now has hotels in New York (I stayed at the Crosby Street Hotel which was spectacular). It would be a dream to be able to work on such a project knowing that so many patrons would find joy in the design over the years.
And Laura Gonzalez; The Relais Christine pays tribute to the site’s unique history by tweaking the traditional codes of luxury. This challenge was brilliantly met by decorator Laura Gonzalez who managed to safeguard its timeless soul while giving the old stones a new spin. We have stayed here a few times, in different rooms, and had a wonderful experience every time.
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