Over the last few years, much has written about how hotels have influenced the way in which people decorate their homes. You know the look. A home's entryway that's made to look like a hotel lobby thanks to the circular center table holding an oversized floral arrangement. Or the bedroom that looks straight out of a mid-range hotel. It's generic and, I hate to say it, boring too.
I think that if you want to make your home feel like a hotel, you should replicate (to an extent) the look of a hotel that has real style. There have been a few hotels that have influenced my aesthetic: The Carlyle in New York; The Stafford in London; and The Hotel Gritti Palace in Venice. My stay at The Gritti Palace occurred eleven years ago, but I haven't forgotten its elegance. I recently read that the hotel is currently closed for a renovation, something that had me worried until I learned that Chuck Chewning of Donghia was overseeing it. Knowing Chuck, he will be respectful of the hotel's history and will update it in an appropriate and yet stylish way. When it reopens in 2013, I really should try to travel to Venice to see the refreshed hotel for myself.
While we wait for the Gritti Palace to reopen, we should take a look at another Venetian hotel for design inspiration: Bauer Il Palazzo. I found these photos in a December 2001 issue of French AD, so I'm not sure if all of the interiors seen here look the same today. Regardless, these are some beautiful photos of some beautiful rooms. And I for one would not mind if my own home resembled Il Palazzo.
All photos from French AD, Noelle Hoppe photographer.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Hotel Inspiration
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Oh so happy to read about Chuck Chewning this morning. Great project.
ReplyDeleteHis Bali hotel design was ab fab.
He once resided briefly in my building channeling that British icon of the '60's. Can't wait to see what he does with this project.
Oh how beautiful!! One of my favorite hotels ever in Italy was the Grand Villa Serbelloni on Lake Como. In a spectacular location, it was a bit tired in an elegant genteel way. I loved that as opposed to the showy Villa d'Este across the lake. I heard they've had a major renovation and I hope it hasn't lost its charm!
ReplyDeleteWell, Venetian hotels and grand homes certainly have a leg up over the rest of us; they have the dappled reflections of watery light to play on the frescoed ceilings, Venetian glass chandeliers and mirrored walls, giving delicate movement to even an empty room.
ReplyDeleteBob, I agree with you about Chuck. Such a talent!
ReplyDeleteQuintessence- I'm not familiar with that hotel, but I'm going to Google it shortly. Sounds divine.
Quatorze- Great point. The light really is magical thanks to the canals.
ReplyDeleteFor you Venetian fans, I recommend John Berendt's City of Falling Angels. It is fabulous. I'm going to pin those wonderful liquor shelves set into an elegant frame.
ReplyDeleteBest,
liz
oh wow - blogger convention? LOL
ReplyDeleteLiz- It's indeed a wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteStefan- SUPER idea!
Great hotel inspiration. This is far from what i used to believed in when it comes to hotels. Those photos are like a corner of a house to me rather than a hotel room. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures. Parker and I have had this discussion before. I wonder if it is people who wanted their homes to look like hotels, or hotels that attempted to look like elegant homes. Interesting. It is possible that what appeals (about a fine hotel anyway) is the ease of living and the absence of clutter. If heaven has room service and a spa, it is probably the Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay, Bali.
ReplyDeleteI guess that this means that I will just have to plan another trip to Venice (like you had to twist my arm).
ReplyDeletegrantkgibson.com
grantkgibson.blogspot.com
Grant- and it means that we need to go together...with the rest of the SF gang too!
ReplyDelete