Project/Leamington Spa 2011

We have recently completed designing a drawing room in a Regency period detached house in Leamington Spa. The picture above depicts the room before the re-fitting.

The brief was to create a light, peaceful and interesting space. A drawing room where grown ups can relax as well as entertain guests.

Colouristically the finished room combines hues of off-whites, light, putty creams with splashes of deep wine red and earthy nougats creating a relaxing yet interesting space.

Lighting consists of an Artemide Pirce Suspension light, Kundalini wall lights and up lights positioned on either side of the fire place. The combined control over the lighting can change, transform the space depending on the client's mood and purpose.

The totem-sculpture and porcelain wall vases are handmade by the Mstar Interiors team. The cotton wool plants add architectural interest to the feature wall as well as distract the eye from the TV system. Sahco and Fox Linton silks make up the cushions and are teamed up with a Calvin Klein rug, White River marble and childhood Eastbourne rocks. The Antique Victorian salon chair is upholstered in Ulf Moritz striking Alligator velvet.

Barley Twist Fabric designed by Mstar Interiors

Lately we have been experimenting with pattern and colour at the London Printworks Trust in Brixton, London, printing our designs with the best screen printers in the industry.

Below are the fruits of our labour : the Barley Twist design® on a heavy duty peasant cotton in various colours.

For the design we have been inspired by Swedish folklore and the structural qualities of a marine rope. This limited edition fabric is available to order now at www.mstarinteriors.com

Interior and Art: Hotel des Academies et des Arts

Art hotels have exploded onto the hotel scene particularly as of late, but the above-mentioned endeavour is more successful than others. And that is particularly because the artist in residence is the Frenchman Jerôme Mesnager.

Prolific in the 80’s, he became well-known for his white stencil artwork, depicting an artist’s mannequin.

His work still survives in some parts of Paris, predominantly on the outside of buildings.

As for this boutique hotel, in the trendy Rive Gauche, on the very street where Gauguin and Modigliani worked in the past, he also tackled the interior.

Instantly, I found myself looking for the white and curious body shapes bending, jumping and climbing up the walls, aware that I might miss an interesting detail. It is almost as if I was trying to catch the elusive and yet ever-present figures. An interesting experience provided the glass elevator, with figures standing on their shoulders all the way up to each floor.

Art hotels strike is a fine balance, where art should infuse the experience rather than overwhelm the guest.

In this instance the combination of space/architecture an art works. Not just as a complimentary factor, but a strong aesthetic voice. One that brings everything together and makes the whole experience memorable.

http://www.hotel-des-academies.com/uk/index.php