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      Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez refresh 17th-century home where time “stood still”

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      Casa Soleto, a 17th-century house in Puglia, Italy, has been carefully renovated using lime plaster, terrazzo and furniture salvaged from a monastery.

      The four-bedroom house, parts of which are over 400 years old, was given a refresh by its owners – architecture firm Studio Andrew Trotter and its studio manager Marcelo Martínez.
      Casa Soleto is located in southern ItalyWhile no structural changes were made, the designers redid some of the building’s roofs, which were falling apart, added two bathrooms and powder rooms, and swapped the living and dining spaces around.
      “The street front had all the baroque details of a small palazzo and inside it was like time stood still,” Studio Andrew Trotter founder Andrew Trotter said of the house.
      Parts of the house are over 400 years oldNone of its walls were straight and the layout was designed for the needs of past occupants, with a chapel located behind the kitchen so that the family did not need to leave the house to pray.

      This place of worship was transformed into a media room and a powder room with an outdoor shower, creating a space that can be used as an extra guestroom if needed.
      A former chapel was turned into a media room that can also serve as an extra guest roomTrotter and Martínez aimed for the renovation of Casa Soleto to resemble the original building as much as possible and the team preserved much of its original flooring.
      “We tried to use natural materials as much as possible,” Martínez told Dezeen.
      “We used lime plasters to give a natural and raw feeling to the walls, terrazzo floors – battuto alla veneziana – in the areas where new floors had to be made, wooden windows and doors seeking to imitate the original ones, cast iron hardware and linen sofas.”
      The 17th-century house was decorated with modern and antique furnitureThe designers also chose a discrete colour palette for the lime plaster used on the walls of the house, which on the ground floor culminate in five-metre-high ceilings.
      “We chose subtle earthy and greeny colours,” Martínez said. “Colours played a central role, as some make spaces feel light, others moody.”

      Studio Andrew Trotter transforms 19th-century school into family home in Puglia

      Studio Andrew Trotter kept the house’s original kitchen and commissioned local woodworkers from the city of Lecce to recreate the home’s original wooden doors.
      To add to the natural feel of the interior, the team used jute rugs to cover the stone floors and sourced linen upholstery and curtains from local artisans.
      Lime plaster was used to give the walls a natural feelFurniture and accessories by Danish brand Frama were juxtaposed with antique furniture pieces including an 18th-century dining table that was salvaged from an Abruzzo monastery.
      The studio also sourced a late 18th- early 19th-century wardrobe from Lombardy for one of the bedrooms in Casa Soleto, which can only be accessed by going through the front patio and up an outside staircase.
      The original kitchen was kept and refurbishedStudio Andrew Trotter, which has worked on a number of projects in Puglia, plans to use Casa Soleto as a rental property.
      “We purchased and restored it mainly to rent it out, and also to invite creative minds that we appreciate, make gatherings and exhibitions,” Martínez said.
      An exterior staircase leads up to the bedroomsPrevious projects the studio has completed in the area include a 19th-century school that was turned into a family home and an earth-toned villa made from local sandstone.
      The photography is by Salva López.
      Project credits:
      Interior design: Andrew Trotter and Marcelo MartínezPlaster application: Tullio Cardinale and teamWoodwork: Alba Falegnameria

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      Giannone Petricone Associates rescues Ontario hotel from ruin

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      Toronto studio Giannone Petricone Associates has spent a decade restoring a dilapidated hotel in Ontario, linking the building’s past and present through regionally influenced design details.

      Located in Picton, a town in Prince Edward County (PEC) that lies close to the shores of Lake Ontario, The Royal Hotel was in bad shape when the Sorbara family purchased it in 2013.
      The Royal Hotel’s interiors draw upon a mix Victorian and contemporary influences, as seen in the reception area. Photo by Graydon HerriottThe new owners hired Giannone Petricone Associates (GPA) to save what they could of the existing building, which was first completed in 1879, and transform it into contemporary lodgings.
      “Its central staircase was lined with a lush carpet of green moss, and early in the planning phase, the roof caved in,” said the hotel team.
      One of four hotel bars is lined with tambour panelling”But the family vowed to restore the property and bring it back to life as a nexus for both locals and guests of PEC’s burgeoning food and wine region.”

      The architects were able to salvage three of the original brick walls, and within them created a cafe, three bars, a fine-dining restaurant; and a spa, gym and sauna.
      Playful design elements include ceiling rosettes that mimic water ripplesA landscaped terrace overlooks a fourth bar and a brick patio with lounge seating, while an outdoor swimming pool flanked by a row of cabana beds lies beyond.
      A total of 33 guest rooms are available: 28 in the main three-storey hotel building, and a further five suites in a rebuilt stable named The Royal Annex.
      Another cosy lounge area features dark tambour panels around its fireplaceFor the interiors, GPA played on tropes of Victorian railway hotels, mixing formal elements of British tradition with PEC’s more laid-back rural sensibility.
      “The Royal is designed to be a transporting experience while deeply rooted in the local context,” said GPA principal Pina Petricone. “The experience benefits from the charged contrast between ‘genteel’ and ‘real’ elements.”

      Ace Hotel Toronto by Shim-Sutcliffe Architects features a suspended lobby

      In the lobby, the reception desk is wrapped in a floral pattern and a wooden shelving system forms a boutique displaying items for sale.
      Tambour panelling lines the adjacent bar area, which flows into a lounge where softly undulated plasterwork frames a fireplace.
      The hotel offers 33 guest rooms, which feature details like cross-stitched headboardsA variety of checkered and tartan patterns are found across hallway carpets, mosaic bathroom tiles and cross-stitched headboards. Ceiling rosettes throughout the spaces are designed to mimic mushrooms and water ripples.
      “We wanted to have moments in the hotel that were a bit nonsensical,” Petricone said. “The Royal is about escapism, and our research into the hotel’s history demonstrated that it was always a pretty quirky place.”
      A variety of checkered patterns are found throughout the hotel, including in the mosaic bathroom tilesOther recently opened hotels in Canada include the Ace Toronto, which boasts a suspended lobby and rooftop bar.
      Last year, the 1 Hotel Toronto by Rockwell Group and The Drake Hotel Modern Wing by DesignAgency, also in the city, were longlisted in the Hotel and Short Stay Interiors category for the Dezeen Awards.
      The photography is by Doublespace, unless stated otherwise. Main image is by Jeff McNeill.

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      Jenny Bukovec draws on “soulful” local heritage for Kentucky hotel

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      American designer Jenny Bukovec has looked to Kentucky’s heritage for the interiors of a hotel in Lexington, a city famed for bourbon production and horse racing.

      Described by the hotel team as “the first high-end hotel in the horse and bourbon capital of the world,” The Manchester sits on the site of the historic Ashland Distillery – the city’s first registered bourbon producer, which was established in 1865.
      The lobby bar at The Manchester hotel features vaulted ceilings and eclectic lounge furnitureIts location in the heart of Manchester Street’s historic Distillery District places guests within close proximity to a host of bourbon distilleries, breweries, bars, restaurants and event spaces.
      Hoteliers Nik Feldman and Hank Morris tapped New York City-based Bukovec to design “soulful” interiors for the public areas and 125 guest rooms that draw upon the region’s heritage.
      The equestrian-themed main restaurant, Granddam, is designed with walnut wainscoting and green accentsIn the lobby, a wall of hit-and-miss brickwork is modelled on the neighbourhood’s historic rickhouses – structures used for storing and distilling spirits.

      Corbelled arches within the brick wall lead through to a bar with vaulted plaster ceilings, eclectic lounge furniture, and details that include handmade bejmat tiles and amber-toned fluted glass.
      Geometric patterned tiles and wicker furniture decorate the Lost Palm rooftop barThe hotel’s main restaurant is named Granddam “after a wise, figurative matriarch racing horse” and serves a contemporary take on traditional Appalachian cuisine.
      Seating 140 covers, the space is encircled by square-panelled walnut wainscoting, huge floor-to-ceiling windows and teal-hued leather banquette seating.
      The rich hues in the guest rooms evoke those associated with Kentucky’s Bluegrass music tiesGreen floor tiles and cushions match the ceiling colour and complement the taupe tones of the walls and furniture upholstery.
      “The 140-seat dining room follows the hotel’s equestrian aesthetic and is designed as a modern reinterpretation of nearby stables, featuring rich walnut walls and horse saddle-inspired woven leather seating,” said the hotel team.
      Among the room categories are five with wooden bunk beds that sleep four guestsA very different aesthetic was chosen for Lost Palm, a rooftop bar and lounge that takes cues from art deco nostalgia while repeating the same arched forms found in the lobby.
      Bukovec combined wicker furniture, rattan panels, geometric patterned floor tiles and tropical planting as a nod to 1960s South Florida and its horse racing culture – for which Lexington is also famed.

      Fettle returns The Georgian hotel in Santa Monica to its 1930s “glory”

      The dark woods and rich hues used in the guest rooms evoke those commonly associated with Bluegrass music, another regional specialty.
      Room categories range from standard kings and double queens up to one- and two-bedroom penthouse suites with clawfoot tubs, as well as five bunk-bed rooms that each sleep four guests.
      The 7th-floor gym is kitted out with tanned leather equipmentA gym located on the 7th floor features herringbone parquet flooring and tanned leather equipment.
      The Manchester also offers a variety of guest experiences, including distillery tours, bourbon tastings, fly fishing, polo lessons and trail riding.
      The hotel occupies a brick building on the site of a historic bourbon distilleryMany visitors to Kentucky come for its whisky heritage and industry, which has ties to several big-name architecture firms.
      In 2018, Shigeru Ban unveiled a proposal to build a trio of mass timber pyramids for the Kentucky Owl distillery, and more recently, RSHP unveiled its design for Horse Soldier Bourbon’s new home in the state.
      The photography is by Matt Kisiday.

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      Eight airy interiors that draw on Mediterranean living

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      With summer in full flow, we have gathered eight residential and hotel interiors for our latest lookbook that each has a breezy and cooling Mediterranean style.

      Mediterranean interiors can often be defined by their minimal, paired back aesthetic that focuses on creating bright, airy and cool living spaces that offer an escape from the heat of the sun.
      White-washed walls, exposed brick and stone or terracotta floors typically serve as the basis for these interiors with furniture made from natural materials.
      From hotels in Greece built into caves to a home in a former ruin in France, here are eight interiors that are influenced by the Mediterranean.
      This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring Barbie-pink interiors, rustic interiors and Wes Anderson-style interiors.

      Photo is by Simone BossiMA House, France, by Timothee Mercier
      Architect Timothee Mercier of Studio XM converted this former ruined farm building in Vacluse, France into a home that aimed to honour the original features of the building.
      The interior of the home was blanketed in white, covering its walls and exposed stone surfaces. The space was sparsely decorated with light wood furnishings and natural materials to give the interior a Mediterranean feel.
      Find out more about MA House ›
      Photo is by César BéjarCasa A690, Mexico, by Delfino Lozano
      Named Casa A690, this three-storey building dates back to the 1970s. It was renovated by Mexican architect Delfino Lozano who looked to combine Mediterranean and Mexican aesthetics.
      “We use the term Mexiterraneo to describe the materials and feeling we try to give our projects, in which we interpret the Mediterranean architecture – simple, pure materials – and mix it with our Mexican traditional architecture,” said Lozano.
      Find out more about Casa A690 ›
      Photo is by Karolina BąkBerlin summer loft, Germany, by Loft Szczecin
      Polish studio Loft Szczecin looked to historic Mediterranean architecture when overhauling the interior of this apartment in the suburbs of Berlin.
      The brick walls of the home were painted white while the floors of the interior were finished with old bricks that were sourced from industrial demolitions across Poland. Throughout the apartment, doors were removed to create more of an open-plan interior.
      Find out more about Berlin summer loft, ›
      Photo is by Fernando GuerraPura Comporta, Portugal, by Falcão de Campos
      In Portugal, Lisbon studio Falcão de Campos implemented a Mediterranean-informed interior scheme throughout this triple-pitched roof beach house.
      White walls were paired with minimal architectural detailing and finishes to achieve a Mediterranean look. A natural-toned rug was used to zone the living area, while a 10-person wooden table occupies the dining area of the home.
      Find out more about Pura Comporta ›
      Photo is by Giorgos SfakianakisSaint Hotel, Greece, by Kapsimalis Architects
      Greek architecture studio Kapsimalis Architects transformed a series of former homes, barns and cellars on the island of Santorini into a hotel with rooms in caves.
      The interior was designed to match the all-white exterior of the hotel. Each of the rooms features an almost all-white finish with the exception of their poured concrete floors and furnishings.
      Find out more about Saint Hotel ›

      Summer house, Greece, by Kapsimalis Architects
      Large arched openings add character to the open-plan interior of these Santorini apartments, which were designed by Kapsimalis Architects.
      Throughout the space, small, wood-framed windows pierce the walls and furniture was organised sparsely.
      Find out more about summer house›
      Photo is by José HeviaLas 3 Marías, Spain, by Bajet Giramé and Nicolas Burckhardt
      Terracotta tile floors, large arched openings and bi-folding glass doors blend the boundaries of the interior and exterior at this Spanish holiday home, which was designed by Bajet Giramé and Nicolas Burckhardt.
      Much like homes found across the Mediterranean, white stucco covers its walls and Valencian terracotta tiles run through both the interior and exterior.
      Find out more about Las 3 Marías ›
      Photo is by Prue RuscoeWoorak House, Australia, by CM Studio
      CM Studio looked to bring a coastal, Mediterranean feel to the interior of this home in Australia through the use of a paired back interior palette and natural materials such as wood, stone and paper.
      In the dining room, a wooden table, chairs and bench were placed beside a glazed corner of the home beneath exposed beams that run through the home.
      Find out more about Woorak House ›
      This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring Barbie-pink interiors, rustic interiors and Wes Anderson-style interiors.

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      Fettle returns The Georgian hotel in Santa Monica to its 1930s “glory”

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      Design studio Fettle has restored an art deco hotel in Santa Monica, California, refreshing its distinctive turquoise facade and using the original style to inform the interiors.

      Facing Ocean Avenue and the water beyond, The Georgian hotel was originally built in 1933 to serve tourists visiting the beachside city west of Los Angeles.
      Restoring The Georgian hotel involved refreshing its turquoise facadeThe eight-storey building was recently acquired by BLVD Hospitality, which tasked London and Los Angeles-based Fettle with bringing it back to life while embracing its heritage.
      “The brief for The Georgian was very simple: to restore the building to her former and deserved glory,” said the studio’s co-founder and creative director Tom Parker.
      The dining terrace facing Ocean Avenue is surrounded by foliage”Not necessarily by going back in time, but more so by understanding how an art deco building right on the shoreline in Santa Monica would look and feel in a modern hospitality landscape,” he added.

      Under the navy-striped awnings on either side of the entrance, the shaded dining terrace is surrounded by foliage designed and procured by LA nursery Rolling Greens.
      The design of the Sunset Bar was intended to exaggerate the symmetry of the architectural detailsScalloped-back banquettes set the tone for a motif repeated throughout the interiors, including above the red key box in the lobby and for dramatic custom headboards in the guest rooms.
      In the lobby, the high ceilings are accented by deco-style chandeliers and original reliefs, and the floor is geometrically patterned to reference the designs of the 1930s.
      The dining room features mismatched custom lounge furnitureTo one side is the Sunset Bar, where a horseshoe-shaped counter of Italian emerald quartzite is strategically placed to highlight the symmetry of the arches overhead.
      The dining room is located on the other side of the lobby, and features mismatched custom lounge furniture among weekly installations by French floral artist Jean Pascal.
      Scalloped details are found throughout the hotel, including atop the red key box behind the reception deskTucked behind the reception area, past a spiral staircase and through a door, is Gallery 33 – an art gallery that also hosts private events.
      “This dramatic space has been designed to celebrate the best of culture, the arts and the most unique of gatherings as well as showcase the work of local, internationally renowned and up-and-coming artists through an evolving program throughout the year,” said The Georgian team.
      The Writer’s Room offers a private dining area for intimate gatheringsNext door is a red-walled library stocked with books curated by Lee Kaplan of Culver City’s Arcana: Books on the Arts, while the nearby Writer’s Room offers a private dining space for up to 20 guests.
      The Georgian has 56 classic rooms and 28 one-bedroom suites, all of which have art deco-influenced interiors.

      Kelly Wearstler designs relaxed and beachy Santa Monica Proper hotel

      Pale blue window valance boxes, globe-shaped crystal light fixtures and vintage-style record players are all included.
      Bedroom doors, cornices, window frames and bathroom tiles all match the bright hue of the building’s facade.
      All of The Georgian’s guest rooms have art deco-influenced interiorsOn the exterior above the entrance, Fettle also added a new brass framed neon sign based on the hotel’s 1930s original, tying together a celebratory restoration.
      “The end result presents a gleaming celebration of the building’s rich history with sensitive yet striking design elements,” Parker said.
      Window valances and globe-shaped chandeliers are among the guest rooms design featuresEnjoying the best of California’s beach culture and warm weather, Santa Monica is a popular destination for visitors travelling over from LA, as well as in its own right.
      Other accommodation options in the city include the Santa Monica Proper, designed by Kelly Wearstler with a relaxed feel and eclectic furniture, while a mixed-use development by Frank Gehry that’s currently underway will also include a hotel.
      A new brass framed neon sign based on the hotel’s 1930s original was also addedFettle’s portfolio of hospitality projects spans both sides of the Atlantic, with the 1 Warwick members’ club in London and the Schwan Locke Hotel in Munich among recently completed examples.
      The studio has also completed the public areas for several branches of the hotel chain The Hoxton, including the locations in Rome and Portland, Oregon.
      The photography is by Douglas Friedman.

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      Eight serene bedrooms with striking natural views

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      Far-flung homes from New Zealand to Patagonia feature in this lookbook that showcases bedrooms with calm interiors where glazing has been maximised and clutter minimised to keep the focus on the views.

      Installing huge floor-to-ceiling windows is a no-brainer when a house is set in a prime location, whether overlooking Lake Tahoe or Chile’s craggy coastline.
      But the real key is to create pared-back interiors that don’t detract from the natural vistas, using minimal furnishings and a natural material palette that brings the outside in.
      Read on for eight minimalist bedroom interiors that make the view their protagonist.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bedrooms with bathtubs, statement headboards and wood-panelled dining rooms.

      Photo by Patrick ReynoldsKawakawa House, New Zealand, by Herbst Architects
      A clerestory window wraps all the way around this home in the surf town of Piha, New Zealand, allowing light to filter through a canopy of pōhutukawa trees and into the bedroom.
      This dappled effect is mirrored in the interior through the use of dark birch on the walls and light plywood on the ceilings, which help to draw sun into the living spaces.
      Find out more about Kawakawa House ›
      Photo by Javier Agustin RojasEstancia Morro Chico, Argentinia, by RDR Architectes
      Wood, leather and wool help to add warmth to this otherwise spartan bedroom, which belongs to a family of sheep farmers in remote Patagonia.
      A floor-to-ceiling window makes the most of the region’s vacillating sunlight while providing views across the surrounding 27,000-hectare ranch and the wild steppe beyond.
      “The general aesthetics of the project were inspired by the traditional architecture of the region, which demonstrated extreme austerity and an almost primitive simplicity,” said RDR Architectes.
      Find out more about Estancia Morro Chico ›
      Photo by Marc Goodwin, ArchmospheresNiliaitta, Finland, by Studio Puisto
      In the absence of bedside tables, most of the space inside this cabin near Finland’s Salamajärvi National Park is occupied by a custom-made bed, placed directly in front of a glazed wall.
      Local practice Studio Puisto kept furnishings to a minimum and covered nearly all of the surfaces in the same pale wood, so as not to compete with the natural spectacle.
      “The interior is done purposefully so that it would only serve as a neutral blank canvas, second to the nature outside,” Studio Puisto said.
      Find out more about Niliaitta ›
      Photo by Felix ForestMatopos, Australia, by Atelier Andy Carson
      When Atelier Andy Carson renovated the home of gallerist Judith Neilson, the Sydney studio set out to provide a minimalist backdrop for her personal collection of art and furniture.
      Meanwhile, finishes and window placements throughout the house were chosen to honour nearby Freshwater Beach, with the best views provided by the window seat in the primary bedroom.
      “Thoughtfully placed windows frame vistas of the sea, while polished plaster interior walls reflect views of the blue and yellow hues of ocean and sand back into the home,” the studio said.
      Find out more about Matopos ›
      Photo by Cristobal PalmaHouse in Los Vilos, Chile, by Ryue Nishizawa
      This bedroom was carved out of a cliffside on Chile’s Pacific coast, with a glass front and private terrace opening it up to views of crashing waves and craggy rocks.
      The building’s board-marked concrete slab roof is left exposed throughout the interior, paired with pared-back wooden furnishings and floors.
      Find out more about House in Los Vilos ›

      Shelter, Sweden, by Vipp
      A huge skylight stretches across the ceiling of this compact loft bedroom, set in a prefabricated cabin on the banks of Lake Immeln in Sweden, to create the impression of sleeping under the open sky.
      To keep attention on the stars, the monochrome interior features moody lighting and slate grey felt panels that cover both the walls and the floors.
      Find out more about Shelter ›
      Photo by Joe FletcherLookout House, USA, by Faulkner Architects
      A huge bed is placed diagonally at the centre of this room, effectively displacing all other furniture but taking full advantage of the home’s sweeping Lake Tahoe panorama.
      For the interior, Californian studio Faulkner Architects brought together local materials including volcanic basalt, concrete made using local sand and walnut wood sourced from orchards in the nearby Sierra foothills.
      “Consistent through the house, the quiet built environment is muted in colour and tonality, which allows the landscape outside to be the focus,” said the studio.
      Find out more about Lookout House ›
      Photo by Peter ClarkeCasa X, Australia, by Branch Studio Architects
      Dramatic sloped ceilings finished in pale wood panelling envelop the bedrooms of this house on Phillip Island near Melbourne, with bedside pendant lights suspended from their highest point.
      Glazing covers the better part of one wall, looking out over the trees that encircle the property to provide privacy despite the home’s beachfront location.
      Find out more about Casa X ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bedrooms with bathtubs, statement headboards and wood-panelled dining rooms.

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      Mariette Sans-Rival Studio brings set-design philosophy to Apollo Palm hotel

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      Paris-based Mariette Sans-Rival Studio has used floor-to-ceiling curtains, brass lighting and custom furniture to fit out this boutique hotel, set across two Bauhaus-style buildings in the centre of Athens.

      Studio founder Mariette Sans-Rival, whose background is in set design, took references from Greek seafaring culture when designing the interiors for the Apollo Palm hotel.
      The whitewashed buildings of the Apollo Palm hotel surround a secluded courtyard”As my first architecture and interior design project, I leaned heavily on my background in the world of opera and live theatre to create a unique perspective, drawing parallels between set scenography and an inviting hotel atmosphere,” said Sans-Rival.
      Situated in the lively Psyrri neighbourhood, close to the city’s ancient Agora and Acropolis, the 48-key property is intended as a refuge for travellers and locals alike.
      Two neighbouring buildings were combined to create the hotelTo house the Apollo Palm hotel, Sans-Rival combined a pair of white-washed 20th-century buildings while creating a secluded courtyard at the centre, where guests can enjoy drinks and fare from the Patio Wine Bar and Bistro in the shade of palm fronds.

      A cocktail bar on the roof, which also serves brunch at the weekend, has an unobstructed view of the Acropolis and hosts music events, cinema nights and sunset parties.
      The hotel features a curved reception desk wrapped in brassDuring the renovation of the Bauhaus-style buildings, which feature clean lines and curved balconies, the studio also restored a large stained-glass window that spans multiple floors.
      A curved reception desk wrapped in brass matches the lighting fixtures found throughout the Apollo Palm hotel, washing spaces in a golden glow.
      Mariette Sans-Rival custom-designed the Lucie chairs for the hotel”I was challenged to create emotions through a narrative vision in an entirely new setting, building stories into the nascent place and developing recurring patterns to make the hotel autonomous and alive,” said the designer.
      In the guest rooms, floor-to-ceiling drapery billows over the large windows and in some spaces also continues around the walls.
      Drapery features heavily throughout the guest roomsTheir largely white-and-cream colour scheme is accented with sunny yellow, soft peach or pale green, used across the bedding, upholstery and plush carpets.
      Some of the rooms feature mirrored walls behind the beds, while others are furnished with reflective desks and vanities.

      House of Shila designs industrial yet sultry interiors for Mona Athens hotel

      Sans-Rival custom-designed much of Apollo Palm’s furniture, including the Lucie range of chairs and stools that are typified by geometric cutouts in their colourful wooden frames.
      “I started drawing unusual shapes, which ultimately led to the exclusive Lucie collection of furniture created for the hotel,” she said.
      Peach and pink tones feature in another guest bedroomLater this year, the hotel will also open a late-night bar and music venue named Studio Olala, which will be open to both guests and locals and available to hire for private events.
      Athens is currently experiencing a boom in its creative scene, as artists flock to the city for the fair weather and relatively cheap cost of living, as well as an increase in tourism from those choosing to stay longer when in transit to the popular Greek islands.
      Guests can enjoy drinks and fare from Apollo Palm’s courtyard cafeAs a result, the city has seen a wave of new hotels including the industrial yet sultry Mona Athens, and the Esperinos guesthouse filled with local artworks and modern furniture.
      The photography is by Jules Lanzaro.

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      W Budapest hotel occupies 19th-century Drechsler Palace

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      Interior design studios Bowler James Brindley and Bánáti + Hartvig have transformed a 140-year-old neo-Renaissance building in central Budapest into the latest outpost from hotel chain W Hotels.

      W Budapest is set inside the 1886 Drechsler Palace designed by architects Ödön Lechner and Gyula Pártos, previously home to a grand cafe and the headquarters of the Hungarian State Ballet Academy.
      Bowler James Brindley and Bánáti + Hartvig have renovated Drechsler PalaceWorking with local studio Bánáti + Hartvig, London-based Bowler James Brindley (BJB) wanted to draw out the glamorous history of the building, which had stood empty for 15 years before being acquired by W Hotels’ owner Marriott International.
      BJB aimed to “playfully modernise” the interiors while drawing on the architecture of the surrounding area on Andrássy Avenue – a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s also home to the Hungarian State Opera House.
      The building now houses the 151-room W Budapest hotelAlongside 151 rooms and suites, the building now houses a restaurant, lounge, spa and speakeasy.

      “The challenge from the outset was not to be overawed by the beauty and strength of the building,” BJB partner Ian Bayliss told Dezeen.
      “Many original details of Drechsler Palace were studied and re-imagined, as were original colours and textures. Protected architecture has been carefully restored and celebrated, and original glazed tiles have been reused.”
      Gridded metal screens surround the beds in the guest roomsCentral to BJB’s conversion was the re-establishment of the palace’s two original entrances. This allowed the studio to free up the spaces bordering Andrassy Avenue and create a “living room” within the building’s light-filled inner courtyard, which has been enclosed by a glass roof.
      Tasked with modernising the building’s interiors while adhering to heritage protection rules, BJB made what it calls “second skin” interventions, which included the creation of new “corridors” within the palace’s ornate arches using freestanding, fret-cut installations.
      In the bathrooms, checkerboard tiles reference Hungary’s affiliation with chess”We wanted to respect the fabric and ‘skin’ of Drechsler Palace so we set about designing spaces, which created a new atmosphere while not touching the beautifully restored fabric,” Bayliss explained.
      The studio took the same approach to the restoration of the palace’s vaulted basement spa, which uses “Houdini-inspired” mirror illusions to create a feeling of never-ending space.

      Hawaiian heritage informs Wayfinder Waikiki hotel by The Vanguard Theory

      Curving bronze metal installations follow the vaulted ceilings, while dimly lit treatment rooms were inserted within the natural spaces left by existing columns.
      “In homage to Houdini, the treatment rooms are completely mirror-clad and essentially disappear, literally reflecting the existing architecture and the new second-skin installations,” Bayliss said, referencing Hungarian-born magician Harry Houdini.
      Turquoise wall panelling is contrasted with gold-toned detailsIn the guest rooms, turquoise wall panelling is contrasted with the gold-toned screens that wrap the beds, while mirrored checkerboard doors with brass details nod to Hungary’s long ties to the game of chess.
      The chess theme continues in the bathrooms, where monochrome checkerboard tiling is offset by handmade terrazzo-lined double sinks and lightbulb-framed Hollywood mirrors that pay tribute to Hungarian-American socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor.
      “The combination of a beautiful free-standing French Renaissance-inspired building by a famous local architect with a modern, idiosyncratic interior inserted into it could only happen in Budapest,” Bayliss said.
      The hotel opens later this monthSet to open later this month, W Budapest follows the opening of the brand’s Rome outpost in 2021.
      Previous projects by Bowler James Brindley include several guest rooms at the W Barcelona and apartments on the lower levels of Herzog & de Meuron’s One Park Drive skyscraper in Canary Wharf.
      Other hotels recently featured on Dezeen include a “thoughtfully designed” brutalist hotel in Mexico and Capella Hotels’ Sydney outpost, which is housed within a heritage-listed former government building.
      The photography is courtesy of W Budapest. 

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