Latest Stylish Hotel Design in Madrid

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The Principal Madrid,
the latest five star hotel to successfully combine classic architecture with stylish, contemporary interiors … the result being pure luxury.
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A club like feel with dark and moody interiors, edgy wing backs and back lit bookcases.
So inviting … so unlike a hotel !!
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Fabulous period detailing, high ceilings and large windows contribute to the luxurious ambiance.
Intimate spaces .. far from the madding crowd.
Guestooms are a perfect combination of glamorous Parisian style french doors with iron balustrades, and sleek, contemporary, almost masculine furnishings. The classic butterfly chair in leather and up to the minute designer lighting of course add to the elegance.
So simple yet so right !!
Designer: Pillar Garcia-Nieto and Barcelona based studio Luzio.
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le marianne, paris … boutique hotel style

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Just off the Champs Elysees and Avenue Montaigne, Le Marianne Hotel is more like a very chic pied-à-terre.
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This graceful Haussmann period building sets the scene.
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Bedrooms with stylish dipped dyed curtains and smart colour palette of mustard yellows and charcoal.
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Furniture with elegant lines and the latest in lighting design.
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Like any stylish boutique hotel, it is all in the detail.
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And just so Parisian.
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Beach houses .. currumbin .. my edit 2014/15

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I love the simplicity of this architectural style .. timeless. Pandanus perfect !!
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Always love a skillion roof .. not to mention the frangipani.
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Set high on the hill .. the ocean view from this original cottage is breathtaking. The perfect location if you don’t have beach frontage.
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This had always been my all time favourite beach house, however sadly the original windows with lattice shutters have been replaced with french doors .. for obvious reasons.  Still fabulous however not quite as charming. It does have an exotic coastal garden and beach frontage !!

London’s boutique hotel style

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San Domenico House,

 

in my very favourite part of London, was a great find recently.
Both the architecture and orange brick are synonymous with certain areas of London and I have always loved both. This boutique hotel is tucked in behind Kings Road and Sloane Street and only a short walk to Sloane Square.
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There is probably no further criteria for me on my hunt for accommodation in London, apart from of course, the style and ambiance of the interior.  I have discovered that I can really only relate to classic cosy English town or country house style.  Not contemporary minimalist which is prevalent and extremely uninviting !!
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Even Kit Kemp with her Firmdale Hotels of which there are many in London, does classic English style with a modern edge, to perfection. If I am in London I like to feel that I am living there, not staying in a hotel .. if you know what I mean !!
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The first of the boutique hotels in London to make one feel as if you were actually staying with friends was Blake’s and it remains an icon.
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Hotel guest rooms … the latest in layout

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Many hours have been spent by designers thinking about how to improve .. or even just vary, the layout of a hotel guest room.  Let’s face it .. they are all pretty much the same in layout, everywhere.  There is definitely rationale for the way they are .. and it works.  The only problem is that it is rather boring to walk into a hotel guest room, no matter where in the world and find the same layout .. entry hall, bathroom to the left or right, bed, desk etc
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The only variation on the theme appears to be where the constraints of existing architecture (in a building not purpose built for a hotel) dictate a change !!! And how refreshing it is to find a bathroom built where a dressing room may have been.  
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In defence of the tried and true layout, there has been considerable success with the opening up of the fully enclosed bathroom to capture natural light and possible views. The introduction of a glass panel/sliding glass panels or even shutters to the guest room and view beyond has been fought for by designers, however not always embraced by hotel operators.  
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The layout above makes a lot of sense in this environment. It reflects the casual beach holiday lifestyle. The shower cubicle with frosted glass panelling, separate to a freestanding bath and basin .. what better way to capture the amazing light and beautiful view.
Lets hope designers keep thinking of ways to reinvent hotel guest rooms or at least try for a little creativity .. particularly where the geography is conducive.
images: bill & coo hotel, mykonos
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Designex14 … fabulous lighting, brilliant design

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What a surprise packet Designex14 turned out to be.  A new location to navigate (while Darling Harbour Convention Centre is being redeveloped) caused no hardship.  Glebe Island with easy parking and smart temporary buildings was more inviting by far than the tired Darling Harbour venue we were accustomed to.
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The diversity of both exhibitors and products was impressive and all with exciting new products to launch. The latest lighting was exceptional. A clever floorplan enhanced the design experience, with fabulous cafes and pop up bars adding to the buzz !!
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I have come away inspired … as well as having a bag full of new contacts and new product brochures. It is easy to find a reason not to visit Design Fairs however Designex14 with all it had to offer under the one roof, was worth well worth the time.
images: from the top, about space, duncan meerding, porcelain bear

Conserving the history and cherishing the detail …

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Mount Street, Mayfair is without doubt my favourite street in London.  Its architecture sets it apart from the rest of Mayfair … both its homogeneity and distinctive red brick.  New and edgy brands like Aesop (the Australian skincare brand), sit beside some of Mayfair’s oldest.

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Aesop’s first London outlet, with interior by Ilse Crawford of Studioilse (who I have written about before), is located in a magnificent Victorian Grade II listed mansion block in Mount Street.

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Original parquet floors have been left raw, fireplaces reinstated and tall ceilings exposed. The end result has been widely celebrated.

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While soaking up the grandeur of Melbourne’s Block Arcade recently, I was similarly impressed … the extent to which period detailing had been incorporated as a design element in shop fitouts, rather than covered up as once would have been the case.

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Very simply put … it is the challenge in the juxtapositioning of old and new … and the delicate balance of getting it right.

Container homes are all style

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I first heard about container homes and the creative things people were doing with them, a few years ago.  I listened with great interest … fascinated to think of the challenge and the potential !!

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All they require are windows and doors…of any size or proportion and a coat of paint.

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They can be joined together side by side or on top of each other ….

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Somehow they suddenly become a design statement ….. minimalist and state of the art.  I just love the way they seem to nestle into their environment.

French style …. hotel lancaster, paris

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The Hotel Lancaster in Paris is without doubt the prettiest hotel in Paris.  An extremely chic boutique hotel …. is this not just exactly what one would expect when we think of Parisian style.

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I adore the simple, pared back elegance which allows the architecture to shine.

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This is the most sophisticated use of colour …. so subtle, yet only for the brave.  Shades of lavender, lilac and aubergine teamed with shades of grey, crisp white and hint of gold …. how divine !  Not as easy as it looks to achieve the perfect balance.

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I have always loved the tile and marble combination in a bathroom … somehow it creates character.  It is so much more interesting than head to toe marble which is an easier option by far.  How decadent to have your own dressing table and in the bathroom… only in Paris !!

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This interior is timeless … classic and contemorary all rolled into one. Their collection of artworks and antiques complimented graciously by the sumptuous colour palette and subtle attention to detail.

Having said all that, how inviting does that sofa look. Perfect for putting your feet up after a day shopping in Galeries Lafayette.

I knew I was going to fall in love with this hotel when I spotted those lavender grey striped awnings and gorgeous flower boxes.

Swedish apartments …. white on white

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Scandinavian countries do white or pale interiors with great style.  Both rustic and refined.  Different shades of soft white, cream and grey … each used exclusively creates an elegant retreat from the chaos of colour and pattern in everyday life.

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White interiors accentuate architectural detail, texture … and capture light.  They have a purity …. like a crisp white shirt or a fluffy white bath towel.

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There is a certain serenity to a white or pale interior. White provides the blank canvas from which to showcase beautiful furniture, artwork … even the view from the window.

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