Anatomy of a Room - David Collin's Massimo Restaurant London

In this episode of Anatomy of a room we look at a commercial space in London called Massimo's in the Corinthia Hotel. 

This space was design by the famed David Collins, who died in 2013 of cancer. He was an architect know for his brilliant designs. 

To me restaurants are all about the experience of the atmosphere and the food. What makes this design so brilliant? 

1. scale

The height of the ceiling and the oversized lanterns give that sense of drama to the room

2. The attention to detail

Beautifully crafted custom mosaics on the walls and floor Notice how they are juxtaposed to the classical moldings on the walls

3. Reference to the past

David was clearly inspired by Italian interior with the striped columns reminiscent of the Sienna Cathedral but also the touch of Art Deco seen in the clock wall and the use of brass. The mix of different styles is subtle but still budding with creativity.

Love the barstool triangular shaped backs! 

4. Custom Touches

The light fixtures and the booth designs with the brass detail repeated through is lovely. 

5. Sense of Textures

The shiny brass, black wood walls, tile, gloss striped columns,  soft leather and the zinc bar. I love the mixture! 

That fixture is to die for

Who every said you can't mix metals? This bar was killer! 

The curved detail on the banquette. 

Not to mention the beautiful tiled ceiling. It was a glamorous and handsome at the same time. 

This was another of our stops in my tour through Europe. Wait until we get to Italy!!

Anatomy of a Room - Kit Kemp Bedrooms

Having just returned from a fabulous trip to Europe, I stayed in some amazing hotels but The Ham Yard Hotel in London captured my attention. 

Designed by Kit Kemp, it is one of the Firmdale hotels that she owns with her husband.  

As my New Years goal is details, this hotel was full of design surprises and curious choices. I loved her layering skills - mixed up, unmatched but not too juvenile or garish. 

Here is her design philosophy from Lonny Magazine: 

"My palette is diverse, but my style is about achieving a balance between what’s colorful and what’s neutral and restful. You need only one really inspiring piece in a room." 

Let's see how she achieves this by examining only the hotel bedrooms. 

This room seems fairly matched up but look at the turquoise stool. The bed comfort level is amazing. Bold pattern on the headboard mixed with the graphic curtain pattern. 

 The next room has a bold wallpaper with marbled headboard fabric and then a multi patterned bench

Then turn to the floral mixed with the yellow topped chairs with decorative flat braid. The artwork is interesting as well - unmatched to the room. 

Grey walls, navy/pink dustskirt, orange red drapery fabric. Brilliantly mismatched

Again pattern upon pattern

Peak and Boo pleats on the dustksirt in contrasting colors. 

Boiled wool was everywhere with contrasting cords and mixed stripes - see the bench

Stripes at the window but larger stripe on the chairs

I just used the fabric on the pillows in a guest room. I mixed it with a brighter blue but here she has mixed with dark navy diamond pattern with the petite floral design and another print on the window. Clever! 

Wow - look at this sofa stripe. It really shows off the room and the art above. The other items in the room are more neutral but still mixed patterns. 

Even bolder here with floral headbaord, medallion bench fabric, striped chairs, and red and blue art work. 

Red and pink striped draperies with a red floral headboard. A lime green bench to break up the hot colors and the neutral gray walls to cool it down and unify the room. Notice the floral on the side of the chair - that technique was everywhere. Even more pattern upon pattern.  

The art was incredible too - perfectly picked and placed. Again mismatched and definitely original.  

I loved the different headboard shapes in each room and how the design in each room is different. It makes me want to go back and stay in a different room. 

Some rooms were simple but the attention to detail was the same - notice the upholstered door! 

Gorgeous bird nest wallpaper and embroidered headboard fabrics - old fashion but at the same time modern. 

Contrast that with a more modern bathroom - clean and sleek

She is master at the mix - her creative choice of fabrics, attention to every detail. It is Brilliant design work! 

Did you notice the dressmaker forms in every room covered the fabrics? 

Next time we will look at the more public room.  You are in for a treat. They are definitely a WOW factor!