We’ve all done it, stayed at a beautiful hotel or seen the interiors in a movie or on television and have fallen desperately in love with a look. I am going to tell you how to create the feel of the room at look of the room along with a few naughty extras… Sometimes all it takes is a lick of paint, a statement artwork (which more often than not you can get from a market or make yourself if you are feeling particularly creative!) and a few well chosen accessories.

BLAKES (http://www.blakeshotels.com/) is one of London’s hidden gems, sporting one of the sexiest interiors about. I can’t choose between my two favourite incredibly lavish rooms. We have Interior Designer Anouska Hempel to thank for this feast for senses.

THE LIBRARY SUITE

This is the perfect example of what can be achieved when masculine and feminine styles are brought together. It’s smart and sophisticated.  Hempel cleverly combines the masculine colour pallete and colonial elements such as the shutters in the bathroom, framed etchings and a ’ 1920’s gent’s quaters’ feel through the bookcases with the feminine flowing sensuous silk fabrics of the bed and gold detailing and cheeky use of mirroring beside the bed which brings light and the glamour for which Hempel is so renowned for into the picture.  With its Vintage Louis Vuitton style cases and parquet floors this room makes me feel across between a 1920’s explorer about to step out of my room to explore the pyramids and Cleopatra herself. Magic.

GET THIS LOOK:

• Black Walls- Not hard to do, Dulux Gloss paint will do the trick
• Gold accenting elements the light hit: picture frames, taps, lamps, edge of      doorways, cornicing and windows- Use liquid gold leaf, any decent art shop will have this.
• Four poster bed, this one can find most places and because of the amount of fabric used in the posts, the bed itself should be rather simple.
• Bed Linen: Crisp White Bedlinen from the White Company www.thewhitecompany.com with a Dark muted throw would work well.

  

   

• Mirrors: Floor to ceiling fitted mirrors either side of the bed and a statement empire style mirror resting on an Empire Style Desk (one off pictured). 

www.manorhousefurniture.com

www.liveauctioneers.com

• Statement Gold and Black Pavilion Stripped silk fabric: A great place to start looking would be http://www.interiorstalk.com/news/jae/jae100.html  Stunning quality and a vast amount of choice. Only a simple silk black trim with no fringing should be used and the same for the tie backs. Other variants of this fabric in muted tones could be utilised for cushion covers also. 

• Rattan Chair: And so to bed to a fab onehttp://www.andsotobed.co.uk/bedroom-furniture/chairs-and-stools/lille-chair.html  This coupled with some stunning silk pillows from Andrew Martin would get you the look.

  

• For lighting: There are some stunning table lamps and wall lights Besselink & Jones www.besselink.com These are the styles that you need for this look.

• Trunks placed at the end of the bed can be found at any auction house nowadays, but if you wanted a sure bet, India Jane www.indiajane.co.uk has a wide selection of replicas for the taking. Personally i would hold out for the real deal, something like these..

Artwork: Prints of Piranesi’s Etchings would be Ideal, there are lots of them around and all you need to do is pick up a few matching antique gold frames and the look is done. 

Taschen do a great book from which you can do some research…. http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/44941/facts.piranesi.htm

HOW TO REALLY ENJOY LIFE IN THIS ROOM….

ROOM FRAGRANCE: The Jo Malone ‘Vanilla & Anise’ Scented candle 

PERFUME: Serge Luten’s 'Ambre Sultan’ Parfum.  

FOR HER: Agent Provocateur’s 'Lorna’ set.  

FOR HIM: Aqua Di Parma 'Intense’ Shaving collection 

DRINK: Classic Champagne cocktail. Soak one sugar cube in a champagne flute with angostura bitters. Once the bitters have absorbed, add champagne and cognac. Squeeze in a twist of lemon. Enjoy. 

CARDINAL SUITE

For me this is the ultimate self indulgent naughty weekend away suite. Texture is everywhere making one extremely aware of all senses, never-mind the daring but wonderful use of red which is a proven aphrodisiacal colour of course.  There is beautifully placed soft mellow lamp lighting which does wonders for the heavily worked velvets and brocades used in the design showing off all the texture and beauty they have to offer. It simply just makes you want to touch EVERYTHING.  Even though the walls, an usual polished mahogany (it seems) have a softness to them which is continued into the bathroom suite where we find a double ended painted bath. What I love about this room is it’s utter escapism, you could be anywhere, anytime, in any place. Genuis & Sexy as hell.

GET THE LOOK

• The walls. In the bedroom area A great way to achieve this look is through a Flocked Velvert wallpaper in a damask pattern. The one i would recommend is this stunning red paper from www.designerwallcoverings.com. 

Or, if flocking isn’t your thing, This gorgeous antiqued wall paper from 'Watts’ is just the ticket. With Watts especially, its always worth finding out a bit about the history of the patterns. It adds a bit of romance and substance to your design experience…..

• Fabric for Bed spread and Curtains Is from WATTS. A beautiful company the has exquisite fabrics, trimmings and accessories .

The fabric below ’ couldn’t be more perfect for the job. This should be lined with the darkest blue - not black velvet. This can be found in any fabric shop, no need to be overly fussy.  Trim with gold fringing which can be bought from any good haberdashery, or go to Chelsea Harbour and have some fun looking for your favourite. Personally i would go for this gem of a combo.

• Trim with gold fringing and a red tasseled tie-back. Both can be bought from any good haberdashery, or go to Chelsea Harbour just off the Kings Road in London and have some fun looking for your favourite. Personally I would go for this gem of a fringe detail from DEDAR, part of the Hermes umbrella www.dedar.com. Stunning quality.

• Four poster bed is essential: Go to www.fourposterbed.com to find your perfect one.  For the heavily brocaded pelmets which make the look, go to http://www.pelmetsdirect.co.uk/ for the pelmet itself then find your local upholstery specialist to finish the look with your chosen fabric… for this you need a large pattern with a very sparse repeat. This would be mine.

• Headboard and sofa back: This is also from the wonderful 'Watts’. Its called ’Crevelli’ in Gold Brocade.  This is a stunning c.1874 design Attributed to Thomas Garner, this was originally a silk and gold thread brocatelle, the origins of which are to be found in an early 15th century painting by the Master of St Barthlomew. The romance, Hiistory and quality of the fabric is illustrated by its price. But done be put off, only a few meters is needed to make an impact, and its well worth it.

You can visit Watts online www.watts1874.co.uk.

• Statement Cushions: India Jane Hs a great brocade style collection at the moment. the 'Anastasia’ and 'Lucia’ cushions are pictured below as a start. 

• Blue and White Urns and Vases: This pair of urns is a great example, I found them on auction at Denhams www.denhams.com for only £40 for the pair. Be brave and visit auction houses. More often the not it pays off financially and you also get something unique.

• Lamps: Besselink & Jones are simply the best for this type of style. A combination of these two, the 'Bronze ornate empire column’ table lamp and the 'Swannie’ adjustable floor lamp  would be perfection.

• Sofa. Not all of us have the space for it, but this sofa is perfect. Brocade can be at worked onto the back for more detail.

•  STATEMENT artwork. What one needs here is a very large gold frame and a beautiful piece of material to put inside. It doesn’t have to be expensive, you would be amazed at how gorgeous large pieces of fabric remnants look in a kick ass frame. This is the fun bit when you get to be creative! Take a closer look at the artwork in the picture of Blakes’ Cardinal suite and you will see exactly the idea.

• 1 LARGE MIRROR: This wow factor piece is from Rose and Lee. A great little company which is always worth looking at for detailed accessories and mirrors. www.roseandleevintageliving.co.uk

  

   

• Antique books can be found at any charity shop or boot sale: this is the type of thing you’re after… If you are feeling flush, for the good stuff, Christies always have bundles of things like this on auction.

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And here is a sneaky look at the Bathroom: The Lanterns of a similar theme can be sourced from reclamation grounds or go to Charles Edwards. Expensive, but worth it.  

• The bath can be bought from the Water monopoly. This particular model is the 'Empire’. They can also custom paint it to your requirements. http://www.watermonopoly.com/empire_on_plinth.html

• A suitable mirror for the look can be found at Ham www.haminteriors.com. All products are hand-made and British! This is almost a total match.

HOW TO REALLY ENJOY LIFE IN THIS ROOM…

PERFUME: Wear Tom Ford’s Seductive 'Jasmin Rouge’

ROOM FRAGRANCE: Diptique’s 'Tuberose’ candle

FOR HER, well and for him too : This divine red satin and black lace lingerie set from MYLA

DRINK: Pour the amaretto liqueur into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Add a splash or two of angostura bitters, and shake well. Strain or pour into a cut glass tumbler, garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange, and serve.