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THE FRANKLIN HOTEL LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM |
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| ARCHITECTURE / INTERIOR DESIGN |
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Architect – Reardon Smith
Designers – J2 Design |
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Old and new come together in elegant synergy in Reardon Smith’s remix of The Franklin in the heart of Knightsbridge. The architectural firm’s hotel projects are an honoured list, including the refurbishing of Claridge’s and Riga’s Grand Palace Hotel as well as resorts spanning the globe from the Seychelles to the Amalfi coast, and The Franklin – an intimate-feeling update spanning four London townhouses – adds to the stable as a fine example of classicism brought into the 21st century.
Interiors by J2 Design reflect the London firm’s holistic approach to design and bring a modern harmony to the structure’s new look: The open lobby overlooks a tree-lined garden and features a proper London aesthetic lightened by liberal use of glass and modish touches. Fired-oak floors, black onyx surfaces and engraved backlit screens complement the use of floral elements that solidify the classic English theme. Created exclusively for The Franklin by Décor Arts, the wall finish is a mix of plaster and pigment with a pearlescent coating; a rare Chantilly pattern used in the wood floor surfaces is echoed in the stone floors. And the reception desk is enhanced by a gold and brass surface with onyx atop the counter. Every surface has been thought out for maximum aesthetic and functional pleasure.
The 40 guestrooms feature the same obsessive attention to detail, unique handcraftsmanship and one-off productions. Walls are covered in a crushed-stone finish; backlit stencilled screens and hand-tufted rugs by Couristan provide a definitively luxury experience. |
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