Hoteliers and restaurateurs Jamie and Jenna Shail have created a new dining room concept and luxury guest suite at their luxurious Lake District bolt hole, Rothay Manor, Ambleside.
The couple working with renowned interior designer Matt Hulme, director of Dynargh Design, a Cornish based practice, which specialises in the hospitality sector have recently realised their vision for Rothay Manor’s restaurant and luxury Fairfield suite.
The couple wanted to transform the hotel’s restaurant space and create a more intimate and relaxed dining experience for their guests, a scheme in keeping with the original design of the property but with clever modern twists. An underlying theme the couple have used across other areas of the hotel in the last 18 months, as they have gradually refurbished and brought this iconic Grade II listed property back to life.
The restaurant space consists of three rooms, each has been given its own distinct identity but with a grounded aesthetic running through all three. Whilst the scheme imagined by Matt proffers a nod to the house’s past as a county pile, there are also gentle references to the intimacy of a private members club but leaving aside the stuffiness and overbearing formality. The scheme is designed to cleverly unite each space through the clever use of paint colours, wall coverings, panelling, signature lighting pieces, pattern, and texture.
The key patterned wallpaper and fabric used in the restaurant scheme was sourced from Lewis & Wood, teamed with a beautiful natural tan leather from Crest Leather. The show stopping bespoke chandeliers and light fittings were sourced and supplied by legendary lighting specialists Pooky, with tables sourced from Taylor’s Classics and chairs from Clayton Upholstery, bespoke art pieces including artworks referencing the Lakeland landscape were sourced through Belmont Fine Arts, rounding off and unifying three distinctive and elegantly conceived, yet contemporary spaces.
Matt working alongside Jenna and Jamie worked his magic in their new Fairfield Suite as well further complementing the hotel’s other guest rooms, which were refurbished in 2019.
The underlying theme for Fairfield is one of privacy and exclusivity, from the very moment guests’ approach Fairfield, they embark on a journey designed to help them relax, delight in their surroundings, and ultimately relax.
The suite is approached via its own private staircase, inside the space unfolds revealing its own separate lounge area, dressing room, luxuriously appointed contemporary bedroom, replete with distinctive freestanding roll top bath, sourced from the Cast Iron Bath Co and hand painted with a carefully selected accent colour from the room’s colour palette. Wallcoverings are hand painted and crafted by Melissa White, complemented by fabrics from Colefax & Fowler and Osborne & Little, with soft furnishings and upholstered furniture sourced from Clayton Upholstery, curtains from Dowey Furnishings and bedside cabinets, dressing table and draws from Dormy House. All tied together with a breath-taking chandelier by Visual Comfort and exposed ceiling beams creating a sense of height and drama.
Matt Hulme, director of Dynargh Design, commented: ‘’It has been a real pleasure working alongside Jamie and Jenna on realising their vision for Rothay Manor. My favourite projects are always when working in a space that has history and character, and it has been exciting to help bring the beautiful original features of the hotel to the forefront of the new designs, whilst pairing this with slight contemporary touches.’’
Jamie Shail, owner of Rothay Manor, said: ‘’We have worked with Matt over the last 18 months to realise our vision for the property. Whilst we wanted to respect it’s past, we wanted to bring it firmly into the 21st century. In order to achieve this, we have invested in the region of £1.25m and a considerable amount of time to be able to create a luxurious, yet contemporary design scheme, utilising high quality wallcoverings, soft furnishings and fabrics, furniture, and statement lighting throughout. It’s taken a great deal of hard work to draw everything together, but it is more than worth it, and we are sure that our guests will genuinely appreciate what we have achieved.’’
For more information or to book visit: https://rothaymanor.co.uk
