Glitz, glamour, celebrity, luxury – these are some of the words associated with the famous Savoy Hotel in London, England. A regular home away from home for many famous people, it has counted among its guests Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, and Bob Dylan. For one year, though, no more people – famous or otherwise – will be entering its doors because of a planned massive renovation.

The good news is that people with a penchant for items used by celebrities will be able to indulge their passions because the hotel will be auctioning off thousands of pieces of furniture – and many of them have reportedly been used by celebrity guests. These items were used in the hotel’s bedrooms and lobby, and in the Parlour Bar and River Restaurant. I’m thinking owners of small hotels and restaurants will benefit from this auction, apart from celebrity memorabilia collectors. Imagine the prestige of having a sofa that once belonged to the historic Savoy Hotel as part of your modern reception furniture set!

(more…)

Uncategorized | No Comments »

In classical mythology, there’s something called a cornucopia. It’s a horn that’s said to provide an endless supply of food and drink, but in modern times that term has been adapted to include everything else, including luck. Thus, having a cornucopia of plenty bodes great fortune. The reason I’m mentioning this is because the classic Felt chair by Marc Newson somehow reminded me of a horn and the legend associated with it.

I would have thought that this chair would be a bit too radical-looking for certain establishments, like hotels. It’s just that a lot of hotels seem to feature more dignified furniture, and the Felt Chair, which has been featured in the Austin Powers movies and in some of Madonna’s videos, is not what I would call dignified. Quirky, eye-catching, yes. Dignified, not really.

(more…)

Uncategorized | No Comments »

Boxy. That’s the first word that came to my mind when I saw the Bottoni Armchair over at Design Within Reach. But boxy isn’t necessarily a bad thing, oh no! On the contrary, its stolid appearance evokes images of durability and solid comfort. The colorful upholstery reminded me a bit about the Austin Powers movies, but not too much – it isn’t really that psychedelic. I think the fabric would look good on contemporary bistro chairs though.

The chair was conceptualized and created by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders in 2002. He wanted a simple type of seating that would be economical to produce, and he got the help he needed from an upholsterer. The fabric called Even, from Maharam, has serged seams and French topstitches that are of garment quality.

(more…)

Uncategorized | No Comments »

There’s a scene in the movie Knocked Up, one of this year’s blockbuster romantic comedies, where the male main character and his girlfriend’s brother were in a hotel room in Las Vegas. Both were high from taking some magic mushrooms, and they were understandably acting very strangely. In this particular scene, the focus of their attention is the variety of chairs in their hotel room. They lined them all up and had an interesting dialogue about them.

I wonder what they would’ve had to say about the Bottega Armchair if it had been included. It’s a very new chair, introduced only this year by Italian designers Renzo Fauciglietti and Graziella Bianchi. Though I think they would look good in a hotel room, they can be used in other settings too. Perhaps in the hotel lobby or restaurant, or paired with bistro dining tables.

(more…)

Leather Chairs | No Comments »

Chairs used in hotel or resort bedrooms are generally better treated than those found in a bar or restaurant, which are regularly subject to abuse like spills and stains. I’m sure those happen in hotel bedrooms too, but most probably on a much lesser scale. That’s why chairs and tables in a hotel room are generally much more luxurious; there’s a smaller chance of damage due to guest use. Plus, it’s just nice to lounge or sit in something that’s of generally better quality than can be found in a hotel’s public areas.

I’m also thinking that maybe the location of a resort or hotel affects the type of furniture the owners decide to install in the bedrooms. For instance, a seaside hotel in the tropics would probably have light, airy furnishings as opposed to a ski resort which would probably go with earth tones to instill a feeling of warmth and comfort.

I’m wondering, though, what the furniture is like in the rooms of the best budget skiing resorts in Europe, which, according to Telegraph writer Peter Hardy, are the following: (more…)

Uncategorized | No Comments »