HOTEL REVIEW MERCURE EASTGATE MERCURE EASTGATE HOTEL REVIEW
ABOVE (LEFT): Cole & Son’s ‘Ex Libris’ wallpaper is used to lend a library feel reflective of the literary heritage of the surrounding area. ABOVE (CENTRE):
Bourne Furniture supplied the sofas and armchairs, upholstered in fabrics from Harlequin Harris and Zoffany with bespoke table lamps from Cameron
Peters ABOVE (RIGHT): A large ornate mirror and dividing screens break up the ground floor space
the flow of spaces,” says Sampson. “Originally the The new reception is a now a bright, welcoming space clear, the team taking their design cues from the
bar, which was popular with local students, faced the with a vibrant purple velvet bespoke island banquette hotel’s literary location. “We discovered that many
street with the restaurant and reception behind. It upholstered in Lynton Plain from Harlequin Harris authors of children’s fantasy classics were either
had no street presence, the restaurant lacked outside as its focal point. The reception desk was moved to from, or studied at Oxford – Lewis Carroll, CS Lewis,
trade and this made the public areas feel lifeless – we improve circulation and also lowered to create a more Kenneth Grahame and JRR Tolkein – so this became
wanted to optimise these key revenue-generating informal feel. Blacksheep designed the desk in black- the basis for the design of the lounge and bar area,”
areas.” stained timber with a façade featuring a hammered explains Sampson.
Blacksheep rationalised the interior to create a better finish of gold paper. A long cream oblong pendant Cole & Son’s ‘Ex Libris’ wallpaper on walls and screens
flow of space and ensure that the public areas would light, running the same length as the desk from INTO lends a calming, library feel, enhanced by the leather
tempt ‘discerning local guests’ and non-residents as Lighting, hangs above, adding impact. button-backed armchairs and low velvet sofas – all
well as working from breakfast through to dinner and A spacious open-plan feel between the reception from Bourne Furniture. There are fantasy woodland
late night drinks. Retaining the position of the kitchen, and neighbouring lounge and bar is aided by the elements in the details, such as the bespoke table
they moved the restaurant to the front of the hotel, continuation of the timber floor and open double lamps from Cameron Peters incorporating deer and
linking in to the new bar, lounge and reception lobby. doors. It’s here that Blacksheep’s inspirations become foliage, the golden leaf Zoffany fabric on some of the
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