The Townhouse
PROJECT
By Tony Filmer
“B
eaumaris is a rather beautiful, historic rather refreshing about ‘Tabular Rasa’, Cadw, the hidden xenon strips softly lighting shear curtains,
town on the Isle of Anglesey: a town that Welsh version of English Heritage, had other ideas. translucent blown acrylic ‘Fly’ pendant lighting in
we, as a design practise, have grown to There was a particularly determined officer involved, contrasting hues and chic LED bedside reading
know and love. Our first experience of Beaumaris who did not see eye to eye with the architects, lights. Bold fabric prints from Marimekko glow
was working for David Robertson of Ye Olde Bulls especially over their plans to cover up and forget. against soft white walls. Beds are adorned with pure
Head Inn. This is a Grade II listed 15th century inn “There were many delays to the project: a local white linen offset with textural Welsh wool blankets
that, whilst retaining most of its original features, archaeological team turned up to poke around and cushions hand-woven by Melin Tregwynt.
has been refurbished to a high standard and offers a in the foundations and this added a good six “All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with David
bar, a fine dining restaurant, a brasserie and quality months to the programme and the infamous and Chipperfield designed fittings and heated rubber
accommodation in individually designed bedrooms. unpredictable North Wales weather slowed us down floors in the thematic colours. Jasper Morrison
The work began at Ye Olde Bulls Head some 15 further by delivering a spring tide flood. Again, designed mini glow ball lights seemingly float
years ago and even then owner David Robertson another six months delay. And yet another setback against the mirrors.
had expressed his interest in the building opposite; as the Cadw officer objected to our proposal to “We were keen for the design to stand the
number 10, Castle Street. Fast-forward more than a paint a 6m wide logo on to the main gable end test of time so a new simplicity was adopted,
decade and we received a welcome, if unexpected of the building. The graphics identity and signs, predominantly modernist but with classic hints of
phone call from David; ‘I’ve bought it! Number 10, designed in tandem with specialist graphic designer, Scandinavian design and that all-important hint of
across the road. And I want to turn it into a shiny Andy Robinson, were considered by Cadw to be a colour therapy. It would be wrong to go for anything
new hotel…something funky. We’re calling it The little too ‘urban’ for sedate Castle Street. Nonetheless too ‘now’ or fleeting as that would show a distinct
Townhouse.’ after a lengthy appeal a 4m version was allowed. lack of respect for over 500 years of history and to
“For David, the beauty of developing the
Hand pic
Ironic
k
ally
ed,
, a pr
hand forged,
eviously shelved idea to
hand f_inished.
internally the loc

al community, although they have proved
building next to the Olde Bull is that the restaurant illuminate each window in differently coloured neon to be far more forward thinking than originally
and reception facilities can be shar Ied t’and s thguests e personlighats l wtas oureinctrho ducthedat, despit mae kconceser ns outhart it producantticipas utnedi.”q • ue.
wanting a choice between traditional Victorian might be too avant-garde for the area. The lights Tony Filmer is a co-founder of London based
comfort at the Olde Bull and contemporary clean- have proved an overwhelming success and the designersTully Filmer Ltd., and can be contacted on
cut sanctuary at The Townhouse have just that. ‘conservative and reserved’ townsfolk of Beaumaris +44 (0)20 7735 4324 www.tullyfilmer.co.uk
To create a truly unique environment you need truly unique furnishings and f_ittings.
“The building is likely to have originated before appear to love them.
1600 but the main body was built
Ev
af
e
t
r
er
y
tha
ite
t
m
da

t
i
e:
n

the Jim

L
“
a
T
w
he
re
W
n
elsh
ce
ar
P
e
ro
a
f
sup
ess
er-pr
ion
oud
al C
folk,
oll

e
and
cti
r
o
igh
n
tly
is a one-of_f, individually
stone walls several feet thick, f
c
our-c
raft
en
ed
tr

ed
an
ar
d
ched
hand f_inish
so
e
.
d
In
,
the
exc
South
lusiv
the
ely
y

sp
av
eak
ail
firstly
able
in
fro
English
m Jim
but
Lawrence and no one else.
fireplaces and huge oak beams give testimony to in the north they address you first in Welsh. To
this. Like the Olde Bull, the building is Grade II listed somehow incorporate the romantic Welsh language
but had suffered through years of neglect and was into the design was important. The colour grey
virtually derelict. To help with the implementation is also a strong element of North Wales, from the
Barrie Williams of Bowen Dann Knox, a local firm brooding dark slate grey of the Menai Straits to the
of architects based in Colwyn Bay, were brought soft dove-grey of the snow capped mountains. We
onboard. decided upon a scheme in stark contrast to this
“Our initial inspiration and ideas incorporated environment by introducing colour, bold and strong,
all of those original features: character-full walls, and to give each room its own colour identity. The
stone fireplaces, gnarled beams and wide oak rooms therefore would be simply named after the
planked floors: a funky, neo-Georgian look, a new selected colour and translated in both Welsh and
simplicity mixing the ancient with the cutting edge. English. The 13 rooms are thus known as Scarlet,
Then came a ‘phone call from Barrie, ‘It’s all going to Sky, Clemen
Handcrafte
tine, Chocolat
d fu
e, Eb
rnis
ony, P
hin
earl,
gs
Indigo,
have to come down. We’re gutting the place, putting Pistachio, Plum, Fuchsia, Lilac, Cream and Silver.
in concrete floors and dry lining everything’. The “Each room has been given a bold feature wall,
interiors being in such
Li
a dilapida
ghtin
ted sta
g Cu
te, it was
rtain Po
paper
les So
ed in a blaze
ft Fu
of the selec
rnis
ted c
hin
olour.
gs Fu
Italian Giro
rniture Ironwork
felt that a genuine restoration would be extremely Chairs in funky colour coded upholstery compliment
costly, time consuming and commercially unviable. this along with custom made oak furniture with
“Although in design terms there is something hints of corresponding colour. Lighting is a mix of
Call 01473 826680, email sales@jim-lawrence.co.uk or visit www.jim-lawrence.co.uk
28 GS MAGAZINE
Showroom at The Ironworks, Lady Lane Industrial Estate, Hadleigh, Suf_folk IP7 6BQ
• SUBSCRIBE
.
- 020 7833 3772
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58