COMMERCIAL CLIENT: THE HADRIAN HOTEL
WALL, NORTHUMBERLAND
The Hadrian Hotel is a traditional country pub and B&B in rural Northumberland that was recently taken over by new management. After the successful opening of their adjoining (yet separate) Scandinavian style fine dining restaurant, Hjem, the owner’s were keen to update the hotel’s entrance lounge to better-reflect their newfound reputation. The client wanted to revive this tired and dated space into a welcoming, warm, and sophisticated drinks lounge and reception area that retained an old-school rural charm fit for a country pub.
The design combines bold, contemporary colour palettes with traditional and heritage fabrics, textiles and accessories - creating a familiar rural country pub ambience that still feels modern and fresh. The design features hardwearing, industrial textiles - such as leathers, woods, and brushed metals - complimented by softer more feminine accents in the soft furnishings and ornate decorative lighting and accessories. The juxtapositioning of the traditional moody lounge and the light, minimalist scandi Hjem that hides secretively behind the curtain adds another layer of drama and excitement to the dining experience.
The view of the rolling countryside out of the large window takes centre stage in this design. The walls, ceilings, window frames and doors are all painted in a rich, dark blue hue, creating the illusion of height and moodiness. In doing so, the window frame becomes a piece of living art, bringing the outside in and allowing you to watch the seasons change from the warmth and comfort of this cosy new room - something the client was keen to highlight.
In order to maximise the use and capacity of the space, we designed a bespoke curved leather banquette for maximum seating alongside several other custom-made pieces that bring added cohesion to the space. We also designed a bespoke standing/seated reception desk for welcoming guests and bespoke shelving and wood store. The fireplace was restored with repointed original exposed stone, a classic stone surround and the addition of a stuning open fire complete with raised hearth and antique georgian dog grate.
