Welcome to Sir Paul Smith’s world, where even your hotel stay becomes a canvas for his distinctive style and creativity. Nestled within the elegant Brown’s Hotel in London, you’ll find a unique suite that bears the unmistakable imprint of this iconic fashion and product designer. From the golden banana-shaped door handle to his signature adorning the entrance, it’s clear that this is no ordinary hotel room – it’s a personal masterpiece envisioned by Sir Paul Smith himself.
While many fashion brands flirt with interior design, Smith’s foray into this realm is nothing short of exceptional. His previous collaborations with renowned names like The Rug Company, Gufram, and de Padova, as well as his support for independent artisans and small design enterprises through temporary exhibitions in his showrooms, have all paved the way for this extraordinary venture. Teaming up with Rocco Forte Hotels and the creative vision of its design director, Olga Polizzi, Smith has taken his interior design game to new heights. This partnership is a natural fit, especially considering Smith’s Albermarle Street boutique is just a stone’s throw away.
The suite is a personal reflection of Smith’s impeccable taste, featuring several items borrowed from his own workspace. Among them is his 1970s leather desk chair designed by Mario Bellini and a captivating Christopher Simon Sykes photograph of Chatsworth House’s library. Smith’s shift into product design is unmistakable in the suite, evident in the carefully curated selection of objects. These include an Anglepoise lamp, a custom-made headboard upholstered in Maharam fabric, and rugs from The Rug Company, adorned with a pattern inspired by the delicate cast-iron lattice that graces the front of his Albermarle Street boutique – a result of architect 6a’s work on the facade a decade ago. The suite also boasts a gallery wall adorned with captivating artworks, a nod to the artistry that frequently adorns Smith’s boutiques. Guests can immerse themselves in a library stocked with hand-picked art and design books. While the living area is a vibrant tapestry of objects, the sleeping area takes on a serene palette of greys and sherbet yellows.
Sir Paul Smith’s characteristic sense of fun and whimsy permeates not only through the art pieces but also in the playful design details. The banana-shaped door handles and the fire grate, ingeniously utilizing two cast-iron dogs as supports – modeled after Homer, Smith’s Afghan hound from the 1970s and the ‘manager’ of his first Nottingham shop – are perfect examples of this playful aesthetic. Smith’s furniture collection, “Everyday Life,” created in collaboration with Italian brand de Padova in 2022, also finds its place in the suite. These pieces balance Smith’s exuberance with Italian craftsmanship’s gravitas. The dark ash Everyday Life sofa and armchair feature contrast stitching reminiscent of tailoring techniques, while the coffee table boasts a limestone top with a scored horizontal band. Vibrantly hued cushions from the Paul Smith Home Collection proudly display the designer’s iconic stripes. Notably, guests have the opportunity to ‘shop the suite,’ with a comprehensive catalogue provided should they wish to take home any of the featured products and artwork.
Smith shares his enthusiasm for this exceptional project, stating, “Being asked to design a space for such an iconic Mayfair institution is a great privilege – and I’ve had a great deal of fun in the process. I’m so pleased we’ve been able to include objects that inspire me personally, and I hope, in turn, they’ll inspire the suite’s guests.” In the heart of Mayfair, Sir Paul Smith’s artistic vision has transformed Brown’s Hotel into an even more enchanting haven, where guests can immerse themselves in his world of timeless style and creative flair.
