At the 4-star Hôtel Brighton, where rooms offer guests magnificent views of the Tuileries Gardens, six rooms, nestled beneath the arcades of Rue de Rivoli, seemed like wallpaper. To revive their charm, the Esprit de France hotel group entrusted their renovation to the ad hoc duo of Emmanuel Foyatier of the Maison Martin Morel publishing house and architect Thibaut Picard.
As the aim was to go beyond embellishment, everyone was able to contribute their expertise: the publisher with his knowledge of patterns and decorations from centuries-old archives and the architect with his mastery of volumes and his appetite for colors.
For this project, the rooms are no longer limited to a simple resting space; they are designed as visual and tactile cocoons where every detail, from the majestic headboards to the patterns delicately integrated into the carpet and curtains, contributes to a holistic experience. Here, the bold graphics and colors joyfully illuminate the classicism of the space.
A FOUR-HANDED PROJECT
To address this comprehensive project, Emmanuel Foyatier knew he could establish a true creative connection with the architect. " I really appreciate Thibaut's work. His sensitivity to color provided a solid foundation for our collaboration. And his expertise was instrumental in structuring our graphic choices within the space, " he says.
For his part, Thibaut Picard evokes the privilege of working outside of established catalogs. " We wanted the decor to captivate the traveler's attention, to make them forget the lack of a view, but also to tell a story that remains faithful to that of the Brighton Hotel. Delving into the archives of Maison Martin Morel allowed us to freely construct the vocabulary and draw the thread of a unique story, presented across different media. This character of exclusivity is, for me, the pivot of luxury today. "
INSPIRATION DRAWN FROM THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACES
The Brighton Hotel was built in the 19th century by and for the English, as an essential stop on the "grand tour" enjoyed by the British aristocracy of the time. To embody this history, the duo went back in time to discover period motifs in the publishing house's archives, which evoke in turn the charm of a grand country house or the exoticism of oriental trading posts.
For the sake of consistency, authenticity, and sustainability, the existing furniture was preserved, restored, reupholstered, and supplemented with second-hand objects. The challenge also consisted of remaining faithful to the Esprit de France brand codes and the hotel's history, while injecting a contemporary twist that uniquely characterizes the experience of these rooms.
CONSTRAINTS OVERCOME BY A CONCEPT THAT PLACES THE HEAD OF THE BED IN MAJESTY
The renovation project had several constraints: lack of view, low ceilings, lack of light, and reduced surface area for two single bedrooms were all difficulties to overcome.
To create an enveloping atmosphere, numerous indirect lights have been integrated to highlight the alcoves.
To overcome this limited view, the concept imagined by Thibaut Picard focuses on an immersive approach, which literally captivates the visitor, focusing their attention on the headboard as soon as they enter. Conceived and designed by him, they are the main element that shines throughout the six rooms.
“The bold, warm colors chosen aren't just a decorative touch. They become a central element of the guest experience, modulating the atmosphere of each room and contributing to a feeling of total immersion. Finally, they help compensate for the low light,” explains Thibaut Picard.
The charming asset provided by the exterior view of the arches is reinforced by a feeling of enveloping alcove, staged by the creation of wardrobes that frame the bed. This atmosphere is reinforced by the integration of numerous indirect lighting as well as acoustic solutions to avoid the resonance box effect linked to the arches.
Finally, the bathroom elegantly extends the bedroom experience, by repeating the design of the headboard on the frame of the mirror and the bathtub, but also by repeating a motif from the bedroom on the floor.
THE EDITION OF A CUSTOM-MADE COLLECTION AVAILABLE ON SEVERAL MEDIA
Once their structures were redesigned, several atmospheres could be composed to distinguish the rooms.
These ambiances are based on the creation of custom collections designed to completely dress the space. Wallpaper, headboards, bedspreads, carpets, upholstery fabrics, curtains, bed skirts, and lampshades are thus perfectly coordinated and mixed.
One of the project's successes lies in the choice of different motifs from a single period of the Maison Martin Morel archives, which reinforces the overall coherence of the program.
Between the different supports, the scale and color of the patterns are modulated, to better complement each other. On the simply painted walls, they return like a quote on the lampshades, just as they dress the hotel's original furniture to give it a contemporary twist.
Between the different supports, the scale and color of the patterns are modulated, to better complement each other. On the simply painted walls, they return like a quote on the lampshades, just as they dress the hotel's original furniture to give it a contemporary twist.
" Coming up with a bespoke collection like this requires some technical overstepping: to avoid having oversized headboard seams, we had to print the fabric on much wider widths, and we also had to source new printing techniques and new bases, " explains Emmanuel Foyatier.
A game worth the effort. As Thibaut Picard recalls: " The work carried out with Emmanuel Foyatier on the fabrics, carpets, and wallpapers allowed us to assert a strong contemporary architectural approach, while paying homage to the history and timeless identity of the Brighton Hotel. "
ABOUT THIBAUT PICARD
A graduate of ENSA Paris - Val de Seine, the School of Fine Arts in Paris, Thibaut Picard has specialized in luxury hospitality and prestigious residential projects for several years. He has worked on numerous projects in Europe, Asia, and Central America for major international groups as well as independent hoteliers.