A home from home

Littlecote House hotel sits in 84 acres of parkland in Berkshire. Built originally in the 13th century and rebuilt as an Elizabethan mansion by Sir Judge Popham, Lord Chief Justice in 1592. Its varied and rich history included the courtship of Jane Seymour by King Henry VIII and welcomed King James I, Charles II and William of Orange.

Now a large country house hotel, the project brief was to bring life into the Tudor part of the main house by converting an existing bistro into an inviting alternative lounge and dining venue for hotel guests.

The F&B offer was to be rebranded as ‘Master George’s Sitting Room’, a name appropriated from the servants bellboard in the hallway.

The existing character of the space was key to the design brief as we sought to respect the heritage of the building and reveal traces of its past. Throughout the space guests will find an eclectic collection of family photographs, furniture and found objects, all with their own story to tell.

Design Detail

We selected a simple material palette of character timbers, textured and natural wool fabrics in heritage colours mixed through with vibrant floral velvets to create a warm and welcoming sitting room environment, a home from home.

The colour-blocked walls and original timber panelling in deep teal blue define the intimate dining area and provide a striking backdrop for the intricate details throughout the rooms.

spatial planning

Small intimate seating areas are zoned to give guests the flexibility to appreciate different experiences within the restaurant. A social space for coffee and slice of cake by the fireplace, or a leisurely lunch with friends, undisturbed in a corner booth.

Sofas and a mix of chair styles work to create an relaxed, casual eating and drinking space.

The furniture throughout the interior is an eclectic mix of new and old, some of which was expertly reupholstered to bring about a new lease of life. A cost effective choice with welcome environmental benefits.