Raising the Bar
Much-loved Chelsea institution The Cadogan Arms has recently been restored to its former glory with help from Lincrusta. The pub was built in 1838 at a time when no expense was spared when it came to labour, intensive techniques and costly materials: original Victorian schemes were designed to show off the good taste and prosperity of the owners, with heavy relief wallpapered ceilings, ornate decorative coving, wood panelling, etched glass windows, tiled floors and large gilt framed mirrors. However, over the years tastes have changed, and many original elements have been ripped out and replaced by more contemporary interiors that meet the demands of a modern gastropub clientele.
Deeply embossed Lincrusta wallcoverings, manufactured since 1877, were a popular choice for pubs in the Victorian era, and when The Cadogan Arms was recently renovated under new ownership, design studio North End Design looked to its products to create the same opulent atmosphere: ‘Italian Renaissance’, ‘Kelmscott’ and ‘Gothic Dado’, all brilliantly complement the pub’s rich heritage features. Other products from the Design Centre have also been incorporated, including Kravet’s ‘Donahue’ faux leather on the bar stools, and poufs upholstered in Kvadrat’s ‘Balboa’ velvet trimmed with ‘Richmond’ bullion fringe from Samuel & Sons.
Lincrusta’s work can be seen all across the capital, sometimes in unexpected places. ‘Sea Grass Matting’ appears in modern Mayfair Indian restaurant Bibi, while ‘Passeri’ was recently used in the galleries for the Victoria + Albert Museum’s Fashioning Masculinities exhibition – and if you’re heading to Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, you may notice the podiums are covered in ‘Byzantine’. See the full collection in the showroom.