Period Piece
Travel plans may be on hold for the moment, but that doesn’t prevent a little armchair day-dreaming about a new destination. Boutique bolthole Number One Bruton fits the bill. Designed by Frank & Faber, it’s the latest addition to the Somerset town that bears its name – now something of a hotspot thanks to the presence of international art gallery Hauser & Wirth plus a host of independent shops and a starry set of locals.
The founder of Frank & Faber, interior designer Sarah Ellison, says that her brief was to make the hotel “feel like the home of an eccentric but very stylish relative who had impeccable taste and had collected possessions from all over the world. The kind of home you always loved to visit.” The listed property is built from the area’s distinctive honeyed stone and original features such as fireplaces and elm flooring have been restored.
The accommodation is clustered around several buildings, including the main Georgian townhouse and a series of cottages, with a different design approach for each. The townhouse reflects the grandeur of the building, “with gilt chandeliers and bold colourways, while the cottages were inspired by their original workshop heritage, with rustic reclaimed timbers and reclaimed terracotta, and simple colourways,” says Ellison.
As well as harnessing the talents of local creatives and sourcing antique and vintage pieces to be reupholstered, Ellison looked to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour’s showrooms for many of the soft furnishings, including Romo, Zimmer + Rohde, Pierre Frey and Fox Linton. Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam Ltd’s ‘Melba Flower Stripe’ fabric on curtains and cushions (above) brings the more decadent feel that Ellison wanted for the townhouse, while Morris & Co.’s delicate ‘Mary Isobel’ wallpaper has been used in one of the cosier attic bedrooms that were once the servants’ quarters (below). Trimmings from Samuel & Sons have been used throughout.
“The fabrics played a huge part in the schemes for Number One Bruton and involved months of scheming,” says Ellison. “Every room had its own combination of upholstery, curtains, cushions, trims and tiny little details which made them unique. The Design Centre was our absolute go-to for getting inspiration and sourcing. As always it’s the perfect resource with all the main brands under one roof, and we spent many happy hours browsing and sourcing until we got the perfect schemes.”
Photography: Emma Lewis
Fox Linton, Second Floor, North Dome
Pierre Frey, First Floor, Design Centre East
Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam Ltd, Ground Floor, Centre Dome
Romo, First Floor, North Dome
Samuel & Sons, Third Floor, Centre Dome
Zimmer + Rohde, Ground Floor, North Dome
