16 December 2008
Trend: Rough Luxe
Shabby chic is usually another way of describing something that looks, well, crap…in a nice, polite, dignified way. Not anymore…
Rough Luxe, a new aesthetics movement that’s been turning the meaning of luxury on its head recently, is also the name of a brilliant new hotel designed by gallery owner Rabih Hage in London.
Looking like a case of ‘urban archeology’ (or an unfinished job by builders, depending on how you look at it), Rough Luxe philosophy isn’t for the faint-hearted: you might share a bathroom with other guests or have a tiny room. But the quality of everything (from luxurious beds, to the linens, choice of the wine, the original artwork hanging around, the service and Ottolenghi-provided breakfasts) is impeccable.
Each room is unique and has an extraordinary, offbeat appeal. Where possible, every piece of the building has been conserved: light fittings, wonderfully ill-matched chairs, and best of all, the peeling wallpapers.
Rough Luxe are looking for similar properties from around the world to join their elite network of hotels, restaurants and shops; if you dare visit them.
As Dolly Parton once said: ‘It costs a lot of money to look this cheap, honey’.
For more info on Rough Luxe Experience Network and participating establishments, go to roughluxe.com.
Rough Luxe, a new aesthetics movement that’s been turning the meaning of luxury on its head recently, is also the name of a brilliant new hotel designed by gallery owner Rabih Hage in London.
Looking like a case of ‘urban archeology’ (or an unfinished job by builders, depending on how you look at it), Rough Luxe philosophy isn’t for the faint-hearted: you might share a bathroom with other guests or have a tiny room. But the quality of everything (from luxurious beds, to the linens, choice of the wine, the original artwork hanging around, the service and Ottolenghi-provided breakfasts) is impeccable.
Each room is unique and has an extraordinary, offbeat appeal. Where possible, every piece of the building has been conserved: light fittings, wonderfully ill-matched chairs, and best of all, the peeling wallpapers.
Rough Luxe are looking for similar properties from around the world to join their elite network of hotels, restaurants and shops; if you dare visit them.
As Dolly Parton once said: ‘It costs a lot of money to look this cheap, honey’.
For more info on Rough Luxe Experience Network and participating establishments, go to roughluxe.com.
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