Inside the Sir Paul Smith Suite at Brown’s Hotel in London

Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels

The new suite draws on the hotel’s history as a favoured residence for literary great, but in a way that feels aptly fresh and light. The British fashion designer, known for his relationship with multi-coloured stripe and eye-catching shop-window displays – has designed the suite as a space not only for rest and relaxation, but to spark inspiration and creativity through art and interesting objects. “Being asked to design a space for such an iconic Mayfair institution is a great privilege – and I’ve had a great deal of fun in the process,” explained Smith. “Just like Browns does with its rooms, we design every Paul Smith shop differently to celebrate the area’s individuality, which is just one of the reasons the project appealed to me. On a more personal level, I’m so pleased we’ve been able to include objects that inspire me personally and I hope, in turn, they’ll inspire the suite’s guests.”

Key features include furniture and art that resonates with the designer and his eclectic taste. Several pieces can be found in Paul’s office at his Covent Garden HQ, such as Christopher Simon Sykes’ impressive photograph of Chatsworth House library and, notably, his 1970s leather desk chair by Mario Bellini. As another personal touch, Smith has selected a small library of art and design books for the room. Limited-edition prints from photographer Julian Broad, a friend of Paul’s who shot his wedding pictures, are also layered in the space together with a selection of soft furnishings, including blankets and cushions, from the fashion brand’s namesake homeware collection, which was released earlier in 2022.

Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels

Several of Paul Smith’s notable collaborations feature heavily in the room, including sofas, tables and leather goods from his recent ‘Everyday Life’ collection with Italian luxury furniture company DePadova; Type 75 lamps from the longstanding partnership with British lighting brand Anglepoise; and checked wool blankets designed by Paul for design company Maharam.

Like all the best collaborations, the partnership came about naturally, through Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design Olga Polizzi, who is a long-time visitor to Paul Smith’s Albemarle Street shop. “It is exciting to have a Sir Paul Smith suite at Brown’s Hotel,” she added. “It is elegant, bright and happy and has a lovely sense of fun. The sitting room is full of interest with its wall of pictures, smart sofas and flamboyant cushions. The bedroom is strikingly different, with its sense of calm and space. He has caught the feeling of Brown’s Hotel, but with a Paul Smith twist.”

Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels

Further references to the Albemarle Street flagship shop, which is located just metres away from the hotel, are dotted about the room. They include custom Paul Smith + The Rug Company rugs and a Maharam headboard, both of which feature a geometric pattern inspired by the building’s iconic iron façade.

Uniquely quirky details, such as the banana door handles, the fire ‘dogs’ (which have been custom made to resemble Homer, Paul’s first canine shopkeeper), a robot figurine made from a vintage camera, and the striped fireplace tiles, are abundant in the room, a reflection of Paul’s ‘classic with a twist’ philosophy and his trademark whimsical sense of humour.

Marrying the old with the new – Brown’s Hotel was first established in 1837 and is considered one of the oldest hotels in London – the new suite has breathed life and energy into the hotel by adding a touch of home into a hotel that has stood the test of time throughout many eras of hospitality.

Main image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels