Morgan Furniture, the design-led British manufacturer of contract furniture, has supplied an exciting product mix to the new day and stay spa, Lifehouse Spa, in Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex. Sitting calmly within its setting of 130 acres, 12 acres of which are historically important Grade II listed gardens, the Lifehouse building is designed around a series of courtyards to bring the outside in and create a haven of peace and quiet. Comfort and design were of paramount importance for the interior, so Morgan were commissioned to provide soft seating and tables for the 89 guest bedrooms and all public areas.Every guest room is furnished with an easy chair and desk chair from the City Collection from Morgan, offering a modern but welcoming soft-edged minimal design. Upholstered in warm, earthy colours, City can also be found in the Library as armchairs and sofas, accompanied by Chevy coffee tables. The cool and contemporary atmosphere of reception is softened by an eclectic mix of comfortable seating. Chevy armchairs with metal base add a touch of 50s retro appeal while the inviting Seville wing lounge chairs provide a modern twist on a more traditional feel, complemented by Chevy coffee tables. Morgan created bespoke solid wood tables with turned legs, measuring 2.5m by 1m, with matching bench seating for The Strawberry Tree juice bar. Here also Boston Terrace outdoor furniture, 2 and 3-seater sofas with matching Boston coffee tables, were the ideal choice to connect the interior of the bar with the outside pool space. A place to slouch back and relax, The Orchids Bar offers an inviting array of Verona sofas and Seville wing chairs, complemented by smaller lounge chairs and bar stools all from the same Seville collection. In the spa area itself, Morgan supplied sumptuous L-shape arrangements of Verona sofas for the pre- and post-treatment rooms.
Land is in short supply and costly in the South of England so new-build 5 star spa hotels are a rarity. This project was particularly rewarding to work on due to the wide range of product delivered by Morgan and the opportunity to develop a close working relationship with leading London-based architect and designers The Manser Practice, who were responsible for both the build and the interior.
An hour and twenty minutes by train from London and a ten minute drive from Frinton-on-Sea, one of the prettiest remaining Victorian seaside towns, the Lifehouse Spa offers a contemporary spa concept that aims to deliver a life-enriching experience for every guest. In addition to the 89 guest rooms, all with exceptional views of the gardens or courtyard, Lifehouse also offers 35 treatment rooms, gym, outdoor fitness circuit, yoga and Pilates studio, swimming pool, thermal spa area, 15 manicure and pedicure stations, make-up bays, hairdressing salon and spa boutique.
