THURLESTONE HOTEL, South Devon

A Country House Hotel by the Sea in the sunny South Hams

This family run four star hotel has an enviable position overlooking the sea, beaches and golf courses of Thurlestone, in the South Hams, South Devon. Described by the current generation of owners as ‘A Country House Hotel, by the Sea’ probably sums up my favourite description of a property, so I was delighted to be involved in this project.

With a very loyal clientele who return to the hotel year after year, the challenge was to bring the hotel up to date and to appeal to the next generation and some new customers, but without losing any of the long standing ones in the process. I have worked on and off for the hotel owners for over 15 years, so I was also actually undoing and criticising my own work, which was quite an unique experience!

For 2022/23 it was decided that we would be refreshing the main Reception Entrance Lounge area and which leads down a Long Corridor and into the very large and popular Cocktail Bar, enjoyed during the day and the evening. We also decided that the Private Dining Room just off the main bar in the Village Inn pub, would also benefit from a makeover.
The owners have always invested in good quality furniture, so much of it had stood the test of time and just needed some refurbishing, re-polishing, re-upholstering and re-loving to bring it back to life and to make it last another 10 years. I started by doing a massive photographic inventory of all the existing furniture, lighting, mirrors and artwork with the intention to re-use as much of it as possible, but in a totally different location to give each area a fresh look. It was one massive jigsaw puzzle, but with the exception of about half a dozen very sad pieces, we re-used it all.
The biggest change was convincing the owners and the board of Directors to throw out the wool carpets throughout all the public areas and replace them all with vinyl ‘wooden’ flooring and loose floor rugs – a classic Country House look. It was big decision, but it paid off and the result looks smart and relaxed and have the added bonus of being super practical for sandy feet and paws alike.
The wallpaper in the Reception area still looked as good as the day we put it up 15 years ago, but by removing it from below the dado and introducing a deep green paint scheme, we brought the look bang up to date. Elegant long wool curtains with a fabulous over-sized trimming were added, along with a club fender for the fireplace, some recovered and new upholstery, funky scatter cushions and modern glass table lamps and shades, just to add a list twist to this classic scheme. Its created a really welcoming and cosy area right at the front of the hotel.
The Cocktail Bar was a bigger challenge, as it was a large room divided up into the main bar area, a small (and very sad) side room and an upper conservatory area which all felt totally disconnected. Adding the new floor throughout and a simple, one colour paint scheme across all the areas, instantly brought the three spaces together. With a mix of high tables and chairs, lower tables and armchairs, banquette seating and comfortable armchairs and sofas, there is now a seating option for everyone to enjoy a cup of coffee, a light lunch or an evening cocktail. The tables and chairs were all refurbished and were enhanced with some smart new buttoned tub dining chairs. The finishing touches of lots of new lighting, patterned curtains and some glorious accessories, helped to dress this very cool new space.
The Village Inn is a cosy pub in the heart of the village and is used by locals and residents of the hotels alike. Just off the main bar is a side room, which needed to feel like part of the pub and an overspill for the busy summer season, but also a little bit special and exclusive so that it could be hired for private dinners, functions and events. We took the practical tongue and groove panelling through into this room, to connect it to the main bar area, but added a fabulous bold wallpaper above to add colour and instant impact. Simple linen curtains and a faux sisal rug, add warmth and texture. I love to mix and old and new styles, so the addition of the vintage Chinese cabinet and modern rattan lamps, were the perfect combination.
It was a massive amount of planning, co-ordination, hard work and an element of good luck, but we did it all and in just three weeks of the hotel being shut, which was a miracle in itself, but he board are happy ,the staff are happy, the customers are happy….so guess what, I’m really happy too!
https://www.thurlestone.co.uk