Half rough, half luxury. Transformed by internationally acclaimed designer Rabih Hage who’s stance on luxury is, “that physical comfort is not as important as the intellectual and human exchange.”  The idea of ‘a little bit of luxury in a rough part of London. A little bit of rough in a luxurious London,’ might not be to everyone’s liking – as some see Rough Luxe more as an art installation than a hotel.

Rough Luxe is the antithesis of a conventional luxury hotel; based in a non- assuming Georgian building on a side street in King’s Cross.  Rough Luxe blends heavily distressed walls; chipped and rough edges, with bold & opulent artworks; both modern and ancient. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the academy acclaimed, The King’s Speech, and the speech therapist’s consulting room.

The styling’s of Rough Luxe is a mix of old and new, furniture and art; combining colours and beautiful fabrics with cheap materials and existing deconstructed walls.  The contrast between harsh worn textures and sumptuous fabrics is stark. The opulent fabrics & characterful furniture, was mostly scooped up at the Savoy Hotel auction. The colour scheme focuses on a greyscale with splashes of colour – most notably in plum & postbox reds.

Prices start from £177 per night.  For further information please visit their website.

Named and discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, St Barthélémy has captured the hearts and imaginations of it’s various settlers. Who, after the initial search for gold, were overwhelmed and taken back by the natural wonder of paradise on this central Caribbean island; flanked with long white sand beaches and unspoiled land.

The famous French cabaret owner Jean-Marie Rivière chose a plot on St. Barts close to the Baie de Lorient (one of the islands many splendid beaches) where he built an archipelago of nine bungalows around one main house.  Jean-Marie Rivière’s brought the Parisian nightlife to St. Barts, performing his famous cabaret ‘la banane’ on the site; leaving it’s name to the site.  Over time La Banane went from a destination for Rivière’s family and friends, to welcoming a broader clientele and establishing as the hotel it is today.

New owner Jean-Marc Israel has taken La Banane away from traditional styles and opted for adding his own personal passion for modern sleek lines and exuberant interior design.  Graphic design duo ICH&KAR are also behind the hotel’s new visual identity.When re-desiging La Banane, Jean-Marc Israel wanted to maintain the spirit of the very special site, and uncover the essence of a place dedicated to sharing.  Attention was paid to every little detail; buildings were restored, retaining the traditional wooden architecture. Inside, the framework has been set off in white, with a 1950′s shade of bold yellow and a design of azure circles created by the sandstone floor tiles.  The open-air bathrooms and translucent turquoise glass blocks hesitate between an evocation of the sea and the sky.

In each room unusual works by the likes of Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Serge Mouille, Jean Royère and Juliette Derel, form the highlights of an ever-changing tapestry.  1950′s design is truly celebrated with a fruitful crossover between post-colonial India and the ideals of European culture, giving La Banane a new lease of life.  Some pieces have been adapted; such as a library table now used for impromptu breakfasts, while others have been given a makeover with new fabrics and vibrant colours.

For further information on booking and rates please visit the La Banane website.

The trend for sorbet pastels with a hot summer kick are sending designers wild.  Even the slightest touches of these vibrant shades will quickly add vibrance to a dull room; whether it’s a cushion on your sofa or a lamp on your bedside table. Gradually work small accessories & soft furnishings into neutral settings, but avoid going over the top & sickly sweet with paler tones.  The bright tones compliment each other very well, so be confident in your choices and mix both your colours and textures; old & new.  To watch the pennies and recycle, a lick of bright paint to an old item of furniture will give it a new lease of life.

Here are a selection of my favourite vivid gelato colours to tickle your interior taste buds!

Credits From Left to Right: ‘Don’t Say Nothing’ poster, Anthony Burrill. Sandcastle bowls, Caroline McGrath – Not On The High Street. Ochi multi plastic LED colour changing lamp, Habitat. La versha chair, Anthropologie. Blue signal table lamp, Conran Shop. Halston aqua sofa, Made. PARC folding chair, Habitat.  Maharaja cushions, Plum Chutney. Sausage dog cushions, Jimmie Martin. Food processor, Kitchenaid. Collection of ceramic vases, Sophie Cook. Pink & yellow glass, Zara Home. Grey flamingo chest, Jimmie Martin. Yellow sense bin, Made. White side table with pink legs, Habitat.

I love my bedroom but the one thing that drives me mad are the spare duvets and pillows that we shove underneath our bed (see image below).  Every time I enter the room I think how much I like it and then ‘bam’ I see the mess underneath and it really winds me up! I thought I would post my dilemma and share with you the solution that I have found.

I wanted to find a stylish bed that had built in storage and came across this one from Time4sleep, they had a lot of other options as well as regular beds but this one had a simple and contemporary feel about it that really appealed to me.  This style also came in chocolate but I really like the white one.  Oh dear, I can feel a new bedroom design coming on!  Does anyone else have the same problem?  Email us with your bedroom storage dilemmas and we will try to help, [email protected]

Our bed (above) with spare duvets stuffed underneath!The Portofino White Ottoman bed from Time4sleep

Nestled well off the beaten track on the Isle of Jura {west coast of Scotland}, Jura Lodge is a luxury retreat for whiskey aficionados, writers & guests alike. Not the easiest of destinations to reach; it will take a minimum of two planes and a ferry, but once you land on this small Hebridean island, you’ll realize why authors such as George Orwell came here to write.

Jura Lodge – originally The Old Distiller’s house – has been transformed by Paris based, American interior specialist; Bambi Sloan, into a shabby chic, vintage inspired luxurious getaway. Sloan’s quirky display of colour, décor and stylistic touches runs throughout the house; from the curios filled glass cabinets, to the white suit of armour & relics from the past. The White Room {the biggest bedroom} has fresh white walls, antique French linens & lace, ornate mirrors & a central Victorian roll top bath with panoramic sea views. Each room is decorated in it’s own unique style; but ultimately following in Sloan’s creative, eccentric manner.

From the pictures you can see that the decadent interior offers a playful & humerous touch with the collection of trinkets and vast collection of deer antlers. The attention to details is exquisite & appropriate to the rich history on the Isle of Jura, which Sloan took great inspiration from. Unique features include a writers chair made entirely from deer antlers, the kitchen fridge that originated from a Brazilian cafe in the 1950s, and a large bass drum coffee table in the sitting room.

Activities such as shooting, hunting, fishing, fell walking, lobster eating, sailing and whiskey drinking can all be organised upon request.

You can hire on a room-by-room basis but availability is limited – costs start at £625 per room per night for a minimum of three nights. “Trust us, it’s worth every penny” – Jura Lodge Diurachs. For further booking information please visit the Jura Lodge Website.