Cowley, Cheltenham GL53 9NL, Royaume-Uni

july 2023

Built in 1695, this manor has changed hands a number of times until James Horlick became the owner in 1895 doing most of the alterations of the building, together with Colonel Heber Percy, the next owner. 

This manor, now turned into an hotel also has stables, a new modern extension, and a large spa, counting 36 rooms in total and numerous living rooms : garden room, game room, a cocktail bar, a cocktail lounge, a restaurant, a library, a mud room,  two swimming pools … 

Overall we wanted to do what we love to do : a mix of geometric elements, a mix of styles, of eras, celebrating the multiple alterations of the buildings from 1695 to the 2000s. So at the end a joyeux bordel. 

Our main inspiration was of course the building itself mixing very classical inspirations as a tribute to the original manor : baledaquin beds, blurred maple, verdigris, sophisticated rattan furniture … mixed with contemporary elements such as : enameled lava, lime walls, very graphic fabrics and carpets, full upholstered furniture, bold colors, glossy lacquer and a lot of …. checkerboard patterns !  And this was a tribute to Alice in Wonderland : Lewis carol has written his Alice at Cowley Manor inspired by the grounds of Cowley Manor ! 

As a wink, we have hidden small doors, small elements from Alice on the carpets and checks everywhere : on rugs, carpets, fabrics, painted on walls, at different scales, different colors, tone on tone, sculpted, in lava … 

Client : Experimental Group

Interior Architecture + Design : Dorothee Meilichzon

Graphic Design : Dorothee Meilichzon

Chef : Jackson Boxer

Photos : Patrick Locqueneux