Artful lodger: Jacques Garcia transforms a former church into L’Oscar hotel
An abandoned church on London’s Southampton Row has been transformed into the 39-room L’Oscar. Parisian architect Jacques Garcia has conjured an ornate interior in a bold palette of deep purple, red, petrol blue and canary yellow, with evidence of the hotel’s ecclesiastical past cleverly woven into the design.
There are original details from tiled floors to fireplaces that feature terracotta panels that depict scenes from the bible. Sharp-eyed guests will spot elements from these panels creatively reinterpreted by Garcia in details around the hotel such as the 495 individual Lalique-style birds that are used as light fittings throughout the hotel or the flora and fauna that is embroidered into bespoke fabrics and furniture designed by Watts of Westminster.
Meanwhile, the building’s Grade-II listed chapel now houses a restaurant run by chef Tony Fleming and a bar is installed where the organ used to be.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
6 Southampton Row
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.
-
The best cocktail napkins for party season
From monogrammed minis through to hand finished Italian linen squares, these are the best cocktail napkins for parties.
By Rosie Conroy Published
-
Don't miss the Bvlgari-sponsored notable ancient art collection at the Louvre
‘Masterpieces from the Torlonia Collection’, supported by Bvlgari, is currently on show at the Louvre
By Hannah Silver Published
-
'Showcase how neurotic you are': ATRA's furniture wants you to experiment beyond the care label
Design and architecture studio ATRA presents 'CARE INSTRUCTIONS', an exhibition of playful pieces whereby clients can 'wrap up' a sofa to meditate in an electromagnetic chair
By Amy Serafin Published
-
Hamburg’s Tortue hotel opens following renovation by David Chipperfield Architects and Stephen Williams
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Artful lodger: Dexter Moran Associates designs London's Vintry and Mercer
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Artful lodger: The Jacques Grange-designed Hotel Mamá opens in Palma
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Artful lodger: Botswana’s Mombo Camp is refurbished by design firm Artichoke
By Lauren Ho Last updated
-
Artful lodger: The former Hotel Russell gets a makeover by Tara Bernerd
By Daven Wu Last updated