Tucked away behind London’s chaotic Piccadilly stretch, The Academician’s Room has quietly reopened after a two-month renovation by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (MBDS). Located on the first floor of The Keeper’s House, itself located in the eastern wing of Burlington House, the room was originally designed by Norman Shaw in 1883 for the Royal Academy’s architectural hanging gallery. The spruce-up now invests the Royal Academicians with a charming private members club that, despite the restrictions imposed by the room’s heritage listing, MBDS has been able to add a light modern gloss without losing any historical cache. The cause was helped immeasurably by the uncovering of the original timber panels (still pockmarked with nail holes from generations of exhibition hangs) and Portland stone margin. Equally, the mood has been smartened up with chandeliers, a darker stained timber floor, and an eclectic mix of vintage furniture such as 1960s library chairs with fringe detailing, high-backed 1950’s Paola Buffa chairs in original yellow velvet fabric, and a pair of 19th-century gilt wood appliqués that have been converted to lamps. On the walls now hang a rotating exhibition of lively artwork by the likes of Zaha Hadid, Tony Bevan and John Wragg. Sadly, entry into the Academicians’ Room is by invitation only so our tip is to start making friends with a member tout de suite.
INFORMATION
Website
ADDRESS
The Keeper’s House
Burlington House
Piccadilly
-
Caribbean cool meets mid-century glamour at this new LA hotspotFrom golden mirrored chambers to jerk-spiced tomahawk steaks, Lucia reimagines Afro-Caribbean dining and design
-
Tour this fire-resilient minimalist weekend retreat in CaliforniaA minimalist weekend retreat was designed as a counterpoint to a San Francisco pied-à-terre; Edmonds + Lee Architects’ Amnesia House in Napa Valley is a place for making memories
-
Love, community, anti-gay laws: the queer African artists redefining visibility through portraitsIn honour of Pride Month, Ugonnaora Owoh speaks to three artists on African queer legacies and their optimism in advocating for queer rights through art
-
The best bars in London for bartending greatnessFrom chic hotel cocktail classics to game-changing flavour combinations, our resident drinks correspondent, Neil Ridley, explores ten of the best bars in London
-
NoMad London’s new restaurant fast-tracks you to New York’s jazz ageMartin Brudnizki Design Studio conjures up old-world glamour at Twenty8 NoMad, where the menu features nearly as many martini variations as main courses
-
Italian-Japanese fusion’s a joy at east London’s Osteria AngelinaA Victorian warehouse in Spitalfields has been given a slick modern makeover to house a unique Italian-Japanese restaurant
-
This Hackney bar is reviving London’s legacy of lesbian spacesDesigned by Studio Popelo and Wet Studio, La Camionera emerges as a vital sanctuary for London’s FLINTA* community, honouring it right down to the details
-
Time-travel to the golden age of the cruise ship at Sea Containers LondonThe South Bank hotel celebrates its tenth anniversary with four new suites inspired by period cabin design, from Edwardian elegance to 1980s glamour
-
Twin Peaks’ Double R Diner is coming to London (for a day)Mubi marks Twin Peaks’ 35th anniversary with pop-up diner and streaming release
-
Ukrainian restaurant Sino adds to London's diverse food culture with warming traditions that feel familiar yet newPronounced see-no, the new Ukrainian restaurant in Notting Hill, by Polina Sychova and chef Eugene Korolev, is built on the intimate relationship between people and nature – offering beauty in simplicity
-
Art, pasta and maritozzi: this is Locatelli at the National GalleryChef Giorgio Locatelli is the National Gallery’s new Italian master with the latest chapter of his beloved London restaurant
