Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, wasn’t seeking understatement when he designed the recently opened Dial House Hotel. "It’s been an opportunity to do something all about the heritage of the Cotswolds, which is very much part of my design DNA."
He created wallpapers and fabrics that play on pattern and colour harping back to the Arts and Crafts movement. "I feel, at the moment, we like nostalgia and vintage. I also wanted to give it a lot of va-va-voom." This maximalism sensibility is something he explored in his best-seller More More More and his collection for Next, "People are looking for a reflection of their personality – they don’t want the beiges and greys anymore." Also, recently trending is his new series of Changing Rooms,"“It’s extraordinary people are still talking about the fact that I used Artex and pasta to make a fake antique oriental gong, I can’t think why."
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One of the rooms at Dial House Hotel, designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Here, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen tells us about his dream day…
"My ultimate morning is with family, as filming continues to be incredibly busy, time spent together is very important to us. A rambling-rolling breakfast with family is a very simple joy. All of us chatting and plotting: my wife Jackie; the girls; their husbands; my grandson Albion and the two baby granddaughters throwing toast at each other."
"Having spent so much time in Australia, I really like smashed avocado, chilli flakes and a poached egg. I’m becoming depressingly drawn to quite healthy food, it’s not a struggle. The Cotswolds is wonderful for dog walks, we often go to Cirencester Park, which is lovely because it’s not very muddy. There’s a paved drive that goes for several miles. It’s more like a Jane Austen perambulation than a yomp across the countryside. I’m not someone that distinguishes work and leisurewear, personally I don’t feel there’s a moment you need to downgrade your sartorial standards because it’s the weekend or you’re having fun. I’d wear one of the suits I have made locally at Barrington Ayre Tailor Shop. Wearing a properly-made suit is incredibly comfortable and very accommodating. Perhaps with a roll-neck jumper from a shop called R Scott & Co; and a scarf from one of my own patterns, I like to wear the fruits of my labours."
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"I’m rather snobbish about seeing people’s ankles, soI only wear boots; and they’re always made by Jeffery West – I love what he does, it’s quite punky and a little bit gothic. And luggage comes from him, too, as well as umbrellas – although I also have my own range with matching Wellington boots. Jackie and I love Venice, but we have a little house in Port Isaac in Cornwall, so it might be as simple as going there. There are wonderful places like the Outlaw’s restaurants and The Mariners in Rock, which does the most lovely reinterpreted prawn cocktail."
"It sounds quite lame, but I’d go to sleep at home. We went out of our way to make it as luxurious as possible. I think your bedroom should be more comfortable than the most luxurious boutique hotel you’ve ever stayed in."
The interview with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen originally appeared in the March 2023 issue of Hello! Fashion. Subscribe here.
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