Chef cooks up visual feast by turning house into hotel
I think it’s great when people follow their dreams, building bit by bit, until they have accomplished their goals. It could be a love for fine art in its many forms, or mastering the skills it takes to produce glorious cuisine. It might be transforming an ancient property in an historic setting and making it possible for the public to see its renewed glory.
These talents, pastimes and hobbies each stand alone as impressive goals. Today’s story is how they were all combined into an awesome achievement for Michael Caines. Big dreams take time to plan and to execute. The results are more exciting if they can be shared.
I had the pleasure of spending a few days at Lympstone Manor, which overlooks the Exe Estuary in Exmouth, Devon, southwestern England.
Caines, a world-class chef and the owner of Lympstone, has converted the Georgian manor house into a country house hotel.
His goal was to create a sense of escapism, while reflecting the poetic beauty of the Devon countryside and the local birds. The guestrooms are named after birds that live in and around the estuary. Each room is named after a particular bird, and the room’s decor reflects its namesake.
The vibrant blue seen on the wings of the bullfinches of the estuary is the primary colour source for a cosy bedroom suite.
The white coffered ceiling, and brown-and-white linens carry through the bird’s markings and bring nature’s contrasting hues alive. Wall trim and mouldings produce frames within frames, drawing the eye to the lyrical watercolour renderings by Rachel Toll. The stylish button headboard and matching shams resonate with tangible warmth.
A beautiful green woodwarbler inspires a light and airy suite. White and palest-grey walls and linens are the gentle backdrop for flashes of green accent pillows and chair upholstery. A high, white padded headboard contributes to the soft allure.
Caines has chosen to make fine art central to the manor’s decor. Partnering with FineArt, they created FineArt@Lympstone Manor, a year-long artist residency at the hotel, in 2017. Paintings and statues seen throughout the hotel’s private and public rooms were produced to reflect the lush landscape and wildlife. Handpainted watercolour landscapes by Toll invite the outdoors in throughout the main spaces, including the dining rooms.
Caines is first and foremost a chef. His dishes are stunning arrangements of delectable tastes that are presented as art on the plate. He is not an architect, interior decorator or designer, yet his vision of quiet elegance that champions the surrounding habitat has come alive by focusing on one or two features, and taking colour and design cues from nature.
We can all do this in our own homes. When you are working out a decorating strategy, think about what drives you personally.
Whether it is a theme, or a colour combination, or a style decade or gardening — the list is endless.
That is your point of liftoff. Follow your passions and enrich your personal spaces with that energy and enthusiasm. It is powerful stuff. Written by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email decorating questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. Follow Debbie at instagram.com/debbie_travis.