Design Drool: Historic Hotel, Fresh Look

Filed under: Color, Design, etc

The rooms in this Toronto hotel are all mixed up -- and that's a good thing.

When I want to jet off to somewhere European but don't want to contend with a long flight, I go to Toronto. The Gladstone Hotel is smartly situated in one of the city's most exciting 'hoods: Queen Street West, the city's art and design district. This is where independent fashion designers sell their creations and edgy gallery owners host exhibits. And the Gladstone Hotel's eclectic interiors fit right in.

Filmmaker Christina Ziedler, who owns the hotel, let a bunch of artists loose designing its 37 guest rooms. The results are a kaleidoscope of really cool spaces featuring artsy touches and designer furnishings. During my visit I stayed in the "Urban Voyageur" room. Here, a chandelier and hand-made wool "dread locks" hung over my bed, the walls were chartreuse and a Philippe Starck chair was tucked into the writing desk.


You can tell that Julian Finkel had a lot of fun working on the "Model Citizen" room. (Model Citizen is also the name of his Toronto boutique.) A peacock motif is paired with Victorian touches and celebrated in very vivid purples and pinks. It's a strange mix, and I'm not sure I'd love to wake up in this room. Still, it's fun to admire from afar.

Many of the rooms, such as the Blue Room, marry contrasting design qualities. In the case of the Blue Room, sexy and simplicity rule. What you can't see in the photo above is the florescent-magenta bath and shower. The image of a woman showering has been etched onto the pink sliding-glass Plexiglas bathroom door. You get to pick from two custom-embroidered bedspreads: one has the outline of a woman, the other of a man. Also in the room is a Jasper Morrison Tate desk chair, two Kartell Bourgie desk lamps and a Periphere Uno lounge chair. Nice touch!

The New Nouveau room, designed by Lolli Ursomarzo and Daniel Riitano, pops with light and positive energy, thanks to the white walls, light-green accents and hand-painted grasses shooting up some of the walls. Floor-to-ceiling silk drapes introduce elegance. I was surprised by the Tiffany-style lamp on the bedside table, but I was also impressed by the thoughtful addition.

Yet even with all of these design creations the building's 106-year-old character remains. When you check in, a staff member takes you and your luggage up to your room in an elevator that dates back to the building's early years. It's why even before you step into your room, you'll realize that you're in for a very fun ride.

 

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