eynsham hall, oxford

Eynsham Hall, Oxford
...Is a destination with a rare combination of qualities. A mere twenty minutes drive from the centre of Oxford, guests can escape to the tranquil, idylic surrounding and experience the Oxfordshire countryside in real style. Whether it be for a board meeting, wedding, masquerade ball or even a spot of local duck herding. Having suffered from various interim modifications while in use as a conference centre, the property is about to undergo an ambitious programme of works and once again will be transformed into a luxurious, country house hotel.

Situated on the outskirts in extensive grounds, Eynsham Hall is a magnificent countryside mansion. Completely remodelled in 1908 by Lady Mason, Eynsham Hall is wonderful example of the Jacobean Style very much in vogue at the turn of the twentieth century.

Initially we were invited to redesign the hotel bar in order to test design strategies and methods for modifying a historic building such as Eynsham. Originally the gunroom for the Mason family's collection of firearms, the new bar, now known as The Gunroom, fuses old with new, with a touch of art deco glamour. The original oak panelling has been carefully restored and against the warm oak finish you can now find traditional Chesterfield sofas and classic tub chairs upholstered in canary yellow leather and pop art inspired fabrics. The bar counter is an island of decadent, black glass and polished chrome sitting in the gigantic, leaded bay window overlooking the grounds. The impressively high ceilings have even helped to find a home for some of the estate's vast collection of antlers.

Following the completion of The Gunroom, Project Orange turned their attention to the guest bedrooms; all greatly in need of refurbishment. With no two bedrooms alike on the first floor of the hall and with a series of very tight bedroom layouts to the second floor, we were presented with a very difficult design challenge. The first floor deluxe bedroom with a dramatic bay window and a rather fabulous original marble fireplace has been brought back to life with a mixture of old-fashioned luxury and quirky modern highlights; a traditional "knoll" two-seater sofa is upholstered in a vibrant, flock fabric and simple white, panelled wardrobe doors with a naughty lime green lining. Previously a tired meeting room, a luxurious, black marble bathroom has been installed to the rear of the bed, creating an elegant backdrop.