Much like the sophisticated cocktails that world renowned drinks expert Salvatore Calabrese, aka 'The Maestro', so skilfully mixes, Velvet at London's Corinthia Hotel is all about proportion and balance. A masterful blend of luxury materials, engaging art and considered lighting, the bar, newly redesigned by David Collins Studio, is carefully crafted.
Named simply after the fabric that hangs in weighty swathes around the space, the bar takes inspiration from the Roaring 1920s - the golden age of cocktails. 'These days, the same care and attention goes into a cocktail as traditionally only went into food, so we're approaching bar design in a similar way to a fine dining restaurant,' explains Simon Rawlings, creative director at David Collins Studio. 'With Salvatore, it's all about the performance from the pour to the shake to the stir, and the customer becomes part of the creation.'
In contrast to the vast, impressive spaces that The Corinthia is so well known for, Velvet has an intimate vibe that comfortably embraces guests looking for a leisurely after dinner drink or a relaxed nightcap. 'Something we worked hard to perfect is the journey into the bar,' says Rawlings. 'I wanted to build in a sense of escapism, not just from London, but from the hustle and bustle of what is a crazy busy hotel. There's a transition zone with a series of curtains that really change the pace, so you're not going straight from light to dark. Your eyes adjust and you appreciate its beauty. It's a matter of steps but it makes a big difference.'
Inside, over 600 metres of velvet were used on upholstery as well as the sumptuous curtains, while the atmospheric, low-level lighting had a direct influence, with the team working hard to achieve a specific shade of red. 'We wanted it to be nostalgic, but in a space with no daylight, typical theatrical rouge feels quite dark so in fact it's much brighter,' says Rawlings. Occasional flashes of blue come in the form of yet more velvet and a red and ultraviolet brocade satin that appears almost luminous.
Complimenting the drapery are a run of beaded curtains that take their cue from the historic Four Seasons restaurant in New York, which until 2019 was housed in the Mies van der Rohe-designed Seagram Building. 'I always admired those curtains, and I wanted create something similar,' says Rawlings. 'They fit so well with the 20s references, and different coloured metals add to the three-dimensional quality. The same is true of the mirrored tabletops. They're spot lit, and mixed with candlelight it creates shadow play on the ceiling as people interact with their drinks.' Fringed, black and white shades top floor lamps that also take inspiration from the gowns worn by 1920s flappers. Designed specifically to sit at cheek height, they cast a flattering, sideways glow.
Beyond furniture and lighting, key to the space is a gallery of contemporary artwork by London-based visual artist Robson Stannard. 'I stumbled across Robson's work and was really taken with its organic simplicity,' explains Rawlings. 'He paints flowers, then collages them onto coloured backgrounds so they have a real juiciness of colour.'
Alongside these pieces, which hang on the nickel framed, celadon panelled walls, there's a series of convex mirrors. 'Mirrors do wonderful things, but convex mirrors create a distorted reality that never fails to amaze,' says Rawlings. 'The beauty is you get the effect without a true reflection, so you avoid looking at yourself. Instead you almost see around corners, which is brilliantly otherworldly.'
All of these elements come together to create a multi-layered, jewel-like hideaway that although nostalgic in many ways, still feels completely modern. And, like all David Collins Studio projects, it's guaranteed to stand the test of time. 'It's a very sexy space and you can't help but feel good the moment you walk in,' says Rawlings. 'Guests can sip cocktails and enjoy live music, which when brought together at Velvet create an unforgettable experience.' corinthia.com; davidcollins.studio