Glenisle Hotel on the Isle of Arran
The old Victorian inn, The Glenisle Hotel, on the beautiful Scottish island of Arran, hadn't been redecorated for many years, so the new owners hired Adrienne to come up with a total new redesign of the interior. Adrienne visited the island for a long weekend last summer and spent the time walking on the beaches, hiking in the fields and hills, taking photographs, and meeting some of the many very talented local artists and craftspeople in order to absorb the essence of the island.
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From this she developed a colour scheme which reflected the unique colours of the Arran landscape: soft grey and sand tones, clear sky blues, vivid leaf greens and accent colours of purple, yellow and sharp pink inspired by the wildflowers of the island.
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As Arran is an island known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor pursuits, Adrienne kept the basic design simple and practical, with dark brown floors, sturdy tables and chairs, rustic lighting and sage green and cream on the walls and woodwork in the restaurant.
The dining room is simple and classic with its mix of wooden furniture and Lloyd Loom chairs. Simple linen blinds frame the beautiful views. The soft grey and taupe colour scheme reflects the colours of the beach outside the windows. Elegant metal chandeliers add a graceful touch. The soft neutral palette provides the perfect background for the contemporary Scottish artwork.
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Wildflower yellow on the walls of the comfortable "Snug" add vibrancy. A wall of old mirrors in the Snug reflect the original stone walls; with its yellow walls and leather chairs the Snug is a comfortable place to sit during the day for tea or coffee, or is cosily atmospheric at night when candles reflect in the mirrors.
A changing display of vibrant contemporary Scottish artwork in the restaurant is on permanent loan from a local art gallery and can be purchased by guests.
Adrienne designed an handsome new Victorian-style reception desk which was made up of reclaimed wood by a local joiner.
The bedrooms are cosy and comfortable, with a mix of wood and painted furniture, linen curtains, and an appealing mix of island-inspired neutral tones with colourful accents provided by the Scottish woollen bed throws and linen cushions. Contemporary local art decorates the walls.
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The narrow hallways were given a lift with a berry red, green, blue and sand striped rug. The owners have started to hang a growing collection of black and white photography from local photographers.
The setting of the Glenisle Hotel is unrivalled. Many of the rooms have a clear view across Lamlash Bay to the Holy Isle -- an island which has been a holy island since the time of the Druids. Today, there is a Buddhist monastery on the site, the only inhabited building on the island.
Visit the Glenisle Hotel in Arran.
The following is an email received from the owners following their open day held to re-launch the hotel:
"We had our open house today and we were a terrific hit. You should have been here, you would have been proud. We tried to keep count but it became impossible. However, I know we got rid of about 150 leaflets we printed up about the refurb. And people are genuinely thrilled. I think they came in expecting it to be nice but then when they started going through the rooms they were actually overwhelmed by how good they looked. There really is nothing like it on the island. Actually, to be honest, I don't think I've ever stayed anywhere that looks like our rooms do. They are really special.
We also get constant comments on how people love the colours and the carpet in the corridors. You'll be pleased to know that we gave you plenty of credit on our handout today and when people comment on the colours we always give you credit because we know that we couldn't have done it ourselves.
There was also a full-page spread in the Arran Banner this week which gives you your due credit.
We're still recovering from the ordeal of the building work over the winter. But our bookings are up on last year and the restaurant is doing well too. This whole process has given us genuine street-cred with the locals because they see us as believing in the island and committing ourselves.
At some point it would be great to get you up here so you can see the results of your work and also to cast your eye over the final dressing of the rooms. Be proud because you should be."
