Totems have long told stories. Rooted in Indigenous traditions from North America and the Pacific Northwest, totems are symbols of identity and spirit. They often represent lineage, beliefs or tales passed down through generations. In design, totems carry that same storytelling magic. Whether sculpted, stacked, woven or whittled, they invite curiosity and connection.
At Crosby Street Hotel in New York, hand-carved wooden totems stand proud in a kaleidoscope of natural hues. These were created in collaboration with master craftsmen Schotten & Hansen. Each one has a different rhythm and grain, celebrating the artistry of timber in its purest form, whispering stories in wood.
At our newest hotel, Warren Street Hotel, the lobby pays homage to the totem in a completely different way. Here, giant woven baskets hang from the ceiling like soft totems in the air. Crafted from natural fibres, they cast shadows that dance across the floor throughout the day. They are light, lyrical and full of texture.
In London, the Haymarket Hotel’s conservatory features a proud pair of ceramic sculptural totems that draw the eye and anchor the light filled space. Nestled within a green and blue colour palette, they feel both grounded and otherworldly. They play beautifully with scale and contrast with the organic surrounding forms.
One of our favourite interpretations of the totem comes from artist Celia Lindsell. Her rock totem sculptures stack smoothed stones with poetic precision. The weight of each piece balances delicately with the next, evoking both stillness and movement. They are part artwork, part meditation.
Totems are not just decorative. They anchor a space and tell a story. They celebrate materials, whether wood, basket or stone, in their raw and honest form. Whether bold and bright or soft and sculptural, they remind us of the power of objects to speak without saying a word.