To open the door and find oneself surrounded by much-loved objects and cheerful colours must surely be one of life’s greatest pleasures. I would personally add that to be welcomed home by a dog wagging its tail provides you with the ultimate feeling of being loved.
Dogs have not only been a companion of mine, they have also been a source of inspiration, from art to interiors and even my fabric designs. Â
At Crosby Street Hotel in New York, we were inspired by the dogs of SoHo. In the hotel’s entrance, Justine Smith’s dog sculptures lined with old Beano comics amiably greet guests as they arrive.
Brumus Bar & Restaurant at Haymarket Hotel is named after one of my beloved dogs. In homage to our spaniel, we hand-cut and appliquéd different breeds of dogs on to the back of each chair and barstool.
In the drawing room, Francois Bard’s majestic portraits of the terriers, Paulette and Simone, stand proudly over the stone fireplace.
I have always been drawn to doggy artworks. At Knightsbridge Hotel, we commissioned four collages by Peter Clark. They are a witty and amusing addition to the drawing room, where dogs are abound on the cushions and walls.
At Ham Yard Hotel, an array of characterful dog faces in bright hues by Holly Frean guard the top suite.
Dogs have made their way onto my fabric designs. ‘Moon Dog‘ from my collection for Chelsea Textiles is a whimsical dog wishing upon a star. The design is hand embroidered on a blue or pink linen backdrop.
We customised our ceramic Staffordshire dog into a playful lamp base. In the Loft at Bergdorf Goodman, we created our own Doggy Lamps. The little wooden dog has a cheeky look on his face, as though he could spring to life at any moment. The Doggy Lamp is available to purchase at Bergdorf Goodman until August 12th.
Dogs have never been far from me or my work, they have a special gift for making any space feel like home.
