“Nowadays hotels are more like homes and homes are often more like hotels,” explains Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design, Olga Polizzi. “When I’m designing, I always think about things personally – what would I want in a room?” If you’re looking to transform your home, here, the interior design expert shares her simple tips on how to recreate the elegant atmosphere in her own home.
1. Books of short stories: “I have lots of these at home and like to leave them lying around for visitors to discover and flick through. They add character and personality. Many of our hotel rooms feature books for guests to pick up and enjoy, especially Brown’s, which has a long literary heritage.”
2 Good shelving and storage: “At home, I want to find things straight away and have everything nicely presented, so quality shelving and storage is essential. Declutter as much as you can and pick something practical yet stylish, whether that’s an antique piece or something more modern.”
3 A show-stopping piece of art or sculpture: “A statement piece of art makes a great focal point of the room and will create atmosphere and drama. My house is eclectic as I have collections of pictures and sculptures as well as objects and paintings from my parents’ house.”
4 Mirrors: “Mirrors are a wonderful way of adding glamour to a room, and of course they create the impression of space too. I don’t think you can have too many.”
5 Magnifying glasses: “Decorative and practical, I love magnifying glasses. They’re useful for when I’m designing and look intriguing, lending a sense of antiquity to a room. You can source beautiful vintage ornamental ones as well.”
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