Luxury amenity spaces

Chelsea has long been a crucible of creativity. Decades before the start of the Swinging Sixties, the surrounding streets were occupied by highly skilled artists and artisans producing hand-crafted works of art, fabric, wallpaper and furniture. With that in mind, the design team have selected and commissioned a series of bespoke pieces for Auriens, setting the appropriate tone the minute you enter the building. 

In the 18th and 19th centuries, there were a considerable number of artisan paper stainers designing and manufacturing wallpaper in the Chelsea area. Charles Knowles, who ran the largest wallpaper and wall hanging showroom in London at 164 King’s Road, was particularly influential.  His designs were the inspiration for London artist Rona Smith in creating the bespoke metalwork that adorns the balconies overlooking Dovehouse Street as well as the gates on Britten Street.  

Decorative skills and artisanal crafts have also long been championed by the Earl of Snowdon, who, for over 30 years, has showcased pieces made by a network of master craftsmen at Linley, his showroom in nearby Pimlico Road. Auriens worked with their in-house design department to produce a beautifully crafted, bespoke concierge desk, with fluted and dark-stained eucalyptus panelling, walnut detailing and inset leather top, finished with decorative metal trims. As our team forms such an integral part of the Auriens service, it is important to set them on the right stage.

Our lobby chandelier is another work of art. Designed in-house alongside Preciosa Lighting, a Prague-based company with almost 300 years of experience in Bohemian crystal, the double height (16ft) 250 piece cut glass and brass pendant dramatically cascades from the lobby down to the restaurant, beautifully illuminating the bespoke stone and brass staircase below.

Our dedication to fine craftsmanship is integral to ensuring that Auriens is timeless in style, will age elegantly and provides an ongoing sense of occasion and vitality to all who live here.

“We’ve searched far and wide to find the right interior ingredients for Auriens,” says Emma Clementson, Head of Interior Design at Auriens who brings with her a wealth of experience in the luxury hotel design sector, including designing for brands such as the Four Seasons and Langham Hospitality Group. 

Emma was involved at the concept stage in the design of a number of our resident spaces including the 12-seat cinema room and neighbouring Art Deco-inspired Speakeasy Bar. “With a nod to the Roaring Twenties, it’s an opulent and glamorous design based around a pewter horseshoe bar with padded leather panels,” says Emma. “The walls are encased in oak with leather centre panels finished with brass trims and a floor in walnut with beautifully scalloped brass inlay detail. A colour palette of mahogany and deep turquoise unite to create the atmosphere of a jewellery box, enhanced by backlit cocktail shelves which gleam softly at night.”

Moving into the spa and wellness spaces, the 15m swimming pool, which is in a deep turquoise glass mosaic finish, is surrounded by a premium porcelain deck. On three sides, the walls are lined with hand-selected Italian silver travertine tiles while the back wall features Moroccan hand-finished tadelakt plaster. The word ‘tadelakt’ is derived from the Arabic meaning to knead or massage, and the result is a tactile soft finish in a silver dust light grey.  

“Every aspect of our approach to the interiors of Auriens has been about legacy design, that’s why we’ve commissioned the finest craftsmen and used the highest quality materials,” says Emma. “it’s integral to ensuring that Auriens is timeless in style, will age elegantly and provides an ongoing sense of occasion for all who live here.”