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| INTERIOR DESIGN FEATURES |
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| Victorian Elegance |
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| The Ocean House |
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By Kelly Sweeney
The historic Ocean House resort in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, recently reopened its doors after a full rebuild from the ground up. The original hotel, built by Captain George Nash in 1868 was in such bad disrepair that it was closed in 2003. When New York financier Charles Royce heard that the Ocean House was going to be torn down to make way for a row of McMansions, he and fellow full and part-time Watch Hill residents Nicholas Moore, Donna Simmons and Grant Simmons formed Bluff Avenue, LLC and purchased the property.
The resort sits high on the hills on a peninsula that just out into Block Island Sound and offers magnificent views of Montauk, Block Island and the Atlantic Ocean. It is nestled on 13 acres of oceanfront landscape and overlooks a 650-foot private white sand beach. The goal of Bluff Avenue was to restore the resort to its former Victorian glory. Royce hired Centerbrook architects and planners and after evaluating the property partner Jefferson Riley decided it would be too expensive to attempt to renovate the existing structure. Before they tore down the original structure, they removed more than 5,000 different architectural elements and furnishings that were either replicated or restored and replaced in the new building. The architecture team also took photographs of the property to help them recreate the exact look.
Boston-based Niemitz Design Group was tapped to design the interiors for the new 156,000-square-foot resort, which features 49 guest rooms, 23 private residences, a 12,000-square-foot spa and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The design team strived to recreate the original look and feel of the original building in a way that also meets the needs of modern travelers. Some of the pieces salvaged from the old hotel were used in the new resort, while other pieces were reproduced using the originals as a model.
The guest rooms and suites have a British Colonial aesthetic and were designed to feel like a guest room in a friend’s luxurious summer beach house. Every detail seems natural, but in reality, each detail was carefully planned and executed. An example of this detail is the shutters between the bedrooms and bathrooms. Mirrors line the bathroom side to give the bathroom a light, airy feel, but when the shutters are closed, the bathroom is private and the light does not reach the bedroom.
One of the most accurately recreated spaces in the resort is the lobby. Detailed dentil molding and window glass from the original hotel, along with overstuffed couches give the space a comfortable, inviting feel. It is the perfect spot for guests to take a break from the sun and enjoy an afternoon cocktail or enjoy a good book. The stone fireplace in the lobby was installed in the original hotel in 1895. It was photographed, taken apart stone by stone and each piece was numbered so it could be rebuilt in the new resort. Constructed of local beach stones, it provides a cozy respite in the winter months.
Ocean House offers guests and residents farm to table cuisine at Seasons or en suite. Every Friday night during season, guests can partake in a traditional New England Clambake on the beach and year-round weekly classes and Farm + Vine programs offer guests hands-on culinary lessons and programs with celebrity chefs. The design of Ocean House’s restaurant Seasons maximizes the views with two entire walls of windows. The various sections of the restaurant offer views of Block Island as well as the exhibition kitchen. The design team used pale colors accented by bold blue glass light fixtures and elegant wicker and upholstered furniture.
The Club Room, the private member dining room, offers a classic American Brasserie menu in an environment that evokes the interior of a yacht. The dark wood paneling creates a warm environment that reflects the light. Upholstered booths provide a relaxed dining environment and the red leather on the barstools and chairs gives the room a splash of color. The walls of the Club Room are adorned with collections of illustrations, giving the space a library-like feel.
Many pieces of artwork seen throughout the resort is a rotating collection from Lily Pad Gallery, while other paintings and illustrations were selected because they reference the historic nature of the property as well as to the history of hotels and travel.
OH! Spa is Ocean House’s 12,000-square-foot spa, built along a curved portion of the building. With seven luxurious treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite and nail salon, it was designed for pampering guests. Drawing inspiration from the sea and the harvest, OH! Spa offers treatments that change seasonally and use elements from the ocean and the harvest, including beach stones, anti-aging marine ingredients and fresh-from-the-farm herbs. The space is designed to engage all the senses with soft music, dim lighting, sweeping views and aromatherapy.
The design team wanted the spa to be a tranquil and relaxing space that paid homage to its beachfront location. To accomplish this, the team selected neutral tones that reflect the sea, including sand tones and pales blues and greens. Pale green tiles and signage etched on green glass accentuate the neutral white and beige walls throughout the spa. In the Relaxation Room, beige chaise lounge chairs feature blue pillows for a subtle pop of color.
Guests begin their journey in the luxurious locker rooms featuring pristine wood lockers. Inside each locker is a plush robe and spa sandals to make each guest more comfortable during their visit. While awaiting their treatment, guests are welcome to visit the marble herbal steam room, which calms visitors with the scent of eucalyptus and allowing them to relax and release toxins.
After receiving a treatment, guests can curl up beneath a warm cashmere blanket on a comfy chaise and take in the panoramic ocean view. Drawing inspiration from the pale blues and greens of the ocean mixed with the creamy whites of tumbled sea foam, the Relaxation Room features a fountain mounted to a green glass tile wall so guests can see and hear the water as they relax. A variety of healthy snacks and drinks are available in the Relaxation Room as well.
In addition to the nail salon, which offers guests seasonally inspired herbal scrubs and sea clay masques as well as all natural products, OH! Spa has partnered with world-renowned hair stylist Timothy Pamment to offer guests a wide range of services, including color, cut and styling for special events. This area of the spa is brighter and more modern than the rest of the spa. The more minimalist look is consistent with the look of other Timothy Pamment salons.
After the $147 million restoration, Ocean House retains its title as the last grand Victorian hotel. The stunning, five-star seaside resort is now open year round and offers the perfect location for destination weddings, company meeting and retreats or family getaways.
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