Inside the Design of The Ned in London
Step inside The Ned in London, and you can’t help but feel inspired by the sense of scale. The hotel’s main entry boasts ninety-two green verdite columns, vaulted ceilings, and intricate design details which all contribute to a visitor’s sense of awe that doesn’t fade on return visits. This project is where it all began for our studio: after completing the five-year-long design process in 2017, our lead designer Adam Greco founded GRECODECO. While the vintage design Greco curated so beautifully at The Ned was not Greco’s first exposure to historic or Art Deco-inspired design, this ambitious project has no doubt played an influential role in his design journey–and in many proceeding projects here at GRECODECO.
In today’s blog, we are discussing the vintage design Greco and his colleagues orchestrated at The Ned and highlighting some of our favorite vintage features.
But first, a little context on the historic hotel itself:
Introducing The Ned: A Grade I Site With a Rich History
Before The Ned became what it is today, the building was many other things–but first it was the imposing headquarters of Midland Bank. Built for over a decade from 1924 by “starchitect” of the time, Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens, the site was (and still is) truly a feat of architecture. Many of the bank’s original features have been maintained over the years, and are now incorporated within the interior design of The Ned, from the teller booths to an intricate bank vault (which was featured in an early Bond movie) and much more. Located in the center of London’s financial district, the massive 252-room hotel is now a hotspot for city travelers and international travelers alike. Anyone can enjoy the ten beautiful restaurants on the ground and basement levels, which are open to the public, and hotel guests can take advantage of the suite of luxury amenities including a marble-clad spa.
The Design Approach: Beauty With Some Patina to It
Back at the beginning of the project, the in-house design team was given a unique brief: the hotel should reflect the opulent style of the 20s and 30s while having a touch of faded beauty–as if the site had been a grand old hotel since its inception. And so the design process began, and as the project crystallized the designers took inspiration from luxurious ocean liners of the thirties. Color palettes were chosen, and while color varies widely across the expansive hotel, some of the shared spaces feature dusty pinks, emerald greens, and amethyst to provide a sense of intimacy despite much of the building’s vast scale.
Once all the design concepts were nailed down and approved, the design team worked hard to source hundreds of vintage and vintage-inspired pieces to characterize the space.
Three of Our Favorite Vintage Design Details
With an entire intricately designed hotel to choose from, it is nearly impossible to narrow down favorites, but we’ve chosen to highlight three for the sake of this post.
1. Hundreds of vintage-inspired pillows.
To contribute to the bespoke experience at The Ned, the design team wanted to ensure that no guest room was the same. One of the ways they differentiated across guest rooms of the same tier was by designing hundreds of unique pillows. Custom-made with vintage-inspired fabrics, the pillows in each room are meticulously curated and act as beautiful accents across a variety of color schemes.
2. Aged brass lighting in the corridors.
In keeping with the Art Deco style, the hotel boasts an abundance of bronze- and gold-colored lighting. Acquiring the custom lighting for The Ned’s corridors alone was a momentous task for the design team. Between the designers’ creative vision; Make BeSpoke Studio, a London-based firm that partners with designers to craft bespoke furniture; and Dernier & Hamlyn, a high-end custom lighting manufacturer based in Chessington–the corridor lighting concepts became tangible. Each hand-finished pendant is fitted in solid brass and features a beveled glass paneling in a starburst pattern.
3. Bespoke floral wallpaper.
Many of the guest rooms have custom-made floral wallpaper based on original 1920s design, adding color, pattern, and a whimsical touch to these spaces. In each Cosy Room, the intricate sage-green wallpaper is covered with hundreds of tiny cream roses.
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While this only scratches the surface of vintage design details Adam Greco and his colleagues used to bring The Ned to life, we hope it paints a picture. There’s nothing quite like the hotel–so if you ever get the chance to visit it in London, you should.
Interested in viewing more of GRECODECO’s vintage design projects? We are experts in creating inspired designs in historic spaces that pay homage to the past while still feeling relevant. To view our team’s work, visit our portfolio here.
Learn More About GrecoDeco
Founded by Adam Greco in 2017, GRECODECO is a Manhattan-based firm that designs thoughtfully layered commercial and residential spaces worldwide. Our passionate team of designers specializes in research-heavy historic projects that capture and celebrate the essence of various iconic time periods, guiding guests through an elegant and emotional journey of the senses.
Interested in learning more about how GRECODECO can create an unforgettable guest experience through our bespoke hotel interior design? Please don’t hesitate to inquire with us.