If you’ve been following our blog for a while you’ll know that we often feature different ways of using colors in your life and work. We have a special section on our site, The Inspiration Board, where we catalog different ways in which people are using color to enhance their life. One of our recent posts was about British actor Robert Pattinson and his stunning coastal home in England known as The Robert Pattinson Lighthouse. It got us thinking about how other creatives are using color in their design work and if we can get inspired by anything related to nature and the environment.
Light is one of the most important and most fundamental resources of nature. Without it nothing can grow and develop as we know it. The English word “lighthouse” is actually derived from the French word “phare”, which means “torch” or “belly fluff”. The first lighthouses were lit beacons that guided mariners to safety and protected them from predators. These days lighthouses have come a long way and are much more sophisticated. Now they can help with environmental issues like climate change and ocean pollution.
We were lucky enough to visit the Robert Pattinson Lighthouse shortly after its completion, which was made all the more exciting as we didn’t have any prior knowledge of it. Located in the outer Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland, the home features a stunning exterior clad in rough-hewn stone with slate roofing and an inviting front porch.
The interior is an eclectic mix of design styles including French country farmhouse, shabby chic, and island retreat. The main room is light and airy with a floor-to-ceiling window that brings in plenty of natural light. The kitchen is completely open plan with large granite topped islands and a timber wall between the dining area and kitchen. There’s also an outdoor cooking space complete with sandstone feature walls, a fire place, and an outdoor seating area with sea views.
Now let’s take a quick trip back in time to the year 1847, when James Burton, an Englishman, decided to leave his comfortable life in London and set off for a new life in Canada. Traveling over land he became extremely ill and almost died. Luckily he made it to the United States and eventually recovered his health. Before setting off for Canada he bought a newspaper advertisement in the London Times to let people know he was leaving and to give them the chance to come and say their goodbyes.
Burton then set sail for Canada determined to build a lighthouse that would serve as a reminder to people of the dangers of winter and the importance of living in harmony with nature. He cleared the land and over the next few years he and his sons, John and Robert, built the lighthouse in four different locations before finally deciding on the one they liked the most. Four years later in 1851 the James Burton Lighthouse was completed and serves as a warning to mariners of the treacherous waters that lie ahead. The light is displayed through a glass panel on the upper deck and can be seen for up to 20 miles.
The story behind this gorgeous home is truly inspiring. One of the most photographed men in the world, Bob lives with his photographer wife, Faith, and their three children, Sasha, Elle, and Henry. They divide their time between the UK, France and Canada, often traveling the world together exploring different cultures and lifestyles.
Faith runs a lifestyle blog called “The Nectar Blog” and when we saw the picture of the Bob and Faith’s glamorous wedding cake topper in the blogosphere we knew we had to feature it on our site.
“The story of The Robert Pattinson Lighthouse is somewhat extraordinary because it’s such a unique project. It’s a combination of so many different elements really. I like to think that it’s a bit of a dream home. It’s somewhere you might want to escape to, but you might also want do doggy-baggage along with you. In other words, it’s versatile enough to suit everyone.”—Rachel Bailey, stylist and founder of Rachael Bailey Creatives
If you’d like to see more information about this amazing home visit the Robert Pattinson Lighthouse website or follow them on social media (links below). We also recommend watching the accompanying video which gives an excellent tour of the property as well as telling the story of the lighthouse’s construction and the dramatic events that unfolded while it was being built.
Casa Siena
Set on a hilltop just outside of a small town in Tuscany, Italy, Casa Siena offers guests a panoramic view of the olive groves and vineyards that cover the surrounding countryside. The hotel is part of the Park Hotel Group and opened its doors in 2011.
The estate comprises of 18 medieval villas, 10 of which were restored with a great deal of care and attention to detail. Each villa is named after a legendary Italian poet, and the hotel’s central feature is the Tempio (temple) Villa which is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and design. The spacious bedrooms are rich in color with the use of antiques and heavy wooden furniture.
The hotel is filled with artworks by famous Italian and international artists, and it also hosts regular exhibitions by professional and amateur artists. The hotel’s restaurant, Le Groffrerie, serves modern Italian fare such as bruschetta, paninis, pastas, and risottos. The wine list features numerous Italian and international varieties and is reasonably priced.
Fountain House Resort & Spa
Located in the heart of the Hollywood Hills, this magnificent resort first opened its doors to the public in 1927 and is often considered to be the “grandaddy” of all hotels. It was during this time that guest Robert De Niro inspired the hotel’s co-founder, Georges Seurat, to name one of the amenities after him. Since then the hotel’s name has been changed to “The Robert De Niro Resort & Spa” but it still bears his signature on the main entrance’s grand staircase.
Though the hotel is most recognized for its luxury accommodations and gracious hospitality, it also offers families a fun-filled mini-vacation experience in the form of their “Ritz Kids” program. This program welcomes children between the ages of three and twelve and provides them with a memorable stay that is both fun and educational. The hotel’s trained staff ensures that each child feels welcome and comfortable and that they get the most out of their stay.
The Blue Train
This former railway hotel is steeped in history and was the site of many important events over the years. It was constructed in 1872 and originally named “The Great Northern” but changed its name to “The Blue Train”, after the color of the locomotive that ran on the line that connected London and Copenhagen. The railway line eventually became known as the “Blue Train” upon which famous people and royalty traveled to and from London.
The hotel was owned by the famous hotel chain, The Ritz, until 1987 when it was purchased by a Swedish consortium for £7.75 million. Today the hotel is a popular destination with both guests and locals and is filled with history.
Holland House
Located in the heart of London’s fashionable Holland Park, this elegant mansion was built in 1847 and designed in a Tudor style that harks back to England’s golden era. Since then it has been the setting for some of the most memorable events in English history. In 1881 the house played host to an international women’s conference (the first of its kind in England) and since then it has been a place where prominent figures have stayed and gathered. Some of the hotel’s most famous guests include Queen Victoria, Kaiser Wilhelm, and King Edward VII.
Though it is not known what King Edward VII did for a living, he supposedly worked as an architect and engineer and is credited with designing many monuments and buildings in London. The most famous of these is arguably the palace that is now home to Queen Victoria.
You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere in the hotel’s public areas with grand staircases, polished wooden floors, antique furniture and murals by prominent English artists. The formal drawing room doubles as a ballroom and is filled with beautiful objets d’art. There are 13 bedrooms in all, many of which were designed by famous interior designer, Mrs. Lutyens and feature magnificent period furniture.