The exclusive day spa for women, The Sanctuary in Covent Garden, London, has been treated to a sumptuous makeover by Charles Leon Associates (CLA).
The interior design company has transformed the previously dated schemes by re-interpreting the extravagantly styled interiors for which The Sanctuary is famed in a series of concepts encompassing the spa's reception, lounge and dressing room. The á la carte Restaurant and iconic Koi Carp Lounge have also been refreshed.
Reception
The brief asked CLA to move The Sanctuary away from its underlying oriental theme towards a more English and eclectic vernacular. In reception, beyond the street level retail area, visitors are now greeted by a joyful confection of boudoir-style elements, such as three extraordinary pouf cabinets, upholstered in deeply buttoned mushroom satin vinyl with mirrored doors and crystal doorknobs. These act as gentle crowd control, filtering guests towards a long, open and rather surreal reception desk, constructed with heavy gilt Baroque framed mirrors that seem to float above a layer of filmy sheer. The oversized Baroque pattern behind the reception desk is a design feature that reappears throughout the spa in varying scales and treatments – from wallpapers and fabrics to tiling and fretwork screens – as do delicately feminine crystal lights.
Lounge
It was key that the Lounge, located just above reception and adjacent to the internal retail area, remained clearly visible and welcoming to all visitors; however, it was also to serve a variety of needs from socialising to private relaxation and even sleeping. CLA has therefore subtly 'zoned' the space into three areas, with screens and sheers building up gentle layers of privacy. While each area is distinct, they flow naturally into one another, creating a procession of
subtle shifts in mood that become increasingly hushed and peaceful.
The first area, furnished with comfortable armchairs and coffee tables offers something of a café experience. Two playful fretwork screens on each side of this space mark entry into the Lounge and the beginning of the second area, which is more subdued and sumptuous than the first, softened with walls of bronze sheers and low lighting, a deep pile carpet and velvet upholstery fabrics. A partition of bronze shear marks entry to the third space, which is lined with deep day-bed sofas where guests can recline and sleep. Food and drinks are served throughout the Lounge.
Charles Leon Associates has taken the previously rich palette of gold with purple accents in the lounge and emboldened it. In the soft furnishings, purples are now employed exuberantly, in their many varying hues, with gold and bronze used as accent colours. The walls are lined with a glowing gold paper and the sheers are woven with real bronze threads.
Restaurant
A fire part-way through the CLA project meant that additional restoration work became necessary in the affected areas. One of these was the restaurant which has now been gently modernised with new wall panelling and high-backed banquette seating upholstered in 'velour cut velvet' of chocolate and turquoise hues. As the fire meant that the spa had to close for three months, the opportunity was seized to redesign the dressing room and CLA has transformed the space from a plain box into a glittering hall of mirrors, juxtaposing contemporary mirror and chrome fittings with intricate Venetian mirrors, a feature wall of white and mirror Baroque patterned tiles and crystal pendant lights. The Koi Carp Lounge, the 'signature' area of The Sanctuary, Covent Garden, has also been treated to a soft refurbishment.
Dressing Room Koi Carp Lounge
"Since The Sanctuary, Covent Garden occupies such a special place among luxury day spas, we have been extremely careful in our designs – modernising the environment certainly, but in such a way that celebrates and enhances the soul of The Sanctuary," says Fiona Delo, Studio Director at Charles Leon Associates.
"The greatest challenge was logistical given the combination of the old building envelope with its narrow stairwells, no parking around the site and, for much of the time, a spa that was open for business. Everything had to be delivered in component parts and then constructed on site without, in any way, impairing the visitor experience."
Key interior suppliers to The Sanctuary Spa, Covent Garden included: Amtico, PS Interiors, International Soft Furnishers (ISF), Sekers, Rossi, Villeroy & Boch.