Dive into Hugo Toro’s breathtaking work on the first Orient Express Hotel in Rome, using art deco rugs in this 17th-century noble residence.
In the heart of the Eternal City, the Orient Express La Minerva Hotel immediately catches visitors’ and residents’ attention alike, due to its unique location in the famous Piazza della Minerva, just steps away from the Colosseum, but also due to the passage of the iconic Orient Express train service, a Belle Époque train route popularized by Agatha Christie.
When tasked to bring this incredibly ambitious project to life, the interior designer, Hugo Toro, used various different styles of decor and furniture to make sure the hotel felt like an amazing maximalist haven, full of breathtaking elements and themes.
“Rome for me is plaster, roughness, and a sometimes Brutalist aesthetic, but framed with stone and ornament”, said Toro, after spending 15 days living the essence of the Italian capital by himself. “Something that really touched me was the idea of stratification.”
Immediately in the entryway, we can already see the sophistication emanating from everywhere in the room, which is a feeling that is being further enhanced by the art deco rugs all over the lobby entrance, ensuring that the first impression of this hotel leaves an everlasting impression on whoever is visiting.
In the lobby entrance, we can see the art deco rugs feature repetitive, symmetrical shapes, which are typical of this design style, although there are other homages to the art deco style, such as a carved-travertine bar, which further brings out the sense of sophisticated luxury the hotel is striving for.
In order to live up to Rome’s high reputation when it comes to luxury and sophistication, Toro used art deco rugs to complement the overall maximalist feel of the hotel, pairing with typical Roman elements, such as the original pillars, from the time of the original 17th-century noble residence and the statue of the goddess of wisdom, Minerva.
“I think in a past life I was living here.”
-Hugo Toru
Beyond the lobby, Toru continued to use the same design philosophy he had been using for the rest of the hotel, so he continued using art deco rugs and other contemporary elements in the other rooms and suites, to keep the luxurious feeling of the hotel present everywhere, at every time.
As for the rooms and suites, Toru wanted to incorporate the very essence of Italian art de vivre, embodying a design identity that appropriates Art Deco codes while remaining rooted in Roman architecture, highlighted by its raw, matt finish and contemporary elements.
Art deco rugs are still a big deal for these rooms, although they are in a much different fashion than the ones we saw in the lobby; these ones are much more simplistic, focusing much more on streamlined forms and aerodynamic curves that make them highlight the smooth, neutral colors that we see throughout the room.
The shape of the furniture also follows the overall smooth shape of the art deco rugs, with a few exceptions, such as the center table and the geometrical panels on the painting, which serve as a small contrast to the overall smoothness of the room.
This room here is the Obelico suite, a unique, privileged suite with a view of the iconic Bernini’s elephant in Minerva Square, and it is also well decorated with art deco rugs, contemporary elements, and busts that remind us of Ancient Rome.
It’s truly meant to be somewhere you can relax with a truly exquisite to one of Rome’s many famous attractions, making this room feel like a truly luxurious, one of a time experience to be in this suite.
“La Minerva is a secret spot where you can admire the wonders of Rome, from the Pantheon to the Quirinal Palace, from its panoramic terrace.”
-Hugo Tora
Tora made sure all of the 93 different rooms and suites emanated the same Italian art de vivre feel he was striving for, and even though not all rooms include art deco rugs, they still give you that feeling he was trying to achieve.
Hugo Tora serves as a true inspiration to anyone who wants to venture into the world of interior design with challenging yet rewarding projects, which require us to use our creativity and knowledge to our advantage.
In this hotel, Tora mixed contemporary styles with art deco rugs and styles, which were further brought to life with the very essence of the city of Rome that Tora wanted to include in this project in all of its glory through the usage of ancient elements.
If you feel inspired by Hugo Tora’s take on this luxurious hotel, make sure to take a look at our selection of art deco rugs at Tapis Studio.
Source: AD
Photography by Alexandre Tabaste
