A fun hotel name is now defined by the interior theme
We took inspiration from the hotel name to bring to life a lobby that creates the atmosphere of a Dutch cafe, using antique coffee grinders, hanging cups and mix-matched furniture. The concrete walls and the light colours give the hotel reception a bright yet intimate feel.
A quirky mix of vintage pieces & artefacts
Our task was to redesign the lobby within a very tight budget. That was the brief and everything else was up to us! The hotel was already called ‘Espresso’ and the previous theme was obviously brown coffee! So we decided to firstly bring colour into the space and bring in the coffee theme with a collection of old Dutch coffee grinders that we found on ebay for surprisingly little cost! We also hunted around Amsterdam for one-off chairs and tables and re-upholstered them in up to date local fabrics.
Creating a new trendy vibe with stylish details
It is amazing how much an interior can transform with a few small touches and changes. On the rear feature wall and wall behind reception and the breakfast area we chose a light grey concrete paint finish. The reception desk we re-covered in a pale green subway tile that was previously a dark heavy wood finish. The banquette seating frames were made in an oak veneer set beautifully with the soft colour palette we chose for the seating fabrics.
The spirit of Dutch Coffee
Just some background on Dutch coffee!! Dutch Coffee is a brewing method that originated from the golden ages. Contrary to commonly known brewing techniques Dutch coffee is brewed using cold water instead of hot water! Although brewing Dutch Coffee takes somewhere between 3-6 hours, the use of cold water has quite a few benefits that compensate the longer brewing time. Dutch Coffee barely oxidises making it extremely easy to taste the subtlest of fruity flavours in the used coffee.
Dramatic & geometric ceiling feature
We love spaces with atriums or very high ceilings! It really allows us to play with volumes and lighting. Espresso had the benefit of the entrance having a high ceiling but they didn’t make the most of it in the original interior. We proposed covering the ceiling in layers of wood strips, which also have the practical effect of hiding the services above. We painted the ceiling black to give an emphasis to the warm wood colour then we then chose key spots from which to hang the pendant lighting. We mixed expensive with super-budget light fitting to balance out the budget! Overall the interior was totally transformed using some simple and creative tricks! Our client and the guests were very happy too. Another successful pocket-sized project by FIG!
More creative projects
A boutique spa inspired by the islands exquisite butterflies
This boutique spa is located within the Club Med resort in Miches, Dominican Republic and started operating in December 2019.
Unlike Club Med’s Spa in Punta Cana, also in the Dominican, this Spa has a Zen minimalist feel inspired by the minimal architecture. The inspiration for the Spa, like so much of our inspiration on the resort came from nature. We discovered that the island is home to hundreds of species of butterflies, and thought that the life and journey of the butterfly would be a perfectly fitting idea. Every butterfly, like every client, goes through a process of regeneration and rejuvenation that results in beauty and new life.
The reception feature wall is created by copper butterflies and is backlit creating a soft halo around the cut-outs.
As the guest is taken through to the waiting area they pass the pools of the relaxation area. Daybeds are lined to face the pools nestled in the jungle. Artwork of butterfly wings details line the corridors. The feature wall of the relaxation area is a composition of circular objects, woven baskets, copper bowls and interesting artefacts that tie in with the circular feature at the reception wall.
Soft tranquil tones & clean lines marry with the natural surroundings
Luxurious & rich soothing treatment rooms
There are 6 double treatment rooms and 6 single treatment rooms each with a mottled copper effect feature wall tile, dark rich chocolate brown painted ceilings, dark chocolate tiled floors offset by a soft pale turquoise wall and seating colour accent. The Cinq Mondes rich dark red logo and brand colour is totally set off by the setting.
Cinq Mondes treatments transport guests to an oasis of deep relaxation
The Cinq Mondes range of products combines a selection of natural cosmetic products based on ancestral traditions and adapted by its Parisian laboratory on 5 pillars: tested under dermatological control, without silicon or mineral oil, without artificial colorant and without any animal based products.
After having spent several years travelling around the world visiting ancestral beauty and well-being cultures, Jean-Louis Poiroux brought together the very best treatments, massages and cosmetic products in the most prestigious International Spas in Monaco, Lausanne, Brussels, Mauritius, Seychelles, Morocco, and now Miches.
Since the opening of their first Spa in the centre of Paris in 2001, Cinq Mondes has strengthened its position as a pioneer of the French specialist in treatments and cosmetics. Today Cinq Mondes has under its banner 16 Spas, a network of more than 600 partner Spas and is present in more than 30 countries abroad with an important international recognition for its Spas, classed among the best Spas in the World. We are very proud to have worked with the owner Matthieu Fontix on the project with this fantastic brand.
Proud to have worked with one of the best spa brands in the world
