Leading hospitality interior design practice, RPW Design, has completed a re-design of Hotel Continental Oslo – one of Norway’s most sought after five-star hotels. The refurbishment entailed a sensitive re-design of the hotel’s public areas and 155 guest rooms, bringing the interior into the 21st century, whilst respecting the original style of this historic property.Norway’s only member of the Leading Hotels of the World Group, Hotel Continental Oslo is in fact over a century old – first opening in 1900 – and has been in the same family for over four generations.
“Our design bridges the gap between the much valued historic, traditinal architecture, and the client aspiration for a clean, contemporary and very Scandinavian concept,” explains Jan Wilson, MD of RPW.
“The light palette of colours, textiles and fabrics were carefully selected to reflect this aspiration. The use of metallic, silver and pearl tones gives the ineriors the lightness so necessary in dark northern latitudes, whilst also creating a sense of tranquillity and warmth.”
This concept has been continued through to the public areas, with the addition of yellow and gold feature fabrics and wall finishes on a light pearl palette. RPW’s design also makes use of the Continental’s existing collection of antique furniture and art, which has been acquired through the generations of owners.
“The hotel has been the venue of choice for important events in so many”Norwegian lives since 1900 and we were keen to ensure that our design and choice of materials reflected the gravitas of the spaces and their use,” says Elizabeth Lane, director of projects at RPW.
“We wanted to reinforce the hotel’s prestige as a Nordic jewel, with emphasis on luxury and individual finishing touches which would complement the existing quality of this five-star property. The elegance that is lacking in so much contemporary design was the key objective from start to finish.”
“Our collaboration with RPW was highly successful,” adds Elisabeth Brochmann, MD and proprietor of Hotel Continental Oslo. “We wanted a modern design which respected the style of our 114-year-old house, and Jan Wilson and our RPW team had a remarkable understanding of that assignment.
“RPW also managed the difficult task of combining great design with functional solutions. The feedback from our guests shows that together with RPW, we have accomplished this.”
