Matthews Mee where appointed to mark a new design direction for the new Hotel Indigo Walmgate York for IHG & Splendid Hospitality. Armed with IHG’s Neighborhood story research Matthews Mee Ltd designed individual Bedroom, food & beverage schemes which reflected the historic & eclectic Yorkshire neighborhood story.

1.Confectionary room; detailing the association York has with chocolate & confectionary, the feature wall panels are mock chocolate block, lighting is antique chocolate moulds. Colour are inspired from chocolate, sweet wrappers & sweets themselves.

2.Walmgate 1; Reflects the characters & industries of Walmgate with reference to the many pub, wrought iron metal works & leather (tanneries) & Walmgate bar, the only bar (or medieval city entrance)¹ in York that retains is barbican, furniture is a familiar deep button detail seen in many of the York houses, all the furniture was designed & manufactured in  Yorkshire by hand, so proud of the finish we hand engraved the tops with the fact! Giving a truly unique boutique edge to the guest stay. Walmgate being one of the oldest commercial & social street in York we illustrated this fact by reprinting the 16th century census information onto lampshades. The site of Hotel Indigo York was traditionally the Crown & Cushion brewery & Crown & cushion public house this is reflected in the art work above the bed

3.Walmgate 2; Reflects the architecture of Walmgate & York with reclaimed brick works & oak framed buildings, cosy fabric reflect the wool industry in North Yorkshire, ironmongery to the wardrobes & furniture is eclectic reflecting the varied architectural style in York over the centuries, we sourced antique details such as ‘antique Yorkshire tea’ tins & local artefacts to create a unique experience.

4. Public areas
The public areas reflect all of the rooms types with elements of the chocolate story (wall panels) metal work details (wrought iron works) wall panels to reception (as seen in many of the shop fronts), geometric tiles (seen in the grand Georgian buildings)

Hand carved room numbers made in the same traditional style as York minster, carpet reflects the eclectic tiles seen in the grand architecture, the main screen that separates the restaurant from reception is designed to look like one of the traditional shop fronts in walmgate painted a rich dark grey, natural oak flooring reflects the traditional nature of York interspersed by contemporary rugs which hint at the traditional tile designs see in the city, locally sourced natural character oak  was employed which gives a homely warmth & familiar boutique look not normally associated with international brand. Metal work details reflect the ‘walker foundry’ once found to the rear of Hotel Indigo, this foundry produced ironwork all over York as well as the main gates at Kew Gardens & the British Museum London earning the patronage of Queen Victoria

Design: Matthews Mee Ltd.
Photography: Steve Todd