Headlam Hall's relaxed revamp

It may be very different to a previous brief – a revamp of the dressing rooms at Newcastle Theatre Royal – but the look interior designer Nicola Gartland came up with for Headlam Hall has a quiet drama all of its own. The Grade II-listed 17th-century country house hotel has been brought up to date in a six-month, £1.25 million refurbishment, and the results are stunning.

At her first meeting with Clare and Thomas Robinson, whose family have developed the site from a manor house with outbuildings into an award-winning four-star hotel with spa and golf course, 37-year-old Nicola, owner and design director of Newcastle interiors firm Room 33, was blown away by the part-Jacobean, part-Georgian building. Her brief was to highlight the original historic features of the property and to create interiors authentic to the building’s heritage and location.

“The drive to Headlam is in itself glorious, but nothing quite prepares you for what you find once you enter through the gates,” she says. “The architecture is stunning and there’s a beautifully kept walled garden. The refurbishment was another significant stepping stone in making the hotel even more desirable.”

The Robinsons’ brief was primarily to work with the building and much of the furniture which had been collected over the last 30 years or so. But as well as highlighting original features, the re-design was aimed at offering a contemporary feel, reflected in new colours, lighting and furnishings. “We talked about refining and reducing clutter to reveal the architecture,” says Nicola. To get a real feel for the place, she was invited to stay at the hotel, which meant she was able to speak to locals and watch how the staff worked together to create a welcoming experience.

The project was carried out in phases, starting with the Coach House building which is primarily used for weddings, parties and events and includes the main ballroom, Stable Lounge, Coach House bar and nine guest bedrooms. The plan was for the ballroom to be a more flexible space which could be easily personalised to suit different events. “We transformed quite a tired function room into a stunning ballroom with three giant chandeliers sourced from France, state-of-the-art LED wall washes, Farrow & Ball paint colours and luxurious fabrics,” says Nicola. “We also changed the entrance quite dramatically, enlarging it and introducing a feature panelled wall where a painting of the family horse takes pride of place.”

In January, the second phase of the restoration began in the Main Hall, the original manor house that dates back to 1648. It was quite an upheaval – the introduction of a new hot water system meant the entire hall had to be replumbed – and for the first few weeks of the project the building was closed to the public and the hotel operated from the Coach House Suite and Spa. The key improvements in the public areas were a bespoke new bar area and new reception desk, as well as a revamp of the drawing room, lounge and restaurant areas. “The feel is very much about relaxed and comfortable country living with period features taking centre stage,” says owner Thomas Robinson.

The public areas were cleared of any excess furniture and refined. “A stunning Timothy Oulton chandelier sparkles in the centre of the main hall and the cream wall panels were repainted a warm grey, a colour much closer to the original design,” says Nicola. “An oak bar was installed, creating a new heart to the building in rooms that were thoroughly underused. We used detailing from elsewhere in the building to determine the style of the bar – the oak was matched to the banisters of the grand staircase, while the metal studs were copied from the original Jacobean front door. We selected luxurious mohair velvets from Mark Alexander for the curtains and various Harris Tweed fabrics for the furniture.”

Restoration work in the accommodation areas of the Main Hall saw an increase in the size of some bedrooms and bathrooms, resulting in a slight reduction in the total number of letting rooms. Additional baths were added as well as walk-in shower enclosures and many previously covered up period features were revealed.

“The bedrooms and bathrooms were significantly upgraded,” says Nicola. “Bathrooms were selected from Porcelanosa, featuring large vanity console basins and oversized free-standing bath tubs. Fabrics were selected from Lewis & Wood and Abraham Moon’s boutique collection.”

Nicola, who is originally from Seaham, founded Room 33 five years ago. Most of her projects have been in the commercial sector including bar and restaurant design, hotel and office design, “anything that has an exciting brief or great people,” she says. The Headlam project, mixing old and new and giving new life to a lovely old building, suited her perfectly, she says, and she is thrilled with the results.

“Thomas was very clear that the design would combine a mixture of old and new and the overall mood that I had wanted to create was that of an elegant country home… relaxing, welcoming and of extreme high quality,” she says. “I feel confident in saying that the magnificent first impression you get when entering into the grounds of Headlam Hall now continues inside the building. It not only meets with expectation, but exceeds it. We are very pleased with the result.”

And outside, just in time for the warmer weather, there’s a new cedarwood gazebo, perfect for summer weddings, and an old potting shed has been converted into a barbecue and hog-roast area. “Everything we’ve done has been aimed at improving the quality of the guest experience,” says Thomas. “The new design has accentuated the period features and character of the hall, while adding to the modern comforts every guest expects.”

Headlam Hall, Headlam, Darlington DL2 3HA. W: headlamhall.co.uk; T: 01325-730238

Room 33. W: room33.co.uk; T: 07790-479611