Yarlington Lodge Blends Snippets of History With Life Today
British studio Richard Parr Associates has renovated a trio of 19th-century buildings at The Newt in Somerset hotel, restoring their interiors to nod to the site’s past. Named Yarlington Lodge, the buildings are spread across five hectares of rural land.
The Moonza view
Hotels in historic buildings face a subtle challenge: keeping the spirit of the past without sacrificing today’s comfort. This project’s answer is snippets of history: a few authentic old elements beside entirely contemporary amenities.
In practice, furniture must bridge the two: sofas and chairs with classic forms but comfortable, durable seats and upholstery. For heritage guesthouses and traditional hotels, combining timber, natural fabrics and familiar forms with modern build quality works best.
- Choose classic forms with comfortable, durable modern upholstery
- Highlight a few original features rather than all of them
- In heritage stays, prefer natural fabric and timber
