The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Escape

The internet can be used as a great escape. At least it has been for me. Whenever I need to get away from the hustle and bustle around me, I simply "google" luxury hotels and destinations and away I go!

Vacation destinations, hotels, retail shops and even restaurants all understand the power of cyber marketing and so they have put their best foot forward to entice online visitors.

My recent fantasy cyber vacation was to London. I went to the Red Carnation hotel collection.

The hotel's 6 luxury boutique hotels offer the perfect get a way. It's website shares stunning photos of its public areas and rooms. The rich layered interiors and regal style are representative of a sophistication that is uniquely English.

Conde Nast Traveler's January 2011 issue featured 5 of Red Carnation's hotels in it's Gold list selection for "Best Places In The World To Stay".

Shown below are the 6 locations which for me are a feast for the eyes. Especially if traditional style is your preference. These hotels are indicative of Beaux Mondes Designs motto "Inspirations for Traditional Living".

#1 CHESTERFIELD HOTEL

This first property is located in the heart of the Mayfair district. It has 94 deluxe guest rooms and 13 luxurious suites. The decor is described as Regency with a traditional private club feel.


Lobby Area

Lobby Area

Terrace Bar

Terrace Bar

Afternoon Tea in the Conservatory

Butlers Restaurant

Reception Lounge

The Library

A private dinner in the Library

Superior King ($326.64 per night)

The Duchess Suite Living Room ($1,065.00 per night)

Duchess Suite Bedroom

Berkeley Suite ($714.52 per night)


#2 THE MONTAGUE

This beautiful Georgian townhouse hotel is located in Bloomsbury district and boasts 88 deluxe guest rooms, 11 suites and one apartment suite.

Reception Area

Public Lounge

Public Lounge

Terrace Bar

Terrace Bar

Superior Room ($285.81 per night)

Superior King Room ($318.47 per night)

The Marquis Master Suite ($579.78 per night)

Governors Suite ($1,020.00 per night)

Governors Suite Sitting Room

Governors Suite 2nd Bedroom


#3 MILESTONE HOTEL

This Victorian style grandeur is located in the Kensington district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea overlooking the Kensington Palace. This location offers 56 deluxe rooms including suites and 6 two bedroom apartments.

Afternoon tea in the Park Lounge

The Conservatory

Chenestons Restaurant

Stables Bar

Stables Bar-upper level

Deluxe King ($574.00 per night)

Superior Queen($408.36 per night)

Deluxe King Room ($574.00 per night)

Apartment I ($978.44 per night with 7 night minimum)

Apartment III ($978.44 per night with 7 night minimum)


#4 EAGERTON HOUSE

Located in the heart of fashionable Knightsbridge, the Eagerton has 28 rooms including 2 suites located on the top floors.


Drawing Room

Drawing Room

Afternoon Tea in the Drawing Room

The Dining Room

Victoria & Albert Suite ($1,462.00 per night)

Studio Suite ($849.40 per night)

Deluxe Queen($424.70 per night)

Classic Double ($408.36)


#5 Hotel 41

Located in what is being described as one of the most sought after areas of London, Hotel 41 is just south of Buckingham Palace along 41 Buckingham Palace Road. This 5 star location offers 30 rooms including 2 suites.


Hotel Lobby Entrance

Public Lounge

Public Lounge

Hospitality Suite ($1,142.00 per night)

Executive King Room ($439.40 per night)

1 Bedroom Apartment(must email hotel to inquire on rate)

#6 RUBENS HOTEL

Located directly opposite the Palace, the Rubens is the closest hotel to Buckingham Palace. It offers 143 deluxe rooms, 8 royal superior rooms and 10 luxury suites.

Leopard Bar

Library Restaurant

Palace Lounge

Classic Double Room ($243.38 per night)

Saville Row King Room ($259.72 per night)

Private Dining in the Jubilee Suite

Prince of Wales Royal Room ($365.89 per night)

Elizabeth I Royal Room ($365.89 per night)

Junior Suite ($504.74 per night)

Classic Twin Room($243.48 per night)

How beautiful was that? I hope this virtual trip left you inspired as it did me to make it through the routine knowing that one of these fabulous hotels await me for the ultimate getaway.

All images courtesy of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

Scandal:

As an interesting aside, the creators of these gilded hotels have a tarnished reputation in some circles. You certainly won't find some of their past partners or U.S. Treasury officials resting their heads on the plush pillows at the Red Carnation Hotels. Stanley and Bea Tollman fled the United States in 2003 after they were charged with tax irregularities and bank fraud related to their sale of the economy lodging chain Days Inn. Defaults on loans against the Days Inn chain are part of the allegations. Charges were dropped against the Tollman's in exchange for a 2009 plea agreement and the promise to pay the United States $60,000,000.00 over 5 years.

Introducing The Four Seasons Flatware

Well, here it is..my concept for revolutionizing flatware! Interchangeable handles. The above drawing is the rendering I submitted with my provisional patent application. The handle designs were created to provide potential manufacturers with an example of different looks.

The key point of this product is to give consumers the option of changing the style/color/theme of their tabletop by changing their utensil handles with just one set of flatware. The potential varieties are endless. For example, a rainbow collection with 4 different colors would be a fun design. Or, a holiday collection is another great idea. The handles can be made of industry standard stainless steel or other durable and washable acrylics such as resin,nylon etc.

Now that the provisional patent has been filed, I can present the concept to manufacturers to find out what they think and advise if the concept is cost prohibitive.

The provisional patent was important for three reasons:

1) It prevents anyone from stealing the idea.
2) It assures manufacturers that the idea is an original(patent infringement) and is not already in the market.
3) Finally, it allows a full year from the date of filing to sample the marketplace to determine if your product/concept has potential(demand,production costs,sustainability).

Marketing spiel(at least for now)-

With Four Seasons Flatware, you can decorate your table with four different seasonal styles of flatware with this one set.

• 18/10 stainless steel
• Machine washable
• Rust/Corrosion resistant
• Scratch resistant
• Water tight seal helical method connecting mechanism

This is a cost saving solution that eliminates the need to purchase four separate sets of flatware. As a result you save time, money and space. Each set includes four five piece place settings and the interchangeable handles for each utensil piece (80 handles in total).

(Illustrations by Shane Burke)

The Perfectly Made Bed- David Monn

Found an interesting article in the latest Departures issue by Event Designer David Monn:

The key to a perfectly made bed starts with crisp, unwrinkled sheets. My secret: Once washed, fold them up as small as possible, roll tightly and put in the freezer overnight. Yes, people will call you crazy, but trust me, it works. The next day, simply shake them out, iron them and put them on the bed.

When it comes time to add the top sheet, include a foot fold, a trick for creating extra room in the sheets at the foot of the bed so your feet don’t feel pinned down. They do it at London’s Lanesborough Hotel, and it felt so comfortable that I asked the butler to teach me his method. Leave eight inches of sheet to spare at the head of the bed (this will fold down later over your blanket). At the foot of the bed, take the sheet in both hands and fold an eight-inch pleat toward yourself. Then add the blanket, fold down the overhang at the head and tuck in all around. It’s very simple, but it makes all the difference sliding into bed at night!

(photo of David Monn taken by Michael Loccisano for Getty Images)

The Well Heeled Iron Horse

(Orient Express Venice-Simplon)

"Clang, clang, clang goes the trolley..." is a jingle that definitely does not describe these luxury locomotives.

(The Royal Scotsman)

We all have probably caught a glimpse of the deluxe environment offered by exclusive touring trains in the movie "The Orient Express" The title of that film was taken from one of the most famous of these trains.

(Venice-Simplon)

The Orient Express offered elite travel to the ultra wealthy and royal adventurers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

(Orient Express-Eastern Southeast Asia)

Affluent travelers could ensconce themselves in wood paneled, carpeted and exquisitely furnished and chandelier lit cars as they crossed the continent.

(Eastern Southeast Asia)

The train was originally operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits.

(Orient Express Venice-Simplon)

In 1882, the first route took passengers on the Train Eclair de luxe from Paris to Vienna.

(Blue train)

In 1889, the route expanded to Constantinople, hence the name the Orient Express.

(Blue train)

The Orient Express continued through 2007 (with interruption during the World Wars). Nowadays, the Venice Simplon Orient Express operates on the original Orient Express routes using original cars from the 1920s and 1930s.

(Blue train)

Beside the Orient Express, the airified world of luxury train travel is well served by other companies.

(Hiram Bingham Peru)

The Royal Scotsman, known as a hotel train, surrounds its guests with fine fabrics, brass trim and wood paneling during the 2 day trip throughout the Scottish Highlands.

(Orient Express Royal Scotsman)

The Blue Train in Africa takes travelers in sumptuous coaches between Pretoria and Cape Town.

(Orient Express-Royal Scotsman)

Luxury trains in Russian, India and Asia take the well-heeled down the tracks on their world wide adventures.

(Orient Express Royal Scotsman)

Seeing the Scottish Highland from this vantage point would be unforgettable.

(Orient Express-Royal Scotsman cabin)

As if the meandering through the Highlands in the fabulous lounge shown in the previous image was not enough, retiring to this bedroom would top off the trip.

(Oriental Express Eastern train)

(Blue Train)

A Benefit for the Child Abuse Prevention Center: Part Two

Welcome to part two of the annual "Inspirations" Tablescapes created by local florists and event planners to help raise funds for the Sacramento Child Abuse Prevention Center(CAPC). In case you missed the first 3 tables featured, you view see them here.

Table # 4

This first setting is by East Sac Florist. I thought the blue and white dishes complimented the bold green stripe tablecloth nicely.

Table #5

This special setting was created by Joe Wilson, a chair member of CAPC. What's extra special about this table is the fact that everything on you see was purchased from the Dollar Tree store.

Table #6

The last table for this week is the creation of The Party Concierge.

I hope you enjoyed this weeks table entries. Please come back next week for another 3 table settings from this event. Also, please stop by Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday to view more unique and creative tablescapes.

Tablescapes Inspired Innovation

(image photographer/artist unknown)

Since the beginning of January 2009, I have enjoyed participating in fellow blogger Susan's Tablescape Thursday event which has been a wonderful growing experience that has enhanced my appreciation for tableware. Thank you Susan!!!

Just 2 years later, as a result of all the inspiration and ideas, a small design concept for tableware came to mind. I've decided to see if perhaps this concept has potential in the marketplace.
Last week I successfully completed the first leg of a two step U.S. patent process by conducting a patent search to ensure the originality of the concept.
Yesterday, I finished the second step by completing and submitting the required application for a provisional patent along with a visual drawing/sketch of the idea. Once I receive an official date filed, I can publicly share and market the concept to manufacturers or anyone interested without fear of someone reclaiming the concept as their own.
Please stay tuned as I am very anxious about sharing this design concept with everyone.
Wish me luck.