Crafted hotel "avoids the pastiche" in takeover of Georgian mansion

Clashing styles and a focus on local craftsmanship define the eclectic interiors of this lakeside hotel and members' club in East Sussex, England, designed by House of Drè as a counterpoint to the building's restrained Georgian architecture.

Crafted at Powdermills is the first project completed as part of a new venture from entrepreneur Chris King, known for co-founding the design-led Birch hotel.

King invited London studio House of Drè to oversee the interiors of the 51-room hotel, which is set within the walls of a heritage-listed Georgian mansion that was once the headquarters of a gunpowder mill.

The building had been gradually extended over several decades, creating a series of disjointed spaces with varying styles, which the designers leaned into by emphasising the sense of contrast.

"History is everywhere here, which freed us to take a bold, playful approach," Christodoulou told Dezeen, adding that the interiors "deliberately mix eras and styles".

"Every space holds something old, something new, something crafted and something blue, layered and eclectic without ever feeling austere."

Rather than applying a uniform aesthetic throughout the hotel, Christodoulou said he chose to "work with the building rather than against it", using what already existed and approaching each space individually.

Many of the original features were preserved, including the single-plate glass windows, marble fireplaces and antique floors. These are combined with modern elements to create a layered design that focuses on atmosphere rather than historical recreation.

"We deliberately avoided the pastiche of restoring every space to an authentic, museum-like state," Christodoulou said.

"I love Georgian design, but it does have a reputation for being very restrained and controlled. Our aim was always to soften the formality, avoiding anything that felt too stuffy or austere."

A key element of House of Drè's modern approach to the interiors was the use of a bold palette and a technique of "double drenching" spaces, covering every available surface in shades of the same colour.

Christodoulou chose a range of earthy tones that complement the original architectural features and reference traditional Georgian decor, contributing to a familiar, timeless aesthetic.

The layered approach to the decor begins with architectural finishes such as handmade tiles that provide a backdrop for locally crafted furniture, ceramics and wall hangings.

"It is both romantic and practical for us to work with local crafts makers," Christodoulou explained, since part of the hotel's offering is a range of classes and workshops led by artisans from the surrounding areas.

"With that in mind, we wanted to establish as many connections between the hotel and local craftspeople as possible in order to create a symbiotic relationship between the two groups," he added.

The guest rooms were developed in collaboration with British furniture maker Sebastian Cox, who worked exclusively with British timber to create pieces that celebrate the wood's natural figuring.

Details such as room number signs and table lamps were crafted using clay from nearby woodlands by local ceramicist Holly Dawes, who now has her workshop on site.

Basket maker Emma Purcell created a host station for the restaurant, featuring a woven structure made from locally sourced willow that drapes over a wooden frame crafted by Atlas Joinery.

In addition to the restaurant, the hotel has its own pub, which House of Drè designed as a space that is "humble, handmade and layered with history".

Drawing inspiration from the site's industrial past, the room features bespoke ceramic tiles, a zinc bar top with visible weld marks, and a rustic colour palette informed by traditional workers' pubs.

King has pitched Crafted at Powdermills as the first in a new series of hotels, where guests and local members can experience nature, food, wellbeing and craft.

"Over the coming years, Crafted will grow into a network of life-friendly hotels and clubs across the UK and beyond," he said.

"Each one unique to its setting, but all sharing the same spirit: nature-first, creatively charged and thoughtfully designed for balancing modern lives."

King's since-defunct first venture, Birch, previously saw the entrepreneur convert mansions in Hertfordshire and Croydon into hybrid hotels and members' clubs.

The photography is by Milo Hutchings, Owen Vidler and Euan Baker.

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