Project Info
Project Name: Hôtel Deux Gares
Interior Designer: Luke Edward Hall
Location: Paris, France
The café's joyful clash of a rustic communal table and a theatrical marbled ceiling sets a cinematic dining scene
The Art of the Joyful Clash
In a quiet corner of Paris, nestled between the grand, steel-boned sheds of the Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est, a new kind of hotel has emerged—one that feels less like a place to stay and more like a film set from a forgotten era. The Hôtel Deux Gares is the first Parisian hotel by British designer Luke Edward Hall, and it is a masterful, joyful rejection of contemporary minimalism. Instead of serene beiges and clean lines, Hall has composed a vibrant, layered fantasy—a maximalist ode to the romance and chaos of 19th and early 20th-century travel.
Curated antiques and collected objects give the space a personal, residential feel, blurring the line between hotel and home
The hotel’s narrative is one of delightful contradiction. It is a space where historical eras collide with unapologetic glee. The design is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of French Art Deco, English eccentricity, and a touch of Viennese glamour. Hall treats each space not as a room, but as a scene. The lobby welcomes guests with bold, black-and-white striped floors that immediately set a theatrical tone, a graphic counterpoint to the soft, antique velvet sofas and gleaming brass fixtures. This is not a space for quiet contemplation; it is an overture, promising drama and delight.
A rich layering of clashing patterns and mid-century forms exemplifies the hotel's vibrant, maximalist spirit
This "joyful clash" continues throughout the hotel’s 40 rooms, each a unique composition of color and character. Hall has designed much of the furniture and fabrics himself, ensuring every detail contributes to the overarching story. An emerald-green velvet headboard might stand against a lemon-yellow wall, while a mid-century lamp illuminates an antique portrait. The design is confident enough to be playful, layering patterned wallpapers with clashing fabrics and pairing sleek, geometric forms with ornate, found objects. The effect is not chaotic, but curated—a carefully orchestrated symphony of textures and tones that feels both deeply personal and impossibly chic.
Jewel-toned greens, geometric floors, and vintage posters create a nostalgic and distinctly Parisian atmosphere
The bathrooms are jewel boxes of their own, often featuring colourful terrazzo and custom-designed vanities that nod to the glamour of Art Deco Paris. Here, as in the rest of the hotel, the design is immersive. It is an invitation to inhabit a different world, to step away from the everyday and into a space where imagination and history are given free rein.
The hotel’s small café and bar continue this narrative, providing intimate, jewel-toned spaces for guests and locals alike. They feel less like hotel amenities and more like hidden neighborhood gems, places where one might expect to find characters from a Wes Anderson film sipping aperitifs.
The bathroom is an immersive jewel box, using bold Art Deco wallpaper to create a transportive, romantic fantasy
Ultimately, the Hôtel Deux Gares is a triumph of narrative design. It is a testament to the power of a singular creative vision to transform a simple building into an unforgettable experience. Luke Edward Hall has not just decorated a hotel; he has crafted a destination—a vibrant, romantic, and utterly charming world that celebrates the art of living beautifully. In an age of digital homogeneity, it is a powerful reminder that the best spaces are those that tell a story.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bastien Lattanzio
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