Jet Set: Heidelberg Suites by Michele Bonan

The Heidelberg Suites is ultra-chic, as is typical of Bonan's designs.

The Heidelberg Suites Boutique Hotel opened in the fall of 2008. It is an extraordinary hotel property located in one of Germany's oldest and most charming cities. It is composed of villas from the turn of the century which were restored and furnished by world-renowned architect and interior designer, Michele Bonan. You may already know and love a couple of his projects, like the JK Place Firenze in Florence and the JK Place Capri.

A Suite at the JK Place Firenze

The Reception Area at the JK Place Capri

The Heidelberg Suites, illuminated in the evening

According to TripAdvisor.com, who named the city of Heidelberg a Travelers Choice Award Winner in 2008, "Home to the oldest university in Germany, Heidelberg suffered during 17th-century wars and was rebuilt in the 18th century, using the old Gothic street layout but with Baroque buildings. The historic city center's Gothic streets are easy to navigate on foot. Fourteenth-century Heidelberg Castle is the symbolic heart of the city. Alte Brucke is a beautiful 18th-century bridge. This university town also has a historic Student Jail, for visitors who take both their history and education seriously."

Sounds charming, doesn't it? The Heidelberg Suites is situated next to the "Old Bridge" and overlooks the Neckar River. Every room in the hotel features an incredible view of the Castle as well as the "Old Town". It is also located within walking distance from all of the historical sites. The hotel also features a rooftop terrace, garden, and spa.

Michele Bonan was inspired by the history of Heidelberg when creating the hotel and focused on a vision of "German Romanticism meets Italian Architecture. Bonan emphasizes this through his choice of colour and the interior design. According to the architect, an ideal synthesis has been composed of 'Heidelberg’s historicism', 'Florentine elegance' and 'refreshing naturalness'".

The Heidelberg Suites is purely Bonan's vision. In addition to designing the architectural elements of the villas, he designed the interiors along with every single piece of furniture found in the hotel, which is available for purchase, if you are so inclined.
A sitting area in one of the suites overlooks the Neckar.

Bonan's Italian influence is very evident in this room. Notice the pattern in the rug. It is the same design he used for the hotel's logo. Everything was custom made.


The Spa at the Heidelberg Suites

The hotel features four types of suites ranging from a Standard Suite to the Penthouse Suite. Though they vary in size, every suite features a unique view of the castle and the "Old Town" along with two rooms, a fully stocked pantry kitchen with an espresso machine, and state of the art electronics. More importantly, they are dressed in Bonan's signature style of mixing a bit of modernism with classical romanticism.


The Rooftop Terrace

Staircase

The reception is the area of the Heidelberg Suites which reminds me most of Bonan's JK Place Firenze and JK Place Capri.


How romantic is this courtyard? I love the white buildings with the painted black shutters and black and white awnings. The little benches and vintage bicycles complete with wicker baskets add the perfect touch.

An Alternate View of the Beautiful Hotel

A View of the "Old Bridge" and Castle from the Heidelberg Suites.

I cannot adequately describe how much I love Michele Bonan's work. He is the person I would turn to if I ever needed someone to design a dream villa or hotel for me. Notice I said "dream"! I can't imagine he comes cheap. I adore his aesthetic and think his work is absolutely brilliant.

As you may have noticed, there was no installment of my Jet Set series last week. I hope that this week's featured hotel, the gorgeous Heidelberg Suites was worth the wait! I don't know about you, but I am definitely wishing I could book a little getaway to Heidelberg right now. Seriously, doesn't it look romantic?

Images via Heidelberg Suites, JK Place Florence, and M.A. Belle (JK Place Capri image)

JK Capri Hotel

The lounge features furniture designed by Michele Bonan.

Last month, I posted about the gorgeous JK Place Hotel in Florence, Italy. While doing my research, I came across the Florence hotel's light-hearted cousin, the JK Capri Hotel. Equally chic and polished, the Capri hotel wears its personality on its sleeve. The Ferragamo owned hotel was also designed by Italian architect and interior designer, Michele Bonan, whose signature style is present throughout the hotel.

The JK Capri is set in one of Italy's most beautiful destinations.

The fabulous library features Bonan-designed furniture, vintage pillows, and framed photographs of famous guests. Despite the fact that Bonan used more color in this hotel than in the one in Florence, his signature use of white upholstered sofas and chairs, dark wood furnishings, and dark wenge floors is still present.


I love the contrast of the navy blue walls, white furniture and architectural detailing, and the blue accessories in the lounge.

M.A. Belle was lucky enough to vacation at the JK Capri back in July. This is her take on the hotel lounge.


Evidently, Bonan doesn't like for his reception areas to look like the typical check-in area of a standard hotel. I love that it looks more like a luxurious home. The walls are woven seagrass in a warm yellow, which looks fantastic against the white paneling and dark floors.


I die over the Bonan-designed, Asian-inspired staircase. I'm not a huge fan of Asian details in decor, but this just takes my breath away. The banister, the runner, the artwork...it's just perfect.


A view of the dining room as seen by M.A. Belle

First four images via JK Capri Hotel

Last four images via M.A. Belle

Make sure to check out her post on the hotel for many more pictures and details from her stay there.

Palazzo Tornabuoni

 

Italian architect and interior designer, Michele Bonan is the mastermind behind several of my favorite spaces. I have blogged about three hotels designed by him: The JK Place Hotel in Paris, The JK Capri, and most recently the Heidelberg Suites back in April. Since then, I have been scouring the internet looking for more of his projects. I really cannot get enough of this man’s work! While on the beautiful Reverie blog last week, I was thrilled to come across his most recent design project, the Palazzo Tornabuoni in Florence (Thank you, Melissa!). The Palazzo is a magnificent structure with a storied past and was once home to Pope Leo XI and the Medici family.

Palazzo Tornabuoni was painstakingly restored to its original splendor and is the first “Palace Residence Club” in the world. “Situated on one of Florence’s most aristocratic streets, in the heart of the fashion district, this historic fifteenth-century palazzo was home to a Renaissance Pope, and hosted the world’s first documented opera performance.”

The Palazzo’s beautiful interiors were designed by Michele Bonan, who in my opinion has the most extraordinary taste, blending classic and modern with the utmost sophistication. Palazzo Tornabuoni hosts 38 private residences for its members in addition to a number of indoor and outdoor common areas. While the main purpose of the Palazzo is to serve as an exclusive residence club, there are a limited number of private, full-time residences available as well.

The restoration of the magnificent Palazzo Tornabuoni took four years to complete under the watchful eye of Florence’s Soprintendenza ai Beni Artistici e Storici. The palace has been restored to its extraordinary Renaissance origins and along the way, the restoration team discovered hidden frescoes, Mannerist statues, and beautiful stucco ceilings.

The library is one of the Palazzo’s shared areas for the club members. Bonan’s masterful way of blending classic shapes with contemporary touches is clearly on display in this beautiful space.

A More Detailed Shot of the Library

I love the upholstery on these chairs.

The Palazzo’s pietra serena staircase is now the permanent home of this marble Diana the Huntress statue by Gherardo Silvani (1579-1675).

Each of the private residences by Bonan is unique. Every one has a different layout and historic decorative details, such as the gorgeous moldings in this residence.

Beautiful Renaissance Details Abound at the Palazzo Tornabuoni

 

Bonan fuses classicism and modern details in the beautiful residences at the Palazzo. All of the residences feature a great deal of charm with all of the conveniences of modern living.

A Second View of this Residence

The residences at the Palazzo are equipped with state-of-the-art Boffi kitchens.

Most of the residences also feature breathtaking views of Brunelleschi’s Duomo.

I love the minimalist palette in this gorgeous space.

Can you think of a more glorious view?

Visit Palazzo Tornabuoni for more information on this remarkable project.

Image Credit: Palazzo Tornabuoni

Jet Set: J.K. Place Roma

{As a blogger, decorator, and general design addict, I appreciate a lot of design styles, but Michele Bonan's work resonates with me on a a very different level. At my core, this is the style I love most, what speaks to me more than anything else-- a mix of classic and modern, a refined palette with a touch of bold patterns and a pop of color. I just can't get enough.} 

I have been a big fan of Italian architect and interior designer, Michele Bonan's work for several years now, so naturally, I am always thrilled to learn about one of his new projects. Most recently, Bonan worked with Ori Kafri, owner of the ultra-chic J.K. Place Florence and J.K. Place Capri hotels to open the brand's latest outpost in the Eternal City of Rome, the J.K. Place Roma. Situated in a 19th century building that previously housed the University of Rome's school of architecture in a prime location near the Spanish Steps, this new hotel follows in the footsteps of the other J.K. hotels, combining spectacular, historic architecture with modern interiors and an unparalleled level of bespoke luxury. 

Featuring just 30 rooms in various sizes and levels of decadence, this stunning property is also home to a restaurant, the J.K. Cafe, and an expertly-curated library filled with stylish tomes on a variety of subjects. Proprietor Kafri recently told Travel + Leisure, "I love to combine the familiarity of staying with friends and the efficiency of staying in a large, five star hotel." The formula seems to be working rather well at all of the J.K. Hotels. I know where I want to stay the next time I visit Italy! 

{The Spectacular Lobby at the J.K. Place Roma}

{How amazing are the marble door frames? The architecture of the room itself is beautiful, but the chic furnishings take the space to a whole new level.}

{I love the sleek lines of the furniture and lighting juxtaposed against the quintessentially Roman statues.}

{So many chic contrasts-- notice the amazing sconces, too.}

{Rosewood-lined walls in the bar at the J.K. Cafe create a warm, mid-century inspired vibe.}

{Couldn't you picture Don Draper and Roger Sterling of Mad Men chatting up some pretty young things in this bar?}

{As a designer, I learn so much from studying the rooms created by the designers I most admire. Bonan's work is a study in contrasts filled with beautiful details everywhere you turn while Kafri is a master at creating an intimate, personal experience at his hotel properties.}

{It's interesting to me that the more formal areas of the hotel seem to have a more restrained color palette while the more casual areas are done in vibrant colors. There is nothing shy about this room. Notice the saffron yellow taffeta silk wall covering in the background.}

{I love the Italian sputnik-style chandelier in the lounge. It really makes the room.}

{The library is another favorite space of mine. I love the mix of mid-century inspired furniture with the Moroccan Beni Ourain rug and the richness of the wood-lined walls.}

{Another View of the Library}

{More taffeta silk walls, this time in peacock blue in a corridor. The look is divine!}

{An Elegant Suite at the J.K. Place Roma}

{A Well-Appointed Room at the J.K. Place Roma}

{I am in love with the fixtures and fittings in the gorgeous bathrooms! How insane is the striped marble tile in the shower and water closet?}

{A Closer Look at the Striped-Marble Walls-- SO good!}