Helen Smith is based in Hampshire and Helen Bampton near Henley – they are both independent interior design consultants who have together formed H&H Interiors. Although they work independently with their own clients, over the past 15 years, they have collaborated on a number of notable projects stretching from London, Hampshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and now Scotland. Their knowledge and expertise has always perfectly complemented each other. Helen Smith’s background is in the fashion and textiles industry, whilst Helen Bampton’s background is in design and project management, which have together created a unique skill set. Their collaborative style is a modern take on a classic English interior favoured by overseas clients that wish to regularly visit the UK to enjoy the British sporting seasons.
They were engaged by Glenapp Castle to redesign the top floor that had been the former home of the MacMillans, the previous owners. The space is very different from the main Castle. For example, the main drawing room and dining room is of generous proportions with high ceilings but the rest of the rooms are more intimate, on various levels and linked by charming passageways and anterooms. The brief was to create a luxurious self contained four bedroom apartment with exclusive butler service. Each room and each space has its own identity and purpose. A period theme in keeping with the Castle was to be maintained but with a slight twist befitting the whimsical nature of the space.
The views are spectacular and so these were to be maximised wherever possible. Indeed, a nautical theme is prominent throughout, not just because The Endeavour commands panoramic views the Isle of Arran, the Mull of Kintyre and the volcanic plug of Ailsa Craig, but also due to the Castle’s links to travel and it’s intrinsic involvement in the luxury shipping trade, namely the Inchcapes and their P&O shipping empire. These were to be expressed within the apartment. The Endeavour was to be the jewel in the crown of the Castle.
Glenapp Castle and H&H Interiors worked with Connock London, the award-winning British Fragrance and wellbeing brand founded by Amanda Connock. Amanda’s family heritage in sourcing and supplying specialty and natural ingredients from around the world has made her passionate about exotic and unique products. A collaboration with Connock therefore seemed the perfect fit for Glenapp Castle – a charming and boutique hotel, yet also a destination hotel that attracts an international market. Surrounded by 110 acres of beautiful woodland and gardens, it was only right for The Endeavour to offer Connock’s signature Kukui Oil fragrance that is a unique blend of floral freshness with a warm, woody, sultry base. Bath and body wash, body lotion soap, diffusers and candles can all be found in this beautiful castle apartment.
‘’Our vision was to create a cohesive, functional and enchanting environment. A sophisticated space with a modern edge but with it’s roots firmly anchored in history. A space that despite the state of the art amenities felt as if it had evolved over many generations and was packed full of treasures.
We wanted to create a space with an opulence and sumptuousness that still maintained the essence of home. From the outset we envisioned a plethora of different textiles, textures and patterns using a rich palette of jewel like colours with gilded detailing and special touches throughout. We obviously took inspiration from the Castle but just gave it a little twist.
Our first stop was the classic design houses such as Jane Churchill, Titley and Marr, Mulberry, Blendworth, Colefax and Fowler, Ralph Lauren, Linwood and GP and J Baker, to name but a few. Always first choice for a period property steeped in such history, we wanted fabrics that exuded authenticity and grandeur. We spent many hours, days and weeks sourcing quality antiques to fit the very intricate nature of the space. There are some very special pieces including some beautiful card tables, occasional chairs and a particularly lovely chiffonier in the dining room.
Most of the new furniture has been bespoke made to ensure that it fits the space perfectly, although there are a few special vintage pieces (such as the sofa in the master bedroom) that we picked up on our sourcing trips and had reupholstered to suit.
We naturally used our trusted suppliers for many elements such as lighting including Porta Romana, Heathfield Lighting and Vaughan lighting. We also worked with Salisbury Antiques and Collier Dobson Interiors. We were however very lucky to have some excellent and key trades locally such as Stevensons upholstery in Ayr, Sandy and Sue Campbell from Goldcrest in Sterling who made all the drapes (as they did in the Castle), Granite Masters Glasgow supplied the stone worktops in the kitchen and Georgian Antiques of Edinburgh supplied us a number of beautiful antique items’’, commented Helen Bampton and Helen Smith.