Oxbow & Hotel Arts Kensington
Oxbow, the latest offering from the esteemed Hotel Arts Group, is named for the undulating curve of a river; appropriate, given its proximity to the Bow River as it winds its way around Calgary’s downtown core. In approaching the design for the restaurant and lounge, as well as the adjacent public spaces of the Hotel Arts Kensington, Sarah Ward Interiors endeavoured to create a space that was contemporary and comfortable for both guests of the Inn and locals. Inspired by the immediate connection to the river and OXBOW’s culinary focus on regional cuisine, the design team emphasized this relationship to nature through its use of materials and colours inspired by the Alberta landscape.
The newly refreshed reception to the Inn features a rugged stone tiled floor, natural linen drapery, and an ombre plaster feature wall that was hand crafted by local artist Melissa Wagner of Interiors to Inspire. The welcoming reception area, where guests are invited to pull up a chair whilst checking in, includes a plinth of Turkish marble, modern grey millwork, and a suspended light fixture with forms of frosted glass indicative of river rocks. A dramatic round painting by artist Philippe Raphanel further reinforces this natural reference.
The dining room is restrained and clean with its monochromatic scheme of blues and greys. Dark navy paint provides drama and creates a sense of intimacy. For textural interest, the walls are lined with undulating grey fir paneling and the tables are made of a pebbled Arabescato stone. Soft wool felt lines the banquettes, which are detailed with modern contrasting buttons. A natural brushed oak floor grounds the room.
While the lounge also features the monochromatic blue and grey colour scheme, it is accented with brighter colours in the art and fabrics to create more visual interest. The architecture of the space was dramatically modernized, through the use of a long millwork installation with contemporary square columns, featuring black and brass wall sconces and mustard coloured mohair banquettes. A new bar fills a once void corner of the room and is finished in chamfered panels of grey oak and the same Arabescato stone as the tables. The piece de resistance is the stunning ‘Back of Danny’ by artist Evan Penny, mounted against a slab of Turkish marble with dramatic blue, white, and rust coloured veining.
Completed April 2017, Calgary, Alberta | Client: Mark Wilson | www.hotelartskensington.com/oxbow
