Rockliffe Hall’s beautiful 19th Century Old Hall wing has had a makeover.
As well as freshly-painted walls, rejuvenated wooden floors and new furniture, Rockliffe’s management commissioned two up and coming artists, one from the North East, to create bespoke artwork for the walls of the award-winning Orangery restaurant.
Rachel Armstrong, from Consett, was asked to create four unique paintings while Jo Downs, from Cornwall, has created a special piece of glass artwork on display at the far end of the Orangery above the entrance to the Campernella private dining room.
The restaurant and Old Hall, which incorporates the Old Hall Arches, Drawing Room, Morning Room and Cocktail Bar, were closed for a week in January while the renovations and decorations took place. Redcar-based Beautiful The Blind Company also designed and fitted bespoke wooden venetian blinds to cover all the windows in The Orangery.
Eamonn Elliott, Chief Executive at Rockliffe Hall, said: “As a five-star resort, it’s important to keep Rockliffe looking its absolute best. We have a full time decorator based here to ensure every corner of the hotel, spa and golf club looks fresh all the time. The Old Hall is one of the most beautiful parts of Rockliffe, and the oldest, and we’re delighted with its new look. We are also thrilled to have Rachel and Jo’s beautiful, specially commissioned artwork adorning our freshly painted walls.”
Rachel Armstrong’s work is a direct response to the environment: Lichens, rust, and mosses are just some of nature’s wonders that inspire her thoughts and painting process. The transformation of the organic forms and their metamorphosis is captured by her art, which is built up in layers. The process can take from weeks to years, paintings are matured and re-defined using a variety of media, including dyes, waxes and acrylic and oil paint. She has exhibited throughout the North-East, London and Japan.
Jo Downs is one of the world’s most respected fused glass designers. Working from her Cornwall studio, Jo’s work draws inspiration from the beautiful coastal landscape while her advanced fusion techniques allow for the creation of abstract designs of great individuality and depth. Along with her popular range of handmade giftware and statement interior pieces such as wall panels and art frames, Jo has developed her studio to undertake large architectural and interior projects. This unique facility and her innovative designs have earned her commissions for cruise liners, churches, other hotels and corporate headquarters.
For more details or booking information, contact www.rockliffehall.com or call 01325 729999.