Celebrities, dignitaries, and loyal Upper East Siders have all frolicked at the Carlyle, now part of the Rosewood Hotels collection, since its debut in 1930. Revamping the property, “a true New York legend,” as tonychi studio creative director William Paley puts it, was “a difficult but rewarding journey. How do you touch a place that has been frequented by luminaries? How do you work within these boundaries to make sure it stays discreet? We are not trying to make a new Carlyle.”
Instead, the studio wanted to gently pull the hotel into the present. The iconic public spaces were spruced up, while the just-opened Dowling’s at the Carlyle, the restaurant inspired by Dorothy Draper (who designed the hotel’s lobby in the 1930s) has a cinematic, timeless aura, complete with polished dark walnut walls, printed leather tabletops, and copper and eggplant-hued lacquer cocktail trolleys.
Dowling’s at the Carlyle, the hotel’s new restaurant, features etched leather banquettes as well as an extensive art collection
That glamour is mirrored in the 190 guestrooms, where Paley and his team embarked on a top-to-bottom overhaul. Each space has a different layout, and to provide a layer of consistency throughout them, the studio used panels on the walls to establish a system that “redefines the architecture,” says Paley. In the bathrooms, every slab of stone expresses a distinctive pattern that is “sometimes wild, sometimes sedate.”
Embracing a muted palette was intentional, Paley adds, noting how “our approach was to stay somewhat respectful of the building and the New York views that frame the rooms.” Even those that look out onto brick walls are infused with a certain romance at the Carlyle, “and we wanted to disappear into them.”
Handpainted tortoise wall tiles by Sylvie Bilger of Metamorfaux embody the modern yet timeless feel of Dowling’s
Given that not all accommodations flaunt stellar Central Park sightlines, the studio turned to a series of illustrators to bring “a little piece of the park inside,” points out Paley. Referencing the lighthearted murals on display at Bemelmans Bar and Café Carlyle downstairs, the guestroom artworks developed with Gracie Studio are playful, depicting Central Park landmarks including the carousel and skating rink.
Subtle touches, such as a photograph of ballet dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev at Studio 54, “were placed as markers. Whether they are recognized doesn’t matter as much to us as if you feel them,” explains Paley. “We wanted to create a different home in each room that feels like your home.”
This article originally appeared in HD’s November 2021 issue.
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