From London to D.C., see how these elegant hotels deck the halls for Christmas with designs from famed artists and fashion designers.
Claridge’s London: Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo “The Diamond” Christmas Tree
London’s legendary Claridge’s hotel has been delivering artful, designer-approved holiday displays for over a decade. (You can check out its online Christmas tree archive to see trees created by Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Karl Lagerfeld, Dolce & Gabbana, and John Galliano for Dior in previous years.)
This year, Claridge’s tapped Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo to give their iconic lobby the holiday … [+]
This year, the Mayfair hotel tapped Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo to give its historic lobby the chic holiday treatment. Named ‘The Diamond’, this faceted, sculptural tree is crafted from mirrors that are made to capture and reflect the surrounding light.
The diamond has long been a special icon in the world of Jimmy Choo, and the display is Sandra’s interpretation of what it’s like to be inside one. Guests can actually step inside the tree to stand at the center of the diamond-refracted space. The tree is finished with an oversized glittering bow topper, which is a nod to one of the key design elements of the brand’s winter collection.
Alexis Bittar’s “Menagerie A Tree” holiday display at Riggs hotel in Washington, D.C.
Riggs Washington, D.C.: Alexis Bittar “Menagerie A Tree”
This year, celebrated New York City-based lucite jewelry designer Alexis Bittar decked the halls at Riggs, the high-design hotel based in Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter. Bittar’s playful pastel “Menagerie A Tree” is a stunning and elegant creation crafted from feathers and tinsel.
Metallic tinsel, custom pearl garlands, and iridescent birds deck out the Alexis Bittar-designed … [+]
It was inspired both by the feminine touches found throughout the hotel’s four First Lady suites, and by the metallics in Bittar’s own work. Tucked inside miniature hanging glass bottles are quotes and inspirational messages from iconic women.
The feminine palette of soft pastels is combined with high-shine silver tinsel and antiqued brush gold detailing. Custom pearl garlands and soft fairy lights add to the ethereal look, while oversized pastel feathers and iridescent papier mâché birds give the illusion that the entire tree is about to take flight.
Suzy Murphy poses in front of her Christmas tree design at The Connaught hotel in London
The Connaught, London: Suzy Murphy’s Christmas Tree
East London-born artist and sculptor Suzy Murphy gave this year’s Christmas tree at The Connaught the modern festive treatment. The 30-foot Nordmann Fir tree, which stands tall on Carlos Place, is illuminated by 34 soft white neon dogs that start small at the base of the tree and get larger as they reach the pinnacle.
Murphy drew her inspiration for the design from “Toby was a Girl” (a series of sketches inspired by her childhood pet), as well as the words that she holds dear as her creative and philosophical mantra: solitude, truth, passion, and peace.