Behind the Scenes of the Renovation of Runswick Bay’s Cliffemount
An Interview with Cliffemount’s Head of Interior Design, Laura Baarda
It’s no secret that Cliffemount Hotel is to undergo a massive renovation and restoration. But whilst the news has been widely shared, what the new sustainable hotel will look like has been left to imagination…until now.
The very talented Laura Baarda, Head of Interior Design at Bowman Riley, who is our Lead Designer, is here to give you a sneak peek at where she’s at in this exclusive interview.
Laura Baarda - Cliffemount’s Head of Interior Design
Laura, thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us today. We’re so excited to be revealing a little bit about your plans for Cliffemount.
Let’s not keep our readers waiting…could you tell us about the overarching design concept for the hotel? How will it incorporate the unique character of Runswick Bay?
So, a lot of the hotel in general is quite similar to the architectural design in the way we try to make it seamlessly tie into the cliffside and mimic the area. I’ve been going to Runswick Bay myself for years so I’m quite excited that something’s happening there.
The interior and colours very much reflect the spirit and people of the area. We’re using a lot of sea blues and teals, but also trying to create that freshness that Runswick is well known for.
We’ve done a lot of thinking about the seasons. The one tricky part of the project has been that in the summer Runswick is a holiday beach destination for families, but in the winter, that changes somewhat. We want to ensure that the interior feels like somewhere you want to go with your family but also has that cosy, pub vibe that you want in the colder months. I think we’ve managed to hit a really nice tone on that - keeping colour palettes fresh and using timber tones.
Also, a huge amount of the interior inspiration came from the artwork Karen had already sourced. Her choices fit perfectly with the area and her passion gave us the foundation for the whole design.
Were there any other inspirations that didn’t come from Runswick Bay?
Of course, things I see and think would fit the space well. Karen is really keen to inject a little bit of Whitby combined with Runswick, thinking about fishing towns and crab pots, things like that. We have some light fittings going into the reception that will look like a net in a conceptualised way so it’s not too literal, and more reminiscent of fishing.
Something Karen really wants is to have these nautical touchpoints - but we don’t want it to appear too “gimmicky”. So, one idea is to have the doors have porthole details with a vision panel. These are little references that are in keeping with the areas. Most people won’t get them, but we’ll love it - it’s one of the smaller details I’m most excited about.
How did you choose the colours that will influence the mood of the hotel and how do you think it will contribute to the overall feel of the hotel?
So in terms of the colours, we’ve chosen a lot of blues and teals - tones of the sea but nothing too sharp. We’ve woven terracotta accents through the hotel, and a lot of that comes from the roofs of Runswick Bay. As you look up to the site of Cliffemount, you’ll see these fresh white renders, the terracotta towers, and the greens and the blue of the landscape.
The idea is that the blues in the pub area are a little deeper, so it has that winter warmth feel to it, but in the summer when the big, glazed doors are open it should feel contemporary and fresh when paired with the rust tones.
We wanted it to have a touch of elegance so we added little brushes of pink, and fresh patterns to break it up to give diversity in its tone. A lot of it has to do with textures which we’ve brought in with a lot of bronze finishes, rather than going too brassy and shiny.
How about the furniture and fittings. How will you make sure they align with both the design vision and the needs of the guests at Cliffemount?
A huge amount of our focus on furniture is comfort over everything else. We want to make Cliffemount somewhere you can sit with a glass of wine for six hours, or a space where you could pop in and have a quick cup of coffee. It needs to have that longevity and not feel too trend led. In the design process, we wanted to follow what feels right for the space and location, so it doesn’t age or date. Our priority is form and function, hand in hand.
Once the fabric goes in, it will add a different dynamic to the whole space because it’ll involve pattern and colour. The base of the palette is really textural.
Scale is a big thing for furniture as well. We have a playful mix of banquette seating as a feature, but also oversized armchairs so no matter where you’re sat, you’ll have a super comfortable experience.
We’re making sure there’s a diverse mix of dining spaces, alongside the bar seating areas for guests who just want to come in for a drink and lounge areas. We wanted flexibility built in as Cliffemount develops and gets to know their guest base.
Of course, there’s a practical element, as it’s so close to the beach! We want fabrics that are cleanable and wipeable - not only for the Summer sand, but for dog friends that will visit us in the winter.
Have you needed any innovative or creative design solutions to address specific challenges, or opportunities, presented by the hotel’s architecture or location?
One of the biggest challenges of the project is being limited by the existing footprint of the hotel, so the standard room type is a little tighter. It’s not a bad thing but it’s provided a bit of a challenge as we still want to have all the amenities - a little desk area, refreshment zone, and storage. So, we’ve created a really lovely headboard concept that ties it all into one interesting feature wall.
The challenge of the Passivhaus side means that no window treatments can come past the edge of the windows so that’s been a big consideration.
The initial thing for me on the interior side was getting the balance right between the seasons so it doesn’t only work for a few months. We needed the decor to work all year round.
Thinking about sustainability, what sustainable practices or materials will be incorporated into the design of Cliffemount?
We want to source locally wherever we can. Some of that comes from the more surface area things like artwork, so we want to utilise that of course, but something I’m really keen to do with the location of Cliffemount being on the seafront is use more reclaimed ocean plastic fabric.
There’s a company called Seaqual® that makes yarn out of ocean plastic. Looking over that amazing view, it would be a shame not to add a nice message to that and to use as much recycled content as we can.
Sustainability is a huge element of the project, and we have a lot of plans going into the scheme, especially on the ground floor. We want to one: not use plastic, and two: use as much real planting as we can to increase the air quality of the hotel.
We’re looking not just at sustainability from a worldwide perspective but also the well-being of the people in the space. There’s a diversity of spaces for different personality types and a diversity of textures for those with sensory issues. It’s wellness from the inside out rather than just the outside in.
Looking at the footprint of the hotel and its location, what measures are you taking to make sure that the design of Cliffemount will be accessible and inclusive for all guests?
It’s a challenge for every project from an accessibility standpoint but the idea is that all amenities are accessible for everyone. There are accessible toilets, lifts that mean anyone can get to any floor, and accessible bedrooms.
We’re also thinking about finishes on floors and walls so there’s enough visual difference for those with visual impairments. We’re thinking about inclusivity in every way we can from the obvious to the less so.
Are there any local artisans or craftsmen who will be involved in creating bespoke elements for Cliffemount?
We’re hoping to use a Yorkshire furniture supplier based in Huddersfield. We’d love to work with someone local who can bring this Yorkshire hotel to life.
I know Karen is keen to source locally when we can and has already picked up some pieces and artwork by local artists and manufacturers that we’ll be incorporating into the space.
Can you share details about any specific design features or elements that will help Cliffemount stand out from other regional hotels?
Mostly the views are second to none. I absolutely love it. I think for me, personally, the way your family have approached it, you’re giving more than just a hotel to the area. As someone who doesn’t live a million miles away from Runswick Bay, I’m thrilled we’ll have somewhere with such nice food.
Having seen the menu I think it’s great, with a pub that’s friendly and warm for the locals, but also a slightly more high-end restaurant that feels a little more elevated. There are not many places there that offer a special dining experience. It brings more choice to Runswick Bay.
It’s somewhere I can imagine going and being greeted at the door by Karen. It really feels like a family-run hotel.
What we’re hoping to do is have a doggy shower in the boot room area on the ground floor where bikes would usually be stored. The little touch points like that feel considered, and it’s been thought through how people will use every inch of the space. There are lots of nice details, but I think the dog shower is my favourite!
What’s been your favourite part of actually working on the project so far?
It’s definitely been having you, the Fojt family as a client. You’ve been a dream. You’re just so enthusiastic and excited for it to open. Working with clients like that is all I could ever want. It feels like a passion project, not just driven by numbers and output. I’m excited about every meeting, never dreading a call. It’s quite literally a dream project for me.
What are you most excited about starting once the initial build is done?
The lighting, I think. Lighting is one of my big passions. I think nice lighting details like when you go to the toilet during the night and a soft lighting level comes on without ever having to touch a switch. These little things are so exciting for me. After that it’s the furniture, I love furniture and fabrics. It all seems to come together very quickly after that.
