2 with a movie of the Manchester skyline projected onto it.) It didn't hurt that the sandbox for owner Robin Sheppard's dreamland already had just the right mix of flash, pop-culture cred and an illustrious past. The bold art deco façade gave Redfern a hefty chunk of refined source material for his grown-up fantasy land. "From the bespoke skirting and architrave mouldings to bedroom and ensuite doors-and even a feature bookcase in the reception area which echoes the upper section of the building elevation with each book display aperture acting as a window-the architecture was a jumping-off point for the interior design," he says. The Edwin Luytens-designed former bank also, like so many historical buildings, challenged Redfern and his team to some super-heroic problem-solving of their own. Even Redfern's fanboy-worthy credentials-from a childhood spent visiting the architect's Castle Drogo (whose 1911 completion date made it the last castle built in England) to hours logged studying him at university-didn't prevent him from having to rethink his vision board. The antiqued mirrored wall panels of Redfern's dream reception area had to go-the positioning of vents and access points made installation impossible. So, he turned to a simpler version-outlined geometric panels behind the desk-and saved the budget and time for another area. That space turned out to be the tin tiles on the walls of Club Brass, the hotel's VIP Lounge. It took a "eureka!" moment on the part of the architect on the team to find a cost-effective installation technique. Projects like this are an object lesson for designers working on any of today's many renovations and re-imaginings of iconic architecture. It's great to pull inspiration from the bones of the space, but it's not always possible to rely on the shell to dress that skeleton. 30 boutiquedesign.com SEPTEMBER 2015 3 2 The glow of metallics is the unifying factor in Club Brass. Drawing the shade across textures from leather seating to tin wall tiles adds depth. 3 Two chaise lounges create a physical framework for a dramatic tableau. Trunks and suitcases add a hard-edged counterpoint to soft velvet and drapery.http://www.boutiquedesign.com