How are you involved in The George’s renovation?
We asked three business about what part they played in the reopening of The George in Rye.
Maria Speake and James Stevens, Retrouvius
We worked with Katie and Alex on the interior design for The George when they first opened and, despite the trauma of the fire, it has been a great privilege to work together again to bring it back to life. It has been a project of rekindling relationships, not just with Katie and Alex, but with the building too, and also with James Stevens, one of our first employees at Retrouvius who now lives in Hastings and who we collaborated with closely on the design.
Our approach has been to celebrate the history and feeling of the building and structure, wherever possible. Fire damage has made it possible to slightly open up the flow of the public spaces, while still respecting the floorplan of the original coaching inn. They are a series of wonderful rooms that bring people together, whether for milestone celebrations or cosy, regular gatherings. In the journey from the bar to the restaurant and up to the ballroom, there is a transition from earthy charm to high glamour. One of the most special aspects of The George is that it can host several different parties simultaneously and comfortably.
Given the architecture of the building, each of the bedrooms has its own character, which we have accentuated with a range of colours and textiles. Katie has sourced a wonderful collection of antique furniture to bring out the individual charm in each of the rooms, with Marcus Crane helping source artworks. Elsewhere, we have introduced salvaged materials that bring warmth and texture, using colour to enhance different moods in different areas.
In various places we have used pine cheeseboards and Thames barge sailcloth, Iroko lab tops and cast iron tiles. These reclaimed elements have tangible soul - you don’t need to know where they have come from to feel their warmth.
The George is an important heart for the community of Rye as well as a destination for visitors. We hope all guests feel they are experiencing somewhere that is grounded in the local community and culture, past and present. We could not be prouder to have had a small hand in its future.
Retrouvius Architectural Reclamation & Design
www.retrouvius.com
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Mark Storr-Hoggins Harbor Designs - Director
Harbor Designs - Our woodworking company has always preferred to work with recycled wood and that is what we have done with the outside furniture for The George.
The timber we have used for these tables is unique because we actually salvaged it from the old Hastings Pier after it was destroyed by a fire in 2010.
Hastings Pier wanted to use local companies and we were well known for our work with recycled wood. They needed the wood decking taken away so we did a straight swap and in exchange used it to make all the furniture for the new pier and were able to keep the rest. We still have enough to make a few more tables but it’s rare and getting rarer!
When Katie asked us to make outside tables and benches for The George it was obvious choice to use the pier timber as part of the project for its strength and outdoor durability.
Both the decking and the hotel had been in a fire and survived to shine again.
Harbor Design Hasting & Bexhill Wood Recycling Ltd
www.harbordesigns.co.uk
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Nick K Signwork - Signwriting & Design
I have been a signwriter for 35 years and worked with letters in some form all my life. Originally in North London, I moved to Rye in 2002 and have gradually built a strong customer base.
Looking back, I have created signs for many of the businesses in Rye and Hastings.
I have been involved with many of Katie’s projects being pleased to have been asked to do the signage as part of their new look for The George, the new hanging signs with gold leaf logos and parlour disc sign in metal.
Of recent years it is exciting to see Rye and Hastings transformed and hope I have contributed to that in some small way.
SIGNWORK
Signwriting & Design
www.signwork.plus.com