TWEETS AND TWINKLES: Sir Paul Smith will design the Christmas tree at Claridge’s this season, and his idea has wings. The designer has chosen the bird house as his theme, because it’s “friendly, optimistic, and a symbol of home,” reflecting the spirit of the hotel.
The 19-foot tree will be unveiled in the hotel lobby on Nov. 20. It will be decorated with 100 bespoke birdhouses, all with a playful Smith twist, including roofs decorated in playing cards, postage stamps and dice.
Smith worked with the British architect Nik Ramage, who will make a series of mechanical birdhouses, and design studio Studiomama, which will create a series of their “Off Cut Creatures” to sit around the base of the tree.
Smith said decking the tree was a natural move.
A sketch of the Claridge’s Christmas tree by Sir Paul Smith.
“My wife Pauline and I have been staying and dining at Claridge’s for many years. We have spent so many special moments like Christmas and New Year at the hotel with our grandchildren, and so it is often a family affair.
“It’s a great honor to be asked to create this year’s Christmas tree, and it’s something I hope people will enjoy and find fascinating and fun. When designing this year’s tree, I automatically thought of a bird house, friendly and optimistic, a symbol of home which reflects the welcoming spirit of Claridge’s,” he said.
Claridge’s decked out for Christmas.
Claridge’s general manager Paul Jackson said the hotel can’t wait to see Smith’s “unique and inimitable take on the annual challenge of creating something magical for our lobby. Christmas is the most magical time of year for us all here at Claridge’s, and we look forward to seeing guests and visitors immerse themselves in the creative and colorful world of Sir Paul Smith.”
This is the fourteenth year Claridge’s has invited a friend of the house to reinterpret the Christmas tree in their own style. In past years, brands and designers putting a unique spin on the tree have included Louis Vuitton, Sandra Choi, Kim Jones and Christian Louboutin.