Decorating & Design
Discover The Latest P.E.C. Hotel To Get A Design-Savvy Makeover
Updated on August 16, 2023
Once a regal presence on Main Street in Picton, the 142-year-old Royal Hotel in Prince Edward County, Ont., had fallen on hard times. Changing ownership and the loss of the local rail station meant the hotel became a down-at-the-heels watering hole in the 1970s and 80s that was the setting for bar brawls, and its once-grandiose rooms were shabby with peeling paint.
But, like the nearby June Motel, it prompted someone with vision to rescue a property down on its luck and give it a second chance. The Royal Hotel is the passion project of the Sorbara family who own nearby Edwin County Farms, which will provide much of the produce, tea, maple syrup and flowers for the hotel.
Scroll down to see the beautiful design details of this county hotel!
The Sorbara family turned to Toronto studio Giannone Petricone Associates to transform The Royal Hotel. To patch crumbling brick and mortar and make them as close to the originals as possible, bricks were imported from the Netherlands.
This rendering depicts the expansive glazing on the first level (the top two floors were designated as heritage).
In the lobby, inset halo lighting that circles a hand-plastered column references the fashion for Victorian doilies, an often-seen decor staple when the hotel was built in 1879.
The Counter Bar is a casual, all-day restaurant that offers freshly baked breads, pastries and prepared foods to go.
Over the Counter Bar, an undulating rail of white oak subtly defines the space in the lobby.
The larger Dining Room is a 120-seat restaurant and offers table service under a stunning custom wooden fin ceiling, with intimate spaces to host gatherings. Meanwhile, The Parlour is a cozy lobby lounge that overlooks Picton’s Main Street, offering comfortable workspaces, and an ideal spot for intimate wine tastings, small groups and events.
The restaurant has an open kitchen. Chef Albert Ponzo’s cuisine has an Italian emphasis and is made with local produce. Edwin County Farms has a large sugarbush on the property that will inspire a range of maple-infused creations.
The floral fabric on a long banquette in the restaurant has a needlepoint look, for an updated spin on a popular Victorian pastime.
This main-floor public washroom is lavished with graphic, floor-to-ceiling chevron tiles. Black fixtures add to the industrial flair.
Guest room windows on the historically designated facade have been custom matched to replicate the original design as much as possible, with each type of room named after an Ontario heritage apple variety — Cortland, Empire, Russet and Royal Gala — a nod to the region’s many historical orchards.
In one of the premiere suites, a standalone tub is positioned in the bedroom as a design feature. Instead of drapery, folding shutters offer a clean, updated look.
Updated shutters in a modern putty color and deep window wells have a heritage vibe.
This suite overlooks an ipé deck at the back of the hotel which will be equipped with a pergola to shade a 12-person dining table, outdoor fireplace and a pool. Herringbone floors, natural materials and a muted palette keep the look sophisticated. Floor-to-ceiling steel windows let in plenty of natural light.
White oak floating shelves and built-ins keep the rooms feeling open and welcoming.
A sunny nook uses a banquette to maximize space and provide a spot for a cup of coffee.
A fluted fireplace is cosy and sculptural, with bench seating that provides a spot for warming up. Storage drawers are built in underneath.
The mosaic tile in this bathroom is a play on tartan. The scalloped vanity is another playful touch.
Dark framed mirrors and a globe sconce create a clean look, while a vessel sink and wall-mount faucet offers lots of counter space for toiletries.
Wendy Jacob
Architecture by Giannone Petricone Associates