Chairish Villa at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach.
Photo: Carmel Brantley
Palm Beach’s Colony Hotel Collaborates with Chairish on a Whimsical, One-of-a-Kind Suite
The online vintage dealer delivers classic style with a modern twist that captures the local spirit
Seating nook in the Chairish villa at the The Colony. Photo: Carmel Brantley
The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, seems to be on quite the hot streak. Season after season, collaborations and pop-ups have made the landmark a must-visit for locals and vacationers alike. But the property’s owner and president, Sarah Wetenhall, with her incredible energy and flawless taste, seems to have outdone even herself with the latest introduction from the lovingly nicknamed “Pink Paradise.”
Now, in collaboration with Chairish, the global online destination for vintage and antique furnishings, The Colony’s latest villa features an energetic mix of pattern and touches of whimsy throughout the two-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,620-square-foot suite. In the past, villas have been designed by Aerin Lauder, Mark D. Sikes, and Goop. The Chairish villa marks the seventh and final of the series.
“Chairish has always been one of my favorite decorator resources,” says Wetenhall. “Their vintage finds are perfectly Palm Beach, and the site has long been a source to furnish my own design projects and a place of inspiration as we have evolved decor at The Colony.”
Bedroom. Photo: Carmel Brantley
Using notable Palm Beach estates and trips to the Flagler Museum’s period rooms as inspiration, Chairish’s team layered in wicker, rattan, Chinoiserie, and tropical animals to add cheer and a sense of place for the special hotel accommodation, which is designed for long-term stays. But it’s the envelope of glorious chintzes and stripes provided by Schumacher Hospitality that give the suite its one-of-a-kind breezy elegance.
“One step into this villa, you are immersed in all things Colony Palm Beach,” says Wetenhall. “Anna Brockway, the founder of Chairish, captured thoughtful odes to Palm Beach design and to the island itself everywhere you turn.” To capture that classic-yet-whimsical style, Brockway—who worked with South Florida-based interior designer Catharine Wilmer to execute the vision—filled the suite with finds exclusively from local vintage and antiques dealers, including Show Pony, Circa Who, Florida Regency, and Meg Braff. Best of all, everything is shoppable by scanning a QR code in the suite.
Foyer. Photo: Carmel Brantley
Bathroom. Photo: Carmel Brantley
“What we love about The Colony is that they’ve done something so location specific,” says Brockway. “It’s part of the Palm Beach community, and we wanted to respond to that.”
Nods to the locale can be found in by the hand-woven rattan monkey chandelier from Mario Lopez Torres that honors The Colony’s mascot, Johnnie Brown, celebrated architect Addison Mizner’s pet spider monkey, the collection of objects and books, as well as the art.
“We see this as Palm Beach reimagined for a contemporary, sophisticated visitor, who loves class Palm Beach style but wants it to be 21st century and fun at the same time,” says Brockway.
Terrace. Photo: Carmel Brantley
Art plays a major role in lending the villa its modern twist. The curation of the room’s 40 pieces was centered on the concept of vacation and the beach from artists such as photographer Carla Sutera Sardo, porcelain-based sculptor Brock DeBoer, and a still by Venetia Syms. There’s also a collaged painted photograph of The Colony itself by Lia Burke Libaire.
Art displayed in the Chairish villa. Photo: Carmel Brantley
“The history woven into this villa matches the history of the hotel,” says Wettenhall. “It’s an amalgamation of decades of good taste, entertaining, and glamorous tropical living.” And certainly for more decades to come.
Cover: Chairish Villa at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach.
Photo: Carmel Brantley
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