Small but perfectly formed
Hotel Ami is located in Paris’ diverse 15th arrondissement: Since 1925, the hotel has been welcoming guests from all over the world and as of lately with a whole new look. “Ami” means “friend” in French – a friend in foreign climes who gives you the feeling of having arrived at home. Gesa Hansen has managed to translate this longing for a temporary home into a corresponding interior design. The feel-good warmth of the entrance is partly thanks to the designer’s choice of colors and materials – for example exposed brick in terracotta, green leather, light wood and light fabrics in mustard yellow or powder rose. Combined with glossy accents in gold and sharp contrasts in matt black, these create an evocative atmosphere that feels decorated but not cluttered: Here, Nordic clarity meets Parisian chic and Moroccan echoes. The curated mix of styles makes the three-star hotel seem luxurious and homely, cleverly utilizes the limited space available, and offers numerous opportunities to linger and relax.
This impression continues in the bathrooms of the 41 rooms, for which Gesa Hansen has selected products by Villeroy&Boch. The high-quality “Collaro” washbasins offer slender contours and a rectilinear design: “With very balanced, amiable proportions, they can be used universally and fit with the overall image of the rooms and bathrooms. The edges and wall thicknesses are neither too thick nor too thin. They have a very human design, which makes them one of my favorite products in the bathroom,” says Gesa Hansen. Thanks to the hardwearing TitanGlaze, they are also ideal for use in hotels because of their durability. To match, Hansen selected the wall-mounted WCs of the “Architectura” series, which are discreetly integrated into the overall image with their purist design. Their rimless form also means they are particularly easy to clean. Tiles in cool petrol, elegant light grey, and shades of nude through to dark red bring a carefree liveliness to the bathrooms of the Hotel Ami and create visually fluid transitions to the other rooms. Relaxing and refreshing, it makes a wonderful way to start out in the hustle and bustle of the French capital. (am)
