Sydney’s Cremorne Point Manor has undertaken a three month full-property renovation, the first in over a decade.
At an estimated AUD$1 million, the full décor sweep includes all 29 bedrooms, bathroom and communal guest area.
Cremorne Point Manor Director Jean-Claude Branch incorporated high end quality bedding, interiors and accents in each room and common rooms while maintaining affordable nightly rates.
“The renovation, while not absolutely required, was part of our ongoing need to provide the best possible guest experience,” he said.
As history is a major focus of this heritage building’s maintenance, Branch commissioned artist Rex Winston Walford to create artwork, reproduced into handmade mosaic tiles that feature approximately 65,000 hand-laid tiles.
“With a twist on creativity, Winston utilised his signature right thumbprint image, to form glass mosaic tiles,” Branch said.
“The tiles faithfully replicated the original artwork as painstakingly hand laid in Huizhou, China. The process took three artisans eight weeks to complete, working full time to perfect the installation in the main guest dining room.
“Including Aboriginal art through my long term China business connections, we believe this is the first instance of a local Aboriginal artists installation being commissioned into unique center pieces.
“The new refurbishment absolutely compliments Winston’s heritage piece and is a proud focus in our hotel, marrying a modern design approach yet using historic art as a paramount piece,” he said.
Walford belongs to the Gamilaroi language group and resides on the NSW North Coast. Self-taught, he has established himself as a vibrant commercial artist and his work is shown at private collections nationally and internationally. Honoured with the People Choice Award in 2012 in the Wollotuka Acquisitive Art Prize, he’s been a finalist on multiple occasions in the Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize, commended in 2010.