HOME + GARDEN
THE BLUE PIGEONS, WORTH
BY MOLYNEUX INTERIORS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JOHNKNIGHTPHOTOGRAPHY. CO. UK
A lovingly restored Georgian family restaurant and hotel in the heart of the beautiful village of Worth in Deal, The Blue Pigeons has been reimagined as a stunning and unique boutique destination hotel by the new local owners. Elegant and enchanting, it now offers the perfect place to escape and enjoy the best of Kent’ s countryside, villages, golf courses and beaches.
The Blue Pigeons has a long history in the village of Worth. Dating back to 1839, it started life as the rectory to the village church, becoming a public house in 1932 and in more recent years serving as a wedding venue. The property came up for sale last year and new owners, Jan and Tom Kenny, saw the opportunity to create something truly special. Their multi-million-pound redevelopment has created a place you want to visit again and again; every corner has been thoughtfully designed with great attention to detail and, from the breathtaking bar to the stunning acre of landscaped gardens and the beautifully designed bedrooms, it really is a place to inspire.
Jan, tell us about The Blue Pigeons’ journey; how did this beautiful restoration project begin? We live a short distance from the village, so we were aware of the venue. We were looking for a new project and one of our daughters noticed it was for sale so suggested we take a look. The minute we stepped into the building we fell in love; we knew instantly that it had so much potential and that we could create something really special.
Did you give yourselves a timeframe to complete the project? Initially, we thought we could be open in three months! However, once we started to peel back the layers it became clear how much structural work was required to make the building safe and comfortable for our guests. This added a further eight months, but it was worth it as we now know the building will last for generations.
What was your vision for the final result? Any briefs and style ideas that were clear from the beginning? Our vision was to create beautiful spaces that felt special and homely, with that perfect balance of beauty and comfort. From the beginning we, along with our interior designer Carly, agreed that we should take inspiration from the location and the building’ s original architecture. The pretty village of Worth and its countryside location- plus the acre of gardens- inspired us to bring the outside in.
Were there any project pitfalls? How did you overcome them? The greatest challenge was discovering just how much reparation the building needed once we’ d started work. We were blessed to work with an incredible team who worked tirelessly with great accuracy and attention to detail to create what we have today. To recognise their effort and dedication, guests will find a plaque listing their individual names and contributions placed just outside our restaurant.
What are you most proud of? It is difficult to choose one thing! But it would probably be people’ s reaction to the beauty of the interiors and gardens. We started this project with the desire to create something to please people- to make them smile and feel both special and at home. When we see their reactions, we know we have succeeded.
Where do you start with the interior planning for a hotel that combines striking styling with practical spaces for both diners and overnight guests? We have known Carly from Molyneux Interiors for a few years and were aware of her work. We love her ability to create beautiful spaces that are practical and luxurious, so we knew she was perfect for this project.
Carly, talk us through the design process, brief and realisation at The Blue Pigeons; what was the ambition for the interiors? The brief was to create interiors that were luxurious and special but also warm and welcoming. The inspiration was taken from the beauty of the surrounding area and architecture. I used nature to inspire the colour palette and pattern, and added architectural detail reflective of the building’ s period. The ambition was to create spaces that inspire, with great attention to how the guests would use them. www. insidekent. co. uk • 159