Restaurant Renmor
Cornwall
Velentre
Narrow Herringbone
Explore this floor
Restaurant Renmor
Restaurant Renmor brings the character of aged oak to the Headland Hotel. DO Design Studio selected Velentre from Woodworks by ted Todd, our sister brand specialising in extraordinary British floorcraft, for this £3 million renovation. DO Design Studio discussed the project with its dedicated Ted Todd Business Development Specialist, initially exploring several floors including Tattenhall from our Project collection. As the material direction developed, Sarah Daniels and the hotel’s owners explored the Aged collection from Woodworks, our sister brand specialising in extraordinary British floorcraft. The Woodworks team supported sampling and adapted Velentre with an Oilwood Traffic finish for the restaurant’s heavy footfall.
- Project type
- Hospitality
- Location
- Cornwall
- Featured product
- Velentre
Project Overview
Since 1897 the Headland Hotel has been an iconic feature of Cornwall’s coastline. Overlooking Fistral Beach, Newquay, the hotel is the image of classic luxury. On the inside, though, the hotel maintains a tradition of “Five-Star Cornwall, Not Formal”, aiming to provide the grandness of age old charm with modern amenities and a casual atmosphere accessible to all.
The hotel has gained much recognition, just last year winning ‘Independent Hotel of the Year 2023’ and the title of The Good Spa Guide’s ‘Best Spa in the South West’. Featuring a range of immaculately-decorated rooms and cottages, its award-winning spa, and the delectable Restaurant RenMor where this project itself takes place, it’s clear to see why the Headland Hotel maintains its reputation as a jewel of the Cornwall coast.
Project Requirements
Restaurant Renmor’s 2023 £3 million renovation was designed and facilitated by DO Design Studio, a well-respected and experienced hotel design practice, with the aim of creating a versatile and welcoming space. DO Design Studio worked closely with the hotel’s owners on the development of the project; they discussed how the space needed to play host to thousands of guests throughout the hotel’s busy summer season while maintaining an atmosphere of ease and relaxation.
Once the concept was defined, Sarah Daniels, co-founder of DO Design Studio knew she wanted “a floor that looked as if it had always been there”, to honour the history of the hotel. The renovation would take the space from fully-carpeted to a mixed texture floor, and so considerations to acoustics were to be made.
Since the restaurant receives heavy footfall year-round, measures had to be taken to ensure durability while maintaining aesthetics.
How Did we Help?
Ted Todd has partnered with DO Design Studio many times to create beautiful, bespoke spaces that stay true to the heritage of the location. They got in touch with their dedicated Business Development Specialist to discuss their vision.
Multiple floors were considered during the development process, including Tattenhall from our Project collection. As the design developed, the level of aged character required led the team to Woodoworks by Ted Todd, our sister brand dedicated to extraordinary British floorcraft.
Woodworks’ distinct offer encompasses modern and historic floors, antique and reclaimed timber, and bespoke craft for highly considered interiors.
Our specification consultant shared the Aged collection with the hotel’s owners. Crafted from aged French oak, these floors carry deep texture, rich patina, and the settled character of much older timber.
Following the sampling process, Velentre was selected for Restaurant Renmor.
The restaurant champions adventurous eating with an eye on sustainability and local produce. At Ted Todd we share this consideration for the environment, ensuring that our floors are sustainably-sourced and environmentally friendly, with 90% of our floors FSC or PEFC-certified. In specifying a Woodworks floor for this project, the Headland Hotel could be sure that they were investing not just in their interior, but in the future of the planet.
Why the Floor was Chosen
This floor was specified for its depth and tone, and Sarah especially loved its characterful undulating surface, a feature of its Classic Aged Texture.
This undulation is developed by natural shrinkage through extended seasoning, bringing out the natural beauty of the wood in its elevated knots. With specialist sawing techniques, an effect known as “worn hit & miss” is achieved, which emulates the natural aging of a surface sawn floor.
Velentre’s standard finish is Burnished Hardwax Oil, which, while durable, needed consideration to account for Restaurant RenMor’s heavy traffic. Utilising our bespoke service, we suggested the finish be updated to our hard-wearing Oilwood Traffic.
Oilwood Traffic works firstly by filling the woods pours with natural oil. The lacquer element then hardens to form a highly resistant top coat which is particularly resistant to liquids, making it the perfect choice for a restaurant environment.
This change ensures the client’s floor would remain beautiful season after season. Not to mention with a depth of 20mm and a generous 6mm wear layer, this Rustic grade floor will stand the test of time beneath the Headland Hotel’s bustling patrons.
Rustic grade floors allow for a virtually limitless size and number of knots alongside unique combinations of heartwood and sap, showing the true beauty of natural wood.
Outcome
The result of DO Design Studio’s renovation was a rich and warm bar-restaurant space, with greens and neutrals mirroring the verdant Cornwall coast when viewed through the twelve-foot windows. Velentre’s shine is honeyed under the glow of the cotemporary light fixtures, while fresh and bright in natural sunlight.
The wide space was divided into different seating areas, with room for the bar and open-concept kitchen. Previously fully-carpeted, the new restaurant features eclectic emerald striped carpet which contrasts beautifully alongside the warm tones of Velentre. Acoustic elements were fitted into the ceiling to soften sound, creating a lush and relaxed atmosphere perfectly matched to the Headland Hotel’s ethos.
Speaking with Premier Hospitality Magazine, Sarah Daniels of DO Design Studio said: “The striking interiors are warm and timeless and there is attention to detail wherever you look. It is a restaurant in which luxury is for everyone - dress up or dress down, but most of all, take your time. It’s all part of the journey.”
Architect/Designer: DO Design Studio
Image credit: Headland Hotel, Magdalena Gough Photography
Velentre up close
Velentre’s rich tone, undulating surface and pronounced knots give the floor an established character. Specified in Herringbone with selected areas of Extra Wide Plank, it adds rhythm and variation across the restaurant.
