With astronomy at the heart of the design inspiration, two oculi have been added to the ceiling in the bedroom and the Tea Room, creating a sense of wonder whilst guests gaze at the sky as the train trundles through Europe.
Inspired by camera lenses, the oculus-shaped skylights use wood pieces that rotate to open and close, showcasing exceptional detail and craftsmanship. The bedroom is enveloped in green leather scalloping that resembles leaves, bringing the natural landscapes into the carriage; evoking an arboreal feel, the scales continue across the double bed and free-standing bathtub as if forming a canopy mirroring the stained- glass art.
The latter lavishly envelops the free-standing bedroom bathtub, a surprising addition to the carriage, with custom-made leaf patterns inspired by the 19th century Art Nouveau movement, whilst green Carrara defines the bathing area.
Here stained glass expert Michael Mayer depicts a typical Venice Simplon-Orient-Express landscape with a twist of imagination by JR, a surrealist image where the tree trunk is a ladder, and its foliage is covered in the artist’s signature eyes.
Original photographs from JR’s various travels adorn the hallway, accompanying the guests as they walk in a living gallery.
In the lounge, bespoke couches allow for flexible arrangement; guests can reconfigure the space into a private dining area, accommodating up to five people, enabling the travellers to invite guests.
JR’s choice of rounded furniture pieces aims to break up the carriage’s rectangular shape, instead accentuating the natural curves of the space. A cocoon-like day bed at window level allows travellers to immerse themselves in the passing landscape and embrace the art of slow travel.
Justin Wheeler
For those who enjoy travelling to other worlds through literature and music, the carriage is home to the library stocked with books by publishers Gallimard, Penguin and the Adelphi collection, as well as a curated selection of vinyl records for a glimpse into the cultural references which inspire JR.
