AN INSPIRING WEEK IN VALENCIA
I want to share my experiences with you from my recent trip to Valencia. We missed out on going abroad last year due to relocating, so desperation had been building for 2 years and then the excitement had been mounting since January when we booked it. We were burnt out by work and I think that the extra long wait made us even more susceptible and ready to immerse ourselves into a new culture and see and do exciting things.
We had a one week stay in the Hotel One Shot Reina Victoria 04 Art Hotel - turns out that it's the oldest hotel in Valencia! It went through a big refurbishment in 2016 by local architect Luis Ferreres Soler and we picked the hotel partly because of its excellent central location, but mainly because I we loved the artistic modern look of the place with it’s really cool furniture, great colour combinations and patterned tiles! The power of interior design right?!
The breakfast room was an absolute pleasure. We thoroughly enjoyed waking up here each morning with great coffee, an extensive choice of brilliant food (including Manchego cheese every single day!) and very pretty street views. It's hard for me to be unhappy when I can see palm trees out of the window. The scheme of the room was right up my street, teaming a black and white tiled floor with dark grey walls, pink sofas, yellow chairs, hints of gold and loads of fantastic plants. It was so so stylish, but still fun, colourful and comfortable, and I loved that. It felt like one of my moodboards had just jumped off the page and into this space! You now how Joey from Friends steps into the map, I felt like I'd stepped into a moodboard!
Breakfast area
Our bedroom was enormous! The bed was a supersized dream (when we got home one week later we both looked at our own king size bed in horror) the furniture was just as pictured on the images online, a bright yellow high backed chair teamed with an electric blue desk chair in a midcentury modern style. The relaxed, spacious, and comfortable aura of the room made it the perfect base for our fun filled trip and the ideal space to unwind after sightseeing (and the best bed to sleep in.)
The favourite part though was the bathroom. The bold, punchy floor tiles speak to my fashion background and although it wasn’t a large space the design of the walk in shower was perfect. The rain shower went down a treat and was especially appreciated on a cool setting after a day in the Spanish sun. I just love a strong, graphic bathroom and it epitomised a great monochrome design.
Well that's just the hotel bit. If you’re like me and love seeing beautifully crafted historic buildings mixed with contemporary, interesting museums, beautiful artwork, and delicious food and drink, this is absolutely a place you need to go (we're already planning our next trip!)
The city stole my heart. It reminded me of Barcelona, part Havana, but had a Parisian vibe as well, with its tall buildings, spectacular entrance doorways, incredibly intricate iron work and beautiful tiles on the facades of the architecture. The buildings reminded me of slices of wedding cake and the colours, patterns and vibe of the city spoke to my soul. These are the things that are staying with me now that I’m home.
Our first day was spent getting our bearings. We walked to Central Market which is the largest market in Europe apparently and the structure of the building alone is a sight to behold. The first thing I noticed is that’s it’s covered in gorgeous yellow and blue tiles. On entering the building you’re welcomed with a sea of colour in the fruit, meats and cheeses that are on display, it really is a feast for the eyes and the soul, and you will be shopping with your stomach!
Another of my favourite buildings and experiences was the Museum of Ceramics. As I was walking down the street I noticed a doorway that stopped me in my tracks. I could see that it was something very special but on closer inspection you realise that the structure is carved from smooth glossy alabaster and all you want to do is touch it. I read that the interior was renovated in 1740 in Rococo style (although the building itself is 15th century), it was like walking through a miniature version of the Palace of Versailles. The colours inside were breathtaking and I really enjoyed seeing a very vivid interior in the next room, while standing in a room with pastel shades. Lots of special details included delicate ceramic embellishments on chairs, stunning oriental ornaments and vases and a colour overload. The Wedgwood and cream room was the final one that you're guided into and it took my breath away. I wanted to sit on that posh looking sofa but we weren't allowed to! Check out that ceiling!
Another big hit for me was the Church of St Nicolás. I’ve seen some pretty magnificent ceiling works of art on my travels but the richness of colour in this church was stunning. Angles appear in every single rib of the ceiling, but it was the use of gorgeous deep colours that has really stayed with me.
The Silk Museum was fascinating too, I've taken an interest in silk since we've moved to Macclesfield! (a historical silk weaving town)
The Silk Museum
We spent a whole day walking around the architectural wonders of the City of Arts and Sciences. It was so interesting to see the contrast between the gothic architecture of the city, with its old town and narrow streets and the modern curves of the buildings here. The majority of the day was spent in the aquarium where we saw pretty neon jellyfish, sharks going over our heads and the brightest coloured bird I’ve ever seen!
Shopping is great in Valencia, the abundance of colour and pattern continues. Ceramics are everywhere, from bowls and plates to coasters and spoon rests (which has gone down a treat in my kitchen!) We discovered the most amazing vintage shop in a street in the El Carmen area (my favourite area), called Pannonica. Photos weren’t allowed unfortunately but it was a treasure trove of vintage and retro goodies for interiors as well as fashion. I found an amazing Christian Dior headscarf in pastel colours which I stupidly left behind... I’ve been dreaming about that scarf!
I lived in Manchester for many years and still work there, and the El Carmen area reminded me of the Northern Quarter, but obviously with added Spanish charm. We didn't spend as long as we wanted to in this area, so we need to explore it much morel when we go back. Here are some images of how graffiti is such a big thing here. It's done in a cool, tasteful way which adds another layer of charisma to the old buildings, some of them looking like they could collapse at any moment!
I can't sign off this post without showing you my most favourite building of the whole trip which was right down the street from the hotel. Pink, patterned and cake like, and its actually a bank.
I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at some of the images from one of the greatest cities I’ve visited (if not the best!) Maybe this has inspired you to visit Valencia and continue your own quest for beauty, colour and design.
