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Rosie - notes on the original design below which talks about the ceiling for you:
The layouts of all the cabins were the undertaken by Cunard naval architects except for the suites. Originally eight designers were to be responsible for the suite rooms but during 1966 Dennis Lennon suggested the services of Gaby Schreiber and (Stefan) Buzas and (Alan) Irvine.
Cunard accepted this in August 1966 and the designs for these rooms were divided between three designers: Dennis Lennon, Gaby Schreiber and Buzas and Irvine. Each produced two or three colour schemes for their set of rooms which would complement each other should one passenger take several rooms so there would be no conflict between the rooms if they were taken in tandem.
Final schemes and designs were originally supposed to be submitted to John Brown & Co in October 1966 but final designs were still being chased as late as June 1967 leading to the builder to complain about delays in completing the ship given their midships, and therefore vital, position on One and Two Decks.
In February 1967 it was agreed that the designers would be able to use two timbers per room but there may be four or five fabrics (chosen later). The designers’ selections for carpets and furniture were often rejected by Cunard due to possible maintenance issues, the suitability of certain materials for coverings and the stability of some items of furniture. There were many permutations of design and colour arrangements. In many cases the beds could become sofas during the day. Upholstery was mostly wool or leather and curtains and cushions were silk – a pleasing combination of textures which could be adapted to different climates.
It was also stipulated that only British-manufactured furniture should be used.
Lennon Designs
While the schemes were complementary to each other the theme common to all was velvet lined panelling on raised milk-chocolate-coloured pearwood frames with inset metal trims, with gold leaf recesses behind the bed and bed heads, which were covered in soft blue or beige leather. The rooms had two colour schemes, one basically blue, one basically gold. Ceilings were panelled in pearwood with gold leaf on the ceiling cover and the floors were carpeted throughout. Tailored bedspreads were in another shade of blue or beige tweed and made by Tamesa. Built-in furniture (which was low and very intimately related to the total design and also made of pearwood) had leather tops (rather than Formica and specifically requested by Lennon) with curved edges, and flush drawers; chairs were by Hille and Saarinen. The lighting was very subtle, in keeping with the designs. Bathrooms were a “riot” of imitation marble.
Schreiber Designs
A feeling of spaciousness was achieved in the same space with walls covered in pale panels of natural Thai cotton, low built-in furniture and comfortable armchairs, some designed by Schreiber, some classics by Charles Eames and large oval surrounds to the windows. The light oak cupboards, considered to be the best-looking furniture on the ship, had curved edges and were cantilevered from the wall. Some rooms had chocolate carpets with tangerine curtains and checked tangerine / yellow / shocking pink upholstery set off by numerous small cushions in brilliant shades of silk. Another scheme featured beige carpets, caramel silk curtains and aquamarine / deep blue checked upholstery with cyclamen.
Topic: QE2: The Original One Deck Suites (Read 5046 times)
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Feb 13, 2011, 11:44 AM