Destination: Berkshire, United Kingdom – for a stay at one of the most influentially aristocratic

Bed & Breakfasts this world can offer. We discover that the River Arts Club stands as a witness to the

irresistible temptation of aesthetic wellbeing.BY VIKTOR AYUB PHOTOS HD PRODUCTIONS

ELLE DECO 111110 ELLE DECO

DEAR RIVERTHAMES

ELLE DECO 113112 ELLE DECO

On the banks of beautyBuilt on the waterfrontalong the Thamesacross over 60 metres,the house is endowedwith two moorings. In its lush garden,cherry, apple and olivetrees and a severalhundred-year old cedar.

ELLE DECO 115114 ELLE DECO

Phot

os D

.R.

Gallery of the artsIn the central hall, works by Aisar Jalil, Felix Perdomo, RobertoValentin, Joe Barbaritoand Jorge Otero hang on magnificent ChristabelSanderson wallpapers.

116 ELLE DECO ELLE DECO 117

Moored onto the timeless, bucolic and royal bank of theThames in the midst of the Borough of Windsor andMaidenhead, this Grade II classified home carries itsfoundations with tremendous beauty and grace. Built inthe late nineteenth century and a contemporary of theVictorian Grenadier Guards – we’re but a few miles awayfrom Windsor Castle – the Oldfield residence is celebratedin having been home to the great collector of art and formerofficer Henry Reitlinger. Adorned in Revival Tudorarchitectural fashion, Oldfield borrows its lines from theArts & Crafts movement – the Anglo-Saxon equivalent ofArt-Nouveau. Ranked among the top 10 most beautifulestates in the UK by British TV station Channel 4, the estatehas several times served as a backdrop for the world ofcinema. Jeremy Irons, Annette Bening – in "Being Julia"by István Szabó – or Emma Watson – in the British TV film"Ballet Shoes" – have taken in the beauty within thesewalls. Acquired in 2011 by a Beirut-London power-duowho are crazy about art, Oldfield opens its doors to artlovers in early 2016.

Hampton CourtMagnificent suite with a view of the Thames,Hampton Court haskept its originalwoodwork. 19th centuryCaucasian carpet, Siouxartisanal bedspreads.

ELLE DECO 119118 ELLE DECO

A home away from home. In this house of the arts, encounterstake place through warm discussions, contemplatingartworks, in a gorgeous salon, or simply within the meditativesolitude of the enchantingly calm shore of the River Thames.In the garden of more than 2500 square metres of greenery,peonies, tulips, cherry, apple, and olive trees gather toennoble a several hundred-year old cedar. Here, whereone feels at home, poetry is a luxury within reach to everydreamer. The 13 rooms that compose the Oldfield eachcarry a different character, making sure to maintain theirown personality. Artworks, objects, and colours are neverleft to chance, as the Debs – guardians of all things beautiful– watch over every detail.

Under the stars of gastronomy. Ideally located in thecentre of a constellation of culinary exception, Oldfieldcan also boast of being a neighbour to Michel Roux’s"Waterside Inn" (guests can be dropped off by boat, aglass of champagne in hand), or to the famous British chefHeston Blumenthal’s triple Michelin starred and famous"Fat Duck", "Hinds Head" or the "Crown in Bray". Thevillage of Bray-On-Thames can also pride itself in turn asbeing a gourmet town par excellence. A note to all culinaryenthusiasts!Oldfield, Guards Club Road, Maidenhead.www.riverartsclub.com

Blue dreamsIn the "Being JuliaSuite" of theeponymous film,Arts & Craftsoriginal bed andtextiles. Painting byAlejandro Meruelo.

English gardenFloral, the English Gardensuite gives way to a privateterrace in the garden.Ernesto Crespo painting.Colefax and Fowlerwallpaper in the room.

ELLE DECO 121120 ELLE DECO

When vintage furniture meet modern art.

ELLE DECO 123122 ELLE DECO

On board the OpheliaFrom Oldfield toWindsor Castle, there’sonly one River Thames…Glass of champagne inhand, sail away with theswans on the houseboat!