Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel, has unveiled the annual Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2024, this year created by long-time friend of the hotel, Sir Paul Smith. The Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2024 by Sir Paul Smith brings together two illustrious British names to reveal a traditional 20ft Christmas tree sitting in a Signature Striped barrel and decorated with Paul Smith colourful baubles, ribbon and over 100 bespoke birdhouses.
Sir Paul has collaborated with two friends of the house on the decorations, British artist Nik Ramage, who has made a series of mechanical birdhouses, all with a playful Paul Smith twist, with roofs decorated in playing cards, postage stamps and dice. In Paul’s office, a miniature cable cart hovers overhead and Ramage took inspiration from this and engineered a flying bird to frame Claridge’s reception. Design studio Studiomama, have created a series of their whimsical ‘Off Cut Creatures’ to sit around the base of the tree.
When designing the tree, Sir Paul automatically thought of a birdhouse. It felt like the most charming of ideas, friendly, optimistic and he wanted to use an everyday object such as a birdhouse in a repetitive way. In the same vein as designing his shops, Sir Paul likes to take everyday objects and repurpose them, giving them a new lease of life.
"You can find inspiration in everything, and if you can't, look again.”
Sir Paul Smith
Adding to the festive design, Paul Smith’s holiday Merrymaker fragrance scents the lobby, and a chorus of birdsong is projected from the tree throughout the day to welcome guests into the lobby of the hotel. Sir Paul has even transformed the hotel lobby into his living room, with a geometric Paul Smith stripe Rug Company Rug, reupholstered Maharam by Paul Smith fabric pieces surround the fireplace to offer guests a warming retreat during the winter months.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without an element of festive fun and adding to the playfulness, Sir Paul has revealed ‘Paul’s Pick n Mix’ trolley, which is available for guests to enjoy. With a selection of Sir Paul’s confectionary favourites, the trolley will be wheeled into the lobby daily to surprise and delight hotel visitors.
Commenting on the tree, Sir Paul said, “My wife Pauline and I have been staying and dining at Claridge’s for many years. We have spent so many special moments like Christmas and New Year at the hotel with our grandchildren and so it is often a family affair. It’s a great honour to be asked to create this year’s Christmas tree and it’s something I hope people will enjoy and find fascinating and fun. When designing this year’s tree, I automatically thought of a bird house, friendly and optimistic, a symbol of home which reflects the welcoming spirit of Claridge’s.”
Exuding festive charm, the Claridge’s Christmas tree has long been a seasonal London landmark and symbolises the start of the festive season in the capital. This is the sixteenth year Claridge’s has invited a distinguished friend to reinterpret the Christmas tree in their own distinctive style.
Visit Claridge's, Brook St, London W1K 4HR to marvel at the tree