Million Air July-August 2018

elite traveler JULY/AUG 2018 27

Object of desire

If you’ve ever stayed at The Savoy in London, you know all about how wonderful the cloud- like beds are. Savoir beds were first created for the hotel in 1905, and to stop competitors from buying the sumptuous beds, The Savoy bought the company. Throughout history, many famous characters have laid their heads on the handcrafted beds, among them Fred Astaire, Louis Armstrong, Marlene Dietrich and Claude Monet, who spent his mornings painting the sun rising over Waterloo Bridge during his many visits. Fittingly, Savoir has partnered with London’s National Gallery, and now any piece of art from its legendary collection of over 2,300 pieces can decorate a Savoir bed. Clients choose their desired painting, be it a Monet, Degas or Rembrandt, and Savoir prints the work onto fabric that is then upholstered onto the headboard and base. Customers can choose between lustrous velvet, textured linen viscose or classic cotton, as well as a number of finishes such as wood trim and an array of brass and upholstered legs. All commissions are approved by the National Gallery to uphold the integrity of the artwork, and each bed is meticulously handmade by artisans in Savoir’s workshops in London and Wales. Every small detail is considered, from the horsetail padding sourced from South America to the ‘star-lashing’ of the springs — a traditional (and painstaking) method of linking the springs by hand that stops them moving laterally. The mattress can be created to your exact comfort preference; especially handy if you have any tension in your body. Customize your mattress topper to minimize pressure points on shoulders and hips and help blood circulation, or even create one where one half suits your needs while the other half is perfect for your partner. Each Savoir bed is signed and dated by the artisan who fashioned it. Master craftsman Arjoon, who has been making beds with the company since 1987, still creates beds and has trained 40 artisans to maintain the high standards. From $17,000 for a king set (includes a No 2 Mattress and HW Topper). Contact James Harper, showroom manager, jamesharper@savoirbeds.co.uk, +44 207 493 4444, savoirbeds.com Sleeping beauty

Words Samantha Coles