Cirque Decor? A New Look?
Parasol Bar Wynn Hotel; photo credit: jochibiI just returned from Las Vegas last week. Had so much fun! One highlight was Cirque du Soleil's, LOVE. Amazing. A "must see" if you go to Vegas.
The other highlight, or shall I say, huge inspiration, was a visit to the Wynn Hotel. It got me thinking, is there possibly a new look for decor that we could call "Cirque?"
The other highlight, or shall I say, huge inspiration, was a visit to the Wynn Hotel. It got me thinking, is there possibly a new look for decor that we could call "Cirque?"
Upon entering the hotel, I had no idea of the whimsy that was awaiting me. From floating parasols to a lake of dreams, The Wynn was a treasure! This photo above is from the registration area of the hotel. Amazing tall rock crystal bird table lamps graced the counters with a circus-themed painted mural behind them.
Wynn's inspiration; 1932 Picasso painting Le RêveHere's what Roger Thomas, Executive of Wynn design had to say about the Parasol installation in the Wynn: “Very early on in the resort’s design and conception, Steve gave me an assignment: His initial inspiration was the 1932 Picasso painting Le Rêve, which is French for ‘the dream.' And so he asked me, ‘How do we convey the feeling of a dream?’ Parasols are among the images I find very dreamlike—I think of Chagall and of people floating in the sky, carrying mini parasols over their heads—so I liked the idea of this ballet of parasols that both turn slowly and move up and down slowly. I often think of guests sitting at Parasol Up; they look at the parasols, and when they look back a few minutes later, they think, Have they changed? Am I dreaming?”
“I came up with their design, the whimsical shapes and colors and embroideries, by closing myself up in a room and large sheets of paper, and I put on Vivaldi and just started drawing these fanciful shapes. They took more than a year to create, and we constructed them here, just outside of Las Vegas. Ultimately I’m thrilled that they’ve become such an iconic element of the resort; they were meant to be a heart of Wynn, with a sort of pulse and movement. One of my favorite things to do is to stand off to the side and watch the reactions of our guests—they always seem entranced, and that’s really fulfilling.”
photo credit: catnipmusicAmazing colorful mosaic flooring throughout the hotel...
The Wynn Hotel reminded me a lot of the historic Cirque Room in the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco. The Cirque Room was the first bar to open in San Francisco following prohibition. It was decorated by architect Tim Pflueger in a beautiful Art Deco style with an incredible bar, and murals by the celebrated Bruton sisters. Before the Venetian Room was opened, the Cirque was the place to go for entertainment in San Francisco.
Blush Lounge Wynn Hotel - photo credit: stars4estherThe Blush Lounge at the Wynn features a ceiling hung with 300 lanterns that change colors. Amazing.
The Wynn Buffet
photo credit: CourtneyMayI found the photo above on Flickr. The cabanas near the pool are very circus-like. Unfortunately the pool isn't open during the winter. But, how cute, right?
We took a little walk over to Wynn's newest hotel, The Encore. These glass peacocksare at the entrance to the High-Limit Baccarat room. Woah!
The peacocks are created out of cast glass, with their eyes crafted in jade. Their tails are crafted out of open-work metal, accented by hundreds of Swarovski crystals that were then lit from beneath to give the tails a wonderful glow.
And finally, the Wynn Theatre at the Encore. The rotunda outside The Wynn Theater has 39 crystal-encrusted butterflies hanging from the ceiling that are covered with 8 million multi-colored gems. Unbelievable.I love the fact that Steve Wynn thought 'out of the box' and came up with a whimsical theme like none other. Not modern. Not Hollywood Regency. Not make believe Paris. Just circus-themed whimsy. Refreshing for a change.
The Wynn Hotels just blew me away.
Comments
You have certainly got me in the mood for when we see the Cirque du Soleil next month at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It's funny as, the ceiling in the Albert Hall is a little like the Blush Lounge at the Wynn Hotel.... and I love the parasol lights.... and that Wynn Buffet is like something out of a Tim Burton film. You would expect Johnny Depp to walk in at any moment.
Las Vegas certainly knows how to present things in such an over the top way but still managing to look out of this world.
Many thanks for showing us. It's been a few years since we have been to Las Vegas and they have got so many more hotels since we've been. I loved looking at your photos. XXXX
However I will definitely make a point of wining and dining there instead. Great pictures & post!
I love the striped 'circus' cabanas and that vintage photos of the dancers. Thanks for sharing all the over the (big) top decoration with us!
xoxo,
lisa
There art collection was very nice as well.
Catherine