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AT Europe: A Tour of The Main House in London's Notting Hill

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2-23-housetourlogo.jpgIn 2001, Caroline Main -- former nightclub owner and African safari guide, among other incarnations -- bought a five-story house just off fashionable Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill with the idea of turning the top three floors into a private house hotel. She decorated the 1840 Victorian herself with flair and personal style...

 
 

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The individually designed airy suites are filled with antiques and modern comforts. Main has never advertised, but has managed to keep the house full and the favorable press flowing with word-of-mouth alone. If you have ever dreamed of living in London, you can rent an entire floor of The Main House starting at 100 pounds per night. Main invited AT Europe to photograph the top two floors between guest arrivals.

The second floor is a self-contained suite, with a large airy bedroom and sitting room and a dreamy bathroom big enough to contain a chaise for lounging. The top floor is a two-room suite with a small bathroom that's ideal for people traveling with children or wanting a second room.

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The Main House isn't exactly a B&B (you can't eat there, but they will bring you tea in bed that you can enjoy in your room or on the communal terrace) or a conventional hotel but a unique home away from home that Harpers and Queen magazine voted "the best city b&b in the world". Main says she wanted to create a private oasis for like-minded souls looking for an authentic experience that hotels don't offer. "It's for sensible, intelligent people looking for the same things we're looking for when we travel," Main says. "And people really appreciate that it doesn't cost a lot."

The Main House can be booked directly through their website or over the phone.

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- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, France. If you have an idea for a European house tour, please write kristinh @ apartmenttherapy . com

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Comments (11)

I love the charm, elegance, yet home-like warmth of this hotel. It is just the kind of place I'd like to stay in while traveling.

posted by Doris loves art! on May 1st 2008 at 4:59am
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This is absolutely beautiful. Very warm and inviting.

posted by suzy8track on May 1st 2008 at 5:09am
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HI CAROLINE!!! your long lost friend in ny....carol/carolina design. best to you and jobe.

posted by carol on May 1st 2008 at 5:47am
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i love all the white! the large mirrors are gorgeous too :) though, i'm really not into the dead animals on the floor. i've never understood why someone would do that. anyway, everything else is beautiful!

posted by gleek on May 1st 2008 at 6:19am
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i really like your use of full length mirrors.

posted by The Sale Rack on May 1st 2008 at 7:47am
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love the huge mirrors

posted by AMNY on May 1st 2008 at 10:49am
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Aaaaagh, nostalgia. I lived in London for 4 years until a year ago, and had a flat of that same era in that area, so it's giving me killer pangs to look at these pics! :-(

Of course, my place was not nearly as stylish, hehe, and I second the people who said they really like the use of huge mirrors!

posted by ChloeSF on May 1st 2008 at 12:15pm
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ok im moving there now! This place is so delicate in STYLE...so simple ..i love it. Although i would add a hint or color somewhere.

Jen Ramos
'100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

posted by jenniferramos on May 1st 2008 at 2:27pm
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The bathroom is just a dream. I'd lie in my bathrobe on that chaise and read all day.

posted by Jenny B on May 1st 2008 at 3:12pm
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You've inspired me to look for giant mirrors!

posted by glassesgirl on May 1st 2008 at 9:49pm
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Dead animals on the floor....um, get over it.
It's been done since the caveman. So call PETA...

posted by hdtex on May 2nd 2008 at 12:13pm
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