Lori Morris Design is an interior design firm known for its innovative style. Their most recent achievement included receiving Best Luxury Hotel Interior Design from Luxury Lifestyle Awards for their work on The Scotsman Hotel located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Built in 1835 and transformed over the years, the hotel underwent a remarkable renovation led by Lori Morris from November 2020 to August 2023. The 5 Star, 4011 sq. ft. boutique hotel now features six suites, eight bathrooms, a lobby, a waiting area, a piano lounge, and a breakfast room, displaying Morris' passion for luxury and attention to detail.
We had the privilege of spending time with Lori Morris herself, as well as the inspiring owner of The Scotsman Hotel, Brenda McArthur. Join us as we delve into the story behind the renovation of this historic hotel.
Luxury Lifestyle Awards: Your design philosophy is known for its "no rules" approach, blending sumptuous elegance with a distinctive edge. How did you apply this philosophy to the renovation of The Scotsman Hotel?
Lori Morris: Our no rules approach to design is something that has been basically in my psyche all my life and is my complete way of approaching all design projects.
From day one I never really understood that it was a no rules approach. When I was very young and first started, I knew that I wanted to do whatever I wanted to do, and I didn't put any parameters, or borders or guidelines on what I did in terms of a design philosophy.
At the end of the day all the parameters of functionality have to come into play, but once that is established then the design approach for having no rules means that there are no rules in terms of color, genre, texture, or styles.
When it comes to the Scotsman Hotel, after the realities of what was needed to function appropriately for a hotel were established and once those parameters are met in terms of what has to be done, then we shake it up like a martini and see what comes out.
I looked at the space which was historical and some of its value and architecture was open to interpretation. In doing so, once we organized the style, the color palette, the genre, and how we wanted it to feel, we just went to town.
To me, beauty is beauty, and whether it comes in all shapes or sizes or colors, it's a general statement of beauty, and that's what this hotel exudes, beauty, elegance, charm, sex appeal, and opulence.
LLA: Transforming a historic property like The Scotsman Hotel, dating back to 1805, has its own set of challenges. What were some of the most significant hurdles you faced during this project, and how did you maintain the hotel's historical integrity while infusing it with modern luxury?
LM: The biggest challenge when working on the Scotsman Hotel was the strict historic limitations of the architecture of the building which had to stay intact and in designing and constructing any architectural enhancements to the windows, archways, doors, and outdoor property.
But that's always a good thing from an esthetic perspective, which I usually like, because it gives it the authenticity that we're looking for.
Inside, the limitations were not as strict giving us the freedom we needed to create the dynamic LMD luxury experience that we were aiming for in each room to make it intimate, sumptuous, and sexy while still being functional.
LLA: Walk us through your process for The Scotsman Hotel renovation, from the initial design sketches to the final touches, and how your team ensured a comfortable, easy experience?
LM: The House of LMD has been designing luxury spaces for over 35 years and our team has developed a very streamlined process to carry us through each project and control our client experience. We're here as the facilitators for the client and as the artists to create this magic and make this all happen. We handle this process with white gloves and a full commitment to the end product of what our clients are trying to achieve.
We start by presenting a visual experience with hand drawn conceptual sketches done by our creative director, Julie Ballard. Once the design is approved, we start the development of the detailed drawing package that the trades use to construct every element of the project. These drawing packages are very detailed and include all of the floor plans, elevations, finishes and schedules to implement the finished product.
And then the install. The install is the crown jewel of our industry, and the area of which is the most exciting, both for us as the designers and for the clients, because that represents all the hard work of the entire project coming to its fruition. It starts by bringing in several transport trailers with all the furniture and goods then unpacking all the product, getting it all set up in its place, and then coming in and performing the magic with the magic wand that spreads the fairy dust everywhere to give it that little twist that LMD is known for.
When that is complete, we do the reveal with the clients which is incredible in terms of their excitement because this was their dream so helping with the client to put this together and make it a reality is incredibly exciting and rewarding for both of us.
LLA: How do you continuously push the boundaries of interior design?
LM: I think we push the boundaries of interior design continuously with imagination. I take it for granted but I've learned that we still have so much of my imagination to show and so much to create.
Once we develop a certain style or certain way to design whether it be ceiling designs, cabinetry designs, floor designs or just overall decoration, once we've established that and we create this new form of design integrity, well, then we're done and we move onto another phase and we keep growing from it.
I owe it to myself to continuously challenge myself in terms of my design capabilities, and I owe it to my audience to be able to still thrill them and razzle and dazzle them, which is the magic that I intend to do forever.
LLA: Brenda, what inspired you to undertake this latest transformation with Lori Morris, and how does it feel to see the hotel reach this new pinnacle of luxury and design?
Brenda McArthur: The Scotsman Hotel was an incredibly special project near and dear to my heart. I wanted to create a unique bespoke Country Inn experience for our guests that no other hotel provided in the Greater Niagara area. I have worked with Lori Morris and her team on other projects and when I discussed my vision of The Scotsman Hotel with Lori, I knew Lori and her team were perfect for this job. I was confident our familiarity with each other would result in a finished product that would exceed my expectations and then some, which Lori Morris delivered!
I am so proud of what The Scotsman Hotel is today. It has gone from being a vision I had to a reality. Being awarded the Best Luxury Interior Design by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards is a testament to how special it is! My goal was for our guests to be inspired and excited about their “Scotsman” experience, combining stunning interior design with bespoke customer service that is unparalleled in the industry. Visit The Scotsman Hotel and embrace its Romance, Opulence and Soul.
LLA: How did Lori Morris’ unique vision influence the overall atmosphere and guest experience at The Scotsman Hotel?
BM: Lori Morris is one of the best in the world at her craft, her ability to take my vision and deliver a design resulting in The Scotsman Hotel is truly remarkable. Lori was able to bring her unique approach of exclusive elegance blended with a distinctive edge to the design of The Scotsman Hotel all while respecting my desire to have overtones of Scottish heritage and style throughout.
I wanted the Scotsman Hotel to be elegant, unique, romantic, and beautiful and to reflect a worldly feel. While at the same time, I wanted to incorporate a degree of aggressiveness in the design to create what we have today, a blend of the old character from the heritage building with more modern design accents in a way only Lori Morris can do.
Our guests’ experience is one of awe when they first arrive. They see a very welcoming design with numerous interesting and inviting areas, whether it is the splendid bedroom suites or the distinctive lounges and breakfast area. It is not until they take some time to soak in the entire “Scotsman” experience that they recognize the unique artwork, the custom-designed furniture, and the quality of the accessories throughout the hotel. Lori’s design was integral to creating this bespoke atmosphere.
LLA: Lori Morris Design provided a comprehensive suite of services for The Scotsman Hotel, from architectural planning to custom furniture and decoration. How did their concierge-styled approach to design and project management enhance your experience as the owner and the overall outcome of the renovation?
BM: As I noted earlier, I have worked with Lori and her team on several other projects prior to this one. My experience with Lori Morris and her team has been incredibly positive, and I had no hesitation working with them on The Scotsman Hotel.
Not only is Lori Morris’ vision and design approach extraordinary, but her ability to access unique design elements, such as wallpaper or fabrics to name a few, is so special. This combined with their capacity to envisage the design, draw the plan, and provide project management services is so powerful.
As the client, I felt comfortable knowing Lori and her team understood clearly what my expectations were as their design reflected it. Their ability to source unique and special furnishings, paintings, fabrics, and accessories brought the whole project together. It is comforting to know that Lori and her team and I were on the same page throughout the project, and we remained so through excellent planning, communication, and execution.
LLA: Can you discuss some key decisions made during the renovation process that honored the heritage of The Scotsman Hotel while introducing contemporary design features?
BM: The main building housing The Scotsman Hotel is approaching 200 years old and is designated as a heritage asset. As such, we had to revisit certain design features to ensure they were compliant with the historical nature of the building.
One obvious area was the main entry to the hotel and the restrictions of no outdoor canopies over the door or windows. This resulted in the design of the entranceway to entice visitors to the building via the main door without new signage, etc. This was achieved by the inside hallway and associated lighting fixtures – they simply “grab” one’s attention. Also, significant effort went into rebuilding by hand the wooden window shutters and the original windowpanes to their historical significance – these small design features retained the heritage feel of the structure.
In the interior, the Lori Morris’ design team honored the heritage of the structure by preserving original wooden floors and accentuating the fireplaces and wooden stairs and mantles. The original red brick interior wall, located at the rear outside wall of the historic structure, was preserved and became a focal point in the Highland Bar, displaying a unique selection of art.
Lori did an extraordinary job introducing contemporary art with edge-by-period art pieces as seen throughout the hotel. Additionally, the use of unique and edgy lighting introduced a special feel to the hotel of a “sexy” design while not overpowering its worldly Scottish design goal. The use of unique wallpaper, textured and printed, created a sense of opulence and wealth in the rooms – making it enticing for the guests to relax by curling up in a custom-designed chair while reading a book.
The tagline of The Scotsman Hotel is “Romance, Opulence, Soul,” and we are proud to say Lori Morris and her team achieved it. Her unique approach to blending contemporary design in an edgy way with old-world comfort in a manner that speaks to the hotel’s bespoke nature is special and impressive to our guests. Lori has created a near-perfect blend that honors the delicate balance between preservation and modernization. This will serve The Scotsman Hotel very well for many years to come.
We thank you, Lori and Brenda for sharing with us today!
You can learn more about Lori Morris Design by visiting https://lorimorris.com/. To find out more about The Scotsman Hotel, and to book your next stay, please go to https://www.thescotsmanhotel.ca/
