40 Winks | The Boutique Escape
Commercial Interior Design – Durham | Carole Crowe
Tucked away in the heart of Durham lies a secret garden. A tranquil, transformative space, 40 Winks is a boutique guesthouse designed for the city-weary, a place to slow down, indulge the senses, and reconnect with beauty.
The brief was clear: create an experience as unforgettable as it is relaxing. Something layered, textural, and emotionally rich. A place that feels like an escape, without ever leaving the city.
A Hidden World Behind the Street
From the moment you step off South Street and into the courtyard, the atmosphere shifts. Every detail invites you into a new mood, romantic, grounded, and gracefully playful. Inspired by the vision of dining in an evergreen glade, the courtyard is alive with foliage, candlelight, and layered textures. It holds a quiet magic, part English garden, part cosmopolitan dream.
Interior That Sparks Conversation
Inside, the orangery and toilet lobby continue the story. Dramatic murals, gold fern chandeliers, antique mirrors, and botanical tones create moments of awe, intimacy, and intrigue. Each corner was crafted to be not only functional, but emotionally resonant - an experience to be felt, not just seen.
From the bar to the banquettes, everything was designed with elegance and energy in mind. Whether guests are sipping matcha or champagne, the space holds them with ease.
For the Guest Who Seeks More
This is a place designed not just for rest, but for joy. For people who crave a little theatre with their tea, or intimacy with their brunch. It's an experience that lingers. In memory, in feeling, and in every photo shared.
