Meet Elsie Agnew: The Artist Behind Red Carnation's Most Enchanting Spaces

At Red Carnation, every detail tells a story. Recently, artist and designer Elsie Agnew brought her distinctive creative vision to two of our London properties, transforming The Chesterfield Mayfair's women's bathroom and the ceiling of The Milestone's new Family Suite into captivating works of art. Inspired by nature, imagination and a deep sense of place, Elsie's bespoke designs enhance the character of each space while complementing the history and charm of the hotels themselves.

We sat down with her to discuss creativity, inspiration, and the joy of creating worlds that invite guests to pause, wonder and explore.

What is the earliest moment you remember feeling completely absorbed by making something?

I grew up in the countryside, so my childhood was all about making stories from the things we had around us – nature, paint, objects found in the overgrown parts of the garden, clay dug from the fields to make mystical creatures and pots. My mum is a painter, so there was always paint and bits and bobs lying around to make things from. When I picked them up, they allowed me to make my stories. I spent hours creating miniature magical fairy kingdoms with my sisters. I think that sense of imaginative play and total immersion has stayed with me since.

Elsie Agnew

What does a perfect, creatively satisfying day look like for you from morning to night?

Being immersed in nature, especially in trees, is really important to me. I’m naturally an early riser and the best way to start the day would be to walk in the trees and allow ideas to start flowing freely. Back in the studio, I'd begin by doodling and letting new ideas emerge. I always like to have a couple of projects on the go at once, so I can move between them and keep things feeling fresh and exciting. The best part of the day is when I become completely absorbed in a piece of work and lose all sense of time. That state of flow is where I feel most creative, and it's probably the greatest sense of fulfilment I know.

What was the single idea or feeling you most wanted to capture in The Chesterfield Mayfair’s ladies' bathroom?

I wanted the bathroom to feel like a hidden jewel within the hotel – unexpected, elegant, and full of character. It was important that the artwork respected the building's history while bringing a fresh sense of energy to the space. The natural colours and textures of the pink grass cloth wallpaper directly informed the palette and atmosphere of my painting.

The ladies' bathroom at The Chesterfield

Painting a ceiling is a very particular challenge. What did you discover about yourself while creating The Milestone’s Family Suite ceiling?

I discovered that I definitely need to do more yoga! Ceiling painting is physically demanding, but it was such a joyful project. I loved the idea of creating a magical world that children could lie beneath and lose themselves in. It also reminded me how deeply I immerse myself in the environments I create through murals. I become completely absorbed in bringing these imagined worlds to life, and that's where I do my best work.

How does working within a historic hotel shape your imagination differently from working in a blank studio?

One of my favourite things is imagining the people and things that have passed through a place before me. So, working within a historic hotel really got my imagination whirring. It motivated me to create a space that would be seen, felt, and remembered by so many people. It’s a real privilege to have my brushstrokes adding to the hotel’s long and colourful history.

The Family Suite at The Milestone

What kind of reaction from a hotel guest would delight you the most? Awe, joy, curiosity?

Wonder.

Finally, if you could paint any space in the world, what would it be?

I would love to have a space which I call my own and I would paint on the walls exactly what I felt like, whenever. I would paint on top of and beside old designs. It would become a sort of visual diary. It would be in the middle of nowhere, maybe next to a stream and the walls would be rough and aged.

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From the enchanting painted ceiling of The Milestone Hotel & Residences' Family Suite to the beautifully hand-painted interiors at The Chesterfield Mayfair, discover Elsie Agnew's bespoke creations during your next stay in London. Thoughtfully woven into the character of each hotel, her artwork invites moments of curiosity, imagination and wonder, transforming everyday spaces into unforgettable experiences. Discover the rest of our collection, where no two hotels are alike. Each has been thoughtfully designed with handpicked interiors, timeless character and exceptional attention to detail.