Take a Tour of the Witty, Irreverent, and Exceptional Interiors of Virgin Hotels Dallas

From Texas Cliché Carpets to Unusual Book Collections — Two Top Texas Design Firms Take Us Inside the Edgy, Earthy New Hotel

BY Rebecca Sherman // 06.29.20

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The surreal Funny Library Coffee Shop in Virgin Hotels Dallas.

Mozersky stocked the Funny Library shelves with unusual books and objects, such as ceramics from Bari Ziperstein (aka BZippy, one of Mozersky’s favorite artists), and scoured vintage stores and makers to find oddly fun objects and games. Books are artful and humorous, including Weird History 101 by John Richard Stephens; Bong Appétit: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Weed by the editors of Munchies; Y’all: The Definitive Guide to Being a Texan by Jay Sauceda; and Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler. The feathered chandelier from A Modern Grand Tour helped give the room a surreal Alice In Wonderland feel, while the B&B Italia Up chair by Gaetano Pesce is iconic and fun.

A meeting room designed by Swoon, the Studio makes guests feel as if they’re floating in the clouds with custom artwork that plays off the incredible views. “Hotel carpet tends to be either prosaic and boring or garish and over the top,” says Joslyn Taylor, partner and designer at Swoon. “We wanted to create something fun and cheeky that felt really specific to the hotel. "We came up with the idea of a Texas cliché carpet that we designed in the studio. We included subtle illustrations of common Dallas stereotypes hidden throughout a Joan Miró-inspired pattern. Look closely, and you’ll find oil derricks, money, cowboy hats, and cans of hairspray, among other surprises.”

Deluxe Chambers’ iconic mid-20th-century furnishings and custom pieces designed by Swoon include Saarinen tables, Thonet-inspired dining chairs, and a sculptural brass pendant with a mid-century vibe.

The Chambers guest rooms are residential-inspired retreats. Swoon, the Studio, created an urban oasis incorporating Moroccan-style tile, natural-stone countertops, white oak millwork, sheer cream linen drapery, tactile flannel wallcoverings, sculptural brass lighting, and crisp white cotton bedding. Red shower fixtures, red velvet Vladimir Kagan-inspired sofas, and red-and-blush throw blankets custom-designed and illustrated by Swoon give the rooms playfulness.

Gorgeous wood and other natural materials give the Chamber King suite a spa-like feel.

Circular tub in the Deluxe Chamber King Suite.

Red plumbing fixtures in the bath rooms carry out the Virgin Hotels color theme.

In the Grand Chamber suite, splashes of red liven Swoon's calm palette of mid-century inspired furnishings and natural materials like oak, leather, and concrete.

Closet details in the King Chamber suite.

Grand Chambers kitchens are crisp, bright, and functional. Swoon achieves a laid-back elegance with humble materials such as raw concrete, as well as more refined elements including stone countertops, white oak millwork, and glossy white plumbing fixtures.

Richard's Flat has a commanding view overlooking downtown Dallas.

The bathroom in Richard’s Flat, designed Joel Mozersky, is a standout in Artistic Tile’s Sail tiles, which he says gives the space rhythm and pattern in an otherwise tiny area.

Swoon's glam-meets-earthy design leading to the hotel's meeting rooms includes rattan furniture, rustic pottery, plants, wood paneling, custom brass light pendants, and elegant custom runner.

The Manor meeting room's edgy, earthy glamour comes from handcrafted gold wallcoverings by Calico, a sea of Flos Viscontea light fixtures, and wood floors and ceiling.

Mozersky channeled Studio 54 with smoked mirrored walls to reflect and move the light around the dark space. Kinetic chandeliers by Rich Brilliant Willing add a sculptural element. Black sheepskin rugs and leopard-print and horsehair fringed ottomans add to the fun.
“We found a monkey and two parrot sculptures by the famous Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante to give the room a little wink,” he says.

The Shag Room’s circular design — a mainstay of every Virgin Hotel property — presented aesthetic challenges for Mozersky that he solved with a serpentine ruched banquette. The Meshmatics chandelier designed by Rick Tegelaar for Moooi is through Scott + Cooner.

Commons Club is the Virgin Hotels Dallas' flagship restaurant, bar, and lounge.

The Virgin's rooftop Pool Club was designed by Swoon, the Studio.

The surreal Funny Library Coffee Shop in Virgin Hotels Dallas.

Mozersky stocked the Funny Library shelves with unusual books and objects, such as ceramics from Bari Ziperstein (aka BZippy, one of Mozersky’s favorite artists), and scoured vintage stores and makers to find oddly fun objects and games. Books are artful and humorous, including Weird History 101 by John Richard Stephens; Bong Appétit: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Weed by the editors of Munchies; Y’all: The Definitive Guide to Being a Texan by Jay Sauceda; and Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler. The feathered chandelier from A Modern Grand Tour helped give the room a surreal Alice In Wonderland feel, while the B&B Italia Up chair by Gaetano Pesce is iconic and fun.

A meeting room designed by Swoon, the Studio makes guests feel as if they’re floating in the clouds with custom artwork that plays off the incredible views. “Hotel carpet tends to be either prosaic and boring or garish and over the top,” says Joslyn Taylor, partner and designer at Swoon. “We wanted to create something fun and cheeky that felt really specific to the hotel. "We came up with the idea of a Texas cliché carpet that we designed in the studio. We included subtle illustrations of common Dallas stereotypes hidden throughout a Joan Miró-inspired pattern. Look closely, and you’ll find oil derricks, money, cowboy hats, and cans of hairspray, among other surprises.”

The Chambers guest rooms are residential-inspired retreats. Swoon, the Studio, created an urban oasis incorporating Moroccan-style tile, natural-stone countertops, white oak millwork, sheer cream linen drapery, tactile flannel wallcoverings, sculptural brass lighting, and crisp white cotton bedding. Red shower fixtures, red velvet Vladimir Kagan-inspired sofas, and red-and-blush throw blankets custom-designed and illustrated by Swoon give the rooms playfulness.

Mozersky channeled Studio 54 with smoked mirrored walls to reflect and move the light around the dark space. Kinetic chandeliers by Rich Brilliant Willing add a sculptural element. Black sheepskin rugs and leopard-print and horsehair fringed ottomans add to the fun. “We found a monkey and two parrot sculptures by the famous Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante to give the room a little wink,” he says.

Virgin Hotels Dallas debuted a few short months before the pandemic put a crashing halt to businesses everywhere — and before many of us had a chance to soak up the hotel’s stylish interiors. But it was worth the wait. Virgin’s doors are open again, with COVID-19 cleanliness and safety protocols firmly in place.

From the Funny Library Coffee Shop to the rooftop Pool Club and the guest rooms dubbed The Chambers, each space packs plenty of wit and sophistication with Virgin’s signature irreverence, dashes of red, edgy artwork, and unexpected design details.

Commons Club is the hotel’s flagship restaurant, bar, and lounge that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so the room had to look bright and cheerful during the day, then convert to dark and sexy at night. Mozersky worked with Porter Teleo on a custom version of their wallcovering Kintsugi, to give the room an interesting art and architectural element. The rice-paper lighting is by Spanish Designer Jaime Hayon, used en masse to create an artistic installation. Classic Cab chairs by Mario Bellini in custom green leather serve as restaurant seating. — **Commons Club** is the hotel’s flagship restaurant, bar, and lounge that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so the room had to look bright and cheerful during the day, then convert to dark and sexy at night. Mozersky worked with Porter Teleo on a custom version of their wallcovering Kintsugi, to give the room an interesting art and architectural element. The rice-paper lighting is by Spanish Designer Jaime Hayon, used en masse to create an artistic installation. Classic Cab chairs by Mario Bellini in custom green leather serve as restaurant seating.

We’d expect nothing less from bon vivant Bill Hutchinson, who developed the property in partnership with another bon vivant, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson — Hutchinson’s doppelgänger. The hotel features collaborative designs from two top Texas firms: Dallas-based Swoon, the Studio, and Joel Mozersky Design of Austin.

As the designer of record, Swoon set the creative vision for the hotel, along with The Chambers guest rooms, meeting spaces, and the Pool Club. Mozersky’s stamp is on designs for the lobby, Commons Club, Funny Library Coffee Shop, and Penthouse Suites.

Whether you’re thinking of booking a staycation or just need a little visual escape, the two stop Texas firms share some of their favorite design elements in our slide show above.