At first glance The Cloudesley is an ordinary, if imposing, bed and breakfast establishment, with nothing much to hint that something more exotic lies within. We walk up the path past a whispering curtain of bamboo, over the inauspicious threshold and through some obligatory fire doors and find ourselves transported into a cultural oasis.

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TEST Shahriar has designed the side lamps and created the paint finish on all the walls throughout the house. He has used an organic eco lime wash, which gives depth to the colour and a soft, and rather apt ‘cloud-like’ appearance

Shahriar has designed the side lamps and created the paint finish on all the walls throughout the house. He has used an organic eco lime wash, which gives depth to the colour and a soft, and rather apt ‘cloud-like’ appearance

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TEST Back downstairs, we pass into the dining room, where Shahriar serves a unique range of breakfasts. He is happy to offer the standard English style morning meal, but along with this and some very healthy sounding fruit platters and porridges, has some more unusual and interesting offerings in the form of exotic (and often alcoholic) omelettes.

Back downstairs, we pass into the dining room, where Shahriar serves a unique range of breakfasts. He is happy to offer the standard English style morning meal, but along with this and some very healthy sounding fruit platters and porridges, has some more unusual and interesting offerings in the form of exotic (and often alcoholic) omelettes

TEST A painting Shahriar created whilst studying for his degree takes centre stage on one wall of the dining room

A painting Shahriar created whilst studying for his degree takes centre stage on one wall of the dining room

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TEST The rear reception room has been painted a deep, warm red, and is lit by a wonderful Italian chandelier. Wall lighting subtly illuminates the amazing tribal masks around the room that stare down from on high

The rear reception room has been painted a deep, warm red, and is lit by a wonderful Italian chandelier. Wall lighting subtly illuminates the amazing tribal masks around the room that stare down from on high

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TEST As we climb the stairs we come across a huge photograph of flames, manipulated using Photoshop into a giant fire design. The first room we enter is called Hafez. The room has a tranquil, airy feel and despite the fairly dark coloured walls is flooded by light from the huge bay window...

As we climb the stairs we come across a huge photograph of flames, manipulated using Photoshop into a giant fire design. The first room we enter is called Hafez. The room has a tranquil, airy feel and despite the fairly dark coloured walls is flooded by light from the huge bay window

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TEST The Ferdosi room features a touch of gothic revival; the wall colours in here are lighter to make room for the rich, dark colours of the soft furnishings and Victorian furniture

The Ferdosi room features a touch of gothic revival; the wall colours in here are lighter to make room for the rich, dark colours of the soft furnishings and Victorian furniture

TEST Shahriah’s bathroom is painted a rich, spicy red

Shahriah’s bathroom is painted a rich, spicy red

TEST The Cloudesley boasts two peaceful treatment rooms where a range of holistic therapies and treatments are on offer from a small team of therapists

The Cloudesley boasts two peaceful treatment rooms where a range of holistic therapies and treatments are on offer from a small team of therapists

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TEST Throughout the house, most of the photographs that hang on the walls have been taken by Shahriar on his travels and during his time on the west coast of America...

Throughout the house, most of the photographs that hang on the walls have been taken by Shahriar on his travels and during his time on the west coast of America

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TEST In the Saadi bedroom African buffalo masks and a tribal figure stand tall above the fireplace. The colours are earthier, but very contemporary and the fresh white bedlinen and pale marble fireplace make a crisp contrast

In the Saadi bedroom African buffalo masks and a tribal figure stand tall above the fireplace. The colours are earthier, but very contemporary and the fresh white bedlinen and pale marble fireplace make a crisp contrast

TEST Right at the top of the house is a room called Rumi and here the eco limewash on the walls really does become cloud-like. The simple contemporary furniture has a mirrored finish which enhances this. Seated serenely in a corner, as if to remind us that we’re up near the heavens is a stone Buddha...

Right at the top of the house is a room called Rumi and here the eco limewash on the walls really does become cloud-like. The simple contemporary furniture has a mirrored finish which enhances this. Seated serenely in a corner, as if to remind us that we’re up near the heavens is a stone Buddha

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TEST Khayam is painted a serene mauve/grey colour which sets off some framed photographs of vintage American cars – a small part of Shahriar’s photographic collection of California’s car culture

Khayam is painted a serene mauve/grey colour which sets off some framed photographs of vintage American cars – a small part of Shahriar’s photographic collection of California’s car culture

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  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming

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