(CNN) — For years, several vintage Orient Express train carriages lay, forgotten, at a small railway station on the border between Poland and Belarus called Malaszwewicze.
Hospitality group Accor purchased the rediscovered carriages and enlisted Parisian architect Maxime d’Angeac to meticulously restore them, ready for operation on a Paris to Istanbul rail route that’s set to operate from 2025.
The first glimpse of the renovated interiors suggest a glamorous travel experience combining Art Deco glamor with modern luxury.
Past meets present
Pops of color and rich wood panels create a sumptuous feel.
The new Orient Express reinterpreted by Maxime d’Angeac
While the long-distance, trans-Europe Orient Express train immortalized by crime author Agatha Christie no longer exists, the name lives on, still synonymous with old fashioned glamor.
When Mettetal first peeked inside the carriages at Malaszwewicze station, he was struck by the fact that, while they hadn’t been used for at least a decade, there was “almost no damage, just the wear and tear of time.”
Glass and mirrors create a sense of openness.
The new Orient Express reinterpreted by Maxime d’Angeac
The interiors included Art Deco marquetry panels by English decorators Morrison and Nelson, as well as glass panels by French craftsman René Lalique.
While the carriages were pretty well-preserved, it was clear to the team at Accor that a conscientious restoration was in order before the cars could return to the rails. That’s when d’Angeac stepped in.
D’Angeac worked to make small spaces in the carriages feel luxurious.
The new Orient Express reinterpreted by Maxime d’Angeac
“We absolutely must think about how this train would be perceived even further into the future, we needed to make sure that we maintained its strong roots,” said d’Angeac.
He added that while the vintage carriages are smaller than their modern counterparts, he enjoyed the challenge of “finding ways to achieve extreme comfort and luxury in particularly small spaces.”
Glamorous interiors
The corridors of the newly designed trains include vaulted ceilings and a rich carpet.
The new Orient Express reinterpreted by Maxime d’Angeac
The first images released by Accor depict sumptuous interiors, with dark wood panels creating a cozy ambiance, punctuated by pops of rich color, such as green velvet couches.
A recurring motif of glass and mirrors enhances the feeling of openness, including in the dining car, where there’s a stunning mirrored ceiling.
Suites are designed to be multi-purporse and transform from day to night.
The new Orient Express reinterpreted by Maxime d’Angeac
Corridors are described by Accor as “theatrical.”
Classic features are also peppered with fun, modern twists — in the bar car, tables have a call button for champagne.
D’Angeac told CNN Travel he’s proudest of the suites, suggesting the designs captures “the spirit of the 20s” and will be as evocative at night and during the day. The suites include beds that transform into couches during the day, and also have circular tables and mirrors, designed by d’Angeac to add “softness and balance” to the angular train.
The newly renovated carriages are set to form part of a new train service in 2025.
The new Orient Express reinterpreted by Maxime d’Angeac
Arthur Mettetal, who rediscovered the Malaszwewicze carriages seven years ago and now works as Accor’s Orient Express heritage and culture director, says he’s delighted with the first glimpse of the reimagined interiors.
Mettetal told CNN Travel that he thinks d’Angeac “immediately captured the character and atmosphere of this train and its history while also meeting modernity.”
Source: www.cnn.com