John Derian Designed a Suite at the Dewberry Hotel in Charleston—and It’s Full of Fun Surprises
Have you ever been surprised by a hotel? And I don’t just mean surprised by the five-star service or well-appointed interiors—I mean so captivated that it kept you wondering exactly what was coming next? That’s how I felt during my stay in the newly designed John Derian flat at The Dewberry Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Dewberry was already on my to-visit bucket list. Several of my friends told me about the mid-century hotel’s beautiful design, its legendary milk and cookies, and the Citrus Club (an incredible rooftop cocktail bar with panoramic views of Charleston). But when I heard that John Derian had recently designed a suite in collaboration with hotel owners John and Jaimie Dewberry, I jumped at the chance to stay in it.
I’m a huge fan of Derian’s decoupage art, which feels vintage and fantastical yet transcends time and style ethos—I love that his pieces could look equally at home in a bohemian bungalow or a traditional Georgian manse. However, I wondered how Derian’s art would play with the Dewberry’s decidedly mid-century interiors. Derian has a more messy and collected aesthetic, while the Dewberry favors cherry wood-paneled walls, creamy Danby marble floors, and a sexy-yet-sophisticated appeal. Though they’re an unexpected pairing, it turns out that together they create design magic.
Jaimie Dewberry says, “While John and I share a love of collecting, interiors, design, art and nature with John Derian, we design quite differently, so it was such fun to create harmony between our styles. It was effortless to layer our mid-century interior and tell the story of how travel inspires and brings joy to us all. We have been fond of John Derian’s work for quite a while, in fact a few years ago I purchased a piece of John’s very early art at an antique shop in Maine and the rest feels like history.”
When you enter the John Derian flat, the first thing you’ll notice is a calligraphed message tacked near the door that reads, “Luck favors the curious.” As you’ll soon learn, there are no accidental design choices in this room, and the sign is actually a clue for what to expect next.
As you take in the space, you’ll discover a custom rose wall installation of decoupage plates, bespoke lighting, and vintage furniture. Everywhere you look, there are incredible objets d’ art from Derian and souvenirs from John and Jaimie Dewberry’s travels. You’d think it would feel overwhelming and cluttered, but the sumptuous textiles, luxe bedding, and an otherwise clean aesthetic ground the space and give it all the creature comforts of a five-star hotel. Essentially, you’ll feel like you’re walking into a well-traveled designer’s home, but the whimsy doesn’t stop there.
As you “live” in the suite for a day or two, you’ll start to discover hidden treasures. Normally, it’s considered rude to snoop in a room that’s not yours, but in the Derian flat you’re encouraged to play and explore (as the sign says, luck favors the curious). During my stay, I found myself flinging open random drawers, rifling through cabinets, and looking behind furniture to find out-of-sight treasures. It was like a game trying to discover new (and very chic) surprises. Curious souls will find items like decoupage plates on the ceiling, a piece of art tucked behind a nightstand, a tiny bird’s nest placed in a leather collar box with a secret message, and a hidden curiosities drawer full of art- and travel-inspired treasures.
In a world that can sometimes feel mundane and predictable, it’s fun to escape somewhere beautiful that also keeps you on your toes. Want to experience the suite for yourself and see what surprises you can discover? Book your stay online or call 843-558-8000 for more information.
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