This building, built in the 1880s, is located in the artistic Olnival neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, and was once occupied by the American Wool Fabric Company (a traditional wool fabric dealer). Recently, this 5,120-square-foot space was transformed into a living/working place by a designer and ceramicist couple, and then listed for sale in 2019. Now, its new owner has given this historic building another life-this time as a boutique hotel and event space, aptly named Dye House.  

The newly opened Dye House is located in a historic textile factory. It is a boutique hotel and event venue with four "shopping" suites. 

This hotel is the second hotel of its kind in the Everett and Valerie Abitbol couple, who actually never planned to get involved in the hospitality industry. It all started with a visit to San Francisco, when they lived in the venue where they attended the wedding. “All the rooms are booked by our friends and family, and it feels more like a large Airbnb than a hotel,” Everett said. "It feels different from any other way we travel-our team has a better life than those who stay in more formal hotels." When they returned to Philadelphia, they created The Deacon, which is a A stylish hotel and event space located in the Baptist Church circa 1906. 

The story of Dye House began with a purchase by Everett. One day, he was reading a report about J Schatz, the ceramics studio previously occupied the building, and finally ordered a bird feeder for his mother on their website. Since Abitbols visits Providence regularly while staying at the Narragansett summer house, Everett decided to pick up the feeder himself. He immediately contacted the owners Peter Souza and Jim Schatz, and they took him to visit the neighborhood and introduced him to friends and local businesses such as Steel Yard and the leather manufacturer Lotuff next door. Everett was fascinated by the community and brought Valerie back next weekend to complete the purchase of the building from Sousa and Schatz. "We joked that I went to get a bird feeder and ended up with a building," Everett said. 

There is a small boutique in the lobby of Dye House, selling handmade products from local manufacturers. You can use the QR code to make purchases and rely on the honor system. 

The ceramic works hanging in the lobby are the hands of the former owner. 

In order to create Dye House, Abitbols wanted to break the traditional New England bed and breakfast model, but imagined that the historical details of the building set off a more modern aesthetic. They naturally turned to Shannon Maldonado, the founder and creative director of Philadelphia creative agency and boutique YOWIE, who also helped them create The Deacon. "I was immediately struck by the cool original details of this building, such as the concrete and brick floors and its industrial appearance," Maldonado said.

The Dye House brand is a tribute to the architecture of the past, completed by graphic designer Kelley Garrard.

The twill suite features Zak+Fox wallpaper, Hay’s desk and side table, local artist Dan Talbot’s artwork, and Humanhome’s Lighting.

In one of the kitchens, the cabinets reformed by the Danish company gave the space an apartment-like atmosphere. Ceramic products here include Domenic Frunzi's pasta bowls and local artist Athena Witscher's checkered cups.

The team came up with a design that combines the old-fashioned Rhode Island with the bold and avant-garde New England. "Think of the person who shopped in Noah and just bought a coffee table from Lichen," Maldonado said. They took advantage of the building’s high ceilings and airy, well-lit spaces to highlight its white walls with popular colors. Although the overall appearance is cohesive, each of the four rooms in the hotel has a unique look and feel. Maldonado pointed out: "Every room is not necessarily the same, and hospitality is still popular." 

Initially, Maldonado was worried about working on a project outside of Philadelphia, where she and Abitbols did not build relationships with manufacturers and creative communities. But all they had to do was to start: “One person introduced us to another person, and we quickly realized that there was a close-knit community of super talented designers and creatives, and we couldn’t wait to work with them. It's our friend now," shared Everett. The hotel’s guest rooms double as a gallery space for the maker community, providing furniture and merchandise that can be purchased in person and online. 

Maldonado said that Heddle Suite was "a turning point in New England design."

A theme that runs through the hotel is "tradition and distortion".

A mural by Pierre Frey depicts the French countryside in the 18th century; when the shutters are opened, passersby can see it. Below, the ribbed wood cladding makes the space more modern.

O&G Studio uses a local headboard made of beets with Humanhome lighting and Dan Talbot's artwork.

"I have been to restaurants or hotels many times, just want to know where they got the chairs, cups or mirrors," Everett said. "And we know that with the amazing talents that work with us, our customers will make the same request." In each room, a guide with a QR code allows curious guests to directly contact the manufacturer.  

Finally, Abitbols successfully provided Providence with a new boutique hotel and event space, while also supporting what they love and believe in. “By surrounding our hotel rooms around a public place, we can interact with our neighbors and provide support to local entrepreneurs, thinkers, community organizations, schools, and non-profit organizations,” Everett explained. "We can take our neighbors into our door and meet some really interesting people-and in turn help build a community that we want to be a part of."  

Book accommodation or activities at Dye House, or buy their online collection.

The vibrant tiles in one of the showers were preserved as a tribute to the predecessor of the building, ceramic studio J Schatz.

The headboard is made locally by O&G Studio.

The loft is a luxurious suite and gathering space, with high ceilings, comfortable lounge, gourmet kitchen, fully equipped outdoor kitchen and seating for fourteen people.

The names of the suites such as Heddle, Twill, and Weft all refer to the past of the building. The Kelly green sofa was designed by Muto. 

The bathroom vanity uses a neon hue called "optical yellow" and is a reference to the nearby Newport International Tennis Hall of Fame. 

The arches in the attic add softness to the space juxtaposed with the original bricks. 

The Cool Arbiter in Philadelphia is turning her beloved store into a creative center and hotel

Spectacular living/working space in a historic dye factory asking price of US$899,000

Architect of Record: Kite Architect/@kitearchitects

Interior design: Shannon Maldonado, YOWIE / @shannymaldonado, @helloyowie

Builder/General Contractor: Mueller Carpentry, Sam Mueller

Landscape design company: Groundwork RI, Steve Ricci

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