The Mayo Hotel
Living in Tulsa my entire life, I am familiar with many of the historic buildings and the wonderful architectural treasures in the buildings of the past. However, this landmark was not in operation when I would have discovered it. With the help of a determined family, the people of Tulsa, and the countless hours of restoration this beautiful luxury hotel has once again been ressurrected to her befitting stature as the finest hotel in the city. Last evening was a night dedicated to a Tulsa landmark, The Mayo Hotel.
The Mayo, circa 1925
The lobby circa 1925, when first opened as the premier hotel in Tulsa.
The Mayo lobby circa 2009
Last evening 12-3-09
The hotel lobby was brimming with excitement, laughter & Tulsan's enjoying the restoration efforts by the Snyder family; the new owners of the hotel. The attention to detail is fascinating, there is a museum on the mezzanine level dedicated to the famous guests and events that have occurred throughout time at the Mayo. The inside of the lobby and throughout the hotel is just breathtaking, with rooms and luxurious suites as well as private residences within the hotel, the Mayo has the best to offer!
A detail of a side room for talking & enjoying the evenings company, these chandeliers were an aqua crystal color with a wrought iron base, just gorgeous.
Another look at one of the clustered seating arrangements; the lighting (restored ) is one of the most beautiful collections I have ever seen.
Another old gal lighting the way to the hotel's new rebirth.
Another of the lighting fixtures throughout the hotel. These vintage beauties lit up the night!
For the program scheduled evening's auction:
In Tulsa we have an Arts & Humanities Council that brings different events to the city. One such event was the re opening of the Mayo Hotel with a collection of authentic Mayo room doors for refurbishing &auctioning off the night of the event.
As a local artist, I love to get involved with events & gatherings. So, with a few emails & phone calls one Mayo door was delivered to my studio ( all 150 lbs.. )
an extremely heavy project!
This is the door as delivered, minus some years of dirt & dust
A closer view of the door handle & hardware, the layers of paint over the metal based door.
Another view of the door. The unusual thing about these doors was the curved panel. The panel would lock from the outside & inside of the door. Drycleaning, mail or other deliveries could be put into the door by hotel staff and retrieved by the hotel guest or resident, as many people lived in the Mayo.
After brainstorming, I thought it would be fun to have a bell hop inspired retro themed door.
So, I sketched out my idea and went to painting. The panel was an inspiration for the authentic silver elevator doors that are engraved into the metal the Mayo logo. Being careful to tie in the original room door number, and MAYO logo hardware.
I wanted to have a retro travel type of theme with the two guests in black tie and the woman holding the "world" under her arm. The door reads " Travel the world, welcome back to the Mayo" The outer edges were copied from the original painted finish beneath the layers of paint. A faux type of woodgrained technique was applied and the entire finish was laquered with a protective UV non yellowing finish.
The door as it stood in the lobby last evening. It was a fun & exciting evening to be a part of I enjoyed it emmensely. The proceeds from the silent door auction benefitted the Tulsa Opera & the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice.
Check out the hotel at: http://www.themayohotel.com/
Thank You to the Arts & Humanities Council & The Snyder Family ( Macy Snyder )
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