The Wavendon Arms: A Showcase of Hospitality Design with Versital
Nestled in the charming town of Wavendon, a beautifully renovated pub, bar, and restaurant has been making waves among both locals and visitors. The Wavendon Arms has undergone a remarkable transformation, striking the perfect balance between welcoming comfort and bold, contemporary style.
At the heart of this renovation is JMDA, a design studio renowned for their daring, innovative approach. Working alongside Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK’s most recognisable hospitality groups, JMDA has crafted a venue that reflects the character of its location while pushing the boundaries of interior design.
Integral to this success story is Versital, a UK-based manufacturer of cultured marble. Versital’s luxurious yet practical surfaces have been used throughout the venue, proving to be the ideal choice for high-traffic hospitality environments.
In this blog, we’ll explore the Wavendon Arms project in depth its location, interior design, standout features, and the vital role Versital played in making the venue both beautiful and functional.
Wavendon: A Peaceful Setting Meets Bold Design
Wavendon is a picturesque village in Buckinghamshire, on the south-eastern edge of Milton Keynes. Known for its leafy lanes, historic architecture, and strong community spirit, it provides the perfect backdrop for a hospitality destination that caters to a diverse audience.
The Wavendon Arms needed to reflect this unique setting: a tranquil, character-filled location with easy access to a growing urban hub. The result is a venue that works equally well for:
- Locals enjoying a midweek meal
- Families seeking a relaxed weekend lunch
- Couples looking for a romantic evening out
- Tourists exploring the surrounding countryside
With its combination of indoor and outdoor spaces—including a spacious garden and patio—the Wavendon Arms offers flexibility for every type of guest experience. JMDA’s challenge was to bring all these elements together in a cohesive design, one that honours the local charm while creating a destination-worthy venue.
JMDA: Out-of-the-Box Design for Hospitality
JMDA is no stranger to hospitality design. With a strong portfolio of Mitchells & Butlers projects, they have built a reputation for delivering interiors that are bold, distinctive, and perfectly suited to their audience.
For The Wavendon Arms, JMDA leaned into two key trends shaping hospitality design today:
- Moody, tropical-inspired interiors: Using rich dark tones to create drama, paired with vibrant accents and greenery for balance.
- Biophilic elements: Introducing plants, natural textures, and organic patterns to improve ambience and connect guests to nature.
This approach is more than just stylish—it resonates with current consumer expectations. Guests today are looking for memorable environments, not just places to eat and drink. JMDA’s design makes The Wavendon Arms a destination in itself.
Tropical-Inspired Interiors
The interiors of the Wavendon Arms embrace a tropical-inspired dark theme. Deep greys, indigos, and lush greens dominate the palette, creating a sophisticated yet inviting backdrop.
What prevents this scheme from feeling heavy is the careful use of natural light. Large windows flood the space with brightness during the day, while clever artificial lighting keeps the space warm and atmospheric in the evening.
To add contrast, JMDA introduced vibrant tropical details—from bold paintings of exotic birds to leafy greenery scattered throughout the space. These touches of playfulness prevent the interior from becoming too serious and ensure guests feel both comfortable and inspired.
Two Standout Focal Points
Every hospitality venue benefits from statement design features that create a sense of theatre and memorability. The Wavendon Arms boasts two exceptional focal points:
- The Custom Bar with Versital Surface
The bar is often the heart of a pub or restaurant, and here it has been elevated into a true showpiece. At its centre is a Versital bar top, crafted in a brand-new colour from the Inspired by Pantone collection. Subtle caramel veining flows through the surface, perfectly complementing the exotic theme of the interior.
LED backlighting enhances the marble effect, giving the bar a soft glow that draws guests in. Not only is the bar beautiful, but it is also highly practical. With Versital’s waterproof and stain-proof properties, operators can serve thousands of drinks a week without worrying about damage. - The Open Log Burner
Adding to the dramatic interiors is a striking open log burner. This feature brings warmth and intimacy, making the venue feel homely despite its bold design. Together with the Versital bar, it provides two strong visual anchors that define the space.
The Role of Versital Surfaces
One of the most striking aspects of The Wavendon Arms project is the extensive use of Versital’s cultured marble surfaces. Designed to replicate the beauty of natural marble without its vulnerabilities, Versital products are hand-made in the UK and tailored to the needs of each project.
- Bar Tops
The custom Versital bar top sets the tone for the whole venue. With its luxurious look and unbeatable practicality, it creates an immediate sense of quality. - Table Tops
Dining tables see constant use, so durability is key. Versital table tops resist staining, scratching, and watermarks, ensuring they remain pristine even during the busiest service. - Bathroom Vanities
The bathrooms feature elegant Versital vanity tops paired with bold wallpaper and ambient lighting. The non-porous surface is 100% waterproof, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic public washrooms. - Splashbacks
Practical yet stylish, Versital splashbacks add an extra layer of refinement to the interiors while making maintenance simple for staff.
In each application, Versital offers the perfect combination of style, hygiene, and resilience.
Beautiful Bathrooms
Washrooms are often neglected in hospitality design, but research shows they make a big impact on customer perception. Guests often judge the quality of a venue based on its washrooms, and many take inspiration from them for their own homes.
At The Wavendon Arms, JMDA and Mitchells & Butlers extended the same design quality into the bathrooms. Funky wallpaper, atmospheric lighting, and bold colour choices are paired with luxurious
Versital vanity tops, ensuring the washrooms feel as special as the rest of the venue.
The practical benefits of Versital here are essential:
- 100% waterproof, preventing swelling or staining
- Stain-proof against cosmetics, soaps, and cleaning products
- Anti-bacterial, ensuring hygiene in high-use areas
The result is a washroom that impresses guests while withstanding the rigours of daily use.
Future-Proofing Hospitality with Versital
Hospitality venues face unique challenges: high footfall, frequent cleaning, and the need for long-lasting style. Versital helps future-proof venues by offering surfaces that are both beautiful and practical.
- Post-pandemic hygiene: Guests now expect visible cleanliness and hygienic materials. Versital’s non-porous surfaces support these expectations.
- Sustainability: By lasting longer than natural marble (which can stain, chip, or require replacement), Versital reduces waste and refurbishment costs.
- Timeless design: With collections inspired by both classic marble and modern Pantone trends, Versital surfaces remain on-trend year after year.
For specifiers and designers, this means confidence that their projects will look good and perform well long into the future.
What Designers Say
“The Wavendon Arms project gave us the opportunity to experiment with bold, tropical-inspired interiors. Versital was the obvious choice for surfaces because it allowed us to combine style with practicality. The colour options fit perfectly with our design vision, and the durability ensures the venue will continue to look fantastic for years to come.”
— JMDA Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was Versital chosen for The Wavendon Arms?
Versital offers the luxurious look of marble while being waterproof, stain-proof, and durable—ideal for a high-traffic hospitality environment. - How does Versital compare to natural marble?
Natural marble is porous and prone to staining. Versital is hand cast and designed to mimic its appearance but is non-porous, hygienic, and maintenance-free. - Can Versital be customised?
Yes. Versital offers a wide range of colours and veining styles, including the trend-led Inspired by Pantone collection. Bespoke designs are also possible. - What maintenance do Versital surfaces require?
Virtually none. A simple wipe with warm water and mild detergent keeps them looking new. No sealing or specialist care is needed. - Is Versital suitable for outdoor use?
While primarily designed for indoor hospitality applications, Versital can be used in outdoor areas such as patios, provided surfaces are protected from extreme weather. Surfaces are waterproof and stain proof making them ideal for outdoor table tops. - How does Versital support sustainability goals?
By offering long-lasting durability, Versital reduces the need for frequent replacements, lowering the environmental impact of hospitality refurbishments. Versital also has the Versital ECO range of finishes which are manufactured from recycled rPET resin. - What hospitality trends does Versital align with?
Versital aligns with the demand for luxury, hygiene, and durability, as well as the trend towards bold colours and marble-inspired finishes in 2025 and beyond.
Conclusion
The Wavendon Arms is a stunning example of how bold design, clever detailing, and practical material choices can transform a hospitality venue. With JMDA’s visionary interiors and Versital’s luxurious yet durable surfaces, the result is a space that delights guests while supporting operators.
From the glowing bar top to the stylish washroom vanities, Versital played a vital role in ensuring that every detail of the project combined beauty with functionality.
For interior designers and specifiers, this project demonstrates the value of working with materials like Versital—materials that not only look incredible but also stand the test of time in demanding environments.