This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential design by 2020 SBID Awards Finalist Cronin Kitchens. The New Zealand kitchen design company was tasked with creating a modern, open-plan kitchen for a family holiday home.
SBID Awards Category: KBB Design Sponsored by Garrett Leather
Practise: Cronin Kitchens
Project: Queenstown Kitchen
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
What was the client’s brief?
The client was looking to create a classically modern, family kitchen that would sit at the heart of a new holiday home. The kitchen would include an island large enough to accommodate seating for up to five people, along with a separate drinks preparation and storage area.
Working with a deceptively small area, a cantilevered, L-shaped element was seamlessly integrated into the marble benchtop – raised slightly above the rest of the benchtop to demarcate the seating area. For continuity, the same marble was used in the cooking zone and for the splashback, above which sits a custom, acid-etched glass extractor box. Two columns of black-stained oak cabinetry containing the pantry and integrated fridge/freezers flank this area.
Adjacent to the kitchen, a custom built-in sideboard was installed, containing the requested drinks station, plus storage for crockery, etc. Matched in the same black-stained oak cabinetry, this unit is fronted with smoked, black-glass doors, which bring an additional dimension to the space.
What inspired the design of the project?
The project was inspired by modern design, and the goal was to design a kitchen that would appear larger and grander than its footprint would allow. The overall palette is dark and moody, and we worked closely with the interior designer from the outset, so these hues could be complemented in the rest of the living space.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
I only visited the house for a final inspection once the house was completed. The design and detailing of all of the cabinetry needed to be highly detailed and very specific. The kitchens design is such that the overall dimensions are not too critical, it does not fit between walls or go up to the ceiling like all of my other designs do.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The oak frame that surrounds the cooking area, I used 38mm thick oak panels to give the kitchen a more classic aesthetic. I extended a panel over the top of the cooking area to create a box-like surround. This connects the pantry on the left to the integrated fridges on the right making the kitchen appear more substantial then it is.
The raised seating bench which is wide on the front side of the kitchen to maximise seating but is also checked out on the inside of the kitchen to give plenty of practical working space, either side of the sink.
The visual symmetry, the centre of the islands cabinetry is centred on the dining rooms cathedral-like peaked ceiling. On the front of the Island, there are 3 doors on either side of the centre, 6 doors in total. This is also the line where the benchtop steps up from thin to thick. It is also the centre of the tap, sink, hob and extractor.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
This is the first time I have entered the SBID Awards. In New Zealand we have lots of good kitchen designers, we really only have one Kitchen Design Awards though. This year I had multiple kitchens that I was very proud of, two of which made the SBID finals. I really wanted to give all of these kitchens an opportunity to be judged by International judges and compared with other designs outside of New Zealand.
Questions answered by Morgan Cronin, Owner/Director/Designer, Cronin Kitchens.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a residential design inspired by its surrounding harbour views, click here to see more.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a high-end residential design by Barclay Interiors. The principal concept for the interior was to use the surrounding estuary and unspoilt harbour of the River Yealm as inspiration. The curvature of the building, floor to ceiling glass and open plan living space, allows for the most incredible view, a key element of the design. Barclay Interiors was involved in all aspects, from flooring and walling finishes to lighting layouts, from joinery design to staircase detailing. Each space was furnished in line with the chic, modern concept that was desired, whilst also introducing splashes of colour and texture to ensure the space felt like home.
Practise: Barclay Interiors
Project: Devon Project
Location: Newton Ferrers, Devon
Photography credit: James Balston Photography
The brief was to design a fully practical yet modern and aesthetically chic interior for her re-location to Devon. When our client decided to move to Devon, she wanted a complete change in surroundings, both from an exterior perspective (city life to harbour life!) and also from an interior angle. Modernity, simplicity and elegance were at the pinnacle of my clients brief and it was this in addition to the surroundings that inspired the concept.
As mentioned above, the main source of inspiration came from the surroundings, namely the River Yealm and Estuary. The view was at the forefront of all space planning decisions and the colours that infiltrated into the space from the outdoors led to choices in colour palettes and finishes. Timber flooring, a cladded staircase and a bespoke decorative screen were designed specifically to add warmth and sophistication to my client’s entrance hallway whilst allowing for maximum amounts of natural light to bounce through the space, once again relating to the exterior surroundings.
Some contractors can be a little anti-change so this was the biggest hurdle; however, after substantial hand-holding and clear guidance, a collaborative effort was achieved.
As with all of our projects, we are lucky in that visually our role is extremely rewarding. Seeing the design come together on the final days of installation and seeing how we achieved the conversation between the surroundings and the interior so well, felt quite magical.
Questions answered by Megan Loughborough, Senior Designer, Barclay Interiors.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a Manhattan Hotel Design with Central Park views, click here to see more.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a design by SBID Awards Finalist, Jeffrey Beers International. For the Manhattan Sky Suite, Jeffrey Beers designed and decorated the interiors to frame the incredible wide views of Central Park. With the wonderful scale of the open living room and dining room, they were able to play with grand and stately furniture, such as a 10 person dining room table with wide and plush dining chairs. The mix of warm and cool tones paired with contemporary arts as well as rich wood finishes make the home a home but do not disrupt the wonderful and impressive open layout.
SBID Awards Category: Hotel Bedroom & Suites Sponsored by Schneider Electric
Finalist: Jeffrey Beers International
Project: Park Hyatt’s Manhattan Sky Suite
Location: New York
New York City hotels are renowned for their speciality suites, but nothing in the city measures up to this new suite’s overwhelming sense of luxury and unparalleled views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.
When it came to the hospitality design, we imagined that the suite was a private residence. We first created a separation of space between public areas (the living room and dining room) and the private space (bedrooms and bathrooms). We then favoured open-plan living for the public areas. With careful attention to layout, materials, and art we created fluidity between your kitchen, dining area, and living room. The overall effect is warm and social; a perfect destination for entertaining.
One of the questions we were faced with was how to separate the dining space from the living room space without disrupting the overall open plan of the main area. We, therefore, custom-designed an open shelving unit to act as a divider between the living area and the dining area. As well as integrated lighting, the shelving unit has a custom double-sided glass fireplace that looks modern and yet feels warm and inviting.
To create a warm and sophisticated master bedroom, we chose naturally beautiful architectural materials. We used fumed eucalyptus wood millwork panels to create a dramatic backdrop for the headboard. The centre has upholstered panels with antique brass metal reveals and integral light grazes to give it a bit of softness while remaining sophisticated.
We entered the SBID awards because of the international connection to the global design industry.
Questions answered by Jeffrey Beers, Founder & CEO, Jeffrey Beers International.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a luxury hotel design, click here to see more.
A Unique Global Outlook on the Interior Design Profession with Chris Godfrey
In this episode of the SpeakEasy podcast, SBID CEO & Founder, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE welcomes Chris Godfrey, the Global Principle of HBA Residential, and newly appointed President of SBID, in an exclusive one-to-one.
As a British-educated Architect and interior designer based in Singapore with an expansive portfolio of design experience from the UK to the Far East, Chris shares a unique global perspective on the interior design profession.
From his early design influences and origins in Glasgow School of Design as an aspiring Architect, to the evolution of his design philosophy overseas, Chris reveals his professional insight on working cross-borders in the Asian market as a British designer, where he set up the residential division of Hirsch Bedner Associates in China.
Chris talks about the new ways of connecting in the context of a tactile industry, as well as the common misconceptions the industry faces about what interior design is, and how a professional interior designer adds genuine value for the clients and ultimate end-users.
He shares his advice for young designers entering the industry and highlights his plans and vision for SBID as its new acting President.
Tune in to the whole conversation to discover more.
Chris Godfrey
Chris is an award-winning Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chartered Architect with over 22 years experience producing highly-considered and finely-crafted residences. In 2014 Chris moved to Asia to set up HBA Residential for Hirsch Bedner Associates. HBA Residential is HBA’s boutique highly-specialised residential design operation conceived solely to create distinctive residences for the world’s most discerning clients. As Principal, Chris oversees all Architectural and Interior Design operations, combining his expertise in both disciplines to cultivate a holistic design approach.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a hotel suite design by SBID Awards Finalist, Stonehill Taylor. The 563-room Conrad New York Midtown hotel is located in the heart of Manhattan on West 54th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Hospitality design firm Stonehill Taylor was tasked with turning the property, previously known as The London New York, into a new luxury destination through their vision for its interior design. The firm’s design exudes calm and elegance, reminiscent of the upscale Midtown residence of a contemporary art collector, with an emphasis on art throughout the property. While the décor is sleek and modern, it aims to achieve a timeless feel.
Finalist: Stonehill Taylor
Project: The Conrad New York Midtown
We were asked to design a hotel befitting the clientele of the New York Midtown location – specifically the executive traveller, the affluent family, and the celebrity guest; and develop five keywords to guide the design direction. The words we selected were “welcoming”, “connected”, “elevated”, “Invigorating”, and “stylish”. These words were carefully chosen to embody the patrons of The Conrad Midtown, who are not merely hotel guests – but worldly travellers with their New York City home at The Conrad Midtown – and their home should reflect their lifestyles.
For this project, we were heavily influenced by residential design. We sought to immediately transport guests from the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood as soon as they enter the grand yet serene lobby. We envisioned each suite as an upscale Midtown residence of a contemporary art collector, infusing the rooms with art and constructing thoughtful layouts with separate living and sleeping spaces. Take one of the grandest examples, the Penthouse suite, located on the 53rd & 54th floors: it has 180 degrees of expansive city views. We laid out each space in this suite to take advantage of these views—being able to soak in the bath while overlooking Central Park creates an unforgettable moment for a guest.
There is a fine balance to having a luxury suite feel residential while making practical decisions to stand the test of time. If your design is beautiful the day it opens, but a year later the hotel is having to replace everything due to wear and tear, then we haven’t done our job. Our challenge was to source furnishings that create the beautiful first impression that we wanted to make, while also being durable and resilient.
This project is truly a standout for its spotlight on fine art and it’s unique offering as an all-suite hotel. In the lobby, guests are greeted by a large, lifelike sculpture, Leda and the Swan by Carole A. Feuerman. Museum-style lighting contrasted with dark surrounding walls highlights this special piece while emphasizing it as a gallery space. To the right of the hotel’s entry is an intimate library nook, with a curated selection of art and mythology books lining the shelves. Additional lounge areas are found in the mezzanine, overlooking the lobby and feature artwork by contemporary British artist Amy Judd.
The all-suite rooms provide guests with the sense of being in a private pied-a-terre. They feature dark herringbone wood floors, hand-tufted wool rugs with floor-to-ceiling, cream-coloured drapery complements the soft, neutral palette of greys and caramel. The project includes several special suites including Sky Suites, Atrium Suite and a split-level Penthouse Suite.
We value the contributions that SBID makes to the field of interior design, both in its native Britain and internationally. The Awards, of course, are one extension of that mission, and we are honoured that this hospitality effort is among the recognized projects. Our Interiors Division is central to the work that Stonehill Taylor does. It is with great pride that we design spaces for people to live, work, and play, and it’s always a delight to have our projects spotlighted by such a prestigious organization as SBID.
Questions answered by Bethany Gale, Interiors Associate, Stonehill Taylor.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a luxury New Zealand kitchen design, click here to see more.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential kitchen design by SBID Awards Finalist, Mal Corboy Design. Located on a Central Otago lane, this kitchen was the second project completed by the designer for this client. A brand-new home in a typical prominent gated community, the space was dictated by the architect. Surprisingly, the client sought a modern, contemporary interior that cleverly juxtaposed the exterior of the house.
Finalist: Mal Corboy Design
Project: Cardrona Views
Location: Otago, New Zealand
Four years from design to completion, everything was made from the ground up. Despite this, it’s perfect for 2020 showcasing the refined taste at play and timelessness of the modern feel of this kitchen.
The owner spared no expenses in ensuring every facet of this kitchen was to the highest standard. Not only did the kitchen need to have a day-to-day function but also be able to entertain at a corporate level and function, in part, as a scullery when needed. Electric doors open up to a large back end of the kitchen, where a complete scullery can be found. This completes the functional aspect, ensuring the kitchen can serve as an entertainment area with ease.
For inspiration, the designer drew from a palette of rich, earthy colours. Under-cabinet lighting complements these tones well and both add a softness to the clean lines and sleekness of the design. Modern materials give this kitchen a contemporary look whilst keeping everything pristine.
One of the challenges in this project was keeping the kitchen on trend due to the amount of time that had passed from design to completion. The client has received widespread feedback from visitors, with people being blown away with the final result, not having seen anything like it in the community.
After several successful corporate events, the kitchen is functioning as requested for the owner. Described as “world-class” by the architect, it has truly surpassed the client’s expectations, in design and function.
As it is known as being the best of the best in the design world and, as a past winner, it’s one I love to support.
Questions answered by Mal Corboy, Founder and Owner, Mal Corboy Interiors.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a Spanish health retreat, click here to see more.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a Spanish health retreat by SBID Awards Finalist, Rachel Laxer Interiors.
The ARTAH health retreat in Spain is the flagship hospitality project; a brand which Rachel Laxer Interiors brought to life through a design that reflects the wellness elements of restoration and transformation.
This included creating private areas where guests can relax, reflect and reconnect with themselves after an active day out cycling. These communal rest areas were designed to help guests connect with each other. You will find quiet restful corners for individuals and larger spaces to be enjoyed by groups of people.
Rachel Laxer worked with small independent makers and regional suppliers to create a unique expression of the brand that connected it to the local area. Many of the accessories and lighting were sourced from local craftsmen which was really important to both the designer and the client. Supporting the local community and giving back gives the retreat an authentic feel and helps it connect with the local landscape.
SBID Awards Category: Healthcare & Wellness Design Sponsored by Schneider Electric
Finalist: Rachel Laxer Interiors
Project: Artah Health Retreat Spain
Location: Girona, Spain
The word Artah translates as purpose or essence in Hindu philosophy. As a broader concept, it refers to the activities and resources that enable an individual to be in their desired state, and since the state of your health determines the way you live your life, Artah was created to embody this notion.
We were briefed by ARTAH founder Rhian Stephenson with the above quote to design her health retreat in Girona, Spain.
We created private areas where guests can relax, reflect and reconnect with themselves after an active day out cycling. These communal rest areas were designed to help guests connect with each other. You will find quiet, restful corners for individuals and larger spaces to be enjoyed by groups of people.
The retreat is beautiful and relaxing but also functional so that the purpose of the guest’s stay can be met. There are treatment rooms for restorative exercising and massage therapies, a simple and functional dining space to nourish your body, a yoga studio and an outdoor pool to exercise; and, beautiful bedrooms for guests to relax, sleep and reflect. These are simply luxurious – not opulent and we think reflect the philosophy of being in one’s ‘desired state’.
We worked with a colourful pastel palette on a neutral backdrop. Most of the furniture pieces, especially in the reception and communal areas are made from natural materials such as wood and rattan which reflects the pared-back nature of the retreat. The design needed to be modern, yet timeless to reflect the philosophy of the brand.
We had a lot of fun in the bathrooms, particularly with the tiles. You will see some bright pink and green tiles mainly from Bert & May and Porcelanosa. ARTAH Retreat is a place filled with energy and fun and the injection of colour and pattern helps us to reflect that.
Many of the accessories and lighting were sourced from local craftsmen which was really important to us and our client. Supporting the local community and giving back but gives the retreat an authentic feel and helps it connect with the local landscape.
A laid back California style that was translated into English quirkiness mixed with European elegance and brought to life through local Spanish crafts.
It was really cold and very wet and being on a building site meant we had little protection from the elements. There were even mud slides that we navigated through between our hotel and the building site. But the lovely cosy evenings with tapas and wine kept us going.
There were a few highlights. We had a vision to create a large arched opening in this old stone farmhouse, we didn’t know if the building would withstand the opening. Luckily it could, so we were very pleased with the large arch that you can see in the lobby area.
There is no greater satisfaction than when a client walks in and mentions that you’ve exceeded their expectations and that’s the response that we got from our clients, so again, we were very pleased.
The skill, love and dedication of the Spanish teams who worked on the project. Their attention to detail, particularly on how they laid the tiles was impeccable. Working in another country and in a different language is always a challenge, but everyone rolled up sleeves and got on with the job. We were very pleased to work with the architect, Ignacio Beloa, who was the glue that kept all the teams together.
Because we met the CEO and Founder of SBID, Vanessa Brady and I was blown away by her dedication to raising the standard of the industry. I immediately joined the SBID and entered its gold standard Awards that I would be proud to win. In an unregulated environment, to be recognised by a professional body means even more.
Questions answered by Rachel Laxer, Director of Rachel Laxer Interiors.
If you missed the last installment of Project of the Week, featuring a Russian wellness centre, click here to see more.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a wellness centre design by SBID Awards Finalist, Dseesion Interiors. This is a unique high-tech wellness centre, situated in the most prestigious residential area of Moscow, where modern people have the opportunity to restore strength, to recharge their creative energy and harmonize their internal state. The techniques used within the centre combine the most progressive technologies and ancient healing practices.
The interior aims to foster a calm meditative state, that aids recovery and allows contemplation. It emphasizes the importance of the human being and their individual personality. In this centre, Dseesion uses many hand-made items and has created unique installations exclusively for this space.
Finalist: Dseesion Interiors
Project: Quintessence. Centre for Mindful Change
Location: Moscow, Russia
We were asked to design the interior and manage construction works of a center which is unique to Russia. The interior is supposed to create a favorable atmosphere for our guests revealing their internal potential and harmonization of their personality. It also needed to be multifunctional, effectively using a relatively small space to ensure the privacy of the guests within an intimate atmosphere involved in various procedures and practices.
It was true teamwork which required a lot of energy, resilience and inspiration. Working on this project we have created a lot of hand-made objects and we passionately inspired other subcontractors and artists to deliver the best result they can.
We consider British traditions of interior design as the most sophisticated and stylish. The Society of British International Interior Design joins the best professionals all over the world. It is a great honor and privilege to take part in such a respected and well-known contest. That is why we decided to enter the SBID Awards.
Questions answered by Valeria Senkina, Chief Architect and General Manager of Dseesion Interiors.
If you the last installment of Project of the Week, featuring a Club House Design, click here to see more.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a clubhouse design by SBID Awards Finalist, Kris Lin International Design. Located next to Xi’an’s largest urban ecological park, the aim of this project was to marry nature and architecture into one, while incorporating Chinese gardens and drawing on Central Park as a key theme.
SBID Awards Category: Club & Bar Design Sponsored by Garrett Leather
Finalist: Kris Lin International Design
Project: Central Park
Location: Xi’an, China
The project is located in Xi’an, next to Xi’an’s largest urban ecological park, and has become a natural landscape resource for the project. The designers used “Central Park” as the theme to create a club with a park experience.
Upon entering the reception center, the designers use a set of “wood truss” structures as ceilings in the area of the entrance lobby to form a pavilion shape. The pavilion was a place for pedestrians to rest in ancient times.
The glazed leaf installation art runs through the entire space. From the side of the foyer, the leaves begin to fall, and then to the foyer ceiling, and finally falls in the foyer pool. The orderly layout pendant design looks as if the leaves have been blown into the space by the wind.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
Harmony between nature and architecture. The project is located next to Xi’an’s largest urban ecological park and has become a natural landscape resource for the project. The designers hope to use the “Central Park” as the theme, combined with the guest line and use the “Introduction, elucidation, transition, and summary” design method to create a reception center with park experience. The harmony between nature and architecture is formed.
The biggest challenge was integrating both the traditional Chinese gardens into the interior, and extending the outdoor park landscape into the interior.
The biggest highlight of the project was being able to meet the client’s needs and designed and built the interior space. Achieving the combination of the “Central Park” theme, the guest line, and a reception center with a park experience.
We have been entering the SBID Awards for many years, and have achieved good results every year. The shortlisting of each work is a great affirmation for us, and we also hoped to win a grand prize.
Questions answered by Kris Lin, Lead Director of Kris Lin International Design.
If you the last installment of Project of the Week, featuring a villa with Italian detailing, click here to see more.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential design by Ledbury Studio. This London pied à terre is located in a leafy square of imposing mid-19th century properties in Pimlico. The owner was completely refurbishing the two-bedroom apartment and wanted a copper kitchen for her stylish open-plan kitchen-living space. Ledbury Studio’s Metallics Collection kitchen – the first copper kitchen our client had ever seen – was, therefore, the perfect fit.
Company: Ledbury Studio
Project: Pimlico kitchen
Location: Pimlico, London
The owner had a very definite vision for her whole apartment that included rich colours, mid-century furniture and metallic accents – and the copper kitchen was a key part of this. The kitchen was to be situated on one side of the room with sitting area on the other, so she didn’t want something that looked like standard square kitchen cabinets. They had to resemble standalone pieces of furniture that would blend into the look of the whole room.
Our client was searching unsuccessfully for a copper kitchen when she saw the first incarnation of our Metallics Collection at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018. When creating that kitchen, I had chosen copper because I wanted to harness the beauty of solid metals and use them in a contemporary kitchen setting that was different to anything else out there. Which is why our client was so excited to see the kitchen in her head become a reality!
The design needed to be a beautiful but practical working kitchen in a compact footprint. As such, the antiqued copper doors are kept to one side away from direct contact with heat or water but still provide the focal point our client wanted. For the worktops and splashback, I chose hard-wearing Bianco Macaubas quartzite, rather than the marble that was originally specified in the Chelsea kitchen. Thus, the island serves as a functional sink and prep area, as well as a breakfast bar to gather around. And finally, to answer the brief for furniture that looks like standalone pieces, I included a glass-fronted display cabinet in black-stained oak with an unusual dropped worktop.
The biggest challenge was to create a glamorous design that worked in this relatively small space. With the kitchen and sitting room forming a multi-functional area, I had to ensure I got the balance of the design right between having an island, a breakfast bar, a wall of cabinetry, and then having a really attractive sitting room as part of the whole set up.
This was one of our earliest projects and I think the highlight was that it showed us just how different and how attractive the use of the copper could be. Seeing the copper combined with the stone and the wood in a kitchen context and seeing how well it could work – that really was very exciting.
Questions answered by Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week, featuring a unique restaurant design, click here to see more.
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