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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a bespoke bedroom suite design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Bayswater Interiors.

Bayswater Interiors provided full service interior design for this project which included all aspects of the design of the Principal Bedroom Suite. An extension was added to this magnificent period country home which enabled the space to be reconfigured. Bayswater Interiors scope began with the initial space planning to ensure the layout fulfilled the brief and continued through to lighting design, design of all bespoke joinery, selection of all finishes and fixtures used and finally with accessorizing and styling of the space.

SBID Awards Category: KBB Design

Practice: Bayswater Interiors

Project: Luxe Bedroom Suite

Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom

Bayswater Interiors - Luxe Bedroom Suite

What was the client’s brief? 

The clients were building their dream home and this was to be a once in a lifetime project. They wanted a comfortable family home that was perfect for entertaining friends as well as spending time together as a family, and they were keen on sports and fitness so a gym was a necessity. They wanted high quality materials that would last and stand up to the rigours of pets and teen children and wanted the interior design of their home to be welcoming and casual rather than a stuffy show home.

Bayswater Interiors - Luxe Bedroom Suite

What inspired the design of the project?

The clients had lived in the USA for a few years previously and liked the West Coast style so American interiors were an influence. The architecture of the property meant that there was extensive glazing with views to the gardens so we also used a calming neutral palette but with soft and natural colours to try and link the indoor and outdoor space.

Bayswater Interiors - Luxe Bedroom Suite

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

A delay to the window delivery meant that there was a knock on to other elements such as plastering and decorating but the builders did a sterling job to try and keep to the overall schedule. We had a couple of stock issues with chosen items but we managed to find alternatives. Overall this was a lovely project to work on and we had fabulous clients!

Bayswater Interiors - Luxe Bedroom Suite

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The handover day was definitely the highlight, seeing the client’s reaction to the finished home, complete with all the furnishings and accessories. They also had a party not long after which I was invited to, and to see the reaction of their friends and family to the interiors was wonderful.

Bayswater Interiors - Luxe Bedroom Suite

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The SBID awards recognise excellent design, both in the UK and Internationally. I am always inspired by the projects that are shortlisted and have gained immense pride from being shortlisted for the awards previously too. I am incredibly proud of the work that we do as a small Interior Design Studio and wanted a chance to share our work with a wider audience, including our peers.

Bayswater Interiors - Luxe Bedroom Suite

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

I’m delighted to be a finalist and so pleased for our clients too that their home has been shortlisted. Whilst a lot of our work is from repeat clients or via word-of mouth, I think new clients in particular are pleased to know that your work is recognised as being at a certain level, and from a business perspective that makes being the awards very helpful.

Questions answered by Gemma Hill, Creative Director of Bayswater Interiors.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a modern office design by Elkus Manfredi Architects, click here to read it.

The bedroom is one of the most important spaces in any project, whether residential or hotelier.

Considering the design of the room and ensuring that each element works effortlessly to create somewhere that promotes rest and enjoyment is key. Working closely with our global clientele over the past year, we’ve seen a noticeable shift in how designers are approaching each project, with a focus on creating a space of sanctuary. Each stage of the design process is an opportunity to create a space that evokes calm via colours, materials, furniture and accessory choice resulting in the perfect room layout.

As the centrepiece to all bedroom specifications, bed choice is key, and comfort is king. Think about both bed frame and mattress choice, as a deep slumber will be pivotal to guests not only feeling refreshed but recommending their experience to friends and colleagues.

Although we’ve seen hints over the past year or so that interior designers are becoming more experimental with colour, a calming selection of beiges, earth tones and off-whites remain top choices across our upholstered bed range. Texture is used as a way to add interest without opting for colour, with tactile fabrics such as sumptuously soft velvets, or comforting boucle offering the perfect starting point to create a neutral décor scheme that does not lack in design detail or impact.

Collaborating with our clients over the years, we’ve taken on board feedback on the importance of all the small details and our flexibility to fulfil bespoke requests means each element is considered, from bed height to access to switches, sockets and lighting.

Additional furniture should complement the overarching goal to create calm. Whilst acting as a decorative item and adding visual interest to a room, a well-chosen occasional chair at the right time of day can be either a relaxing additional space to unwind, or somewhere to sit and work. We’ve noticed an increase in designers’ incorporating seating at the foot of the bed, whether in the form of a chaise longue or decorative bench, again combining practicality that is tailored to the desired aesthetic. Bedside tables too should balance form and function, acting as a space to store personal items, while supporting stylistic factors within the room.

Often considered more by residential designers, incorporating elements of biophilia through the use of natural materials, and colours inspired by the outside environment has a multitude of benefits in hotel specifications. First popularised in the 50s to boost productivity in office design, this is a trend that has crept into hotel planning to promote a peaceful atmosphere.

About sofa.com

Passionate about outstanding interiors, sofa.com offers a diverse and design led collection of made-to-order sofas, armchairs, beds, footstools and home accessories. With an extensive range of styles and over 100 fabrics to choose from, as well as the option to upholster in your own fabric, the customisable nature of sofa.com’s products make each piece easily adaptable to any interior style – perfect for interior designers and specifiers looking for stand-out pieces for upcoming projects.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Whilst the majority of Britain is working from home, it is more important than ever to create a bedroom that is serene and harmonious. Your bedroom is not only where you sleep but where you begin and end the day by reading, meditating or simply unwinding. We have put together this guide on how to create a relaxing and restful bedroom.

Tidy the area

When trying to establish the key elements to change or improve in your bedroom take some time to clear the room by removing items that you no longer want and ensure that everything is put away. This will help you see the room as a blank canvas and make gaps or missing items clear.

Colour

Select a colour that is the most calming for you. A neutral base palette, such as ivory or sand, will open up the space making it feel clean, light and bright. It will also give you maximum flexibility with your space. If you do not like neutral colours then consider muted colours such as sage green or duck egg blue. To give your bedroom a refined and sophisticated finish choose a fabric wallpaper to bring texture and warmth to the space.

Bed

Position your bed against a wall, with space either side, and select an upholstered headboard with piping or studs to add an element of detail. To recreate a 5-star hotel feel at home use a mattress topper and double up your duvet inside the covers for a sumptuous sleeping experience. For maximum comfort, invest in the best bedding you can afford with a high tread count. Add to your bed by selecting some decorative cushions with small scale patterns or textures with a cashmere throw at the end of the bed.

Furniture

It is important that you do not have too much furniture in your bedroom as this will make it feel cramped. Think carefully about what is important to you. If you have limited storage space then choose a beautiful chest of drawers or if you want a space to get ready at then choose a dressing table and chairs. Consider the furniture’s size and shape so that it fits within the proportions of the room. When accessorising your bedside table carefully select some key pieces, such as a jewellery dish and a candle, so that you do not clutter the space.

Scent

Your bedroom should aim to connect all your senses seamlessly to evoke the feelings and emotions you desire. By bringing scent into the bedroom you can set the tone and mood in your bedroom. You should consider picking a scent that is appropriate for the season: light and floral scents of the summer, deep autumnal and forest scents for autumn and spicy, festive scents for the winter.

Lighting

Lighting is important to create a calming ambience in your room. Having a dimmer switch on the main light in your bedroom will help to create softer lighting. If this is not possible, you can create a restful environment by turning off the main light and utilising reading lights on your bedside table for warmth and comfort.

Tips provided by Alexandra Jurkiewicz, Creative Lead, Helen Green Design.

About Helen Green Design

Helen Green Design is proud to be one of Britain’s most respected luxury interior design practices. Over the past 19 years, the team has developed an invaluable reputation for creating elegant, sophisticated, and timeless interiors for our international private clients. The portfolio includes prestigious developments, luxury penthouses, townhouses, boutique hotels and country estates, with recognition for our work in Super – Prime London. Founded by the late Helen Green in 2002, the studio creates luxurious, yet liveable, residences and strives to deliver exceptionally high, personalised levels of service – values which lie at the very heart of our business.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

We spend about a third of our lives asleep. According to the Mental Health Foundation, it is as important to our bodies as eating, drinking and breathing, and is vital for maintaining good mental and physical health.

The bedroom is also one of the most important rooms of the home in feng shui philosophy. By incorporating certain elements into bedroom spaces, you can create harmony and comfort which can lead to improved wellbeing, better sleep and increased relaxation. Yves Delorme, specialists in luxury home linens and bedding, share key decoration tips for designers to maximise bedroom designs for the comfort and wellbeing of clients.

Choice of Bedlinen

To get the perfect bedding, first decide whether non-allergic filling is needed, then consider which tog rating is right for your client and appropriate for the time of the year. While thread count is a consideration, there are other important features to measure comfort, quality and value: the type of  cotton, the feel of the fabric, and the nature of the finishing. The thread count of “standard” cotton or muslin is around 150; good-quality sheets start at 180-thread count; and a count of 200 and higher is considered ‘percale’.

Thread count also has to do with the yarn construction and quality of the yarn. With finer threads, like those produced with Egyptian cotton, more can be woven into each square inch, producing a finer, softer, more flexible fabric.

Choosing the right size duvet:

If the client in prone to toss and turn in their sleep, choose an overhang of 30-40 centimetres!

Bed Width (cm)

  1. Single: 90
  2. Double: 135
  3. King: 150
  4. Super King: 180

Recommended Duvet Size (cm)

  1. 140×200 or 200×200
  2. 200×200 or 240×220
  3. 240×220 or 260×220
  4. 260×220

Smells and Relaxation

Good interior design should appeal to all  the senses: vision, hearing, touch and smell. Smell tends to be the most powerful link to emotions and feelings so should not be overlooked when it comes to the bedroom!

Whether you opt for fragrances in the form of candles, pillow mist, or room sprays, these soothing smells are proven to promote rest and relaxation. Another trick is to spray perfume on crystals;  amethyst is a widely known as the sleep crystal – it provides a soothing and serene frequency. Perfect for placement on a bedside table!

Considering Feng Shui

According to feng shui, you should incorporate five elements in a home:

Fire elements are often considered the most powerful and can be represented through candles, or by incorporating the colour red!

Earth gives a sense of security and grounding. For this, using textiles in a granite or earthy colours, adding rock features, thick carpet and antique pottery can help to bring the earth element indoors.

Metal stimulates mental strength and intellectual abilities, making it easier to focus and think clearly; try incorporating metal elements with sculptures or bed frames for example.

Water helps promote calm energies in a room. Reflect this with additions like aquariums, water features, free-form artwork, or fluid glass statues.

Wood helps to develop creative energies such as inspiration, motivation and passion. This can be represented through wooden floors and furniture, as well as plants or trees.

Bedroom Design Tips:

Avoid Sharp Edges

Soften your space by adding more natural decor like plants, lamps, sculptures and other smooth edges to provide balance and fluidity.


Window Coverage

Daylight can disrupt sleep and influence our biological clock. Adding darker drapes or curtains along both sides of the window can create a cosier feel and keep light from the outside blocked out.


Minimise Electronics

EMFs are electric and magnetic fields created by electronic devices. They can be harmful and affect wellbeing, including influencing quality of sleep. Keep your smartphone at least three feet from where you rest your head.


Organise Your Bookshelf

Clutter is a low, stagnant and confusing energy that drains our energy, so organisation can make or break a room’s feng shui. Organise your books based on colour and weight – placing the heavier books at the bottom of the book case.


Adding a Headboard

A headboard represents stability and support in your life – adding a sturdy headboard to your bed creates a more secure feeling over a bare wall.


Bring Down Tall Ceilings

With a larger spaces, we can feel less in control of surroundings, causing us to sleep on high alert rather than fully relaxed. If you want to bring down the height, there are a few tactics like painting the ceiling a darker colour or adding visual interest to the lower half of the room with pillows, area rugs or vases. You can also hang crystals or use low hanging lights!


Keep Work Out

This is designed to be a restful space so if possible, resist the urge to convert some of this space into a small home office. Work associated items like laptops and phones create a distracting environment, making it more difficult to swtich off, de-stress and relax.

About the Author

SBID Accredited Industry Partner, Yves Delorme shares its passion for luxury home linens since 1845, with a sophisticated collection of quality bed and bath linens made of the finest Egyptian Cotton

This article was written by Prune Allain des Beauvais, Head of Marketing at Yves Delorme.

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more. 

Project of the Week

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a contemporary loft apartment situated above the famous Soho Theatre. Angel O’Donnell redesigned and reconfigured this central London duplex apartment on behalf of a private client. The apartment, which spans 1750 sq ft across two floors, boasts a generous open plan living and entertainment space with a spacious kitchen centred around an island and a large, yet cosy living room providing the perfect place to relax above the hustle and bustle of Soho. The show stopping centrepiece of the space is an 20 ft tall retractable roof which can be pulled back almost entirely, opening the room up and flooding it with natural light, creating a sense of inside/outside living.

Practice: Angel O’Donnell

Project: Soho Loft Apartment

Location: London, United Kingdom

What was the client’s brief? 

The client hadn’t touched the property for 15 years and needed to bring it up to date before putting it on the market. They wanted a fresh looking scheme that reflected the location of the apartment and were concerned that the apartment lacked proper zoning – currently arranged as a totally open plan, one bedroom, totalling 1750sqt  – they wanted our help to maximise the cost per sq ft.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

Soho provided us with a wealth of inspiration, from its architecture, nightlife, creativity and its unique blend of old and new that works so perfectly in this part of town. We took inspiration from nearby venues like Soho House Dean St which is directly opposite as well as of course the theatre downstairs. We don’t have a ‘house style’ as such, we prefer to take our lead from the properties we work with and the nearby surroundings to create an environment that we believe best suits each particular project.

To further enhance the feeling of bringing the outside in, we adopted an organic and natural colour palette in the living room with green, blue and turquoise hues. A dramatic feature wall was painted in Farrow & Ball’s Inchyra Blue and creates ambience at one end of the room, whilst bar stools in a forest green velvet provide a subtle reminder of Soho’s nightlife. An ivory coloured sofa is also decorated with a mix of cushions in Mulberry and Zinc textiles.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The toughest hurdle was how to turn the huge open plan space into something more commercially viable without breaking the bank & keeping that airy, light filled feeling. Our proposition was to build a wall across the original snug area, with sliding pocket doors. This created a separate room which was multi-functional; snug, study or second bedroom. We also advised the client to keep the kitchen and spiral staircase. These looked dated but by adding the dramatic dark paint colour behind them, gave them a new lease of life and made them look contemporary once again.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Really the highlight was the client’s reaction at the result. They were literally lost for words when they saw the transformation and even though we had created a second room in an open plan space they thought that the space felt bigger. They genuinely felt like this was the home they had been wanting to create for years.  Hugs all round !

Questions answered by Ed O’Donnell and Richard Angel, founders of Angel O’Donnell

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 beautifully bespoke, authentic and consciously curated interiors for a boutique hotel in the mountains of Italy, click here to see more.

Project of the Week: SBID Awards Finalists 2019

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features Interior design that synthesises Eastern and Western styles. The interior design plan of this luxury property unites the Eastern and Western classical elements, giving it a bold and alluring character. The captivating Roman vault structure built at the entrance creates impact thanks to its remarkable detail and decor. The achromatic colours soften the visual impact, the soft whites, which serves the main colours, blend with oriental natural landscape scenes. YZ Environment Design used decorative details diversely to incorporate elements from the oriental architectural while infusing the Western design style with ink-based art, creating a blended and innovative Chinese classical style.

SBID Awards: Residential Design Over £1M finalist sponsored by THG Paris

Practice: YZ Environment Design

Project: Synthesis of Eastern-and-Western Classical Styles

Location: Beijing, China

What was the client’s brief? 

The proprietor is China Resources Group, a respected developer in China. This case is a model room of high-end luxury apartments, located near Beijing Medical University – which is an excellent location. The main customers have rich wealth and knowledge. The proprietor’s request is to make the clients feel elegant and to provide a unique experience.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

Chinoiserie is a decorative style in Western art, furniture, and architecture, especially in the 18th century, characterised by the use of Chinese motifs and techniques. European countries absorbed the Chinese culture; particularly the symbols and cultural elements, however, the meaning and value of the elements are often ignored. Such surface-level cultural input made “Chinoiserie” not able to be widely applied and it eventually disappeared into the history of design. Although the Chinoiserie style represents the Europeans’ yearning for China, the imitation of Chinese art crafts and the shallow understanding of the culture make it hard to get deep into and extend the Chinese culture. People just see what they want to see about Chinese culture instead of the whole picture of it. Capturing the essence of Chinoiserie therefore was a key inspiration for this project’s design scheme.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The toughest challenging was how to let the engineers and product processing staff understand the concept of the theme and intrinsic classic detail to create a transformation which is great enough to compete with the classics. The design involved many important craft processes such as hand-printed wallpaper, stairs, and mosaic with a large number of sketches and 3D drawings to develop.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Visitors are introduced to classics from different periods and different regions when they enter the property. There are design distinctions and differences among the classic features, but they have been curated to blend so naturally and elegantly they are not noticeable. It gives people a whole new feeling. At the same time, exquisite and rigorous technologies have helped provide technical support to creating these new classics.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We found SBID Award is a high-quality competition when we entered the award in 2015 for the first time. The judges are concerned not only about technology, materials and the undergoing changes in them, but also value highly culture and art and human spirit.

Questions answered by YZ Environment Design

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 Victorian family home with modern, industrial aesthetic & open plan living, click here to see more.

SBID Awards 2019 | Residential Design Over £1M finalist sponsored by THG Paris

Project of the Week

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a stunning Shanghai residence located in the heart of Shanghai’s Pudong district. Elicyon was commissioned to design a luxurious apartment in a contemporary British style. With sophisticated colour palette, lacquered veneers and marble, the design scheme blends perfectly with the existing architecture of the building, and by using joinery, furniture and lighting crafted exclusively in the UK – Elicyon created a home true to the client’s vision.

Practice: Elicyon

Project: Shanghai 

Location: Shanghai, China

Residential design by Elicyon

What was the client’s brief? 

The client was a young Chinese professional who wanted to create an apartment with a real sense of British craftsmanship within this prestigious residential development. The client had a very strong design ethos with long-term vision – it was very important that the fittings, furnishings and palette chosen would be impactful but at the same time, wouldn’t date. It is always exciting to work with a client who has a defined vision and makes highly informed, considered design choices.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

British craftsmanship definitely inspired the design of the apartment. This translated into our choice of suppliers – we worked with a lot of British and European artisans and suppliers. We also chose a colour palette with quite a British sensibility – lots of dove grey and pale blues which were then given a twist through contrasting against areas of high black glossy, lacquered veneers. We were conscious of not creating a cliché or pastiche of British design, so we also took inspiration from the Shanghai location, paying homage to the river and incredible views, to create a marriage between east and western influences in the final product.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

This project was very special for many reasons – the fit-out of the apartment was almost entirely built in Britain and then flat packed and air freighted to Shanghai. It was an incredibly challenging and exciting brief to transpose a completely British-made design for the client. The end result was absolutely fantastic, true to the initial vision of a space with a limited, and in most part, high contrast palette.

Questions answered by Charu Gandhi, Founder and Director, Elicyon

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring a timeless explorer’s lodge in Botswana built with sustainability and nature in mind, click here to see more.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s Residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

Project of the Week: SBID Awards Finalists 2019

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a truly magnificent residential design for a home befitting of its prime location in Wentworth; one of the UK’s premier private estates. This 6 bedroom, 7 bathroom detached house offers inspiration and excitement at every turn. Having worked extensively with the client over the last twelve years on multiple overseas properties and a limited edition Oyster yacht, Hill House Interiors were the natural choice to transform the home, using inspiring fabrics, innovative textures and complementary tones to seamlessly integrate the 3,000 sqft extension into the rest of the home.

SBID Awards: Residential Design Over £1M finalist sponsored by THG Paris

Company: Hill House Interiors

Project: Private Estate, Wentworth

Location: Surrey, United Kingdom

Residential design by Hill House Interiors featuring luxury bar area

What was the client’s brief? 

Hill House Interiors were commissioned to design the interior scheme for this prestigious property in 2006, since which, they have further worked with the owners on their stunning villa in Zagleta and limited edition Oyster yacht. It was, therefore, sheer delight to be contacted again to revisit the client’s Wentworth home to devise the scheme for a vast refurbishment and 3000 sqft extension of the already sizeable 9000 sqft home.

Initially born from the desire for a much larger, walk in closet and dressing area for the master suite, the clients swiftly realised their dream of considerably larger entertainment spaces to include on the wishlist; a stunning new dual aspect fireplace, feature bar, and sumptuous cinema room.

Residential design by Hill House Interiors featuring kitchen dining room

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

Hill House drew inspiration for this remarkable space from the Art Déco era – that fascinating period in history when bold geometry, artistic mirrors and exquisitely rich materials started to be incorporated into private homes.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The hallway is the first thing guests see when they enter a home, so it is always a key feature and starting point of any scheme. This transitory spot was the perfect place to sweep guests off their feet and was utilised to add elegant décor details that helped to elevate the overall ambience of the home.

Upon entering, guests are met with a stunning Jerusalem crema grey marble staircase with glass balustrade and leather handrail. This installation is a beautiful contrast to the bespoke, hand sculpted artwork – a single bonsai tree – spanning the 20ft wall. Specially finished in a shimmering hand-applied pearlescent coat, subtle, soft recessed lighting enhances the incredibly intricate detail of this favoured far eastern tree. The sublimely elegant hand-blown floating crystal leaf chandelier that presides over the space – apart from making a stunning sculptural visual centrepiece – creates a beautiful light and shadow play across its surrounding surfaces, enhancing the space further.

Residential design by Hill House Interiors featuring master bedroom

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards are highly respected within the design industry, and every year it’s incredibly inspiring to see such a wide variety of skills and styles represented across the various categories, showing the amount of diversity within the interior design industry.

The projects that take home an SBID accolade are truly the best in the business, and the awards evening is an event we look forward to every year. We continue to be delighted to take part in the SBID International Design Awards, and are keeping our fingers crossed for 2020!

Questions answered by Jenny Weiss, Co-founder of Hill House Interiors

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring luxurious, golden age glamour for the Hilton Imperial Hotel Dubrovnik, click here to see more.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s Residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

SBID Awards 2019 | Residential Design Over £1M finalist sponsored by THG Paris

Residential design by Hill House Interiors featuring walk-in wardrobe dressing room

Residential design by Hill House Interiors featuring master bathroom

Project of the Week: SBID Awards Finalists 2019

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a total interior renovation which was designed to create a residence that better reflected the family’s dynamic and appeal to their personal tastes. Nestled in picturesque Forest Hill, Toronto, this Georgian styled 10,000 sq ft house has six bedrooms and nine bathrooms for five children and two adults; an upgrade from their previous three bedroom home! Powell & Bonnell incorporated a blend of pattern on pattern, bold furnishings and courageously contemporary art pieces into this playful residential design to enrich each space with unique character and charm. The result is a home fit for family fun and entertainment, for all that pass beyond the threshold of this lively, design-led home.

SBID Awards: Residential Design Over £1M finalist sponsored by THG Paris

Company: Powell & Bonnell 

Project: The Well Hued Home

Location: Ontario, Canada

Residential design by Powell & Bonnell with dining room interior for the Well Hued House

What was the client’s brief? 

A total interior renovation, to create a residence that better reflected the family’s dynamic and appeal to their personal taste. The client called for an abundance of colour and whimsical personality as a principal inspiration for this new residence. An inventory of existing furnishings, mostly from the previous residence, also needed to be restyled and upholstered to be incorporated into the new design. Our goal was to mix pattern on pattern, bold furnishings and courageously contemporary art pieces to enliven every room.

Residential design by Powell and Bonnell
Residential design by Powell and Bonnell

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

Without a doubt the client’s love of art and travel. Family trips to London and New York with stays in boutique hotels had exposed the client to an informal more effervescent design style and helped their curiosity for contemporary art and design blossom. Much of the art was selected by the homeowner themselves which gave us a starting point for colour schemes and concepts for each room, making this residence just right for showcasing the client’s eclectic interests!

Residential design by Powell & Bonnell with bedroom interior for the Well Hued House

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

To think back, the idea of making all those colours work in one house was really the biggest hurdle! We knew the house, we had worked with the client before, the contractor we worked with also executed the family’s first renovation with us, so the usual difficulties that arise in those “getting to know you” areas, wasn’t a problem when it came to working on this project.

Residential design by Powell & Bonnell with living room interior for the Well Hued House

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The house is entertaining, even the “serious” rooms like the dining room and living room, which children are often discouraged from using have a youthful and fun loving flair, without being juvenile. The key is in the fabrics – we used quite a bit from our collection of textiles when upholstering items for this house. The Powell & Bonnell textile collection is made of commercial grade fabrics that have a residential feel and appearance.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We were attracted by the opportunities and potential exposure for international design in the competition. It is well run and well respected. We have entered it many times, and love the awards presentation!

Residential design by Powell & Bonnell with bedroom interior for the Well Hued House

Questions answered by Fenwick Bonnell, Partner and Albert Limshue, Senior Designer at Powell & Bonnell

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring SBID Award winners for the stunning residential design which showcases sophisticated luxury for a 19th century apartment, click here to see more.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s Residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

SBID Awards 2019 | Residential Design Over £1M Finalist sponsored by THG Paris

Residential design by Powell & Bonnell with living room interior for the Well Hued House

Project of the Week: SBID Awards Winners 2019

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the SBID Award winning project for Residential Apartment Under £1MLocated in the centre of Kiev in a property whose architectural heritage dates from the 19th century, the apartment boasts high ceilings, a clear rhythm of windows and good proportions in every room. The project is created in the American classic style with an Art Déco theme, balanced with a welcoming and comfortable aesthetic; there isn’t any overblown show of luxury to distract the eye. 

SBID Awards: Residential Apartment Under £1M winner sponsored by Lalique

Company: Kolomoiets-Project

Project: Apartment with History

Location: Kiev, Ukraine

What was the client’s brief? 

The customer has expressed a wish to completely re-plan the apartment, considering the habitation of a couple. In terms of the interior design, he has suggested finding a balance of historic style, respectability, sophistication and functionality.

Residential design by Kolomoiets Project
Residential design by Kolomoiets Project

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

In one of the Kyiv salons, we acquired a chair in the style of Louis XV; classic in shape, modern in decoration with ebony and wool upholstery of a local fuchsia colour. Later, it took the place of the dominant subject in the living room. The balance of classic architectural forms and aesthetics using colour and materials of the 21st century became our main idea and motto. The fact that the apartment is located in a late 19th century building with a rich facade in the historic city centre inspired some of the design decisions and solutions throughout.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

While reconstructing the old wooden floor, the floor level has rose by 250mm. This led to the arrangement of two steps in front of the front door. The home office also inherited a passage to the laundry room, namely a disproportionately low opening in the load-bearing wall. We made the decision to decorate this passage with a double-leafed, stained glass door which became a particular highlight in this room.

Residential design by Kolomoiets Project with living room interior for Apartment with History

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

We achieved a good design solution in the living room area by using a boiserie of old Venetian mirrors. They extended the space somewhat and enhanced the decorative effect of the room.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Design is a creative method, process and result. No less important for the development of creativity is the professionals’ evaluation, especially on a global scale – and that is why it was so important for us to participate in the SBID Awards!

Questions answered by Alla Kolomoiets of Kolomoiets-Project

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring the SBID Award winners for Development Sales Centre which combine traditional culture with modernity and contemporary spaces, click here to see more.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s Residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

SBID Awards 2019 | Residential Apartment Under £1M Winner sponsored by Lalique

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