This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a modern and fashionable family home which serves as a place to escape from the city bustle and be immersed in a harmonious, relaxed lifestyle; offering a sense of protection. The interior design is rooted in the exquisite simplicity, elegance and the beauty of everyday life. The creation of clean shapes has been a guiding principle while the presence of natural wood also influenced the design style. The designer, Danhor, has created a house made of eco-materials, surrounded by genuine nature and a river – a home that is alive, breathing and free. The interior is unified by clear, modern, minimalist shapes and clean lines and colours; there is a gentle colour spectrum for walls and furniture in neutral beige and greys. The space is not overloaded with furniture and the bespoke furniture harnesses textures such stone and concrete which complement the wooden elements.
Company: Danhor
Project: River Side
Project Location: Kiev, Ukraine
What was the client's brief?
Determining this project was its location. When I first got into the Family Club River Side, I realised that I was not just in a beautiful cottage town on the banks of the Dnipro. This place captivated me with its atmosphere and the architecture of the houses - for me, as a designer, this is very important, because it immediately inspires me and helps to shape the style of the future interior. This is a place of relaxation in which I wanted to create a harmonious homely atmosphere, a sense of security and peace, a home in which I want to live, a place where I can escape from the city bustle, from the cramped and stuffy environments and plunge into the calm routine of being. This was the main idea of the project. I am lucky that the clients are also good friends of mine. So first of all, I wanted to display their inner world: a love of travel, jazz music, literature, gourmet food, working in a creative profession with a wonderful sense of humour. In short, I wanted to capture their taste for life. Also, because the client is a well-known person in our country of Ukraine, who works in television, I did not want to declare her famous lifestyle but rather try to make her life at home as quiet as possible and closed to society. The home will inhabit a family with two children, which immediately gave me the idea to make the interior delicate, calming and neutral, whilst adapted to life with children. I wanted to avoid pretentiousness, and focus on a dominant position in the surrounding environment in which I saw serenity, comfort and warmth.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
The presence of natural wood certainly influenced the design style. A house of ecological materials, surrounded by living, real nature and the river, could not be plastic and artificial inside. At first, we gathered together pictures and objects seen in cinema, magazines or in some interesting places, put everything together - and the story began to develop by itself. We talked a lot, then paused, tried to hear each other and persuade each other on certain things; I, from a professional standpoint, and Lena (the client) from the viewpoint of the customer who will live there and wants to rejoice in every corner of her house. For me, the most inspirational element in this house is the overall holistic concept of the entire interior design concept. This is when, step by step, a new picture opens up for you, a new premise, but also a continuation of the previous one. The style of this house is difficult to determine. The approach to design was a lot of intuition, based on the knowledge and the wishes of the client. This interior combines clear, modern, minimalist forms and clean lines with calm colours of neutral beige and grey shades throughout the walls and furniture. This is the interior for life! And the value is in the emotions and the story, which became an integral part of life for Lena and her family.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
Difficulties are always present... In this project it was a time frame. The clients were so eager to call in as quickly as possible and tell us they were keen and ready to sleep on their new mattresses, and to feel themselves their new, beautiful sanctuary.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The highlight for me is just in the tranquillity and simplicity of this interior. “Simplicity is the essence of elegance” - in this I agree with Coco Chanel. The most interesting in this interior design are the individual wallpapers that reflect this family; the wall mural of their children in the nursery or even their Georgian ornament in the living room, which the client brought back from Georgia, reminding her of fond memories of travelling. I wanted to create a basis for this family, which they could then fill with their favourite objects, paintings, photographs and decor, which they bring back from different countries.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
For me personally, this is an opportunity to discover a new look for myself against the level of design in Europe and the world; to meet new specialists and professionals. I worked for an international company and for me it was the best experience. The experience to see and learn from people from other countries, discover something new, imbued with their culture and technology, as well as their views, thoughts and ideas. Design has such a broad outlook and worldview that we simply cannot stand still and not evolve, not look ahead and not try to make our design in Ukraine more successful, more accessible and understandable to the masses. SBID and the SBID Awards is a step towards this and the door to the future.
Questions answered by Tatiana Danilevych, Lead Designer at Danhor
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a waterfront home with manor-esque proportions and contemporary lines, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Danhor | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the refined and sustainable hotel experience with QO Amsterdam. The QO represents a departure from most hotels, at its heart is an ethos focused almost entirely on curating and working with the natural environment. Aiming to be one of the most sustainable hotels on the planet; at every stage of design, the environmental impact was considered the forefront of the decision making process. The building itself actually breathes, with exterior panels that automatically open and close to keep heat in and out to ensure as little power is required to heat the building! Conran&Partners were responsible for designing the QO's Guest Rooms, curated by the IHG Interior Design Department, to create a space that felt pure, clean, minimal yet timeless, luxurious and hugely appealing.
Company: Conran&Partners
Project: QO Amsterdam
Project Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
To create a hotel with a difference that provides contemporary luxury with a social and environmental conscience. The hotel is a ‘circular’ design that produces its own energy, grows its own plants and cares about its community. Our concept was to combine materials that bring a feeling of luxury with others that reflect the industrial spirit of the area, the building itself and the philosophy of the QO.
What inspired the design of the Project?
We looked at what luxury means today to develop what the guest would enjoy spatially – taking into account the amazing views through the full height windows and the size of the rooms available to us.
We overlaid this with research on natural, sustainable and local materials to bring in the context and make very conscious decisions about the materials we were using, for example using engineered brick for the bathroom enclosures, exposed concrete ceiling, and a local limestone for the vanity. Keeping the palate paired-back and natural helped to reflect the story. We wanted to be true to how the building is actually built. So we enhanced and celebrated what it’s made from. Then we brought them together within a space which we deliberately designed open-plan so you immediately experience the light and incredible views as you enter.
Tight timelines and restrictions in the layout and services – but challenges are opportunities in our view!
Working with a team passionate about the end result and having the opportunity to create a very modern version of luxury. For example, the rooms as a whole are all controlled by an innovative iPad control systems, and ingenious touches of hidden technology that make a stay surprising and effortless. By simply putting your foot out of bed, a gentle nightlight detects this movement and glows outside the bathroom to calmly direct you without the need for switches or buttons, or the risk of accidentally switching on the master switch in the middle of the night!
This project is very special with numerous passionate different parties involved working together to create a hotel that shows the industry that hospitality can be sustainable.
Questions answered by Tina Norden, Director at Conran&Partners
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the tranquil tearoom nestled amidst a verdant bamboo grove in Shenzhen, click here to see more.
The 2018 edition of the SBID International Design Awards is now officially open for entries! Click here to register or enter your project!
Conran&Partners | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features Avalon II; a stunning residential project based in the U.K, designed by Hill House Interiors. Meticulous attention has been paid to every detail. The brief was to create timeless elegance with a luxurious yet neutral textured palette. Every room had to be of equal importance and opulence. The concept behind the design stays true to the Hill House philosophy ‘You only get one chance to make a first impression’.
Hill House Interiors were commissioned to design a home for an international businessman with an extended family, who required an 'out of town' base in the UK which included a home cinema, luxury pool, spa and gym.
They have created interest by using a myriad of textures, along with a collection of painstakingly sourced objets d’art, wall coverings and distinctive focal point lighting solutions, for this elegant family home. The end result is the quintessence of a Hill House Interiors scheme: classic contemporary, incorporating only the highest quality materials, with touches of this innovative design consultancy’s unique brand of glamour. The most recent addition to this stunning home includes a state of the art luxury spa, pool and gym area.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Helen Bygraves, Co-Founder of Hill House Interiors.
Company: Hill House Interiors
Project: Surrey Poolhouse
Project Location: Surrey, U.K
What was the client’s brief?
This truly luxurious spa complex was designed for an international businessman and his family to enjoy whilst in the UK. A sympathetic addition to the property, we consulted with the developers throughout, using our in-house architectural expertise to help create a practical, as well as aesthetically beautiful, new focal point for the home, which has been seamlessly integrated into the original part of the house
What inspired the design of the project?
Texture was central to our design for this spa - for example, the wave-effect wall is beautifully juxtaposed by the crazy cut mother-of-pearl vases filled with stunning orchids. Another key feature is versatility, from the cinema room, a large feature glass wall allows extra light and ambience through to the pool area; we installed a concealed remote control blind to block the light when required for those movie moments!
It was of paramount importance that this extension blended seamlessly with the existing building, whilst bringing a wonderful new dimension to the house. The client is delighted with the fluidity of the space, and the soothing aqua colour palette which makes this the perfect place to relax, as well as workout.
From the textured wave wall to the transparent swimming pool cover, which acts as a safety measure for children whilst showcasing the stunning pool tiling, every element has been carefully considered to offer a majestic poolside experience. The chic single cabana cabins and sofa, from Italian furniture specialist Bonacina Pierantonio, provide pool-side seclusion, perfect for post-workout relaxation.
SBID are consistently at the forefront of both new trends and design, while championing exciting and innovative suppliers. As well as the fabulous awards, events and networking opportunities they organise, the SBID accreditation give us an edge as interior designers, it’s also great to work closely with such a wonderful team.
Questions answered by Helen Bygraves, Co-Founder of Hill House Interiors.
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Hill House Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2017
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