Dubai EDITION Hotel Suites Celebrate Minimal Luxury

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a minimal luxury hotel suite design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, LW Design.

What was the client’s brief? 

LW Design was tasked to create this extraordinary new flagship hotel in this vibrant city and overall hospitality industry in the Middle East. The iconic hotel boasts minimalist luxury and already has intrigue in the local community with its subtle appeal. Location and people are paramount to the brand.

What inspired the design of the project?

LW Design has created arguably the best looking EDITION hotel in the world to date; it is the first hotel of its kind in Dubai with elevated style, materials and design language. The Dubai EDITION is also the first hospitality project LW Design has completed for both architecture and interiors. The EDITION collection celebrates the diversity of cities across the world, reflecting the best of cultural and social environments and a new generation of understated luxury.

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

Having started on the project almost five years ago, Pooja Shah-Mulani, design director at LW Design, describes the journey as the most intense but rewarding experience, making its completion the pinnacle of her career to date. “The fusion of working with an international brand such as The EDITION, in one of the most prestigious locations in Dubai, and for a client that trusted us to deliver an exceptional product, meant that expectations were only ever going to push creative boundaries into delivering something very special.

The result of ideas being challenged throughout the entire process has led to some of the most iconic moments in the hotel today, namely the arched ceiling. LW Design conceptualised The Dubai EDITION almost five years ago; the doors are now open to a design that’s ahead of its time, yet timeless and current.

It was more complicated than we thought to create something effortless while still creating something that would have the biggest impact in the market by being completely different. Having maintained our philosophy of designing to current trends through organic simplicity, the result has exceeded expectations, and we are incredibly thrilled with the outcome”.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Dubai is a world capital for design and is used to setting the bar for outstanding service and luxury hotels. It is the brave that will survive and set the tone for travel into the future. It is the first five-star luxury property that we have managed both architectural and design projects. Our vision has allowed us to successfully launch and manage many game-changing concepts such as the Vida Downtown, Zabeel House in the Greens and Media One Hotel”.

The long-awaited Dubai EDITION opens its doors as the extraordinary new flagship hotel in this vibrant city and overall hospitality industry in the Middle East. The iconic hotel boasts minimalist luxury and already has intrigue in the local community with its subtle appeal. Location and people are paramount to the brand.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

International platform and recognition this project deserves.

Questions answered by Pooja Shah Mulani, Partner & Design Director, LW Design.

A spacious kitchen for eating and entertaining was an essential for the Italian family who moved into this stunning home in Ascot. Their first decision was to relocate the existing small kitchen into a generous extension. Next stop was Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio, to request a show-stopping kitchen design imbued with his signature mix of materials. The result is a stunning kitchen that’s perfect for busy family life.

Charlie’s design centres around a generous island that’s hand-painted white and wrapped in a hard-wearing Calacatta Quartz waterfall worktop. The island is positioned below a roof lantern that floods the room with natural light throughout the day; a trio of decorative pendants provides effective task lighting at night.

“The couple wanted a sleek, contemporary aesthetic for their kitchen, so we chose grey-stained natural oak for the base cupboards,” explains Charlie. “Then, to create a contrast, the island cupboards are also oak but stained white. Staining timber in this way allows the natural beauty of the grain to shine through.” A large double larder and a breakfast cupboard flank the wall run. The doors are also grey-stained oak with exquisite brass inlay in a diamond-shaped design. “And one of my favourite elements is the liquid pewter finish with shagreen-like texture we created for the wall cupboards in between,” adds Charlie.

The adjacent wall is dedicated to the practicalities of the kitchen: a bank of ovens and a dedicated fridge and freezer separated by an impressive wine cooler. Huge slabs of porcelain in a Cararra marble finish were chosen for the floor as a final touch to this fabulous open-plan kitchen where practicality and glamour go hand in hand.

Ledbury Studio kitchens start from £50,000.

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What are the origins of your brand?

The company was originally founded in Stockholm in 1949, by Nils Erik Eklund, who came up with the idea of recycling textile offcuts into woven rag rugs. In many ways, our founder was ahead of his time and his ability to see an opportunity where others couldn’t still inspires us. Today, his granddaughters Annica and Marie keep this same spirit alive but since they took over the company from their parents Lars and Monica in 2003, they have also been on a mission – to make Bolon a design-led innovator and fuse the conservative, traditional flooring industry with the boundless creativity of the world of fashion. Under their leadership, business has transformed from a traditional weaving mill into an international design brand with clients such as Armani, Google, Four Seasons Hotels, Chanel, Adidas, Apple and Missoni Home and we’ve collaborated with world-renowned designers and architects. We are proud of our progress, but our story continues – we want to keep moving forward and innovating, creating sustainable, world leading flooring and rug solutions.

How do you work with interior designers?

We have a team of people, both in the UK and internationally, who work closely with interior designers to keep them abreast of our new products. We aim to offer the best service possible every step of the way, including quick and efficient technical, design and sample support.

What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?

Innovation, inspiration and unique flooring and rug products.

How do your services/offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?

Bolon creates beautiful flooring and rugs that stay looking that way, even after years of use. Our multiple custom options mean that there is a unique solution for each project a designer is working on, depending on the requirements of the client.

What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?

Sustainability is a big part of our DNA and we are proud of our impressive sustainability credentials. We have noticed that these are of increasing interest to all interior designers, and we’re thrilled that this has become such an important part of how designers work.  It is also essential that our flooring and rugs are long lasting, so the cleanability of our flooring is also of increasing interest. Designers and their clients need flooring and rugs that are practical, as well as beautiful. People have had bad experiences with flooring that is not cleanable and therefore looks tired quickly after very little use, so they love how easy our flooring is to clean.

We’ve also noticed a number of requests for rugs that can be used both inside and outdoors.

Questions answered by Sarah Herman, Director, Bolon UK.

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxury property design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Jeffrey Beers International.

The Alyx at EchelonSeaport is a defining contemporary landmark designed by internationally lauded Kohn Pedersen Fox architects of New York. The impressive stepped tower design takes inspiration from Boston’s Victorian neighbourhoods full of brick and brownstone row houses, and puts a modern spin on it, showcasing oversized windows with city, courtyard, and water views. On the interior, the design team at world-renown Jeffrey Beers International, crafted the lobby and amenity spaces to feel like an extension of one’s own living room; warm, inviting, and comfortable. Designed with a sense of community, the amenity experiences encourage residents to gather and socialize.

What was the client’s brief? 

We identified with the client’s vocation to create the property’s DNA as artistic, innovative, authentic, and communal.

What inspired the design of the project?

Boston, specifically it’s history, culture and innovation! We have drawn inspiration from Boston’s colonial past, rich academia, and its cultural heritage, as well as from the city’s sense of authenticity and community. We are also drawn to the surrounding views of the water; the geography, design and lifestyle of the waterfront.

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

Budget and timing always should be managed carefully for every project.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

We are honoured to be part of the progressive plans to transform the area of Boston Seaport into a neighbourhood that will balance the soul of the city with innovation and modernity.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We wanted the opportunity to highlight the project on an international stage.

Questions answered by Tim Rooney, Principal, Jeffrey Beers International.

The Kalizma Superyacht recently won a prestigious “Judges Special Recognition Award” and was nominated for Best Rebuilt Superyacht of 2022 at an International competition in London.

Kalizma’s history

M/Y Kalizma is a classic, Edwardian, motor yacht, built in 1906 and christened Minona. Originally designed as a steam-powered yacht, she was one of the first yachts to have electric lighting.

In WWI and WWII the yacht was commandeered by the British Navy to accomplish different missions like the rescue of the crew members of over 1100 ships that had been hit and sunk in battle.

In 1967, the yacht returned to the limelight when Richard Burton gifted her to his wife, the actress Elizabeth Taylor, to celebrate her second Oscar Award for her interpretation of Martha in the 1966 film ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’. In the same year, the couple decided to rechristen the boat with her current name of Kalizma, after Burton’s three daughters, Kate, Liza and Maria.

When the Hollywood couple divorced, Kalizma passed through many hands until she reached her current owner, who was fascinated by her artistic details and history and wanted to restore her to her former splendour.

Palazzo Morelli sets to re-design the yacht

In 2020 Palazzo Morelli was appointed to re-design the yacht and proceed with the full fit-out of it. One year later they handed the completed work to the client on time and in budget, bringing the yacht back to its former glory.

In this project, you can see the ingenuity and superb craftsmanship of Palazzo Morelli´s team who meticulously worked to retrofit some parts of the boat, while modernizing others.

Palazzo Morelli in-house Arch. Daniele Cambiotti re-designed the communal spaces to create tiny lounges with a softly glamorous atmosphere using warm, consistent lighting throughout.

Drawings and paintings were arranged around photographs taken of the couple Burton-Taylor on board Kalizma. The brass details highlight the original, precious, mahogany wood paneling, which has been kept intact and restored.

The Edwardian-style lounge bar area was personalised with Kalizma’s new coat of arms, also designed by the architect at the client’s request. This was then reproduced on all the yacht’s bespoke table linens and accessories.

Palazzo Morelli led the restoration work, guided by the owner, Alessandro Ortenzi, who personally supervised the work of the local and international craftsmen involved in the shipyard in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The restoration involved the main areas of the yacht and, more specifically, the master cabin, master bathroom, the internal lounge area and the main external deck. The work was based on philological principles of restoration and conservation and enriched the interiors with a softly glamorous, elegant atmosphere to highlight the Burton-Taylor story. The colour palette pays homage to Elizabeth Taylor’s intensely magnetic “violet” eyes and ranges from shades of grey, dark blue and burgundy to perfectly match the existing mahogany furnishings.

The traditional, nautical white has also been re-imagined in shades of champagne, which work perfectly with the technical fabrics to offer a surprisingly delicate, tactile, experience. The new arrangement of the interiors becomes more dynamic with the use of satin finish bronze cornices, profiles and details to fit in perfectly with the existing materials and complement the wall and free-standing lighting.

The refit also improved the Wi-fi network and the technological devices to use high-resolution films, videos and music in every cabin or communal area on the yacht.

The master cabin was completely refurbished using an extremely bright colour palette.

A warm champagne white is a dominant colour with brass highlights and a honey-coloured onyx cornice enhanced by a system of backlighting. An aesthetic, functional shell containing the built-in TV screen surrounds the bed. The only concession to colour is the burgundy accessories, which pick up on Kalizma’s new coat of arms. The master bathroom carries on the colour theme of the master cabin.

The final part of the refit concerned the external area of the main bridge, designed to host lively parties or enjoy moments of perfect relation and privacy. Materials were chosen to give a classic look yet with technological finishes for specific requirements at sea.

Passion, efficiency and flexibility are crucial to our success as well as high-precision equipment and finishing by hand.

Take a look around the amazing story and refit by Palazzo Morelli.

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Creating a virtually seamless, durable mural, Metamorfosi from RAK Ceramics is a decorative porcelain surface that will make an eye-catching impression for any interior.

Metamorfosi is a large-format surface, available in two sizes – 120x260cm and 120x120cm. Inspired by the colours and shapes found in nature and responding to this important interior design trend, Metamorfosi is highly durable and splash resistant, just as porcelain should be, yet visually striking in its appeal, with several design options to choose from.

From geometric and floral patterns and lush tropical leaves, to bold and vibrant shades that tap into the trend for block colouring, Metamorfosi brings the beauty of nature in all its boldness indoors.

The collection includes nine colours and 11 decors transferred on to large-format brushed resin porcelain stoneware slabs, to create striking wall decorations that become part of the interior design. The shapes on the ceramic surfaces have a handmade appearance, creating a versatile, contemporary a wallpaper effect.

Metamorfosi is part of the Signature Collection from RAK Ceramics, a modern, sophisticated product range of cladding solutions for all design requirements.

Cover image: Rak Oltremateria Bagno

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and minimalistic family house design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ND Studios.

Natascha Dartnall, Founder & Director of ND Studios: We completely reconfigured an existing property, retaining only the listed front façade while building a modern house behind. It was important that we had lots of options when it came to marbles, stones and woods. For our client, the materials were just as important as the furniture, fixtures and fittings themselves.

Our clients shared our own commitment to sustainability and wanted to, where possible, make environmentally conscious decisions during the design, build and install. ND Studios will always seek to employ sustainable practises where possible. One of the main ways we achieved this on this project was to install a ground-source heat pump which is more environmentally friendly than alternative options because it recycles heat between seasons and it releases fewer carbon emissions.

What was the client’s brief? 

Our client wanted their new house to be a family home suitable for both relaxation and entertaining – with a spa, cinema room and home café all on the client’s shopping list. We were asked to create fresh and contemporary interiors with a nod to minimalism. Our clients were keen that we embraced an aesthetic that had longevity and that would age well while also ensuring that it was as sustainable as possible.

What inspired the design of the project?

Given that this was to be family home but with a modern, minimalist aesthetic a main priority was to ensure the house would work, practically speaking. How could we ensure there was a sense of home while staying true to the very pared back concept?

The bedrooms are an ode to modern comfort: clean lines, muted shades and plenty of light thanks to floor to ceiling windows. The guest bedroom includes a plump, fabric headboard which extends all the way across one of the walls, serving as a backdrop to the nightstands as well as the bed itself. This adds some softness to the room. The abstract paintings above the bed with vivid cerulean blue and scarlet red markings also adds vibrancy – just another example of how we made this modern house a family home.

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

The first hurdle for us was ensuring we had planning in place to knock down much of the existing property and build its modern replacement. The façade of the original property was listed and as a result it had to remain intact. This didn’t jeopardise our client’s vision or our execution of the project: we all felt it added character and a sense of history to the new home. While this held us back, it was only a matter of time before we got the go-ahead. It was a chasing and waiting game.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the most exciting spaces to work on was the home café which has an industrial vibe with a sculpted slab of White Fantasy marble serving as the bar area. We kept it neutral but monochrome with lots of angles and lines which made for a contemporary socialising space you’d expect to see in a busy metropolis but is a brilliant surprise to find within a leafy suburban home.

The cinema room was another exercise in making a space both relaxing, physically comfortable but also chic. There is plenty of softness thanks to the silk carpet by Loomah and the abundance of cushions, but we ensured the space has plenty of hard lines and angles too, so that the room has a sense of structure.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

To have recognition for our work from an established industry body is an honour, and one which we hold in high regard.

Questions answered by Natascha Dartnall, Founder & Director, ND Studios.

Introducing the latest flooring collection from sustainable Swedish design company, Bolon – Truly rugs.

Designed to make a statement, the Truly rug collection features enlarged patterns, colour effects and hyper texture. Truly is a bold collection, created in-house, and shaped around the creative vision of the five women who make up the design team, including Annica and Marie. The range consists of five made-to-measure rug designs, each with its own expression and identity, representing the passions and expertise of the Bolon team.

The bold designs consist of ANYTHING EVERYTHING, which features a graphic pattern building rooms within a room, DISRUPT AND DISCOVER, an elegant multicoloured check, 100%, a sparkling out of focus zig-zag pattern, PRECIS, a flowing pattern in magnified formations and I SEE YOU, a collage-like pattern with layers of subtle surfaces.

The creation of the Truly rug collection follows on from both the introduction of made-to-measure rugs to Bolon’s product portfolio last year, and the launch of the Truly flooring collection, earlier this year.

Headquartered in Sweden but globally renowned, Bolon is passionate about sustainability which is woven into the brand’s DNA. Truly is made in Sweden, only with renewable energy and using a mixture of recycled and new material.

Bolon’s made-to-measure rugs offer customers endless options to select the right design, trimming and size for their specific project. There are eight available trimming options and Bolon produces rugs between 2 x 2 metres and 4 x 8 metres. Bespoke rug sizes are available upon request.

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A new resource book celebrating design and best practice has been published by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) for anyone involved in specifying or designing with architectural ironmongery and hardware.

The book, available as a free download at www.gai.org.uk/specifier, showcases award-winning architectural ironmongery projects and products from this year’s GAI/RIBA AI Specification Awards. As an SBID Accredited CPD learning opportunity, it also provides a source of information and reference for specifiers and designers, with articles, best practice advice, and latest updates on competence, standards, and legislation.

Among the feature articles, RIBA past President Alan Jones discusses meeting the challenges of fire performance, life safety, acoustic separation, security and user requirements in today’s ‘more for less’ construction culture.

The guide discusses the value of working with a Registered Architectural Ironmonger (RegAI) to achieve world-class project delivery, compliance, and outcomes. And there is information to help specifiers find fully qualified architectural ironmongery professionals, including a full RegAI and GAI member directory.

GAI Technical Manager Douglas Masterson said: “The GAI Specifier’s Resource Book is not just a celebration of design excellence and best practice, but a guide to some of the key issues impacting on today’s AI and wider construction sectors.

“The aim has been to produce and distribute a resource which helps architects, architectural technicians and technologists, interior designers, M&E consultants and others involved in the design and specification processes to better understand some of these issues, and underlines the importance and value of engaging with high-quality AI professionals and companies from the very earliest stages of their projects.”

The new GAI Specifier’s Resource Book 2022 is available as a free download at the link below, and also available is a series of free GAI technical specifier guides focusing on the legislation, standards and best practice involved in key areas of AI specification, from fire safety, fire and escape doors to accessibility, security and access control.

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What are the origins of your brand?

AkzoNobel is one of the biggest Decorative Coating companies in the world, with a rich history. Our brand, Dulux, began its origins way back in 1919. At the end of the First World War a long-established firm of varnish makers called Naylor Brothers extended its activities into paint production and moved out of central London to set up a factory in Slough on a 30 acre site.

Jumping forward to 1931 the first ‘Dulux’ alkyd-based synthetic finish was produced, based on a new formulation and the brand name ‘Dulux’ was established (a combination of ‘Durable’ and ‘Luxury’).

In 2021, we proudly celebrated our 90^th birthday!

How do you work with interior designers?

Drawing on 90yrs of experience, we help provide the tools Interior Designers require to support them in completing their projects. Distilling how colours and other materials work together, we understand that colour, in isolation, is only one part of the story. We work with the Interior Designer to carefully curate a palette of colours which tells a story, creates a desired outcome, and unlocks the potential of their project.

What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?

Our Commercial Colour Consultants are experienced in working with Contractors, Specifiers and end users. Using insights gained from these relationships, and a wealth or colour experience, our Commercial Colour Consultants can support Interior designers with their projects, across a range of sectors and working environments.

Paint has the power to pull the final design together, marrying up all elements of a space or aid as a backdrop for other elements to take centre stage. We can help you to win client confidence and underline your professionalism with brave design transformations and achieve comfortable yet functional spaces that surpass expectations.

How do your services/offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?

Working with our Commercial Colour Services team ensures that your final design serves not only to provide a beautiful place to live or work but can promote better outcomes for the people using the space, as well as helping you to deliver on the organisation’s wellbeing and sustainability goals too.

There is a vast array of building specification requirements to also be aware of and each space presents its own challenges and requirements in terms of design. Our team of expert colour consultants are on hand to support Interior Designers to meet those challenges. We support Interior Designers to deliver colour designs that optimise commercial spaces efficiently and support the occupants’ needs. We guide you through our colours & colour coding system to ensure best choice of paint colour to work with your design.

What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?

Clients are looking for more and more ways to improve people’s lives. Delivering better living and working outcomes is now an everyday expectation for building owners. The effective use of colour in a building can markedly improve how occupants feel in that building. Whether the goal is to improve wayfinding in hospitals, support the visually impaired in a care home, or create a calming space conductive to learning in schools, great colour schemes can help enhance building design.

Questions answered by Martha Dunican, Commercial Colour Services Operations Manager, Dulux.

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