Furniture Collection Embraces Whimsical Colours and Natural Materials

Arteriors is delighted to introduce its latest collaboration collection with renowned US interior designer, Celerie Kemble. The collection debuted at London Design Week as part of Arteriors’ Spring Summer 2022 launch. As part of the brand’s successful Guest Designer programme, the collection features a series of furniture, lighting and tabletop accessories, with pops of wonderful, whimsical colour and repeated use of natural materials.

“Great design is at the core of who we are, which is why we’ve tapped some of the most prolific interior designers with whom to collaborate as part of our guest designer program. Each designer brings a new perspective that marries their unique design philosophy with the Arteriors aesthetic” – Arteriors Design Team.

As Celerie’s second collection for Arteriors, the range is built upon a desire to blend a range of materials, texture, soft colour and different finishes to create a playful collection for spring.

Taking inspiration in both colour and material from nature, and particularly the warmer climates of the tropics, the range is filled with playfully textured ceramic vases and lamps, polished rattan tables, mirrors, trays, and other statement pieces, in natural hues and luxe materials that lend a traditional-meets-tropical allure. The palette incorporates muted hues, pale woods, and shell motifs to mimic sandy beaches, and pastel skylines of a springtime abroad.

Celerie Kemble on the collection:

“In most of my work, I’m trying to find ways to add levity and sweetness, each piece I have designed as part of the collection is very functional, but adds a note of whimsy to your décor. I believe that it is in the quirks that things become distinctive, that interiors become animated by life and nourished by their inhabitants.”

Browse items from the collaboration online at www.arteriorshome.com or visit the London showroom to see the designs first hand.

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In this week’s interview with SBID Awards Product Design judge and Director of Design at IHG, Henry Reeve talks about the most important design and functional aspects of hotel interiors, key product specifications that influence choice and shares his personal sources of inspiration.

How can interior design influence greater guest experiences in hotel environments?

Good Interior Design I feel can make or break a guest experience. You need both form and function, yes of course we want to wow our guests with incredible atmospheres rich in detail and finesse but there is little point creating a spectacular environment if the space just doesn’t ‘work’. It’s easy to create that spaces that impress but are poorly equipped or ill-thought through and don’t accommodate guests needs and functions. I think one of the most important aspects of hospitality interior design is to ensure our guest don’t ever feel stupid. Our guests are in an unfamiliar environment, and we want them to feel at home, to relax and unwind. Designs must be intuitive, how many times has one had to desperately search for the light switch, or struggle to find a plug socket or worse cant find the wardrobe!

How do you approach product specification for hospitality projects? What are your key considerations?

Specifying product particularly recently has become even more tricky,  there is a wealth of options out there but so many factors go towards influencing choice, yes of course shape and form but external factors are now more than ever influencing specification, lead times, environmental impact, over-use and of course cost are playing a huge role.

Why is product innovation so essential for the interior design sector, and how can we expect the relationship between manufacturers and designers to evolve going forward?

Constant innovation is mandatory in this sector, the world is moving fast and constantly looking to what’s next. Environmental factors are becoming ever more influential on both consumer choices and economic too. I feel this will become in time a far more important aspect of specification than it perhaps once was. Product life-cycle too is something I am interested to see how the wider industry addresses, how is product recycled/re-used when coming to the end of its life?

What inspires you both professionally and personally?

Inspiration comes from anywhere, but I must admit that Travel is certainly one source of inspiration to me that I am thrilled is now possible once again. To experience how different cultures use spaces opens ones eyes to new possibilities.

Finally, what advice can you give to designers entering the SBID Awards?

Put your best work forward, ensure photography is exemplar and try to explain your work in a succinct way. I look forward to seeing some wonderful entries!

Questions answered by Henry Reeve, Director of Design, IHG.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a dual café design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, 4SPACE Design.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client wants to elevate the interiors of Coffeetea’s new branch in Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) that will reflect its branding identity and the story behind the name “Coffeetea”.

What inspired the design of the project?

Coffee, tea, or both? Give it a gentle stir and get ready to indulge your taste buds in a unique blend of taste and flavors. This unique perspective gave 4SPACE an idea on how to elevate the interiors of the new branch of Coffeetea located at the financial hub of Dubai, DIFC.

This 200 sqm café has a split concept that is derived from having a split personality between a coffee lover or a tea lover. The green represents tea and the brown represents coffee. It’s a very literal translation but the result is outstanding. A distinctive visual style that creates an inviting destination and international appeal. This café is designed to offer an experience that disconnects customers from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The ceiling design was inspired by the coffee bean in its original form while it’s on the Arabica Tree; the green preserved moss replicates the leaves while the red glass characterizes raw coffee beans. On the floor, we used a German Technology called Stein Art, an exclusive sandstone that gives the space a distinctive mood.

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

Aside from the tight deadline, the client has a tight budget as well. As designers, it is our responsibility to look for alternative solutions that will suit the client’s budget but are still aesthetically appealing and functional.

We sourced materials which are available locally and are sustainable (with low VOC). We made sure that all the materials being installed are durable and as per the original design intent.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The symmetrical pattern of arches on the wall and the floor provides layers and design features that are very minimalist and refreshing. The façade projects a sense of grandeur welcoming the customers with a vivid and nostalgic color palette. There’s a feature for brick walls with recessed plants in the shape of a tree that promotes a biophilic approach. To add the feeling of an outdoor backyard, a window with droplets was created to deliver a cozy ambiance. The contrasting hard and soft colors and design details reflect the characters enhanced by the branding integrated into the café through the signage.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We’ve been participating SBID awards for 7 years, and our Co-founders are both SBID Members. We believe on its vision and so we are always proud to share our projects to the SBID audience, this time it is “Coffeetea”. 4SPACE have designed and created an imaginative and evocative space that has a relaxed and indulgent atmosphere; a hospitality experience infused with local café culture.

Questions answered by Firas Alsahin, Co-Founder, 4SPACE Design.

Opening in the heart of Clerkenwell’s design quarter during Design Week 2022, RAK Ceramics is launching their inaugural Design Hub – a go-to destination for designers, architects and developers looking to explore the possibilities of choosing RAK Ceramics products for their projects.

The Design hub will feature the first UK display of a brand-new collaboration with renowned fashion designer Elie Saab which will feature a range of edits from the Elie Saab Maison collection.

To mark the opening several renowned European designers will provide their Design Insight in a series of inspirational talks and seminars during Clerkenwell Design Week.

These include Giuseppe Scutella, who collaborated with RAK Ceramics on its luxurious RAK-Cloud and RAK-Petit collections and Federico Sandri, one half of the design duo behind the beautiful RAK-Variant collection. Guests at the Design Hub opening events can also hear from Patrick Norguet, on the thinking behind the RAK-Valet sanitaryware range.

Tours of the Design Hub will take place during the launch party on Tuesday 24 May, with guests invited to enjoy a cocktail and evening entertainment to mark the opening ceremony.

For a full list of events and to book visit the Clerkenwell Design Week website.

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

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Leading supplier of solid surface materials and complementary products, CDUK, has launched sustainable material PaperStone® to the UK and Ireland markets.

PaperStone® is a new generation sustainable material, made from recycled paper with natural resin, the surface has a unique, textured effect creating an organic warmth, which can be specified in a range of natural hues and tones. Selected colours are produced from 100% FSC recycled paper and cardboard.

Application and use

This environmentally friendly product is ideal for architects and designers looking for a sustainable solution and is well suited to interiors across the commercial, office, space, hospitality, residential and healthcare sectors. PaperStone® offers specifiers the opportunity to reconnect people with the natural world through design, with its tactile warmth and hint of texture this surface material is beautifully unique.

Its composition delivers high performance across a range of applications. These include but are not limited to bars and tabletops, furniture, vertical decorative wall panels, washrooms, kitchen worksurfaces and cabinet doors, and washrooms.

Andy Noble, Divisional Managing Director, CDUK, commented: “We are thrilled to be the sole supplier of PaperStone® to the UK and Ireland market. At CDUK we have seen a real shift in the market with customers becoming more environmentally conscious. PaperStone® offers our clients a sustainable solution to their design needs. At CDUK we are constantly looking at ways to innovate and expand our offer and grow with our customers. The launch of PaperStone® marks a significant stage in our development and we are excited to help our customers make the most of this unique product.”

Manufacturing process and specifications

The surface material is manufactured using FSC certified recycled paper and natural petroleum free phenolic resin with natural pigments and has obtained important environmental certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council and qualifies for bio-building use and assignment of LEED® credits.

PaperStone® is impact resistant and hard wearing, resisting temperatures up to180° without showing any superficial changes while being water and stain resistant and easy to clean. The versatile nature of the material makes it a cost-efficient solution for a range of interior applications and can be cut and engraved depending on customers’ needs.

PaperStone® colours are warm and rich, reflecting nature often with a soft and subtle variegated finish, with eleven colours across two ranges. The Solid Colour Series includes five deep, rich organic colours. Some of these colours ‘evolve’ over time mellowing and growing with their environment to become more intense and warmer. The Designer Series has more of a geological than organic finish, with 6 lighter colours.

PaperStone® is available exclusively from CDUK in the UK and Ireland from 4th October 2021. The range includes 11 colours in a range of thicknesses selected based on our understanding of our key markets and knowledge of latest colour, texture and design trends.

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

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Kata Lips takes inspiration from Japanese culture and designs. Discover 3 new designs, created with oils, watercolours, pastels and acrylics. As her colours flow across the canvas, Zen-like landscapes and imaginary scenes emerge.

Nature is ever-present in Kata’s work: tall trees, bamboo forests, bark, grasses and leaves are integral to each artwork. Her colour palette however varies from soft grey, green, blue and yellow to hyperreal bright.

Each design can be scaled up to fill a wall 3m tall x 5m wide. All can be repeated for longer walls. Colours can be adjusted, and all designs are available as wallcovering, window fill, or printed onto Zintra acoustic panels.

Cover image: Inaka in Lotus

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

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In this week’s interview with SBID Awards Product Design judge, Maria Vafiadis discusses the compatibility of luxury design and sustainability, addresses the unique challenges between designing private residences and hotels, and shares her views on repurposing in the industry.

How would you define luxury today? Is it compatible with sustainability?

The luxury experience today is defined by space and how this space encourages us to make time for rejuvenation. This is one reason why many resorts and hotels are choosing to create standalone villas, cottages and treehouses where guests can quietly share time with family and friends and engage with the natural world.

Our new luxury values are increasingly compatible with sustainability. Government regulation, the marketability of eco-destinations, consumer demand and evidence that guests will pay a premium for experiences that respond to environmental and local community issues are coming together in a union which is already having an impact on hospitality. We are seeing a new, more thoughtful attitude to what luxury means together with a growing desire among owners and consumers to be better custodians of our planet’s resources.

How different are your priorities when you are designing a private residence versus a hotel?

My single focus when designing a private residence is the owner and his/her family. It is all about the owner’s aspiration and the family’s way of life, and the end result should reflect their personalities. By contrast, hotel design has several parties to please – the owner, the operator and, of course, the guest. As a hotel designer, it’s key to create a narrative as the wellspring for the guest experience while you also have to respond to an array of commercial and operational realities.

In your opinion, which offers the more interesting design opportunity – renovating a much-loved historic hotel or creating a new one?

It depends so much on the client and their aspiration; we have had amazing experiences working on both. Take for example Costa Navarino in Greece. It’s difficult to believe now but when we began our work on this resort it was no more than a bold vision to achieve a luxury destination which would celebrate the heritage and natural world of Messinia. It felt truly meaningful to work from a blank slate and create a new hospitality benchmark in the region.

Several years later, we were appointed on the recreation of The Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland. In its heyday, this had been a glamorous and pioneering destination and it was our task to take this legacy forward into a new era. This was a project that involved repurposing, refurbishment, extensions and new buildings. Its strapline ‘The Future has a Past’ was fascinating to honour and reflect in our work.

I must admit that I do enjoy delving into the past, discovering what was there and helping it to flourish again by combining the old and the new. We have just had a wonderful opportunity to do this in creating Matild Palace Budapest, a Luxury Collection Hotel. The lifestyle of the Archduchess of Austria who commissioned the original building was our inspiration and we wove our narrative around her imagined presence in the new hotel.

What are your priorities in making FF&E selections for your projects?

We love to work with artisanal and locally sourced products and, since sustainability is high on our agenda, we are always interested in re-purposed items. We believe in the inherent beauty of natural materials, tactility and in products that are well-made – longevity of things is one of the greatest gifts we can bestow on our planet.

You have recently published a book called Design Alchemist. What was the thinking behind this title?

At MKV, we believe in the power of design to affect behaviour and elicit emotion. This requires design that combines location, culture, history and modern life in any number of contextual stories which we tell. When they come together in the right balance for the particular project, alchemy results and a kind of chemistry is released between the space and its users.

Cover image: Alpine Spa, Burgenstock Resort

Questions answered by Maria Vafiadis, Founder & Managing Director, MKV Design.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a residential home design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, The Furniture Union.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client approached us with a sentimental and emotive brief, to refurbish and redesign her mother’s house – the home she grew up in. The home is steeped in family history and fond memories.  Situated on a beautiful and rural winding country road in Dorset, ‘Dorset Place’ stands opposite a picturesque village church. What looks from the front of the property to be a detached, red brick two storey home deceives the eye.

The objective was to create a family home, suited to entertaining and building on the family ethos of memories and quality time spent together. It was also a fabulous example of self-expression; the client who themselves was the founder of an interior design practice. Her keen eye for design and naturally explorative nature made this project an exceptional example of design meets functionality. Toying with adventurous and modern finishes, technology and sumptuous furnishings an entire space was formed with a collective concept.

What inspired the design of the project?

What can only be described as a visual “Tardis”, the front door leads to an extended open plan living space; divided from the exquisite garden with sliding, full height glazed doors. The glazed doors to the garden completely slide back onto return flanks, allowing the first floor to hang in space! The first floor is cantilevered over the living space, kitchen and terrace. We took inspiration from Le Corbusier’s open plan approach, bringing the outdoors inside. The poured concrete floor finish runs seamlessly throughout the property and extends into the garden to form the terrace space outdoors.

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

The staircase proved to be the toughest hurdle getting the position right In the centre of the floor plan, we positioned a floating staircase, casting the first few treads in poured concrete, the rest of the staircase transcends into black veneered treads and wall panelling to tie in the black wooden floor that runs fluidly through the first floor. We created a sculptural chandelier arrangement to hand down from a raft ceiling with an ambient glow around the perimeter.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The clients en suite was completely clad in Dekton Laurent, with brushed copper brassware and black glass basins, which float on a black and walnut wall hung unit. With a range of suppliers such as Antonio Lupi, Geberit and Gessi the key design element here ties in the darker aesthetic found on the first floor.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

This exceptional home is contemporary with flare, personality and built on family values. We believe the house expresses our company values and showcases our teams skill in everyway.

Questions answered by Bella Gough, Design Director, The Furniture Union.

Founded in 1987 in the United States by Mark Moussa – now the president at the helm of the brand – Arteriors are celebrating 35 years as leaders and trendsetters in the world of luxury lighting, furniture, and accessories.

Known for delivering impeccable quality pieces and artisanal craftsmanship, Arteriors debuted its new Spring Summer 22 collection at London Design Week in Chelsea Harbour’s Design Centre in March.

Featuring strong links to the natural world, malleable wickers and rattans, grained mango woods, natural abaca, and solid teak feature across the collection highlighting hues of neutral beige, warmer mid-tones and shades of burnt ash.

Taking inspiration from motifs found in nature alongside shapes representative of the animal kingdom – incorporating mushrooms, meandering garden vines, and abstract botanicals into designs across items from furniture to lighting and accessories – this collection is all about grounded interiors in an ode to mother nature.

Expanding seasonally with 500 new products launching per bi-annual collection, Arteriors shows its diversity and creativity by working closely with skilled designers and pulling inspiration from around the world, always balancing nature and design – from the understated to the unexpected, offering an extraordinary assortment with special attention to material, scale and finish.

For this collection in particular, bringing textural variation and material innovation inspired by traditional craftsmen in Southeast Asia allows designs to merge modern creativity with traditional resources and expertise.

“We honour the ingenuity of our master artisans, passing down from generation to generation. Perhaps none more significant than those from Southeast Asia, where intrinsic artistry has inspired our collection of natural materials with inventive detail. Modern forms, rich textures & craftsmanship evoke a contemporary yet warm aesthetic.” – Arteriors Design Team

Browse items from the latest collection online at www.arteriorshome.com or visit the London showroom to see the designs first hand.

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Introducing the Fusion Collection from leading British manufacturer of the finest architectural hardware, Croft. With a history of over 150 years, Croft remain a family-owned company that specialise in crafting unique, hand-finished decorative hardware that displays unparalleled attention to detail.

Incapsulating industrial architecture whilst successfully balancing style, strength and quality, the Fusion Collection comprises of a door handle on a covered rose, T bar mortice knob, bathroom turn, and cabinet fittings in over 25 different finishes and patinas, including Light Antique Brass and Autumn Bronze to add warmth to the home.

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.