The annual SBID Awards serve to recognise, reward and celebrate design excellence across a broad range of categories. The winners of the SBID Awards were announced on Friday 26 October - and what a line-up it was! This year’s winners represent, as ever, mind-blowing design across a broad spectrum of sectors. While it can’t be denied that the victorious projects are a feast for the eyes, we know that excellent design must also be effective and enhance lives. Therefore, it’s really satisfying to know that, thanks to the stringent judging process, every one of these examples of breathtaking creativity is built on a foundation of technical knowledge and experience, with design-conscious public also having their say in voting for their favourite designs!
Company: 4SPACE Design
Project Title: VR Park Dubai Mall
Bernard The VR Park is designed to allow visitors to experience an extreme level of virtual reality. The client, Emaar Entertainment, wanted to build a new attraction that had never been implemented in Dubai before. The core concept was to experience the futuristic ambience and elements along with a wonderful journey through the virtual reality world. At the entrance, a huge 90-degree curved LED display screen panel along with complete cityscape buildings of Dubai downtown bent upside down highlights the magnificent experience that awaits visitors. The focal point of the theme park interior is a giant model of Burj Khalifa, hanging upside down from the ceiling to floor. 4SPACE collaborated with the theming company to get the correct proportion, finishes, look and feel of the actual Burj Khalifa. From the initial concept down to the minute details, VR Park is an example of unique and innovative design.
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Company: Alena Zhernovaya Interior Design
Project Title: RiverStone
The 130 square-metre apartment is located in the RiverStone residential complex. The clients wished for a modern, eminent interior. The cooking area was merged with the living room in line with current trends. A mirror panel and special lighting highlight the dining area. The relaxation area stands out separately with a bay window. The master bedroom, bathroom, and the children’s room are private areas of the apartment connected to living room. A spacious walk-in closet and a large bathroom are essential parts of a modern interior. Natural stone, mirrors and porcelain stoneware create a convivial atmosphere, which you sense from the moment you enter the apartment. Wood wall panelling in the bedroom further underpin the concept.
Company: IHG
Project Title: Juniper & Kin at The QO
As you enter through the concrete lift area, there are brass installations that make the light sparkle. The design team wanted to bring the feeling of a bright starry night to the bar as it is on the 21st floor. The colour scheme is black and white with dark green which the design team kept warm by using dark wood and velvet. The layout was designed to create different feelings within the space. The middle area, where the bar and kitchen are located, is raised to give them the spotlight and more of a buzz. The lower levels are where all the sofas are set for a more intimate experience. Somewhat unusually, the floating greenhouse above the bar gives off a deep pink glow that helps the plants glow but also adds an intimate and moody ambience to the place, a great example of where the QO’s eco credentials and atmosphere collide to create a truly memorable experience.
Company: Francis Cauffman
Project Title: Brooklyn Health Center
The designers were asked to deliver a new, distinctive health centre. They delivered a four-storey health centre as the beating heart of an innovative glass-faced eleven-storey mixed-use building. Upon reviewing the site, they immediately understood that they could dramatically expand the square footage by using a privately owned public space (a 2,000-square-foot park, built for public use and maintained by the owner of the building), which would allow for leasable spaces to defray the cost of the building over time. As not to allow the health centre to become lost in the building, the senior designer conceived of it as a red object encased in glass—the building’s beating heart. Its teardrop-like form was designed to complement the vibrancy and ingenuity of downtown Brooklyn. Its external design takes advantage of the unusually shaped site to create a lively façade that reflects the eclecticism of this culturally diverse neighbourhood.
Company: Artichoke
Project Title: Mombo
The design combined traditional and vintage elements with a modern elegance that truly embraces the real essence of Mombo. Deconstructed furniture in classic styles, antique brass finishing, vintage leathers, copper lighting combined with marble and oak floors were all used. A tonal colour palette throughout reiterates the longevity of the interior design. A mix of mismatched – yet complementary – wooden furniture all works together to feature a collection of pieces sourced over the years, resulting in a personalised feel. Space was also a key factor in creating the new design, with each tented suite now comprising an expansive entrance, a sitting room with a bar unit, a separate bedroom and bathroom with a dressing area, indoor and outdoor showers and a bathtub that creates a sense of indulgence.
Company: Wanda Hotel Design Institute
Project Title: Wanda Vista Hefei
Located on the shore of Lake Chao, one of the largest lakes in China, Wanda Vista Hefei is an urban resort that offers sweeping lake views. The hotel is a hillside building in the neo-Huizhou style with 206 guestrooms. Each room has a balcony from which guests may enjoy 180-degree view of the beautiful lake. The interior design features white walls, black tiles and grey bricks, all of which are typical of Huizhou-style architecture. Respect is given to the aesthetic basis of order and symmetry seen in the Huizhou style. A horse-head shaped wall and the ‘Four Treasures of the Study' (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper) which have local cultural significance are adopted as design elements to express the ‘Impressions of Huizhou’ design theme.
Company: Celia Visser Design
Project Title: Contemporary Kitchen & Bar
Celia Visser Design created this kitchen and adjacent bar for clients who love to entertain and desired a space that merges seamlessly within their home’s contemporary architecture. They asked for a visual statement that used modern materials, incorporated sharp, clean lines, and had a look that played on bold asymmetrical forms, all using a white palette, with exposed concrete walls as the backdrop. The striking geometric structure of the kitchen features bead-blasted stainless steel which contrasts the white Corian, both under the dramatic angle and display shelving. Corian and angles were also introduced into the design of the bar to meld the two areas for maximum impact. Beautiful timber flooring is a contrast to the monochrome kitchen and bar, allowing the stunning rural and pool outlook to enhance this remarkable kitchen from both sides of the glass. The overall impression is an eye-catching modern piece of art.
Company: Paragon Interface
Project Title: Discovery Place
The building is located on a prominent corner entering the business district of Johannesburg. Its main entrance is open and welcoming, to reflect the mores of discovery. Internally the building is divided into three main atria, namely a central atrium, and one each on the left and right side. The central atrium allowed Paragon Interface to explore the concept of a concourse, driven by Discovery’s requirement for the building to be active. This was not only translated effectively into a dynamic design aesthetic, but also into an active public street populated with seating areas, cafés, streetlights and tree canopies. It served not only as the main thoroughfare of the building, but also constituted a welcoming space for visitors and clients. Visitors are encouraged to wander around the ground floor to make use of facilities and also enjoy a snack, meal or cup of coffee.
Company: Studio MB
Project Title: Triumph Factory Visitor Experience
The design consultancy collaborated with Triumph Motorcycles to create a world class visitor facility within the heart of its Hinckley factory in Leicestershire. The Triumph Factory Visitor Experience is a site of pilgrimage for motorcycle enthusiasts and general public, offering an inspiring and informative 1,200-square-metre exhibition and factory tour, including café and shop. The exhibition presents a chronology of Triumph’s historic and contemporary achievements in motorcycle design, engineering and manufacture. It offer visitors a deeper appreciation of the authentic heritage and ongoing success of this genuine British icon and international super brand. The exhibition connects with existing riders and captures the imagination of new customers, telling a passionate story of Triumph Motorcycles by the people who make them and by the people who ride them. Studio MB was responsible for delivering this brand experience, from master planning to onsite completion as a design and build package.
Company: Regina Sturrock Design Inc
Project Title: Contemporary Manor
A waterfront home with manoresque proportions and contemporary lines impresses and guides one through classically-framed openings and clear sight lines. Representing a 2.5-year, from-the-ground-up project, this luxury-driven family residence accumulated its intuitive layers over time. A comprehensive scope of work included planning, architectural detailing, custom features, and millwork concepts. Together with all the finer points in interior design and decor, it marked a holistic approach where architecture and art would connect. Upon entering the home, there is an immediate sense of quiet luxury that may best be defined through the subtleties in beautiful materials, classical order and a clean-lined sensibility. The first-impressions great hall, a cocooned inner hall, and the commanding two-storey great room represent an enfilade of harmonic spaces that each play with the sparkling waters of the lake beyond. Together, they provide a successive scene of reflection and undeniable beauty.
Company: Elliot James
Project Title: Cuscaden One
The client wanted the apartment to be relaxed with a funky, edgy style that would cater for his family when relaxing but also allow for larger gatherings with abundant seating and a very informal, welcoming atmosphere. The style for the apartment was to be bold but simple. The design team wanted the apartment to have a clean, monochrome palette throughout to reflect the simplicity in the brief but to also act as a calm, backdrop to the bold shapes, large proportions, bespoke furniture and exciting commissioned artwork throughout. The aim was to create a home that could be warm and intimate for the family but also function to host large gatherings with a fun and informal setting.
Company: NEVERMORE
Project Title: The Irrawady House
The modern-day luxury home manages to combine both old-school opulence and contemporary cosiness under the same roof. Superior air ventilation incorporated into the interior of this property allows it to feel larger and spacious. a stark contrast to the dark and cramped image of a pre-war house. The elongated living room is connected with the kitchen, dining area and open bar area with the decor featuring a modern twist to classical European design. Including with a daring open staircase, this bold design is further enhanced with the selection of large circular pendants and an imported Italian marble counter. Gold finishes are thrown in to elevate the overall look with a hint of glitz. Meanwhile, the living room, dining area and kitchen enjoy the warm glow derived from the skylight feature, giving these spaces a natural comfort.
Company: Goddard Littlefair
Project Title: The Garden
The Garden is a destination all-day food-and-beverage space for hotel guests and local Edinburgh residents, located within the former courtyard of the Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square. Taking inspiration from the great hothouses and orangeries of historic country estates, Goddard Littlefair was tasked with developing a green heart to the scheme, transforming the previous outdoor space into a year-round dining destination. Filled with plants, trees, hanging baskets and vines, the new space is a biophilic delight, with the new glass roof providing natural lighting and open views of the sky, resulting in the creation of a magical oasis, right in the heart of the hotel.
Company: XYI Design
Project Title: Latitude Sports Park
This multipurpose athletic indoor sports space is aimed at young people, family activities, and company outings. The word ‘latitude’ implies space and breadth and the design team has expanded on the original implications of this for the Australian brand to create a multipurpose indoor sports park combined with outdoor topography. ‘Sports for everyone’ serves as the both the style and recreation concept, and it is hoped that the design will inspire everyone who visits to be more active. The design studio aimed to create a visual experience that encourages visitors to have fun while engaging in sporty activities within the park space, ultimately promoting a more active lifestyle that combines activity with leisure time.
Company: HWCD
Project Title: The Trevista Sales Gallery
Located in flourishing Hangzhou and surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, the luxurious Trevista showcases a concept of refined spatial arrangement created through flowing space lines, rich textural materials, and artistic decoration. The design idea originates from the textures of ‘water, mountain and silk’ which all emphasise smooth flow throughout the interior designs to create a unified and pleasing artistic rhythm by manipulating the space, light, and structural order. By playing with light and form, and with the ‘super flat’ architecture style, the project stands out amid the luxury residences in Hangzhou.
If you'd like the chance of winning an industry-acclaimed SBID Award for your projects and think your designs can compete on a global scale with the world's most esteemed interior designers and design practices, make sure you enter next year!
The SBID International Design Awards 2019 is set to be open for entries in March/April so visit www.sbidawards.com early next year for more information on official opening dates and deadlines.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a 90 square metre apartment, set on the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Alicante. This quirky holiday home is located in an apartment block surrounded by lush greenery; the formidable foliage appropriately inspired the distinctive tropical-style interior design scheme used throughout the property. During the early design stages, the client was open to all creative and out-of-the-box ideas which lead them to using a bold and striking green as the apartment's signature colour theme. The palette evolved to include a sunrise shade of pink, together with luxurious brass elements and earthy wood tones. This apartment truly comes to life with an eccentric blend of palm prints, tropical leaves and exotic birds on the wallpaper!
Company: INTRO by Chak
Project: Power of the Colour
Project Location: Altea, Spain
What was the client's brief?
The apartment block is surrounded by lush greenery; prompting the designer to propose a daring tropical-style solution for the interior design. In the process of design planning, the client was open to all ideas and absolutely loved the suggestion of using green as the main feature colour. Initially the client wanted to refresh the walls and renovate the kitchen; in the end the project turned into a significant reconstruction.
What inspired the design of the project?
The client did not want to change the doors. This set the start of the project. If we are not going to change them, let’s have them painted. A bright shade of green was suggested. It fascinated and inspired the client. From then on the project could not be limited to simple repainting of the walls. The green doors called out for more. And so a sunrise shade of pink appeared, together with the luxurious brass, tropical leaves and birds on the wallpaper.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
It was our first project in Spain. Being a Russian design studio, it was difficult initially to start and build communication with the suppliers and local workers. We are familiar with working using mostly English and Russian languages, so to work in the Spanish language was a big challenge for us! That’s why at the beginning of the constitution, it was difficult to avoid misunderstanding so naturally, some errors arose because of it. Finally, we got through these communication issues and we couldn't be happier with the result - and now we are fluent in all specific construction, architecture and design lexis in Spanish!
We did run into some technical / construction difficulty during the build; fixing the 6-sided tiles in the bathroom called for very careful work. Also, the owner of the flat only wanted to renovate the apartment, so in some instances we couldn’t touch or structurally change some aspects of the property (e.g heating in the floor and air-conditioning) which we could probably have moved to develop the design further.
Working on this project gave us a lot of pleasure and overall we didn’t meet too many difficulties. The owner of the apartment was participating with enthusiasm at every stage of the working process!
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Our idea was to use the mirrors to create the feeling of more space. We can see the best example of this in one of the bedrooms, where the entire wall behind the bed is made of mirror. We were happy with the visual impact of this, and how effectively it seemed to generate the illusion of space. There is a portal in the living room which is also made of mirrors which is used to separate the living room area from the dinning room area. In the middle of this portal there is a painted green column; visually, this gives the impression that it levitates above the table! Additionally, this portal offers the opportunity to create geometrical proportions of the space in which is very pleasant and comfortable to spend time in.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
It was an honour for us to take the chance and participate in the SBID Awards 2018. We are very happy to have been listed as a Finalist in these Awards!
Questions answered by Nadya Chak, the Founder and designer of the design studio, INTRO by Chak
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a fabulous family apartment merging luxury design with elegant simplicity by the River Nile, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
INTRO by Chak | SBID International Design Awards 2018
On Thursday 29 November, The Society of British & International Design (SBID) and partner, BE OPEN Think Tank announced the winners of Designed for Business 2018. The new national competition designed to showcase emerging talent promotes equal opportunities and nurtures the relationship between students and the working world. Finalists, along with key names from the design business community and academia, gathered at the House of Commons for the prize-giving ceremony in a culmination of the six-month-long judging process.
The entries were judged by an esteemed panel from across the creative industries including key representatives from companies including Sebastian Conran Associates, Amazon UK, Christie’s Education, John Lewis, Amara, HG DesignWorks, Hill House Interiors and VitrA, as well as creative educators from a number of leading universities across the UK.
OVERALL WINNER – Katarina Spenerova, University of Dundee
Katarina Spenerova was announced as the Overall Winner of the Designed for Business Student Awards competition, claiming the life-changing cash prize of £30,000. Among the interior design finalists, Katarina’s winning project, PETAL - a modular building system that allows communities to grow in an organic way - was chosen due to its originality in providing an inventive solution to the housing crisis in today’s society. The project looks at ‘future proofing’ and how to combat the rising cost of living in response to rocketing house prices, the expense and relative insecurity of the rental market, as well as the provision of poor quality new-build homes that are built from materials that pollute the air. Katarina’s project is built around quality, adaptability and ‘shareability’, effectively facilitating the opportunity to modify the size of buildings organically depending on the needs of the inhabitants and the local community.
We interviewed Katarina to find out what being named the Overall Winner means to her, and what she plans to do with the prize money!
How do you feel about winning your category?
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to enter such a competition and incredibly delighted to receive recognition for what I created. The money is amazing, however it is not the only thing I take from this experience. Learning that skilful industry professionals can see a potential in me is what will drive me to push the boundaries to succeed. Becoming an overall winner is a massive achievement and I cannot thank those who helped me to get there enough for their support. The win has made me believe in the weight of my ideas and also even more determined to achieve my goals to make a positive difference in the world.
What do you intend to spend the prize money on?
I find collaborative design process very exciting and invaluable in order to produce quality and aesthetically pleasing outcomes with a positive impact on physical and psychological wellbeing. I always knew I wanted to have my own studio and a workshop where I could collaborate with other designers and makers to create practical, yet original and bespoke human-centred commercial and residential spaces.
The prize money will serve me on that journey to reach this goal. I will invest further in developing my professional skills, and after some years of having experience working in the design industry, I will equip myself with a design studio where I will initiate experimental and collaborative projects focusing on designing for a purpose and the community.
How has this achievement made a difference to your career prospects?
Further developing my skill set in a practice I share values with is very important to me. I believe this achievement will play a significant role right from the start of my professional career as it clearly projects my interests in inclusive design, accessibility and sustainability. My future employer will identify with that, enabling me to grow while translating my values into a functional use.
We look forward to catching up with Katarina later in the year to find out how 2019 is panning out for her and what remains of the £30,000 prize fund! One thing is for sure; she’ll be bringing in the impending New Year with a smile on her face!
Click to see Katarina’s project
The Designed for Business Student Awards 2019 for third years and recent graduates will be launching in Spring with another life-changing cash prize.
The SBID Get Me 2 The Top 2019 competition for first and second year students will also be opening this January.
To find out more about SBID student competitions, click here.
Created as a hub for colour knowledge, the Society of British and International Design (SBID) teamed up with global industry colour experts to join the SBID Colour Council. Acting as an international platform dedicated to serving the design community, the council forms a collective voice on the influence of colour in design; allowing designers to access information from experts whose specialisms span a broad base of colour-related disciplines.
Dr. Vanessa Brady OBE, President of SBID says: “The objective of the SBID Colour Council is to inform the industry on the importance of colour. It is necessary to understand the limitations that designers face through a lack of quality evidence-based knowledge when making design decisions. We have gathered the best from the industry and together this very powerful board of influencers and experts will provide a valuable global resource for Interior Design"
New to the panel is the Global Head of RAL Colours, Markus Frentrop who shares his views about being on the SBID Colour Council and the important role it will serve: “I am feeling honoured to be invited to the SBID Colour Council. Being part of SBID means to be part of one of the key design associations in Europe. And as design has become an ever more influential part of so many businesses, it is our major target to bring more colour-related knowledge and more awareness about the importance of colour to SBID members.
Colour is one of the key elements of modern design concepts, but, to my experience it is very often the most neglected part in design education. A colourless world is unimaginable, we are surrounded by colours everywhere and it has become undoubted that colours inspire and energize us. So, from RAL's point of view, it's just a logical consequence to set up a formal panel that ensures high quality and ongoing advanced training of this wonderful topic”.
Alongside RAL, industry authorities such as Pantone, Dulux, Craig & Rose, PPG, Dedar Milano, and Unilever have also joined the panel, chaired by Co-Founder of Calzada Fox and colour expert, Carolina Calzada-Oliviera. Altogether, they combine their expertise to bring knowledge, inspiration and a best standard of practice to the design industry.
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux comments: “Being on the SBID colour council will be a wonderful opportunity to share over 80 years of Dulux colour expertise with the design community and encourage a greater understanding of its capabilities. We can share the latest trends, colour resources and tools as soon as they are launched so SBID designers get one step ahead and we can get a greater understanding of what designers themselves need to make the projects they are working on even more successful through colour”.
SBID Colour Council Chairman, Carolina Calzada-Oliviera adds: “SBID Colour Council is a great initiative to help designers access colour information through experts in the design industry. The Council supplies information beyond trends and aesthetics to make informed colour decisions. We understand that colour needs to be considered at the very beginning of the design process, so the Council provides a reliable resource to help designers make confident colour decisions which are fit for purpose”.
With this formidable panel of colour experts, SBID will utilise an unrivalled knowledge of the science behind colour psychology, key industry trends and product developments, as well as social, geographical and cultural influences, to encourage an enlightening and inspiring discourse around colour. The Council is set to reveal their Universal Colour of the Year in 2019 which will showcase the power of a universal colour, as opposed to one specific colour code.
Click here to discover more about the SBID Colour Council panel
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a fabulous family apartment situated by the River Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt. The young family of four desired a luxurious, yet simple and practical space. The property, around 290 square metres, is divided into a reception area with clear glass windows, drawing the sight line outside and capitalising on the expansive Nile views. A customised bar cabinet with brass sheets welcomes guests as they enter and is complemented by Nihal Zaki's masterpiece; the Magnet Banquette which separates into four mini banquettes, only to regroup again using hidden magnets. The sofas, all the furniture and Asian fusion wall panels have been tailored to match the pièce de résistance of the house; the Golden Tibet Panel. The dining room adopts a subtle Art Deco concept in black and white, featuring paintings by contemporary Egyptian artists and a Murano-glass chandelier.
Company: Nihal Zaki Interiors
Project: Apartment by the Nile
Project Location: Cairo, Egypt
My clients were a young couple with two toddlers and they were very keen on an elegant contemporary house with elegant interiors, functional use and a safe environment for their children. They wanted cheerful colours but mostly, big glass windows in order to showcase the breathtaking view of the River Nile.
The River Nile, Cairo’s vein and pulse is one of the most beautiful features of this city and this lovely apartment was situated right on the banks of the river.. My clients wanted to capture the serenity of the lovely views and the Cairo sunlight shining throughout the day…
Another pièce de résistance was the vintage Tibet, gold leaf engraved paravan my client had inherited from her family. We were smitten by that piece and transformed it into a wall-hanging mounted on the wall of the main reception area right above the octane blue sofa.
My client was pregnant with her second child and couldn’t move out of the house! As a result we had to work strategically on a strict time schedule, ensuring we caused minimal noise, pollution and chemical hazards. Ensuring safety throughout the project being a top priority.
A collection of priceless paintings by some of the most prominent 1950’s Egyptian artists hung on the walls of the dining room hence our selection of subtle Art Deco black and white wallpaper.
The SBID have become the most lucrative and prestigious Design Awards in the region! Entering, let alone being nominated as a Finalist is quite an honour. The SBID Awards have become a hub for internationally renowned designers to meet and exchange ideas, business contacts and drive future innovations.
Questions answered by Nihal Zaki, CEO at Nihal Zaki Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring an urban resort that offers sweeping lake views located on the shore of Lake Chao, click here to see more.
Nihal Zaki Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
As you're resetting your focus for the New Year, start 2019 as you mean to go on - with a steady feed of interior inspiration and regular updates for the latest interior industry innovations and design developments to integrate into those new and exciting projects for the year ahead. What better way to start than with a host of design news and essential industry events to attend this January...
Scroll down to discover more about Maison&Objet this January and how SBID Members can claim FREE tickets to attend...
Winners of the Designed for Business Student Awards were announced!
SBID and BE OPEN announced the winners of the student design competition, Designed for Business, at the House of Commons on Thursday 29 November. Designed to showcase emerging talent and nurture relationships between students and the working world, competition Finalists, design professionals and leading educational establishments gathered for the prize-giving ceremony as the culmination of a six-month judging process.
Katarina Spenerova was announced as the Overall Winner, claiming the life-changing cash prize of £30,000, along with five other Category Winners across Art & Design, Interior Decoration, Fashion, Interior Design and Product Design. The 2019 edition of the Designed for Business Student Awards will be launching in the Spring!
Click to see the winning projects
8th - 11th January
Heimtextil - Frankfurt, Germany
Heimtextil is one of the biggest and most important international trade fairs for home and contract textiles, acting as a climate and trend barometer for the whole business year. At this leading event for interior textiles, design and trends, international manufacturers, dealers and designers present their products and innovations to a large audience of trade visitors. Heimtextil features over 2,900 exhibitors showcasing the very latest textiles and textile designs, attracting around 69,000 trade visitors from across the world.
11th - 14th January
Domotex - Hannover, Germany
From 11-14 January 2019, the Hannover Exhibition Centre will serve as a four-day hotspot for the global flooring industry, acting as a meeting point for the industry and bringing together industry professionals from all over the world with 1400 exhibitors and 38,000 visitors. Both exhibitors and visitors enthusiastically embraced the launch of a fresh exhibition design that introduced a clear hall layout, an annual keynote theme and the special Framing Trends showcase.
Many of these exhibitors are finalising the finer details of their showcases, eager to put their best foot forward when they present their product innovations in January. The show's new keynote theme, "CREATE'N'CONNECT", is a bold statement that puts the spotlight on the current connectivity megatrend. Connectedness is an important aspect of flooring in the sense that floors are unifying, connecting elements of room design. They inspire us, give us orientation and set the stage for human interaction. With their numerous design options, floors play an important role in providing the very foundation for the rooms in which we live and work.
SBID Members can claim complimentary tickets to attend - email [email protected] to claim yours!
13th - 15th January
Top Drawer - London, UK
Presenting thousands of leading and undiscovered UK and international brands, expertly curated and chosen for their beautiful design, exceptional quality, originality and commercial appeal. Top Drawer encompasses the dynamic worlds of Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft, providing unique access to this season's hottest new products giving buyers the ultimate choice for a successful season.
This year, the SBID Colour Council will make an appearance at Top Drawer 2019 on the 14th January at 12:30pm with a dedicated colour seminar to discuss those all-important colour trends for the year ahead, inviting a range of experts from the industry to talk about how they interpret colour for 2019. Click here to find out more.
SBID Members can upgrade their tickets to VIP for free - email [email protected] to register!
14th - 20th January
imm cologne - Cologne, Germany
imm cologne presents the trends that will be shaping the furniture and interiors sector – and the products that are good for business. At the imm cologne, you will find a unique variety of interior design ideas for every room, every style and every requirement – from the basics all the way to designer items and luxury furnishings.
For 2019, Hall 11 will be transformed into Pure Atmospheres as part of the conceptual development of the 'Pure' design segment. The new direction means even more inspiration combined with a stronger business focus.The name underscores the nature of the presentations, shaped by the exhibitors’ holistic interior concepts. Exhibitors will showcase inspiring brand concepts: their own take on domestic culture, their personal signature, their interpretation of good design. Here, the focus is not on the individual product but on the interaction of all the elements.
18th - 22nd January
Maison&Objet - Paris, France
Since 1995, MAISON&OBJET has inspired generations of interior designers and retailers by maintaining a high level of creativity, diversity and excellence throughout the years. With 2 aptly named hubs, Maison and Objet, M&O showcase an excess of 3,000 international brands to over 70,000 interiors professionals twice a year in Paris. The next edition is set to take place on 18-22 January 2019. Find out more about the upcoming event in January, here.
20th - 23rd January
January Furniture Show - Birmingham, UK
Perfectly timed at the start of the year to reveal the newest launches, the biggest names and the freshest trends at the UK's largest furniture event, the January Furniture Show is back on 20-23 January 2019 at the National Exhibition Center, Birmingham. New for 2019 will be the JFS Contract Trail. Over 150 of the 2019 exhibitors either regularly, or occasionally supply contract. For the first time contract suppliers will be identified on the exhibitor listing on the JFS website, making it easy for buyers to plan their stand visits in advance.
Show Director, Cleere Scammell said, “It is important that we give our buying visitors as much useful information as is feasible, to make their visiting time at JFS as productive as possible. Adding the Contract Trail was an easy decision given the number of requests we receive for the information, and given the large number of contract suppliers that we have among our exhibitors.”
30th - 31st January
Architect@Work - London, UK
Architect@Work is an exclusive event for architects, interior designers and specifiers taking place at the Old Truman Brewery. The carefully curated trade show aimed at interior and design industry professionals will return to London for its 2019 edition on 30-31 January with a brand new theme. The theme is future-proof. In an age when change is measured in seconds, not years, and sustainability is a necessity not an optional extra, architects and designers are increasingly tasked with proposing projects that have longevity. How can practitioners ensure they are taking the lead when it comes to future-proofing their projects and who is setting the agenda for tomorrow’s built environment?
Have you discovered the new Maison&Objet yet? Since the last edition in September 2018, Maison&Objet (M&O) totally revamped its layout, entirely tailored to designer's needs. Reconnecting with the fundamentals, M&O reorganised its offering to launch two new aptly named hubs: Maison and Objet!
The professionals-only trade fair introduced this new layout to help visitors find their way around the event’s vast offering. The two main themes were further divided into four styles for Maison and seven product families for Objet. This change was implemented in order to simplify the structure of the fair’s offering, improve visitor experience and encourage chance discoveries. With 119,633 visits made from across 171 countries, the success of the previous edition will once again pave the way for another memorable and inspiring design event in January. New visits, new audacious and intuitive purchasing experiences, inspirational and surprising itineraries… They've got a host of insightful surprises in store, so if you're an SBID member, make sure you claim your free tickets to attend next month!
The Inspirations Forum introduces the theme, 'Excuse my French'
For each session of M&O, NellyRodi analyses the latest consumer trends and sociological phenomena, and encapsulates them into a theme. The topic chosen for January 2019 may have a humorous note to it, “Excuse My French!” but, it looks very seriously at a re-emergence of the country of Molière on the international scene. All about the French art-de-vivre in France and abroad, Excuse my French will explore what makes French style so distinctive and attractive in a globalised economy, who are its inspirations and symbols today, and which designers, manufacturers, artisans best express the modern French heritage.
Vincent Grégoire at NellyRodi attributes this theme with the renewed curiosity about the French as “A sort of fascination at the moment”. For him, the movement is linked to globalisation “In a world where things are becoming standardised, people are looking for something different”. We couldn't think of anywhere more fitting to bring this trend to the forefront than the quintessentially Parisian trade fair set in the city of the indescribable Gallic quality that exudes an easy allure, an effortless chic and a distinctive sense of style.
The country has long been a reference world-wide for the arts, fashion, design and lifestyle. For many, it is quite simply the epitome of elegance. Grégoire pinpoints a number of factors responsible for the country’s new-found resurgence. Leading the way are a whole host of smaller companies – Petites Maisons, who reinterpret traditional savoir-faire with product lines characterised by a spirit of invention and exclusivity. A “nouvelle vague” of creatives open to multicultural influences has also emerged. They shake up traditional French chic by injecting inspirations from elsewhere in a new mood of fusion.
In light of this mix'n'match approach, the Trend Forum in Hall 7 will be presenting a selection of products, à la française which will embody the essence of this new cultural phenomenon and encapsulate the renaissance of the French scene. Adorn in theatrical décor inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, a small truck displaying the essential M&O trend mook will be parked in the centre, surrounded by a number of handpicked contemporary items to create deliberate contrast against the classical setting. “There will be disruptive, dissonant elements and a spirit of contradiction”, promises Grégoire.
Save the date! Rendez-vous with trends lovers from 18-22 January 2019
SBID Members are entitled to complimentary tickets
Tickets are limited and available on a first come first served basis until the 14th of January 2019
To claim your free ticket email [email protected]
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an urban resort that offers sweeping lake views, located on the shore of Lake Chao; one of the largest lakes in China. The hotel is a hillside building in the Neo-Huizhou-style with 206 guestrooms. Each room has a balcony from which guests may enjoy 180-degree views of the beautiful lake. The interior design features white walls, black tiles and grey bricks, all of which are typical of Hui-style architecture. Respect is also paid to Huizhou's aesthetic style of order and symmetry. A core design feature of the guestrooms embraces the ideas of the 'Four treasuries of the Chinese Study' including study space with writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper. This has great local and cultural significance in expressing the 'Impressions of Huizhou' design theme.
Project:Wanda Vista Hefei
Project Location: Hefei, China
Our client is our parent company, Wanda Hotels & Resorts. Founded in 2007, Wanda Hotels & Resorts has been achieved through integrated business resources including hotel design, hotel construction and hotel management.
As the capital of Anhui province, Hefei is the economic and cultural centre with a profound history. Our purpose is to build the most luxurious and high-end urban resort in Hefei, which can meet both business and vacation demand. That’s why we choose Wanda Vista, the highest brand among Hefei hotels group. As the hotel is located near city, it owns the convenient traffic without too much noise and disturbance from city centre. We hope Wanda Vista has complete supporting facilities, breath-taking landscape scenery as well as high-quality service. In addition, we wish the cultural elements of Anhui is embodied in the interior design of the hotel, to give our guests deeper understanding of Anhui culture during their stay here. Also, as Vista brand is not commonly seen the east area of China, we hope Vista Hefei has stronger characteristics.
Anhui is situated next to Huizhou, which is renowned for Hui-style architecture - a school of Chinese architecture. For another, Anhui is a combination of exquisite scenery and distinctive cultural features. In short, the above two factors - architecture and cultural characteristics - are our inspirations for this project. Other inspirational resources derive from the white wall, black tiles and grey bricks of Hui-style architecture, the order and symmetrical aesthetics, local decorative materials and the art of Huizhou carving (e.g. Brick carving, wood carving and stone carving).
Well, the greatest difficulty lies in how to express classic aesthetics using modern techniques. If we adopt traditional techniques to manifest these Hui-style characteristics, we will be confronted with great difficulty when it comes to spatial considerations; especially with a large space like the hotel lobby. Interior spaces were not as expansive as this in the past, so all the architectural components such as brick carving, roof overhang and folding screens were produced according to their actual dimension. It would therefore be impossible for us to enlarge the past material and craft it to today’s space, that’s why we needed to think about the kinds of modern materials and techniques which could be used for these creations. For instance, we designed four screens of 12 metres high to increase the levels of layer. When investigating the folk embroidery craft, our designers were inspired to replace the base fabric of embroidery with metal, and embroider Huizhou scenery on the metal net. In this way, we were able to realise the same effect with the same impact, which wouldn’t be achieved by using traditional metal or other metal materials.
Well, I think the highlight for me is the hotel lobby. The spatial vastness of the area integrates the exquisite features of Hui-style architecture and strong sense of decoration manifested through modern techniques. The lobby covers an area of 700 square meters, preserving the top structure of the original building with the highest height of near 20 metres. For the interior design, we embodied the traditional Hui-style wood carving technique into the decoration of wooden circular columns, beam and wall surfaces, focusing on the design theme; 'Huizhou Impression'. For colour use, the combination of grey brick, black tile and white wall from Hui-style architecture which represent the nature is put into use in the whole colour adoption. The lintel decorated with hanging flowers is made from bronze, and it implements with the wharf wall harmoniously.
Also, speaking of Huizhou culture, what first comes into our mind must be the Chinese 'Four Treasures of the Study', which includes writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper, which are expressed by different techniques in the hotel space. For example, we designed a 20-metre high Chandelier in the shape of a writing brush, to give the appearance of it pouring down from the roof; the pool carved from black stone is the integration of ink and ink stone; the ten-metre high scroll painting 'Huangshan Scenery' looks like wash painting on Chinese Xuan paper. Through the design of a ten-metre high ground glass window, the hotel lobby connects with a borderless lake view perfectly, inviting the glorious views and lake scenery into the hotel.
SBID is a renowned international award. Participating in the award is a test on our design ability. We will be more thankful and honoured if we were to win an award because it will be an honour both for the design team and for a single designer. On the other hand, if we unfortunately fail in winning an award, it still offers us a precious opportunity to compete with other design teams in the world and allows us to learn from each other.
Questions answered by Haonan Zhen, Design Director at Wanda Hotel Design Institute
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a private luxury oasis comprising of villa and pool house in southeastern France, click here to see more.
Wanda Hotel Design Institute | SBID International Design Awards 2018
The festive season is looming; but the design industry never sleeps. With Christmas just around the corner and the final leg of the year fast approaching, don't forget to catch up on the latest industry news and upcoming design events for December!
Read below to discover this month's curated selection of art with Velvenoir and find out how SBID Members can claim their exclusive discount...
3rd - 8th December
Business of Design Week HK - Hong Kong, China
Asia’s premier annual event on design, innovation and brands since 2002, Business of Design Week (BODW) organised by Hong Kong Design Centre brings some of the world’s most outstanding design masters and influential business figures to Hong Kong. It provides a valuable platform for business and creative leaders to exchange ideas, network, and explore new business opportunities. This year’s summit will take on the theme of ‘Think ∙ Collaborate ∙ Create’ and be presented in collaboration with partner city Melbourne, cited as the world’s most liveable city by the Economist Intelligence Unit for seven consecutive years (2011-2017). The event features more than 70 speakers from over 15 countries and regions to present the latest industry insights and to promote the advancement of the creative industries.
4th - 6th December
ICFF South Florida - Florida, US
The 3rd annual South Florida edition of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) will take place at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Centre. The ICFF South Florida is the natural extension of ICFF NYC, attracting over 3,000 interior designers, architects, retailers, developers and distributors to the Caribbean, South Florida, and Latin American markets. Offering an unparalleled opportunity to view innovative design trends from all over the globe as well as interactive, educational programming led by some of industry's top leading designers and icons.
5th - 9th December
Design Miami/ - Miami, US
Design Miami is the global forum for design, bringing together gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world to celebrate and promote collectable design. It is more than a marketplace for design, where the world’s top galleries gather to present museum-quality exhibitions of twentieth and twenty-first century furniture, lighting and objets d’art. Each show balances exclusive commercial opportunities with progressive cultural programming, creating exciting collaborations with designers and design institutions, panels and lectures with luminaries from the worlds of design, architecture, art and fashion, and unique commissions from the world’s top emerging and established designers and architects.
6th December
A Conversation about Design... With Maison&Objet - Edinburgh, UK
Maison&Objet are organising a breakfast meeting on Thursday 6th December at 8.30am - 10.30am for a small selection of Edinburgh based interior designers to exchange and share their views on the latest evolutions of the design industry, as well as offer their opinions and advice on how to improve the show. Held at The Balmoral Hotel, the organisers believe that first-hand perspectives, experiences and opinions from designers would add great value to this meeting for an insightful and progressive discussion about design.
RSVP by Friday 30th November to [email protected]
VELVENOIR releases their curated art selection for November with 10% discount for SBID Members
The international boutique art consultancy and concierge, Velvenoir offer SBID Members complimentary art consultancy services and access to a curated, in-house art inventory with expert guidance. This strategic partnership allows interior designers to work directly with a variety of art consultants saving valuable time and money for residential, hospitality and commercial projects. Velvenoir are now also offering an exclusive trade discount of 10% to SBID Member's art acquisition from any piece of art within their November selection.
Click here to browse the selection and be ready provide your SBID Membership number to claim your 10% discount
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a local luxury oasis comprising of private villa and pool house located in southeastern France, bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Built using the warm, honey-toned local stone, the interior design scheme was designed to reflect the authentic and characterful charm of the villa's exterior with a subtle palette of restful colours throughout, finished with highlights of silver, lavender and turquoise to bring in the colours of Provence. The 21st century home acts as a sanctuary, but also an inviting family home so it had to be well-thought-out, sympathetic with its glorious surroundings and suitable to the needs of everyone spending time in it. This meant open-plan areas for socialising and entertaining, with cosier, more intimate spaces to provide solitude when required. To achieve the quality required by the client, and for the furniture to fit both the generous space and the colours requested, the majority of pieces were individually designed by Juliettes Interiors as bespoke items.
Company: Juliettes Interiors
Project: Provence Villa
Project Location: Provence, France
The brief was straightforward: to create a light, airy pied-à-terre using the finest European furniture and incorporating the colours of Provence. Above all, it was to be comfortable, relaxing and sociable with a focus on quality. This was to be a sanctuary but still a place to share with family and friends. The client’s architects had already specified finishes for floors and walls so, for Juliettes Interiors, it meant coming into the project part way through. Taking this in our stride, we quickly got ourselves up to speed, working seamlessly with contractors and taking the project through to completion and final snagging.
Initially, the client intended to design and project manage this renovation himself but ran into problems with communication, space planning, design and trying to pull everything together. He later admitted that he felt as though he was drowning in the project management of a villa that had been bought to provide a respite from the hurly burly of everyday life.
He originally came to us simply to source a couple of bedside tables but this proved to be a turning point for the project. Talking through his ideas with Design Director Micaela Rossi, he realised that, as well as sourcing the items he was looking for, we could provide a complete interior design service as well as taking on full responsibility for procurement, product design, space planning, installation and project management. From a couple of bedside tables, Juliettes Interiors ended up specifying and sourcing new bathrooms as well as all interior furniture, outdoor and pool furniture, fabrics, finishes, lighting, bed linens, curtains and accessories.
This was a beautiful, traditional Provence villa on the outside, constructed using the warm, honey-toned local stone. However, none of this character followed through to the bland, dated interior. Using this local stone throughout the interior brought warmth and texture to every part of the villa and its pool house. We also used the soft greys, greens and lavenders of the spectacular Provence countryside as our base colour palette to create the calm, restful and welcoming space the client craved as a retreat from his hectic day-to-day lifestyle.
The main house comprised 4 en-suite bedrooms plus a housekeeper’s apartment, and a large hallway leading into an extensive, open plan living area. Together with a further 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a large kitchen/living space in the pool house, this gave us plenty of scope to transform the tired, uninspiring interior and turn it into a well-thought-out and functional 21st century home, sympathetic with its glorious surroundings and to the needs of everyone spending time in it.
The finished villa, pool house and pool area blend beautifully into the surrounding countryside, with natural, local materials, honey-coloured stone, thoughtfully-landscaped gardens and restful colours designed to reflect the tones of the encompassing hillside. Inside, the design team used clever lighting and coordinating colours in shades of lavender, grey and turquoise to bring in elements of the Provençal landscape. They have made the most of the expansive, open plan living area, creating open spaces for socialising, dining and entertaining, along with cosy nooks and more intimate spaces, plus a TV snug and library. The pool house is perfect for visiting guests with its 2 cool and airy bedrooms, stunning contemporary bathrooms and a fresh, open plan living and kitchen area.
The client could not have been happier with the finished project. Every item of furniture was exactly as he had envisaged. Skilled project management meant that delivery and installation all went off without a hitch and snagging was minimal. Set in its extensive, spectacularly landscaped gardens, the villa is now a sanctuary of peace and harmony, an oasis of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle. Originally intended as a bolt hole for brief visits, the client instantly fell in love with this gorgeous home and admits that he now spends most of his time there.
Due to the client’s hectic international schedule, much of the day-to-day communication was carried out online. There were only 3 further face-to-face meetings at the showroom to finalise furniture layout, agree technical drawings for the many bespoke items, and to choose colours, fabrics and finishes for furniture, light fittings, curtains and linens. Almost every item of furniture was fully bespoke or at least customised, meaning a lot of research into special finishes and an exceptional level of detail. Throughout the project, we made visits to the property to take accurate measurements, to appraise the villa and its pool house, and to explore its surroundings.
This has been one of the most interesting and exciting projects we have worked on and we loved every minute of it. Obviously, we were delighted at the client’s reaction and the fact that he now considers this his main residence. However, we have to admit, for our design team, winning a 5 star award for our design, skills, creativity and the standard of our service was a key highlight for the outcome of the project.
Questions answered by Micaela Rossi, Design Director and Juliette Thomas, Director at Juliettes Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a boutique hotel juxtaposing the austere beauty and fiery drama of Iceland’s natural wonders, click here to see more.
Juliettes Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
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