Hotel Suite Celebrates Tang Dynasty in a Modern Design

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious hotel suite design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Hirsch Bedner Associates.

Canopy by Hilton Hotel in Qujiang Xi’an conveys the splendid leisure and carnival entertainment of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

The central premise of the design stems from the Chinese idiom 鲜衣怒马 xiānyī nùmǎ, which loosely translates to “wearing beautiful garments and riding powerful horses”. With this concept in mind, the interiors celebrate the vibrant fashion and design of the prosperous Tang Dynasty that for centuries has been integrated into the spiritual language of Xi’an’s neighborhoods, and now blends exquisitely with the opulent aesthetics of the Canopy brand.

The xiānyī nùmǎ motif is unraveled throughout the hotel style through the use of joyful colors and patterns inspired by Tang-era fabrics and artwork. By fusing the ancient with the modern to create a unique design story, the hotel creates a fresh perspective on historical elements, allowing people to enjoy traditional culture in a rejuvenated, vibrant, and fun way.

What was the client’s brief? 

The initial brief received by clients was to bring the rich historical, traditional and cultural background of the place into the project renovation, and to align it to the hotel brand style and feeling.

Canopy by Hilton conveys the brand lifestyle that offers the guests comfort, thoughtful details, an energizing atmosphere and a uniquely local experience, as extension of the local neighbourhood.

Storytelling has been used to design the hotel allowing guest to discover the delightful neighbourhood as an ‘explorer’, and reinterpreting the traditional design language for modern appreciation.

What inspired the design of the project?

Canopy by Hilton Xi’an is located in the Qujiang New District, a new cultural hub and economic center of the historic city.

The hotel is connected to the Grand Tang Mall, a fabulous pedestrian street with myriad cultural sights and recreational activities.

The central premise of the design stems from the Chinese idiom “鲜衣怒马 xiānyī nùmǎ”, which loosely translates to “wearing beautiful garments and riding powerful horses”. With this concept in mind, the design team set out to celebrate the vibrant fashion and design of the prosperous Tang Dynasty that for centuries has been integrated into the spiritual language of Xi’an’s neighborhoods, and now blends exquisitely with the opulent aesthetics of the Canopy brand.

The xiānyī nùmǎ motif is unraveled throughout the hotel style through the use of joyful colors and patterns inspired by Tang-era fabrics and artwork. By fusing the ancient with the modern to create a unique design story, the hotel creates a fresh perspective on historical elements, allowing people to enjoy traditional culture in a rejuvenated, vibrant, and fun way.

By adopting the easy-going lifestyle of Xi’an and the cultural elements of the city’s historic legacy, the hotel acts as an extension of the local neighborhood.

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

As most of the projects, the team had to deal with a tight timeline on redesigning the whole hotel without compromising the construction programme.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Canopy by Hilton Xi’an conveys the splendid leisure and carnival entertainment of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

The hotel creates a new perspective that allows people to reveal the traditional culture in a way that is vibrant, fun and young, it adopts the easy-going Xi’an characteristic that enhance the vibe of the area it resides in.

The hotel has 125 guestrooms in the guest tower, including exclusive suites and lofts, leveraging little-bit difference with standard of Hilton group, the design of the guestroom tends to create different experience for the guests.

Guests are initially greeted by a room identity sign that echoes the design concept idiom and takes inspiration from a journey via horse and camel along the silk road. Upon entering the guestrooms, the design calls to mind a Tang-era scene of women pounding and making palace silk. During this time, women used mineral pigments to dye silk, and wrapped stones with wet raw rice paper or cotton to slowly seep the color into the silk. A nod to this ingenious process can be seen in the stylish canopy painted on the wall and ceiling surrounding the bed in each guestroom. The canopy is framed by clean black lines and features a strip of color in the center that fades from turquoise on the ceiling to a bright orange – a color spectrum cherished in the Tang Dynasty.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID International Design Awards are a prestigious recognition of excellence within the interior design industry across products, interiors and fit out.

Over a decade on, the Awards has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious interior design Awards in the global design calendar. It represents the outstanding industry achievements and top quality design services that continue to inspire the profession.

Questions answered by Flavio Patino, Associate, HBA Hong Kong.

In this week’s interview with 2022 SBID Awards winners of the Healthcare & Wellness Design category, Mane Design, Mane Mehrabyan explores the concept of the project and shares how they achieved set goals, including respecting personal space in a public setting.

The fitness club’s concept focuses on individual training and visitors’ personal comfort. The premium level is finely emphasized by the club-style design.

Firstly, tell us a bit about the design of your project. What were the key ideas, concepts and processes behind it?

The main point of the realization of an exceptional health club’s design was the creation of a comfortable, elaborated, multifunctional sports territory for humans with personal space values. It is a fitness club that upgrades health via sport. The training hall is intended for individual pieces of training accompanied by a personal trainer and not more than five people at a time. Visitors’ personal space and comfort were the priority that is successfully brought to life by our design studio.

Modern style combined with sumptuous materials is an ideal match for the design of this close-type club.

What was your biggest takeaway or highlight from completing this project?

When I see the magnificent result of our work after the completion of each project brought into life from the scheme, I always feel great moral satisfaction and joy.

What has winning an SBID Award meant for you and your business?

We are so very happy and appreciative to the competition for such a high valuation of our work. It is very precious for our studio to have such a high-level international award.

What tools/techniques did you use to ensure the visitors’ personal space and comfort are respected in such an open and public environment?

The Club concept provides only five-person training at a time, and there are well-thought comfortable men’s and women’s locker zones.

Each shower box consists of the cabin itself and a prebox dressing personal area if the clients prefer not to be in the common area.

What is the key to designing a beautiful sports centre, where the equipment is prone to creating a feeling of cluttered space?

The key to a beautiful sports centre is comfortability and correct logistics. Each zone must be in its correct place for a cozy stay in the club. What concerns the design, it must provide the feeling of an atmosphere of non-cluttered space.

Can you tell us about the choice of lighting for the project?

All lightning was created and realized by our studio specially for this club. We are proud with coping with such a complicated task.

Questions answered by Mane Mehrabyan, Founder and Head, Mane Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern residential development design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ENJOYDESIGN.

What was the client’s brief? 

The theme of client’s brief: The Garden on the Loess.

The city of Yinchuan, where the project is located, is situated in the Ningxia Plain, an arid region in western China. Unlike other arid regions, there are two major wetland parks that are ecological features of the area. In order to protect the precious wetland resources and this important transit point for migrating birds, the city of Yinchuan is also aiming to become a ‘city of lakes’. In addition, the survey shows that there are few commercial forms around the project site, the quality of life is not high and the convenience of living is improving.

Therefore, ENJOYDESIGN, as the interior design for this case, wanted to create a “multi-life experience hall” for the residents with the theme of “The Garden on the Loess”, integrating plants and greenery, floral art, cultural creation, trendy games, reading, beauty, tea and other diversified businesses, and creating a “multi-life experience hall” with both aesthetics and fireworks in the form of a community. A third space outside of work. At the same time, it also serves to promote the ecological characteristics of the area.

What inspired the design of the project?

What inspired the design of this project is the local efforts made over the years to protect the wetland resources. Using flowers and greenery as a medium, nature is allowed to surge like flowing water, irrigating not only the desert sands, but also the hearts of the people of Yinchuan.

We have tried to tell the other side of the city in a lifelike way, leading people to experience the unique face of Yinchuan, not only the yellow earth and barren smoke and ravines, but also the prosperity and vibrancy of The Garden on the Loess.

We hope that community residents will feel the romance of the sun surrounded by flowers and embark on a journey to nature to find the oasis their hearts desire.

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

During the project, the toughest hurdles to overcome were the construction of the design facade and the local people’s acceptance of the novel style.

Large curved wood finish walls require a high degree of workmanship and stability in terms of grain and colour. Yinchuan is one of the more remote cities in western China, where finding workers who are skilled in construction and high quality building materials is more difficult than in the metropolis.

Secondly, the style of the scheme is relatively new to the occupants of the area and has undergone a process of trying to tell the concept from scheme to landing and then to pre-acceptance by the general public.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

I think it is: we strive to turn dream gardens into real, functional spaces that are both beautiful and functional, making them a part of the lives of the community.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

First, of course, the professionalism. SBID Awards is a highly professional, fair and influential award in the design industry. Every year, we choose excellent works to compete. For example, last year, we won the only award for interior design in the Asia Pacific region, which was affirmed and recognized by the jury from distant overseas and design countries. The designers were greatly excited and encouraged after winning the award because it proved the design ability of the studio.

Questions answered by Jie Guo, Founder & Creative Director, ENJOYDESIGN.

Click here to discover the last year’s SBID Awards winners!

Visit sbidawards.com for more information.

In this week’s interview with 2022 SBID Awards winners of the Hotel Bedroom & Suites Design category, Brime Robbins, Maria Brime & Garrett Robbins shine the spotlight on the intricate details of their project, discuss their design approach and talk about connecting the world and translating the stories and culture through design.

Brime Robbins were commissioned for the interior design at Andaz Prague, the first Hyatt hotel in the Czech Republic and the first luxury lifestyle hotel in Prague. In the historic building known ‘Sugar Palace’ Brime Robbins worked to not only preserve and elevate the historic features of the building but create an experience integral to the identity of Prague itself.

Firstly, tell us a bit about the design of your project. What were the key ideas, concepts and processes behind it?

In transforming the historic Sugar Palace building into a luxury Andaz hotel, Brime Robbins harnessed the central design inspiration of Czech myths and legends; making “the global local”, and transporting guests to a legendary world beyond the restored casement windows and crown mouldings.

Awoken from their slumber within the dormant building, the characters from the legends emerge from the walls and floors to greet guests and guide them through an unforgettable journey through Andaz Prague. This design approach connects visiting guests with a strong, passionate sense of place, reconnecting native people of Prague with their childhoods and engaging with local artists and craftsmen with modern and refined materials. Guests are immersed into a world of never-ending stories, which inevitably they will pack into their suitcases and take home with them, telling friends and family far and wide…and hence creating a larger, more global story from the heart of Prague. It is this sharing of our hearts, which then makes the entire hotel experience intimate, unique and very personal.

What was your biggest takeaway or highlight from completing this project?

The biggest and most positive takeaway from this project was the exceptionally strong emotional, visceral connection between the people of Czech Republic and the stories anchoring the design. Often when designing spaces, there is a core concept and/or story which can be just as interesting and unique but have come nowhere close to the personal connection for each and every person in Prague, and Czech Republic.

For this project, we spent a lot of time at the concept stage – mesmerised by Czech Republic and Prague being so enchanting and rich in culture – that is how we came to that heritage and culture being such a focal point to be harnessed and encapsulated into the design.

It truly has been amazing how something so simple could have such a large, withstanding impact. During tours and events, some people have been on the verge of tears with such an emotional connection to the design that remind them of their grandparents reading them these stories and so on.

What has winning an SBID Award meant for you and your business?

To achieve such recognition and an overwhelming positive response to our concept and design has been unbelievable. Such recognition from the industry and wider design community has really propelled us to strive for nothing less than ‘award-winning’ concepts and designs going forward. It has really highlighted how crucial the symbiotic relationship is between concept and design and the integration between the two.

Winning an SBID award has meant greater exposure in the UK and Northern Europe from such a prestigious and well-respected body, truly catapulting our designs from the local, to global.

On top of this, winning the award adds great value to the property itself, whilst nurturing our current and future relationships with our clients. This should also hopefully support us when approaching future projects as such proven success and positive track record highlights how universally, the BR approach, is an approach like no other. This recognition puts the spotlight on how being so intrinsically personal and emotional can create a strong connection with the place itself, whilst simultaneously creating an unbreakable bond with guests through the design and narrative.

For this project you were asked to create an experience integral to the identity of Prague itself. What is your approach/design process for this kind of brief, especially being a design practice based abroad?

As we mentioned, we spent a lot of time and concentrated efforts during the concept phase to ensure the stories and narrative could truly shine through and connect to one and all. We spent a lot of time speaking to people in Prague, gathering research, and fundamentally immersing ourselves into local cultures to support such an enriching narrative.

We became in love with the idea of retelling these stories but in a more uplifting style that would translate into interior design. It’s been an unbelievably fun process to now see these stories emerge from the walls in front of you.

It is important to note, we were not trying to imitate Czech culture but to create an authentic representation by translating such rich culture to a relatable and mesmerising narrative widely understood across the globe. There truly is something wonderfully innate about engaging in a story or fairy-tale, something universal that supports an immersive experience – often providing a stronger understanding of ourselves during the process.

Hotel rooms too often create a feeling of coldness and unfamiliarity. How did you ensure the guests would feel at home staying in these suites?

For us, it is vital to capture interest and create moments to pause and engage. Very much like the narrative within a story, it’s important to create areas to be in awe of, encouraging a moment of pause, reflection and enjoyment. And this was key for Andaz Prague, especially for such an enriching lifestyle brand.

We explored touches of residential styling and sensibilities to create a ‘home from home’ experience along the way. From the smallest details that connect guests to something they may have in their home or are familiar to a home they know. It’s important to design in a way that makes you literally want to dive into and feel at home.

From damask, textured wallpapers to a distinctive chaise longue and umbrella stand. With high quality craftsmanship and materials that reflect a sense of home and warmth, guests can feel like they’re in a special place; their very own luxury, their own little world.

Can you tell us more about your company ethos? What role does interior design play in “making the global local”?

Our ethos to ‘make the global, local’ represents a wonderful synergy and the opportunity to make such a large, fast-paced world, feel smaller, connected and intimate.

There are so many things to fall in love with about each and individual culture, and this couldn’t be truer about Prague and Czech Republic. The designs for Andaz Prague create deep connections coupled with a sense of mystery and intrigue, a unique unforgettable experience for all. Guests will find reasons to return, relive and indulge through the experiences presented through the design.

This rich emotional connection is formed through multiple layers of detail within a 360 design approach. Throughout the immersive journey, you are faced with hidden treasure after hidden treasure, with guests longing to pack up these experiences in their suitcases to take home with them. Making the global, local.

It is important to recognise local cultures from a global perspective, creating an ambience that guests want to pocket and travel with so that these stories can be retold globally, day after day, whether verbally or visually in the ever-growing world of social media. As small as the world is, people can feel connected to Czech Republic without even having visited.

Questions answered by Maria Brime & Garrett Robbins, Co-founders, Brime Robbins.

Commemorating the feminine spirit, Liang & Eimil sheds light on the affects that build the environment every day, not just on March 8^th. The choice to highlight Honghui and her dedication to embrace equity was taken for this year. Join us as we investigate methods for fostering inclusion, inspire you to start your own business, and offer you curated content that includes an exclusive interview.

Entrepreneurship & Leadership

According to Honghui, being a successful entrepreneur requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance with a strong will. It must serve a purpose. She is most proud of building Liang & Eimil from the ground up during a ten-year period.

Honghui explains how she has always been very independent ever since she was a child. She is a doer and achiever, always keen for an adventure. In 2009, she relocated to London to join her husband, Frank Eimil’s business and says, “I adore interior design and the pieces my husband creates. He is a wonderful designer, and I am good at running a business, so we are a perfect combination”. She adds that she is extremely proud of the brand they have both built together, claiming that their complementary skills are the key that has led them to where Liang & Eimil is today.

Prior to moving to the UK over ten years ago, Honghui worked in a variety of fields. She was a consultant for many Italian companies looking to expand into China, and she also ran her own business with a friend in the oil and gas industry. She says, “I am enjoying more of what I am doing now because I believe I am creating something meaningful.” Liang &Eimil’s mission is to bring luxury lifestyle into the lives of people and change the way they live and feel at home. Their objective is to make an ordinary day a memorable one, with the luxury of comfort, elegance and enhanced way of living.

When asked about the gender shift in leadership roles, Honghui believes she has seen a transition from male dominant to more female leaders since starting the business, as she noticed an increase in the number of companies led by women. “I believe the difference between male and female leaders is that women prefer a more collaborative approach of leadership by nature, whereas men tend to lean towards a command-and-control style.”

Embrace Equity

On the topic of fair and equal working environment, Honghui encourages impartiality by ensuring that no hidden characteristics are used to discriminate against employees. She also proposes that equal access to benefits and working conditions for all employees, as well as fair and consistent hiring and promotion procedures be established. Lastly, fair processes and procedures are to be set for dealing with employee grievances and disciplinary issues.

Often, there is the double-bind dilemma for women in leadership. Gender stereotypes frequently undermine women’s ability to lead. Men are seen as being strong, decisive and assertive when they take charge, while women are seen as competent but unpopular when they do the same. Women leaders frequently exert twice as much effort as males for the same accolades. Honghui thinks this needs to change as she stated, “to give more women the chance to succeed at all levels, in all occupations, and in all spheres of life, it is time to rethink what it means to be a leader. We ought to evaluate each employee according to the same criteria.”

Challenges

The most difficult challenge they faced was when their warehouse caught fire. All their inventory was destroyed, but they remained calm and overcame the hurdle. They were lucky that everyone around them were very understanding and supportive, including their customers. “While faced with a challenge, it is important to discuss transparently to arrive at a solution.”

Work life balance is also another of Honghui’s constant battle. Being a family orientated individual, Honghui tries to spend as much time as she can with her family while balancing the two things that are most important to her: her family and her business. But how does she manage it? She says, “It’s nearly impossible to strike a balance with only 24 hours in a day, so I devote more time to my family by sacrificing on my sleep.” She expects to be able to devote more time to her family and children as more mid-level managers join the team and Liang & Eimil expand.

Her Interior Style

As SBID is the accreditation body for interior design, we had to talk interior. As Honghui enjoys reading, her most important pieces of furniture in a home are chairs and shelving. “Reading a book in a comfortable chair with shelving to display all of your favourite books and most treasured photo frames of your loved ones, where you can keep all of your beautiful memories, are most precious.”

Honghui’s favourite interior style is a cross of Art Deco and Mid-Century Modernism. Her home includes a variety of colour schemes as every room should tell a different story. From Liang & Eimil’s over 1,500 product line, Honghui’s favourite piece is the Brutalist sideboard as she likes the texture, use of the geometric patterns and the subtlety of its golden brass trims.

Advice for young female entrepreneurs

Honghui advises young female entrepreneurs who want to start their own business venture and succeed in business to “Identify a market. Take action to start out courageously. Take the chance and push yourself. Keep your vision clear. Be observant. Have faith in yourself and always stay positive.” She adds, “It’s important to create a great team by hiring good people. Take advice from your employees and consumers as well as from your mistakes.”

Honghui’s last message for aspiring female entrepreneurs is to have a purpose and be passionate. “Always maintain your confidence. Empower yourself to face challenges and risks without fear. Be creative as it allows you to concentrate on reforming and breaking through instead of solving problems. Be collaborative while also developing self-awareness. Self-awareness enables us to see things through the eyes of others. Determination. You will always go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to make it happen if you have a strong determination.”

Cover image: Featuring Liang & Eimil’s Lapis Sofa, Lapis Occasional Chair, Montier Mirror, Luca Floor Lamp, Icardi Pendant Lamp and accessories.

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

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

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious bar-restaurant design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Albion & East.

What was the client’s brief? 

To create a 300 cover bar-restaurant with a grand, centre-piece bar, a very open kitchen integrated into the space and two iconic outside terraces.

What inspired the design of the project?

The building is the former 1930’s Forum Theatre, designed by Mr Stanley Beard who specialised in cinema architecture, but had long since closed and remained abandoned for 15 years until we resurrected it as Teatro Hall. The original interior had an Italian Renaissance style design with high ceilings and large columns. Our inspiration was to resurrect the building in ‘Stile Liberte’, an Italian variant of Art Nouveau and named after Arthur Liberty and the store he founded Liberty’s. We were rediscovering, resurrecting and reawakening and building of grand proportions in a subtle, not slavish, mind to its history.

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

With new Brexit laws, delivery of bespoke items made for us in Europe needed careful planning and challenged budgets. Coupled with increases in raw material costs we had to focus hard on design elements which were stand out. Having to work harder than ever before, we didn’t compromise on design and hit budgets through planning and extending our network of suppliers of bespoke and hand made items.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

A grand island bar takes centre stage with a tall backdrop of etched blue Venetian Glass housed in cherry wood, marble bar top and pale parchment under tiled counter. Our Clock Tower is reminiscent of seating in the Waldorf Astoria lobby in NYC. Banquets, with rich midnight velvet seats and pale cream linen curtains, create intimacy. Four handmade Murano glass chandeliers, with over 100 glass columns each, create grandeur that the space demands.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Having followed the awards for several years, I have always been impressed at the quality and diversity of the finalists. It has been a source of interest and inspiration for me over the years as I have been developing my company. SBID is a well recognised and prestigious organisation and it’s an honour to be a finalist with you.

Questions answered by Sarah Weir, Lead Designer and the Founder & Managing Director, Albion & East.

The architectural base of graphite and beige structures, which existed here before, was complemented by the client’s favourite combination of grant-green-purple-carmine, which introduced a visible boldness of colour, evoking associations and an atmosphere like in the world of Almodovar, whom she has appreciated while inspired this place.

This combination, intense and variable in intensity and proportion, became the main basis for material and colour choices. Thus, within this framework, shades of these colours appear in the form of varied and contrasting textures, shiny blue and green mirrors contrast with silk and velvet wallpapers, furry gradient fabrics are combined with nubuck matte leather, patterned fabric ornaments with an intense, almost ethnic expression are juxtaposed with glossy anthracite wood.

The intensity of the colours is combined with the finesse of the shapes of the sophisticated and designed furniture. As a tribute to the style of the Memphis group, Robert Majkut has designed a dedicated collection of furniture inspired by them, such as a console in the entrance, a TV cabinet and table in the living room and a chest of drawers in the bedroom. This coherent and bold collection of sculptures-objects fulfils its concentrating, colour-sculptural role, giving a distinct character and unambiguity to this effusion of intensity. A number of distinctive forms and juxtapositions were used in the design of the console located in the lobby, including the most popular Memphis pattern – the squiggle, otherwise known as ‘bacterio’. A table and TV cabinet using ornaments typical of the style were also designed in the convention of the Italian group. The collection was created in collaboration with the Dawidczyk Brothers carpentry workshop.

The whole is complemented by the owner’s furniture and meticulously selected additions in the form of Casina armchairs, Minotti sofa, or other furniture from companies such as Porada, Ekstorm, Bosa, Pouenat, Takeushi, Kundalini.

The living room and bedroom interiors are dominated by fleshy fabrics with thick weaves and colours from well-known and respected brands Kirkby Design, Zimmer+Rohde professionally stitched and upholstered to order in collaboration with Ardeco Studio and silk and velour textile wallpapers of high quality by Vescom, Phillip Jeffries, individually selected and made colourful mirrors, shades and carpets made to order by CS rugs factory from the Cameleon Collection. Finally, the highlight of the project is a kitchen ceramic wall made based on inspiration from a selected painting by a Canadian artist, whose transcriptions into the language of ceramics were first precisely designed and then crafted. It is an expressive dominant feature of the interior created by means of traditionally fired, sophisticated colours, realised in collaboration with Ardea.

The hand-formed work has been transferred into the kitchen space providing an artistic respite, but also a backdrop to the urban life of the house, blending in with furnishing details such as the Gessi kitchen tap with its ceramic stem in the colour of carmine certainly.

Robert Majkut appreciates the sensitivity and artistry of other artists and seeks out original and unobvious works that complement his vision of a place, which was the case in his collaboration with the OAK Gallery in Paris. For this project, an Art Object – Mirror by Christophe Gaignon/Signature Collection was created with a special dedication to the owner of the interior.

From the Author:

“This beautiful living space came out as an intense mixture of colors, bold forms, a tribute to the joyful, colorful times of artistic design – it was and it is all about playing with conventions and joy liberated from the obvious. Just like the person who lives here! Thank you, Barbara.”

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

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

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an elegant and sophisticated residential design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, CHIL Interior Design.

The romance of discovery is found in all aspects of life if you are willing to explore. Travel, culture, design, music, fashion all inspire life, and none are more influential than seeing these aspects through the refined cultural lens of a city like Paris. Through the distinct European architecture, fragrant French gardens, and the overall appreciation of the finest details in living, CHIL Interior Design created a design for Chloe Kerrisdale that celebrates these unique Parisian and European details within.

With soft palettes and sophistication, the result is unforgettable spaces that express the effortless elegance, grace, and joie de vivre of Paris itself. A balance between indulgence and restraint, between measure and proportion and between structure and abstraction, the Chloe Kerrisdale display suite is an exquisite jewel standing out within the community.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client wanted us to create an aspirational living space that is inspired by the classical architecture and Parisian lifestyle. It was also important to the client that the show suite is a direct replica of a purchasable unit to showcase luxurious living through high end materials, furniture, artwork that appeals to the a well-travelled and affluent demographic.

What inspired the design of the project?

We began with the classical architecture of the building that is reminiscent of established European cities like Paris. We wanted to pay homage to the well-recognized details of these buildings while still providing a clean and modern perspective as a balance. The design for Chloe Kerrisdale celebrates the Parisian lifestyle in the heart of Vancouver.

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

The toughest hurdle for this project is fitting a unit floorplan into a pre-existing space and avoiding as many columns in the display unit as possible. While we were successful in avoiding some, unavoidable columns were used to the design’s advantage with added floral arrangement displays.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Every material, furniture, accessory and lighting selection reflects to the luxurious Parisian living concept with a modern take on traditional details. The locally commissioned hand carved 3D rose artwork that adorns the reception area tells the Parisian story right when the buyer walks in, transporting them into the state of mind immediately. Attention to various levels of lighting to create a soft ambient atmosphere in the space. We are also proud of the way we overcame unavoidable columns by beautifying them with floral arrangements.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards is one of the most prestigious international interior design awards. It is always an honour to be recognized by such a high calibre of industry expert panel and we look forward to submitting our entries every year. This year is also our first time submitting to the Show Flats & Development category and we are immensely grateful to be shortlisted as a finalist!

Questions answered by Danielle Clarke & Adèle Rankin, Design Director & Principal & Global Design Lead, CHIL Interior Design.

In this week’s interview with 2022 SBID Awards winners of the Residential Budget Up To £50,000 category, Co-founder of ID4U Studio, Viktoriya Moshchynska shares the concept and decisions behind the design, approach to enlarging a small space and working within the budget.

This small apartment was made for rent. It was important to create space that would fit a lot of people’s expectations but preferably for a young couple. The building is situated in beautiful place surrounded by nature.

Firstly, tell us a bit about the design of your project. What were the key ideas, concepts and processes behind it?

Because this property was made for renting the main idea was to create a simple design which can easily meet expectations of working singles or a couple. We also wanted to replan the space so it could look bigger and lighter and every inch of it could be functional. Our work started with layouts and constructive documents. Because our budget was limited I had to use some materials that were in stock at that moment. For example, we chose this simple white textile for the kitchen but decided to put it in a chevron way and make the black seams.

What was your biggest takeaway or highlight from completing this project?

We never thought about this project as of a special one. We just tried to create a nice place. Our client gave us full freedom within the budget and this worked out very well. This means that the best result is achieved when your client trusts you.

What has winning an SBID Award meant for you and your business?

We are from Ukraine. We know that there were 16 Ukrainian projects that got into the final in 2022, two of them won a category. I think, it shows that the interior design sphere is well developed in my country, and the work of our architects, designers and manufacturers, as well as my work personally, meets international standards and trends. It’s an important message that we as Ukrainians send to other European countries.

How do you approach design projects with a limited budget? Do you have any tactics you use to get the most out of it?

After 14 years of work I now know exactly which parts of an interior are worth spending on and which are not.

Space changes that require constructive works are worth spending on. I also never use cheap bathroom sets and taps, etc. The rule is simple: you shouldn’t save on things that are in-built within the apartment.

The other important rule is never buy fake. I can always find interior objects within the budget. I like to buy small furniture and decor from mass market producers. At the same time I only use authentic Art for my projects. It’s my favorite mix of something expansive and something cheap. Like when you wear an H&M t-shirt with a GUCCI skirt.

The wall inside the apartment was replaced with a glass one – what was the inspiration behind it and were there any difficulties/considerations that came with that?

In my strong opinion, inner architecture is the main thing of future interior. Standart planning never works. Rooms in this apartment were divided by a wall. It made them small and dark. Decision with a glass wall came to my head the first moment I entered the apartment. I instantly knew that we needed it. The only thing that stopped us was the price. But we assured my client that it was worth it. And she never regretted it. The wall completely changed the space by making it look bigger and lighter.

The space, although small, seems spacious and airy. How did you achieve this effect in this project?

Apartment used to have a covered separated gallery. We decided to add it’s space to the living room. We demolished the wall between the living room and the gallery. The living room became bigger. But the most important thing is that we could now enjoy this wonderful view over the Dnipro river through big windows which we didn’t see before. A lot of natural light now fills the whole apartment through the windows and the glass wall and makes it look airy.

Questions answered by Viktoriya Moshchynska, Co-founder, ID4U Studio.