This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a luxury Australian spa inspired by traditional Roman bath houses where circular vestibules connected the private and public spaces; the feature vestibules punctuate the journey through the spa at key nodes providing feelings of connectivity and flow offering different treatment zones designed to help guests unwind with indulgent La Prairie and Subtle Energies treatments in sumptuous rooms rehydrating the body and soothing the soul in a selection of deeply relaxing Aqua Retreat facilities which include a sauna and steam room, therapeutic rain shower and luxurious vitality pool. The interior design scheme was based on the concept of an imaginary underwater landscapes with subtle, serene hues of blue throughout to evoke feelings of tranquillity, resonating with the calming connotations of a rippling sea surface or gently running water.
Company: Blainey North Interiors
Project: Crown Spa Perth
Project Location: Perth, Australia
What was the client’s brief?
To create the Best Spa in Australia.
What inspired the design of the Project?
The interior design plan was inspired by the interactive planning of traditional Roman bath houses where circular vestibules are connected to private and public spaces, providing a social connection between different functions. The linking of these spaces creates beautiful intimate thresholds carved by the joining of the geometric forms. The concept has been based on the idea of creating the feeling of an imaginary underwater landscape. It is inspired by those refractions of light you see on the surface of the water when you look up from underneath. The interior has been created in concentric shades of blue, like those of the sea and is structured around a central axis.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
The complexity of working within a space with little to no natural light meant we had to shift the focus to create visual intrigue and connectivity via highly detailed special moments whilst in tandem creating a very calm yet sophisticated place to relax.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The Foyer. It makes people gasp as enter this very sublime and glamourous space creating an entirely unexpected feeling sparked by the level of detail and quality, unseen within any other Australian hotel to date.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
As we are traditionally recognised as a leading Luxury Interior Design Firm within Australasia much of our work is highly secretive and exclusive. Working with super high-net worth individuals means confidentiality is crucial therefore press coverage is often limited. That said our involvement with several international hotelier brands has enabled luxury travellers and international press an inside look into the World of Blainey North Interiors, which is always very exciting!
Questions answered by Blainey North, Founder of Blainey North Interiors
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If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring the 21 bedroom Georgian Manor House boasting extraordinary views of the Devonshire countryside, click here to see more.
The 2018 edition of the SBID International Design Awards is now officially open for entries! Click here to register or enter your project!
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Blainey North Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
Meet one of our esteemed judges for the prestigious SBID Awards, Carlo Camillo. The Global Director of Store Design and Visual Merchandising at Christian Louboutin Beauté talks to SBID about creating luxury experiences and the creative opportunities that the new retail landscape brings.
Interior designer Carlo Camillo directs the store design and visual merchandising process, which includes prototype development and implementation of beauté boutiques; wholesale beauté counter design; pop-up and new market event design; new product in-store launch distortion; product display and packaging design. His previous clients include the boutique hotel brand BD Hotel, L Brands (Victoria Secret Beauty and Accessory, La Senza) and Parfums Christian Dior. He has also run his own design consultancy, where his clients included Armani, CK, KOHLS and Vera Wang.
You have a background in both retail and hospitality design; what differences have struck you?
When I was working in hospitality design, each project brought something new. You had to be very strategic in terms of what you were designing, for example when I worked on the Pod Hotel, a New York hotel for BD Hotels based on the Japanese capsule model, we had to work with the legal limits of how small we could go. In retail, you can be a bit more experimental and work on a faster timeline. When I was at l Brands, we worked with five key brands and were able to test in non-flagship locations, so we could try something and see how the customers reacted and how they shopped – we learned so much from doing that. Here at Christian Louboutin Beauté, we have our own counter built into the office where we can prototype new displays and maintain a stream of creation and ideation.
Your role extends beyond store design to areas such as merchandising, packaging displays, graphic design and photoshoots; has that been a challenge?
My role is so much fun and I’m faced with challenges I never had to consider before as an interior designer. Christian Louboutin is so creative and open-minded that I am often challenged to think outside the box. from day to day I can be working on a multitude of projects, from a new store design to a blogger gift box for a global launch. The way in which we introduce our brands has to be seamless so we take a 360-degree approach. Commerce in retail is driven so differently now; more people are shopping online and events have become a driving force in retail. It’s a great opportunity for a designer.
How do you ensure the design between the fashion brand and the beauty brand, remains seamless?
I partner with colleagues such as the global Director of architecture & Store Design, Marianne Lévesque, and the Visual Identity Director, Sarah Boston. I also work with Mr. Louboutin, who is very much part of every design process. We work really hard to ensure we’re aligned – and aligned with Mr. Louboutin’s vision. I have always worked with [beauty] brands that have a fashion side but I have to say this is the most generous and supportive team I’ve worked with. everyone shares new ideas and collaborates – and this starts from the top down. Mr. Louboutin is one of the coolest people to work with and he’s very open to hearing other ideas. one of the most inspiring people in the company is my boss, Catherine Rogerro Lovisi, general manager, whose scope of work and experience is exceptional. I consider her to be a pioneer of the luxury beauty industry.
How does working at Christian Louboutin Beauté differ from your previous roles?
I’ve worked in the beauty industry for some time, across six different brands. There’s a typical format but at Christian Louboutin Beauté we don’t follow that format, largely because it’s such a personal brand for Christian. for example, we don’t do visuals in-store, so we have to think of other ways to bring animation and excitement into the stores. We’re so different from every other brand and our design is so out there that it’s hard to pigeonhole us. for example, if you look at how we present our lipstick products, it’s unlike anyone else in the industry. When I came here, I realised that this brand is the epitome of luxury and quality. We have few competitors at this level so we have to present the products in a different way.
As a designer, what are you aiming to give the customer in terms of the store experience?
I want the client to get a sense of who Christian Louboutin is. He’s multicultural and his products have a broad range of motifs that he likes to incorporate. We also want women who come into our stores to feel like an empress. We are focused on enhancing the beauty of our customers by creating environments with the best lighting and that feel beautiful. We want to bring happiness into the customer experience and we include that in different ways. At the moment, we’re looking at how we do
that by incorporating technology that allows the customer to bring that experience online. We are currently working on bringing something very new to the in-store experience that will allow customers to Christian Louboutin perspective which is unlike any other.
How do you stay inspired?
Well, I live in New York and we’re surrounded by culture so one of my favourite things is to visit galleries and museums, plus I get to travel to Europe. At the same time, you can’t always travel so I’ve adapted my social media streams such as Instagram and Facebook to connect with museums and art galleries so I’m always aware of any events I should attend. Instagram is one my most prized tools, not just for following museums and galleries but also to see what other creative people are posting. It allows me to see what other people are seeing and doing; when you see the same thing more than once you understand there’s a trend.
For more information about how to enter for or attend the glittering Awards Ceremony, visit the website, here.
This feature originally appeared in the Q&A section within Volume 7 Issue 1 of the official SBID interior design magazine, eSociety.
Click here to read the full issue
We’ve cherry picked the latest, must-have products that should be on any savvy interior designer’s radar for this month – whether it be recent product releases, the latest innovations, new designs or exclusive collection launches, we’ve done the hard work for you.
Satisfying growing demand for stylish interior design storage solutions within the bathroom, Heritage is increasing its offering with a new vanity unit designed especially to co-ordinate with its best-selling Granley basin. The Caversham Freestanding Vanity Unit offers even more distinctive design options within the Granley range, and sits beneath the Edwardian style Granley basin; mirroring its angular edges and iconic shape.
We particularly love this piece because – in this day and age – space truly is of the essence! Heritage bathrooms have not only combined classic, understated designs with convenient storage solutions, but also made the collection available in a modern colourway with a selection of four on-trend colour options including Dove Grey, Graphite, Oyster and White Ash to give any bathroom a fresh, contemporary lift.
Click to shop
While we’ve still got bathrooms on the brain, let’s take a look at what Bette has in store. Bette exhibited at Clerkenwell Design Week this year, showcasing some of their most innovative products in the Design Fields exhibition space to offer even greater design freedom; introducing product lines, new functions, additional features and extended colour ranges. As extravagant styles and bold colours are becoming increasingly popular within interiors and the interior design industry, Bette has created a new ‘effect’ colours range which opens up a multitude of possibilities for eye-catching bathroom design.
The first of these is the sparkling new effect colour, Midnight: a new shade of anthracite that has been combined with sparkling particles, featured on the geometrically embossed BetteLoft Ornament freestanding bath. The new effect colours join the array of colour options offered by the Bette World of Colour. Hundreds of gloss and matt colours are available, as well as 22 exclusive matt colours that give bathroom designers the freedom to choose a Bette bath, washbasin or shower area to suit colour trends in tiles, natural stone and wooden floors.
YTM Group, a leading provider of contract furniture to the care home industry, prepared to launch their first new range in over six years. Often neglected in the interior design industry and not conventionally associated with the most cutting-edge designs, YTM is proving the drab and dreary perceptions of care homes to be outdated by introducing their new, innovative and design-led range.
“We began this project more than a year ago with the intention to design furniture that would look just as at home in the country’s finest hotels as they would in a care home environment. It is our belief that care residents deserve every bit as much luxury as homeowners and hotel guests. Indeed, the benefits of improving design standards in care homes can be wide reaching and play a clear role in resident health and wellbeing.” – Damien Duffy, YTM Managing Director
We always find it refreshing to see companies push traditional boundaries of design and creating hotel-standard luxury furnishings for care homes definitely represents a step towards change for the interior design industry as a whole. President of SBID, Diana Celella comments that “it is our role to celebrate interior design that reflects the highest level of competence. By bringing style and sophistication to the care environment whilst retaining functionality, YTM certainly achieve this.”
Combining IOT-ready technology, the power of plants and sustainable materials within a sleek, compact design to clean indoor air. The positive-social-impact company Clairy raised over $300,000 in only one week in a Kickstarter campaign for the new-to-market smart indoor air purifier, NATEDE. This simple but effective product looks like a plant holder, but serves as a sustainable air purifier, designed and crafted in Italy.
Plants placed in NATEDE metabolize a significantly higher amount of pollutants compared to plants potted in regular vases. The embedded technology allows NATEDE’s air flow system to quickly and quietly recycle air from a plant’s soil, helping to improve indoor air quality using its’ advanced sensors. It also has a photocatalytic filter, which doesn’t require regular replacement – reducing waste and expenses to replenish. Possessing the ability to eliminate 93% of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and 99% of viruses and bacteria, this smart little system is a prime example of how technology can be integrated elegantly into a home to promote healthy living and provide solutions for purifying the air we breathe!
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the phenomenal 21 bedroom, Grade II listed Georgian Manor House boasting extraordinary views of the Manor’s exquisite gardens with its’ rolling lawns and blooming flowerbeds across the Devonshire countryside. Meraki Design helped Michael Caines MBE bring his dream into fruition and create the physical realisation of his vision of 21st century country house hospitality; the Lympstone Manor. The 21 stylish guestrooms and suites at Lympstone Manor are all individually designed and inspired by the birds that inhabit the local estuary, making each room unique with a true sense of place and belonging with its’ surrounding environment. Meraki plays with finishes, textures and tones; from luxurious velvets, sheer linens and sturdier cottons to Estrema marble, oak wood flooring and aged brass detailing from St James Collection.
Company: Meraki Design
Project: Lympstone Manor
Project Location: Devon, United Kingdom
The refurbishment and conversion of a grade II listed country house into a 21 bedroom hotel and fine dining restaurant of Michelin starred quality. The scheme was to include the refurbishment and conversion of all front of house areas; 21 bedrooms, corridors, three fine dining rooms, lounges, bar area. We were required to provide the interior design for all front of house areas working with the Client and subsequent trade contractors providing them with the design and specification for all building works elements (tiles, paint, floor finishes, ceiling finishes, etc) of the interior design and personally carrying out the procurement on behalf of the Client and managing the installation of all interior designed fixtures, fittings and equipment to ensure the hotel and restaurant and front of house areas are ready for occupation.
The interior design was guided by a philosophy of restoring and preserving the integrity of the original Manor house. It respects the history of the building and celebrates it by reinstating architectural elements that were damaged by doing extensive research, using old photographs and moulds to reconstruct and restore the property. The history and the context of the Manor deeply influenced all the interior design decisions. The Estuary and Jurassic coast led the colours of the public areas and have created a serene mood throughout the hotel. The interiors draw the eye out to commemorate the view instead of competing with it. The colour of the tide continuously changes from golden hues, to soft dove blues to champagne. The client had already settled on using the birds of the estuary as room names which again informed the basis of the colour schemes of all the rooms. We referenced classic furniture as a basis for the style of furniture then deconstructed it into simpler more contemporary forms in plain fabrics that converse in a textural play. Then the objet d’art further reinstate the uniqueness of the property with found antiquities that are all hand selected and thoughtfully displayed creating a sense of escapism in luxury that is welcoming and calm.
Preserving the authenticity of the building and staying within the budget given. We kept a very tight watch on the figures and had everything planned and signed off from the start but with any building of this nature there are always surprises. Our team had allowed for this and small compromises had to be made but overall we managed to deliver on time and on budget.
Michael Caines (the Client) hand selected 3 designers from the 40 who bid. Our practice was 1 year old at the time and didn’t have such a large project under its belt. It is was incredible to even be selected then but once we got the full job it was a great accomplishment for us . The second highlights was handing over the project exactly as per our 3D visuals on time and spot on budget.
The SBID awards are internationally acclaimed and we felt this was a great place to showcase this unique project that relies heavily on British heritage and design.
Questions answered by Eris Koutsoudakis, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Meraki Design
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week inspired by nature with Bilska de Beaupuy transforming an indoor space with the characteristics of outdoor living, click here to see more.
Meraki Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
Following the design extravaganza that was every designer’s dream at Salone del Mobile in April last month (read our Salone round-up here), we take a snapshot look at what design events May had to offer and still has in store for all the design professionals, students and enthusiasts among us who are keen to keep the momentum going after such a triumphant exhibition of the design industry’s latest products and trends in Milan.
Vectorworks are committed to developing the world’s best cross-platform CAD and BIM software, providing powerful tools to help designers capture their ideas, communicate effectively, and realise their vision with their innovative creative solutions.
They hosted a free seminar to teach designers how to utilise the Vectorworks software and produce high quality visuals; covering the use of VectorworksArchitect and Renderworks to create plans, sections and elevations, as well as visualisations of interior design schemes. If you’re keen to continually develop your skills as an interior designer, making the most of free, valuable seminars like this is the best way to stay relevant and keep your finger on the pulse of an ever-evolving industry which is increasingly relying on technology to aid project development from concept to construction and improve the design process.
Check out other Vectorworks events, here, or catch one of their free webinars! Click here to find out more.
Whether you directly work in, are involved in, or simply interested in the built environment, whether it be through interior design, architecture, engineering or the wider construction industry, we all have a responsibility to make sure the profession is more diverse, inclusive, and representative of the societies and communities this line of work functions within.
“Inclusive design is a process of designing, building, managing and populating places and spaces that ensures that they work for as many people as possible.” – Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
The BDP Birmingham studio’s Kieren Majhail hosted a cross institute event to discuss diversity in the built environment with other hosts including Pinsent Masons, Birmingham Architectural Association, and Women in Property. The subject is particularly topical as recently published gender pay gap figures suggest the construction industry needs to significantly improve in recruiting and retaining women, particularly at senior level, and that racial equality is potentially an even more prominent issue. A panel of guest speakers were brought together to discuss these issues and look at ways of improving diversity across the industry as a whole.
You can help support diversity in the built environment too by attending, engaging with and talking about events like this! Support BDP’s next event to promote and celebrate women in engineering on Friday 22nd June 2018. Click here to find out more.
The SBID Business Breakfast Meeting interior design events aim to bring together relevant industry professionals. Connecting prestigious designers or specifiers with high quality manufacturers to facilitate networking opportunities and encourage the development of professional partnerships to generate mutually beneficial business opportunities. This Breakfast Meeting was hosted the experts in handmade and ethically-sourced beds and bedding, Hästens Beds. The events are designed on a monthly basis so if you missed out this time, make sure you register your interest for the next Breakfast Meeting on 13th June 2018 with Poggenpohl to avoid disappointment.
SBID networking opportunities are exclusively available for SBID members. If you would like the chance to attend, find out how to become a member, here.
This month will see the ninth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), one of the UK’s leading design events, take place from May 22-24th 2018 in EC1; the heart and home of design. As the annual focus for London’s leading design district, the festival programme has been created to reflect the unique nature of this vibrant London hub which is home to a plethora of creative businesses, design consultancies, showrooms and architectural practices. 2018 will again play host to hundreds of design events including design-led fringe events, a programme of showroom presentations, product launches, workshops, talks and public-facing installations. Activities will run over three days and follow a distinct trail from North to South, beginning at Spa Fields and stretching down to Farringdon.
In partnership with Mapei UK, Conversations at Clerkenwell has become an integral arena to introduce and discuss new products, raise industry issues and network with fellow A&D professionals. Our SBID Colour Council Co-chair, Carolina Calzada Oliveira, will be among the high-calibre of speakers exploring current industry topics on 24th May 2018. She will be leading the conversation in a colour trends session about the influence of colour in different spaces and the practicalities of the colour blue through applied colour psychology, with a focus on interior designers and commercial projects.
Click here to find out more.
Maison Images D’epinal and six other creative french workshops open a new showroom. On May 24, a new exhibition space dedicated to interior decorators and architects will open in the Marais in the former space of the renowned Zürcher contemporary art gallery. Seven French creative houses are joining forces to showcase their complementary savoir-faire and French craft excellence at the service of interior decorators and architects. Called the MANUFACTURE GALLERY PARIS and distributed throughout various different rooms, the showrooms offer visitors the opportunity to discover beautiful creations, tailor-made furniture, upholstery, table art, layout and decoration for hotels, palaces and private residences.
Discover more about the 7 exhibiting creative brands…
Interested in textiles and prints? If so, you can join this CPD talk and guided tour on the origin and history of the Textile Design Archive held by the John Lewis Partnership in their Heritage Centre based in Maidenhead. Starting at 11am, this talk focuses on historic textile printing techniques, the work of reputable designers and how they have inspired more contemporary designs and products. This is followed by a Q&A session with a John Lewis Partnership Archivist, then a guided tour of the Heritage Centre including the textile gallery, where the original artworks for many designs from c1800 onwards are displayed. Educate yourselves on the designs from the past, to give you inspirations for the future.
John Lewis for Business host their Talk and Tour CPD on multiple dates throughout the year. The next event will be held on the 20th June 2018. You can also see all the upcoming dates, here, or email [email protected] if you’re interested in attending.
The Society for British & International Design and our partner Be Open, have collaborated to launch a new national student competition for final year creative students and graduates across Interior Design, Interior Decoration, Fashion Design, Art and Product Design to submit their final year projects for a chance to win £30,000.
In collaboration with recognised SBID universities, with the support of industry members, sponsors and competition partner; Be Open, students across the creative industries are invited to submit their end of year project and propose a Course Leader to be recognised as Visionary Tutor 2018.
SBID have created this new life changing, equal opportunity competition in a bid to showcase emerging talent in each of the creative design industries, as well as providing the vital link in nurturing relationships between those completing their studies and professionals working in the industry.
Judges and sponsors will present the overall winner with a cash prize of £30,000; as well as £1,000 to each of the five category winners, and the winning tutors across each category with a Visionary Tutor 2018 award at the exclusive awards ceremony set to be held on 29th November 2018.
Entries are now open and students have until Friday 31st August to submit their entry through the SBID website www.sbid.org/student-competition. Category winners will be announced on 29th October, and the overall winner which will be selected from all entries will be announced at the awards ceremony in London the following month.
Judges will be looking for qualities such as originality of expression, individualism, creative use of materials and presentation skills. Each student or graduate may email one submission per category in one of the following mediums:
SBID founder, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, says “We are delighted to launch this competition for the benefit of Universities, students and support of Industry members. SBID recognise the time, research and financial cost invested in esteemed university education, the outcome of this competition is aimed at increasing the opportunity to gain employment from the most prestigious, innovative and creative companies from local, national and global to established or start-up. As a core value SBID and Be Open strongly believe in highlighting student activities and the potential the experience brings”.
To find out more about the Designed for Business 2018 student competition, whether you are eligible, or how to enter your project, click here.
To throw spotlight on creativity around the world, we profiled the SBID Masters of Design. In the Volume 7 Issue 1 edition of eSociety, we talked to the contemporary Chinese sculptor, Qu Guangci, about his approach to merging art with interior design.
In 1994 Qu Guangci won the Sculpture Award at the 8th National Fine Arts Exhibition, becoming the youngest winner in history at the age of 25. As an artist he has attracted widespread attention for his contemporary sculpture language and his post-political expression techniques. Here’s what he had to say about the role of art in interior design…
How do you believe you can have a positive impact as an artist?
As an artist, I measure effort and establish standards from the perspective of the spirit of humanity. I see art as being something like a ‘home accessory’ because we try to demonstrate that art can have a positive effect on the relationship between people and the home. This change in the relationship enhances the connection between people, objects, and spaces. It is a challenge as well as an opportunity to improve people’s lives.
Have you always wanted to work in interior design?
It wasn’t my first intention. When I was creating artistically, for me tracing the logic between my art and the spaces in which my artworks will be displayed became more interesting then the creation of new things themselves. I love the feeling when I decode that underlining connection. I founded X+Q Art in 2010 as an experiment in associating art with interior design. I’ve talked to many successful interior designers around the world to refine our artworks in order to perfectly incorporate them into their spaces and to measure how successful the connection is between the two.
Do you think that art and design can make the world a better place?
To me, art is perfection. It is a phenomenon of a well-balanced relationship among people, nature, and everything in the universe. Creating art is like creating such a relationship. The ultimate purpose is to show people where they can find that point in the relationship where their lives are perfectly balanced.
Read the rest of this feature to discover more about Qu Guangci. From his thoughts on the difference between Chinese and Western design and the project he is most proud of, to what influences him creatively and the advice he would give to the next generation of creatives.
Read the rest of this feature →
Qu Guangci, contemporary Chinese scultptor and Founder of X+Q Art
This feature originally appeared in the SBID Masters of Design section within Volume 7 Issue 1 of the official SBID interior design magazine, eSociety.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a project about transformation and interaction. London architectural studio, Bilska de Beaupuy, refurbished a bathroom in central London, exploring the theme of indoor-outdoor space. By studying characteristics of nature and translating them into the language of design, the architects aimed to create an in-between zone with an interior design scheme which creates a space that becomes a metaphor for nature.
The plants serve to not only as decoration to engage the Client as she witnesses their growth and evolution, but also act to filter the air through their leaves, roots and soil microflora system. The reflective, smooth texture and versatile patterns of the walls and ceiling seem to change depending on the lighting conditions and time of the day. The central design piece is a 3-dimensional fluid trellis made of gold-plated jewellery chains that function to support the climbing pants.
Company: Bilska de Beaupuy
Project: Indoor Outdoor Bathroom
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
The project is a refurbishment of a 6 square meter en-suite bathroom in central London. The Client wished to have a space where she could feel like she was being ‘outside’ while being inside her bathroom. The interior design brief listed replacing the bathtub with a walk-in shower, a design that will allow for low maintenance, with multiple built-in storage and plants easy to grow.
We took the Client’s brief literally and decided to explore ‘what is outside?’. In the design research we associated the ‘outside’ with ‘nature’. We continued to explore the theme through asking ‘what does nature look like? How does nature function? What does nature feel like?’. This gave us a range of ideas on which we based the formal concept of the project. We studied characteristics of nature such as different forms of water and how water is materialised in nature, from waterfalls and glaciers to underground water caves. Furthermore, Indoor Outdoor bathroom was actually designed for a video artist who creates short, magical videos portraying close-ups of water.
The main challenge was to create the bespoke shower wall. To find a supplier willing to manufacture a curved glass wall with such radius was challenging. It required many testing and came out as a stunning focal piece. The manufacturer told us this was the only curved shower glass wall that existed with such a radius and was made from recycled glass. The installation was also a challenge, but we found an incredible team of professionals who made it all happen.
Finding a solution to a metal for the cables that would not be affected by age, temperature, humidity and splashing water. The Client wished to have a feeling of femininity in her bathroom, so stainless steel was not an option, and after much research we found that brass and copper without toxic treatment would not last a week without changing appearance or being damaged. Thanks to a friend of ours who is a fine jewellery specialist in Paris advised us on the predicament, so we were able to source gold platted jewellery chains with a rose gold tint. Overall, the chains work beautifully in the bathroom with the lava grey Tadelakt and lush dark green plants. Gold is the less reactive of all metals. It endures well heat, air and humidity and ages gracefully without the need of adding any coating or treatment.
We heard it was the place to be recognised by the highest standard of designers and professionals in the interior design industry.
Questions answered by the design duo, Monika Bilska and Arabella de Beaupuy, co-founders of Bilska de Beaupuy
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the charming Regent Street window display which reveals the ever-enchanting secret garden of Jo Malone London, click here to see more.
Bilska de Beaupuy | SBID International Design Awards 2018
The most eagerly anticipated event on the interior design industry’s calendar once again drew in a myriad of designers, architects, editors, specifiers and enthusiasts alike as they descended upon Milan Design Week last month for the annual international furniture and design fair, Salone del Mobile. The shroud of primed interior designers and industry professionals culminated to a remarkable attendance record, hitting new heights of 1,841 exhibitors and 434,509 visitors from 188 different countries across the 6-day stint. Whether attendees were there to showcase or to survey, there was plenty to discover from the global plethora of products at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition. If you weren’t among the Milan-bound masses to attend this year to indulge in the latest design inspirations, discover the furniture of the future, and stay in the know for all the up and coming trends across the realms from furniture and lighting, to decor and accessories and much more – don’t panic. We’re sharing a few of our favourite furnishing finds, top trends, and new innovations right here…
Founded by Marcel Wanders, Moooi is an innovative design brand brimming with personality, designed to curate iconic and timeless collections across lighting, furniture and accessories which possess the unique charm and character of antique furnishings, combined with the modernity of current times. Creating unique interior environments with a bold amalgamation of design elements to explore and embrace unusual patterns, textures and colours. This fusion of inspiration from juxtaposing eras of design is upheld in their latest collaboration with Arte, to an exotic and existential degree.
Moooi x Arte unveiled their new wallcoverings collection which brings the exoticism of the extinct triumphantly back into the 21st century with a menagerie of bygone creatures of the past. The Museum of Extinct Animals pushes the boundaries of design with an exquisite and daring series of wallpaper, inspired by 10 recently discovered drawings of extinct animals which Moooi found in the depths of historical museums. The sketches were imbued with the unprecedented beauty of these forgotten, untamed creatures and their distinctive characteristics brought a wealth of inspiration which the collection bravely reinvented to curate this wildly provocative, yet strikingly poetic design of luxury wallpaper. We think this is an alluring and captivating homage to the dark fragility and humbling history of creatures lost to the harsh realities of existence and evolution.
Read more about some of the designs in the series, here.
In the realm of tapware, there is an increasing preponderance of metal finishes that have moved on from classic chrome, shifting towards the preciousness of old gold, the warm tones of copper, and the silky effects of burnishing.
Boffi and Fantini combined forces to forge their Aboutwater collection. The partnership is based on the concept of creating faucets and shower systems with a conceptually timeless, modern and elegant design, whilst also ensuring products are manufactured with materials that respect the environment; assuring the best duration over time. The AF/21 series designed by Naoto Fukasawa is made from an eco-compatible material, which guarantees maximum hygiene and resistance to corrosion. The collection ensures longevity and is therefore mindful of preserving the planet and the reduction of unnecessary waste.
The Living Nature installation is a small, intelligent and sustainable universe containing four different ecosystems, which encourages us to look inwardly at the ecosystem we inhabit, and more specifically, an issue which has increasingly plagued the industrial design industry and the built environment. Sustainability will only continue to grow in significance as the struggle to maintain an ecological balance becomes a prominent global concern. Salone del Mobile thoughtfully and interactively ponders the possible reconciliation of man and nature with an emotive installation that sparks the debate on the value of sustainable living. Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) produced an evocative and experiential pavilion in which to allow visitors to explore fundamental concepts relating to the eroding relationship between nature and the city; and ultimately, the effects of climate change and continuing industrial development.
‘in the 20th century, cities expanded outwards to conquer nature and the countryside … we believe that today’s challenge is the opposite: how can we bring nature back to the city and into the home?’ – Carlo Ratti
A single 500 m2 space located opposite Palazzo Reale in Piazza del Duomo and receiving over 2,000 visitors a day, the Living Nature installation acted as a continuation of the Salone in the city as a glass encased laboratory combining design, engineering and botany. Conceived with energy saving criteria in mind, the installation housed plants under a 5-meter-high selective crystal membrane that dynamically filters the sun based on input from light-reactive sensors and uses organic photovoltaic panels to create four natural, climactic microcosms that enable the four seasons of the year to unfold at the same time. Visitors were immersed in nature and experienced its changes as they made their way through each of the zones – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.
Read more about the project, here.
Once again, the attention of guests at Milan Design Week is directed to the future of sustainable design as architect Kengo Kuma, together with 3D experience company Dassault Systèmes, uses a stunning, dynamic and architectural display of Japanese ancestral origami techniques, incorporated with innovative advancements in technology to combine the fields of tech, design and sustainability. An intelligent air-purifying installation called Breath/ng which due to its sheer scale, immersive structure and intricate construction wowed audiences across a spectrum of design specialisms but also carried an important message at its root. To encourage designers to combine technology and design as a means of contributing to the resolution of core environmental issues.
Made from 175 square meters of a cutting-edge new mesh fabric called the ‘breath technology’ developed by anemotech, this material possess pollution-neutralising qualities as it contains a nanomolecule-activated core that separates and absorbs toxic molecules. This allows the fabric to filter the air as it captures and disaggregates polluted molecules, allowing the clean, unsoiled air to continue it’s natural flow which systematically lowers the bacterial load of the air that gets in contact with the material’s fibres.
This installation not only provides a smart, ecological means of purifying the air we breathe in a deviceful and meaningful way, but also offers a realistic solution for reducing air pollutants and harmful emissions which is an insightful and pivotal step in directing a discourse towards a feasible method of tackling global environmental issues.
In light of this, with one of the most preeminent design events of the year exhibiting overriding themes which relate to notions of existence, balancing design with environmental responsibility, and demonstrating how the ever-merging relationship between design and technology can be utilised to implement sustainability initiatives, it is clear that designers and manufacturers are continuing to adopt a deeper consciousness for the wider sociological impact of their role within the industry. The challenge for the design industry and professionals as a whole therefore, is to come up with innovative, sustainable, practical and applicable design solutions by harnessing existing technological advancements in an intelligent manner.
To see more from Salone del Mobile 2018 or find out about next years event, click here.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features Thomas-McBrien Architect’s installation for the Jo Malone London shop window on Regent Street. This beautifully executed and well orchestrated display of visual merchandising, attention to detail and craftsmanship is epitomised by the 100,000 handmade, individually creased, shaped and folded paper used to transform the entrance to the boutique into Jo Malone’s very own Secret Garden, inspired by ingredients from their signature scents. The design scheme of this project aims to celebrate the quintessential British garden through elegant details, and incorporate ideas of enchantment and surprise to capture the whimsical and fragrant essence of the Jo Malone brand.
Company: Thomas-McBrien Architects in collaboration with Paper & Wood
Project: Jo Malone London
The project is part of the Royal Institute of British Architect’s (RIBA) annual Regent Street Windows competition. Our window is one of seven entries on display. Our client, Jo Malone London, selected us, Thomas-McBrien Architects in collaboration with Paper & Wood, as the designers for their competition entry. We were given an open brief, but it was important to us and our client that the design reflected the ethos of the brand.
Our installation celebrates the quintessential British garden, a constant source of inspiration for Jo Malone London. In addition to this, we used the ideas of enchantment and surprise to create the Jo Malone London Secret Garden. The garden offers a serene environment and respite from the city, aiming to capture the immersive experience offered at the Jo Malone London, Regent Street boutique.
Each of the 100,000 paper elements of the garden has been creased, shaped and folded by hand. The handmade aspect of the paper garden reflects the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into the creation of each one of Jo Malone’s refined fragrances.
Our toughest hurdle was time. We had 8-weeks to design, make and install the window display in the Jo Malone London Regent Street boutique.
Our highlight of the project was the level of commitment and trust our client showed us throughout the entire process. The Jo Malone London team were fully invested in our design from the outset. A special mention must also be given to our team of makers and volunteers who helped us. Our contractor, fabricators, suppliers and craftsmen were all integral in making the project a success.
It is a highly respected celebration of design excellence and an honour to be even considered for an SBID Award!
Questions answered by Barry McBrien (Founder & Director), Daniel Gullan (Project Assistant Architect) at Thomas-McBrien Architects, and Zack Mclaughlin, Artist & Founder of Paper & Wood.
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the timelessly stylish redesign of the iconic ‘Living Room’ bar brand in Manchester, click here to see more.
Thomas-McBrien Architects | SBID International Design Awards 2018
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