Property is built to last, but how it is used is constantly evolving. As properties now see many incarnations, adapting their usage from old banks, railway stations and working mills into homes, wedding venues and boutique hotels - the interior design approach we take has had to evolve.
From staying true to a building’s end purpose to embracing and emphasising glorious heritage features to give us interiors inspiration, every detail of the interior design scheme needs to be considered. From the common concept of choosing your colour palette, to the more abstract concept of incorporating balance and harmony into the design mix - gone are the days of basic and simple designs that blend in; we are now embracing a much bolder design era through every room. This is especially true in the bathroom which previously was just a place for functional use but now sees design inspiration from other areas as people look to use it for relaxing, unwinding and getting some elusive ‘me time’.
The idea of changing rooms has never been truer than when we look to the hotel industry. Not only is it the public spaces which get upgraded but the bedrooms and bathrooms are becoming a bigger focus and opportunity for the industry to ban the bland and opt for playful spaces which help them stand out and meet the demands of increasingly trend-aware guests. There’s more to marry up than ever before though.
In the age of the digital detox and the mindfulness movement, Biophilic interior design, connecting with nature, isn’t new but it’s definitely sought after and helps hotels get guests through the door. But it’s no mean feat bringing the outdoors in to calm the mind and cleanse the soul while making sure the minute you get in the room, cutting-edge technology can still keep you connected to the outside world.
Then of course you drill down to the basics, the practical products that make or break a hotel room. Keeping the space clutter free, building clever compositions with furnishings and finessing the focal points, while making sure your guests have a home for everything they may need during a stay. In the bathroom, this can mean a drenching shower, quiet soft close toilet seat and a towel in the perfect place when needed.
To discover how bathroom brands are adapting to the changing demands and priorities of hotel guests, and therefore specifiers in the digital age, we spoke to Sophie Taylor, the National Specification Manager of luxury bathroom brand, Heritage Bathrooms.
“A hotel could easily get caught up in a revolving design overhaul, ushering in new trends as they come and go, and when you work in the hospitality industry the high traffic wear and tear a space will see could probably justify it. But at Heritage, we believe that you could turn our products to any backdrop and their distinctively individual design will continue to shine through year after year.”
“One such way to ensure a bathroom can stand the test of time and be infinitely adaptable is to opt for products which are built with personalisation in mind. Heritage cast iron baths which are primed and ready to paint in any hue or retro fit brassware which can be updated as though it is jewellery on a designer outfit, are products which can evolve in line with changing trends and demands, and therefore a smart and stylish way to future-proof your design.”
“Of course, substance remains equally as important as style especially within the hospitality industry, so striking the perfect balance between fashion and functionality is paramount for specifiers. That’s where multi-purpose products come in.”
“The exposed metallic base of a washstand for example oozes boutique glamour, but options with accessories and amenities to add a little something extra to a hotel guest’s experience are also ideal for ticking the practicality box. Glass shelves to display toiletries and towel rails for convenient hand drying are little touches which go a long way and help to keep a hotel bathroom both clutter free and chic, while ensuring guests leave feeling like they’ve had the luxury treatment.”
“This all ties into the idea of well-being, self-care and ‘me time’ too which is a huge focus within the specification market at the moment - where the role of a bathroom is no longer really just a bathroom at all. Providing a relaxing place to not only bathe but also read a book, pamper or listen to music is key in order to appeal to modern guests who are already increasingly blurring the lines between bathroom spaces and living spaces within their own homes. This expectation means specifiers should take an integrated approach to designing technology, lighting, flooring and décor to ensure the final vision for the interior design is seamless and all elements work together in harmony.”
“Finally, in the age of Instagram where the seeds of interior design inspiration are sewn and shared, bathroom designs which delight and make an impact are providing hoteliers and specifiers with a new and exciting viral marketing opportunity too. Despite this being a relatively new phenomenon, Schofield’s insurance recently found that 40% of 21 – 37 year olds now choose their holiday destinations based on how good they will look on Instagram - so it’s more important than ever that hoteliers and specifiers work together to create unforgettable spaces in order to remain competitive and make the cut in this growing market. At Heritage, we support this by constantly reviewing trends and bringing the latest inspiration to our products. For example we have just launched a daring mock-croc effect bath called Alderley with these Instagram guests in mind, giving hoteliers a playful way to introduce showstopping and tactile textures with ‘feel appeal’ across all elements of a guest bathroom space. It is the ideal way to create a truly unforgettable aesthetic that guests are sure to love to share.”
Creating the new hybrid hotel to make it a timeless destination and an oasis of opulence, calmness and serenity, will take its own design journey, one that is perfect to start at the Independent Hotel Show on 16/17 October at Olympia, London – an event that plays host to a curated collection of innovative products and brands from across the hotel supply chain. Heritage Bathrooms are showcasing some of their stand out designs and sharing inspirational ideas for boutique hotels. Visit them on stand 187.
To find out how the Heritage Bathrooms product portfolio of beautiful brassware, suites, freestanding baths and accessories could help you when changing your rooms, or to find out more about its end to end specification service visit: www.heritagebathrooms.com/specify
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an imposing, new build ‘Manor House’ style country home which married together a traditional façade with a contemporary and sumptuous interior, comprising of over 9,239 square feet of living space. Oakeve Interiors were involved in every aspect of the interior design of Hurlingham in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. This magnificent residence of grand proportions effortlessly combined opulence with practicality and comfort, responding directly to the design brief. The integration of sensible, user-friendly technologies, combined with a luxurious interiors scheme, which included statement pieces of iconic artwork and sculptures, created a home that sold to clients that bought into the ‘aspirational lifestyle choice’ and purchased Hurlingham with the full show home interiors package. The purchasers described Hurlingham as “the luxurious home that they had always dreamed of owning.”
Company: Oakeve Interiors
Project: Hurlingham
Project Location: Beaconsfield, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
The design brief was to translate ideas and specifications of the developer client into a stunning interiors scheme, engendering an ‘aspirational family lifestyle’ choice, whilst balancing this with the need to adhere to a strict budget.
What inspired the design of the project?
The traditional ‘Manor House’ façade of Hurlingham distinguishes itself from neighbouring properties, creating a statement, luxury residence on one of the most exclusive residential roads in Buckinghamshire. The property’s statuesque façade provided inspiration to the interiors scheme, as an opulent scheme was needed to reflect the grandeur of the property’s exterior.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
Within the Kitchen design, ensuring connectivity within the large, open plan space to allow for cooking, dining and relaxation areas was a key and challenging aspect of the project.
This was successfully realised by utilising a combination of luxury, state-of-the-art appliances, with generous circulation spaces and a large, but proportionate, kitchen island, resulting in the cooking area being perfectly sized for the room proportions.
Bespoke, individually commissioned furniture in a complementary high gloss, bird’s eye maple veneer to the Kitchen cabinetry was designed for the Breakfast Area and Family Room to ensure design continuity, creating a sumptuous, seamless flow within this capacious open-plan living space. In addition, to further enforce this association, a complementary amethyst and smoked grey colour palette was utilised throughout.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Hurlingham married the finest handcrafted materials with state-of-the-art technology and unparalleled attention-to-detail, creating a luxurious show home, meeting the brief and providing the client with a unique, very saleable asset. One of our highlights came upon successfully answering the design brief and handing over the project to the developer client as the property sold within two weeks of its official launch and within 5% of the £6 million guide price, along with the full interior design scheme.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
The SBID International Design Awards are very prestigious and revered accolades that set the industry benchmark for acclaimed, skilful interior design and architecture across the globe. They acknowledge the passion, commitment and hard work by individuals and organisations alike, attaining recognition and respect from our peers and within the interior and architectural industry as a whole.
Questions answered by Iona Newton, Director of Interior Design at Oakeve Interiors.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a contemporary workplace which connects office spaces with architecture, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Oakeve Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a stunningly stylish kitchen design in Alderley Edge, Cheshire curated by ArtHouse Creative Interiors. With an exciting full house renovation taking place, their client wanted an elegant SieMatic kitchen that would harmonise with the new open plan living space. Not your typical kitchen designers, ArtHouse are an interior design company who specialise in luxury kitchens. As an exclusive SieMatic dealership the focus is on kitchen design which not only provides a solution to your needs from a performance point of view, but is an investment for your home and looks fabulous too. The client lived locally to the SieMatic showroom in the affluent Cheshire village of Alderley Edge and worked closely with the designers at ArtHouse for the kitchen design, from the client’s first consultation, through the whole design process, to the installation and aftercare of the SieMatic kitchen.
Company: ArtHouse Creative Interiors
Project: Alderley Edge
Project Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
When we work with residential clients, we need to take into account their individual needs, style and the architecture of their home. The brief from this particular client needed to ensure that the kitchen design synchronised well with the modern architecture of their newly refurbished home. Large, double height windows at the front of the house welcome you in to the open plan living space of the kitchen, dining and lounge areas. The kitchen area needed to be family friendly and we had a deadline to keep to as the client was due to have a baby, therefore the project needed to be finished before the arrival of their little girl.
What inspired the design of the Project?
As a starting point, we needed to be mindful of the architecture of the property. The external glazing which ran all the way up the property created a dramatic design which also complemented the farmhouse style building. The proposed interior design of the ground floor also influenced the key features of the kitchen design, with the dark wooden floor that was going to be installed throughout the kitchen space was a clear break point from the rest of the open space. The full height ceiling in the dining area allowed for dramatic lighting and a feature wall detail which is a contrast to the rest of the cosy lounge area.
Balancing SieMatic’s handle-less style in the Lotus White Lacquer finish with subtle elements of smoked oak in the open shelving units and the interiors of the tall nickel gloss cabinets create style elements of symmetry and asymmetry which harmonise together with seemingly opposing styles. During the design process we were concerned that the main back wall may look too heavy and over power the room. So we came up with a design where we incorporated two long slim windows either side of the sink run. This was greatly received by the client as it broke up the expanse of the wall and created specific zones for: refrigeration, sink/ dishwashers, larders and cooking area. The introduction of the grey mirrored glass to the back wall of the sink run was another specific design feature that concealed away the TV behind and the grey mirror to the left hand side of the sink.
During the installation of the kitchen, we came across a few obstacles along the way with the Neolith Estatuario worktops, which brings a stylistic connection between past, present and future that combines the classic and the elegance of marble with the revolutionary Neolith technology. Due to the size of the island we needed this to book match the main worktop, vein match the side panels and table top and the 50mm downturns to all areas, this was a difficult detail for our fabricators but these fine details really add an element of luxury and symmetry.
Now that the project has come to an end, ArtHouse Creative Interiors are proud to see the finished kitchen design in its element, taking centre stage to the open plan living of the family home. We are immensely proud of the work that we have created and we pride ourselves on customer service and building excellent reputations and relationships both in the industry and with individual clients.
We believe that the SBID awards are one of the most influential Awards as they have high expectations and a wealth of industry experience in all areas of design. We entered this project into the KBB- SBID Design Awards because we knew that it was something special, not only to the client but to us as interior designers as well.
Questions answered by Julie Otulakowski, Managing Director and Emma Furber, Designer at ArtHouse Creative Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the refined and sustainable hotel experience with QO Amsterdam, click here to see more.
ArtHouse Creative Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the interior specification design for the Dollar Bay Penthouses located in Canary Wharf, London. Suna Interior Design was selected by Mount Anvil and Citystyle (One Housing) to translate the faceted and linear qualities of this unique building in different ways throughout the property. Complimenting the striking architecture and creating a harmony between the exterior and interior elements were integral to the style and design of this luxury residential development. Dollar Bay sits in a glamorous enclave where elite fashion brands, high-end dining, leisure and charismatic nightlife come together to offer a cultured and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Suna Interior Design carefully considered every design decision to reflect this aura of affluence and style, typified by the building's opulent surroundings.
Company: Suna Interior Design
Project: Dollar Bay Penthouse
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
When we work with developers on any specification work, we take into account many contributory factors.
In this instance, we were working on only two apartments but they were the jewel in the crown of this development as they were the triplex penthouse units atop the striking Dollar Bay development for Mount Anvil. The penthouse apartments offered a truly unique space as the interior was spread across four floors finishing with an impressive multifunctional area consisting of a spa, dining and lounge area with triple height glazing and views across the docklands landscape.
As with all penthouse designs, the client needed us to come up with a design for the interior which would impress their potential buyers and maximise the space within. When specifying interiors that need to stand the test of time it is important to select finishes that will not date and choose products that have a long aesthetic lifespan. We combine this with adding in individual design details to add some identity to the interior and touch points to link it to the architecture.
The fundamental starting point for all of the design was the architecture of the building. The external glazing facets in and out which ran all the way up the structure created a truly impressive and dramatic design aesthetic. This influenced many key features of the interior design. Specifically the internal doors and ironmongery were bespoke, designed to incorporate the same faceted and angled designs to mirror the rest of the property. Having a direct correlation between the interior and the exterior creates an intelligently curated overall aesthetic with synergy between all areas.
One of the hardest areas to design was the master ensuite due to the layout of the room and the desire to create an impressive addition to the master bedroom. The area we were working with reflected the angled features of the architecture. The unusual space with large glazing panels displayed incredible views across Canary Wharf and linked the ensuite to the generous winter garden which wrapped around the perimeter of the rooms. The angled shape of the space ended up working to our advantage, allowing us to position the shower enclosure to the rear, hiding the WC between the smoked shower screen and a bespoke slatted divider beside the vanity unit. The double basin vanity was a truly impressive feature with a bespoke marble vanity unit and shelf that bisected a full height mirror with integrated Led lighting. We used the Agape Sen range of brassware that followed the linear lines of the vanity and finished off this area perfectly. We sourced a unique slash sided freestanding bath that butted to the angled wall and provided a luxurious bathing area with fantastic views.
The most impressive area within the apartment is the last one you come across. At the top of the building there is a 3 storey open spa which links the dining room and an upper open floor as a second lounge. We knew when we started looking at this impressive space that the large wall that forms the backdrop to the spa area needed to have impact. As it is such a large wall area we wanted to add product which would break it up and add interest. We selected a tile product that was available in multiple sizes and surface finishes so that each one would catch the light differently. In addition we added in recess strip lighting to the wall in specific areas so that the whole area would transform from day to night.
We hold the opinions of those at SBID very high as we know they have high expectations and broad industry experience. Achieving success at these awards would be an accolade we would be immensely proud off and a testament to the work we have produced.
Questions answered by Helen Fewster, Director at Suna Interior Design
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Suna Interior Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
An interesting and important discussion is being launched here by kitchen design expert and SBID member Darren Morgan. This blog appeared in Modenus, one of SBID’s media partner for which Darren contributes regularly. Please feel free to leave a comment below. For more information about Darren, his work as a kitchen designer, writer and speaker, please contact him through his website.
‘I, like many, understand the power of hope and the bitterness of disappointment. The everyday exchanges that make up our lives are potentially loaded with both these emotions. But no matter how proactive we are in trying to protect our hope from disappointment, inevitably sometimes our valiant efforts are unsuccessful!
The funny thing about hope is that you only experience it when looking forward while disappointment always occurs in the present or past. It therefore seems appropriate as we look back at 2011 to consider the impact of both disappointment and hope upon the kitchen industry.
It is true that one of the main disappointments of 2011 has been the inability to shake off the global debt crisis which has not only hung around like a bad smell but has decided to act like an evil hobgoblin and dig its claws deeper into an industry that is reeling from an uncertain Euro zone. This uncertainty has stifled opportunities; well any that involves spending money, and even if corporate cash has been spent, those responsible for signing the cheque may well decide to change their mind as uncertain financial fear spreads like a disease. There have been one or two high profile companies who have decided to rethink their investment lately with Indesit deciding to abandon visionary plans for Scholtès UK and Lechner deciding to consolidate their efforts as opposed to spreading them wider.
But sometimes the darkness of disappointment can encourage us to look for the light of hope in places and ways we never imagined. Adaptation in the face of adversity is a basic human evolutionary principle that can be applied to our lives and our work. Although these shock disappointments cause further uncertainty and fear they also create gaps and market opportunities for other brands.
Because of wider economic pressures and disappointments the kitchen industry is now undergoing a pubescent change. Gone are the good old days where companies could have it how they liked, acting like spoiled kids who didn’t need to adapt or change. The kitchen industry is currently undergoing a period of introverted reflection and beginning to appreciate core values which will make it stronger in the future. And this new found maturity is certainly offering hope.
With less money around in the economy the kitchen industry is now driven by a clear need to deliver stylish value. And this determination brings with it better products, better service and better design. We are currently in the process of redefining the evolutionary path of kitchen design and therefore the industry as we know it.
Technology is driving the change with manufacturers using it to increase efficiency and market share. The products delivered by the flamboyant research and development budgets of the past are now being reconsidered, adapted and transformed in order to make them better and more cost effective. This is particularly evident in the production of laminate materials where choices and design options have bounded forward giving designers a cost effective alternative material to work with. The change in market conditions may also see a long term re-investment in Western industry as Eastern manufacturing regions like China may not seem as economically appealing to large scale producers.
For years kitchen designers have been seen as a consequential by-product of kitchen sales but now design is finally being accepted as a fundamental part of the process. 2011 has seen a surge in the number of associations and groups focused on the promotion of kitchen design as an important and influential discipline. Although it is disappointing that these groups appear to have different approaches and objectives, their very existence does provide hope for the future, encouraging new talent to get involved and changing the public perception of the lowly kitchen designer.
Because of the new importance given to kitchen design as a facilitator of sales software companies are investing heavily in order to make their products better. A major hope for the future is that 3D technology will begin to redefine the interface between retailer and consumer allowing designers creativity to flourish and consumers understanding to grow. The advancements in 3D technology will not involve standing in a showroom wearing funny glasses either as the technology already exists to experience 3D without them. Clients will experience kitchen design in an augmented virtual reality where they can use online resources and Apps to create photorealistic visions of their future space.
Imagine using your iPad as a window into the future, allowing you to stand in a pre-fitted architectural space and appreciate the post installed results. Simply by moving and rotating the iPad you will be able to see what your new kitchen will look like before it is even made. These advancements may well impact the current retail model with showrooms becoming smaller and in some cases, virtual spaces! The reality of remote showroom accessibility and newly “qualified” kitchen designers acting as design and product translators may well be just around the corner! Who said change wasn’t exciting!
Every cloud has a silver lining and every problem has a solution so don’t let the industry failings and disappointments of the past 12 months dampen your hopes for wp-content/2012. If you are inventive, passionate and persistent your hopes for wp-content/2012 could deliver your best year yet!’
As the clock slowly ticks by and your once steaming coffee begins to get cold you can hardly disguise your anticipation, because this morning you are having your new kitchen fitted. Then slowly in the distance you see a lorry turn the corner. Inside this delivery truck is months of thought, planning and anticipation; a quiet voice in the back of your head asks; “I hope it looks okay” but you find reassurance in knowing that the designer you worked with was a professional, inspiring you and offering quiet reassuring confidence in equal measure. So how is it that in the past so many kitchen and bathroom designers have been under appreciated and overlooked by clients, other design professionals and even the very industry in which they work? But is this historical undervaluation of good design now turning the corner?
In many ways it is unbelievable that the designer of any product could be simply seen as a consequence of the actual product their employer is trying to sell. An underappreciated by-product of the bigger picture; kitchen and bathroom sales! In many ways the KBB industry has systematically turned things on their head, bypassing the source of inspiration and focusing solely on selling as quickly and as cheaply as possible, and because of this the kitchen and bathroom industry is riddled with holes. It is ironic that many companies choose to fill these holes with salespeople, in the guise of designers and wearing a name badge.
In a capitalist economy it is only right that manufacturers and retailers search for more efficient ways of delivering cost effective style solutions to the public, allowing the conveyer belt of product to keep trundling forwards.
But at what cost?
You cannot underestimate the power of product anticipation as each client, from whichever price bracket will undergo a personal journey leading up to having a new kitchen or bathroom installed. Clients may have made personal and economic sacrifices in order to afford their new installation which brings with it an overt expression of who they are and what they aspire to be. It is unfortunate therefore that in some instances, both in the multiples and the privately owned retailer, that the basic human connection between client and designer is overlooked, and because of this, things start to go wrong. Kitchen and bathroom design is about communication, empathy and experience and it is combining these tools with an understanding of function, design and architecture that one can truly be confident of delivering a good, client specific design.
It is important for the industry to understand that design is the source of everything, every kitchen, every worktop, every sink and that without the connection between consumer and designer the industry would have nothing to sell, because there would be no-one to sell to!
The kitchen and bathroom designer works on many levels. Some designers have the knowledge and experience to combine multiple, constantly changing components to create functionally astute and aesthetically pleasing products which will not break the bank. Creating a complex product like a kitchen on a budget is a skill that needs to be appreciated more. Other designers will be presented with the unique opportunity to be flamboyant, to reshape our expectations and deliver fantastic functional art installations that will have magazine editors clambering for a pen in order to get the unique, first hand insight into the vision of the designer. In a situation like this there is a desire to tap into the individual’s inspiration and suddenly the lowly kitchen or bathroom designer is allowed to step from the shadows onto the bigger and greatly more appreciated design stage. And so cometh a change! The pace of change has been slow and could be likened to water dripping on a stone, but just like the water, kitchen and bathroom designers are beginning to make a hole just big enough to let in some light. Some large multiple retailers are now advertising the fact that they employ good designers exploiting the personal connection and the reassurances that a good designer can offer. However it could be argued that some of the bigger names in the industry did not value the designer at all, instead they promoted a campaign of destructive discounting which damaged the industry and ultimately consigned their own names to the history books. But just as in any blockbuster movie depicting apocalyptic scenes of self destruction the KBB industry has been offered an opportunity for re-birth, a new avenue to explore, a faint light at the end of the tunnel. A small band of mavericks have broken away from the traditional retail model choosing to offer kitchen design on a “design only” basis. These “design only” companies are offering a new way of buying a kitchen and presenting a new opportunity to manufacturers to source clients from places they had never dreamt of. Design is flexible and not geographically restricted therefore the possibilities offered from these “design only” companies must be explored by manufacturers, retailers and even other design disciplines.
Remember, design is the source of every product, and the kitchen and bathroom designer is fast becoming the gate keeper between client and manufacturer. Independent designers can offer flexibility and clarity to the buying process, acting as industry translators and as an easy source of new clientele for manufacturers. Independent designers also offer the industry a comprehensive range of design solutions on a pay and go basis allowing struggling businesses to stay open and more celebrated enterprises to flourish.
Independent designers should not be feared, they should be celebrated! Kitchen and bathroom design is changing!
www.designer-kitchen.com
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