Skip to main content

The subject matter of elaboration was interior design of Barbara’s Apartment located in Warsaw, Poland. The scope of the design service included interior design of the entrance hall with open reception with study place and open kitchen area together with the bedroom. The background of the design service was interior partly built with architectural design solution already implemented, as well as the bathrooms. The main goal of the assignment was to create amazing the most important areas and bring soul to this place, 80 sqm apartment on the 14th floor in residential building in Warsaw.

The realisation of this project was a multi-level challenge, in particular the incorporation and neutralisation of the found elements in the project which, as it turned out, were contrary to the owner's expectations and expression. Following the dream of our client Barbara, we immersed ourselves in the postmodernism of the Italian group “Memphis” and, on the other hand, in the Popart aesthetics of the 1960’s and 1970’s. It was quite a difficult and unconventional combination, but it turned out to be a platform for a lot of interesting ideas: full of intensity, colours and details mostly ending up in very individual furniture designs and patterns.

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.”

About Robert Majkut Design Ltd

RMD is a repeatedly awarded, international design practice in interior design, branding architecture & design strategy, focusing on highly creative and quality solutions for private and commercial investors. For more than 25 years we have been working for courageous people and strong brands, generating new market standards with them, creating sustainable values, embracing our insight and experience. During the design process, we always look for authenticity, we want to narrate real stories. The core is the power of art to create beauty, we use creativity to move forward and experience to fulfil. The company is featured best numerous editorials in consumer and trade magazines. Robert Majkut Design Ltd is based in London and has a representative office in Warsaw.

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 dark apartment design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ID4U studio.

SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Under £1M

Practice: ID4U Studio

Project: Green Autograph

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

What was the client's brief? 

Very unusual young woman owns this apartment. She is unique. So her brief was also untypical. She asked us to make her a “stylish and gloomy” apartment only for herself.

What inspired the design of the project?

Our magic client inspired us. We tried to create space which would reflect her a lot. We knew that our client would also appreciate some experiments, so we did it. At the same time we couldn’t ignore our fundamentals – comfort and cosiness. That’s why the interior concept was based on use of rich dark palette and concrete. But wooden walnut floors, different textiles, accents in gold and décor make this space very cozy.

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

We started this project before COVID. We created the whole concept. Everything was approved with the client. Covid quarantine came just before construction work started, so the project was paused. After few months we had to redo the whole concept and we had to remotely control the construction work.

The most complicated part of the project was the concrete staircase. We came up with the idea of it’s soft lines and rough material. Five people had been building it for two weeks.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

For a long time we were dreaming to create an interior with dark walls. We were happy that finally we met a client who agreed with that idea. And not only with dark walls but also with dark ceilings! We love this dark green bedroom. It is amazing. Even though the floor is also dark, the room is full off light coming from a giant window.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

By entering SBID Awards we want to share Ukrainian Interiors with the World. We want to show that our quality of work meets international standards and trends.

Questions answered by Viktoriya Moshchynska and Olga Griban, Co-Founders, ID4U Studio.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a timeless restaurant design by EDG Design, click here to read it.

Angel O'Donnell were asked to interior design a penthouse and sub-penthouse inside One St. John’s Wood, a new luxury development in NW8. Both residences enjoy the rarest of London views: big skies, treetops as far as the eye can see, golden sunrises, showstopping sunsets and, of course, the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground.

This happy blend of nature and iconic architecture inspired many choices – from hand-drawn floral motifs to sculptural furniture and geometric patterns. Each apartment, while different, feels part of an exclusive collection, something our client was keen to achieve.

In full flow

The rippling bronze coffee table base. The oscillating lines on the rug that resemble light-dappled water. The dimpled vase. The curled wooden bowl. Even the folds and twisted leather piping on the cushions. These fluid and irregular shapes balance the clean-lined simplicity of the joinery.

While the sofa Angel O'Donnell designed – with its walnut plinth base and mix of textured linen and multi-yarn weaves – is low-slung to maximise the views outside.

Making a splash

The designers upholstered these two Vladimir Kagan armchairs in a soft Edelman leather. They love their shape, like the flukes of a whale’s tail emerging from the watery deep.

In the mix

Arranging shapes, textures and colours is a way of forging relationships between seemingly disparate objects. It could be a conical lampshade paired with a pyramidal sculpture. Or a set of mixed-media collages that share tonal similarities with wood, brass and marble finishes. By selecting pieces with commonalities, the team brought an unsuspecting corner of the living room to life.

Cushion the blow

Striped cushions of multi-coloured linen yarns. Stone-washed cushions with handmade leather straps. And a superabundance of pillows and throws. It’s what every bedroom deserves.

Artwork depicting Singapore’s Garden City – with its intersecting lines and architectural supertrees – complement the elliptical shapes and parallel lines elsewhere in the room.

Go native

Against the cool calm of the white cotton sheets, dove-grey headboard and evergreen cushions, sit two bold fabrics inspired by Native American iconography. The mix of print and embroidery, geometric motifs and bright colours invigorate the warm neutrals in the scheme.

Turn over a new leaf

The flourishing mural of large leaves, delicate pods and long grasses has been hand drawn and printed onto panels. The design is exuberant and life-affirming – and a pleasing counterpoint to the measured fumed oak side tables, and cushions with their neat arrangement of teal, mint and ochre circles and crescents.

In good shape

The large bronze table lamp resembles a Stonehenge monolith. Its substantial frame provides a visual backbone to the mix of soft, plump and lean shapes in the room. Whether it’s the reassuringly rounded profile of the Marenco sofa or the shiny accents of the glamorous Hollywood Regency coffee table – there’s plenty to savour.

Lean into it

Like Disney’s Pixar lamp, our thin-stemmed floor light has an animated quality. As it leans over the two bespoke lounge chairs, its posture appears inquisitive. Its reflective copper shade mirrors the gleam of the coffee table. While its angled rod echoes the diagonals in the wool, mohair and alpaca fabric of the chairs.

All clear

The glass- and ash-wood table was designed in-house. The base, which pays homage to miyadaiku Japanese carpentry, is cunningly simple. No bolts or nails. Just five interlocking pieces of wood that form a top with four triangular legs. It looks architectural, skeletal even. The precision of the half lap joints combined with the drama of the scorched wood are beautiful to behold.

Angel O'Donnell (39)

Looking sharp

Structural forms and materials continue to flourish throughout the apartment. In particular, the Roman-like arches of the headboard and the ziggurat-inspired shape of the lamps. These speak to the riot of architectural genres found in the neighbouring Lord’s Cricket Ground. We especially love how the lamps’ teeth look wincingly sharp against the smooth, burgundy velvet.

Butter wouldn't melt

In the same bedroom, vintage drawers painted a pale buttercup, a flower-like wall light and an impressionist landscape create a bucolic scene. It’s a surprising contrast to the industrial-looking lamps diagonally opposite. And that’s what St. John’s Wood is all about: village sensibility mingled with a little raw-edged urban style.

Green to be seen

A dark, moss velvet headboard further endears us to nature. So, too, do the opal-glass wall lamps and chunky hand-knotted throw. There’s a soft, rounded wholesomeness to these pieces, which is gently counterpointed by the geometric patterns of the cushions, and sharp detailing of the art deco bedsides.

In the frame

A large piece of art – coppery, elemental, strong – provides a striking focal point in a room filled with houndstooth and lightly stippled pear-hued cushions, linen and lambswool throws, and pale grey upholstered walls.

Just as nature ages, the pleated brass pendant lights will patina over time and develop some of the dark, rich tones present in the artwork.

Photo credit: Taran Wilkhu

About Angel O'Donnell

Since launching our London interior design studio in 2018, Angel O’Donnell has won a variety of international awards – both for our designs and for our outstanding client-focused work ethic. Our portfolio features a diverse mix of projects – from Deco-inspired penthouses and traditional country retreats to contemporary Greek villas, modular student accommodation and luxury show apartments in multi-unit developments, including the rapidly popular Build to Rent sector. And that’s what we’re all about: creating an assortment of styles that elevate, enhance and embolden every project we do. There’s no signature look. Just exquisite design and impeccable quality.

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

SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Over £1M

Practice: The Furniture Union

Project: Dorset Place

Location: Dorset, United Kingdom

What was the client's brief? 

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

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

What inspired the design of the project?

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

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

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

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

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

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

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

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

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a daring yet cosy apartment design by IDA SRL & RS Interiores, click here to read it.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a daring yet cosy apartment design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, IDA SRL & RS Interiores.

Take a tour!

SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Under £1M

Practice: IDA SRL & RS Interiores

Project: Casa Elena

Location: Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic

What was the client's brief? 

Our client was looking to design their home, an apartment with earthy tones. They had not thought of any style or hadn't stumbled upon ideas that they would have liked in detail.

What inspired the design of the project?

The inspiration for this design came from my clients own personality, once we sat down to talk about them, I had the picture in mind of what their home would look like. A sleek super simple yet edgy design, industrial yet comforting spaces.

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

The hardest hurdle to overcome was choosing the correct colour tones, shades of neutral and nude colours to go along with such a daring yet laid back design concept.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

I just loved the way everything came together, from the textures, colour tones and overall furnishings.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

I have been an SBID Member and former winner for a few years now; I believe in the community, we are a group of professionals in design who support each other and push each other to be better - this is why I enter the SBID awards each year.

Questions answered by Rosadela Serulle, Head Interior & Lighting Designer, IDA SRL & RS Interiores.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a modern high-tech office and urban farm design by Wolter & Yu, click here to read it.

In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards Overall Winner, Angel O'Donnell, the practice's co-founders reflect on their journey in the interior design industry and discuss their approach to incorporating local influences and culture into their designs.

London-based interior design studio Angel O’Donnell has created award-winning interiors for private homes, luxury show apartments and vast, mixed-use developments around the world. The studio prides itself on not having a signature style. That way, they can create beautiful and ownable designs that are 100% tailored to each client’s wants and needs.

SBID Awards Category: Overall Winner

Practice: Angel O'Donnell

Entry: The Dumont

How important is it to enter the SBID Awards and receive industry recognition for your work?

Hugely important. Without question. We’ve said it before to our followers on Insta: the SBID is a lobbying titan and we’re thrilled to number among its members.

It’s a much loved and deeply respected organisation. How could it not be? In your own words you ‘represent, defend and promote professional interior designers in the UK and in 71 countries worldwide’. Affirmations don’t get much stronger than that.

And, yes, it’s lovely to be recognised by your peers and role models. The SBID always attracts a stellar judging panel packed with industry luminaries at the top of their game. So, naturally, when they give your work the thumbs-up, it’s seriously validating. And people do regard you differently afterwards, there’s no doubt about it. Clients love it, too, which is always a good thing when you’re pitching for increasingly bigger and splashier creative opportunities.

Angel-O'Donnell---The-Dumont-(4)

What do you think made The Dumont an overall award winner?

Tough question. We’re still pinching ourselves that our project received that honour. The competition, as always, was fantastically strong.

Our guess is that The Dumont has something for everyone. The design manages to blend a lot of elements: earthy pigments with calm neutrals, densely textured fabrics with smooth glass and metal finishes, kaleidoscopically bright art with delicate objet. On paper, it sounds like a heady mix. But in reality, these things come together like old buddies: happily and without friction.

The judges may have also appreciated just how much was bespoke. Everything from wool-bouclé swivel chairs and curved velvet sofas to plushly padded upholstered walls and a bronze-clad fireplace was designed in-house.

The artwork, too, was a major part of our design. We lavished our client’s home with specially commissioned acrylics, hand thrown ceramic bowls, delicate origami, metal sculptures – even an intricately beaded African ceremonial crown.

That said, there’s a playfulness to these pieces. Nothing takes itself too seriously. We always want our designs to feel relatable. Luxurious, yes, but also accessible. We think a lot of people can imagine themselves living in the rooms we design.

AOD_Chelsea_HR-7-copy

When working on a new residential project, how do you incorporate local influences, artistry and culture from the surrounding area into your design?

We’re always careful when we take inspiration from an area. We don’t want to get swept up in lots of stimuli, no matter how fabulous, as this would drown out a client’s needs and wants. We also don’t want to create anything pastiche-y or thematic. So, we tend to think abstractly about our surroundings. For instance, in The Dumont, our client wanted us to create an interior that could echo the vibrancy, artistry and culture of London. Dizzying as that brief was, it prompted us to fill mood boards with lots of colour and pattern. To collaborate with local craftspeople. And to think about artists from around the world to reflect the capital’s rich melting pot. It wasn’t a literal interpretation by any means, but it nailed the brief.

More recently, we were tasked with creating a quintessentially British pied-à-terre in the heart of Chelsea. We set about defining what ‘quintessentially British’ means to us and concluded that it’s about craftsmanship and the assemblage of unique and creative pieces. With this interpretation in place, we worked on producing a series of lively and vivacious rooms, filled with expressive prints, rich hues and beautiful detailing.

The bedrooms were treated to handmade Savoir Beds. Other rooms featured sculptural lamps inspired by the late great Barbara Hepworth. Walls were filled with artwork by an exciting mix of British talent, including an original Damien Hirst giclée print on aluminium, and an explosive figurative oil on canvas by rising star, Jack Penny. There were also whimsical pieces, like a pale pink cuckoo clock and prints of early 19th century botanical drawings of Japanese Sago Palms. It was like nothing we’d ever done before, and the result was fantastic.

Tell us a bit about your journey in the interior design industry. What have been the most rewarding takeaways since launching Angel O’Donnell?

We’ve been travelling very fast, on a vertiginously steep trajectory, for just over three years now. And what we’ve learned is just how much there is to learn. Always. We never stop. Every pitch, client, project, building, problem, solution, collaboration, challenge, creative block, creative breakthrough – it’s different every time. And yes, it can keep us awake at night – but the end result always makes it worthwhile.

We’ve grown stronger as a team – and we’ve grown our team. We’re now responsible for people’s livelihoods and creative fulfilment, which is daunting but also incredibly rewarding. There’s lots to be thankful for. Every project we win and every design we install gives us a buzz. We don’t take any of it for granted – especially those landmark moments when you’re pronounced overall winner at the SBID. That blew our minds. What a fantastic accolade. Even better that it coincided with our 3rd year anniversary.

AOD_Chelsea_HR-23-copy

Now that you’ve won an SBID Award, what are the next steps? Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?

Our next steps will be to continue nurturing our team and looking after our clients. Beyond that, we’ll be working on two 2,500sq ft apartments in The Corniche, Albert Embankment. We’re super excited to see how this iconically curvaceous building will influence our designs. Also, we have what can only be described as a culturally epic project waiting in the wings. Frustratingly, we can’t reveal more than that right now. But as soon as we’re given the green light, you won’t be able to stop us from telling you all about it.

What advice can you give to young designers starting out in the design industry?

When we’ve interviewed young designers in the past, the ones that have stood out to us have had a strong sense of self. They’re still teachable – we should all be that – but they’re not daunted by others who have been in the profession a long time.

To have conviction in your decisions is a powerful thing. To stand by a design choice can often open people’s eyes to new ideas and encourage them to take leaps of faith. That’s when great things happen between creatives and clients.

Of course, everything’s a balance. There’s no point digging in your heels when the people you’re presenting to are shaking their heads in disbelief. Designs have to be bought. It’s a business like any other.

But be confident. Don’t be swayed by trends. And drink in as much design – from as many disciplines – as your senses can handle morning, noon and night. Interior design is a beautiful, forever burgeoning craft. It’ll never stop evolving. And neither should you.

If any aspiring designers reading this want to show us their work, please do. We’re always happy to meet new talent.

Questions answered by Richard Angel and Ed O’Donnell, Co-founders, Angel O’Donnell.

AOD_Dumont_Portraits_HR-6

For over two decades Richard Angel and Ed O’Donnell have created elegant and inviting interiors for both private clients and developers; their partnership is rooted in a deep respect for each other’s skills, and is built on a mutual desire to deliver an authentically personal and in-depth service to their clients. From full interior fit-outs to more specialised requirements, such as sourcing bespoke artwork and objet, they provide a complete interior design service.

In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards winner for the Residential Apartment Over £1M category, IAIA - Idea Art Interior Architects, Darine Jabeili talks about creating personal designs and maximising and manipulating natural light in interiors.

SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Over £1M

Practice: IAIA - Idea Art Interior Architects

Entry: The Shadow Box

How important is it to enter the SBID Awards & receive industry recognition for your work? What are the benefits?

The SBID awards offer an international benchmark for design around the globe, featuring work from world renowned architects and designers. Entering the SBID Awards is opening a gate to international exposure and a chance to connect with many other professionals in the field.

What do you think made this particular design an award winner?

The unconventional client’s lifestyle led us to sit with them on endless discussions to guide our design and adhere to their best needs. This penthouse was created for a young and sophisticated couple with their own understanding of aesthetics and design. Coupled with the clients’ desires, daylight was delicately directed into the space, creating different scenarios and ambiances.

What inspired the design scheme of the luxury penthouse? How do you ensure the end result of an interior design is unique and personal to the client and their lifestyle?

Design is a process. In fact, it is a constant growth starting with a conversation with the client.

We always make sure, to sit down with our clients and understand their intentions and aspirations. The conversation gets personal, and we dive deep into their lifestyle and habits. We then brainstorm on many ideas and iterations that we think would suit the client and start working on developing them. Throughout the development phase, we discard some of the ideas, develop others and come up with new ones along the way. This process is what we love the most about our work, because it gives life to the project, and challenges us to outwork ourselves every time.

What are the key considerations when it comes to utilising or maximising natural light within interiors? Why is this important?

Whether we are designing spaces in the city or in remote locations, nature and the environment of the project are crucial. We, humans, are designed to live with Nature and be a part of it. One major natural component is: Natural Light. We study each space according to the depth of the slab, the ceiling height, and the openings proportions, leaving no room for deep or dark spaces with low natural light. We also work on the play of shadow and light in a space, by designing artefacts that respond to different scenarios of light.

Now that you’ve won an SBID Award, what are the next steps? Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?

We are happy to have landed the SBID Award this year, and for a project that we love. We are working on numerous projects which we are very excited about. One of our current projects is the interior of a residential apartment combining the four natural elements of Nature: Water, Earth, Fire and Air. The elements come together to sculpt the spaces and generate immersive design features in the apartment.

What advice can you give to young designers starting out in the design industry?

The design industry requires talented and self-driven leaders who are patient and enthusiastic. For all the young designers we advise that they never lose the spark and the curiosity to explore beyond the market and trends. Break the mould, and do not conform to what the industry has implemented.

Questions answered by Darine Jabeili, Head of Design Department, IAIA - Idea Art Interior Architects.

Founded in 1994, IDEA ART preserved its philosophy of creating bespoke projects by implementing an out-of-the-box thinking and creating designs that are exceptional without exceptionThis philosophy has served numerous of local and international clients expanding their presence and projects over the entire MENA region and Western Africa.

Hey! I am first heading line feel free to change me

If you missed last week's Interview with the Kitchen Product category winner Abode, click here to read it.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a unique and spacious apartment design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Maison O.

The design approach for the apartment in the heart of Cairo is contemporary, with a concept of maximizing the Nile view in the space through using a reflective ceiling. This way you’d get a full view of the Nile River and its sailing boats anywhere inside the apartment - even in the dining area, which is located away from the windows, at the back-end of the apartment.

SBID Awards Category: Residential House Under £1M Design

Practice: Maison O

Project: The Nile Apartment

Location: Cairo, Egypt

What was the client's brief? 

The client had a problem with the low ceiling and wanted to incorporate a sense of openness to the space, as well as modernize the apartment. Quality and speed of delivery were of great importance to the client.

Agouza_Apt_14

What inspired the design of the project?

The Nile river was the main source of inspiration as we at Maison O made sure to extend it into the apartment and make it visible from any part of the space. The river even inspired the selection of colours, with emerald green being an accent colour symbolizing the agriculture around the banks of the Nile river.

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

The whole process from design planning to execution and furnishing was completed in a record of six weeks. On-time delivery was made possible thanks to amicable team effort and project management skills.

Agouza_Apt_08
Agouza_Apt_11

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Striking a balance between coming-up with a creative design that fulfils the client’s request and ensuring quality execution and delivery in record time.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The awards celebrate creativity. They present a venue for brilliant global designers to come together from different walks of life and compete. In particular, being shortlisted as a finalist ensures an international recognition and makes a difference in how participating designers and design firms are positioned out of their home markets, while also paving the way for building global connections for future international collaborations.

Questions answered by Omar Gemei, Founder and Chief Designer, Maison O.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a luxurious family apartment design by V.Concept by Victoria Vitkovskaya, click here to read it.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a luxurious family apartment design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, V.Concept by Victoria Vitkovskaya.

All the details of the Almond apartment from the V.Concept studio in Kiev stem from the originality and ambition of the designers.

Throughout the design we used the best combination of colours and textures. Recognizable “modern chic” style can be seen everywhere: in the combination of marble and eucalyptus facades of the Italian kitchen Cesar, cabinet furniture Poliform and Misura Emme, contrasts of leather and glass in tinted wardrobes from Sangiacomo, backlit rare stone panels and unique lamps in Serip Murano glass. Luxurious fabrics from the Loro Piana and Hermes complement the composition of the interior and add a special comfort to each space.

Lighting, heating and audio - all can be controlled with one wireless smart home system from Gira. All solutions are convenient and economical, and a subtle concept of beauty is evident in all the spaces of this apartment.

SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Over £1M Design

Practice: V.Concept by Victoria Vitkovskaya

Project: Almond Apartment

Location: Kyyiv, Ukraine

What was the client's brief? 

Our clients were a married couple with two teenage children. They understood exactly what they wanted and made decisions quickly. Our customers realised what comfort was and knew the value of things.

What inspired the design of the project?

Our main inspiration was our client. We started by getting familiar with their desires and vision of their ideal apartment and then worked to make this vision a reality.

With this project we wanted to show that modern style can be ambitious and satisfy sophisticated connoisseurs of beauty, and at the same time be simple and efficient.

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

I think the toughest thing was to implement the project during the quarantine. To be honest, a turnkey project from A to Z during a pandemic is not easy. We completed it in 9 months — I believe that this is a success!

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

For the Almond apartment project we used a combination of colours, textures and materials, integrating furniture and appliances from luxury manufacturers. The project is filled with stylish, technological and ergonomic solutions.

We also implemented the project exactly according to our initial plan. The only thing that differed from it were the dining chairs.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Getting to the finals and potential victory in a competition of this magnitude is an indicator of quality and skill level. This is not the first year that we have been participating in the SBID Awards; for us it is a kind of tradition and a chance to make ourselves known.

Questions answered by Viktoriya Vitkovskaya, CEO & Founder, V. Concept studio.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring an art deco inspired design for hotel rooms and public spaces by Atellior, click here to read it.

This week's instalment of Project of the Week interior design series features a luxurious residential apartment design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Mane Design.

An apartment with an area of 260 sqm is located in the very centre of Kiev, on the last 32nd floor. It has with terraces that offer stunning views of the city. The apartment is designed in a modern classical style, using expensive materials and furniture.

Blue Agate Stone - the heart of the apartment - was brought from India. It is a delicate stone that carries harmony, tranquillity and grace. The atmosphere in the apartment is soothing; pleasant colours and natural textures add elegance to the interior, while brass adds warmth.

The apartment is not only beautiful, but also has a comfortable and functional plan. Its divided into zones: public, children's and the owner's zone. The public area consists of a living room-kitchen where there is a bar, which is successfully hidden behind panels that can be pulled apart with a slight movement of the hand. There is access to a huge terrace with a barbecue, a seating area with a sofa, tables and chairs for eating. In the entrance part there is a guest toilet and a large dressing room, as well as a separate laundry. The children's area has two bedrooms, a separate children's wardrobe, a bathroom and an access to terrace from each bedroom.

SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Over £1M

Practice: Mane Design

Project: Blue Agate

Location: Kyyiv, Ukraine

What was the client's brief? 

The clients are a young, successful and hard-working couple. They are modern, lively and value comfort and beauty. Therefore, the brief asked for a bright colours and non-standard, interesting solutions but at the same time a comfortable and functional design - the place where they can relax after a work day or have parties with friends.

What inspired the design of the project?

We were inspired by our clients themselves: by their lifestyle, ideas, attitude to design, and, of course, complete creative freedom given to us.

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

Our team did not encounter any special difficulties during this project.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

This entire project consists of highlights. In every corner you can find something interesting. There are a lot of details that you will want to examine, things that attract attention, such as: wonderful natural agate stone brought from India, an art object “Fishes” specially designed by us for this project, which glows in millions sparks, the TV which moves out from the stand by pressing the button on the remote control (because our client did not want to see TV in the interior), a hidden bar, a hidden projector and a screen coming out of the ceiling, a toilet in front of the window, delightful lighting everywhere… and, of course, an unforgettable view from the apartment.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We respect SBID International Design Awards and consider the judges' decisions to be fair.

Questions answered by Mane Megrabyan, Interior Designer and Head of Studio, Mane Design.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a design for hotel's exclusive spa lodges by Nielsen House, click here to see more.

Join SBID

Join SBID

Find out more about our flexible membership structure.

Apply Online