External Reference Transforms a Hospitality Venue into a Cultural Destination

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an immersive hospitality design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, External Reference.

Plaza Mahou is a 1,100 m² experiential space inside Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, designed by External Reference for Mahou San Miguel. Combining a working microbrewery, bar, and terrace, the project connects beer, football, and Madrid’s social culture through the concept of the plaza. The design blends digital innovation, artisanal craft, and sustainable materials to create an immersive and functional environment. Featuring 3D-printed textures, recycled keg furniture, and hand-painted ceramics, Plaza Mahou transforms a hospitality venue into a cultural destination that celebrates identity, community, and experience.

What was the client's brief?

The brief was to celebrate the bond between beer and football through Mahou’s century-long partnership with Real Madrid, both rooted in Madrid. The project had to unite Mahou’s brewing culture with the club’s legacy at the Santiago Bernabéu, reflecting shared values of commitment, excellence, passion, and the spirit of Madrid as a city of encounters.

What inspired the design of the project?

Plaza Mahou was inspired by the ambition to transform space into an immersive narrative that unites the brand’s three universes: beer, the city, and football. This vision takes shape through the archetype of the Madrid plaza, a timeless place of gathering and conviviality.

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

The toughest challenge was turning those ideas into tangible elements, reinterpreting them in a way that conveyed the essence of beer, the city, and football.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The most meaningful moment came when each element took shape within the real space, and the environment itself transformed into the living expression of a plaza.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We entered the SBID Awards because it represents a benchmark of excellence in interior and experiential design. Your platform recognizes projects that go beyond aesthetics to deliver meaning and innovation. For us, it is a clear opportunity to share how design can translate culture, identity, and shared values into a space that people can experience, remember, and enjoy.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being an Award Finalist has validated our approach of merging storytelling with design to create immersive environments. It has strengthened our visibility within the international design community and confirmed the relevance of our work in shaping how brands and audiences connect through space. And of course, it feels like a great honour for our whole team.

Questions answered by Carmelo Zappulla, CEO of External Reference.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an elegant showroom design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Grandiosa Design.

At Grandiosa, everything begins and ends with inspiration. It is a place that invites you to experience our passion and vision firsthand. Here, you imagine, dream, and get inspired. In our showroom, we want you to feel the warmth of meeting, the creativity, and the touch of grandeur we bring to every space with our signature. Our promise is simple: to turn your ideas into the magic of reality. We listen, understand, and create with exceptional care and dedication; all you need to do is allow us to earn your trust. “The beauty of existence waiting to be discovered.”

What was the client's brief?

The client envisioned a space that transcends function—an elegant fusion of showroom and studio, where creativity breathes through every detail. At its heart lies a dedicated stage for design: a showroom that not only displays concepts, materials, and brand identity, but also narrates a story of beauty, accessibility, and vision.

Alongside this, the client required a haven for its team—a place where ideas take shape, where meeting rooms foster dialogue, and working spaces nurture imagination and daily flow. Natural light was to be the guiding thread, a silent architectural element weaving through the interiors, illuminating pathways and creating effortless movement between the showroom and the studio. It becomes both atmosphere and structure, transforming the space into an experience. Flexibility, too, was vital: the design should adapt gracefully, shifting from cultural gatherings to intimate client conversations, from collaborative sessions to moments of reflection. This narrative forms the foundation of the accompanying diagram, a visual symphony of the client’s aspirations, harmoniously interwoven into the spatial composition.

What inspired the design of the project?

The design of this interior seeks to weave a symphony of elegance, French chic, and warmth—an elevated expression of style that whispers of timelessness. In the historic heart of Zagreb, along the storied Gundulićeva Street, nearly 200 square meters are transformed into a living canvas, a celebration where design and art entwine. Every detail is composed with devotion, shaping a space where sophistication and beauty meet in perfect harmony, leaving an impression that lingers beyond time. Elegance here is not loud, but whispered—achieved through the careful choreography of materials and finishes, each chosen with intention. The aesthetic unfolds as a seamless composition, carrying the quiet allure of understated luxury.

At its core lies French chic, the heartbeat of the design, infusing every corner with the effortless charm of Paris. Warmth embraces the space like a gentle thread, ensuring it feels not only refined, but also deeply inviting—an interior where comfort and grace coexist, where utility meets the intimacy of home. Each room becomes a chapter, a narrative inspired by the timeless poetry of Parisian interiors. Together, they form a collection of stories—spaces that are both inspirational and aspirational, reflecting an unwavering devotion to beauty, craft, and design of the highest order.

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

One of the greatest challenges that our interior design studio faced during this project, was related to the execution part of the project: Finding the perfect contractors that would deliver meticulously the designed project.

When a contractor fails to execute with the same level of precision and excellence that the project was conceived with, the integrity of the entire vision is compromised. The struggle then becomes twofold: preserving the purity of the design intent while navigating the practical shortcomings of its delivery. Finding the right team—one that possesses not only technical expertise but also a shared respect for craftsmanship and detail—is often a long and demanding journey. Yet it is precisely this alignment between vision and execution that transforms a design from concept to timeless reality.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The interior design team’s highlight of the project was strongly related to these two subjects:

Seamless Concept-to-Reality Execution
The ability to translate an abstract vision into a tangible space where every detail—from materials to lighting—aligns with the client’s aspirations.

Timeless Elegance & Identity
Crafting a design that not only embodies sophistication and beauty but also reflects the brand’s or client’s unique personality, creating a signature identity.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We specifically decided to be part of SBID Awards, because first and foremost we strongly believe in your transparency, fairness, and exemplary operations.

Following this, we were assured that this step would give us international recognition, strengthen our brand, inspire our team, attract new clients, and open doors to greater opportunities within the global design industry.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

As one of the most prestigious interior design awards globally, we are aware that SBID recognition would serve us as a hallmark of design excellence and professional accomplishment, specifically on:
- Credibility & Prestige
- Global Visibility
- Marketing Tools
- Networking
- Inclusive Participation

In essence, for us SBID recognition isn’t just an accolade—it’s a strategic asset. It elevates our creative reputation, amplifies outreach, unlocks professional networks, and solidifies our position as a leader of design excellence.

Questions answered by Marina Srdjak, Creative Director of Grandiosa Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a contemporary and luxury residential design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, LWE Interiors.

This striking transformation breathes new life into an old church, reimagined as a grand family residence. Seamlessly blending heritage architecture with contemporary living, the project delivers 13 beautifully designed bedrooms, expansive entertainment spaces, and a luxury private pool - all wrapped within the soaring volumes of the original ecclesiastical structure. A standout feature of the conversion is the former Sunday school hall, transformed into a show-stopping indoor wellness retreat. This serene space houses a fully equipped wellness centre complete with a jacuzzi, gym, sauna, and relaxation zone, offering an indulgent sanctuary that reflects the home's commitment to luxury and wellbeing.

What was the client's brief?

The client entrusted LWE Interiors with complete creative freedom to define the interior style and design direction of the project. The only key criteria were:
- The conversion must deliver a 13-bedroom luxury home with extensive leisure and entertaining facilities.
- Spaces should feel luxurious, comfortable for family living, and appealing as a high-end holiday rental, bathrooms & bedrooms all needed to be different with different styles & moods, to help create an individual experience in every room.
- The old Sunday School hall was to be reimagined as a private spa and wellness area.
- Provision for large-scale entertaining was essential, with a bar, games/entertainment lounge, and a banqueting dining room capable of hosting all 34 guests together.
- Most importantly, the project had to be delivered on or under budget.

What inspired the design of the project?

The building itself provided the creative spark for the design direction. The soaring volume and height of the main hall inspired the introduction of a mezzanine level overlooking the lounge, adding drama while maximising space and flow.

I was drawn to the original stonework and architectural details of the church and made it a priority to retain and rework as many features as possible. These were carefully integrated into the interiors in a modern and contemporary way, ensuring the building’s character was celebrated rather than concealed.

The coastal setting also played a key role in the design ethos. With the church situated close to the beach, the interiors were layered in beach-inspired neutrals and boho textures, creating a soft, relaxed aesthetic. This was elevated with a quiet luxury vibe throughout — calm, refined, and timeless, yet warm and welcoming for family life and entertaining.

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

The budget was the toughest hurdle on this project. The brief demanded a stunning, luxury aesthetic, which meant we had to carefully balance design ambition with cost control. In several cases, alternatives were sourced for original feature lighting and furniture to achieve the desired look without compromising on style or quality.

Beyond this, the project progressed smoothly and to plan. All design concepts and detailed drawings were completed within the agreed timeline, enabling contractors to quote accurately and work efficiently.

Once the building was stripped back to its true structure, a few areas required adjustment. However, these changes had minimal impact and did not escalate costs from the interiors side — ensuring the project was delivered on time, on budget, and true to the design vision.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was watching the interiors take shape almost exactly as envisioned in the concept designs. It’s always a special moment seeing drawings and moodboards evolve into real spaces that people can live in and enjoy.

The double-height lounge and mezzanine became a true showpiece, capturing the building’s volume and character while creating a stunning, memorable interior that leaves a lasting impression.

Perhaps the most fulfilling transformation, however, was the conversion of the old Sunday School hall into a swimming pool and spa. Working closely with contractors, who followed the detailed drawings and specifications I developed, brought this vision to life beautifully. The result was a space that embodies both luxury and tranquillity — a highlight of the project for everyone involved.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

I chose to enter the SBID Awards because they are a prestigious, internationally accredited platform that recognises excellence in interior design and architecture. Attracting entries from a diverse global community of designers, manufacturers, and contractors.

For me, entering the SBID Awards was about positioning this project among the highest calibre of international design work, while also celebrating the creativity, vision, and collaboration that brought it to life.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Becoming an SBID Award Finalist has been both a professional milestone and a personal honour. On a professional level, it provides a respected international platform to showcase my work and validates that the design achieved the highest standards of creativity, technical execution, and innovation.

On a personal level, the recognition has been deeply rewarding. As a small interior design practice, every project is incredibly hands-on — from the first sketches to the final details. To see that dedication acknowledged by such a prestigious award body reinforces not only my vision as a designer, but also the belief that passion, persistence, and creativity can stand proudly alongside the best in the industry worldwide.

Questions answered by Lorraine Warwick-Ellis, Interiors Director of LWE Interiors.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a rich and relaxing residential design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Georgina Robertson Interiors.

Georgina Robertson Interiors was chosen to design and specify the layout, lighting design, finishes, furniture and soft furnishings for Bullfinch Way. Maximising storage and decluttering this multi-functional kitchen, dining, and living room extension were key to the success of the project to create a calm but bright space to relax and entertain in. As a compact space, custom joinery was crucial to the design as well as clever lighting design to enhance the ambience in the evenings. Layering textures and prioritising hard wearing materials such as LVT and quartz were essential in this highly utilised and functional space.

What was the client's brief?

The owner had hastily furnished the kitchen and extension when it was first built around 15 years ago, but it was never quite what she wanted, so she asked for my help. The client wanted to maximise storage and declutter the space entirely as well as having the perfect space to entertain and relax in the evening and at weekends.

She explained that she wanted the space to feel calm but bright even though she loved darker tones with minimal colour.

What inspired the design of the project?

The client was inspired by Scandinavian and Japandi styles which heavily influenced the design direction from the beginning. The space needed to work hard to incorporate everything the client wanted so I approached the design trying to maximise every inch of space without making it feel overwhelming.

The slatted panelling that now frames the kitchen was the starting point for the dark accents and it links the cabinetry on either side of the living space. There’s a dramatic bulkhead over the island and into the extension so instead of trying to hide it, I decided to make it into a feature. You can see how the rich, dark elements in the design are set amid off-whites, adding definition while keeping an airy feel.

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

The main design hurdle was how to incorporate all the storage the client needed without making it feel cluttered or too full again. When installing, we pulled the tiles off the wall in the kitchen, the whole wall came down. The existing flooring had also been laid on top of old floor tiles which were both big setbacks which we weren’t expecting but were easy to overcome. They did delay the project but not hugely.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight was seeing how well we had maximised a relatively small space and given the client everything she needed and more - with it still being beautiful and functional. The client had a bad experience with the initial extension build so to transform the space into something she loved was incredibly rewarding.

As a standalone, the pantry was a fantastic design choice and use of space - especially with the wine rack incorporated!

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

I felt this project was worthy of recognition on a wider scale. What we achieved with this size of budget is unheard of. We transformed a kitchen, snug, and dining space with all custom joinery, quartz worktops, new appliances, furniture, and lighting all for under £50,000 to an exceptionally high standard which we pride ourselves on.

The client was over the moon, so it only felt right to enter this project to the SBID awards.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

We’ve had some amazing engagement on our social media from old and new followers, supporting the achievement in itself and also voting for us in the awards. Just to be recognised as a finalist in such a prestigious award is incredible and we feel privileged to be involved this year.

Questions answered by Georgina Robertson, Founder of Georgina Robertson Interiors.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a neutral and warm office design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Paola Leon Design.

PLD have delivered a detailed and considered refurbishment, revitalising the co-working spaces to Capital Tower, Waterloo. Building elements have been carefully selected, repurposing and recycling where possible to minimise renewal. Existing and new are combined to create a cohesive look and feel. All spaces are unified with neutral warm hues, feature lighting, natural eco-friendly materials and accents of colour. Dynamic and flexible workspaces encourage movement and interaction. Amenities, social spaces, group, solo or quiet work settings all combine to deliver a space that is inviting and delightful to clients, colleagues and collaborators, encouraging personal inventiveness and creativity.

What was the client's brief?

The client brief was to create a sustainable, dynamic and flexible workspace that encouraged movement and interaction. The space needed to be inviting and delightful to clients, colleagues and collaborators, memorable, practical and future proof.

What inspired the design of the project?

A recent visit to Japan provided the opportunity to re-experience elegant traditional design and sleek modern interiors. Minimalism, functionality and natural materials seemed the perfect combination to create a welcoming and sophisticated space.

We combined this with feature lighting, a bright warm palette, tactile materials and familiar furnishing to complete the design.

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

To meet sustainability targets we aimed to retain as much of the existing fit-out as we could. This involved assessing the existing elements, reviewing their condition and working to incorporate them into the design where possible.

This was time consuming, however, extremely rewarding as we were able to retain an intricate bespoke metal ceiling to the office spaces and revealed previously covered slot windows along the façade.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight was the attention to detail we were able to go to on the joinery items. The construction and materiality really bring a high-quality feel to the space. A highlight was the timber coffered ceiling. This is a real statement piece, and when combined with the feature pendant lighting it gives a memorable first impression.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

As an organisation SBID represents interior designers at the highest level, championing quality and professionalism both in the UK and internationally.

With these credentials entering the awards allows us to showcase our best work and presents an opportunity (if shortlisted) to measure how we compare to others in our industry.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being a finalist means a huge amount to the business, the associated media, social and PR platforms of SBID brings great exposure to our studio.

Being able to associate ourselves with the values, reputation and international recognition of SBID allows us to demonstrate the quality of our design work not just for this year but years to come.

Questions answered by Paola Leon, Founder & Lead Designer at Paola Leon Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an intricate and creative residential design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Angel O'Donnell.

Angel O'Donnell took the bones of a Grade II* listed building and elevated them with new interior architectural details. Every archway, wall panel, coffered ceiling, decorative moulding and wall-to-wall joinery unit they designed was a celebration of their fun, global and style-conscious client.

What was the client's brief?

Our clients – a Floridian couple and their 16-year-old daughter – wanted a home from home with elevated details that wouldn’t look out of place in a five-star hotel. For the parents, this meant two things:

1. Creating something worthy of Architectural Digest, their all-time favourite interiors and architecture magazine
2. Curating new museum-level queer art they could add to their beloved collection.

For their daughter, however, elevated details meant something a little more whimsical – a dream bedroom inspired by the romanticism of a French Château.

What inspired the design of the project?

We were keen to take the bones of the building – which is an Edwardian, neo-baroque, Grade II* listed masterpiece – and refine them even further with new architectural details. Really, we just wanted to knock our clients’ socks off. That’s why every archway, wall panel, coffered ceiling, decorative plaster moulding and wall-to-wall joinery unit we designed and installed was a celebration of our clients who are a fun, global, and fantastically style-conscious family.

The artwork too – from the David Hockney photo collage to the Keith Vaughan oil on canvas – was essential in the shaping the look and feel of our scheme.

And we can’t forget the daughter’s design ambitions, without which we wouldn’t have necessarily thought to lavish her bedroom with intricate plaster garlands, a rococo-esque bed, and a bespoke dressing unit finished in 22k gold verre églomisé.

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

As the parents were super keen to have the apartment ready before their daughter went back to the States, timings didn’t always allow us to stagger the trades and craftspeople as we would have liked. So, our toughest hurdle was co-ordinating everybody. At one point, a huge number of people were all on-site together, including:

- Various construction and decorative workers – installers, plasterers (both carved and venetian), French polishers, ceiling contractors, joiners, curtain makers, scaffolders, and electricians
- Our core team – three lead designers and a project manager
- Art professionals – two curators, a gallerist, a fine art insurance broker, a muralist, and even a sculptor who flew in from Madrid to oversee the hanging of his six-foot-long mobile.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

There are several standout finishes that both enliven and pull together the other handcrafted elements in the scheme:
- In the living room, for instance, artisans covered our joinery wall in gesso, gold leaf, and a hand-blended mixture of bronze and navy-blue paint. They then stone buffed it into a starry cosmos of tonal variations – an arresting feature that also houses a TV behind a remote-operated door.
- While on the opposite wall, a panel of inky-blue polished plaster frames the fireplace we installed. When the sun hits its faceted surface, the wall appears to flicker.

Details like these far exceeded our expectations.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We have a soft spot for the SBID. They gave us our first major award – Best CGI & Visualisation – when we were a fledgling studio. Such recognition fortified us in many ways – convinced us that we weren’t mad, that we could forge ahead and build a design studio with substance. It said, ‘we belonged’, which means the world when you’re starting out. The SBID is a non-profiting, sector-championing, love-sharing ally in a scarily unregulated and largely unprotected field. They’ll always have our loyalty – and we’ll always enter their awards for as long we’re creating work we feel meets their exacting standards.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

This shortlist – ‘The OWO Private Residence’ – is especially meaningful as it’s our studio’s first project that shares design credits. Historically, Co-Founder Ed O’Donnell led the design vision solo. Now we have a small team of designers, two of which – Tatiana Pietrangeli and Prima Patel – share this achievement for their rigor, creativity and dedication to the project. It's a big nod for them – and a wonderful symbol of growth for our studio.

Questions answered by the team at Angel O'Donnell.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a striking and glamorous restaurant design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, TNN Studio.

This project transforms a Grade II-listed building in Bishop’s Stortford, UK, into a bold, multi-level Asian fusion restaurant that blends historic character with contemporary glamour. The interior concept draws inspiration from Art Deco and Bauhaus design—celebrating the building’s heritage while creating a striking new destination for dining and nightlife.

What was the client's brief?

The client wanted a high-concept Asian fusion restaurant that felt like a true destination — a place that could rival a night out in London while remaining rooted in the community. The brief included multiple layers of experience: refined fine dining, lively cocktail lounges, and a private wine room for intimate gatherings.

What inspired the design of the project?

The Roaring ’20s and the glamour of the Art Deco era were central inspirations. We wanted to capture that sense of celebration, sociability, and timeless style, while translating it into a contemporary setting. Our aim was to create a layered journey, where guests could move through different moods and atmospheres as the evening unfolded.

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

Working within a Grade II listed building always brings challenges, particularly balancing modern services and multiple functions within a heritage shell. Coordinating distinct experiential zones across the levels — each with its own identity, yet all tied together with a cohesive design language — required careful planning and collaboration with contractors and conservation teams.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Seeing the space come alive and witnessing the community embrace it has been incredibly rewarding. From intimate dinners to lively nights upstairs, No.14 has quickly become a new local landmark. The positive feedback and the way people are using the venue exactly as we envisioned — gathering, celebrating, returning — has been the highlight for us.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards are internationally respected and celebrate design excellence across disciplines. Their unique balance of expert judging and public voting offered us a way to showcase No.14 both within the design industry and to a broader audience. It felt like the right platform to share a project that is ambitious, vibrant, and rooted in community.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

It’s been a significant milestone for us. As a boutique studio, being shortlisted affirms that our approach — where craftsmanship, architectural expertise, and storytelling are central — resonates within the wider design industry. It has given us greater visibility, strengthened client trust, and motivated us to keep pushing creative boundaries.

Questions answered by Tulin Naltekin, Founder and Creative Director of TNN Studio.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a calm and sleek kitchen design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Daulby and Tickle.

Daulby and Tickle was commissioned to design, manufacture, and install a bespoke kitchen for the Devereux Road project, aiming to create a calm, sleek, and modern space that balances minimalist aesthetics with everyday functionality. The resulting kitchen showcases a refined palette of premium materials. Every element was meticulously planned and executed, with Daulby and Tickle’s in-house manufacturing. The final result is a harmonious, elegant kitchen that not only meets but exceeds the client’s expectations, delivering both visual sophistication and everyday usability in equal measure.

What was the client's brief?

The client asked us to design a calm, sleek, modern kitchen with a minimalist aesthetic. They wanted premium materials, handleless cabinetry for a seamless look, and advanced appliances that support both cooking and entertaining. The space needed to be highly functional, practical to maintain, and visually refined, blending style with everyday usability.

What inspired the design of the project?

The design was inspired by the client’s desire for balance, something understated yet sophisticated, where every detail contributes to a calm, considered atmosphere. Our use of textured walnut veneers, ultra-matte Fenix finishes, and the dramatic Neolith Calacatta Luxe framing created a refined contrast that feels both warm and contemporary. Further inspiration came from the client’s reference to European design studios, which guided the development of our bespoke solid-brass patinated handles, ultimately becoming a defining feature of the project.

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

Though originally intended as a fully handleless kitchen, the design changed just before installation when the client requested a bespoke handle solution inspired by images from a French design studio. Sourcing wasn’t possible, so we designed and developed our own version from scratch. Working with local specialists, we precision-milled solid brass handles and hand-finished them in-house to achieve a smooth bronze patina. What began as a sourcing challenge became a Daulby & Tickle solution, playing to our strengths both creatively and technically, and ultimately elevating the entire kitchen design.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Our highlight was seeing the completed space come together exactly as envisioned, a kitchen that feels balanced, calm, and effortlessly sophisticated. Every element, from the subtle lighting to the refined mix of walnut, Fenix, and Neolith, works in harmony to create an atmosphere that is both modern and timeless. The client’s reaction, and their continued enjoyment of cooking and entertaining in the space, confirmed for us that we had achieved the perfect blend of style, practicality, and equilibrium.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We entered the SBID Awards to share our work with a wider audience and celebrate the craftsmanship, design precision, and ingenuity that define our projects. Although we have been in business for over 30 years, we have rarely shouted about our work, yet many of our projects are of an exceptional standard. The SBID Awards felt like the right platform to finally showcase what we do, benchmark ourselves against the best in the industry, and honour the creativity and dedication of our team.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Becoming an SBID Award Finalist has been hugely significant. It validates the dedication and skill of our team, giving both our clients and partners confidence in the quality we deliver. For our business, it has elevated visibility, opened conversations with new clients, and reinforced our reputation as a studio and manufacturer that blends exceptional design with outstanding craftsmanship.

Questions answered by Robin Evans, Lead Designer at Daulby and Tickle.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a playful and luxurious residential design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Studio Ogee.

Studio Ogee was commissioned to put some heart and soul back into this former London Victorian vicarage. Through a considered and layered interior scheme, full of character and interest reflecting the client's personality and love of art, fashion, sport and travel, this handsome family home was reimagined. A timeless and luxurious palette of natural materials and finishes balances the traditional with the contemporary and eclectic mix of bespoke joinery and furnishings. It provides both a quiet haven away from a busy urban lifestyle, as well as a welcoming entertainment space that energises through playfulness and a relaxed casual elegance.

What was the client's brief?

Studio Ogee was commissioned to design and manage the complete renovation of a converted former South London vicarage. The property had previously been repurposed by a property developer, but it was no longer meeting the needs of our Client, a family with teenage children, and it lacked heart and soul. A basement spanning the entire footprint of the property was added to the five-bedroom home, its impressive scale devoted entirely to play. Studio Ogee was asked to design a family home that both met the need for a functional and quiet sanctuary away from busy work schedules and the buzz of the city outside, as well as a fun space in which the family could come together and entertain friends. The interiors needed to reflect the Client’s personality and interest in culture, fashion, sports and travel through an eclectic and playful mix of bespoke joinery and furniture, antiques, soft furnishings and art. The Client was looking for a timeless and luxurious palette of furnishings and materials that would stand the test of time but also provide impact and a hint of the unexpected.

What inspired the design of the project?

Our starting point is always the architecture of the building and the Client. We spend a lot of time getting to know who we are working for to be able to tell their story through the interiors. Studio Ogee’s working ethos is to design spaces that tell stories, and so we set out to interweave the history of this former Victorian vicarage with the Client’s personality and lifestyle. ‘A home to soothe the soul and lift the spirits’ was the working conceptual proposition throughout the design process. It was important to create a space that functions both as a quiet haven, providing ease of living and respite from a busy urban lifestyle, as well as a welcoming entertainment space that energises through playfulness and a relaxed casual elegance.

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

We were lucky in that our Client was very engaged in the process and truly enjoyed being taken on a creative journey, despite the inevitable stresses that comes with a project like this. The contracted team they had chosen was also highly skilled and professional and we worked with trusted suppliers, so all in all it was a project without too many serious challenges and very good collaboration between all parties involved. That said, it is always difficult to ensure everyone’s synchronised to work seamlessly and there were of course some mistakes made along the way. For example, there was a load of carefully selected marble slabs for the kitchen that was crashed into by a lorry and therefore had to be replaced, and one of the statement light fittings did not agree with the Lutron system that was introduced. But, because everyone involved really cared and strived for perfection, we could quickly rectify mistakes and find solutions together.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

It is always nerve racking to see your designs that have so far only existed on paper and as samples in a mood board tray materialise in front of your eyes. You hope and pray it is going to turn out exactly as you had intended and hoped for. It is therefore also some of the most thrilling moments when bespoke joinery and furniture comes to life and makes that space truly unique and special. It is always rewarding to see your Client excited about their new home and pleased about the job you have done for them.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We are proud of the project and were keen to see how it would be received by both industry experts and the public, and so SBID was the natural place to seek meaningful industry recognition.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

We are truly honoured to be an Award Finalist! As a young and growing studio, an SBID nomination not only adds credibility to what we do, it also gives us confidence and, we hope, gives future Clients the same confidence in choosing to work with us.

Questions answered by Nicoline Sandwith, Founder of Studio Ogee.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a whimsical and vintage style residential design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Atelier NM and Chatelaine Interiors.

Tucked away on a storybook street in the heart of Notting Hill, this Victorian mews house was artfully reimagined for a client with a passion for vintage interiors and expressive design. Embodying a fearless "more is more" philosophy, the home unfolds in layers of rich colour, intricate patterns, and evocative textures. Every item was meticulously sourced from Britain’s most discerning dealers. Renowned textile houses infuse the rooms with vibrant energy, while bespoke upholstery and handcrafted furnishings weave a narrative thread. With its dramatic ceilings, luxurious textiles, and whimsical moments throughout, the home strikes a perfect balance of theatre and soul.

What was the client's brief?

The clients wanted a home that felt deeply personal and layered with character. They loved the eclectic nature of Victorian interiors and encouraged us to blend patterns, textures, and motifs without fear of excess. But they wanted that sense of history balanced with comfort. Each room needed to have its own distinct mood while still belonging to a coherent whole, reflecting their love of art, vintage finds, and tactile finishes.

What inspired the design of the project?

The inspiration came from a blend of Victorian eclecticism and the client’s personality. Antique textiles, period-style wallpaper, and moody paint colours served as anchors, while playful injections—such as decorative objects, statement lamps, tapestry cushions, and whimsical wall art—kept the scheme from feeling too formal.

A major consideration was balancing the client’s desire for maximalist layering with the need for harmony and flow across the spaces.

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

The biggest challenge was creating spaces that felt as though they had evolved organically over time rather than being designed in one sweep. Careful curation—deciding which pieces should take centre stage and which should provide quiet backdrops—was essential.

With bold wallpapers, patterned textiles, and gallery walls in nearly every room, the risk of visual overload was high, so thoughtful editing and placement were crucial.

We scoured antique markets and worked with specialist dealers across the UK to source rare finds that would enrich the scheme. Many 4 a.m. wake-ups were involved in the hunt, but the process of piecing everything together became one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my career.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Seeing the house come alive with antiques and vintage finds was the most rewarding part. The gallery walls, in particular, became a collaborative exercise—arranging tiny gilded frames, antique prints, and whimsical mirrors into striking compositions that now feel like the soul of the home.

Another highlight was the atmospheric living room, where a wallpapered ceiling and sculptural busts transformed a conventional sitting area into something truly transportive.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards represent excellence and innovation in interior design globally, and this project felt like the perfect candidate because of its daring mix of old and new. It is undeniably unique, and thinking outside the box is what design is all about.

Entering the awards provided an opportunity to showcase how interiors can embrace nostalgia, intimacy, and theatricality while remaining highly liveable.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Becoming a finalist has been both rewarding and inspiring. It affirms our belief that interiors can tell meaningful stories without sacrificing comfort or practicality.

For the business, it has elevated visibility, opened conversations with clients who share a passion for character-driven spaces, and reinforced Atelier NM’s positioning as a studio that seamlessly blends heritage with modern expression. We have been fortunate to win once before, and we would love to win it again.

Questions answered by Najwa Mroue, Founder of Atelier NM.