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Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a high-end residential design by Barclay Interiors. The principal concept for the interior was to use the surrounding estuary and unspoilt harbour of the River Yealm as inspiration. The curvature of the building, floor to ceiling glass and open plan living space, allows for the most incredible view, a key element of the design. Barclay Interiors was involved in all aspects, from flooring and walling finishes to lighting layouts, from joinery design to staircase detailing. Each space was furnished in line with the chic, modern concept that was desired, whilst also introducing splashes of colour and texture to ensure the space felt like home.

Practise: Barclay Interiors 

Project: Devon Project

Location: Newton Ferrers, Devon

Photography credit: James Balston Photography

What was the client's brief? 

The brief was to design a fully practical yet modern and aesthetically chic interior for her re-location to Devon. When our client decided to move to Devon, she wanted a complete change in surroundings, both from an exterior perspective (city life to harbour life!) and also from an interior angle. Modernity, simplicity and elegance were at the pinnacle of my clients brief and it was this in addition to the surroundings that inspired the concept.

Photography credit: James Balston Photography

What inspired the design of the project?

As mentioned above, the main source of inspiration came from the surroundings, namely the River Yealm and Estuary. The view was at the forefront of all space planning decisions and the colours that infiltrated into the space from the outdoors led to choices in colour palettes and finishes. Timber flooring, a cladded staircase and a bespoke decorative screen were designed specifically to add warmth and sophistication to my client's entrance hallway whilst allowing for maximum amounts of natural light to bounce through the space, once again relating to the exterior surroundings.

Photography credit: James Balston Photography

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

Some contractors can be a little anti-change so this was the biggest hurdle; however, after substantial hand-holding and clear guidance, a collaborative effort was achieved.

Photography credit: James Balston Photography

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

As with all of our projects, we are lucky in that visually our role is extremely rewarding. Seeing the design come together on the final days of installation and seeing how we achieved the conversation between the surroundings and the interior so well, felt quite magical.

Photography credit: James Balston Photography

Questions answered by Megan Loughborough, Senior Designer, Barclay Interiors.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a Manhattan Hotel Design with Central Park views, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a design by SBID Awards Finalist, Jeffrey Beers International. For the Manhattan Sky Suite, Jeffrey Beers designed and decorated the interiors to frame the incredible wide views of Central Park. With the wonderful scale of the open living room and dining room, they were able to play with grand and stately furniture, such as a 10 person dining room table with wide and plush dining chairs. The mix of warm and cool tones paired with contemporary arts as well as rich wood finishes make the home a home but do not disrupt the wonderful and impressive open layout.

SBID Awards Category: Hotel Bedroom & Suites Sponsored by Schneider Electric

Finalist: Jeffrey Beers International

Project: Park Hyatt's Manhattan Sky Suite

Location: New York

What was the client's brief? 

New York City hotels are renowned for their speciality suites, but nothing in the city measures up to this new suite's overwhelming sense of luxury and unparalleled views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

What inspired the design of the project?

When it came to the hospitality design, we imagined that the suite was a private residence.  We first created a separation of space between public areas (the living room and dining room) and the private space (bedrooms and bathrooms). We then favoured open-plan living for the public areas. With careful attention to layout, materials, and art we created fluidity between your kitchen, dining area, and living room. The overall effect is warm and social; a perfect destination for entertaining.

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

One of the questions we were faced with was how to separate the dining space from the living room space without disrupting the overall open plan of the main area. We, therefore, custom-designed an open shelving unit to act as a divider between the living area and the dining area. As well as integrated lighting, the shelving unit has a custom double-sided glass fireplace that looks modern and yet feels warm and inviting.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

To create a warm and sophisticated master bedroom, we chose naturally beautiful architectural materials. We used fumed eucalyptus wood millwork panels to create a dramatic backdrop for the headboard. The centre has upholstered panels with antique brass metal reveals and integral light grazes to give it a bit of softness while remaining sophisticated.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We entered the SBID awards because of the international connection to the global design industry.

Questions answered by Jeffrey Beers, Founder & CEO, Jeffrey Beers International.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a luxury hotel design, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a hotel suite design by SBID Awards Finalist, Stonehill Taylor. The 563-room Conrad New York Midtown hotel is located in the heart of Manhattan on West 54th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Hospitality design firm Stonehill Taylor was tasked with turning the property, previously known as The London New York, into a new luxury destination through their vision for its interior design. The firm’s design exudes calm and elegance, reminiscent of the upscale Midtown residence of a contemporary art collector, with an emphasis on art throughout the property. While the décor is sleek and modern, it aims to achieve a timeless feel.

SBID Awards Category: Hotel Bedroom & Suites Sponsored by Schneider Electric

Finalist: Stonehill Taylor

Project: The Conrad New York Midtown

Location: New York

What was the client's brief? 

We were asked to design a hotel befitting the clientele of the New York Midtown location – specifically the executive traveller, the affluent family, and the celebrity guest; and develop five keywords to guide the design direction. The words we selected were “welcoming”, “connected”, “elevated”, “Invigorating”, and “stylish”. These words were carefully chosen to embody the patrons of The Conrad Midtown, who are not merely hotel guests – but worldly travellers with their New York City home at The Conrad Midtown - and their home should reflect their lifestyles.

What inspired the design of the project?

For this project, we were heavily influenced by residential design. We sought to immediately transport guests from the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood as soon as they enter the grand yet serene lobby.  We envisioned each suite as an upscale Midtown residence of a contemporary art collector, infusing the rooms with art and constructing thoughtful layouts with separate living and sleeping spaces. Take one of the grandest examples, the Penthouse suite, located on the 53rd & 54th floors: it has 180 degrees of expansive city views. We laid out each space in this suite to take advantage of these views—being able to soak in the bath while overlooking Central Park creates an unforgettable moment for a guest.

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

There is a fine balance to having a luxury suite feel residential while making practical decisions to stand the test of time. If your design is beautiful the day it opens, but a year later the hotel is having to replace everything due to wear and tear, then we haven’t done our job. Our challenge was to source furnishings that create the beautiful first impression that we wanted to make, while also being durable and resilient.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

This project is truly a standout for its spotlight on fine art and it’s unique offering as an all-suite hotel. In the lobby, guests are greeted by a large, lifelike sculpture, Leda and the Swan by Carole A. Feuerman. Museum-style lighting contrasted with dark surrounding walls highlights this special piece while emphasizing it as a gallery space. To the right of the hotel’s entry is an intimate library nook, with a curated selection of art and mythology books lining the shelves. Additional lounge areas are found in the mezzanine, overlooking the lobby and feature artwork by contemporary British artist Amy Judd.

The all-suite rooms provide guests with the sense of being in a private pied-a-terre. They feature dark herringbone wood floors, hand-tufted wool rugs with floor-to-ceiling, cream-coloured drapery complements the soft, neutral palette of greys and caramel. The project includes several special suites including Sky Suites, Atrium Suite and a split-level Penthouse Suite.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We value the contributions that SBID makes to the field of interior design, both in its native Britain and internationally. The Awards, of course, are one extension of that mission, and we are honoured that this hospitality effort is among the recognized projects. Our Interiors Division is central to the work that Stonehill Taylor does. It is with great pride that we design spaces for people to live, work, and play, and it’s always a delight to have our projects spotlighted by such a prestigious organization as SBID.

Questions answered by Bethany Gale, Interiors Associate, Stonehill Taylor.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a luxury New Zealand kitchen design, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential kitchen design by SBID Awards Finalist, Mal Corboy Design. Located on a Central Otago lane, this kitchen was the second project completed by the designer for this client. A brand-new home in a typical prominent gated community, the space was dictated by the architect. Surprisingly, the client sought a modern, contemporary interior that cleverly juxtaposed the exterior of the house.

SBID Awards Category: KBB Design Sponsored by Garrett Leather

Finalist: Mal Corboy Design

Project: Cardrona Views

Location: Otago, New Zealand

What was the client's brief? 

Four years from design to completion, everything was made from the ground up. Despite this, it’s perfect for 2020 showcasing the refined taste at play and timelessness of the modern feel of this kitchen.

The owner spared no expenses in ensuring every facet of this kitchen was to the highest standard. Not only did the kitchen need to have a day-to-day function but also be able to entertain at a corporate level and function, in part, as a scullery when needed. Electric doors open up to a large back end of the kitchen, where a complete scullery can be found. This completes the functional aspect, ensuring the kitchen can serve as an entertainment area with ease.

What inspired the design of the project?

For inspiration, the designer drew from a palette of rich, earthy colours. Under-cabinet lighting complements these tones well and both add a softness to the clean lines and sleekness of the design. Modern materials give this kitchen a contemporary look whilst keeping everything pristine.

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

One of the challenges in this project was keeping the kitchen on trend due to the amount of time that had passed from design to completion. The client has received widespread feedback from visitors, with people being blown away with the final result, not having seen anything like it in the community.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

After several successful corporate events, the kitchen is functioning as requested for the owner. Described as “world-class” by the architect, it has truly surpassed the client’s expectations, in design and function.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

As it is known as being the best of the best in the design world and, as a past winner, it's one I love to support.

Questions answered by Mal Corboy, Founder and Owner, Mal Corboy Interiors.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a Spanish health retreat, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a Spanish health retreat by SBID Awards Finalist, Rachel Laxer Interiors.

The ARTAH health retreat in Spain is the flagship hospitality project; a brand which Rachel Laxer Interiors brought to life through a design that reflects the wellness elements of restoration and transformation.

This included creating private areas where guests can relax, reflect and reconnect with themselves after an active day out cycling. These communal rest areas were designed to help guests connect with each other. You will find quiet restful corners for individuals and larger spaces to be enjoyed by groups of people.

Rachel Laxer worked with small independent makers and regional suppliers to create a unique expression of the brand that connected it to the local area. Many of the accessories and lighting were sourced from local craftsmen which was really important to both the designer and the client. Supporting the local community and giving back gives the retreat an authentic feel and helps it connect with the local landscape.

SBID Awards Category: Healthcare & Wellness Design Sponsored by Schneider Electric

Finalist: Rachel Laxer Interiors

Project: Artah Health Retreat Spain

Location: Girona, Spain

What was the client's brief? 

The word Artah translates as purpose or essence in Hindu philosophy. As a broader concept, it refers to the activities and resources that enable an individual to be in their desired state, and since the state of your health determines the way you live your life, Artah was created to embody this notion.

We were briefed by ARTAH founder Rhian Stephenson with the above quote to design her health retreat in Girona, Spain.

We created private areas where guests can relax, reflect and reconnect with themselves after an active day out cycling. These communal rest areas were designed to help guests connect with each other. You will find quiet, restful corners for individuals and larger spaces to be enjoyed by groups of people.

The retreat is beautiful and relaxing but also functional so that the purpose of the guest’s stay can be met. There are treatment rooms for restorative exercising and massage therapies, a simple and functional dining space to nourish your body, a yoga studio and an outdoor pool to exercise; and, beautiful bedrooms for guests to relax, sleep and reflect. These are simply luxurious - not opulent and we think reflect the philosophy of being in one’s ‘desired state’.

We worked with a colourful pastel palette on a neutral backdrop. Most of the furniture pieces, especially in the reception and communal areas are made from natural materials such as wood and rattan which reflects the pared-back nature of the retreat. The design needed to be modern, yet timeless to reflect the philosophy of the brand.

We had a lot of fun in the bathrooms, particularly with the tiles. You will see some bright pink and green tiles mainly from Bert & May and Porcelanosa. ARTAH Retreat is a place filled with energy and fun and the injection of colour and pattern helps us to reflect that.

Many of the accessories and lighting were sourced from local craftsmen which was really important to us and our client. Supporting the local community and giving back but gives the retreat an authentic feel and helps it connect with the local landscape.

What inspired the design of the project?

A laid back California style that was translated into English quirkiness mixed with European elegance and brought to life through local Spanish crafts.

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

It was really cold and very wet and being on a building site meant we had little protection from the elements. There were even mud slides that we navigated through between our hotel and the building site. But the lovely cosy evenings with tapas and wine kept us going.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

There were a few highlights. We had a vision to create a large arched opening in this old stone farmhouse, we didn’t know if the building would withstand the opening. Luckily it could, so we were very pleased with the large arch that you can see in the lobby area.

There is no greater satisfaction than when a client walks in and mentions that you’ve exceeded their expectations and that’s the response that we got from our clients, so again, we were very pleased.

The skill, love and dedication of the Spanish teams who worked on the project. Their attention to detail, particularly on how they laid the tiles was impeccable. Working in another country and in a different language is always a challenge, but everyone rolled up sleeves and got on with the job. We were very pleased to work with the architect, Ignacio Beloa, who was the glue that kept all the teams together.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Because we met the CEO and Founder of SBID, Vanessa Brady and I was blown away by her dedication to raising the standard of the industry. I immediately joined the SBID and entered its gold standard Awards that I would be proud to win. In an unregulated environment, to be recognised by a professional body means even more.

Questions answered by Rachel Laxer, Director of Rachel Laxer Interiors.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you missed the last installment of Project of the Week, featuring a Russian wellness centre, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a wellness centre design by SBID Awards Finalist, Dseesion Interiors. This is a unique high-tech wellness centre, situated in the most prestigious residential area of Moscow, where modern people have the opportunity to restore strength, to recharge their creative energy and harmonize their internal state. The techniques used within the centre combine the most progressive technologies and ancient healing practices.

The interior aims to foster a calm meditative state, that aids recovery and allows contemplation. It emphasizes the importance of the human being and their individual personality. In this centre, Dseesion uses many hand-made items and has created unique installations exclusively for this space.

SBID Awards Category: Healthcare & Wellness Design Sponsored by Schneider Electric

Finalist: Dseesion Interiors

Project: Quintessence. Centre for Mindful Change

Location: Moscow, Russia

What was the client's brief? 

We were asked to design the interior and manage construction works of a center which is unique to Russia. The interior is supposed to create a favorable atmosphere for our guests revealing their internal potential and harmonization of their personality. It also needed to be multifunctional, effectively using a relatively small space to ensure the privacy of the guests within an intimate atmosphere involved in various procedures and practices.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

It was true teamwork which required a lot of energy, resilience and inspiration. Working on this project we have created a lot of hand-made objects and we passionately inspired other subcontractors and artists to deliver the best result they can.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We consider British traditions of interior design as the most sophisticated and stylish. The Society of British International Interior Design joins the best professionals all over the world. It is a great honor and privilege to take part in such a respected and well-known contest. That is why we decided to enter the SBID Awards.

Questions answered by Valeria Senkina, Chief Architect and General Manager of Dseesion Interiors.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you the last installment of Project of the Week, featuring a Club House Design, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a clubhouse design by SBID Awards Finalist, Kris Lin International Design. Located next to Xi'an's largest urban ecological park, the aim of this project was to marry nature and architecture into one, while incorporating Chinese gardens and drawing on Central Park as a key theme.

SBID Awards Category: Club & Bar Design Sponsored by Garrett Leather

Finalist: Kris Lin International Design

Project: Central Park

Location: Xi'an, China

What was the client's brief? 

The project is located in Xi'an, next to Xi'an's largest urban ecological park, and has become a natural landscape resource for the project. The designers used "Central Park" as the theme to create a club with a park experience.

Upon entering the reception center, the designers use a set of "wood truss" structures as ceilings in the area of the entrance lobby to form a pavilion shape. The pavilion was a place for pedestrians to rest in ancient times.

The glazed leaf installation art runs through the entire space. From the side of the foyer, the leaves begin to fall, and then to the foyer ceiling, and finally falls in the foyer pool. The orderly layout pendant design looks as if the leaves have been blown into the space by the wind.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

Harmony between nature and architecture. The project is located next to Xi'an's largest urban ecological park and has become a natural landscape resource for the project. The designers hope to use the "Central Park" as the theme, combined with the guest line and use the "Introduction, elucidation, transition, and summary" design method to create a reception center with park experience. The harmony between nature and architecture is formed.

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

The biggest challenge was integrating both the traditional Chinese gardens into the interior, and extending the outdoor park landscape into the interior.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The biggest highlight of the project was being able to meet the client's needs and designed and built the interior space. Achieving the combination of the "Central Park" theme, the guest line, and a reception center with a park experience.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We have been entering the SBID Awards for many years, and have achieved good results every year. The shortlisting of each work is a great affirmation for us, and we also hoped to win a grand prize.

Questions answered by Kris Lin, Lead Director of Kris Lin International Design.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you the last installment of Project of the Week, featuring a villa with Italian detailing, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential design by Ledbury Studio. This London pied à terre is located in a leafy square of imposing mid-19th century properties in Pimlico. The owner was completely refurbishing the two-bedroom apartment and wanted a copper kitchen for her stylish open-plan kitchen-living space. Ledbury Studio’s Metallics Collection kitchen – the first copper kitchen our client had ever seen – was, therefore, the perfect fit.

Company: Ledbury Studio

Project: Pimlico kitchen

Location: Pimlico, London

What was the client's brief? 

The owner had a very definite vision for her whole apartment that included rich colours, mid-century furniture and metallic accents – and the copper kitchen was a key part of this. The kitchen was to be situated on one side of the room with sitting area on the other, so she didn’t want something that looked like standard square kitchen cabinets. They had to resemble standalone pieces of furniture that would blend into the look of the whole room.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

Our client was searching unsuccessfully for a copper kitchen when she saw the first incarnation of our Metallics Collection at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018. When creating that kitchen, I had chosen copper because I wanted to harness the beauty of solid metals and use them in a contemporary kitchen setting that was different to anything else out there. Which is why our client was so excited to see the kitchen in her head become a reality!

The design needed to be a beautiful but practical working kitchen in a compact footprint. As such, the antiqued copper doors are kept to one side away from direct contact with heat or water but still provide the focal point our client wanted. For the worktops and splashback, I chose hard-wearing Bianco Macaubas quartzite, rather than the marble that was originally specified in the Chelsea kitchen. Thus, the island serves as a functional sink and prep area, as well as a breakfast bar to gather around. And finally, to answer the brief for furniture that looks like standalone pieces, I included a glass-fronted display cabinet in black-stained oak with an unusual dropped worktop.

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

The biggest challenge was to create a glamorous design that worked in this relatively small space. With the kitchen and sitting room forming a multi-functional area, I had to ensure I got the balance of the design right between having an island, a breakfast bar, a wall of cabinetry, and then having a really attractive sitting room as part of the whole set up.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

This was one of our earliest projects and I think the highlight was that it showed us just how different and how attractive the use of the copper could be. Seeing the copper combined with the stone and the wood in a kitchen context and seeing how well it could work – that really was very exciting.

Questions answered by Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.

If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a unique restaurant design, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a 2019 SBID Awards finalist in the restaurant design category. As the next step in their expansion plans, Peggy Porschen asked Kinnersley Kent Design to design a new flagship parlour on the King’s Road in Chelsea. With demand for everyday indulgences growing and a huge following, Peggy saw an opportunity to create a new, all-day destination for her baked delicacies. The new Chelsea parlour consists of two floors over 220sqm in an attractive corner site which had been the Chelsea Quarter Café.

KKD's concept loosely centres around the idea of a ‘Peggy Porschen Home’ and each room offers a slightly different experience. On arrival, you are greeted with the magnificent five-metre-long patisserie counter followed by the ‘salon de thé’. Downstairs the grand dining room acts as an event space for private parties or extension of the parlour for busy periods and customers can enjoy a drink at the bijou ‘pink bar’. The aim was to try to capture the charm of the Belgravia parlour while adding something new and exciting for the customer.

SBID Awards: Restaurant Design sponsored by Blooms Art

Company: Kinnersley Kent Design

Project: Peggy Porschen Chelsea

Location: London, United Kingdom

What was the client's brief? 

Our brief from the beginning was to create a space which embodied the spirit of the brand through every touchpoint whilst capturing the magic of the original Belgravia parlour. As Peggy has such a large social media following the new space also had to be inherently ‘Instagrammable’. The Chelsea location is a two-floor site. The space needed to cater for takeaway, coffee and cake, light meals, provide a flexible event space for customers to hire for children’s parties, friends or family events which could be used as an extension to the main parlour in busy periods. It also had to provide an opportunity to grow the existing retail offer.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

Peggy’s beautiful baked creations were the main inspiration for the branded interior. From the outset, the focus was on the culinary artistry and the ‘food being the hero’. For that reason, the design and details are toned up and down according to the location within the parlour- for example, the patisserie counter is very modern and monolithic with minimal elegant glass displays which allow the artistry of the cakes to shine, whereas a more decorative and playful mix of traditional details and modern references are toned up within the seating areas.

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

Every project comes with its own difficulties but for Peggy Porschen the design involves a rich palette of materials, pattern and detail along with the design of lots of bespoke and one-off pieces. ‘Attention to detail’ is at the heart of both the Peggy Porschen brand and Kinnersley Kent Design’s approach as a creative studio. To deliver this in such an intricate and detailed project requires close collaboration, coordination and a shared philosophy across every team involved was vital.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Working with founder Peggy and her husband Bryn so collaboratively on this project was a pleasure and I think the highlight for us was being given the responsibility to take this iconic brand, which is a real labour of love for them both and expand it to offer something new and exciting without losing any of the Peggy Porschen charm.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We’re extremely proud of this project and it is an honour to have our work recognised by SBID who are known to celebrate some of the best international work in our industry.

Questions answered by James Scott, Associate Director at Kinnersley Kent Design.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's restaurant design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a Victorian-printworks-turned-office-space, click here to see more.

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a retail design by GP Studio. Following the successful opening of Hershesons ‘one-stop beauty’ flagship in Fitzrovia, the brand has now launched its greatly anticipated new site in Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge.

Much like the vast, 5000 sq ft space opened on Berners Street, this super salon is a one-stop-shop for all your beauty needs. Rejecting conventional ideas surrounding the traditional salon model, it’s now the turn of the Harvey Nichols location to experience the new concept, but of course with its own iterations.

The new ‘super salon’ brings together a unique mix of top industry brands – James Reid, Dr Dennis Gross, as well as hosting a collective, a first for the hair industry, with the world’s best stylists and colourists taking up short-term residencies – Jenny Choo and Lena Ott to name a few. Farm Girl completes the list of amazing names, providing the uber-healthy food and refreshments across the space, creating a unique café-come-work-come-social-space.

SBID Awards: Retail Design sponsored by Perennials & Sutherland

Company: gpstudio

Project: Hershesons Harvey Nichols

Location: London, United Kingdom

What was the client's brief? 

Developing on from the flagship space in Berners Street, create a true destination ‘beauty playground’ within 4th Floor Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, that combines high-end convenience with an injection of playful excitement – A home from home hangout, a workspace, a beauty space.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

As with Berners Street, the space breaks the traditional salon norms - customers are encouraged to explore and sit wherever they want, creating their own unique journey and experience. Retractable mirrors prevent you from having to stare at your reflection whilst surrounded by foils, window benches provide a spot to watch the world go by whilst having your nails attended too and the treatment rooms provide an air of calm and sanctuary. Two VIP rooms provide complete privacy, raising the level of service to a complete luxury experience – Polished bespoke terrazzo floors juxtapose with traditional rattan and timber, whilst the existing windows fill the rooms with daylight to create a high-end Parisian apartment feel. Gone is the green marble and reeded glass synonymous with Berners Street, replaced by sumptuous yellow travertine and Georgian wired glass giving the Harvey Nichols space an identity all of its own. The existing traditional critical windows make for a striking architectural background, which bathes the bespoke terrazzo floor in natural light late afternoon creating a stunning centre piece to the main salon area.

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

Creating a new design DNA for 4th Floor Harvey Nichols, whilst still retaining the same essence, vibe and experience synonymous with Hershesons Berners Street.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Seeing the bespoke terrazzo floor with the beautiful natural light late afternoon cascading over it. It creates a stunning centrepiece to the main salon and has been a talking point by all who visit every since.

Questions answered by Gemma Ratcliffe, Associate Director at gpstudio.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring an office and members club, click here to see more.

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