Residential Development Design Surrounds You with Greenery and Flora

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern residential development design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ENJOYDESIGN.

What was the client's brief? 

The theme of client’s brief: The Garden on the Loess.

The city of Yinchuan, where the project is located, is situated in the Ningxia Plain, an arid region in western China. Unlike other arid regions, there are two major wetland parks that are ecological features of the area. In order to protect the precious wetland resources and this important transit point for migrating birds, the city of Yinchuan is also aiming to become a 'city of lakes'. In addition, the survey shows that there are few commercial forms around the project site, the quality of life is not high and the convenience of living is improving.

Therefore, ENJOYDESIGN, as the interior design for this case, wanted to create a "multi-life experience hall" for the residents with the theme of "The Garden on the Loess", integrating plants and greenery, floral art, cultural creation, trendy games, reading, beauty, tea and other diversified businesses, and creating a "multi-life experience hall" with both aesthetics and fireworks in the form of a community. A third space outside of work. At the same time, it also serves to promote the ecological characteristics of the area.

What inspired the design of the project?

What inspired the design of this project is the local efforts made over the years to protect the wetland resources. Using flowers and greenery as a medium, nature is allowed to surge like flowing water, irrigating not only the desert sands, but also the hearts of the people of Yinchuan.

We have tried to tell the other side of the city in a lifelike way, leading people to experience the unique face of Yinchuan, not only the yellow earth and barren smoke and ravines, but also the prosperity and vibrancy of The Garden on the Loess.

We hope that community residents will feel the romance of the sun surrounded by flowers and embark on a journey to nature to find the oasis their hearts desire.

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

During the project, the toughest hurdles to overcome were the construction of the design facade and the local people's acceptance of the novel style.

Large curved wood finish walls require a high degree of workmanship and stability in terms of grain and colour. Yinchuan is one of the more remote cities in western China, where finding workers who are skilled in construction and high quality building materials is more difficult than in the metropolis.

Secondly, the style of the scheme is relatively new to the occupants of the area and has undergone a process of trying to tell the concept from scheme to landing and then to pre-acceptance by the general public.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

I think it is: we strive to turn dream gardens into real, functional spaces that are both beautiful and functional, making them a part of the lives of the community.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

First, of course, the professionalism. SBID Awards is a highly professional, fair and influential award in the design industry. Every year, we choose excellent works to compete. For example, last year, we won the only award for interior design in the Asia Pacific region, which was affirmed and recognized by the jury from distant overseas and design countries. The designers were greatly excited and encouraged after winning the award because it proved the design ability of the studio.

Questions answered by Jie Guo, Founder & Creative Director, ENJOYDESIGN.

In this week's interview with 2022 SBID Awards winners of the Residential Budget Up To £50,000 category, Co-founder of ID4U Studio, Viktoriya Moshchynska shares the concept and decisions behind the design, approach to enlarging a small space and working within the budget.

This small apartment was made for rent. It was important to create space that would fit a lot of people’s expectations but preferably for a young couple. The building is situated in beautiful place surrounded by nature.

Firstly, tell us a bit about the design of your project. What were the key ideas, concepts and processes behind it?

Because this property was made for renting the main idea was to create a simple design which can easily meet expectations of working singles or a couple. We also wanted to replan the space so it could look bigger and lighter and every inch of it could be functional. Our work started with layouts and constructive documents. Because our budget was limited I had to use some materials that were in stock at that moment. For example, we chose this simple white textile for the kitchen but decided to put it in a chevron way and make the black seams.

What was your biggest takeaway or highlight from completing this project?

We never thought about this project as of a special one. We just tried to create a nice place. Our client gave us full freedom within the budget and this worked out very well. This means that the best result is achieved when your client trusts you.

What has winning an SBID Award meant for you and your business?

We are from Ukraine. We know that there were 16 Ukrainian projects that got into the final in 2022, two of them won a category. I think, it shows that the interior design sphere is well developed in my country, and the work of our architects, designers and manufacturers, as well as my work personally, meets international standards and trends. It's an important message that we as Ukrainians send to other European countries.

How do you approach design projects with a limited budget? Do you have any tactics you use to get the most out of it?

After 14 years of work I now know exactly which parts of an interior are worth spending on and which are not.

Space changes that require constructive works are worth spending on. I also never use cheap bathroom sets and taps, etc. The rule is simple: you shouldn't save on things that are in-built within the apartment.

The other important rule is never buy fake. I can always find interior objects within the budget. I like to buy small furniture and decor from mass market producers. At the same time I only use authentic Art for my projects. It's my favorite mix of something expansive and something cheap. Like when you wear an H&M t-shirt with a GUCCI skirt.

The wall inside the apartment was replaced with a glass one - what was the inspiration behind it and were there any difficulties/considerations that came with that?

In my strong opinion, inner architecture is the main thing of future interior. Standart planning never works. Rooms in this apartment were divided by a wall. It made them small and dark. Decision with a glass wall came to my head the first moment I entered the apartment. I instantly knew that we needed it. The only thing that stopped us was the price. But we assured my client that it was worth it. And she never regretted it. The wall completely changed the space by making it look bigger and lighter.

The space, although small, seems spacious and airy. How did you achieve this effect in this project?

Apartment used to have a covered separated gallery. We decided to add it's space to the living room. We demolished the wall between the living room and the gallery. The living room became bigger. But the most important thing is that we could now enjoy this wonderful view over the Dnipro river through big windows which we didn't see before. A lot of natural light now fills the whole apartment through the windows and the glass wall and makes it look airy.

Questions answered by Viktoriya Moshchynska, Co-founder, ID4U Studio.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a kitchen renovation design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Celia Visser Design.

What was the client's brief? 

The expat owners of this 1990s architecturally designed home returned to New Zealand for their retirement and called upon the designer to renovate their kitchen living area. They wanted to ensure it would fit with the home’s existing architecture and, as avid cooks, needed a much larger space to comfortably use. The wanted to enhance the harbour views the room enjoyed which was constrained by walls on entering the space.

What inspired the design of the project?

The Clients brief & the house architecture. The home had quite industrial and native NZ timber features, especially the open stairwell which can be seen from the front and larder.

The clients had lived in a lot of Asian & Arab countries & had brought back a lot of treasures and special objects they had collected on their travels and wanted them to be displayed in the kitchen. The open shelves were designed to match the stairs, like a commercial kitchen having all products on display.

The colour Palette was chosen to blend all these elements together.

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

One of the main challenges for this project was that the kitchen’s size in proportion to the house size and function was very small. There was also an unused room behind the existing kitchen that could be incorporated, but the three dividing wall and posts were a major structural support for the three-storied home.

The removal of the structural and supporting walls was a big undertaking, this meant employing an engineer to redesign the house foundations and constructing new supporting steel beams.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight was viewing the opened kitchen to the adjacent room for the first time. This increased the space to double in size while exposing the beautiful harbour views which had been hidden from many areas of the entrance & living room. It was a very special moment when the client saw what a difference the larger space would have on their lives & especially being able to see the harbour from all angles while she cooked – a moment to remember.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

I entered and won the SBID award KBB category in 2018 & love that these Awards have grown to be such a force globally & I feel they are so prestigious and recognised now. It helps my credibility as a designer both in New Zealand & Internationally. I can market my award as being at the top of my career globally so it’s a very special award for me.

If I have a great project I want to enter for the recognition it gives, even to be a finalist is a great accolade.

Questions answered by Celia Visser, FNKBA, CKD/CBDNZ PDINZ, Celia Visser Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and functional family apartment design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Bajer Sokol.

What was the client's brief? 

The Black Apartment is located in the center of Warsaw. It's a 220 m2 space for a married couple with an adult child and a guest room. The owners bought the apartment that at the time of purchase was an open space, without any partition walls inside. After we were provided with guidelines for the division of rooms, we created 7 versions of the functional layout. The apartment is named Black because it was supposed to be dominated by dark colors, but in the process of selecting materials, the interior has been slightly brightened and made warmer. However, dark materials still dominate inside it. The intention was to use materials of very high quality and to equip it with the best modern furniture brands. The budget closed at around £ 2,000 / m2. The project is very detailed, and its implementation shows high manufacturing quality in many details, such as handles, joining materials or stone finishes on furniture.

The implementation took 9 months and we managed to carry it out in accordance with the schedule. Customers expected a high-quality execution and us keeping to the set deadlines. They now enjoy spending time in an apartment already put into use.

What inspired the design of the project?

We had 7 versions of the functional design of the apartment. The clients really wanted to achieve the right balance between aesthetics and functionality, while also keeping huge windows and a view of the surrounding park, planning the rooms in a way that would not sacrifice the space. The final outcome was an apartment that was meticulously designed, where even the laundry room has hidden details proving a comprehensive approach to design.

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

The best thing about this project was the cooperation with the client! From the start they knew what they wanted to have in the apartment, and it was exactly the design we love. Therefore, we had no problems with the project and cooperation with the client.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The kitchen is the essence of the details in this apartment. All pieces of furniture, handles, shelves and lighting are the result of the collaboration of many contractors and our studio. Nothing here is ready made or coming from a catalog. Shelves are of 4mm veneered aluminum and the whole island, together with the fronts is made of solid stone plates, not sinter. Each handle has been designed in such a way to fit a drawer, dishwasher, refrigerator, or an ordinary cupboard. There are no visible cables or random sockets here. Wardrobes and doors are always the elements of a bigger structure of furniture. The wardrobes are embedded within large built-in panels, doors are always hidden in walls and marked only by door handles. The only doors that have a decorative function are glass Rimadesio built-in doors leading to the night area, or master bathrooms.

In 3 bathrooms of the apartment, you can see the same principle - nothing is accidental! The same stone was used on the floor, walls, or fronts of cabinets. Large format plates with planned divisions. Glass built-in furniture with hidden hinges or mounting profiles. Every visible element is supposed to decorate, be a part of the composition and not random. Equipment by Antonio Lupi, Gessi, Flos or Viega with the gunmetal or satin type finishes harmonize with ceramics and metal elements.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID society is the biggest and best ID organisation in Europe, therefore, to receive an award from you is the biggest achievement for our company and a confirmation that it is of the best quality and approved by you.

Questions answered by Hanna Bajer, Main Architect, and Pawel Sokol, Architect, Bajer Sokol.

Photo credits: Tom Kurek

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a industrial artists' house design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Clara Lleal Interiorista.

House located in the historic centre of Badalona, a city near Barcelona. One of the challenges when it came to the layout of the project was to strategically place the sculptures created by the owner of the house himself, the artist and sculptor Juanma Noguera. In short, an Art Gallery house.

In terms of general aesthetics, the idea was to give the whole space an industrial atmosphere, maintaining and recovering the building's original materials. The solid brick walls were uncovered, the vaulted iron-beamed ceilings were respected, and areas with the original hydraulic pavement were maintained. The materials used subsequently also follow this industrial premise, concrete, black iron sheet, herringbone floor of recovered wood, and teak wood furniture to break the cold of the greys.

Gaining maximum natural light was also one of the objectives of this project. Several skylights were opened in ceilings, and an inner courtyard was located at the back of the house.

What was the client's brief? 

The main request of the client, who is the sculptor and painter Juanma Noguera, was that his sculptures and paintings would be part of the overall design of the house. In other words, when thinking about the layout and design, we also thought about placing the sculptures in strategic places so that they could be observed and at the same time beautify the space.

What inspired the design of the project?

The construction of the house dates back to the 19th century, coinciding with the industrial period in Catalonia. Therefore, the house has many architectural elements typical of that period, which we wanted to maintain and even restore. The walls were chipped to leave the brickwork exposed, the original cast iron columns were restored, the hydraulic mosaic floor tiles of Mediterranean origin were kept, and the Catalan vaulted ceilings were left exposed. In short, we wanted to recover the industrial essence of the house and give it value.

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

The spaces were very large and there was a risk that they would not be welcoming, which was of paramount importance to the client. With the combination of materials such as teak wood and dark colours, a cosy atmosphere was definitely achieved.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the main challenges was to gain natural light. It can be said that in an area of 200 square meters there was only one window. Skylights were opened in the roof and in the inner courtyards, as many openings as possible were made so that the house would be bathed in light. We wanted to convey the feeling of well-being and warmth that natural light provides. In addition, from the beginning we wanted to include a lot of natural vegetation that can only live with light.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Because I had seen SBID award-winning projects that really seemed high level to me, so I thought it would be good to participate.

Questions answered by Clara Lleal, Creative Director, Clara Lleal Interiorista.

Can you describe your current job?

My current job is Creative Director at Pia Design - my own design studio. Our studio is currently myself and two full time interior designers. I oversee all the projects and present designs to our clients and set the creative direction of each project - my team are super talented at creating 3D visuals and detailed specification documents to deliver our ideas to the client.

What is your background and how did you get into interior design?

I had quite an academic start to my education and career - I completed the International Baccalaureate and then did a Foundation course in Art & Design and then a degree in Interior Architecture at Kingston University. I knew from my teens that I wanted to be an interior designer - my family moved country every two years throughout my childhood so I quickly learnt the importance of 'making a house a home’. I was also interested in psychology, and interior design allows me to combine my creative passion with my interest in understanding people. One of my favourite parts of the project is interpreting the brief and developing a design tailored to the client’s taste.

Describe an average day in your job role.

My days can be varied but typically I start the day with a team call to review project progress and our to-do lists for the day. I’ll then catch up on my emails and urgent payments / invoices before heading out to site visits - sometimes I have two or even three site visits in a row. Then it’s back to the studio to review the work of my design team from the day, catching up on more emails, and occasionally I’ll have evening calls with my clients who are in different time zones or too busy to speak during the day time. After dinner, I’ll usually sit down with my iPad and browse Instagram or Pinterest or read magazines for an hour or two, saving inspiration ideas for our current projects.

Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most and/or find the most rewarding?

I love the conceptual part of the project the most - working out who our client is and what they like, often reading between the lines or drawing inspiration from what they already own or from their artwork. It’s great to see their reactions to the initial concepts and then build the designs up from there - the most rewarding part is of course seeing the finished result of our designs and a happy client!

Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?

What do you find the most challenging aspects of your job?

Keeping all the plates spinning! We typically have between 10-15 projects at any one time, all at various stages, and we take on project coordination for many of our projects as well… so a lot of what we do is organising and keeping on top of timelines to make sure projects run efficiently and on time. There can be a lot of unknowns during the building works stage so often we have to be quick to rethink ideas and find solutions on the spot if things don’t pan out how we intended on site.

What do you wish you knew before working in the field?

What would you tell your younger self if you had the chance?

Trust your intuition and knowledge, don’t be discouraged by disagreements and stand up for yourself! There are a lot of big egos in this industry and it’s important to believe in your vision and sometimes you have to stand your ground to see your vision through.

What has been your favourite project to work on?

We recently worked on the redecoration of a large country manor in the North Downs which was in dire need of updating. The client owned a lot of heirloom furniture pieces that they wanted to bring back to life and was excited to work with us from a sustainability perspective. We were careful not to rip out anything that was still in good condition, choosing instead to repair, reupholster and rejuvenate everything from existing joinery to the furniture. The client was so happy when she saw her home of many years and inherited furniture pieces lovingly restored that she cried tears of joy.

What do you think is the biggest problem the interior design industry faces?

Construction is one of the most polluting industries in the world and interior design is unfortunately a guilty party to the waste created. I think the industry needs to adapt and change quickly to focus on more sustainable ways to refurbish and I believe that designers are not only responsible for implementing this change but that we have the power to set the direction of change by helping our clients make more planet-friendly decisions during their renovation project.

Which people do you admire the most in the industry and why?

I am a huge admirer of the Finnish Architect / Designer Joanna Laajisto - I love the way her designs are a contemporary take on classic Scandinavian design and her focus on sustainability in her material selection. I am also in awe of Sophie Asbhy and how she has built a successful brand and business, as well as her involvement in setting up the United in Design initiative.

Why did you decide to join the SBID?

I decided to join the SBID to feel a sense of community within the interiors world and to be involved and connected with new suppliers and trade events. It’s also really important for the types of clients that we work with that we can demonstrate a high level of professionalism, which being a member of the SBID’s international community provides.

Questions answered by Pia Pelkonen, Founder and Creative Director, Pia Design.

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and minimalistic family house design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ND Studios.

Natascha Dartnall, Founder & Director of ND Studios: We completely reconfigured an existing property, retaining only the listed front façade while building a modern house behind. It was important that we had lots of options when it came to marbles, stones and woods. For our client, the materials were just as important as the furniture, fixtures and fittings themselves.

Our clients shared our own commitment to sustainability and wanted to, where possible, make environmentally conscious decisions during the design, build and install. ND Studios will always seek to employ sustainable practises where possible. One of the main ways we achieved this on this project was to install a ground-source heat pump which is more environmentally friendly than alternative options because it recycles heat between seasons and it releases fewer carbon emissions.

What was the client's brief? 

Our client wanted their new house to be a family home suitable for both relaxation and entertaining – with a spa, cinema room and home café all on the client’s shopping list. We were asked to create fresh and contemporary interiors with a nod to minimalism. Our clients were keen that we embraced an aesthetic that had longevity and that would age well while also ensuring that it was as sustainable as possible.

What inspired the design of the project?

Given that this was to be family home but with a modern, minimalist aesthetic a main priority was to ensure the house would work, practically speaking. How could we ensure there was a sense of home while staying true to the very pared back concept?

The bedrooms are an ode to modern comfort: clean lines, muted shades and plenty of light thanks to floor to ceiling windows. The guest bedroom includes a plump, fabric headboard which extends all the way across one of the walls, serving as a backdrop to the nightstands as well as the bed itself. This adds some softness to the room. The abstract paintings above the bed with vivid cerulean blue and scarlet red markings also adds vibrancy – just another example of how we made this modern house a family home.

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

The first hurdle for us was ensuring we had planning in place to knock down much of the existing property and build its modern replacement. The façade of the original property was listed and as a result it had to remain intact. This didn’t jeopardise our client’s vision or our execution of the project: we all felt it added character and a sense of history to the new home. While this held us back, it was only a matter of time before we got the go-ahead. It was a chasing and waiting game.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the most exciting spaces to work on was the home café which has an industrial vibe with a sculpted slab of White Fantasy marble serving as the bar area. We kept it neutral but monochrome with lots of angles and lines which made for a contemporary socialising space you’d expect to see in a busy metropolis but is a brilliant surprise to find within a leafy suburban home.

The cinema room was another exercise in making a space both relaxing, physically comfortable but also chic. There is plenty of softness thanks to the silk carpet by Loomah and the abundance of cushions, but we ensured the space has plenty of hard lines and angles too, so that the room has a sense of structure.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

To have recognition for our work from an established industry body is an honour, and one which we hold in high regard.

Questions answered by Natascha Dartnall, Founder & Director, ND Studios.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a residential design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Ana Engelhorn Interior Design.

St George's Hill is a 964-acre (3.9 km2) private estate in Weybridge, Surrey, UK, with golf and tennis clubs and approximately 420 houses. The Hill became a leisure location and home to celebrities and entrepreneurs when the land was divided into lots in the 1910s and 1920s and Walter George Tarrant built its first homes. Ringo Star, John Lennon and Sir Cliff Richard are a few of the notable people who have lived there.

Harwood House is one of the original homes; at just under 500 square metres, it sits on about 1.77 acres of land. Late Victorian in style, the house was last renovated 20 years ago and was not done to a very high standard. New rooms were added, like the conservatory; the kitchen and lounge area were opened up; and the use of rooms was changed.

What was the client's brief? 

Prior to our renovation, it was empty for three years, which meant that damp and other issues where left unattended. The main issues to sort out before moving on to the interior design were the electrics, the plumbing and the building works.

The clients wanted to use the existing floor plan, with some changes to door openings and a new kitchen and bathrooms. The old library was turned into a girl’s bedroom – we were able to use existing carpentry and change door openings. The house had five bedrooms, but we turned one into a shower room as the master bathroom didn’t have a shower. All bedrooms except one have their own bathrooms and there are two guest toilets on the ground floor.

What inspired the design of the project?

Interior design-wise, in line with the Ana Engelhorn signature style, we aimed to achieve a perfectly imperfect mix of antiques and contemporary pieces that suited the clients and the house. The clients had a lot of eclectic art, as well their own pieces from Africa, which complemented the design perfectly.

We were given free rein to choose colour and, fortunately, the clients were happy with our suggestions. Two of our main paint suppliers were Francesca’s Paints from the UK, who make bold and strong colours, and Bauwerk from Germany, who use a more washed-out, uneven look.

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

The biggest job was the kitchen. We overhauled it completely as the owners are avid cooks and wanted to have adequate cooking and prep areas. The two outbuildings were converted into a gym and an office, with the same style flowing from the house to the outside rooms.

There was extensive work to do with curtains and upholstery. Some of the older pieces we were able to reupholster and reuse. The furniture was a mix of what the client brought from previous homes and what we supplied from the UK and abroad.

All the lighting was new and signed off by a trusted lighting supplier to ensure that, with the daring colour scheme, the lighting effects inside the house were effective.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Overall, the project went smoothly, without too many hiccups. Amazingly, considering the renovation took place during the first Covid lockdown, the clients were able to move in on time and everyone was happy with the final result.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We entered the awards to see people’s reaction and shine a light on our work. We loved doing this project and are very proud of it. Sharing it with other interior designers hopefully inspires them in their own projects or homes.

Questions answered by Ana Engelhorn, Founder, Ana Engelhorn Interior Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a colourful and design-led kitchen design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Pikcells.

What was the client's brief? 

To create a 'Kitchen of the Year' focusing on current trends such as working from home. With the kitchen space being the hub of the home and centre of different social activities, it must be suitable for not only cooking, but the kids doing homework and serving as a multifunctional entertainment space.

What inspired the design of the project?

We did research into the current use of kitchen space, how work from home areas are being adapted from other spaces (in our case we used what would have been a boot room). Colour and pattern trends also inspired the design using green and pink hues, chequered terrazzo tiles, marble worktops and backsplashes, as well as internal crittall doors creating a 'broken-plan' space and pantries.

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

Working within a more attainable size setting whilst still being able to incorporate all of the design features we just mentioned.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Creating a bold, impactful colour palette for the scheme, and also successfully incorporating a functional desk area into the design to improve the client's lifestyle and use of their kitchen space.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We felt the design was strongly influenced by current trends and consumer needs for kitchen environments, designed for modern living. Also it showcases that luxury-looking bespoke kitchens can still be attainable and affordable.

Questions answered by Tanya Bailey, Senior Interior Designer, Pikcells.

Charlie Smallbone of Ledbury Studio has unveiled the Marquetry Collection. This stunning new bespoke kitchen has its debut in the studio of interior design and architectural practice, Hill House Interiors. Charlie is renowned for his luxurious design style, razor-like attention to detail and commitment to innovation – and the Marquetry Collection is no exception to this. Here Charlie reveals all about Ledbury Studio's latest offering.

What was the project brief?

The brief was an interesting one! We were asked to conceal the conventional elements of the kitchen behind beautiful cupboard doors so that the generous open-plan space can instantly switch from living to dining to cooking.

To achieve this, we specified two sets of pocket doors that slide back to reveal appliances and a wealth of storage. Particularly savvy are the walnut veneer larder pull-outs that we installed either side of the bank of ovens. Although narrow, they are great for stashing all the cooking essentials you’ll need to access at a moment’s notice.

What is unique about the cupboard design in The Marquetry Collection?

In keeping with Ledbury Studio’s signature aesthetic, The Marquetry Collection is a contemporary take on traditional artisanal skills. Directional veneers were applied by hand to form a decorative pattern and inlaid with aged bronze. Bespoke handles, also in aged bronze, add the finishing touch.

The island is spectacular, what was your thinking here?

The front of the island is clad in solid brass which has been distressed by hand, then aged and patinated. As a design feature, it injects texture and provides a contrast with the smooth marquetry panels. A porcelain surface wraps round the solid brass panel, chosen for its combination of stylish good looks and hardwearing properties. Non-porous porcelain is also a practical choice for the integrated sink, and creates a beautiful backdrop to the open shelving.

By locating the hob on the island, we have maximised the sociability of the space. While preparing dinner, the designated chef can carry on a conversation with whoever is perched at the breakfast bar or sitting at the dining table.

What does the open storage add to this kitchen?

Open storage never fails to inject a generous dose of personality into a kitchen. Although our brief was to hide the majority of the kitchen, it was important the design shouldn’t just be a blank canvas. So, by adding bespoke walnut shelves above the kitchen sink we provided space to express some individual style.

Ledbury Studio kitchens start from £50,000.

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