Stylish and Gloomy Apartment Designed for an Unusual Client

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a dark apartment design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ID4U studio.

What was the client's brief? 

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

What inspired the design of the project?

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

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

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

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

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

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

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

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

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

As designers and creators of floorcoverings for over 30 years, Crucial Trading continuously looks at innovative ways to work with sustainable and natural fibres. Adding to their constantly evolving collections, their technical and creative teams have recently created three new designs in wool - Collage, Weather Watching, and Balance - while adding new colourways to the popular wool Mississippi collection.

Collage

Collage provides a dynamic mélange of pattern and texture in a choice of five colourways that are inspired by modernist art. With names such as Soft Focus, Modernity, Juxtaposition, Paper Layer, and Mixed Media in a collage of blended hues, they are works of art in their own right!

Woven from 100% New Zealand Wool, Collage is a chunky 6 ply tufted Loop Pile so definitely one to sink your toes into whether your creativity takes you in the direction of a bespoke rug or wall-to-wall fitted carpet.

Balance

Balance is a curation of quiet colour and texture designed to encourage reflection and restorative living. Extending mindfulness to how we exist in our interiors, this design champions beauty in the simplistic. Available in a choice of seven earthy and considered colourways; Timeless, Pause, Silence, Intuition, Clarity, Philosophy, and Grace, Balance is quite literally something to meditate on.

Woven from 100% New Zealand Wool, chosen for its pureness of colour, Balance introduces an element of cut-pile/twist to Crucial Trading’s offering. A gentle balance between the cut and the loop results in an almost two-tone finish to the floor covering.

Weather Watching

Weather Watching is inspired by our British obsession with the weather. Earthy, subtle tones take direction from atmospheres and the unpredictable with enticing and atmospheric names such as Soft Rain, Thunderstorm Play, Overcast Day, and Indian Summer. Some days it storms, some days it shines, this is how the flower grows.

The palette of calm colours gives the home a sense of grounding whilst creating a backdrop with which to live our lives. The collection is woven from hank dyed 3 ply tufted loop pile British Wool and comes in a choice of 11 different colourways.

Mississippi

Mississippi has become a design classic since it was introduced 18 years ago as a result of the creative team playing around with fragments of coloured wool fibres that were available on the floor of the workshop. This hero design welcomes eight new colourways into the collection bringing the total offering to 16.
The new palette is inspired by natural dyes, providing softer, more muted tones for an earthy feel that becomes rich through application. Pale blues and greys combine with gentle tones of green, red, and brown for a relaxed interior that still has the edge.

Mississippi is woven from 100% New Zealand wool which is chosen for its purity, enabling consistency and depth of colour.

Crucial Trading’s floor coverings can be ordered as bespoke rugs, runners or as meterage for a fitted carpet.

Cover image: Balance - BA503 Clarity

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As we approach the end of another busy year, Sofa.com shares their favourite projects and reflects on their achievements from 2022...

For us, working collaboratively with various designers has been a real highlight - helping to bring their creative vision to life and seeing our products in a range of gorgeous spaces. The breadth of projects this year has been wonderful, from larger hospitality work, to commercial settings and a wealth of boutique hotels; this is where sofa.com product really comes to life, with bespoke elements and extensive fabric choice meaning no two projects look the same. Here's what they had to say!

We have compiled some of our favourites of the year, from the hills of Edinburgh to the coastal waters of Cornwall and everywhere in-between, featuring design specifications that we’re most proud of and are thrilled to see completed to such a high standard.

One of our most recent collaborative projects has just recently completed in time for the holidays. It was a joy to work with Unique Homestays on the renovation of The Hatch, a pared-back coastal property next to the glimmering seas in Cornwall. Finishing touches in the dining room convey the aesthetic of the property perfectly, but with a slight bias our favourite room has to be the Scandi-inspired living room, featuring our bestselling Isaac sofas.

Another key project with Unique Homestays was the completion of Little Inka, a cottage finished with trending combinations of black and brass. This modern farmhouse aesthetic is the perfect setting for our Chesterfield style Patrick loveseat in beautiful vintage leather.

Additional highlights include working with The National Trust Scotland, Alice Leigh design, and The Bath Arms to name a few.

It’s wonderful to look back and celebrate with our customers on the completion of their projects. Thank you to all for working with us, and we look forward to collaborating in the future. As we look towards 2023 and exciting projects on the horizon – we’ve are thrilled to be part of such a vibrant industry.

Cover image: Emma Gurner

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a minimalist monochrome residential design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, MOON bureau.

What was the client's brief? 

"THE HILLS" is a home project for a young family of programmers who love to travel around Africa. The main design challenge was to create a barrier-free space with plenty of natural light. The clients wanted the atmosphere of their home to be reminiscent of their travels in Africa. They also wished for a monochrome interior with natural materials in mind and a minimum amount of furniture.

What inspired the design of the project?

We were inspired by photographs and stories about the magnificent nature of Namibia, where the endless ocean borders the desert. Our team has recreated this mesmerizing atmosphere within the interior design. The entire interior is made in pastel colors that resemble dunes and do not distract from the beautiful view outside the window. An original palette of natural shades, materials and panoramic glazing has erased the boundaries between the living room and the surrounding landscape. In this endless space, we have located a cozy lounge area, combining it under the dome of an ultra-stylish, modular Pole lamp.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

We used kitchen model Artematica. Materials such as decorative plaster, glossy glass facades, brushed metal and natural stone were used. The central part of the working surface is closed by a lifting mechanism. In the center of the kitchen is a multifunctional island. We represent how pleasant it will be to meet the first rays of the sun with a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

In the bedroom in we used textured travertine and decorative plaster, and in the dressing room - transparency changing smart-glass panels. Smart glass is a multi-layer product in which the middle layer is made of a liquid crystal film. When the smart glass is impacted by electricity, the glass instantly becomes transparent.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

I decided to take part in the competition because I wanted to show the creativity and talent of Ukrainian designers to a wider audience. It was an internal challenge to compare myself with modern European designers, to see how my work stands in the context of the current world design.

Questions answered by Tetiana Sytova, Founder and Chief Designer, MOON bureau.

How do your services/offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?

We offer a very personable approach where you will have a single point of contact for all your needs. Our trade team members have an in-depth knowledge of not only Olivia's as a brand but also an understanding of each of our vendor's wider catalogs of products, which as a trade client you have access to. We are able to take over the time-consuming job of sourcing, selecting, and styling either single rooms or full house renovations. If you have ideas that need bringing to life or if you had your eye on a particular product that has gone out of stock, we're on hand to assist. With a huge warehouse space, we have the ability to offer great storage & flexible delivery options; storing all items for a single drop along with white glove delivery available on each job, taking away the stress of organising any element of logistics.

What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?

There has been an increase in key focal pieces like bright art deco occasional chairs & oversized chandeliers along with the continued love of minimal design and maximum function

Questions answered by Sara Barnes, Head of Buying & Product, Olivia's.

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The Vintage collection by GRAFF Designs, a unique range marrying industrial style with rich heritage. Inspired by the Chicago Fire Department’s heroic role in extinguishing the state's Big Fire of 1934, GRAFF Designs pays homage with this tactile and vintage style brassware.

Reminiscent of the iconic fire hose valve silhouette and mirroring the red logo of the Chicago Fire Department, the collection boasts exquisite craftsmanship and detail, from its architectural elements to its modern take on traditional design. Comprising 140 stylish products including bath and basin mixers, showerheads and rails, as well as an accompanying accessories range.

Formed with precision engineering and premium-quality materials, the Vintage Collection is available in 21 luxury finishes including 24K polished gold, vintage brushed brass and the classic limited-edition red.

Available to buy now in the UK with prices starting from £500 for a basin mixer in Chrome, up to £5,500 for a 24K Gold freestanding bath shower mixer.

For more information, expert comment or imagery, please contact the team at [email protected]

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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

Nora Chou is a luxury interior designer working on projects internationally in both the residential and hospitality industry. Focusing on creating layered moments through design, her mission is to create a sense of warmth, life and texture into her designs. Having grown her roots in Hong Kong and proceeding to live in equally vibrant cities including London and New York, she offers a certain cultural and lifestyle sensibility to the way she approaches creating interiors for her clients.

Sky and Earth is a rug collection inspired by colours, life and energy we find in the great outdoors. The handpicked palettes by Nora Chou (“Sunrise”, “Dusk” and “Terra”) encourage colours to be brought into our interior spaces.

Bring in your outdoors.

What was the process of designing Sky & Earth?

When I was first approached by Jeff, the managing director of Silk Avenue, to design a rug for their designer profile range, there were many ideas that came to mind. I find rugs often help ground a space by connecting the interior palette of your chosen furnishings or to make a new statement through colour and texture. From an aesthetic perspective it's quite similar to how paintings interact with spaces. However, rugs add an additional softness into interiors.

Sky & Earth came to fruition during the Covid lockdown period. Inspired by the Great Outdoors, it is a rug collection that is all about bringing the colours and textures from nature into our interior spaces. From the get-go, I knew that I wanted to create a collection to include a broad range of designs that would fit within different settings whether it be a traditional country house, or a contemporary set up in a high-rise apartment. During the creative process, I found it important to create a collection that is a family of designs and a continuation of the narrative, allowing me to develop and experiment with the creative direction.

The 6 designs from Sky & Earth are captured moments that can be layered into interiors through the hand-picked palettes I have personally selected ("Sunrise", "Dusk" and Terra"). The designs can also be completely customized to a palette of your choosing. 

Is there anything else we should know about the rugs? 

Silk Avenue manufactures the hand-tufted rugs in Nepal and handles all shipping internationally.

The designs from Sky & Earth are constructed of various compositions. For example, "Spring Buds" has a composition of 100% hand-tufted wool, which is great for hospitality settings and households with children. Generally speaking, wool is low maintenance, bounces back into its original state after being walked on and is typically less flammable than other fibers. The matte finish of wool also allows the colours of the rug to appear richer and deeper.

There are also other designs from the collection with a combination composition of wool and bamboo silk. - "Petals", "Hydrangea", "Flow Ombre" "Flow Solid" and "Dots Play". In these designs certain areas of the rugs are accentuated with bamboo silk and raised pile heights. The slight sheen against the matte background mimics the way light is often reflected through nature and is a play on both texture and surface.

Do the rugs come in different sizes?

All of the designs can be customized to any size to suit your interiors. However, we do have standard sizes with the latest pricing that can be found at: www.norachou.com/collection

How can someone place an order?

Send an email to [email protected] and [email protected] specifying the design, size and palette of your choosing. Silk Avenue will guide you through the process from there!

Photo Credit: Felix Speller

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MOD+ by GRAFF Designs, a rich and diversified modular collection that offers endless customisation possibilities. Allowing a high degree of creative freedom with luxury custom finishes, materials and configurations, MOD+ unlocks up to 65 000 possible combinations - a collection like no other.

Comprising 55 bathroom products for the washbasin, bathtub and shower areas, in which each element can be completely customised GRAFF has created its MOD+ Collection Configurator to fully exhibit the collection’s potential. An online tool to help design and specify, personalisation options include handle detailing, finishes, materials, spout size and mounting type.

MOD+ offers 20 unique finishes, including Gunmetal, Matt White or Vintage Brushed Brass, or for that extra special touch, a unique 24 K gold finish. Handles materials include variations of Tuscan marble including Storm Black, Forest Green and Smoky White.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

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