Colourful Wallcoverings Inspired by Japanese Culture and Designs

Kata Lips takes inspiration from Japanese culture and designs. Discover 3 new designs, created with oils, watercolours, pastels and acrylics. As her colours flow across the canvas, Zen-like landscapes and imaginary scenes emerge.

Nature is ever-present in Kata's work: tall trees, bamboo forests, bark, grasses and leaves are integral to each artwork. Her colour palette however varies from soft grey, green, blue and yellow to hyperreal bright.

Each design can be scaled up to fill a wall 3m tall x 5m wide. All can be repeated for longer walls. Colours can be adjusted, and all designs are available as wallcovering, window fill, or printed onto Zintra acoustic panels.

Cover image: Inaka in Lotus

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

What was the client's brief? 

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

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

What inspired the design of the project?

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

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

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

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

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

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

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

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

Built on a legacy of sporting excellence, Anthology Stratford Mill offers luxury canalside accommodation within a thriving new East London community just a stone’s throw from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

When property developer Lifestory Group was looking to construct a complex of apartments in this vibrant location, the aim was to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing scheme that reflected the locality’s industrial past and provided desirable accommodation that would support health and wellbeing long into the future.

The contemporary exterior is complemented by a comfortable interior that offers a clean minimalist canvas on which residents can express their individuality. A soft natural colour scheme and wood design flooring are balanced by bolder industrial style elements for a relaxing atmosphere that provides a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of life.

Bill Haworth, development manager at Lifestory Group, explained: “Externally the engineered stone and aluminium window frames fits in well with the style of other developments around the Olympic Park. Internally we wanted to provide generous living spaces with plenty of light that would connect residents to the local environment and a neutral design that they can put their own stamp on.”

While floor to ceiling windows let natural light flood in and offer panoramic views, a neutral colour scheme creates a gently soothing space. Dark aluminium internal window frames, mid-grey kitchen units and black metallic elements provide a bolder contrast to the softer finishes.

Across the open plan kitchen and living rooms, the light tones and straight grain detailing of Texas White Ash from the Korlok range introduces a fresh biophilic element and a crisp, clean finish.

Bill said: “The Texas White Ash flooring effectively balances the darker features around the home, giving our customers a stylish look and durable hygienic surface. Being a multi-level residential development, the rigid core format conveniently provides good acoustic benefits without the need for further subfloor layers. The click-locking mechanism also meant that installation was quick and simple which helped us meet project deadlines.

“When choosing suppliers we aim to use those with a proven low environmental impact. The Korlok range has an Environmental Product Declaration which is one of the frequent qualifications we look for to achieve our targets.”

The Korlok range presents a wide selection of wood and stone designs with a rigid core construction and pre-attached acoustic foam backing for effective sound reduction without the need for a separate underlay. This reduces the transmission of ambient noise to the floor below by 21dB. Suitable for installation over uneven subfloors or floors that are still drying out, its 5G click-locking structure means each plank simply clicks into place. The floor can be completed with a colour matched scotia or skirting board for a professional finish.

For increased flexibility over multiple subfloor conditions, the Van Gogh multi-format collection offers a range of rigid core wood designs in both full sized and smaller herringbone planks as well as matching gluedown planks, providing the option to continue a single flooring design throughout any interior.

Increasingly, sustainability is an important factor when it comes to specifying for new developments. Produced to ISO 14001 Environmental Standard and ISO 9001 Quality Standard, Karndean flooring not only offers the stunning aesthetics of natural materials and the practical benefits of luxury vinyl but also offers a healthy product that improves indoor environmental quality and contributes to a greener built environment.

Product used: Korlok Texas White Ash RKP8105

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Founded in 1987 in the United States by Mark Moussa - now the president at the helm of the brand - Arteriors are celebrating 35 years as leaders and trendsetters in the world of luxury lighting, furniture, and accessories.

Known for delivering impeccable quality pieces and artisanal craftsmanship, Arteriors debuted its new Spring Summer 22 collection at London Design Week in Chelsea Harbour’s Design Centre in March.

Featuring strong links to the natural world, malleable wickers and rattans, grained mango woods, natural abaca, and solid teak feature across the collection highlighting hues of neutral beige, warmer mid-tones and shades of burnt ash.

Taking inspiration from motifs found in nature alongside shapes representative of the animal kingdom – incorporating mushrooms, meandering garden vines, and abstract botanicals into designs across items from furniture to lighting and accessories - this collection is all about grounded interiors in an ode to mother nature.

Expanding seasonally with 500 new products launching per bi-annual collection, Arteriors shows its diversity and creativity by working closely with skilled designers and pulling inspiration from around the world, always balancing nature and design - from the understated to the unexpected, offering an extraordinary assortment with special attention to material, scale and finish.

For this collection in particular, bringing textural variation and material innovation inspired by traditional craftsmen in Southeast Asia allows designs to merge modern creativity with traditional resources and expertise.

“We honour the ingenuity of our master artisans, passing down from generation to generation. Perhaps none more significant than those from Southeast Asia, where intrinsic artistry has inspired our collection of natural materials with inventive detail. Modern forms, rich textures & craftsmanship evoke a contemporary yet warm aesthetic.” - Arteriors Design Team

Browse items from the latest collection online at www.arteriorshome.com or visit the London showroom to see the designs first hand.

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Introducing the Fusion Collection from leading British manufacturer of the finest architectural hardware, Croft. With a history of over 150 years, Croft remain a family-owned company that specialise in crafting unique, hand-finished decorative hardware that displays unparalleled attention to detail.

Incapsulating industrial architecture whilst successfully balancing style, strength and quality, the Fusion Collection comprises of a door handle on a covered rose, T bar mortice knob, bathroom turn, and cabinet fittings in over 25 different finishes and patinas, including Light Antique Brass and Autumn Bronze to add warmth to the home.

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

Take a tour!

What was the client's brief? 

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

What inspired the design of the project?

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

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

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

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

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

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

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

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

A kitchen by ‘Kitchen Retailer of the Year’ 2021 KBB Awards winner The Myers Touch was designed within a period home in Southsea, Hampshire.

The client had previously lived in the US and loved Sub Zero & Wolf Appliances – she wanted to incorporate them into a pure and modern combined look kitchen with American-style bench seating.

Designer Keith Myers worked with the client to create a kitchen that would create the ‘wow factor’, so they could cook and entertain for their large extended family. Danetti bench seating was installed against the island unit.

SieMatic classic SC10 range cabinetry mixed with SieMatic S2 handleless kitchen range were included in the design, as well as Silestone and Dekton worktops and a Kohler Sink & Tap.

Photography credits: Phil Green

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The beach house in sunny Barbados, on which Celia Sawyer and her design team had been working on, was a total refurbishment. The house was dated, with a pitched roof and internally not very beach like.

In charge of the whole design inside and out, Celia wanted to create a really simple, textured beach house, contemporary and cool. Her vision was that outdoor living was key here as the days and nights are very warm, so she wanted to create an outdoor living and dining area. The original house was completely opened up and the only areas existing were the exterior side walls. Everything was kept light and a stone effect tile was used to create some texture on the front and back of the house.

The bedrooms were given a recess so that the room could be given a four-poster type of feel without the four poster bed, using elegant soft curtaining on each corner giving the room height combined with glamour.

Wishing to add some drama in this room Celia decided on a very dark brown - almost black back feature wall, which was textured plaster, creating interest. The artwork was a large piece of coral in a large perspex box, and thankfully it made it in the container all the way from the UK in one piece! In fact as Barbados is an Island with limited supplies, Celia had to ship out every item, including taps, w/c’s sinks, lights, even the w/c flush and all the furniture and kitchen.

Celia used white in colour and loose covers for much of the furniture, and the bathrooms were made white with textured walls, to keep it with that cool, beach vibe. She also created a bar area outside, as it is the perfect country for outdoor entertaining; the outside areas were put into zones, so that there was faux grass in one area with a four poster bed, a jacuzzi tub in another and then, of course, the bar and the outdoor living and dining rooms.

The six-month project was a labour of love and a real success, and just in case the client wanted to put another floor on top, Celia designed the upper floor so that everything is in place for that if it happens. Another trip over to Barbados could be on the cards for Celia very soon!

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The Myers Touch designed a new-build family home based in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire for owners that wanted a sociable, connected, family kitchen space with neutral tones that they could entertain and cook in.

Designer, Keith Myers worked with the client and builder to propose a solution to the kitchen living space that involved knocking down a wall, redesigning a larger kitchen space and relocating the utility room to another area of the house.

Siematic S2 handleless furniture was chosen for the cabinetry with 12mm Silestone Niebla and Dekton Fossil worktops.

Three unique zones – cooking area, prep area and storage that connected the kitchen within the dining space.

Photography credits: Phil Green

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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