This month we're serving up the stylish interior inspirations from the SBID Awards 2019 finalists in the Show Flats & Developments category; from trendy residential apartments in the city to contemporary luxury villas abroad. As we look to upgrade tired interiors now we're spending so much more time at home, browse through these interior designs for award-worthy styling ideas.
Angel O'Donnell - Poland Street
19-20 Poland Street is a stunningly curated, warehouse-style development in the heart of Soho. The lovingly restored building is host to nine exceptional apartments on the upper floors and a ground floor restaurant. The design of the building created reams of light and heavenly rooftop terraces, together with revealing the original steel frame, exposed brickwork and stunning Crittall windows and doors for the ultimate New York-style loft living in the heart of London’s West End. Angel O’Donnell crafted a sensational show suite that reflected the building’s location and character. By maximising space, using bold colours and textures, the scheme delivered a wonderfully curious home, coupled with a tailored choice of books and objets, to create an end result that reflects the very epitome of life in Soho.
Beijing Serendipper Space Design - Royal Palace Xia Die
Royal Palace Xia Die is another demonstration of the designer's continuous concept of ecological protection as the whole design respects nature. By introducing the colour forest green and using colourful furniture as well as delicate artworks, the designer creates a breathing green garden that conducts a dialogue with nature. The whole design expresses a life attitude of ecological protection and reveals the pursuit of an ideal natural lifestyle.
The space features a Chinese and Western kitchen, an oriental-style tea room, and a delicate and elaborate fragrance-blending room, together they form a comfortable and flowing space, while at the same time depicting the pursuit of a high quality of life. Artwork adds intrigue to the space to provoke deep thinking and the exploration of lifestyles of the urban elite.
DA GROUP - Jingrui Providence Place Model Villa
DA Group was invited to design a model villa of the residential development Providence Place by Jingrui Real Estate Group. Situated in Ningbo, China, the project combines both functionality and aesthetics to present quality living. The designers applied minimalism to the interior design and created a dynamic and diversified spatial effect. The unique duplex space brings more privacy. With a modern and minimalist style, every inch of the space was fully utilised and optimised.
Elicyon - Chiltern Place Apartment
This unique and eclectic show apartment, located in one of London’s most prestigious postcodes, was created by Elicyon. A fresh, warm base palette is complemented with nude and blush tones, enhanced by bold patterns and bright accents of aqua, sky blue, peach and raspberry. A characterful collection of artwork and antiques, carefully selected by the Elicyon team and sourced from an array of antique fairs and galleries, elevates the scheme of the apartment.
Layered textures and finishes throughout the space, lend the apartment a distinctive look that’s enriched with personality, which is further complemented by wild and rustic floral arrangements that bring freshness and femininity to the scheme. Bespoke and made-to-order pieces were designed to maximise the space in the property and enabled the team to be explorative with interesting pattern and fabric that perfectly complemented the style of the home.
HONKY DESIGN - Petite Route de Campagne
HONKY DESIGN created a luxury, yet relaxed design aesthetic by introducing a mix of pared back, minimal furniture with bold art and textures. Combining a blend of soft textures, natural materials and bespoke elements created a refined feeling of luxury that is still family friendly.
Jeffrey Beers International - 108 Leonard
108 Leonard is an elegant landmarked condominium conversion located in Tribeca. Originally constructed in 1894, the McKim, Mead & White architectural masterpiece will house more than 150 condominium residences within the Italian Renaissance revival-style exterior, which was meticulously restored to its original glory. The ornamental majesty offers dramatic details of scale, proportion and volume paired with contemporary design by award-winning hospitality design firm Jeffrey Beers International.
World-renowned SLCE Architects was enlisted as the architect of record for the beloved landmark, which pays homage to a gilded bygone era. On the inside, JBI has designed a bright canvas of modern restraint, ready to adapt to homeowners’ individual lifestyles. Soaring ceiling heights ranging from approximately 10 feet to more than 14 feet, architectural windows and five-inch wide oak floors bring authentic European glamour to organically flowing layouts.
Rigby & Rigby - Project WC2B 130
Rigby & Rigby had the opportunity to develop and drive a full-scale revision of two contemporary residential apartments, one lateral and one duplex penthouse in the central thoroughfare of Covent Garden. The brief was to provide a design scheme, which accentuates the original features of the building with contemporary furniture and fittings. With close proximity to Covent Garden, the scheme captures the dynamic and vibrant atmosphere of its surroundings, while marrying with the traditional Edwardian architecture of its own, and its neighbouring buildings.
SWS GROUP - Shanghai Arch Showroom II
Located on the banks of Huangpu River, the project is developed by one of Hong Kong's largest real estate developers, Sun Hung Kai Properties. Situated in the core area of Lujiazui, the show flat overlooks the river and takes in the Pudong skyline and its shimmering city lights.
The 2020 edition of the SBID Awards is open for entries!
Entries close this Friday at 5pm (BST) on 14 August.
Visit sbidawards.com to enter now!
Many homes tend to look similar because they share similar features, such as plain white coloured walls, simple neutral furniture, and wall to wall carpeting to name a few. To achieve a 'wow factor' in the design of your home, you must have something that is unexpected… There are things that you can do both structurally and internally - depending on your budget. The sky really is the limit, but SBID Accredited designer and founder of Katie Malik Interiors shares some of her expert ideas for simple ways to add that extra 'wow' to your interiors.
If you’re looking to create an architectural statement, add value and space to your existing property, you can definitely get creative with an extension. Instead of opting for simple rectangular roof lights and a standard flat ceiling, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce an angular ceiling-scape to complement or highlight the shape of your kitchen for example.
Adding something different in the structure of your extension with a unique ceiling design can really help add that extra dimension and visual intrigue. A combination of sloped, angled and vertical elements can definitely enhance the drama of a room! If you do decide to extend or rebuild, opt for a double-height. Not only does it provide an impressive vastness of space, but seeing it from different viewpoints can create multiple ‘wow' moments.
If building up is not an option, consider adding skylights or even an octagonal roof lantern for a similar effect; adding glass to low ceilings you can make it feel higher, flood the room with natural light and create the illusion of bringing the outside in!
If you’d like to work within the existing space, there’s still a lot you can do. The right mirror, in the right size, in the right finish, can add a touch of glamour as well as make the interior space look and feel bigger and brighter. If you experiment with different shapes, sizes and even positions of a mirror, this could certainly help you achieve wow factor. You can also add unique features such as oversized artwork to a hallway or entrance walls - really going big will create an eye-catching statement with a contemporary, gallery-esque feel.
Another trick is to introduce shiny surfaces; reflective surfaces such as mirrors, metal and high gloss is sure to add an expensive edge to any space. For an additional wow effect, lighting is a key consideration too! Pick statement lights, for example a feature lamp; choose the one that is spangly and oversized for the ultimate look-at-me designer luxury.
Don’t be afraid to get experimental with dark colours, or any colour for that matter! The use of bold colours in the right amount, can definitely give a room some extra punch - whether dark and moody or bright and playful. You can also try using luxury, patterned or textured wallpaper - it will give your walls a more opulent and intimate look. If you’d rather not wallpaper the whole room or even just one wall (which is not recommended for certain rooms), you can always frame a piece of wallpaper instead!
Adding a stand-out headboard is a simple way to take your bedroom design to the next level, and look much more luxurious - like a boutique hotel! If you have a headboard already, why not re-upholster it in a bold fabric with interesting patterns or colours? If you decide to have one made, go big! Instant designer look guaranteed!
Choose a statement rug or a cowhide - this should instantly pull a room together and tie in the whole scheme. The size of your rug is quite important too - make sure it’s big enough to cover the area between the sofas or under the bed. If it’s too small, it might look out of place and you definitely won’t achieve the designer look.
About the Author
Katie Malik, founder & creative director of Katie Malik Interiors built her career in residential interior design, assisting on projects in New York, Chicago and London before setting up her practice in 2014. Inspired by colours, the interplay between symmetry and asymmetry and wellbeing, Katie’s aim is to bring authenticity to each project.
If you'd like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more.
Roselind Wilson, owner and creative director of Roselind Wilson Design describes her unusual route into the interior design industry, sharing her valuable insight into running a successful design practice and commenting on key issues the profession faces through the rise of social media.
What is your current job?
I am the owner and creative director of Roselind Wilson Design Ltd. My main responsibility is to oversee the creative direction of the interiors we design to ensure we continue to deliver outstanding, luxurious homes to our clients that befit both themselves and their lifestyles. In addition, it is my responsibility to drive the strategic direction of the company to ensure continued growth and profitability.
What is your background and how did you get into interior design?
My desire was always to run my own design studio but the trajectory to realise this was by no means via a traditional route. On leaving school I spent several years in the marketing and publishing industries. I worked for a large and well-established publishing house in Cape Town where I had a small team of 4 people and was responsible for the subscriber retention for a portfolio of magazines. This was a lot of responsibility at a young age, however it taught me how to manage teams and meet deadlines.
From there I was approached to assist in the start-up of a publishing subscriptions house in Cape Town and Johannesburg and I accepted this role with enthusiasm and an enormous sense of ambition at being involved in something from the very beginning. I them moved into the world of marketing as a marketing strategist for 7 brands and my experience gained in this role was invaluable in understanding the basis of delivering a service to an end consumer. Whilst gaining this experience, I decided to study a Bachelor of Commerce degree through correspondence to gain the fundamentals of business management. Towards the end of my degree I started my interior design diploma and renovated my own apartment. All of which was invaluable experience in setting me up for my career. Once qualified, I decided to make the leap into the industry and took a chance at freelancing. I offered my design services with great enthusiasm and quickly learned that I did not know how to charge or ask for payment. From there I was offered a job alongside an established interior designer and as the only employee, it was a ‘baptism by fire’. She taught me everything she knew and together we ran some incredible projects and I guess from there I carefully navigated my career so that I stand where I am today.
Describe an average day in your job role..
An average day starts with an update zoom call with my team in which we review the deliverables for the week and discuss pending items for that day. We have several projects at various stages in the process and following this, I usually make some tea and review designs or drawing packages for feedback to my team. I like to take a break from the office around lunch to grab a coffee and get some fresh air with my sister who is also the CMO for the company. Afternoons are spent on client zoom calls and either reviewing company reports or in meetings to review various marketing initiatives and business strategies.
Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most and/or find the most rewarding?
I am the kind of person who loves to expand my knowledge and learn as much as possible.
I feel extremely grateful to have chosen a profession where we get to design and deliver homes to our clients. I love to travel and experience different cultures. Our clients expose us to different cultures and for me they are windows to the world. Through their eyes we are able to enjoy and experience the diversity of their lives and transform their vision into the beautiful homes that reflect who they are. It is entirely a privilege to both have this experience and provide them with a home to call their sanctuary.
Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?
We are currently working with a client who is lives in Beijing and New York. As a central base, they have just purchased a home in London and have appointed us to entirely remodel the interior space to reflect their unique style.
This is possibly the most exciting brief we have had in that they are open to anything. Their brief is to design something that we have never done before so that at the end of the project we know that we have pushed both our boundaries and theirs and have provided them with something completely unique. This is extremely exciting.
What do you find the most challenging aspects of your job?
In the 20 years I have worked in the industry I have learned that to seamlessly deliver a project requires an enormous amount of planning and coordination but also reliance on both people and processes that are often out of your control. This can be challenging as problems do occur, whether it be a delay to a delivery or a damaged item, amongst others, and this requires constant troubleshooting. I always tell my team to think many steps ahead in the process to give careful thought and consideration to what could go wrong and try and avoid it by pre-empting the situation. This is challenging and requires so much more effort and time but in the end the result is worth it to experience the client’s joy and satisfaction at the end result.
What do you wish you knew before working in the field?
I don’t think I entered this field with any preconceptions of what it had to offer other than I was fulfilling a life-long dream. That being said, you journey day-by-day, project-by-project and when you stop to reflect there are numerous realisations;
It’s not all glamorous – in this field you need to get your hands dirty. Design, and the ability to express your creativity in this process is fulfilling but is only a part of the process.
The seamless delivery of a project will test your ability to be assertive with suppliers and contractors on site, to communicate effectively to clients as well as suppliers and contractors, to troubleshoot within challenging parameters, to juggle hundreds of facts, arrangements, details at any one time and to have a handle on the financial aspect of the project at all times. You need to be an effective all-rounder so be patient with yourself, keep your eyes open, your ear to the ground and know that at first it will be challenging but you will successfully achieve it.
What would you tell your younger self if you had the chance?
The great thing (and one for which I am extremely grateful) is that I have no regrets in my career path and the choices I have made along the way. These choices have not always been easy but what I would tell my younger self is to always go with your gut. Your instinct is always right and somehow knows what you need and is somehow always looking out for your best interests. If I’d learned this earlier, I would have saved myself some deliberation and the odd grey hair for sure.
What has been your favourite project to work on?
We have such a diversity of projects and clients that there is no one single project that can easily stand out as the favourite. We build such strong relationships with our clients and each provides us with a unique experience and journey with them in designing their homes.
When designing a home for a client your traverse their entire lifestyle to meet their brief. This journey teaches you so much about not only your client but also yourself. It is incredibly eye-opening and satisfying and once again I highlight what a privilege it is to be in this profession.
What do you think is the biggest problem the interior design industry faces?
The ever-advancing network of social media platforms and other software platforms and technologies available provides consumers with a sense that they are designers themselves and has the potential to greatly undermine the value of interior design as a profession. It takes immense skill, experience, creativity and passion to run a full service interior design project and we have some way to go in terms of education around the fact that interior design as a profession is so much more than colour, cushions and fabric. It’s fantastic to see how Vanessa Brady (CEO) and the SBID are making great strides in elevating the role and significance of interior design within the industry.
Who do you admire the most in the industry and why?
The people that I most admire in the industry are those that do not conform to standards and who are happy to step away from the crowd and express their style without excuse and deliberation. My role models have and continue to be Rosita Missoni and Andrée Putman and more recently, I attended Maison Objet in Paris in January 2018 where I visited the studio of Hubert Le Gall. His passion, creativity, and self-expression together with an unguarded sense of humour was evident in his work. It is through these designers and influencers that true design can be expressed, and it is through people like this that design is carried forward and its boundaries expanded.
Want to become SBID Accredited? Click here for more information.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a complete townhouse conversion. Prestige Design, in collaboration with Martini Interiors, were involved in the design and construction of different rooms of the villa, among which the living area and the kitchen stand out. The latter, in white lacquered and with steel details, was arranged in a horseshoe shape and equipped with a large central island, an imposing hood and marble worktops.
The living area, on the other hand, is characterized by marble and lacquered wood furniture in pastel tones and is completed by sofas, armchairs and home accessories that give the room a unique style and a metropolitan vibe, but always in a luxury key.
Company: Prestige Design & Martini Interiors
Project: Stylish Chicago Townhouse
Location: London, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
The customer wanted a classy classical design, thanks to which he could share his status with friends and colleagues. The furnishings had to be very welcoming and warm, for a home to live in.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
The homes length was particularly narrow. This architectural characteristic inspired the entire design: custom-made furnishings to take advantage of every inch of space and symmetries.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
Undoubtedly the shape of the house, which on the one hand made this project fascinating, challenging and extremely rewarding.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The coordination of the different phases, from the first design to the realization of the furnishings, up to the final installation. During each phase we checked the quality, keeping attention to detail in each step.
Questions answered by Serge Belferman, CEO and President of Prestige Designs.
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 a Victorian residential refurbishment, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a beautiful stucco-fronted Victorian residence situated in St John’s Wood, a tranquil village in the heart of London that sweeps along the side of Regent’s Park.
Company: Roselind Wilson Design
Project: Carlton Hill
The owners had reached a stage in their lives where their children had left home, and it had been over a decade since they previously renovated and refurbished the property. They felt it was time for a change as their personal style and lifestyle had changed dramatically and they wanted their home to equally reflect this.
Spanning 5 floors and circa 5,000 sq. ft, Roselind Wilson Design was appointed to refurbish, including the interior architecture, interior design, and project management of this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home. The space is arranged with the entertaining areas on the lower ground and ground floors and the bedrooms on the upper floors. A sweeping staircase allows for an elegant and graceful division between the entertainment and sleeping areas, which are all set against a backdrop of exquisitely balanced proportions, harmonious symmetry and classical detailing.
The brief comprised the complete refurbishment of the existing property; revising the current layout and making changes that would befit the client’s new lifestyle; which included both now working from home. The interior also needed to consider an entertaining space to accommodate up to 16 people on various occasions and had a requirement for a formal living and informal living space as well as a suitable dining area that could be an open plan as well as accommodate more intimate dining. The kitchen and all bathrooms were to be redesigned together with new services including integrated lighting, audiovisual and security services.
The interior design and interior architecture focus on creating harmony and balance within the space. Delicate furnishings and uncluttered décor allow for timeless elegance and graceful grandeur, while the colour palette showcases neutral blues, soft greys, dusky pinks and flat whites. This perfectly marries the interiors of handsome beauty, modern-day luxury and contemporary styling. The carefully considered interior design scheme is balanced – the furniture, fabrics and colour palette all work in harmony with the architectural backdrop within the property. The tiniest of details have been used to inject colour, texture or character to create an opulent interior – from incorporating striking cornicing to adorning the walls with elegant and sophisticated light fixtures.
Without doubt, it was trying to get the enormous 3 metre by 1.5 metre porcelain tiles we specified for the master bathroom into the first floor of the property! Working alongside our contractor on various options, we came to the solution of lifting them in through the window of the adjoining dressing room with the help of a cherry picker. A successful solution and fantastic result as the tiles look absolutely stunning on the wall.
It’s incredibly rewarding to experience first-hand a client’s reaction to their completed project – this is always a highlight for us. In this instance, the design journey and close collaboration between us and our client allowed them to realise their dream home - one that is elegant and sophisticated as well as warm and inviting.
Questions answered by Roselind Wilson, Owner & Creative Director of Roselind Wilson Design.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a residential villa, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a custom furniture design of a villa with a strong Italian vocation. Martini Interiors added essential Italian-inspired details for the luxurious kitchen, bathrooms and custom furniture.
Company: Martini Interiors
Project: Italian Style Villa
Location: Washington, DC
In this case the client of the interior design was the builder of the villa. The intent was clear from the beginning: to seek details of Italianisms to be applied to the entire villa. For this reason the famous Lecce stone has been imported for the cladding and the entrance has a reproduction of the vault of the Pantheon in Rome. Nothing can be more exciting than being able to express your being Italian in this context.
Italy, in form and substance. We wanted to give this residence all that Italy could offer through a meticulous attention to detail and a targeted insertion of classic Italian decorations.
If on the one hand we felt honoured to represent Italy in the capital of the united states in this villa, on the other hand we deeply felt its weight.
In our opinion, the bathroom and kitchen are elegant and sober, as well as showing unequivocally the idea of Italianity of the entire villa.
Questions answered by Roberto Guiotto, sales manager of Martini Interiors.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's villa design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a residential design, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential kitchen design by Ledbury Studio. The brief was to design a kitchen for a large new-build property on the edge of the Peak District. The clients had been in their previous home for more than 30 years and retained strong ideas as to how they would require the design to work for them at their new home.
Company: Ledbury Studio
Project: Cheshire kitchen
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
The fundamental requirement was to create a relaxing and comfortable space that would instantly be the heart of their home. Our clients wanted a kitchen that could just as readily accommodate a relaxed evening for husband and wife, as play host to the regular charity events that form part of their extremely busy social lives. So, the brief was about incorporating multiple ‘cherished items’ into the design, whilst maintaining impeccable functionality and achieving a unique aesthetic.
The inspiration was actually quite complex. Firstly, the finish on the cupboard doors was inspired by our client’s extensive collection of antique pewter-ware. Working with 1.5mm-thick pewter, we created an aged finish which directly empathised with the pewter pieces. We also had to incorporate display areas into the design so these treasured items could be placed on show within the kitchen.
Our second major point of inspiration was to create a kitchen with a proper furniture feel. Of course, we needed all the functionality of the best-fitted kitchen, but we also needed to integrate several pieces of antique furniture – including a sizeable Georgian mahogany break-fronted display cupboard. I decided that I could best balance my design by focussing on the freestanding credentials of my furniture.
There were two main ones – the island and the breakfast store cupboard. The island was 3.6m long, and so required joins. We had chosen a Bianco Macaubas quartzite and it took two attempts to create the best joint. On the second, we were able to achieve an extremely precise match on the unique and complex veining of the stone. We did this by photographing the slabs digitally and then generating the best match via our software program before actually executing the cut. This was made at a slight diagonal to achieve minimum open joint – it’s less than 1mm finished.
Then on the breakfast store cupboard, the large all-pewter doors opened into pockets. Each of these doors weighs over 80kg, and the fact that we achieved smoothly opening doors in this situation is a testimony to the calibre of our design and our craftsmen. The doors look amazing and work beautifully.
This was the first project sold by Ledbury Studio, so it was a massive positive for us to pitch our designs and our product against the most established high-end kitchen brands in the UK, and to win our client’s trust to carry out their project. This high stayed with us throughout the project, right to the point when the client moved in.
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 modern kitchen remodel, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential kitchen design. The client wanted a space that seemed large and really easy to move around in, without feeling too empty, and definitely not too grand. Mark Taylor Design worked on this project for 12 weeks, inserting beams, building a glass wall, moving all plumbing and fitting a kitchen. This included designing, building and fitting a mobile island as well as flooring. The end result transformed the existing, dark kitchen into a light, open-plan area fit for entertaining and relaxing.
2019 SBID Awards Category: KBB Design Sponsored by: Vitra UK
Practice: Mark Taylor Design
Project: Skinny Shaker-style Kitchen
Location: Buckinghamshire
The clients wanted a space that seemed large and really easy to move around in, without feeling too empty, and definitely not too grand; a modern look, but not flat, or minimalist. They also wanted an island, but one for many people to stand around, not something small. It should almost create a showpiece for the kitchen. There was some debate about exactly where this should be. They wanted a table that would seat 8 to 10 people max, near the patio garden at the back of the kitchen. It was important to create a sense of light in what was a really dark space, with low ceilings and not a lot of sun. They wanted a pantry, to avoid food in cupboards, and if possible, wanted a french larder fridge, if it would fit. Ultimately, they wanted to use a combination of paint in the kitchen area and wallpaper in the sitting area, to differentiate the spaces.
A couple of things; a photograph of a 150-year-old french furniture piece which the client fell in love with, and which formed the basis of the moveable island, and the feeling of space and cleanness that a flat, concrete style floor provides in good industrial working kitchens. Just these 2 elements set us off. We had also recently designed a skinny shaker door and wanted to include this on the base units. Finally, to try and create different spaces that complimented each other. We looked at the romantic nature of a Welsh dresser, dating back 250 years, that was already in place in the old kitchen and created a warm, wallpapered area around that.
What was the toughest hurdle you/your team faced during the project?
Poor light and different, low ceiling heights made lighting a challenge. We put in place 5 different levels of lighting; floor lights to illuminate the walls and reflect off the white ceiling, mid-level lighting on the walls for creating a warm, soft ambience, task lighting placed in the ceiling above the work surface, LED linear lighting recessed into ceiling lighting channels to cast an even light across the ceiling, and; a window wall comprising 2 sets of bifold doors at the back of the kitchen, where the maximum amount of natural light could be brought into the dining space.
We were also tasked with positioning the french larder fridge in an under-stairs recess which was slightly too shallow. Our builders cleverly removed a small portion of the stair winder to accommodate this and it looks made-to-measure as a result. Another challenge was getting light into and through the walk-in pantry, so that it would feel separate from, but connected to the main kitchen was achieved by using two porthole windows in the swing doors.
What was your highlight of the project?
Completing the project, including building work to insert beams and build a glass wall, moving all plumbing to create a new utility room and larder, building a snug, designing, building and fitting a kitchen, including a mobile island and flooring – all in 12 weeks, ready for Christmas!
Did you enter the project into the SBID International Design Awards? If so, why?
Yes. Our Skinny Shaker-style kitchen is the newest addition to our MeThD custom kitchen collection and it features a beautifully modern take on a Shaker-style door. Opting for base units along one wall without any wall units created a stylish kitchen with clean lines and a more modern look. To add to the look, we designed and created a bespoke movable island unit. The end result transformed the existing, dark kitchen into a light, open-plan area where entertaining and relaxing would be key.
Questions answered by Mark Taylor, Director at Mark Taylor Design.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a Parisian-inspired hotel public space, click here to see more.
We can all agree that COVID-19 has caused drastic changes in every respect of day-to-day life and consequently, is pushing people towards making different assessments and decisions than they would have made before, with an entirely new perspective on what's important. Perhaps it is the first time in modern history that we have really lived the concept of home; its spaces and its livability.
For many, the enforcement to #STAYATHOME has paved the way for an incredible kind of rediscovery that has brought attention back to our environments which, now more than before, represent the constant background of our lives.
The reorganisation of domestic spaces is one of the first needs that emerges from this, and will be a compromise between the needs, the type of activities performed and the square meters available, both for those who are renovating or buying a house, and for those who simply want to restyle their interior design to create more pleasant and comfortable home environments.
The popular open space entrances that overlook the living room or kitchen will be re-evaluated, preferring instead a partially isolated entrance that acts as a filter for the home. Hybrid solutions can also be adopted that can host, for example, a wardrobe, a shoe rack and a small bathroom, where hygiene-related actions can be performed.
The kitchen, even a small one, is the place of the "carefree meeting" where we cook, experiment and also try out playful activities with the little ones. Staying at home has forced - or perhaps enticed - us to spend more time back in the kitchen. A return to the origins but also a chance to spend more time together, setting aside home delivery services like Just Eat for some quality cooking time! We begin to focus more on making kitchen spaces more adaptive for cooking with the family and performing other activities (like homework!).
Smart working areas will be essential for future flexible working possibilities. From a minimal desk or a coffee table as a support surface on the side of the sofa to a deeper shelf inserted in an equipped wall, creating smarter working stations will become increasingly important. These spaces should be close to natural light, so as to feel less constrained and 'boxed in'! Alternatively, using perimeter lighting systems that give the environment a calibrated and homogeneous light can help to simulate the solar one.
Introducing more plants into the home helps us feel less detached from the outside world. Bringing more of nature inside, together with relaxing fragrances to perfume the air, can improve our mood - as well as productivity!
A multi-functional bathroom can also double up as a space-saving fitness area. Integrating bathroom furnishings dedicated to personal care into a gym system could help keep you in shape at all hours of the day with compact fitness corners, suitable for any types of space.
Air purifying becomes a key concern. As our awareness of health and hygiene comes to the forefront, we look to keep the temperature of rooms controlled in order to promote psycho-physical well-being; evaluating the use of machines capable of transforming oxygen into ozone to fight bacteria, viruses, mites and moulds.
Finally, we cannot forget the outdoor environments too (even if it's just a balcony or a small terrace) - outside areas have been seen as a real luxury throughout the quarantine period, providing that all important access to fresh air and open space. The value placed on outside areas and gardens, what they look like and how to maximise them, will become bigger considerations moving forward in a post-coronavirus world.
In short, it is necessary to design quality houses, with intelligent solutions that allow you to optimise spaces that are no longer a trivial copy and paste from design magazines but that, on the contrary, are able to reflect the personality and way of life by those who live there!
This post is part of a series exploring the ways that the health emergency of Covid-19 has changed the way we conceive public and private spaces. Click here to read the first post.
Elisabetta de Strobel is an internationally acclaimed Interior Designer and Art Director, originally from Rome. Her studio offers expert consultation services for interior design, product design, branding and strategic market analysis.
SBID Accredited Partner, Ledbury Studio opened the doors of its bespoke kitchen furniture showroom in 2019, but founder Charlie Smallbone is no newcomer to the industry. The legendary designer has been pushing the boundaries of kitchen design for over 40 years.
What is your kitchen design philosophy?
‘A kitchen is for life’. I said that to the actor George Layton in 1981, when I installed one of my first kitchen designs at his London home and I still believe it to this day. At the time, though, I think George was more concerned with the cost of the kitchen than with my musings!
That said, Ledbury Studio is much more about the future than the past – every day I look forward and try to produce something unique. I still want to deliver contemporary designs using beautiful, mostly well-known materials, but I am looking to treat them in a radical way to produce something that can’t be found anywhere else.
What materials did you choose to work with for your Ledbury Studio designs?
Traditionally, the use of metal in the kitchen has been largely reserved for appliances and handles, with polished stainless steel and brass the prime material choices. But having worked with both solid and liquid metal progressively for a number of years now, the idea of broadening the application of metal in the kitchen and taking it beyond its traditional uses excited me. It was also was one of my primary inspirations in founding Ledbury Studio.
From the outset I realised that this application of metals needs to be carefully executed. For this reason, I decided to take a disciplined approach with our first Ledbury Studio kitchen concept, the Metallics Collection – to use ‘metal with integrity’. So, rather than using liquid metal finishes, I opted to explore the potential of solid metals: initially copper, pewter, zinc, bronze and stainless steel. At the same time, we also considered the practicality of the finish that we were applying; aware of the potentially debilitating impact of extreme heat and water penetration. We then moved on to assess suitability of finishes in different areas of the kitchen.
Design is always about more than simply making something look nice. But I have found that incorporating these metals, and researching the different finish possibilities that each has, really does bring a unique quality to a kitchen.
Can you talk us through the Ledbury Studio design process?
The process starts with a design consultation during which we will review any architectural plans. If clients don’t have them, we will arrange a site visit so that we can measure their proposed space and chat about how best to maximise it. At this point we are able to start putting a conceptual layout together including hand sketches and some initial 3D spatial concept modelling and material selection, based on what we have already talked about. At the same time, we will also provide an initial estimate of cost (furniture, appliances, delivery and installation).
Once we have an agreement on the basic design, budget and quote, we move forward with floor plans, 2D elevations and a formal estimate. At this point we like to create material selection mood boards and also, as required, 3D renders, as this helps us really get to grips with how the design will look and work in the space.
Finally, we drill down to specific fascia finishes, and worktop and splashback materials. By now we want our client to have a real feel for the kitchen and how individual areas of the design are going to work.
How closely do you work with you clients to create the final design?
The best kitchens evolve from a design process that is a rooted in the ideas and interests of our clients, which then combines with the design expertise of the team. This process informs initial ideas on which materials are going to work best for the kitchen design.
A good example of this was on our Cheshire Kitchen. The design was influenced and underpinned by the client’s collection of pewter-ware, which had been collected over many years. Inspired by the material, we decided to incorporate quite a number of pewter doors on the kitchen cabinetry. We ‘hand-textured’ sheets of pewter, and applied a patina using acids to age it, finally sealing the surface with lacquer.
Where are your kitchens made and who do you work with?
Our kitchens are built in our Wiltshire workshop by a small team, who have worked with us for many years, from our Smallbone of Devizes and Mark Wilkinson days.
We also collaborate with a handful of talented artists and artisans: Emma Culshaw Bell, an artist and specialist painter who creates bespoke colours and finishes for our painted furniture, and designs and fabricates the Verre Eglomise incorporated into our kitchens; Quentin Reynolds, the craftsman behind our pewter door fronts; and George Winks who carves wood beautifully. We have worked carefully, on a project-by-project basis, to incorporate these elements into our furniture.
What’s the best part of your job?
It’s the enjoyment that comes from working with talented people, bringing designs to life and creating furniture that inevitably is more complex as a result of that teamwork. For me, an open and collaborative process is always infinitely more satisfying than working solo. Of course, the process needs structure. But it’s important to try to maintain enough freedom to be flexible. That way, if something unexpected and good arises, we can work to incorporate it in the final design. This is really what I love about my job – to watch the evolution of an idea, and then to see the finished result in someone’s home.
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