When it comes to challenging the limits of what materials can do, Ledbury Studio is building something of a reputation. The latest design, the Camden Kitchen, is a textbook example of this, combining beautiful materials and artisanal techniques to stunning effect. Ledbury Studio founder Charlie Smallbone talks through how the Camden Kitchen was realised.
Our client has a strong sense of style, so was already full of ideas when she came to see us. I really like that because the design process should always be a collaborative one, and is personal to each client. In this case, the room was being extended into the garden beyond, and we were tasked with designing a relaxed and informal space for cooking and entertaining.
I had decided to use English and European oak throughout the kitchen, and we took particular care to select oak all from the same batch. The result is that the grain matches perfectly and can be seen to run across the width of all the drawers, it’s a really satisfying detail. And for the full-height cupboards, we introduced a design motif that completely belies the practical nature of the fridge, freezer and larder concealed behind.
The show-stopping island top is a work of art by Lara Bohinc of Bohinc Studio. It’s a selection of Italian marbles, inlaid into an aged-brass edge trim, in a selection of shades that elegantly complement the muted colours throughout the rest of the kitchen. For the long runs of worktop, we specified Ambra quartz, for natural-looking veining in a hard-wearing manmade material.
We’ve employed our signature use of metal with patinated zinc panels on the cupboard to the left and on the extractor hood, where it’s trimmed with aged brass. There is an antiqued glass panel surrounding the extractor, which reflects light from the garden around the kitchen. And possibly my favourite detailing is the delicate fluted oak on the ends of the island, which is echoed in the fluted Ambra quartz splashback.
As this was to be a room for entertaining, our client particularly requested a screen she could pull across to divide the dining area from the kitchen when required. I was inspired by a ‘70s design the client found in an antiques shop, to create this screen of brushed and polished stainless steel in a striking geometric pattern. It’s a great finishing touch to this beautifully eclectic kitchen.
Ledbury Studio kitchens start from £50,000.
About Ledbury Studio
Charlie Smallbone needs little introduction. The founder of iconic brand Smallbone of Devizes, he has been pushing the boundaries of kitchen design for over 40 years. Charlie’s latest venture, Ledbury Studio, was born of his desire to harness the beauty of original materials whilst creating practical kitchens that exude style and elegance.
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The latest trend palette from the new collection at Arteriors is all about creating contemporary yet sublimely serene interiors. The key to this elegant décor scheme is incorporating an unpredictable combination of cool toned hues such as pale blues, marbled pastels and lighter jewel tones, and combine with striking modern silhouettes. A smattering of organic materials and shapes throughout will tie the décor together and provide a grounding effect.
To bring this luxurious look into residential or hospitality projects, integrate raw stone marble accents, jewel colours, sumptuous velvets and other luxurious materials to fashion the perfect foundation. Opt for accent details in glamorous golden finishes and brass – these are the perfect finishing touches for a scheme that is luxurious while still remaining warm and inviting.
Lighting should be extravagant: consider frosted glass detailing combined with ornate, intricate elements in both chandelier designs and sconces, and pair together to create an ambient glow through the home.
Intricate use of glass across lighting and accessories is inspired by the fluidity and the sleek reflections across a shimmering body of water. A balance between soothing and striking is created by using lithe hand-blown glass – organic in form and never-quite-perfect meaning each product is unique in its individual detailing.
Arteriors has embraced the perfection of imperfection and is striving to create an assortment of product that inspires the calm and collected throughout the Modern Serenity collection.
“The craftsmanship and cadence emanating from our studio is an extension of both the intelligence and the care of the artist’s hand” – Arteriors Design Team.
Discover items from the Modern Serenity collection as well as other new designs in the London showroom in the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, and online at www.arteriorshome.com.
About Arteriors
For over 30 years, Arteriors delivers impeccable style and artisanal quality craftsmanship within the lighting, furniture, wall décor and home accessory categories to discerning customers worldwide. This three-decade journey in pursuit of extraordinary product – from the understated to the unexpected – had been and remain at the core of what Arteriors do each day. Arteriors’ business has matured and expanded into a timeless lifestyle brand that has become premier resource for interior designers and retailers worldwide.
Today, Arteriors continues to reinterpret materials, forming objects of perfect proportions and scale, resulting in bold interiors that bring ease to everyday luxury.
Garrett Leather has collaborated with Mark Berryman Design to create the exclusive collection – New Forest. Located in the New Forest studio on the south coast of England, Mark Berryman Design specializes in high-end interiors for superyachts of distinction and shares a passion for ingenuity and authenticity in handcrafted luxury.
Mutual curiosity for innovation in colors, patterns and textures steered the design of this collection—which has particularly attractive visual and tactile appeal. Unlike anything currently on the open market, these sensory attributes are a direct homage to the natural elements of the New Forest. In a world of ever-increasing stress, the New Forest collection offers a haven of harmony, featuring organic materials that bring the serenity of the outdoors into interiors.
The four lines of the New Forest Collection, Hawkhill, Bolderwood, Exbury and Keyhaven, are inspired by the idyllic glades and ancient woodlands of the New Forest Nature Reserve. The spirit of this ancient habitat is personified by the introspective artistry and personal handcraft of each article. All made with European, premium quality hides, the depth and nuance of color ensures beautifully versatile and enduring products. Hawkhill, Bolderwood, Exbury and Keyhaven are all sold in full hides averaging 54-57 square feet. They pass IMO flammability requirements for private yachts and may be treated to pass FAR requirements for aviation use.
This roughout semi-aniline leather reflects the organic and evolving adaptability of our ever-changing world. Hawkhill is made in Italy and finished with natural resins. The hides are milled and artfully sanded to obtain the visceral textures found in our natural environment. Hawkhill is reversed natural grain leather with a soft, tactile finish and well-worn appearance. It is recommended for moderate to low traffic areas.
Earthy and layered, Bolderwood harkens the sanctuary of an ancient coniferous canopy and the rich resolute of the centuries-old, undisturbed woodland floor. Bolderwood is embossed with a beautiful organic pattern that is accentuated by hand-finishing artistry, giving depth to the final appearance. As a LeatherShield product, Bolderwood has excellent durability and is recommended for all upholstery applications.
Exbury exhibits a spectacular collision of color and texture. Decadent details are exemplified with its large grain pattern. Exbury is a durable, semi-aniline leather and recommended for all upholstery applications. Its hand-tipped and antique finish ensure a beautiful and lasting appearance.
Relaxed and restful, Keyhaven channels the unique colors and shapes of eroded rocks where fossils have embedded. Its granular, small grain pattern and handcrafted finish give Keyhaven its distinctive touch. Keyhaven is an embossed, semi-aniline leather with excellent durability and is recommended for all upholstery applications.
The New Forest Collection reflects nature’s palette. Its serene colors have a calming influence and capture the visual serenity of the organic world. When it comes to incorporating Hawkhill, Bolderwood, Exbury and Keyhaven into your designs, imagination is the only limitation. The New Forest Collection can be used in any way you desire to create timeless appeal for any space or application.
Bring the outdoors into your interior and harmonize with all that is nature.
All 18 GREENGUARD® Certified colors are now in-stock and available for immediate shipment. Please contact your local sales representative to learn more about this exquisite collection and to request samples or visit the website.
About Garrett Leather
For more than 30 years, interior designers, upholsterers, and manufacturers have used Garrett Leather products for private and corporate aircraft; corporate, hospitality, and residential interiors; luxury motor coaches, high-end cars, and private yachts. They are a privately-owned company dedicated to building relationships and earning their customers’ loyalty by providing the highest quality leather and a superior customer experience.
The idea always comes first. This brings excitement, planning, and construction. So much time is spent thinking about the design, employing the right architects, and sourcing the materials. The last on the list is usually the artwork. This is due to many factors, deadlines and budgets, but often, the client has their own art in mind and is determined to use it. This is tricky to navigate; however, it can often undermine the whole project when the painting or artwork is overlooked.
It’s such a shame that great projects end up with artwork that does not fit in or gets ignored. It is an awareness of art that can create and bring so much value to a project. Art can rescue some designs from the plain and boring to the ‘Wow’. Art can also be introduced to a reasonably mediocre project with limited funding to uplift and create a more lavishing, memorable experience. Many people choose to stay in hotels and are attracted to apartments only for the art.
When I lived in Monte Carlo I frequently had meetings in a hotel part of a contemporary chain that had decided to revamp its old dated style. The new theme was very modern and would have appeared angular and static if they had not brought in real art made by real artists. The art rotated every 12 months. They employed a curator to seek the most exciting and diverse local artists. It was always something new to look at for regular customers and added more culture and diversity to the community. The artist’s private views quickly became something to look forward to. The openings provided a source of new contacts ranging from artists, clients, and interior designers. It offered a buzz in the reception area, and the international hotel guests benefited from seeing new and different art. It’s also inspiring for the staff that work day in and day out at the hotel, creating a conversation.
Art can attract and complement a design. It can also detract from and destroy a project. For example, a sleek, contemporary hotel built next to a beach may be the perfect opportunity to use paintings of seascapes. Without much thought except to save time, a designer will contact a gallery or art agents for ‘seascape’ images, but often, they end up with acyclic on canvas or, worse still, prints in frames that don’t fit properly or are too heavy or light for the image. Apart from the sea connection, the artwork is dull and lacks energy and ownership. People sit in amongst art; it’s usually the first thing a guest will see in the hotel reception, and this engagement is so critical. Art helps to start a conversation, often breaking the ice with strangers. The first impression is lasting, and it sets the tone and dialogue. Good idea to get the art right.
One of the ways to guarantee success is if an interior designer works with a local artist who perhaps knows the area and has original oil paintings or watercolours and sketches of the beach at different times of the year. They understand the weather in the area and the unique colours of the sea, sky and sand. This brings a story to the picture and an artist who has a connection with the local community.
It may save time working with a gallery or agent with a stock full of images, but these organisations charge. Artists will never expect service fees. Inviting an artist and their work into the design encourages a conversation, builds new contacts, and there is always a continuation to the story. It costs nothing to reach out to an artist, and although their artwork may be more expensive, or not it brings a richer experience, ensuring longevity and sustaining reputation.
Working with artists brings opportunities and events to a project that perhaps had not been thought about. An opening evening or private view always attracts people and is the perfect excuse to invite the press and other critics who will publicise the opening for free.
I was invited to a new apartment opening again in Monaco; although it was a stunning penthouse that I could not afford, I was intrigued, and when I arrived, there were half a dozen agents and staff handing out glasses of champagne. The spacious apartment needed little explaining with beautiful views overlooking the Mediterranean, but it felt empty and devoid of the human touch. It lacked the warm atmosphere of a family home and cosy comforts. I think the agents recognised this and worked with an interior designer bringing in some fantastic oil paintings from a local artist. This not only generated even more interest but was packed every day for a whole week with viewings. The lucky people that bought the apartment were probably thrilled that it was an art gallery for a week. I believe it sold effortlessly and for more than the asking price.
A good design is alive from conception and well into the future; art helps nurture and keep a project fresh and growing. As the artists develop, so does the oeuvre of work. An artist’s work becomes their identity; it carries a story.
I now live in the English countryside and love my local pubs, one of which has been refurbished and completely gutted. It has a rural feel with lots of exposed beams, wooden floors perfect for the dogs and quirky ornaments made from recycled bottles and reclaimed bits and pieces. Art is dotted around on the walls, each describing the artist, where they work and live. This is a fun and organic way to bring new customers; it adds value to the experience and brings a sense of community.
Art rarely gets boring, and it brings different societies together, from elusive capitalists to bearded hippies, political to radical and has no religious boundaries. It’s a free spirit that can bring warmth to lost spaces, lonely rooms and blank walls.
About Kay Hare
Kay Hare creates oil paintings on linen with 10c natural gemstone diamonds and 10k gold leaf paintings. The bright artworks are commission-based and bring life and character into the interiors.
In this week’s interview with SBID Awards Interior Design judge, Director of Research at Brunel Design School and Brunel University London, Vanja Garaj discusses the use of technology in design and how it affects every aspect of the industry. He also shares what he is most interested to see in this year’s Awards design submissions!
For me, the baseline for good design still is the famous: “form follows function”, which absolutely must come hand in hand with human-centredness and preferably extend into the “less is more” aesthetics. However, the real power stems from the big idea or, at least, a spark of design innovation that sets the product apart in terms of use scenario, functionality, materials, technology solutions and/or form factor.
My judging process is informed by the experience of practicing, researching and teaching design over the years. By combining these activities, I keep up to date with the latest developments and trends. As a designer, I am particularly interested in the interplay between design and technology and the design-led technology innovation that can improve the quality of life in its various aspects. This interest guides what I am looking for in the designs submitted to the SBID Awards.
Technological innovation can greatly facilitate the design process; e.g., the immersive technologies of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are very handy when it comes to conceptualising and visualising new interior design ideas and communicating or co-creating the ideas with clients.
I am also curious to see how the immersive tech-powered Metaverse will develop in the future and to what extent it may become a venue for interior designers to practice their trade. This social 3D digital “real estate” and its promised fully functioning economy may create demand for the design of virtual interiors for the “living” and working spaces within the platform. Some interior design professionals are already getting ready to benefit from this potential opportunity; e.g., see here.
The environments will become ever smarter, with the advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) permitting us to achieve even better energy efficiency and further improve the ability to personalise interiors for comfort and well-being (e.g., air quality) and visual ambience (e.g., lighting).
There are also advances in biophilia and biomimicry and the application of these concepts and the related technologies in interior design. Both concepts promote sustainability and it would therefore be extremely useful to have them gain more traction within the interior design profession. Having said that, I was really pleased to see Ko Tu Elpo – “a smart air biofilter that improves indoor air quality by combining technology and the power of nature”, win in the Interior Technology category at the SBID Awards 2021 for Product Design.
It is very important to clearly present the novelty and innovative aspects of the submitted work. Why do you think your design stands out in the market?
Questions answered by Dr Vanja Garaj, Director of Research, Brunel Design School and Brunel University London.
Dr Vanja Garaj is Head of Design at Brunel University London, where he also contributes to the Professional Design Studio module within the MSc Integrated Product Design programme.
Dr Garaj’s research is aimed at design, development and evaluation of innovative systems, products and services, with the focus on digital and digital-physical domains and the application of the latest technology.
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.
SBID Awards Category: Residential House Over £1M
Practice: Ana Engelhorn Interior Design
Project: Surrey Private Residence
Location: England, United Kingdom
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a whimsical hotel suite design by Blue Sky Hospitality, click here to read it.
Introducing the Passage collection, celebrating the joy of seasons and the passing of time. Passage is a series of hand-tufted rug designs made in collaboration with architect and interior designer Brooke Aitken, Founder of Brooke Aitken Design. Inspired by a vivid dream about the passage of time, Brooke worked closely with TSAR Carpets to translate her vision and evocative sketches into six rug patterns – Day, Night, Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.
The ebb and flow of time and the continual changing and passing of the seasons is reflected in the collections’ patterns and graphic lines, which inform a sense of movement and placemaking. The collection’s contemplative designs are enhanced by using rich colours, such as midnight blue and russet dawn red, further reflecting how natural light changes from day to night, season to season. Each pattern is available in two different colour options.
The collection will be sold exclusively at TSAR’s studios in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London, and Shanghai.
About TSAR Carpets
TSAR Carpets is a Melbourne-based design brand with over 30 years of expertise in the manufacturing of luxury custom carpets and rugs. A family-owned business founded by David and Kerrie Sharpley, it is now a global company recognised for its passion for textiles and its profound knowledge of the hand-tufted technique. TSAR delivers bespoke floor coverings for high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial environments worldwide.
Tableware plays ‘dress up’ in a limited-edition luxury capsule collection created for children by Von Gern Home and Dragons of Walton Street.
Dragons of Walton Street has been creating lifetime childhood memories for over 40 years. One person who can attest to this is Kira Faiman – Director of Von Gern Home – they have had an ongoing relationship with Kira since they created a magical space for Kira’s own child. Kira and Dragons of Walton Street have long since shared a friendship and the philosophy that every day should be an occasion. This is a philosophy that underpins Kira’s New York based tableware company and one which we agree should also extend to children. This is the genesis of the magical tableware collaboration between Von Gern Home and Dragons of Walton Street.
The placemats are available in five colourways, each with bespoke proprietary artworks by Dragons of Walton Streets’ world-famous artists. The adorable themes include: Vintage Safari, Designer Bunnies, Classic Transport, Sweet Serengeti and Monaco Grand Prix.
The aim with the collection is to celebrate a key aspect of childhood: sit-down meals! The collection offers your client’s children an elevated ‘junior fine dining’ experience in the comfort of their own homes.
Juniors more and more often are being introduced to an ever-widening array of foods through campaigns like ‘Culinary Kids’ which encourages parents to think twice about the food offered to their children via restaurants etc. Finding new and exciting ways to engage children with what is on their plates is now a well-supported concept with parents and the food industry. In the UK national campaign to teach children to cook at least 5 healthy meals before they leave home was launched in Bristol recently. There has never been a better time for the junior foodie to engage fully with the pleasure of great food and everyday dining experiences.
Being double-sided, the placemats offer young children creative input through dynamic versatility, enhancement of choice and creating an opportunity to stimulate conversation. The unified theme of each mat presents further impetus for cohesive storytelling. Both the placemats and the tissue boxes are made of robust and hygienic faux leather specifically for the sticky fingers!
About Dragons of Walton Street
Dragons has been hand painting children’s furniture for over 40 years since our founder Rosie Fisher opened her doors on Walton Street in the heart of Knightsbridge, London in 1979. Now located at 150 Walton Street in the heart of Chelsea, London, our luxury children’s furniture continues to be predominantly built by British master carpenters and lovingly hand painted at our Studio in West Sussex.
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Award-winning design agency, DesignLSM, is well underway with its latest project: renovating the front of house and F&B areas at the prestigious Heythrop Park hotel, set to open in summer 2022.
The stunning Grade II property, set within 440 acres of parkland, was recently acquired by Warner Leisure Hotels and is set to open later this summer with a completely evolved aesthetic celebrating the historic architecture and founding owners of the estate. Appealing to the existing loyal Warner guest as well as attracting new visitors, DesignLSM has undertaken a strategic and creative position on the vast project, focusing on three key principles to enhance the overall guest experience – relaxation, exploration and entertainment.
Renowned for its beautiful architecture, stunning gardens and rolling rural estate, Heythrop Park, located on the edge of the Cotswolds, was originally built for the 1st Duke of Shrewsbury in 1706-1711 and was one of the first estates to marry the interior with the exterior – ensuring that it captures the remarkable vistas on offer. Paying homage to the baroque era, but keeping the modern traveler in mind, DesignLSM have created a distinctive design narrative for the property that runs across the sprawling estate, taking influence from the Duke’s Grand Tour in Italy and his close working relationship with his architect – Thomas Archer; alongside design inspiration woven in from the subsequent owner – Thomas Brassey.
Having a wealth of experience, most recently designing Gaucho’s new Glasgow restaurant and The Alchemist’s Spinningfields Bar, with Searcys’ St Pancras Champagne Bar refurbishment amongst many others currently in hand, the DesignLSM team have bridged the gap between the Grade II listed 18th century charming manor house and the contemporary extension – creating an engaging aesthetic that runs through the whole Estate; including The Orangery, six lounges, three restaurants, two bars, a ballroom and theatre. Each space has its own design identity that encourages a journey of discovery for guests.
The Market Kitchen restaurant with its soft colour palette, fresh biophilic patterned upholstery and wall paneling was inspired by the traditional kitchen garden, while the Brassey Bar, echoes Thomas Brassey’s love of engineering and background in the railways, housing traditional industrial patterns and materials – think dramatic beamed structures, metal detailing, rich leather banquettes, and intimate lighting.
Each space compliments the architectural language of the property, delivering atmospheric and inviting spaces with a contemporary feel and elegant grandeur – encouraging a sense of welcome, comfort and continued exploration.
“This has been a tremendous project for DesignLSM. We have worked closely with Warner Leisure Hotels from the very beginning – offering our strategic expertise to curate the proposition, creating and defining several new F&B concepts as well designing a new narrative and an immersive interior design across all of the front of house rooms in this grand Estate – influenced by, and respecting its historical roots, whilst bringing it forward into a new era of enjoyment and adventure.” Holly Hallam, Managing Director of DesignLSM.
The latest in a stunning series of design achievements, Heythrop Park looks set to be a forward thinking and vital edition to DesignLSM’s groundbreaking hospitality portfolio.
Cover image: Heythrop Hotel – Atrium
About DesignLSM
DesignLSM curate immersive and exceptional hospitality experiences for today’s ever-expectant consumers.” Their multi-disciplined studio specialises in Strategy, Branding, Architecture and Interior Design for a diverse portfolio of world class clients within the hospitality industry. They like to encourage a spirit of collaboration with the clients, colleagues and suppliers which creates lasting relationships and enables them to deliver engaging and memorable environments and experiences.
The design team from award-winning kitchen studio, The Myers Touch, is delighted to announce the latest trends shaping their luxury, timeless and beautiful kitchen-living spaces.
Renowned for creating truly bespoke kitchen spaces that offer far more than just cabinetry and appliance options, The Myers Touch creates designs that stem from a deep understanding of their clients, their brief and how they want to interact as a family within the space around them. By applying their unique, holistic approach with the latest trends for each bespoke kitchen commission, The Myers Touch design truly personal kitchen-living spaces for clients that bring ‘light, space & laughter’ into the heart of the home.
“Clean, simple and stylish Scandi-vibe cabinetry aesthetics are increasingly popular among clients. We can create a touch of Hygge in a home through the contrasting and layering of natural materials such as walnut and oak, that look stunning matched with white tones in a kitchen space” Jaye Tidbury, Designer at The Myers Touch.
By using natural materials and timeless colour palettes in kitchen schemes, allows a room to span current and future interior trends. To ensure it remains both a practical and social space, consider accessible and flexible storage solutions in a kitchen to bring a sense of wellbeing into homeowners’ daily routines.
Even as many homeowners are returning to the office, The Myers Touch report the increase for a dedicated desk space within their kitchen designs. Including a desk space behind a pocket door system provides the opportunity to include a ‘hideaway’ desk area complete with storage cabinetry boosts family ‘inclusiveness and togetherness’ in one multi-functional room.
The separation of tasks and the definition of spaces to keep homes uncluttered and clean has never been so important in the home in our post-pandemic lifestyles. A common brief from their clients is the inclusion of a walk-in Pantry, Boot Room, Utility or Laundry room to create definition and functionality within an open-plan design so spaces don’t become one large area.
“The Boot room is a space where we can cast off our muddy boots, damp coats and sports gear before entering the rest of our home. It is a perfect room for pet owners and can be as simple as providing a place for a dog bed and coat rack, or as grand as an ordered storage facility for outdoor garments and equipment of all shapes and sizes.
A Boot Room should be warm with effective heating solutions, to quickly dry off damp coats and shoes with good ventilation. We always include a bench seat so you can sit down and cast-off wet trainers and sports boots, as well as plenty of hooks for keys, belts, dog leads, coats and handbags. For pets, we can also add extra storage for pet baskets, food, water bowls and even a small pet shower or sink.” Helena Myers – Director at The Myers Touch.
“There is also a wider range of materials available for splashbacks against ovens and sinks such as stone, glass, antique mirrors and other composite materials that are all practical options providing a durable surface for a wet, heavy usage area, whilst being an eye-catching design statement.” Sophie Mason, Design Manager – The Myers Touch.
Customers are also requesting bespoke cabinetry solutions for their favourite appliances which they use every day. For example, The Myers Touch recently designed a pocket door system to house a client’s beloved Thermomix as it was used frequently but needed to be tidied away and kept out of view.
Their designer created a pocket door system next to the main preparation and cooking zone which also had space for a toaster and fruit and vegetable basket so food could be stored and easily used in the appliance. The inclusion of stainless-steel shelves meant that the Thermomix could be used in-situ and without any steam damage before being closed away after use.
Their design team also love to be creative when a client wants to display special items in their kitchen space. For example, they recently created glass display units that were situated high into a ceiling that could be accessed via a functional ladder rail.
“Adding a dresser unit or a feature display cabinet in a kitchen-living space provides a softer and contrasting look in a room and also acts as a transitional point between the kitchen and dining space.” – Keith Myers, Director at The Myers Touch.
As energy bills increase, clients are looking for ways of reducing those costs in their homes. The Myers Touch team are increasingly advising their customers to consider the most eco-efficient solutions for their family to help minimise water and energy consumption.
Image credits: Paul Craig.
About The Myers Touch
The Myers Touch specialises in the holistic design of luxury kitchens in the Winchester area, creating truly bespoke living spaces that offer far more than conventional cooking environments. Established in 2003 and based in Winchester, they enjoy long-standing partnerships with the iconic German manufacturer SieMatic and other leading brands including Gaggenau, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele and Siemens.
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