Carpets Designed to Culturally Connect to the Location of a Hotel

In the 30 years since it was founded, TSAR Carpets create holistic compositions that empower its wide range of clientele — from commercial, hospitality, and residential customers — to achieve a cohesive architectural expression from the ground up. For this reason TSAR was pleased to partner with Melbourne-based interior designers, Suede Interior Design, and Crystalbrook, one of Australia’s leading sustainable and innovative independent hospitality companies.

Located in Newcastle’s iconic Council Administration Centre, Crystalbrook Kingsley Hotel is a sophisticated 130-room five star hotel that features an energetic and considered aesthetic designed by the Suede team.

Suede Interior Design included hints and glimpses of birds, footprints, and feather motifs in the Crystalbrook Kingsley brand colours of yellow and charcoal to tell the story of Newcastle’s mining past – the canary free from its cage – immortalising the little bird in the timeless style of the hotel.

“Our aim was to create a design that not only reflected Newcastle, but something that would be culturally connected and relevant to its location. The use of curves and rhythm within the guest rooms and public interiors mimic and pay homage to the lines of the architecture of the building,” explained Clifford Rip. “The interiors, therefore, are both nostalgic and effervescent, the kind of design personality that is considered yet effortless in its sophistication.”

The design team tapped TSAR Carpets to provide luxurious, vibrant and eye-catching carpet that both matched the hotel’s yellow hue, as well as the contemporary and elegant mood within the hotel’s guest rooms, penthouse, corridors, lobby, meeting room, restaurant and lounge areas. TSAR employed the design Thirlmere with custom carving for the bedrooms; Habitat for the corridors; a custom design made in collaboration with Suede Interior Design in the Meeting Rooms; and Pinnacle for the Restaurant and Lounge areas.

“TSAR Carpets knows how to blend the story of both traditional and contemporary aesthetics, and we are impressed by their cutting-edge ability to translate a design into a high-quality textile that will stand the test of time,” says Clifford Rip, Founder and Principal at Suede Interior Design.

In total, TSAR customised more than 3,500 square metres of in-house designs applicable to individual room placement and based on each area’s needs, including performance and durability.

Given the building’s curved rooms and corridors (the building is known locally as the “Roundhouse”), aligning carpet and mirroring the Thirlmere pattern 8 different times to fit each of the 8 floors was a major objective.

Employing a carving technique to the custom, large-scale Axminster carpet for an added luxurious accent — as well as true textured feel and semblance — was also achieved, allowing a more budget-conscious, quantity-based product.

This process involves hand-shearing areas of the carpet's pile in order to create textures around design elements. This particular technique highlights and enhances areas of designs in Axminster — transforming one-dimensional perspectives to patterns that draw the eye across the carpet with ridges and valleys.

“TSAR is driven by the belief that good design goes far beyond aesthetics, which is why we have a reputation for the highest quality and outstanding performance,” says David Sharpely, TSAR Carpets CEO.

“We were pleased to partner with Clifford and his team, who we have worked with over the years. The client trusted us to know the right product to specify, ensuring quality and durability — and at a price point that was within budget. Our knowledge and understanding of carpet design and manufacturing led to a beautiful end product that we are quite proud of.”

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In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards winners of the Fit Out Contractor of the Year - Workplace category, Modus Workspace, share the key elements they focus on when designing workplaces and predict future changes in workspace designs.

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

It’s so important to our team and our clients. I’m lucky enough to work with a group of people who get up every day and truly love what they do, no matter what. It doesn’t matter if an award is waiting for them at the end of a project, but it sometimes helps. For my team, it gives them the recognition that they deserve and keeps them motivated to continue to aim high, always. We have seen just how powerful winning awards can be for our clients, from stakeholder management to employee retention and hiring top talent, it also reaffirms to our clients that their investment and trust in Modus was worth it.

As a specialist in workplace fit-out projects, what are the most important considerations when designing for working environments?

For the past 30 years, Modus has been designing and delivering office spaces with the objective and empirical evidence to support, that this helps our client’s businesses perform better and have happier, healthier work environments. Every project is unique, and we approach each one with open minds, because it is about understanding the fundamental needs and wants of our clients including their goals and ambitions. However, there are a few key areas that form the baseline for all decision making: workplace strategy, sustainability, wellbeing, culture and future proofing their space for today and tomorrow.

What insights can you give regarding the future of the workplace? How should office designs evolve alongside changing trends?

There’s a lot of talk around the future of the workplace and how it will evolve and change. The digitalisation of spaces will be a big thing. From ‘zoom’ kitted out meeting rooms to intuitive tech, the office of the future will be designed for a different kind of working and a multitude of different office landscapes.

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’ve got so many exciting projects already in the pipeline for 2022, we’ve been venturing abroad with projects in Dubai and Europe - it’s all under wraps for now but watch this space!

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

Think big, think broadly and have a go. Be brave with your designs and send that email to the D&B firm you’ve always wanted to work at, you never know what’s around the corner. At Modus, we pride ourselves on nurturing the designers of the future. It’s something we take very seriously and I particularly love doing. We are always looking to take on new talent so if you’re looking to start a career in design, get in touch with us at info@modus.space.

Questions answered by Vidhi Sharma, Creative Director, Modus Workspace.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features an elegant and modern spa design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Ina Rinderknecht.

Situated in the Croatian town of Dubrovnik, sits the 5-star Rixos Premium, recently renovated by our design studio. Inspired by the surrounding culture, architecture and history, we were entrusted with the renovation of the hotel’s lobby, its two restaurants, the sports bar, the outdoor and indoor pools and the large spa area.

The spa area is over 2000 sqm featuring state-of-the-art treatments and offering various experiences. One enters the spa through the newly designed tea lounge featuring one of the best tea selections worldwide and a concept store that sells unique local pieces.

Passing through the spa, arched niches in white marble, rippled walls and the use of trees help to create a pleasant environment. A dry sauna, wet steam bath, cold room, a Himalayan salt room, a hammam and treatment rooms, together with small pools are all included in this spa as well as an indoor and outdoor pool.

What was the client's brief? 

Taking into account the client’s brief to modernize the hotel we were inspired by the surrounding culture, architecture and history. We were given creative freedom to reinterpret the Rixos lifestyle brand in a fresh and unexpected way. The idea was to create a boutique style hotel in the scale of a large commercial project.

What inspired the design of the project?

Inspired by the surrounding culture, architecture and history, our design approach seeks to create a holistic environment where shapes, materials and light combine and balance each other naturally. The story is told across different areas always with a breeze of freshness and elegance. Playing with the symbolic meaning of ‘Libertas,’ the Latin word for freedom and liberty but also happiness and light, we created a place where people can express themselves whilst enjoying a sense of belonging. As with all of our projects, we have taken a holistic approach to interior design, to achieve architectural integrity and structural purity within the original building structure, simultaneously combining playful design elements and comfortable furniture.

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

Not only was the intensity of the time constraint from the beginning of conception to the end of construction was 8 months for a project of this scale, but the project was interrupted by the coronavirus and extreme collaboration and coordination between the international teams was very much needed during this time.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The 2000 sqm spa area was the heart of the project. The client’s wish was to transform the vast spa level into a unique oasis of recreation and well-being. The choice of treatment areas with sauna, steam bath, salt- and ice-rooms, massage rooms etc. were all fully renewed. The main focus was on creating a one of a mind tea lounge which would offer one of the largest tea selections worldwide.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We believe we have the high standards that represents SBID. We are a team of creative international designers who always seeks to create innovative yet timeless spaces, that are unexpected and fresh yet utterly comfortable.

Questions answered by Ina Rinderknecht, Owner & Creative Director, Ina Rinderknecht.

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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In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards winners of the KBB Design category, Extreme Design discuss the evolution of clients' wishes and what role kitchens play in homes today, as well as their approach to designing interiors that reflect the client's personal style.

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

The SBID awards create awareness for outstanding achievement and celebrates design creativity and excellence worldwide. It allows designers to push the boundaries of design and bring global recognition to those with good design practices within the industry. At Extreme, it is our vision to make an impact on design in this country, and the awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase our work.  An SBID award carries credibility and helps build our reputation amongst clientele hoping to engage with Extreme for their unique and special projects.

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

At Extreme, we believe that every great design starts with an inspiration. This belief and design approach gave us the freedom to design every detail of the client's kitchen to suit their vision. The elegance, sophistication and character of Art Deco design had captured their imagination and would form the basis of the design narrative. Influenced by The Churchill Bar and Terrace at the Hyatt Regency in London, the scheme works as a functional family living space and exudes luxury and exhibits a firm nod towards the clients love of everything art deco. The design transcends material and function and creates a one-of-a-kind space where every detail reflects our client.

As experts within the kitchen design sector, what do you think has been the biggest evolution in the kitchen space over the last decade? What external factors do you think have played a role in this shift?

Over the last decade we have seen clients move away from interiors which follow a common style or trend and look for something more personal, something which is a direct reflection of them and their life story. Since the 90’s the kitchen has been the centre of every household, and our clients are spending more time than ever in these multipurpose rooms. The clients story dictates the design direction, and we are selecting materials and finishes based on emotional connection and not just look and feel. Once a utilitarian design decision, kitchens now truly reflect the homeowner’s life, style and taste.

How do you make sure a design reflects the clients’ individuality and personal stories? Do you have a specific approach and how do you balance this with your own design style?

The client's story is at the heart of every design, and it stems from our belief that a design reflects a life lived, not just a lifestyle. We approach each project with a fresh perspective, bringing new ideas founded from our wealth of experience. The details we gather go beyond just practical and functional requirements. We take time to listen, understand and connect with how our clients want to feel in their new environment. Part of what makes Extreme so different is the design freedom that we bring to every project. Each design is individual, so we don't limit ourselves or our clients to set styles or ranges. Each design begins as a blank canvas and evolves to reflect each client's personal design story.

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

The awards have given us the belief and drive to continue developing our design approach, knowing that we have a formula that realises some of the most individual and exciting projects in this country and worldwide.

We are constantly working on what's new and what's next! And we look forward to sharing this with you in the years to come.

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

Open your eyes to the world; you can find inspiration in everything. Listen to your clients, stay focussed and don't be afraid to push your client to the edge of their boundaries. Everyone is different, so listen to your client's story and use this to fuel your creativity and create a design that is truly special.

Questions answered by Jade Jones, Design Manager, Extreme Design.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a stunning and unique restaurant design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Bishop Design by Paul Bishop.

What was the client's brief? 

The brief for Carna was simple, yet the end result is breath taking. Discovered on the 74^th floor SLS Hotel & Residences, Carna was to be a contemporary steakhouse and immersive meat experience.

What inspired the design of the project?

Meat is art, from preparation through to first taste, and it’s this story we aimed to capture through the interior. We appreciate the butcher to be a respectable symbol of society; a community monarch. They satisfy the most famished, and bring their unique skills to the table to fulfil the deepest of cravings. Their ancient trait is passed down through generations, and it’s this authentic craftsmanship that seethes through every crevice.

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

The sheer volume of space is jaw-dropping, and posed challenges at the onset, yet no corner has been left untouched. It’s strong, sensual and tantalizing of all the senses.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

On the left resides a theatrical bar where seductive red provides a colour bomb to an architectural wardrobe otherwise dressed in shades of green and brown. Hand cut green tiles provide the backdrop to a magnificent showcase of rustic brass finishes which elegantly display the bar's liquor sensations.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards celebrate the best in design and it is events like this that continuously motivate our team to create iconic experiences all over the world.

Questions answered by Paul Bishop, Owner and Founder, Bishop Design by Paul Bishop.

When it comes to choosing a durable, hardwearing, easy-clean, low-maintenance flooring solution for a large family home, Dekton® is the ideal solution. For Michael Stephenson and the team at HG Design Solutions, who were tasked with designing the interior of this large Northumberland family home, Dekton® Soke 8mm x 1420mm x 1420mm floor tiles were the perfect choice for the entire downstairs layout, including the open-plan kitchen-living area, dining room, utility and grand entrance hall.

Created in collaboration with Shaun Ramsey Construction, the project involved applying Dekton® Soke flooring throughout the downstairs of the property and out into the garden area, creating a seamless finish and flow throughout the entire house and garden. Part of the Dekton® Industrial Collection, the Soke tiles are inspired by classic cement floors with realistic veining and a statement grey finish that beautifully complements the traditional style of this home’s interior décor.

Highly resistant to UV rays, scratches, stains and thermal shock, Dekton® is the ideal choice for homeowners looking for a durable, hardwearing solution for floors, worksurfaces and wall cladding both indoors and out. What's more, carbon neutrality has been achieved for the entire life cycle of Dekton, so homeowners can rest assured that their surface of choice is sustainable and helps build a better future.

Dekton® was also selected for the kitchen worksurfaces as well as for the table in the dining area that flows effortlessly from the open-plan kitchen-living space. Dekton® in Olimpo was specified from PWS Worksurfaces and as part of the Stonika Xgloss Collection, it offers a luxurious Carrara marble look and feel with grey veining on top of a cool white background.

Michael Stephenson, Director and Founder of HG Design Solutions, explains the process behind the design, “We introduced the client to Dekton and it was after he and his wife came to the Darlington centre to view the materials that they agreed on Soke for the flooring and Olimpo for the worksurfaces and table top, as these were the perfect choice in terms of durability and style.”

The marble look of the Dekton® worksurfaces create wonderful contrast against the burnt orange banquette seating and wall colour within the dining area, which provide a pop of colour and add further personality to the design. It also looks stunning in the utility room with its rich, dark navy painted timber cabinetry and white wall units for a nautical look.

Dekton® by Cosentino is available in a range of designs, from industrial inspired to marble look.

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SBID member Kay Hare Art creates unique art pieces by mixing different eco-friendly materials and using unusual techniques. Her art brings liveliness and positivity to the overall ambience of interiors, inspiring the clients and shaping their awareness to make more environmentally conscious choices. The oil on linen paintings reflect dream landscapes with natural gemstone diamonds and gold leaf.

What are the origins of your brand?

The paintings are not so much a brand as each one is quite different and as I work to the specification they do change. However, the roots lie in nature. I am inspired by trees and especially enjoy long walks getting lost in the woods. I love all the seasons and find beauty in the cold, wet weather of winter with frosty mornings. All my time spent outdoors is absorbed on a subconscious level and then translated into oil paintings. I work quietly alone in my studio with the paintings almost meditations in themselves often detached from reality.

How do you work with interior designers?

I work on commission and enjoy the challenge of turning abstract ideas into a plan I can discuss clearly with clients. I enjoy offering paintings I already created. If these are not quite to the style ie. the right colours or often the right size, I will go to length to sketch out what I think the client wants, sometimes it being watercolour on paper. Once the client is happy we decide on a deadline and I make sure to stay in touch throughout the working period. Providing weekly and sometimes daily updates.

What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?

I think I bring much more than just the painting. I often suggest ideas that the client has not thought about. I am keen on working with local materials and can often suggest more environmentally conscious ways of doing things. Working with nature and natural colours can really enhance an environment as well as remind people that the natural world is precious and something we have to take care of. I like my paintings to radiate positivity and I like to bring my own enthusiasm to the project, hopefully uplifting others and providing inspiration.

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

I am quite direct when I am working with clients as I find this approach saves time and money. I also like to recommend other services or sometimes artists that perhaps may work better or as well as my own work. I am disciplined enough to know right from the start if the project is something realistic or not. I can bring to the table many past projects and the experience of thirty years of working on commission. My outlook generally is a Pollyanna mindset that anything is possible, however, we do have a responsibility to be aware of our carbon footprints and find economical, non-polluting, and eco-friendly ways of working that can still be luxurious and comforting.

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

I think the trend is very much in the natural world and it should be. We all have to monitor our consumption habits, choose biodegradable products, be accountable for our travel habits and conscious of our environments. How can we work harder to sustain an organic world? We can use more organic products and this can be hinted at through fabrics, prints, and décor generally. Encouraging eco-friendly environments through the way buildings are designed and then running this theme through to the interiors can influence and shape an individual's awareness and an entire community. Making natural product-based materials and overall styles that hint at the salvaged, second-hand market is important to influence and support the younger generation who will have to embrace more sustainable ways of living without giving up on beautiful interiors.

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In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards winners of the Restaurant Design category, design command share their tips on designing hospitality interiors with user experience in mind and talk about using natural materials in interior design projects.

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

Extremely important for us as an Interior Design Company that mainly specialise in hospitality design. To receive the recognition after the difficult years or 2020 and 2021 is an amazing achievement. Being recognised by SBID Awards introduces you to new contacts and you feel like part of a hospitality family.

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

We didn’t follow current trends and mainly focused on reflecting the amazing views and this was the inspiration for all ff&e selections and the colour palette. We think this made this restaurant's interior design unique.

When working on a hospitality project, how do you incorporate the end user’s experience into the overall vision and functionality of the interior?

The Interior has to be both captivating and a comfortable place to dine. Equally important is how it works operationally for staff as they use the space on a daily basis and we want to have an interior that they are proud to showcase.

Do you often work with natural or unconventional materials, such as stone, rope, reclaimed timber? What made you choose these materials, and are there any particular considerations when working with them?

We like to work with natural materials on most of our projects as we find they add more contrast and interest overall, whilst also being environmentally friendly.

We wanted to reflect the coast and surroundings as much as possible and chose a range natural materials to express this throughout. When choosing these materials it is important that you apply them to the correct areas within the space.

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

It was a big surprise and we are still taking it all in and looking forward to new opportunities in hospitality design for 2022. We are looking forward to working on new restaurant and hotel designs. I began my career in hotel design and am excited to bring that passion full circle.

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

Always believe in yourself and no matter how much experience you have never dismiss an idea - it could be the best one for that particular project.

Questions answered by Clare McDonald, Founder & Creative Director, design command.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a luxurious and warm bathroom design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Crimson Park Design.

An 80’s-era ensuite bathroom in Bellevue, WA, USA is opened up to solve outdated design and inefficient geometry. Featured are custom Sinker Cypress vanity, linen cabinet, and a 48” wide barn-style door with header and column, also of Sinker Cypress. A white ofuro-style tub, backed by new floor-to-ceiling glazing, sits in a stream of black polished river stones extending along the East wall under the vanity. Full slab, sumi-e-esque quartz lines the shower. Large field, textured Italian porcelain tile runs, offset, from West to East and up the wall behind the vanity. “When I walk into my bathroom I feel like a queen.” – Client, M. Chandler.

What was the client's brief? 

• Update bathroom design and create a spa feel
• Clean and bright without being sterile
• Plan for future aging-in-place
• The bathroom has to be warm. Always.
• Sufficient storage - (items to be stored were inventoried to assure sufficient storage)
• Plenty of outlets at vanity
• No handles or hardware to bump into, or catch on clothing
• A bench large enough to sit on and to hold clothes

What inspired the design of the project?

I wanted to create a space that would allow my client to feel that her bathroom is a place of refuge; a place where she can begin and end her day at an arm’s length from the stress of life; a place to feel refreshed. I was fortunate enough to be given the creative freedom to incorporate some of my artistic sensibility into the design. After having As-Builts created, I began to sketch conceptual shapes in plan view, with the goal of keeping the main plumbing sites relatively intact. I like to work with organic shapes, and Mary gave me a bit of a free hand in coming up with design elements. In my art I tend to use circles, spirals, and other curving lines. I let instinct guide my pencil to create lines that would soften the space and hard angles that draw the eye around the room. I, then, scaled the concept back to reality and budget, keeping one curving line for the black river rock stream. The tile was cut to my hand drawn line that had been translated to a template by the CAD tech.

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

The most challenging part of the project was tackling the angle of the bedroom-to-bath transition hallway relative to the opening of the bathroom, in order to enclose the space, reducing the draft. I designed the Sinker Cypress header and column to properly catch the bespoke sliding door. It took a couple of iterations but I’m pleased with the result, which is a monolithic, yet in-scale, practical and user-friendly design element, warming the space both literally and aesthetically.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlights of any project for me are the joy of problem solving and collaboration with the client, craftsmen, and contractors through the design and build process; seeing all of the components come together as I envisioned; and delighting my client. A happy client is the best reward.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

When the Chandler Bath Oasis was complete, I felt that something special had been created. I wanted to put it out into the world to gauge the response. I aimed high when entering the SBID Awards; it is clear that the SBID recognizes design excellence. I appreciate the thoughtfulness I sense from the organization, and the sense of community that the SBID works to create. Crimson Park Design is incredibly honoured to be recognized as a finalist by the SBID, validating my instinct about the strength of my design, and the work of my partners.

Questions answered by Shelli Park, Principal, Crimson Park Design.