When thinking of the use of crystal in the home both as an architectural feature and decorative item, there is no better example of its use than at Villa Rene Lalique, the former family home of Rene Lalique and now a 5 star hotel and 2 Michelin star restaurant which celebrates 100 years this year (2020). A celebration and showcase of Lalique from the wine glasses to the door handles, and Damien Hirst artworks lining the cellar can be bought or made bespoke to suit your schemes from Lalique’s London boutiques.
By 1920, the Rene Lalique the artist had become a master glassmaker of some renown. He decided to build his new factory at Wingen, having been accorded the right to occupy a plot of state-owned forestry land. The location had two advantages: the village was on the rail network, and there was a local charcoal producer to supply the necessary fuel for his furnaces.
In addition to the land accorded by the municipality for him to construct the factory, René Lalique was also offered a plot on which to build a house. This would enable him to live nearby and supervise the progress of construction work. René Lalique paid increasingly frequent visits to the house in Wingen, while maintaining his apartment in Paris.
Today, the façade has not changed in a hundred years; the shutters are still painted peacock blue. The house reflects the traditional architectural features of Alsace: studwork, wooden balcony, apron walls shaped like curule seats beneath the windows, French windows framed in Vosges granite, and three chimney stacks on the roof. Inside, a living room, a kitchen, an imposing central staircase leading to the bedrooms and René Lalique’s study: an ensemble that constitutes an imposing family residence in classic style.
On 14 February 2008, Mr Silvio Denz purchased Lalique. In 2011, Silvio Denz, who had been aware of the existence of the house in the village without ever having taken a particular interest in it, had a closer look. He found it virtually intact, aside from some minor leaks in the roof. How could he resist its charm? Silvio Denz decided to refurbish the house for his visits to Wingen. But very soon the idea of turning it into a haven of luxury, worthy of the most elegant stately homes, made perfect sense. The bedrooms were transformed into lavish suites, complemented by an excellent gourmet restaurant. What better setting in which to present the world of Lalique? As much as it had captivated Silvio Denz, the project appealed to lovers of fine cuisine and the decorative arts, as well as collectors. The interior was all about “living Lalique”, and doing so in a contemporary context, amidst rare and fabulously beautiful objects.
The Villa, a veritable showcase for the Lalique art of living and savoir-faire, was unveiled to the public on 18 September 2015.
The exterior of the building was restored to its original state, remaining faithful to its appearance in the epoch of René Lalique; the interior was refurbished down to the finest detail to turn it into a magnificent treasure trove. The interior designers Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli pulled off with aplomb the feat of retaining the authenticity of a family residence while transforming it into a luxury boutique hotel.
Inside the entrance, a selection of crystal pieces from the Lalique collection and new creations from the factory capture the light that enters with the guest, giving a remarkable sense of clarity and purity, the whole illuminated by a magnificent chandelier. This first impression of projected light is an extraordinary experience.
Every detail of the Villa’s interior provides a reminder. From the door handles to the adornments on the armchairs in the lounge, from the cushions of the sofas decked with pieces of crystal to the ebony lacquer of the bar, the view from the dining room to the salon… All is an interplay of light and transparency in the Art Deco style.
To explore Villa René Lalique is to follow in the artist’s footsteps. Six suites are decorated to reflect his various creative periods. The Zeila suite is the sole exception, taking its name from the panther modelled by Marie-Claude Lalique. Guests wishing to spend the night in the bedroom occupied by René Lalique choose the Hirondelles suite, which is reached via a replica of the original black staircase. The Rose suite is decorated in soft powder tones; while Dahlia, with its beige-ivory furniture, is an insistent appeal to relax. All the bathrooms are magnificently decorated,from the made-to measure crystal panels to the crystal taps.
On the second floor, a beautiful balcony belonging to the Dragon suite gives onto the park. The Masque de Femme suite offers spacious family accommodation. This duplex comprises two bedrooms and a salon, a real bijou of the Lalique art of contemporary living.
The five-star hotel, a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection, is run with great commitment and meticulous attention to detail. The renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta designed an extension to the Villa that is an ideal space for a restaurant. It consists of a rectangle of glass, supported by columns of Vosges sandstone, discreetly linked to the hotel’s reception area.
When Silvio Denz was looking for a chef capable of rising to the culinary challenge in this prestigious setting, history smiled upon him once more. Jean-Georges Klein, chef at L’Arnsbourg, where the purchase of Lalique had been celebrated on that fateful evening in 2008, is one of the best French master chefs, holding three Michelin stars for 13 years. In 2014, he decided to leave the family-run restaurant that he owned with his sister. A happy coincidence led him to cross paths once more with Silvio Denz. The chef dropped all his plans to take on a new challenge: launching the restaurant at Villa René Lalique. The gourmet restaurant was awarded two stars by Guide MICHELIN in January 2016, within just three months of opening.
Lalique table settings are the perfect framework for serving dishes of such delicacy. The tone is set by Masque de Femme napkin rings and the replica 1924 crystal pepper and salt mills. Wine glasses and decanters are quickly filled with the finest crus selected by Romain Iltis, named Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2015, who has worked with Jean-Georges Klein for several years to create perfect pairings of food and wine.
The choice of wine on offer is vast: beneath the restaurant Mario Botta has created a cellar with a state-of-the-art design to house the extraordinary collection of vintage wines amassed by the Denz family.
To travel there now is to immerse oneself in a fabled world of creativity and culinary excellence with crystal at its heart, in the universe of Lalique that is waiting to offer passionate explorers from far and wide the height of excellence.
About the Author
Frederick Fischer is the UK Managing Director of Lalique. Lalique is a French glassmaker, founded by renowned glassmaker and jeweller René Lalique in 1888. Lalique is best known for producing glass art, including perfume bottles, vases, and ornaments
If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more.
A Unique Global Outlook on the Interior Design Profession with Chris Godfrey
In this episode of the SpeakEasy podcast, SBID CEO & Founder, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE welcomes Chris Godfrey, the Global Principle of HBA Residential, and newly appointed President of SBID, in an exclusive one-to-one.
As a British-educated Architect and interior designer based in Singapore with an expansive portfolio of design experience from the UK to the Far East, Chris shares a unique global perspective on the interior design profession.
From his early design influences and origins in Glasgow School of Design as an aspiring Architect, to the evolution of his design philosophy overseas, Chris reveals his professional insight on working cross-borders in the Asian market as a British designer, where he set up the residential division of Hirsch Bedner Associates in China.
Chris talks about the new ways of connecting in the context of a tactile industry, as well as the common misconceptions the industry faces about what interior design is, and how a professional interior designer adds genuine value for the clients and ultimate end-users.
He shares his advice for young designers entering the industry and highlights his plans and vision for SBID as its new acting President.
Tune in to the whole conversation to discover more.
Chris Godfrey
Chris is an award-winning Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chartered Architect with over 22 years experience producing highly-considered and finely-crafted residences. In 2014 Chris moved to Asia to set up HBA Residential for Hirsch Bedner Associates. HBA Residential is HBA’s boutique highly-specialised residential design operation conceived solely to create distinctive residences for the world’s most discerning clients. As Principal, Chris oversees all Architectural and Interior Design operations, combining his expertise in both disciplines to cultivate a holistic design approach.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a hotel suite design by SBID Awards Finalist, Stonehill Taylor. The 563-room Conrad New York Midtown hotel is located in the heart of Manhattan on West 54th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Hospitality design firm Stonehill Taylor was tasked with turning the property, previously known as The London New York, into a new luxury destination through their vision for its interior design. The firm’s design exudes calm and elegance, reminiscent of the upscale Midtown residence of a contemporary art collector, with an emphasis on art throughout the property. While the décor is sleek and modern, it aims to achieve a timeless feel.
SBID Awards Category: Hotel Bedroom & Suites Sponsored by Schneider Electric
Finalist: Stonehill Taylor
Project: The Conrad New York Midtown
Location: New York
What was the client’s brief?
We were asked to design a hotel befitting the clientele of the New York Midtown location – specifically the executive traveller, the affluent family, and the celebrity guest; and develop five keywords to guide the design direction. The words we selected were “welcoming”, “connected”, “elevated”, “Invigorating”, and “stylish”. These words were carefully chosen to embody the patrons of The Conrad Midtown, who are not merely hotel guests – but worldly travellers with their New York City home at The Conrad Midtown – and their home should reflect their lifestyles.
What inspired the design of the project?
For this project, we were heavily influenced by residential design. We sought to immediately transport guests from the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood as soon as they enter the grand yet serene lobby. We envisioned each suite as an upscale Midtown residence of a contemporary art collector, infusing the rooms with art and constructing thoughtful layouts with separate living and sleeping spaces. Take one of the grandest examples, the Penthouse suite, located on the 53rd & 54th floors: it has 180 degrees of expansive city views. We laid out each space in this suite to take advantage of these views—being able to soak in the bath while overlooking Central Park creates an unforgettable moment for a guest.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
There is a fine balance to having a luxury suite feel residential while making practical decisions to stand the test of time. If your design is beautiful the day it opens, but a year later the hotel is having to replace everything due to wear and tear, then we haven’t done our job. Our challenge was to source furnishings that create the beautiful first impression that we wanted to make, while also being durable and resilient.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
This project is truly a standout for its spotlight on fine art and it’s unique offering as an all-suite hotel. In the lobby, guests are greeted by a large, lifelike sculpture, Leda and the Swan by Carole A. Feuerman. Museum-style lighting contrasted with dark surrounding walls highlights this special piece while emphasizing it as a gallery space. To the right of the hotel’s entry is an intimate library nook, with a curated selection of art and mythology books lining the shelves. Additional lounge areas are found in the mezzanine, overlooking the lobby and feature artwork by contemporary British artist Amy Judd.
The all-suite rooms provide guests with the sense of being in a private pied-a-terre. They feature dark herringbone wood floors, hand-tufted wool rugs with floor-to-ceiling, cream-coloured drapery complements the soft, neutral palette of greys and caramel. The project includes several special suites including Sky Suites, Atrium Suite and a split-level Penthouse Suite.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
We value the contributions that SBID makes to the field of interior design, both in its native Britain and internationally. The Awards, of course, are one extension of that mission, and we are honoured that this hospitality effort is among the recognized projects. Our Interiors Division is central to the work that Stonehill Taylor does. It is with great pride that we design spaces for people to live, work, and play, and it’s always a delight to have our projects spotlighted by such a prestigious organization as SBID.
Questions answered by Bethany Gale, Interiors Associate, Stonehill Taylor.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a luxury New Zealand kitchen design, click here to see more.
Mineral and graphene technology paints company Graphenstone, are reporting unprecedented demand for its’ sustainable range of air-purifying, CO2 absorbing, VOC free hygienic paints. Patrick Folkes, CEO & Founder of The Graphene Company – Sole Distributor of Graphenstone, UK shares insight behind the increasing desire for more purposeful paint specification.
The health impact from toxic petro-chemical, plastic-based paints is now more widely recognised. Historically, the area of key interest for consumers was just colour. However, most didn’t appreciate the costs to both people and planet, of this simple selection criteria.
Heavily polluting paint production processes, as well as the highly negative impact in homes and offices of toxic fumes on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), from solvents and VOC’s (for many months after application), went largely unrecognized. Did you know that after painting, the VOC levels in your room can increase by hundreds of times?
Manufacturers responded to some of the most egregious issues of the past decades, by removing lead content and some of the worst offending VOC heavy products, as regulations tightened.
Recently however, times have changed. The ecological crisis, so effectively documented by David Attenborough and others, boosted by the recent Covid pandemic, are now forcing real evolution… at a much faster pace.
Prior to recent scientific developments, there was typically a compromise on performance in the selection of more ecological products. Furthermore, many manufacturers climbed aboard the ‘eco-friendly’ marketing bandwagon, often with no genuine, independently verified certifications to support their claims. This resulted in an inevitable ‘green-washing’ backlash. Who can we trust?
Graphenstone has now secured over 20 of the most recognised ‘harm-free’ certifications from the best known product evaluation specialists globally, including Cradle to Cradle (certified Gold and Silver). Cradle to Cradle Institute look at all aspects of your product, down to 100 parts per million of ingredients; how the materials were sourced; water and energy use in production; local social responsibility, as well as how the products die out; all in all a thorough and demanding process. In addition, Graphenstone’s paints are BREEAM, WELL, and LEED compliant and benefit from Ecolabel and EPDs (European Product Declarations).
Graphenstone has a totally unique profile in the paints market. Our range has no toxicity. In fact these products actively CLEAN and PURIFY the air, our pure lime based ranges removing CO2, SOx, NOx and other pollutants.
Highly breathable, anti-bacterial (inhibiting all micro-organisms), Fire-proof (A1 EU, Class ‘0’ UK), Vegan, VOC free, Class 1 strength and in a range of over 1000 colours, we’ve created a beautiful matt paint reinforced by graphene technology, a form of carbon which is the strongest material on earth. Odour free and super quick drying, with no preservatives, chemicals, plastic or microbeads, our products contain no MIT or BIT. That’s a lot of valuable features in a single product range!
Strength is a fundamentally important asset in more ways than one. To make the sustainable, environmental claim, the regularity of painting is crucial. Mineral products would normally not compete in terms of durability and life-cycle with synthetic-binder based paints (such as vinyl or acrylic), thus creating a negative footprint ecologically, given the requirement for more regular repainting. By introducing graphene technology, which provides structural support to the minerals at the molecular level, Graphenstone’s range offer Class 1 strength like an acrylic, yet with none of the negatives in production or use, in homes and offices. Once applied, our paints could stay on your wall in a healthy and sustainable condition, for decades!
The Graphenstone pure limes can absorb up to 5.5Kg’s of CO2 per 15 litre pot! Imagine converting your walls into an air-purification system, as opposed to a constant emitter of toxic fumes, impacting on the health and respiratory systems of your friends, family or work colleagues. It’s like painting trees into your house or office.
In conclusion, our message to designers in this challenging era, is to carefully evaluate what product they specify, to ensure that it’s in the interests of the people who’s lives will be impacted by that selection. Do ensure too that the claims made by brands can be independently verified and the impact on people and the environment is truly ‘harm-free’.
The future of clean, durable paints is in fact available today.
Click here to explore the range.
Patrick Folkes is the CEO & Founder of The Graphene Company – Sole Distributor of Graphenstone, UK. An independent entrepreneur since 1990 with a background in finance, Patrick founded PJ’s in 1995, the UK’s first fruit smoothie business, which sold to PepsiCo in 2005. Patrick was intrigued by the potential of Graphenstone. Natural, highly sustainable, air-purifying paints reinforced by graphene, a 21st Century Nobel prize winning carbon technology, offered the perfect product at a time of urgent need.
Vectorworks address the use of augmented reality and virtual reality within the interior design industry with a digital discussion in collaboration with SBID. Exploring the communication of design ideas and managing client expectations, to practical applications and industry perception.
Hosted by Kesoon Chance, Industry Specialist and Interior Architect at Vectorworks, the online panel discussion shares unique professional perspectives on the use and significance of virtual reality in interior design.
Joining Kesoon on the panel was Tommy Cairns, founder & director of Three Percent Design, and Steve Brann, founder of Cadschool; equipping design professionals to use design software and technology to show clients what they can achieve. Steve pioneered panoramic VR photography and now, with the advent of Realtime rendering solutions, he is championing the use of VR goggles for the ultimate VR experience!
Art In… announces a new partnership with international award-winning interior designer Dr. Vanessa Brady OBE, CEO of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID).
Art In… represents an international portfolio of multi-disciplinary artists and will partner with SBID’s Vanessa Brady to provide art for the yacht, hospitality and private homes of discerning clients. Art In… provides a bespoke ‘white glove’ art service. They match the most suitable artist with a client’s requirements in order to ensure a seamless process from the initial design brief and art selection through to delivery and curation.
Art In… says: “The collaboration is a really exciting next step for Art In… In true 2020 style, we started the conversation during the height of the lockdown on Zoom and during our many video calls realised there was a real synergy.
We believe that integrating art at the earliest stage possible in the design process significantly enhances the overall result. Whether we are working with interior designers on a hotel or a superyacht, a private collection for a family office, or a luxury hotel or members club, art should never be an afterthought. The collaboration with Vanesa Brady offers us a real chance to achieve our vision.”
Vanessa Brady says: “It is very important to dress a space with complimentary art to really set off what is often a neutral canvas, art focuses the eye and sets a theme. I would like to see the selected artist and designers coming together with an owner more at the beginning of a project so that the final result is truly a 360-degree design.
Art should relate to the space in which it is installed and the lifestyle of the people using it. It should also link with the function the space is used for, such as a wine cellar, a bedroom etc. making each interior as unique as the owners, their guests and the design. It is important not to leave stylising to chance at the end of a project. Quality art pieces should be considered as part of the overall installation from the concept of the design process.
It is SBID’s role to source unusual providers of interior products that are efficient, as well as beautiful to adorn such exclusive interiors – the final design presentation always requires a very special piece of art to ‘dress’ the design, and so we seek equally adventurous and exclusive partners to provide the broadest selection of art. As soon as we met, we knew it would be a perfect match”.
Cover image credits: SBID Awards Finalist 2020; Rockwell – 15 Hudson Yards
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential kitchen design by SBID Awards Finalist, Mal Corboy Design. Located on a Central Otago lane, this kitchen was the second project completed by the designer for this client. A brand-new home in a typical prominent gated community, the space was dictated by the architect. Surprisingly, the client sought a modern, contemporary interior that cleverly juxtaposed the exterior of the house.
SBID Awards Category: KBB Design Sponsored by Garrett Leather
Finalist: Mal Corboy Design
Project: Cardrona Views
Location: Otago, New Zealand
Four years from design to completion, everything was made from the ground up. Despite this, it’s perfect for 2020 showcasing the refined taste at play and timelessness of the modern feel of this kitchen.
The owner spared no expenses in ensuring every facet of this kitchen was to the highest standard. Not only did the kitchen need to have a day-to-day function but also be able to entertain at a corporate level and function, in part, as a scullery when needed. Electric doors open up to a large back end of the kitchen, where a complete scullery can be found. This completes the functional aspect, ensuring the kitchen can serve as an entertainment area with ease.
For inspiration, the designer drew from a palette of rich, earthy colours. Under-cabinet lighting complements these tones well and both add a softness to the clean lines and sleekness of the design. Modern materials give this kitchen a contemporary look whilst keeping everything pristine.
One of the challenges in this project was keeping the kitchen on trend due to the amount of time that had passed from design to completion. The client has received widespread feedback from visitors, with people being blown away with the final result, not having seen anything like it in the community.
After several successful corporate events, the kitchen is functioning as requested for the owner. Described as “world-class” by the architect, it has truly surpassed the client’s expectations, in design and function.
As it is known as being the best of the best in the design world and, as a past winner, it’s one I love to support.
Questions answered by Mal Corboy, Founder and Owner, Mal Corboy Interiors.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a Spanish health retreat, click here to see more.
Architecture and interior design practice, SHH has been engaged by The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) to deliver design enhancements to an array of Food & Drink facilities around the Grounds, all part of cementing Wimbledon’s reputation as the world’s leading premier sporting event and ensuring the highest quality visitor experience.
SHH was initially engaged in 2013, and since then has embarked on a redesign masterplan, which encompasses the development and refurbishment of several hospitality facilities catering to different groups of guests attending The Championships.
For every project, the brief was to complement the AELTC’s design ethos of “tennis in an English Garden”. The colour palette clearly reflects this with green, purple and pink shades offset by oak features. The refurbishment effort aims at bringing the outside in, using indoor planting and floor to ceiling windows, flooding each area with ample natural light and affording uninterrupted views over the landscaped areas. Enhanced wayfinding signage delivered clear communication for those visitors using the facilities.
SHH redesigned sites include the Champions’ Room, the Media Restaurant and a suite of cafes, brasseries and restaurants spanning a variety of different tier dining options to suit the vastly diverse visitors at The Championships.
SHH was initially approached by catering company Compass to carry out upgrades to the Media Restaurant. The restaurant is situated beneath Courts 14 and 15 – a large basement space wrapped around three sides of a light well – which provides catering to hundreds of accredited press and broadcast journalists during The Championships. Operating as a 24-hour facility, it is zoned into three areas providing a deli, pizza bar and coffee offer on an assisted service-type model. All aspects of the design were particularly important given the international nature of the user group and their experiences at competitor venues around the world. The space was designed in a Scandinavian and minimalist theme throughout.
The Champions’ Room is an exclusive hospitality venue for Centre Court debenture holders at The Championships providing an elegant and relaxing space for fine dining or afternoon tea. Working with the AELTC , SHH designed and delivered fresh, elegant interiors starting from the entry point through to the design of the tableware, creating a complete portrait for the restaurant in finite detail. This was reflected in the refinement of the space, with exquisite details and subtle use of colour to reflect Wimbledon’s ethos and the prestigious event it celebrates.
SHH’s brief was to combine two offerings within the same large space: a walk-in brasserie and a more formal white-tablecloth sit down area. The new area needed to guarantee flexibility between the two catering spaces facilitating pre-booked volume and walk-in demand. The brasserie affords external views across the courts while the main courtside restaurant features adjustable sliding screens and walls to allow the space to double up as a conferencing and training facility, providing useful space for AELTC Members and staff throughout the year, not just during The Championships.
The Walled Garden was completed ahead of The Championships 2018. The area consists of several different catering offerings: the Walled Garden Food Market, Aorangi Bar, Aorangi Larder and Aorangi Café. SHH’s design approach was to relate to the architecture of No.1 Court, by establishing a material connection with the courtyard and the new catering spaces. The colour palette mixes different shades of green, grey and oak. Servery areas have been upgraded with a variety of glazed green terracotta counter fronts and oak panelled counter fronts. Floor to ceiling oak-panelled screens with plants help delineate areas by creating impact to this vast open-air catering space.
The Terrace is the most recent project undertaken by SHH for the AELTC and was completed the summer of 2020. The Terrace is one of the dining facilities that caters for Centre Court debenture holders during The Championships, but is also used year-round for larger events, such as drinks receptions, in conjunction with The Courtside. The main focus of the refurbishment was to improve the servery area, which could get congested at peak times. SHH’s redesign significantly enhanced the flow around the area by increasing the space behind counters for food preparation and facilitating the quick and easy movement of visitors. The Terrace is a long and relatively narrow room, which resulted in visitors tending to linger near the entry during drink receptions without using the full capacity of the space. To address the issue, SHH has introduced moveable oak panelled waist height screens to help delineate areas where required and improve flow. The original look and feel of the space, including the floor, walls and furniture, was dated and required a revamp to reflect the style of the rest of the facilities around the Grounds. Ribbed oak fronted counter screens, oak slats on the ceiling, and shades of green, grey and purple reinstated the “Wimbledon” colour palette and style. Floor to ceiling sliding window doors around the perimeter of The Terrace guarantees ample natural light, while the furniture remains very practical with light, easily movable tables and chairs.
Created in 1991 by David Spence, Graham Harris and Neil Hogan, SHH is an award winning Chartered Architectural and Interior Design practice working globally and based in London. SHH works across sectors – Residential, Hospitality and Commercial, and across disciplines – Architecture, Interior Design and FF&E. Offering a multifaceted bespoke design service, focussed around achieving the best possible end result.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a Spanish health retreat by SBID Awards Finalist, Rachel Laxer Interiors.
The ARTAH health retreat in Spain is the flagship hospitality project; a brand which Rachel Laxer Interiors brought to life through a design that reflects the wellness elements of restoration and transformation.
This included creating private areas where guests can relax, reflect and reconnect with themselves after an active day out cycling. These communal rest areas were designed to help guests connect with each other. You will find quiet restful corners for individuals and larger spaces to be enjoyed by groups of people.
Rachel Laxer worked with small independent makers and regional suppliers to create a unique expression of the brand that connected it to the local area. Many of the accessories and lighting were sourced from local craftsmen which was really important to both the designer and the client. Supporting the local community and giving back gives the retreat an authentic feel and helps it connect with the local landscape.
SBID Awards Category: Healthcare & Wellness Design Sponsored by Schneider Electric
Finalist: Rachel Laxer Interiors
Project: Artah Health Retreat Spain
Location: Girona, Spain
The word Artah translates as purpose or essence in Hindu philosophy. As a broader concept, it refers to the activities and resources that enable an individual to be in their desired state, and since the state of your health determines the way you live your life, Artah was created to embody this notion.
We were briefed by ARTAH founder Rhian Stephenson with the above quote to design her health retreat in Girona, Spain.
We created private areas where guests can relax, reflect and reconnect with themselves after an active day out cycling. These communal rest areas were designed to help guests connect with each other. You will find quiet, restful corners for individuals and larger spaces to be enjoyed by groups of people.
The retreat is beautiful and relaxing but also functional so that the purpose of the guest’s stay can be met. There are treatment rooms for restorative exercising and massage therapies, a simple and functional dining space to nourish your body, a yoga studio and an outdoor pool to exercise; and, beautiful bedrooms for guests to relax, sleep and reflect. These are simply luxurious – not opulent and we think reflect the philosophy of being in one’s ‘desired state’.
We worked with a colourful pastel palette on a neutral backdrop. Most of the furniture pieces, especially in the reception and communal areas are made from natural materials such as wood and rattan which reflects the pared-back nature of the retreat. The design needed to be modern, yet timeless to reflect the philosophy of the brand.
We had a lot of fun in the bathrooms, particularly with the tiles. You will see some bright pink and green tiles mainly from Bert & May and Porcelanosa. ARTAH Retreat is a place filled with energy and fun and the injection of colour and pattern helps us to reflect that.
Many of the accessories and lighting were sourced from local craftsmen which was really important to us and our client. Supporting the local community and giving back but gives the retreat an authentic feel and helps it connect with the local landscape.
A laid back California style that was translated into English quirkiness mixed with European elegance and brought to life through local Spanish crafts.
It was really cold and very wet and being on a building site meant we had little protection from the elements. There were even mud slides that we navigated through between our hotel and the building site. But the lovely cosy evenings with tapas and wine kept us going.
There were a few highlights. We had a vision to create a large arched opening in this old stone farmhouse, we didn’t know if the building would withstand the opening. Luckily it could, so we were very pleased with the large arch that you can see in the lobby area.
There is no greater satisfaction than when a client walks in and mentions that you’ve exceeded their expectations and that’s the response that we got from our clients, so again, we were very pleased.
The skill, love and dedication of the Spanish teams who worked on the project. Their attention to detail, particularly on how they laid the tiles was impeccable. Working in another country and in a different language is always a challenge, but everyone rolled up sleeves and got on with the job. We were very pleased to work with the architect, Ignacio Beloa, who was the glue that kept all the teams together.
Because we met the CEO and Founder of SBID, Vanessa Brady and I was blown away by her dedication to raising the standard of the industry. I immediately joined the SBID and entered its gold standard Awards that I would be proud to win. In an unregulated environment, to be recognised by a professional body means even more.
Questions answered by Rachel Laxer, Director of Rachel Laxer Interiors.
If you missed the last installment of Project of the Week, featuring a Russian wellness centre, click here to see more.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a wellness centre design by SBID Awards Finalist, Dseesion Interiors. This is a unique high-tech wellness centre, situated in the most prestigious residential area of Moscow, where modern people have the opportunity to restore strength, to recharge their creative energy and harmonize their internal state. The techniques used within the centre combine the most progressive technologies and ancient healing practices.
The interior aims to foster a calm meditative state, that aids recovery and allows contemplation. It emphasizes the importance of the human being and their individual personality. In this centre, Dseesion uses many hand-made items and has created unique installations exclusively for this space.
Finalist: Dseesion Interiors
Project: Quintessence. Centre for Mindful Change
Location: Moscow, Russia
We were asked to design the interior and manage construction works of a center which is unique to Russia. The interior is supposed to create a favorable atmosphere for our guests revealing their internal potential and harmonization of their personality. It also needed to be multifunctional, effectively using a relatively small space to ensure the privacy of the guests within an intimate atmosphere involved in various procedures and practices.
It was true teamwork which required a lot of energy, resilience and inspiration. Working on this project we have created a lot of hand-made objects and we passionately inspired other subcontractors and artists to deliver the best result they can.
We consider British traditions of interior design as the most sophisticated and stylish. The Society of British International Interior Design joins the best professionals all over the world. It is a great honor and privilege to take part in such a respected and well-known contest. That is why we decided to enter the SBID Awards.
Questions answered by Valeria Senkina, Chief Architect and General Manager of Dseesion Interiors.
If you the last installment of Project of the Week, featuring a Club House Design, click here to see more.
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
By subscribing, you agree to be added to SBID’s mailing list. As an industry’s standard bearer organisation, we strive to bring you the most up to date news and access to exclusive industry content through our various newsletters.