Vispring has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. Vispring is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. Announced on Monday 6 May, Vispring has been recognised for its excellence for Outstanding Short-Term Growth in overseas sales over three years. A total of 257 Awards are made with five companies being recognised with two Awards.
Employing 200 people, Vispring was founded in 1901 and is the ultimate destination for bespoke, luxury beds and mattresses. Valuing excellence and craftsmanship it brings together the finest in British design, while using the best materials to create an exceptional sleep experience. Always a pioneering brand, Vispring’s founder was the first to introduce the individual pocket spring to mattresses. Today, Vispring combines technical expertise with the finest natural ingredients, ensuring its status as one of the most trusted bed makers in the UK and around the world.
Martin Gill, Managing Director at Vispring says “We are delighted our dedication to helping the world sleep better has been recognised by this prestigious award. For over 120 years, Vispring has handcrafted the finest beds with the most luxurious and sustainable materials, to ensure the perfect night’s sleep. We are committed to unparalleled craftsmanship and providing an exceptional sleep experience for our customers around the world as we continue to expand.”
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
Applications for King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 open on His Majesty The King’s Coronation, 6th May 2024 For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/kings- awards-for-enterprise.
About Vispring Ltd
Vispring is one of the world’s leading luxury bed brands, manufacturing in the UK since 1901. Based in Plymouth since 1970, Vispring sells to 59 countries globally and is the benchmark for handmade, bespoke, high-quality beds made using only the finest natural materials. With values of excellence and craftsmanship at its core, Vispring epitomises a distinctly British form of elegance. Their beds combine technical prowess with a bespoke approach worthy of the finest tailoring and are the international standard for comfort and sophistication. Vispring has graced the first-class cabins of legendary ocean liners – including Titanic – the suites of the world’s most luxurious hotels, including The Dorchester; and on board a Princess Yacht or Gulfstream Jet.
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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious and contemporary kitchen design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Chris Fell Design.
Chris Fell Design has completed a truly bespoke kitchen project, showcasing traditional style with a contemporary palette. The result is a truly unique kitchen that echoes the style of the rest of the home, creating a cohesive space that is the heart of the home. The use of the MV Collection and walnut accents adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the kitchen, making it a true masterpiece. Chris Fell Design has once again demonstrated its ability to create bespoke designs that are both functional and beautiful.
SBID Awards Category: KBB Design
Practice: Chris Fell Design & Project Management
Project: MV Collection Luxury Kitchen
Location: Lancashire, United Kingdom
The client’s brief was for me to design a one of a kind luxury kitchen, like no other, showcasing traditional style with a contemporary palette; to echo the rest of the home, creating a cohesive space as it’s the heart of the home. The kitchen design, to feature unique architectural details from the MV Moulding Collection, including crown and dental moulding on the cabinetry, walnut accents, pilasters, and wall panelling.
The interior of the home is a seamless masterpiece designed by myself, which showcases the Best of British design and craftsmanship, incorporating the MV Collection. I wanted to ensure the design of the kitchen complimented the flow of the entire home and a true example of a timeless kitchen like no other.
The toughest hurdle my team overcame during the project was achieving the quality of finish between the paint and walnut accents I required and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
My team’s highlight of the project was, to see the heart of the home finished, and the MV Residence completed.
I entered my small design practice into the SBID Awards, as we have a particular design style and vision that I feel is very unique and wanted to share our work with a wider audience and to showcase the Best of British Design & Craftsmanship.
Having been a finalist for the awards in previous years, I am very proud of achieving industry recognition and being able to showcase my talents. Being a Finalist this year in 2023 in 4 categories covering: Interior Design, Interior Fit Out and Product Design gives me a great amount of pride, to see all the effort of mine and my team’s talents being recognised at this level; and to showcase our work to the wider audience and being finalists recognises the level and standards we work too.
Questions answered by Chris Fell, Founder of Chris Fell Design & Project Management.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a organic and modern penthouse design by Studio Shanati, click here to read it.
Vispring, the luxury British bed maker has unveiled Charlotte, a new limited-edition bed that epitomises the brand’s dedication to design, uncompromising quality and sustainability. Fusing classic and modern design aesthetics, the Charlotte bed includes a handcrafted all-natural mattress and cushioned headboard, paired with a contemporary design bedframe, with either a slatted or divan base. Offering a harmonious blend of comfort and style, the Charlotte bedframe and mattress can be purchased together or separately.
Crafted by hand at Vispring’s factory in Plymouth, UK, the Charlotte mattress is filled with a sumptuous mix of locally sourced Exmoor Horn wool and TENCEL™ – a sustainable fibre, produced from tree pulp. Exmoor Horn wool comes from the Exmoor Horn sheep, one of Britain’s oldest native sheep breeds that graze the upland areas of Devon and West Somerset, close to where Vispring beds are made. A diet of rough heather moorland means it produces a soft, springy fleece, perfect for creating Vispring’s signature cloud-like comfort. The Charlotte mattress also features hand-nested calico pocket springs and is available in four tensions: soft, medium, firm and extra-firm.
For the ultimate Vispring luxury, the Charlotte bed offers a range of exquisite fabrics from the Timeless and Natural Collections, allowing customers to create truly bespoke bed designs for a personalised sleeping experience. Further customisation includes choosing from three metal leg finishes suitable for a range of bedroom interior schemes.
La Cornue is proud to unveil the Castel 60, the latest addition to its celebrated Château range. The smallest La Cornue model ever, the Castel 60 features all the classic – and prestigious – elements of the brand’s iconic cookers. The Castel 60 is designed with today’s lifestyles very much in mind and has been crafted to fit perfectly into modern houses, holiday homes or urban apartments, as well as in more traditional settings.
It has an electric version of the renowned vaulted oven to guarantee delicious, evenly cooked food. The Castel 60 is also the first La Cornue cooker to be fitted with a four-zone touch-control induction hob. The Castel 60 features the hallmark La Cornue details, such as the towel rail, snail knob and engraved five-star plate.
The cooker is available in all 40 Château colours and 16 trim options too, ensuring it blends seamlessly with the full range of La Cornue cookers. There’s even the option to have your own bespoke colour. With the Castel 60, then, culinary performance and elegance meet in a cooker designed to ensure every minute spent in the kitchen is an absolute pleasure.
Created in 1964 by the second generation of the Dupuy family and considered to be the jewel in the La Cornue crown, the Château range showcases the brand’s unrivalled expertise. The result of more than 100 years of research and development, each Château cooker is entirely hand-assembled by craftsmen in a production workshop in Saint-Ouen l’Aumône. Their knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation, resulting in a cooker that offers outstanding culinary performance and elegance. A masterpiece with every single detail designed to make your kitchen unique…
About Middleby Residential Luxury and Premium Brands
La Cornue is part of Middleby Residential, a collection of premier international consumer brands dedicated to manufacturing and distributing many of the best-known and loved kitchen appliances in the world. Middleby is a world leader in developing advanced innovation and solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial foodservice. The company is proud to connect with communities through philanthropic engagement, sustainable initiatives and more. Middleby’s aim is to set the standard for tomorrow, with a goal of serving excellence in everything we do.
Luxury bath and kitchen fixture manufacturer GRAFF expands its Art of Bath portfolio with its new bathroom brassware featuring cutting-edge sensor technology. Launching in July 2024, GRAFF’s touch-free sensor mixers respond to a simple wave of the hand to control the flow of water to provide a sleek, hygienic solution for contemporary bathrooms.
Designed to meet the demands of public bathrooms, GRAFF’s sensor taps feature an intuitive, discreet design and modern silhouette to enhance interiors and provide a luxurious experience. The touch-free technology prevents wear and tear of handles and fixture surfaces, ensuring longevity and easy maintenance, while its versatile design complements an array on interior design styles.
GRAFF Founder and CEO, Ziggy Kulig, comments: “The contemporary profile of our sensor taps is supported by our advanced technology and engineering expertise, instilling a sense of confidence and assuring hygienic ease and reliability. These taps are engineered for convenience and conservation – water only flows when the sensor is activated – eliminating the waste of water that occurs when taps are left running.”
Designed to maintain a pristine environment where hygiene is of the utmost importance, the sensor taps are available in GRAFF’s full selection of fine handcrafted finishes, providing a range of styles to suit any interior. For optimal performance and truly elevated design, GRAFF’s Steelnox Satin Nickel finish is designed to prevent fingerprints and water spots.
GRAFF’s captivating designs are supported by use of the highest-quality materials, a rich heritage of European craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Expertly pairing water-saving technology with versatile, minimalist design, the new sensor taps lead GRAFF’s mission for a greener future.
About GRAFF
GRAFF’s luxury taps and shower collections elevate the bath space with designs that are both timeless and cutting-edge, complementing endless architectural and interior styles. Available in 21 luxury finishes such as Brushed Brass, Polished Nickel, and 24K Gold, and with a choice of three Tuscan marble inserts, GRAFF basin mixer or shower controls offer bespoke and unique customisation possibilities. Backed by a rich heritage of European artisanship, GRAFF products transform the bath space into a masterpiece of tranquillity, wellness, and spa like experience. With a focus on design, sustainability, and high technology, GRAFF caters to the senses with features such as chromotherapy, bringing bath and shower experiences to luxurious heights.
Vispring, the renowned British luxury bed maker, has announced the opening of its newest showroom in London’s iconic Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. The 844 sq. ft showroom, on the third floor of the South Dome, is Vispring’s second London space dedicated to helping customers achieve high-quality sleep through its exceptional mattresses and sleep solutions.
Inspired by the store concept of its Regent Street flagship, the new showroom offers inspiration, allowing visitors to experience Vispring’s luxury beds and wide range of customisation options to suit individual needs. Additionally, with sleep experts on hand in-store, visitors can rest assured that they will find the perfect product to meet their requirements.
Paying homage to the interiors of the flagship store with the same wood panelling and oak finishes but with its own identity in the new setting, the showroom will more specifically focus on design and fabric choices, with doors open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday.
On stepping into the showroom, visitors are invited to discover Vispring’s array of luxury beds and mattresses, including the Herald Mattress paired with the Helios Headboard on a High Divan, which features a subtle yet innovative storage solution thanks to built-in Conti standard draws. The stylish monochrome fabrics look, which was first introduced last year, can be found on the Kingsbridge Mattress and Ceto Headboard in Nordic Anthracite fabric. Also on display is the Sublime Mattress, alongside the Lennox Headboard in the dramatic Aubrey fabric in Storm by Wemyss, as well as the Signatory mattress with High Divan in Ogee’s linen and classical Eccleston Headboard.
Martin Gill, Managing Director at Vispring, says: “We are delighted to expand to another London location and bring our luxury bed offering and unparalleled commitment to craftsmanship to a wider audience. Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is an inspiration hub for design, and we look forward to helping visitors improve the quality of their sleep and experience our products in person.”
As the pioneering brand that introduced individual mattress pocket springs to the market, Vispring’s beds have been hand-selected for the luxury suites of the world’s finest ships and hotels. Since its inception, Vispring has grown into a globally renowned luxury brand, with retailers in over 50 countries throughout the UK, Europe, Asia, North America and beyond.
The opening of the Chelsea Harbour showroom is the latest phase in the brand’s continued growth, marking a new and exciting chapter for Vispring in the UK.
ERA is a mix of evolution and revolution. It’s where technology meets design and where heritage meets modernity.
And it’s where glass is used extensively for the first time to create a striking, unified aesthetic that is beautiful, contemporary and fits perfectly into a modern kitchen.
When David Fisher, Chief Design Consultant to AGA, was asked to consider how a new, disruptive and mould-breaking cooker from AGA might look and feel, he responded with the tantalising question: why not a glass AGA?
David says: “The use of glass lends ERA a liquid quality as the sleek black glass cascades down from the top. The design is clean, cohesive and beautiful while also functionally brilliantly capable. It is modern and progressive while also faithful to a heritage stretching back more than 100 years.”
With a design, then, that is both discreet and striking, this exceptional, unexpected cooker has a natural place in today’s kitchen.
Each element of ERA – including the pristine lines of the glass-fronted oven doors and the ergonomically designed handles – has been carefully considered to create an appliance with premium design values, honest, hard-working materials and a quietly assertive aesthetic.
With engaging tactility and mindful detailing, life with ERA from AGA offers the best of both worlds – from a quick weeknight dinner through to the meditative practice that helps us unwind.
ERA offers an all-in-one solution. It takes a sensory approach to cooking, with every feature touch-screen controlled. There are details so cleverly designed they go unnoticed, but it is these touches that ensure you get the very best from the ingredients you choose to cook.
On top there is an induction hob beside a cast-iron hotplate. Alongside a fan oven, ERA also has two cast-iron ovens which cook using radiant heat. This offers an intuitive, kind-to-food way of cooking. It’s natural and elemental.
We think of it as akin to sunshine through a window. It’s a warm and penetrating heat made possible due to the thermal properties of cast iron. Food cooked this way tastes better because it has been treated gently. Radiant heat cooking is an effective, efficient and effortless way to roast, bake, grill, steam, fry and slow-cook and to get the most succulent, nutritious dishes.
ERA, then, is a cook’s cooker, created to fit seamlessly into your kitchen and to effortlessly integrate into your life.
Expect the unexpected with ERA. The new glass AGA.
AGA is part of Middleby Residential, a collection of premier international consumer brands dedicated to manufacturing and distributing many of the best-known and loved kitchen appliances in the world. Middleby is a world leader in developing advanced innovation and solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial foodservice. The company is proud to connect with communities through philanthropic engagement, sustainable initiatives and more. Middleby’s aim is to set the standard for tomorrow, with a goal of serving excellence in everything we do.
Are you dreaming of a kitchen that perfectly matches your style and needs? Look no further than a bespoke kitchen designed just for you, such as those created at Ledbury Studio. Working with a kitchen designer can bring your vision to life and create a space that is both functional and beautiful.
Here, Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio, rounds up his essential five steps to working with a bespoke kitchen designer.
The first step is finding the right professional for your project. Take the time to research different designers to ensure they have the experience and expertise in creating custom kitchens. It is also important to meet with potential designers in person to discuss your ideas and see if you have a good rapport with them. Chemistry is key in any relationship, and that includes the one you’ll have with your designer!
But, how do you really know if the designer sitting in front of you is the one for your project? Ask to see previous work. Looking at their portfolio allows you to see if their style matches your own. And if you’re still in doubt, ask to speak to a previous client. This will provide an invaluable glimpse into the creative process of your potential designer and their problem-solving abilities.
Once you have selected a designer, it is crucial to communicate your vision clearly. Start by gathering inspiration from magazines, websites and social media platforms, and create a mood board to showcase your ideas. Share this with your designer to give them a better understanding of your aesthetic preferences. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words! For example, in our Camden kitchen, the client showed us an image of a 1970s screen she’d found in an antiques shop and requested a version of it for her kitchen. Inspired by this, I created this screen of brushed and polished stainless steel that can be used to divide the room, as required.
Apart from aesthetics, it is important to think about how you’ll be using your kitchen. Are you the ultimate host, needing a huge island for entertaining? Or perhaps you’re a culinary whiz with a big family and need space for all your cooking essentials. By clearly communicating any practical requirements to your kitchen designer, they can whip up a design that’s both stunning and perfect for your lifestyle.
Before starting your kitchen renovation project, it’s important to have a heart-to-heart with your designer about the all-important budget! By laying out your financial expectations from the get-go, you and your designer can work together to create a plan that matches your wallet. This ensures you won’t have to sacrifice your dream kitchen and helps your designer find the best quality materials, appliances and finishes to fit within your budget. Without a clear budget in mind, it’s easy to get swept up in flashy, pricey ideas that can come with big, surprising expenses later on. So, define your budget and ensure all costs stay within it.
At the start of any kitchen design journey, a designer is like a detective with a million questions, trying to get inside your life to figure out how you live. Why? Because every home chef is unique and has different needs. A good case in point is the Hackney kitchen, where the homeowners were such keen entertainers that they requested a bar area next to the dining table. Meanwhile, in our latest design, the Hampstead kitchen, the clients asked not only for a drinks cabinet next to the table, but also a breakfast cupboard conveniently placed just behind the breakfast bar. By chatting about your cooking style, entertaining preferences and daily routines, your designer can get the lowdown on how your kitchen should be designed.
Finally, working with a bespoke kitchen designer is a collaborative process. Your designer will present you with initial design concepts and it is important to provide feedback and ask questions. Remember, the design process may involve several iterations before reaching the final design, so be patient and provide constructive feedback to guide the design in the right direction. Your kitchen will probably be the biggest investment you make in your house, so it is worth going the extra mile to make sure it exceeds expectations!
Prices for a Ledbury Studio kitchen start from £70,000.
About Ledbury Studio Ltd
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.
The Sync design series from Dornbracht complements style-conscious and progressive kitchen interiors. The tapered design transition between body and spout is the primary characteristic of the fitting, with the inner contour of the groove-free lever running parallel to it. With its dynamic, forward-facing design language, Sync offers function as well as form for a timeless piece that is easy to use in the kitchen.
Whether paired with natural stone and concrete, copper and terrazzo or stainless steel and wood: Sync enhances texture contrasts in the kitchen to unique effects. The resulting creative ensembles satisfy both virtuoso cooks and interior enthusiasts.
Sync is available as a pull-down single-lever mixer with spray function, or as a professional single-lever mixer. There is a wide choice of finishes – from Dark Chrome, to Brushed Platinum, to Champagne (22kt Gold).
About Dornbracht UK & Ireland
Dornbracht, with headquarters in Iserlohn, Germany, is a leading specialist for superior designer fittings and accessories for bathrooms, spas and kitchens. The company was founded in 1950 and today is internationally renowned among architects, designers and luxury consumers for its product portfolio in more than 125 markets. As an ultra-luxury brand, Dornbracht prides itself on its innovative technology and “Made in Germany” manufacturing standards which are made possible by state-of-the-art production technologies and highly qualified employees. The brand is driven by its clearly defined Design Principles which ensure every product will remain timeless and relevant for generations to come, characteristics for which Dornbracht has achieved worldwide recognition.
Erwin Ereno Design Studio shares a story of immense pride and gratitude, reflecting on their collaboration with HH Sheikha Maryam Bint Mohammed Bin Salman Al Khalifa. Guided by Her Highness’s vision, the design team poured their dedication and creativity into every detail of the project. The final outcome – a breathtaking transformation – stands as a testament to the power of shared vision and unwavering trust.
The project narrative is a heartwarming journey of collaboration. HH Sheikha Maryam Bint Mohammed Bin Salman Al Khalifa’s vision served as the guiding light, and Erwin Ereno Design Studio meticulously translated that vision into reality. The design team’s dedication and creativity shone through in every aspect of the renovation, from conceptualisation to execution.
Witnessing Her Highness’s satisfaction with the final product filled the design team with immeasurable joy. To not only meet but surpass her expectations is a significant achievement, underscoring the importance of shared vision and trust in the design process.
The after photos speak for themselves. The once bland space has been transformed into a luxurious and inspiring guest suite. The transformation is a beacon of successful collaboration, proving that when trust and vision meet, truly remarkable things can be achieved.
Erwin Ereno Design Studio is honored to have been a part of HH Sheikha Maryam’s journey. They look forward to continuing to create beautiful spaces that inspire and delight, fostering more collaborations like this one in the future.
About Erwin Ereno Design Studio
Erwin has been working in the field of interior design for two decades now. In that time, Erwin has completed projects ranging from residential, hospitality, corporate, and commercial spaces in Bahrain. Erwin’s expertise in designing spaces that are both functional and beautiful, he loves working with clients who want to add a little bit of aesthetic flair to their space without sacrificing functionality. What sets apart Erwin Ereno Design and Co. is that we take pride in our ability to listen to our clients’ needs, and then design spaces with them in mind. We believe that a great design should be both functional and beautiful—and we work hard to make sure that both are taken into account when we’re designing your space.
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