This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a bespoke contemporary three-bedroom home, which replaced a double garage on an 80 square-metre site. The idiosyncratic style serves to enhance the context of the street-scene with a bold architectural statement, contrasting with the context of traditional Victorian houses. Filling the footprint of the site and set over three floors, the project was delivered on a limited budget but exceeding the client’s brief. The three-bedroom home, bathed in natural light, uses a minimal palette of materials to unify the design language internally and externally. The materials used include dark brickwork, externally and internally, dark burnt larch cladding and birch-faced plywood throughout the interior for bespoke kitchen, bathroom and stair joinery elements. The result is a bright, bold comfortable design, confidently articulating a contemporary language of architecture used to transform the site into a unique new family home.
Company: Crawford Partnership
Project: Darling House
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
What was the client’s brief?
To design a new build contemporary three-bedroom family home on a small constrained urban infill site, formerly a double lockup garage purchased at auction, with high-quality bespoke architecture and interior design that would feel spacious and bright and would incorporate sustainable construction technologies and renewable energy installations, and all a limited budget.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
Our design inspiration comes from many sources, however, having an engaged client with enlightened ambitions was our main inspiration on the project. This resulted in many productive discussions about their aspirations and style preferences for the new home, which sought to challenge conventional ideas to address the many constraints of the existing Victorian surroundings and create a home suitable for 21st century lifestyle. The practice’s design approach is unapologetically contemporary; providing bold and ambitious design solutions particularly when working in a sensitive Conservation Area context.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
Achieving planning consent for a contemporary design within a Conservation Area is a major hurdle, as is working constantly to ensure that all neighbours whose homes adjoin the boundaries of urban infill sites do not experience any loss of their existing amenity during the construction works, however, the main hurdle for a designer to overcome is often providing a Rolls Royce for the price of a Mini, especially when working with a shoestring budget.
For us, it is paramount to completely understand the cost implications of every decision in order to not only achieve but to elevate the client’s aspirations for their project without compromising their budget. Continued collaboration and communication throughout the initial design stages between the designers and the client, and thereafter with the contractor and sub-contractors during the detailed design stages and works on site has made it possible to attain the quality of finish and fitting out we desired, whilst adhering to the client’s budget.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Maximising the feel of space and light within this very compact three-storey home has been the rewarding highlight for us, and was achieved by careful studies of the internal volumes and limited scope for placing windows, and then by simplifying the main backdrop of finishes, both externally and internally, which are uniform and monolithic and provided at minimal cost, allowing us to then spend more of the construction budget on interior features that elevate and focus the attention on the ambiance of spaces, such as the slender, curved glulam timber roof beam structure, the sculptured open riser staircase, the bespoke kitchen and bathrooms designed by us, the geometric and monochromatic lighting fittings, and especially the variety of glazing elements incorporated that contribute to the surprising levels of natural light and sunlight that filters within all levels of the interior, providing kinetic patterns of light and shade throughout the day on the canvas of walls, floors and ceilings.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
As a ‘boutique’ architecture and interior design practice, we relish the challenge of working on these extremely constrained projects, and we are constantly pushing to achieve more with less, applying the knowledge and expertise gained from smaller projects into larger commissions. The SBID Awards are recognised globally as a benchmark for the highest quality in interior design and architecture, and having been shortlisted as finalists in the Awards in four of the last five years, we are very proud of this accolade which continues to inspire our efforts on every new project.
Questions answered by Alan Crawford, Founder and Managing Director of Crawford Partnership
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring a modern and fashionable family home which serves as a place to escape from the city bustle, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Crawford Partnership | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a modern and fashionable family home which serves as a place to escape from the city bustle and be immersed in a harmonious, relaxed lifestyle; offering a sense of protection. The interior design is rooted in the exquisite simplicity, elegance and the beauty of everyday life. The creation of clean shapes has been a guiding principle while the presence of natural wood also influenced the design style. The designer, Danhor, has created a house made of eco-materials, surrounded by genuine nature and a river – a home that is alive, breathing and free. The interior is unified by clear, modern, minimalist shapes and clean lines and colours; there is a gentle colour spectrum for walls and furniture in neutral beige and greys. The space is not overloaded with furniture and the bespoke furniture harnesses textures such stone and concrete which complement the wooden elements.
Company: Danhor
Project: River Side
Project Location: Kiev, Ukraine
Determining this project was its location. When I first got into the Family Club River Side, I realised that I was not just in a beautiful cottage town on the banks of the Dnipro. This place captivated me with its atmosphere and the architecture of the houses – for me, as a designer, this is very important, because it immediately inspires me and helps to shape the style of the future interior. This is a place of relaxation in which I wanted to create a harmonious homely atmosphere, a sense of security and peace, a home in which I want to live, a place where I can escape from the city bustle, from the cramped and stuffy environments and plunge into the calm routine of being. This was the main idea of the project. I am lucky that the clients are also good friends of mine. So first of all, I wanted to display their inner world: a love of travel, jazz music, literature, gourmet food, working in a creative profession with a wonderful sense of humour. In short, I wanted to capture their taste for life. Also, because the client is a well-known person in our country of Ukraine, who works in television, I did not want to declare her famous lifestyle but rather try to make her life at home as quiet as possible and closed to society. The home will inhabit a family with two children, which immediately gave me the idea to make the interior delicate, calming and neutral, whilst adapted to life with children. I wanted to avoid pretentiousness, and focus on a dominant position in the surrounding environment in which I saw serenity, comfort and warmth.
The presence of natural wood certainly influenced the design style. A house of ecological materials, surrounded by living, real nature and the river, could not be plastic and artificial inside. At first, we gathered together pictures and objects seen in cinema, magazines or in some interesting places, put everything together – and the story began to develop by itself. We talked a lot, then paused, tried to hear each other and persuade each other on certain things; I, from a professional standpoint, and Lena (the client) from the viewpoint of the customer who will live there and wants to rejoice in every corner of her house. For me, the most inspirational element in this house is the overall holistic concept of the entire interior design concept. This is when, step by step, a new picture opens up for you, a new premise, but also a continuation of the previous one. The style of this house is difficult to determine. The approach to design was a lot of intuition, based on the knowledge and the wishes of the client. This interior combines clear, modern, minimalist forms and clean lines with calm colours of neutral beige and grey shades throughout the walls and furniture. This is the interior for life! And the value is in the emotions and the story, which became an integral part of life for Lena and her family.
Difficulties are always present… In this project it was a time frame. The clients were so eager to call in as quickly as possible and tell us they were keen and ready to sleep on their new mattresses, and to feel themselves their new, beautiful sanctuary.
The highlight for me is just in the tranquillity and simplicity of this interior. “Simplicity is the essence of elegance” – in this I agree with Coco Chanel. The most interesting in this interior design are the individual wallpapers that reflect this family; the wall mural of their children in the nursery or even their Georgian ornament in the living room, which the client brought back from Georgia, reminding her of fond memories of travelling. I wanted to create a basis for this family, which they could then fill with their favourite objects, paintings, photographs and decor, which they bring back from different countries.
For me personally, this is an opportunity to discover a new look for myself against the level of design in Europe and the world; to meet new specialists and professionals. I worked for an international company and for me it was the best experience. The experience to see and learn from people from other countries, discover something new, imbued with their culture and technology, as well as their views, thoughts and ideas. Design has such a broad outlook and worldview that we simply cannot stand still and not evolve, not look ahead and not try to make our design in Ukraine more successful, more accessible and understandable to the masses. SBID and the SBID Awards is a step towards this and the door to the future.
Questions answered by Tatiana Danilevych, Lead Designer at Danhor
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring a waterfront home with manor-esque proportions and contemporary lines, click here to see more.
Danhor | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a waterfront home with manor-esque proportions and contemporary lines which guides one through classically-framed openings and clear sight lines. Representing a 2.5-year, from-the-ground-up project, this luxury-driven family residence accumulated its intuitive layers over time. A comprehensive scope of work included planning, architectural detailing, custom features, and millwork concepts. Together with all the finer points in interior design and decor, it marked a holistic approach where architecture and art would connect. Upon entering the home, there is an immediate sense of quiet luxury that may best be defined through the subtleties in beautiful materials, classical order and a clean-lined sensibility.
Company: Regina Sturrock Design
Project: Contemporary Manor
Project Location: Mississauga, Canada
As a builder, the Client offered us a clear vision towards realising their dream home. Some key objectives in the project brief included; an unencumbered and light-filled home that embraces its remarkable lake setting; a well-defined, classical home with a relatable and clean-lined modernity; a home that performs for large family gatherings and that entertains in high style; and solutions for integration to conceal function and reveal form.
What inspired the design of the project?
The interior design narrative was guided by the architecture and its setting; two grounding components around which all other elements made intuitive connections. The home expresses robust manor-esque proportions and clean contemporary lines. It’s positioned on a priceless parcel of land that enjoys exceptionally beautiful views of the lake; a scene that is mesmerising from outside to inside. At any given time of the day, the surrounding waters bring life, mood, and a palpable energy informing the interior spaces on a primal level.
From this perspective, linking with the roots was a fundamental directive in our design.
Classical order in symmetry, and clear sight lines through well-defined panelled openings allowed us to bring all into alignment and to pay homage to the character of the building and its surroundings. The first-impressions great hall, a cocooned inner hall, and the commanding two-storey great room represent an enfilade of harmonic spaces that each play with the sparkling waters of the lake beyond. Together, they provide a successive scene of reflection and undeniable beauty.
Large classic volumes were given a crisp, gallery-white wrap turning architectural detail into sculpture. This pristine envelope enabled a dynamic colour palette inspired by the day’s shifting lake views that would reveal soft watery hues and intense jewel-toned versions.
Majestic two-storey spaces with window walls that embrace infinite lake views are exceptional features, but they can challenge the connection of human scale and with that risk overall well-being. Our approach was to bring focus and tangibility through symmetry, proportion, and a harmonic layering of monochromatic and tactile materials. Each component performed as a visual liaison to the next and together they presented a relatable space where one could feel comfortable and ‘at home’. Defining elements include the striking two-tiered pendant with cascading crystal spheres, a clean-lined vertical fireplace surrounded by classic Statuario marble, and tailored wool drapery panels that elegantly frame the window wall from floor to ceiling. There a no interruptions here; just a rich and holistic environment where the interior details play an integrated role with the architecture and its surroundings.
The project was a 2 ½ year venture, with many milestones and highlights along the way. It was exciting to see the special details jump off the page and form into reality. These were stream-lined and classic touches such as one-off ceiling designs in plasterwork, the feature staircase that required unique engineering to achieve its fluid geometry and many exceptional furniture pieces that were tailor-made for the home. One after the other, they would merge into the unified big vision for the home; a scheme the team conceptualised and nurtured every step of the way. The behind-the-scenes work in the procurement process can be challenging at times but this is all part of what make us tick; to passionately achieve a fine-tuned and beautiful design that we can all be proud of and that the client can enjoy for many years to come.
A personal highlight was the art that gradually filled in to grace the walls and to sit as sculpture within the clean spaces. Although these were among the final layers, they each took on the character of the home in a completely intuitive way. The home truly came to life at this point and it filled my heart with joy to know that we had created a ‘whole’ environment that is both beautiful and meaningful to our clients.
The SBID is a highly respected organisation representing and supporting the interior design industry and its professional standards on a global level. I value that the annual SBID Awards is driven by their desire to recognise talent and creativity and that entries are fairly assessed by leaders in the industry on both technical and aesthetic merit. An SBID Award has come to be known as one of the highest accolades showcasing design excellence from over 42 countries. Our projects have been recognised as finalists at both the 2014 and 2015 ceremonies. Each time, it has been an honour to be part but being a winner at this year’s SBID Awards 2018 is an absolute dream come true and a highlight in my career!
Questions answered by Regina Sturrock, Principal Designer at Regina Sturrock Design
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring the feminine yet contemporary take on a fairytale-themed wedding boutique in China, click here to see more.
Regina Sturrock Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a local luxury oasis comprising of private villa and pool house located in southeastern France, bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Built using the warm, honey-toned local stone, the interior design scheme was designed to reflect the authentic and characterful charm of the villa’s exterior with a subtle palette of restful colours throughout, finished with highlights of silver, lavender and turquoise to bring in the colours of Provence. The 21st century home acts as a sanctuary, but also an inviting family home so it had to be well-thought-out, sympathetic with its glorious surroundings and suitable to the needs of everyone spending time in it. This meant open-plan areas for socialising and entertaining, with cosier, more intimate spaces to provide solitude when required. To achieve the quality required by the client, and for the furniture to fit both the generous space and the colours requested, the majority of pieces were individually designed by Juliettes Interiors as bespoke items.
Company: Juliettes Interiors
Project: Provence Villa
Project Location: Provence, France
The brief was straightforward: to create a light, airy pied-à-terre using the finest European furniture and incorporating the colours of Provence. Above all, it was to be comfortable, relaxing and sociable with a focus on quality. This was to be a sanctuary but still a place to share with family and friends. The client’s architects had already specified finishes for floors and walls so, for Juliettes Interiors, it meant coming into the project part way through. Taking this in our stride, we quickly got ourselves up to speed, working seamlessly with contractors and taking the project through to completion and final snagging.
Initially, the client intended to design and project manage this renovation himself but ran into problems with communication, space planning, design and trying to pull everything together. He later admitted that he felt as though he was drowning in the project management of a villa that had been bought to provide a respite from the hurly burly of everyday life.
He originally came to us simply to source a couple of bedside tables but this proved to be a turning point for the project. Talking through his ideas with Design Director Micaela Rossi, he realised that, as well as sourcing the items he was looking for, we could provide a complete interior design service as well as taking on full responsibility for procurement, product design, space planning, installation and project management. From a couple of bedside tables, Juliettes Interiors ended up specifying and sourcing new bathrooms as well as all interior furniture, outdoor and pool furniture, fabrics, finishes, lighting, bed linens, curtains and accessories.
This was a beautiful, traditional Provence villa on the outside, constructed using the warm, honey-toned local stone. However, none of this character followed through to the bland, dated interior. Using this local stone throughout the interior brought warmth and texture to every part of the villa and its pool house. We also used the soft greys, greens and lavenders of the spectacular Provence countryside as our base colour palette to create the calm, restful and welcoming space the client craved as a retreat from his hectic day-to-day lifestyle.
The main house comprised 4 en-suite bedrooms plus a housekeeper’s apartment, and a large hallway leading into an extensive, open plan living area. Together with a further 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a large kitchen/living space in the pool house, this gave us plenty of scope to transform the tired, uninspiring interior and turn it into a well-thought-out and functional 21st century home, sympathetic with its glorious surroundings and to the needs of everyone spending time in it.
The finished villa, pool house and pool area blend beautifully into the surrounding countryside, with natural, local materials, honey-coloured stone, thoughtfully-landscaped gardens and restful colours designed to reflect the tones of the encompassing hillside. Inside, the design team used clever lighting and coordinating colours in shades of lavender, grey and turquoise to bring in elements of the Provençal landscape. They have made the most of the expansive, open plan living area, creating open spaces for socialising, dining and entertaining, along with cosy nooks and more intimate spaces, plus a TV snug and library. The pool house is perfect for visiting guests with its 2 cool and airy bedrooms, stunning contemporary bathrooms and a fresh, open plan living and kitchen area.
The client could not have been happier with the finished project. Every item of furniture was exactly as he had envisaged. Skilled project management meant that delivery and installation all went off without a hitch and snagging was minimal. Set in its extensive, spectacularly landscaped gardens, the villa is now a sanctuary of peace and harmony, an oasis of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle. Originally intended as a bolt hole for brief visits, the client instantly fell in love with this gorgeous home and admits that he now spends most of his time there.
Due to the client’s hectic international schedule, much of the day-to-day communication was carried out online. There were only 3 further face-to-face meetings at the showroom to finalise furniture layout, agree technical drawings for the many bespoke items, and to choose colours, fabrics and finishes for furniture, light fittings, curtains and linens. Almost every item of furniture was fully bespoke or at least customised, meaning a lot of research into special finishes and an exceptional level of detail. Throughout the project, we made visits to the property to take accurate measurements, to appraise the villa and its pool house, and to explore its surroundings.
This has been one of the most interesting and exciting projects we have worked on and we loved every minute of it. Obviously, we were delighted at the client’s reaction and the fact that he now considers this his main residence. However, we have to admit, for our design team, winning a 5 star award for our design, skills, creativity and the standard of our service was a key highlight for the outcome of the project.
Questions answered by Micaela Rossi, Design Director and Juliette Thomas, Director at Juliettes Interiors
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring a boutique hotel juxtaposing the austere beauty and fiery drama of Iceland’s natural wonders, click here to see more.
Juliettes Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series comprises of a spectacular penthouse set across two buildings and a charming garden apartment. The Eaton Place residence offers an unparalleled level of luxury and sophistication; with a fusion of opulent style and functional design, this period property has been thoughtfully re-designed to epitomise luxurious modern living. An iconic address in the heart of Central London, Belgravia is one of London’s most vibrant and prestigious destinations, with grand Georgian architecture surrounded by the green open spaces of both Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace Gardens. Working in close partnership with developer and interior designer, Fenton Whelan Design, Nulty Bespoke assisted with the completion and installation of several stunningly custom-made lighting pieces throughout this luxury residential apartment. The overall interior design skilfully mixes contemporary finishes with the building’s classical proportions, giving a homely yet truly inspiring sensation to each space. The sympathetic treatment of the listed building’s key rooms ensures that the historic grandeur of the property is not only retained but enhanced. Céline Gehamy, Product Designer at Nulty Bespoke comments,
‘We immensely enjoyed working on this residential project with its high spec and elegant design. From designing a creative, beautiful and practical solution for a chandelier in the tall, thin stairwell, to overseeing the colour combinations of the glass pendants within the dining room, this was just the kind of project that the Nulty Bespoke team thrives upon. Throughout the design, manufacture and installation every detail was diligently considered – from the positioning of each individual element in the design stage to the threading and fastening of every tiny crystal’.
We interviewed Celine Gehamy and Ollie Yates, Product Creation at Nulty Bespoke about their collaboration with Desariot Ademaj, the Creative Director at Fenton Whelan Design to produce bespoke lighting solutions for a project of this luxurious magnitude!
Company: Fenton Whelan Design & Nulty Bespoke
Project: Eaton Place
Project Location: London, UK
The client requested a selection of unique and individual luminaires designed for a luxury residential apartment in London. There were a number of spaces that we had to create bespoke pieces for ranging from the living room, dining room, entertainment space, stairwell and bedroom. The project was very high end and the design of the pendants had to reflect this, whilst supporting the individual style of each room.
Each space required its own identity, and this is reflected in the design of the luminaires. Such as the finishes, the shape, light source and colour temperature.
A light sculpture in the main entertaining space of the apartment, incorporates 22 mouth-blown dish-like glass shades made in London. Each shade is a combination of different hues of purple and white. The sculpture consists of two separate polished champagne-gold-coloured metal frames, which seamlessly blend together as one. Each section has two ceiling plates incorporating the same metal. The LED light source is housed in an oval-shaped detail accommodating the natural, variations of glass thickness. The underside of the glass resembles an oyster shell with a pearl nestled within.
Three large tailor-made Art Deco inspired luminaires add a stylish touch to the top floor entertaining space. The refined light fittings, each measuring 1.6m x 0.25m have been handcrafted with sandblasted reeded glass, a material reminiscent of the Art Deco era. Each luminaire exudes a diffused light, and a warm temperature of 2400k providing a soft radiant effect within the ceiling cove. The trio of elegant handmade luminaires brings a sense of perspective to the room and demonstrates that simplicity can most definitely be striking. The quality of the luminaires complements the rich materials used in the interior design, adding a classic touch to the gentleman’s club-feel of the room.
A statement cluster of 19 hand-blown glass shades made in England hang above the dining table, complementing the sense of drama in this opulent space. Dimmable filament bulbs, produce a warm colour and the shades have a variety of finishes (diamonds, ribbed, smooth) and colours (amber, grey, purple and light brown).
A handcrafted seven-metre chandelier is suspended from a precision engineered, polished nickel structure positioned directly below the elliptical skylight within the stairwell. The frame is purposely simple and open in a design to make sure the flow of natural light is not restricted. The impressive lighting installation resembles a waterfall and comprises over 100 handmade Italian glass twists and 1500 faceted crystal spheres. The glass twists have a rippled texture, an opaque centre and a pointed tip for added definition, and they complement the crystal droplets beautifully. Cascading through the centre is a spiral of 22 frosted glass lanterns housing LED lamps, which provide a soft, warm glow of light to the space, while highlighting the sculpture’s intricate glass work and sparkling crystals.
A glamorous chandelier hangs from the centre of the bedroom ceiling. Two bronze-plated rings form the base of the chandelier and over 100 triangular Italian glass prisms hang from the rings and refract the LED light within, producing a warm colour temperature. Dark brown fabric envelopes the cables leading to the bronze-plated ceiling plate. The entire piece has a drop of 400mm from the ceiling
Adapting to the construction constraints on site proved tricky at times but we managed to work closely with the client to provide quick and efficient solutions to deliver the project on time and to a high standard.
A highlight of the project for us lies within the attention to detail of each piece. Each luminaire was a labour of love from the initial design sketches to the final installation on site. To see our creations come to life and fit within each room perfectly brings a great sense of satisfaction as designers.
Questions answered by Celine Gehamy and Ollie Yates, Product Creation at Nulty Bespoke
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring an extravagant mansion in the gated ‘Karma’ compound overlooking the luxurious quarter in Cairo, click here to see more.
Nulty Bespoke | SBID International Design Awards 2018
SBID continue to explore the personal journeys of interior design professionals throughout the industry. This time, we interviewed the Head Designer at Evan’s Textiles, Bethany Grace Lewin, as she talks about her desire for creativity from a young age, the day-to-day life of a textile designer, and what it’s like working directly with interior designers!
Can you describe your current job?
I’m Head Designer at Evans Textiles which is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of soft furnishings to interior designers, specifiers and industry professionals. The majority of what I do is based in interior textile design and creating unique printed fabric designs that meet our clients’ interior design briefs – which can be for both domestic and contract markets. We’ve recently seen an increase in the popularity for our bespoke contract fabric designs and I’m very excited to say we’ve launched a new division which focuses solely on designing contract fabrics for healthcare and hospitality environments. Needless to say, my role and responsibilities are changing to meet this growing demand for our contemporary bespoke fabric designs.
What is your background and how did you get into textile design?
Since a young age I’ve been fascinated by art and design – the way it can influence a behaviour, tell a story or change a mood. I studied Maths, Biology and Economics during A-levels, but I always found myself gravitating towards art and design as I’ve always had a creative flair and felt strongly about using my artistic talent within my career. I went on to do a foundation degree in Textile Technologies, Photography and Fine Art & studied a BA (Hons) Fine Arts Degree at the Manchester School of Art. I have furthered my practice with a Post Graduate Certificate in Art & Design Education and a Master’s degree, in which I specialised in painting, print, drawing and illustration. I now use my qualifications and skills to produce high quality artwork for our interior design clients.
Describe an average day in your job role..
I’m usually up quite early around 6.30am and I’m in the office by 8.30am. As soon as I’m in the design studio, I check my emails for anything urgent over a coffee, then it’s straight to work. There’s never a dull moment and no two days are ever the same – that’s why I love my job. You have to be versatile and quite resilient within the team as the briefs can come in thick and fast and as we’re producing custom artwork daily on a variety of different base cloths, there can be a lot to manage as our clients have expectations and can often be working to tight timescales. I generally work up until 5.30pm but it’s not uncommon for me to take work home as we’re all about meeting our clients expectations.
Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most and/or find the most rewarding?
I love to see the finished article come together in situ. It’s so rewarding to see the design I’ve been working on make a difference within an interior design scheme – and because our designs are hand-crafted and cannot be found elsewhere, they often take centre stage as the focal point in a room and give that ‘wow’ factor for our clients and their customers.
From concept to completion, I enjoy the work but it’s also brilliant when an interior designer repeatedly comes back to us with new and exciting ideas knowing the possibilities are endless with our bespoke design service and that we can and will deliver their project within budget and on time.
What’s the latest plans for Evans Textiles, is there anything new you are working on?
We’ve just launched our new division, Bespoke by Evans that specialises solely on performance fabrics for dementia care homes and healthcare facilities. We’ve created a core collection of FR contract fabrics that offer a contemporary take on the more traditional designs that you’re likely to see in standard pattern books. Plus, we have the option of our truly bespoke contract design and print services too within this division so there’s ample choice. All our designs incorporate patterns, scale, texture and familiarity so they can be used across a number of applications from bedding, seating, upholstery to drapery and more. With Evans having over 100 years’ experience in soft furnishings, the division is also able to tap into our core products like curtain lining, window blinds and curtain tracks meaning many of the essential elements for a redesign can be found in one place – saving our clients time, resource and money! I’m very excited to see what the future holds for our new initiative I think it’ll be very exciting for our clients too.
What do you find the most challenging aspects of your job?
Although it’s cliché to say, often it can simply be there’s not enough time in the day. Meeting our client’s brief is our top priority so we work around the clock to create concepts, colourways and designs. There’s no fixed rule for what signifies a good design as it’s so subjective, so if we receive an unclear brief or our clients’ customer isn’t sure, it can be quite difficult to understand and manage their expectations within a certain time frame.
What do you wish you knew before working with interior designers?
The granular detail. From the outside looking in, it’s almost too easy to think interior design is all about aesthetics but there’s so much more to it. The coordination of materials, safety, design elements and space are fundamental and as we work collaboratively with all our clients, we gain a deeper understanding into the demands and strain on their particular projects.
What would you tell your younger self if you had the chance?
Trust your instincts!
What has been your favourite project to work on?
That’s a tricky question as every brief we receive is very different and the requirements of the client and their customer can vary greatly. There’s a botanical design that we worked on very recently for a care home it’s been a huge success with residents and staff alike. In fact, it’s been such a success it has been recognised for an International Design award by the Society of British and International Design. That’s a design I’m quite proud of.
What do you think is the biggest problem the interior design industry faces?
Due to the popularity of the internet and the rise of social media, I think the traditional way of choosing a fabric design has changed and many interior designers risk missing a trick by not adapting. The days of carrying around numerous heavy traditional pattern books with limited design collections is fast coming to an end. Nowadays, both savvy interior designers and indeed their customers take to websites, Instagram and Pinterest to find inspiration. This is something we’ve actively tackled with Bespoke by Evans. Our clients can showcase our range, request free swatches, an initial design concept or request a brochure for their customers all on our website. We’re also active on social media channels too so there’s always something new to discover.
If you were inspired by Beth’s story and want to find out more about interior design and the role of an interior designer, click here.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an extravagant mansion situated at the top of a cliff and surrounded by an incredible landscape in the gated upscale ‘Karma’ compound overlooking the ‘Sixth of October’ luxurious quarter in Cairo, Egypt. Nihal Zaki had always been acclaimed for her talent in mixing period classic styles and making them blend lavishly, so when commissioned by a mature couple with this mansion to fulfil their retirement dreams, the design unsurprisingly embraced the client’s love of travel, antiques and art collecting; merging traditional period style features combined with Chinese and Tibetan influences for an elegant and eclectic interior scheme.
Company: Nihal Zaki Interiors
Project: KARMA Mansion ‘Chinese Bathroom’
Project Location: Cairo, Egypt
The ‘Chinese bathroom’ located in the KARMA Mansion comprised of a powder room and guest bathroom in the ground floor. The client didn’t give us a brief design-wise. They only specified that they wanted to achieve a classically inspired design style.
My client travelled a lot and was a big antiques collector! One day they sent to our office an ancient Tibet wooden piece with a magnificent dragon carved into it, and the moment I laid eyes on it I knew that this would be my pièce de résistance for the guest bathroom and hence the ‘Chinese bathroom’ came to life.. We suggested ‘Chinese’ as a concept because we wanted to create a diversity of styles and our client was fond of Chinese art as well as Tibetan heritage.
The concept revolved around warm yet vivid red and earthly colours while introducing indirect LED lights with subtle reflections and shades. Glass orange mosaics were used to enrich the overall experience and black granite sinks were carved and mounted in both the powder area and bathroom. This bathroom is mystical, boasting magnificent Eastern essences.
The walls! The shape of those two joint spaces (powder room and bathroom / toilet area) were diagonal and irregularly shaped! The powder room was more of a triangle whilst the toilet area was a narrow corridor.. We overcame that by panelling and framing coloured rattan inspired wallpaper with wooden Asian-style frames in keeping with the traditional, Chinese inspired design vision.
The clients were a mature couple who chose this heavenly spot as their retirement place and they were passionate about travelling and collecting all sorts of antiques and vintage items from all over the world. It was our job to design and build interiors that would complement their precious acquisitions which was a rewarding challenge! The Tibet prayer chair was another problem piece acquired by my client that was later added to the bathroom space, greeting the guests as they entered!
Because of its incredible reputation and the versatility of entries and designs, submitted from all over the world. The SBID Awards feels like the champions league!
Questions answered by Nihal Zaki, CEO of Nihal Zaki Interiors.
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring a country home which married together a traditional façade with a contemporary and sumptuous interior, click here to see more.
Nihal Zaki Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an imposing, new build ‘Manor House’ style country home which married together a traditional façade with a contemporary and sumptuous interior, comprising of over 9,239 square feet of living space. Oakeve Interiors were involved in every aspect of the interior design of Hurlingham in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. This magnificent residence of grand proportions effortlessly combined opulence with practicality and comfort, responding directly to the design brief. The integration of sensible, user-friendly technologies, combined with a luxurious interiors scheme, which included statement pieces of iconic artwork and sculptures, created a home that sold to clients that bought into the ‘aspirational lifestyle choice’ and purchased Hurlingham with the full show home interiors package. The purchasers described Hurlingham as “the luxurious home that they had always dreamed of owning.”
Company: Oakeve Interiors
Project: Hurlingham
Project Location: Beaconsfield, United Kingdom
The design brief was to translate ideas and specifications of the developer client into a stunning interiors scheme, engendering an ‘aspirational family lifestyle’ choice, whilst balancing this with the need to adhere to a strict budget.
The traditional ‘Manor House’ façade of Hurlingham distinguishes itself from neighbouring properties, creating a statement, luxury residence on one of the most exclusive residential roads in Buckinghamshire. The property’s statuesque façade provided inspiration to the interiors scheme, as an opulent scheme was needed to reflect the grandeur of the property’s exterior.
Within the Kitchen design, ensuring connectivity within the large, open plan space to allow for cooking, dining and relaxation areas was a key and challenging aspect of the project.
This was successfully realised by utilising a combination of luxury, state-of-the-art appliances, with generous circulation spaces and a large, but proportionate, kitchen island, resulting in the cooking area being perfectly sized for the room proportions.
Bespoke, individually commissioned furniture in a complementary high gloss, bird’s eye maple veneer to the Kitchen cabinetry was designed for the Breakfast Area and Family Room to ensure design continuity, creating a sumptuous, seamless flow within this capacious open-plan living space. In addition, to further enforce this association, a complementary amethyst and smoked grey colour palette was utilised throughout.
Hurlingham married the finest handcrafted materials with state-of-the-art technology and unparalleled attention-to-detail, creating a luxurious show home, meeting the brief and providing the client with a unique, very saleable asset. One of our highlights came upon successfully answering the design brief and handing over the project to the developer client as the property sold within two weeks of its official launch and within 5% of the £6 million guide price, along with the full interior design scheme.
The SBID International Design Awards are very prestigious and revered accolades that set the industry benchmark for acclaimed, skilful interior design and architecture across the globe. They acknowledge the passion, commitment and hard work by individuals and organisations alike, attaining recognition and respect from our peers and within the interior and architectural industry as a whole.
Questions answered by Iona Newton, Director of Interior Design at Oakeve Interiors.
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring a contemporary workplace which connects office spaces with architecture, click here to see more.
Oakeve Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the idyllic residential destination designed to provide relaxation and entertainment for the residents of a prestigious development in Shanghai, as part of an overarching design concept of art and culture within the region. Using ‘flora’ as the primary source of interior design inspiration for this 3500 sq metre clubhouse, the project is complete with lounges, private rooms, indoor swimming pools, and even an indoor basketball court to cater to the luxurious and artistic lifestyles of the local residents.
Company: A.RK Interior Design
Project: Gallery Clubhouse
Project Location: Shanghai, China
Gallery Clubhouse is designed to provide relaxation and entertainment for residents in a residential development in the upcoming district of Hong Kou, Shanghai. This development is one of the most prestigious developments in Shanghai with an overarching design concept of art and culture, so creating a luxurious, art gallery-esque type design scheme essential.
What inspired the design of the Project?
We looked no further than towards nature for our design inspiration for this project. Throughout the entire clubhouse you can find elements of flora inspiration; from the mosaic wall patterns on the changing room feature wall, the floral patterns and colours used in the lobby area rug to the bespoke, hand-blown crystal chandelier in the entrance lobby. Every piece of furniture, light fixture and custom rug is treated like a piece of art would be in a gallery; all drawing design inspiration from various flowers and natural forms.
The ground floor lounge complete with 250 pieces of hand crafted crystal leaves that shimmer from the ceiling is one of our proudest achievements. The aim was to mimic the style of a luxurious hotel lobby, with groups of comfortable seating and a coffee bar. The stunning ceiling details light up with different colours and each crystal twinkles to exude the essence of luxury we wanted to capture.
SBID International Design Awards is not only a very prestigious award to be part of, it is also an honour and a testimony of the great minds of peers in the design industry.
Questions answered by Agatha Teng, Creative Director and Founder at A.RK Interior Design
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring a lavish villa apartment in the coastal province of Southeast China, click here to see more.
A.RK Interior Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
Sue Whimster Curtains, the specialist providers of bespoke window coverings, have assisted in the creation of beautifully designed, hand-made curtains, blinds and accessories on behalf of interior designers, private clients and property developers across London, Kent and Surrey since 1989. SBID spoke with Sue Whimster herself as she offers her valuable advice to designers when it comes to installing curtains into their interior design scheme.
“We work with interior designer’s day in and day out and our vast experience in creating custom curtains for their projects means that we’ve come across the many ups and downs that can affect their work, not to mention ours. As much as it’s helpful to give top tips for success, it also pays to bear the potential pitfalls in mind that can seriously hinder the success of any project. With that in mind, we thought we’d share our top mistakes that could cause problems or setbacks, and hopefully help us all work better together to get the very best results for everyone!”
Here are Sue Whimster’s top 10 mistakes that interior designers should try to avoid when ordering curtains. . .
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