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£3.95 MAY 2015
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IDT MAY2015
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BRITAIN’S OLDEST MAGAZINE FOR PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS
TODAY
interiordesign
JESSICA ZOOB Ltd
Jessica is delighted to be exhibiting her latest collection
‘Playtime’ with Loughran Gallery this April-May.
Do not miss her most joyful collection to date, which
will include more than 50 new works on a spectacular
and exuberant scale.
“I first encountered Jessica’s work when I interviewed
her for the Sunday Times ‘Style’ magazine several years
ago. I was quite simply blown away by her ability to
translate raw emotion and energy onto the canvas.
No wonder then that she is the artist of choice for many
leading, international interior designers, as her paintings
sit as happily in very simple, contemporary interiors as in
the lavish and the opulent.”
Helen Chislett, Journalist & Author.
“I was so fortunate to have met Jessica earlier this year and
to see her paintings, which are stunningly beautiful and unique.
A photograph cannot do justice to her paintings. Abstracted
and atmospheric, the textures and vitality of her paintings
need to be seen to be appreciated.”
Mary Fox Linton
“These painting’s are truly beautiful.”
Bernard Jacobson
Recent projects include her award winning range of textiles
and wall coverings in collaboration with Romo Black Edition.
As well as commissions for foyer and show apartments at
The Lancasters, Hyde Park and foyer and premier floors at
NEOBankside, Southbank.
Limited Edition and Bespoke Prints also available on
paper, canvas and Diasec. www.jessicazoob.com/shop
www.jessicazoob.com [email protected]
facebook.com/jessicazoobartist 07966 572204
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2015 All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-907394-23-2
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FROM THE EDITOR
WELCOME TO THE MAY 2015 EDITION OF INTERIOR DESIGN TODAY MAGAZINE,
BRITAIN’S OLDEST MAGAZINE FOR PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS.
WELCOME to the May edition of Interior Design Today. This issue
contains our hotly anticipated Hotel Design feature. Woven throughout
the pages are hot product designs and even hotter projects, serving as
lessons in spectacular hospitality design. Take, for instance, our
entries in the Project Gallery. Tara Bernerd and her team have worked
tirelessly to bring SIXTY SoHo back to life. It conforms to her usual
slick brand of ‘rough luxury’, with all a manner of furnishings layered
upon one another in a cool, relaxed and deeply luxurious vibe. Head
over to Paris and you will see the artistic flair of Gilles & Boissier
running through the very veins of the Chess Hotel, a game of
juxtaposition, using Parisian roots with unexpected delights to create a lavish hotel fable style
hotel. One of our main features takes time to explore the new Virgin Hotel, Chicago. Diego
Gronda is on hand to guide us through the design, with that global Virgin flavour just sprinkled
through the space for the final flourish of clever branding mixed with strong design.
With several exhibitions on the horizon, including the now global MAISON ET OBJET, we
prepare for these shows with a preview of the May Design Series. Pages 54 – 59 offer an
insight into what you can expect from your trip.
Thomas Griem is on the Designer Profile pedestal – I had a wonderful discussion with
Thomas about his varied design education and the appreciation of great lecturers in the
design world. Thomas has worked on some truly magnificent
projects (including the St Pancras residence, as pictured in the
feature) and we discuss where his inspiration has come from.
Product highlights include spotlight features on Kitchen Design
and Furnishings, Fabrics + Textiles.
Before I sign off I’d just like to declare my new obsession after
finally downloading the app – Houzz. It’s addictive, my ‘ideasbook’
is full to bursting with edited snippets of design ideas, for no
Jade Tilley
other reason than because I like collecting pretty pictures. I
MANAGING EDITOR
suggest you all download it immediately.
[email protected]
May 2015 Interior Design Today
7
54
Products
14 THE SHORTLIST
An editor’s choice of designs sourced
from far and wide
44 SURFACE
DESIGN SHOW
We review some of the top products
from the show back in February
54 MAY DESIGN SERIES
60 KITCHEN DESIGN
64 FURNISHINGS,
FABRICS + TEXTILES
79
32
Projects
10 NEWS
All the latest news updates on projects
from around the world
16 PROJECT GALLERY
The project gallery presents outstanding
interiors from a top bill of interior designers
46 STYLE LANDING
As part of our Hotel Design feature, Diego
Gronda, Rockwell Group, presents
the new Virgin Hotel, Chicago
People
37 BIID UPDATE
Susie Rumbold, CPD Director,
talks about CPD ambitions
40 DESIGNER PROFILE
20
Thomas Griem divulges his love of painting,
his Berlin/London education and designing
spaces with an industrial elegance
40
18
63 DESIGN STORIES
Tim Armitt invited readers to take a seat
and learn more about Lyndon Design
66 MY ICON
Roselind Wilson expresses her admiration
of Andrée Putman
67 SHOWROOM
SHOWCASE
Francis Sultana on Fulham Road, London,
is the latest stop on the showroom
roadshow
81 LAST WORD
Mark Bithrey revels in the potential for fun
and frivolity of niche concepts in design
May 2015 Interior Design Today
9
interiordesign
TODAY
News
NEWS|BRIEF
MAPLE AND CHERRY
DESIGN PIE
Sculptor Laura Ellen
Bacon and furniture
designer/maker Sebastian
Cox have collaborated to
create an elaborate
installation out of
American hardwood. The
Invisible Store of
Happiness is a celebration
of wood and craftsmanship
and will be shown at
Clerkenwell Design Week
(CDW). The three-metre
high wooden sculpture,
made out of American
maple and cherry. The
design will be showcased
in the dramatic archway in
front of the historic
Museum of the Order of St
John, Clerkenwell, London,
19-21 May 2015.
MOROCCAN MAGIC
Moroccon Bazaar is a
supplier of Moroccan
home furnishings here in
the UK. A 3000 sq ft
showroom filled with
Moroccan home
furnishings sits just 20
minutes outside of London
in Greenford. The
showroom repesents a
range of home furnishings,
from dining cutlery, pouffs
and hand-carved metallic
furnishings. The
showroom is newly opened
on Sunday’s for visits.
HATRICK FOR
PELDON ROSE
Peldon Rose has
celebrated at a glitzy
ceremony in Battersea
Park at The Best
Companies to Work for
Awards Celebration 2015.
The office design and fitout specialist were
partying long in to the
night having been listed in
the Top 100 by The Sunday
Times for a third year. This
year they had extra reason
to celebrate having
achieved their greatest
success being ranked
62nd in The 100 Best
Small Companies to Work
category and gaining the
highest three star rating
for the first time.
10
Interior Design Today May 2015
MOREYSMITH PUTS LONDON FIRST
DESIGNER REVEALS ITS LATEST WORKSPACE DESIGN PROJECT FOR LONDON FIRST
Relocating from a split level heritage building in
Trafalgar Square, London First has recently moved to
Middlesex House, Cleveland Street in the Fitzrovia
area of London.
Middlesex House was originally built in 1934 and was
fully redesigned by John McAslan & Partners in 2001.
The building offers light-filled open-plan offices over
five storeys, centred around an open courtyard.
Located on the fourth floor, the 4,321 sq ft office space
has been designed on a modest budget to reflect
London First’s mission to make London the best city in
the world in which to do business.
The importance of connectivity has been an inspiration
behind the design, to allow the team to work more
openly and collaboratively, but also to bring to life
London First’s influence in connecting London.
It was also crucial for London First’s new home to
showcase what they do and stand for. The introduction
of strong branding and wall graphics throughout the
space provide a strong brand presence that
communicates their story and celebrates their many
successes.
1950S
INSPIRED
CHAIR
COLLECTION
Anna Grace-Davidson is
delighted to announce the
launch of her limited edition
furniture collection. The 1950s
Chair Collection features three
exquisite cocktail chairs
London First’s previous offices at Trafalgar Square
were split across two floors with the reception and
meeting rooms on the ground floor and office space on
the first floor. Now located on one, fully open plan floor,
visitors are fully integrated with London First’s
workforce.
Informal meeting areas, open plan offices and breakout
spaces have all been created to encourage
collaboration. Smart working areas have been
introduced for directors and roving members of the
team who are based infrequently at the office, providing
flexible spaces that are a clever use of the floor plan
and have adaptability depending on the requirements
from the workforce.
Nicola Osborn, Design Director of MoreySmith adds:
“Designing a flexible environment that encourages
collaboration and connectivity amongst both London
First’s staff and with their visitors and that at the same
time, celebrates this unique not-for-profit company
was at the heart of our scheme - the offices at
Middlesex House are colourful, contemporary and most
importantly, fun”.
Images courtesy of Jamie McGregor Smith
inspired by the style of the era
and are available exclusively at
the designer’s Mayfair
showroom.
Anna was inspired to create her
debut collection when she
came across the classic pieces
at an antique dealer. Each chair
features tapered wooden legs,
the finest solid piping, a curved
back and spring-filled seating
for ultimate comfort. They are
in excellent condition and offer
a look and feel that is no longer
seen in the modern production.
Distinctive and individual, Anna
Grace-Davidson designed the
vibrant and luxurious soft
velvet fabric to give the classic
pieces a modern twist. The
statement pieces embody
Anna’s style and passion for
vintage and have been lovingly
restored, whilst staying true to
their original character.
Commenting on the collection,
Anna said; “My idea for the
chairs immediately came to
News
DAS COOL
D I A R Y
17 – 19 April
Ceramic Art London
www.ceramics.org.uk
ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART,
LONDON
Ceramic Art London
returns for its 11th edition.
The fair sees over 80
ceramicists from across the
globe presenting and
selling their work at an
historic location in the
heart of London.
21 – 26 April
Consisting of a historical portion and a new addition
by Potsdam-based Axthelm Architects, the 79-room
Das Stue hotel is located in a traditional diplomatic
neighbourhood in Berlin. A stately, slightly curved
grey stone facade greets guests outdoors. Inside, an
overhead wave of hundreds of tiny lights draws them
into a grand entrance hall flanked by two sweeping
staircases. Under the lights, a jaw-dropping
sculpture of a crocodile’s head prompts visitors to
decelerate, marvel, and transition into an
environment that brilliantly melds the contemporary
and traditional. Patricia Urquiola created the look of
all the hotel’s public areas. In the lounge, whimsical
shapes and experimental use of colour, texture, and
high-quality materials like copper, abound. Many of
the furnishings are her own designs; she curated
other objects, like leather animals in the shape of
rhinos, hippos and buffalo that humorously refer to
the zoo. Patricia Urquiola selected KETTAL MAIA
collection for the casual dining restaurant.
THE CITY WILL SLEEP
Virgin Hotels and owner/developer Lam Group, have
revealed building designs for their first project
together in New York City. Located on the southeast
corner of 30th Street and Broadway in the NoMad
neighbourhood, Virgin Hotels New York is expected
to open in 2017. VOA Architecture has been enlisted
as the architect and interior designer, to oversee the
development of the new structure with the Virgin
Hotels design team, which includes
a block long high-end retail space,
475 guest rooms, multiple concept
suites, food and beverage outlets,
rooftop bar plus an outdoor pool and
spa. Virgin Hotels has a pipeline of
light when I saw them in their
original state, I instantly started
visualising the patterns and
colours for the velvet
upholstery.” The unique concept
is something I knew I wanted to
preserve along with the timeless
shape and design. I love that
each piece is individual and has
its own unique shape and detail
to the piping demonstrating
their exclusivity”.
properties in the works including Virgin Hotels
Chicago, which opened in January 2015 and
Nashville due in the summer of 2016. Virgin Hotels
continues to explore properties in cities such as
Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, Seattle,
San Francisco, Washington DC, and London;
locations where it is pursuing hotel and office
conversions and ground-up development.
Decorative Antiques
and Textiles Fair
www.decorativefair.com
BATTERSEA PARK,
LONDON
Around 140 dealers
participate in each
Decorative Antiques and
Textiles fair, which is held
three times a year.
Exhibitors from the UK and
Europe offer a great
diversity of antiques, 20th
Century modern design,
works of art and curiosities
to furnish the home.
17 – 19 May
May Design Series
www.maydesignseries.com
EXCEL, LONDON
A commercially focused
interiors trade event in the
UK calendar, including a
handpicked selection of
British and international
brands. Visitors will see a
comprehensive range of
new products across
furniture, lighting,
kitchens, bedrooms,
bathrooms, and décor and
catch a glimpse of the
future in DX.
17 - 20 June
House
www.house.events
OLYMPIA, LONDON
Source a wide range of
interiors, furniture and key
furnishings for every room
at House this year. Be
inspired by expert-led
presentations and one-toone consultations.
www.annacasa.net
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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interiordesign
TODAY
News
NEWS|BRIEF
SHED GETS NICHE
Shed Interior Architecture
& Design has appointed
niche pr to handle their
national and international
press and media relations.
Shed are interior
architects and designers
who've been designing
and delivering
environments since 2000
for some of the world’s
best known companies
including Barbour, Freud,
Harrods, HTC, Land
Securities, Miu Miu,
Prada, Sony, Vertu and
William & Son among
others and their designs
can be seen globally from
the UK to the Middle East,
North America and Asia.
A NEW ARTILLERY
The Interiors Group have
fitted out new offices for
Artillery, an international
architecture and interior
design firm relocating to a
new regional office situated
in the DMC Building 9,
Dubai Media City. The
practice predominantly
required and briefed The
Interiors Group for an open
plan office to accommodate
staff along with reception,
meeting rooms, breakout
space, and stationary: a
print and copy point and a
kitchen. This required
careful space planning,
specialist joinery and
partitions.
WHO YOO?
YOO Studio has appointed
Michael Delaney as
Design Director in 2015.
Michael takes up the
mantle after almost a
decade as creative leader
on myriad concept
proposals, working closely
alongside YOO’s Creative
Directors Philippe Starck
and Jade Jagger. Michael
brings a huge wealth of
experience to the role,
steering and mentoring
his fellow designers. His
twenty year design
background encompasses
architecture, interiors,
exhibitions, furniture
design, product design
and teaching.
12
Interior Design Today May 2015
ORMS DESIGN OWN STUDIO
ORMS TAKE DESIGN MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS
WITH NEW LOOK STUDIO SPACE
Having created stylish and innovative work spaces
for their clients for over 30 years, Orms have now
designed their very own studio in Oliver’s Yard, Old
Street.
One of the main aims of the brief was to design a
studio that was harnessed and created by the
collective. Research was carried out through extensive
cooperation between clients, collaborators, and Orms’
own team and included interviews, online surveys, and
internal studio workshops, which were launched to
pinpoint all the important aspects of a modern
architectural practice. Different questions were raised
and discussed during the project and ranged from the
perception of Orms through to thoughts on daylight,
function, and operation of their previous studio.
The new studio is an entirely open plan space with only
one internal door, which leads to the server room.
There are no dedicated meeting rooms, however two
sections of the space can be sectioned off with the use
SMART SHOP
BuckleyGrayYeoman has completed 9 Henrietta
Street for Fred Perry in Covent Garden. The 2,000 sq
ft shop is the latest in a series designed by
BuckleyGrayYeoman in a long-running collaboration
with Fred Perry. The shop has been designed to allow
Fred Perry’s new home to be as flexible as possible,
giving the brand the opportunity to reinterpret the
layout to suit the display of different collections, as
well as to host one-off events on the shopfloor. The
shop is complemented by a gallery space in the
basement of the building, which will open with an
exhibition of 7-inch vinyl single sleeve artwork from
records released by independent record labels from
across the UK. Image courtesy of Hufton+Crow.
of sliding walls to provide both privacy and formality if
required. This open and collaborative design is lined
with a milled aluminium corrugated wall that is
insulated with acoustic foam.
A number of 'pin up' areas in the studio encourages
discussion and debate amongst teams while also
providing display areas for design development. Team
break-out areas are placed between the studio’s
linoleum clad benches along with model making
benches, storage, and sample display stands.
The entire studio is finished in a cork floor tile (which
has anti-microbial properties) to provide warmth but
also to define the accessibility of all the studio’s spaces
to the members of the team. The studio has its own
private terrace that runs along the length of the City
Road facade. This provides a great social space as well
as the opportunity to have meetings outside.
The project, named ‘Our House’ is the culmination of
five years of repositioning and branding that reflects
Orms’ ambition to create ‘an architecture that listens’.
News
TIME FOR PLAY
Following the success of Jessica Zoob’s award-winning
venture into the design world with Romo Fabrics,
‘Playtime’ will mark a return to the invigorating
contemporary expressionist work that Jessica Zoob is
known and admired for with an exciting exhibition
revealing a whole new collection of art works. Launching
exclusively with Loughran Gallery in spring 2015, the
works exhibited from the new collection will showcase
the mixed media and multi-layered technique that typify
Jessica Zoob’s style. Rich in oils, glazes, acrylics as well
as more textured media, Zoob’s canvases have long
been sought after by interior designers and collectors
alike for the raw emotion as much as the skill that’s
embodied in every piece. Loughran Gallery is thrilled to
bring Playtime to the public, after the fun and success of
launching of Jessica’s last exciting collection ‘Dancing
With Colour’ in 2013. “Playtime is my most joyful
collection to date!” Jessica says of the new collection. “I
have been so excited to explore working with vibrant
jewel like colours and I hope these pieces will make you
smile the biggest smiles!”
loughrangallery.co.uk | www.jessicazoob.com
TEA AND TASTE
B3 Designers have continued their creative working
relationship with The Royal Opera House designing bespoke
concertina screens for their afternoon tea in the Paul
Hamlyn Hall. The brief for the concertina screens was to
evoke a sense of intimacy for the sophisticated tea offering in
the vast Paul Hamlyn Hall and to integrate the influence and
vibrancy of the Royal Opera House. Inspiration for the
screens’ design came from the exotic flower market, which
previously stood in the very same place of the Paul Hamlyn
Hall. The graphic style was inspired by fauvism and features
rich colours, which evoke the decadence of the Victorian era,
reflecting the quality and meticulous detail of the exquisite
Victorian glazed windows at the end of the hall.
JUST99
LAUNCHES
IN UK
JUST99, a brand new
concept of limited edition
art and design, hosts a
selection of beautiful art
work and interiors pieces
for the home, created
exclusively for JUST99 by
architects, designers,
photographers and artists.
The items are produced
solely in Italy, and
demonstrate the passion
and quality of the country’s
high-design reputation.
Crucially, JUST99 provides
the buyer with an
opportunity to own a piece
of art that few others will
have. Only 99 of each piece
of art have been created,
ensuring a sense of
exclusivity through the
knowledge that only a
handful of individuals
across the world will also
own this object. Every ten
days, a new product or
edition is added to the
website, and after all 99 of
each are sold, they will no
longer be available,
creating a ‘buzz’ and sense
of desirability. Each item
available through JUST99
bears an individual number
- from 99 and counting
down to 01 -and comes
complete with certification
that verifies artisan
product authenticity,
showcasing the research
and passion that goes into
each product.
MADE IN SOHO
The brief for the new MADE store was to reevaluate the concept of a ‘showroom’ and
incorporate technology in a way that would
add value to the customer experience. The
new store experience begins with the
external windows.
Rather than display product behind the
glass, the glazing itself becomes a full scale
representation of the product in an intricate
permanent installation. Inside, the store
blends physical product with full scale
projections in a series of room sets.
Customers are guided through a network of
white-washed walls - curved like the pages
of a book (referencing the literary history of
Charing Cross Road).
These walls provide a clean backdrop for the
furniture and a canvas upon which products
can be projected. The use of large format
projections mean a single room can show
multiple combinations of product changeable
on demand. This opens up the possibility for
customers to experience the full product
catalogue without requiring a hangar-like
showroom or costly central storage facilities.
Customers are provided with tablets on
which they can browse and find further
product information about their favourite
pieces. Alongside the digital experience, a
large physical furniture sample archive
provides an opportunity to touch and feel
fabrics and explore colour swatches to help
decision-making.
May 2015 Interior Design Today
13
Shortlist
Shortlist.
The Shortlist this issue is a tale of two halves, literally. It is West Side Story, told through a capsule gathering of seating, lighting,
‘headboarding’ and ‘tabling’, to name just a few ridiculous terms we dreamt up for this feature. Feast your eyes on the dark
depths of the left, a mélange of steely tones and rich mustard palettes, then drift in design dreams on the right for pastels,
copper accents and beautiful solid woods.
 SOFT CURVES
Like the desert sand define the
dunes, so the soft curve in the
backrest defines the Curve chair.
Even though the materials are
weatherproof and durable, the
inspiration and the task was to
make the chair both comfortable
and welcoming. The Curve dining
chair comes in two colour
options, white or meteor and is a
mixture of powder coated
aluminium and buffed teak.
Gloster is know for its industryleading outdoor furniture and
this design is no exception to the
exceptional design rule they
inhabit. Simple and understated,
yet sharp and defiant in its
stance, the Curve is sure to go
down as another Gloster great.
Priced at £399.
v www.gloster.com
CARRÉE ON CREATING .
Composed of one hundred and sixty cubes in a myriad of complexity, this dramatic
headboard is a stunning centrepiece for any bedroom. The headboard hangs both
vertically and horizontally and it fits all base sizes. Supplied in two seamless sections
for ease of installation.Finishes included a Java Café Varnish, Coco, Ivoire Lacquer,
White lacquer and black Satin (as pictured). Price on request. To accompany this
stunning bedroom addition, the Carrée mirror by Christopher Guy presents a fabulous
cluster of seventy-two square panes, designed, in it’s first instance, for the Hollywood
film ‘Sleuth’. Prices start from £6,656 . v www.christopherguy.com
 LADY PENELOPE
Designed by Fabian Pellegrinet Conte for Hamilton
Conte Paris, Penelope, elegant, perfectly formed
and modest, is a bench style seating arrangement
with a stylish backrest and a solid beech structure.
The warm, mustard patina of the seat has an aged
and yet cool, up to date retro feel about it. A
beautiful hallway addition, this chair offers not so
much relaxation as a structured conversation piece
that will capture its audience in any room. Price on
request. v www.hamiltonconte.com
14
Interior Design Today May 2015
Shortlist
 COLLAGE IN PEACE
The well-known Collage pendant has been released in a new version to celebrate 10
years since its launch. Louis Poulsen has revealed the updated Collage in a new
series of douche colours, and a new matt velour-like finish. These give Collage a
completely new identity, and the fascinating shadow patterns formed by the threelayer shade set have an exclusive new and different look. The Collage pendant is
available in two sizes: 600 mm and 450 mm. Louise Campbell's original collaboraton
with Louis Poulsen is as relevant today as ever, taking inspiration from nature, which
has proven to be an enduring and valued design idea. Campbell has proven herself to
be among the key Danish designers, carrying on proud Danish design traditions in
cooperation with Danish companies. Collage 450 retails at £610 in white and £665 in
colour, Collage 600 retails at £940 in white and £1050 in colour.
v www.louispoulsen.com
 WIRED FOR DESIGN
This Wire Table range was spotted at the Sleep Event back
in November, amongst many other gems on the Dare Studio
stand. Available in a choice of solid American black walnut
or white oak top, the surfaces are extremely hardwearing
and have been coated in a wax oil finish. There are also the
options of honed marble or granite, or upholstered tops in
leather, fabric and COM. This particular design caught our
editor’s eye in the coffee table version, with a beautiful,
solid, American walnut top and a copper plated steel frame
(as pictured). The equally intriguing side tables provide an
industrial vibe and a sense of multipurpose flexibility, with
the opportunity to place items, lighting, plants etc… within
the confines of the cage. Price of pictured design £799.
v www.darestudio.co.uk
 A LONG TALL DRINK
The new additions to the TANK family were launched by Tom
Dixon during Maison et Objet. These pieces include a series of
generously proportioned vases made from mouth-blown clear
glass with hand-painted copper detailing. Strong silhouettes
perfect for long-stemmed roses, smaller bunches or larger
flowers, have all been designed to create table top
architecture by this revolutionary brand. Continuing our love
for all things copper-infused, these vases speak to our inner
copper desires and draw the eye with simple silhouettes and
striking metallic sections. v www.tomdixon.net
May 2015 Interior Design Today
15
Project Gallery
16
Interior Design Today May 2015
Project Gallery
PROJECT
GALLERY
Interior Design Today presents the Project Gallery, a
collection of spaces, residential and commercial, that
have been transformed into beautiful interiors by
some of the industry’s biggest design talents. This
edition, in homage to our Hotel Design feature, we
have three spectacular hotels, designed by Tara
Bernerd and Partners, Elliott Barnes and Gilles &
Boissier, that defy convention and provide the most
wonderful hotel spaces to be visited and experienced.
Paris, New York and Wolsburg, Germany, set the
scene for these projects. London bound, we also have
features on a Curzon cinema design, and two, rather
sumptuous apartments. Take a look inside…
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Project Gallery
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Sixty SoHo
SIXTY SOHO REVIVAL
Tara Bernerd & Partners has collaborated with
Jason Pomeranc on the multi-million dollar
redesign of SIXTY SoHo, previously 60
Thompson. SIXTY SoHo, New York, is the first
property to emerge under Jason Pomeranc’s
new SIXTY brand. When approaching the
redesign, Tara Bernerd & Partners took
inspiration from the hotel’s iconic past and built
on its reputation as a destination synonymous
with the vibrancy of SoHo. The result: an
approachable hotel that captures the experience
of the most seductive private homes.
The SIXTY SoHo journey begins at the hotel’s
discreet entrance, with the look of a typical
downtown New York pied-à-terre. Custom iron
fencing frames the landscaped entryway with
café-style seating that creates a hidden oasis in
the heart of SoHo.
In the lobby areas, Tara’s signature use of
handsome colour palettes, layered textures,
intelligent lighting and contrasting materials
achieves a relaxed members’ club feel. Rich
velvets and grey wood panelling act as a
backdrop to an oversized canvas created by
Harland Miller. As is often seen in Tara’s
projects, a handpicked selection of mid-century
and contemporary furniture adds further
interest to the design of the public spaces.
The new SIXTY SoHo will comprise ninety-seven
bedrooms and ten exclusive suites, reimagined
to convey Tara’s ‘at home style’. All
accommodation features planked timber floors
combined with caramel leather furnishings and
blue mohair accents. Dark timber slatted blinds,
a bespoke bar cabinet and a desk in petrol blue
lacquer with tan leather inserts, contribute to
the chic bedroom interiors. Within each
bedroom, Harland Miller has produced a series
of studies that include mixed media sketches
and texts, displayed as triptychs. The studies
illustrate Miller’s creative process in creating
these works.
www.tarabernerd.com.
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Gilles & Boissier
LA GEM PARISIAN
Gilles & Boissier (Dorothée Boissier and Patrick
Gilles) are experts in the art and manner of
effortlessly judging the degree of theatricality
required in public space design and the intimate
opulence of private spaces, and this is exactly
what they have done with The Chess Hotel,
Paris. Set in the ninth district of Paris, the area,
and the hotel, has its own unique atmosphere.
The Chess Hotel is now located above street
level. By relocating its reception to the first floor,
"The Chess Hotel" has placed itself above the
fray. Fifty rooms are split across the hotel with
eleven on each differently coloured floor.
The redesign represented an opportunity for the
designers to complete a project of a different
scale close to the Opera, which in their words
was “a synthesis of our arts”. Everything, from
the lighting fixtures to the beds, from the
curtains to the work stations, was designed ad
hoc, down to the slightest detail, without
betraying either their tastes or their
specifications. The one exception to this rule
was the armchairs in the lobby, which were
designed by Christian Astuguevieille.
For The Chess Hotel Gilles & Boissier opted to
juxtapose a thematic neutrality with Parisian
counterpoints. As lovers of oxymorons, they
were immediately won over by The Chess Hotel
project, which is, by its very nature, an
oxymoron. Starting with its decision to avoid the
limelight, they had to bend, reinterpret, review
and rearrange, the usual specifications of a
hotel layout. The result? A return to traditional
hostelry, which understands the art of how to
receive and take excellent care of its guests.
21st century luxury à la française.
www.gillesetboissier.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Project Gallery
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Interior Design Today May 2015
AfroditiKrassa
CURZON
CINEMA CURIOSITY
AfroditiKrassa’s latest category-defining
cinema for Curzon, opened in October 2014 in
Canterbury, Kent.
The site of the new cinema, Westgate Hall, is a
hundred-year-old former Drill Hall. Based on
the building’s history, AfroditiKrassa has
created a scheme that respects the integrity of
the hall creating a warm and comfortable space
in which people will like to spend time, beyond
film screenings.
AfroditiKrassa’s Cinema Home concept defines
the look and feel of the space, an open space
with a subtle industrial feel, inspired by lofts
and spaces converted for residential use with
an eclectic and quirky feel, and how customers
interact with it. Based on home archetypes, the
Library is the main feature, connecting different
areas and displaying a powerful and fresco-like
image ‘built’ with books spines, complete with
the unusual addition of Cinema’s first
woodburning stove. The ground floor is loosely
divided into areas commonly found in a house
such as dining area, lounge area, home
office/study type space and kitchen, which
doubles up as Curzon Canterbury’s service
counter for box office and food and drinks.
The colour and material palette is warm and
inviting. Timber and traditional red brick with
rugs and soft fabrics to soften the overall
scheme and reinforce the home from home
comfort. Finally, at the heart of the space,
rocking chairs allow customers to enjoy a movie
played by a vintage TV, returning to the sense of
comfort and warmth that familiar objects
provide.
The three auditoria are simple but reflect the
eclectic feel of the space with a different colour
scheme for each screening rooms and
matching thick velvet curtains lining the walls
as you enter the space. The exterior is loud and
shouts “cinema!” A traditional marquee stands
proud and an intricate artwork scheme of LCD
screens and analogue artworks to pick at
passersby’s curiosity and draw them in.
www.afroditi.com.
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Project Gallery
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Kelly Hoppen
KELLY CREATES
This modern and spacious 135 m2 apartment
was stripped and refurbished by Kelly Hoppen.
Comprising of a total of nine rooms, Kelly
applied to this property her design vision and
signature style of clean lines and neutral tones,
blended with sumptuous textures and a feeling
of warmth. For this project, the client wanted
their existing apartment to be redesigned as
primarily an office, along with functioning as a
second home. New finishes for the floor and
walls, cornices, lighting, doors, skirting, joinery,
furniture and window treatments were installed
to conform with the design aim of creating a
more contemporary and lighter space. The
bathrooms were also modernised with new
baths and showers, as well as contemporary
fittings and finishes, and the kitchen was fitted
with new units and appliances.
www.kellyhoppen.com
Photography by Mel Yates
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Project Gallery
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Kelly Hoppen
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Project Gallery
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Darling Associates
A DARLING DESIGN
Darling Associates completed thirteen original
loft style apartments in the former Saint
Martins School of Art, London.
The project was technically challenging; the
services for the apartments had to be threaded
through the store, the existing fabric was
comprehensively refurbished and extended
vertically and there were significant rights of
light issues.
All lofts have been designed with the highest
quality industrial style interiors using materials
in their raw form to showcase their natural
beauty. Fine-crafted custom-made elements
from concrete and stone basins to blackened
steel single-piece balustrades and joinery make
this scheme a unique residential destination.
Feature bookshelves and libraries have been
designed into every apartment to reference the
Foyles bookshop below.
The open plan living arrangement is
complemented by the full-height custom-made
doors, which blend into the walls to visually declutter the interiors and enhance the overall
impression of space. The stark white gallerylike units are effectively a blank canvas on
which the new owners are encouraged to
display their personal art collection and,
perhaps, revive the ambiance of the old
classrooms.
In the entrance to the building and on the
apartment floors, Darling Associates have
chosen to reference the building’s past as the
home of Central Saint Martin’s College. The
lobby hosts an art installation displaying the
names of notable alumni. This concept is
carried throughout the upper corridors with
photographs of past students at work and their
artworks displayed on the walls.
www.darlingassociates.net
Photography by Peter Landers
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Spotlight
DALLAS DESIGNS
ALLAN KNIGHT, PRESIDENT AND CO-OWNER, ALLAN KNIGHT ASSOCIATES, OPENS UP ABOUT HIS LOVE OF NATURE,
THE ESSENCE OF THE ALLAN KNIGHT BRAND AND BRINGING DESIGN PERSPECTIVES TOGETHER IN HARMONY
ALLAN KNIGHT HAS SPENT MUCH OF HIS
CAREER IN THE PUBLIC EYE. ALLAN WAS AN
INDEPENDENT DESIGN CONSULTANT EVEN
BEFORE EARNING HIS DEGREE IN
ARCHITECTURE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
TEXAS. HE WAS CO-OWNER OF MERRITTEMANUEL / INNOVATORS, A GROUNDBREAKING
ACRYLIC FURNITURE MANUFACTURING VENUE,
AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED HEAVILY IN DESIGN
FOR OVER 35 YEARS.
Allan’s goal has always been to create and inspire
through unique design. Noteworthy excellence
marks the cornerstone of his projects. Once
settled in Dallas, Allan partnered with Ben
Goldfarb on his next design adventure. The
Goldfarb family’s business in acrylic furniture
manufacturing was an ideal fit for their joint need
for creative output. Allan Knight, the showroom
and brand, was founded in 1999 and became an
immediate source for specialty acrylic, lighting,
accessories, and antiques. Designed to appeal to
the high-end interior design trade, the business
was instantly a viable competitor in the Dallas
market. Mr. Knight’s combination of artfully
presented antiques has also become a staple of
his multi-tier collection.
Here, Allan talks about his personal design story,
including his inspirations and the spring offering
from the brand.
When I began my formal career, (I had started
working for designers at 13 years old) I was fresh
out of Architecture school, but already a practicing
interior designer with a firm of my own. I then met
someone with had a small acrylic manufacturing
company, and became intoxicated with the
medium. I went headlong into that field for about
15 years. It was a wonderful education, learning to
design in a new medium, and a very unforgiving
one, which taught me patience in design.
I actually progressed without taking on a great deal
of design commissions, which I guess is unusual.
Through the labyrinth of manufacturing my own
products in case goods, upholstery, and lighting, I
found a partner for our current venue of 15 years,
which enabled me to develop a brand. Ben Goldfarb
is my business partner and comes from an acrylic
furniture background, which is so exciting to me.
Cearan Henley is my life partner and takes the
helm on the design and branding end of the
business. This combination of people, were and
continue to be, crucial to the success of the brand.
A perennial gardener, I have always been
influenced by nature, its colours, its relationship to
us and our feelings, and its forms, which began to
influence me more and more, especially in the
field of lighting. As the world has turned faster and
faster to the beat of synchronised media and
communication, something I believe has changed
our design world forever, I feel that the one thing
missing in much that I see - the human element.
Organic forms and textures add warmth and
security in today’s design environment. So often,
designers create for ‘shock value’, which, as
exciting as it is, can occasionally leave you feeling
cold. Nature brings warmth and inspires renewal.
Our spring offerings to the design community are
in sable acrylic. Wonderful drifting iron branches,
gilded and adorned with brilliant lights, gemstones
and flowers, together with fantasy shapes in
upholstery, which at the same time create angular
and jolting perspectives, but are also very
comfortable. These contrasts of elements all come
together in our new collections. I love our
environment and I love to work with different
materials. I feel that my contribution as a designer
is to bring these elements together in harmony.
+214 741 2227 | www.allan-knight.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Industry news
HEAVYWEIGHTS AT HOME
The January edition of Home, Top Drawer and CRAFT was exceptionally
well received. Buyers enthusiastically embraced the new venue and layout,
which saw Home, Top Drawer and CRAFT increase in size to span an
impressive four halls and two levels at London Olympia. The event saw an
international attendance increase of over 10 per cent along with influential
UK buyers including Anthropologie, John Lewis, Liberty, Paul Smith,
Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Urban Outfitters and Ralph
Lauren all in attendance. Home, which consisted of two key elements,
Modern Home Cook & Dine and Decorative Home, recruited its inspiring
line-up of high quality exhibitors and exclusive product launches. Design
heavyweights, including Bliss Home, Grand Illusions*, LSA International,
Alessi, and Forma House, chose Home as their exclusive UK event. The
show also saw a strong intake of new Home exhibitors, with Joseph
Joseph, Apollo Housewares, Deadgood, George East, ICTC, Grunwerg and
Skagerak joining established Home converts such as Gilberts, Stelton,
iittala, Universal Expert, Robert Welch, Marimekko, Mini Moderns and
Crown Trent. Home and Top Drawer will return to London Olympia this
autumn from 13-15 September 2015. www.home-london.net
SILVERDALE
SHOWROOM DESIGN
Silverdale Bathrooms has recently completed Phase one of the re-fitting and
refurbishment of its 360 sq m showroom at its plant at Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The showroom presents every product manufactured and marketed by Silverdale in
fully accessorised displays. The showroom is not only open for visits by Silverdale’s
retailers but can also be visited by the general public by appointment. A further
phase of the refurbishment is planned early in the summer following the launch of
the 2015 brochure and range additions in March. Silverdale have introduced a new
traditional suite – the Charlbury - four new cast iron bath models, a range of UK
made solid oak cabinets (one model with a choice of six painted finishes), three
granite top options for the Victorian Undermount basin and a range of traditional
clay tiles in nine colours. Victorian accessories are now available in nickel, chrome
and incalux. 01782 717175 | www.silverdalebathrooms.co.uk
HOUSE CURATOR
HOUSE presents a curated collection of prestigious,
leading and emerging house brands and specialists
in a showcase of style and design at London’s House
event, dedicated to providing inspiration and ideas
for every room in your clients’ home. Source a wide
range of interiors, furniture and key furnishings for
every room to enhance or create a stylish living
space with a focus on heritage and craftsmanship,
whilst featuring classic examples of traditional
British design. Be inspired by expert-led
presentations and one-to-one consultations and
create with the latest style ideas and integral pieces
for a designed living space in every room of your
house. Taking place from 17-20 June 2015 at
Olympia London, book tickets now to receive 15 per
cent off and entry to Spirit of Summer Fair in
association with House & Garden. Quote INDE when
calling to book. 0844 412 4623 | www.house.events
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Industry news
GLOBAL DESIGN
GATHERING
MAISON & OBJET PARIS plays host to more than
6,000 exhibitors at its biannual Paris event, drawing
more than 160,000 trade visitors and 6,000
journalists from around the world to the Parc des
Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte, as it has for
nearly 20 years.
Each year the show has attracted an everincreasing number of overseas export specialists,
and to forge closer ties with these professionals
and enable exhibitors to build new and further
reaching bridges for growth, two new tradeshows
have introduced, MAISON&OBJET ASIA and
MAISON&OBJET AMERICAS.
Strategically settled to capture the sizable and yet
untapped markets of Asia and Americas, the
benefits will extend beyond the broadened market,
enabling exhibitors to extend their reach into
economically dynamic regions while local and
regional designers and manufacturers will have the
unique opportunity to present their product to the
world via this well-established international
platform.
Today, the MAISON&OBJET community offers four
opportunities for events throughout the year and
around the world. MAISON&OBJET AMERICAS, to
be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is
on the same track.
Limited in the first year to 250 exhibitors, the show
sold out almost immediately, and already has a
waiting list large enough for another full show.
To give select members of the public the chance to
experience this event, there will be an Opening
Party and specialised ‘summits’ to promote face-toface connections and ensure effective networking.
The fair will be focused on two sectors, Interior
Design and Home Decoration.
As the first designer of the year, MAISON&OBJET
AMERICAS will present Zanini de Zanine. He was
selected from among a strong field of top designers
who have had an impact in their chosen field of
design, and will be delivering a keynote address at
the fair.
MAISON&OBJET ASIA
10-13 March 2015 | Singapore
MAISON&OBJET AMERICAS
12-15 May 2015 | Miami Beach
MAISON&OBJET PARIS
4-8 September 2015 | Paris
www.maison-objet.com/en
HERITAGE, STYLE,
FUN AND FRIVOLITY
I Tesori have announced a partnership with Enrico Cassina, the
Italian designer of exquisite door furniture. I Tesori is an emerging
force in the UK market for beautiful hardware of exceptional
quality and exclusivity. It has gathered together a portfolio of the
finest brands of European luxury hardware, brought to market via
a select number of specialist distributors, who will offer the
highest levels of service and support demanded by such
prestigious products. Products are made to order in Europe on
short lead times of around six weeks. This means being able to
meet the most demanding project timelines for new build or
refurbishment programs. I Tesori’s owners have 30 years of
experience sourcing products and providing best in class service.
Established in 1850, Enrico Cassina produce a beautiful range of
distinctive and elegant products – inspired by objects from the
history of art and design, infused with the vitality and culture of
their Milanese heritage. Enrico Cassina iconic handles and
accessories offer the interior designer complete freedom and
unparalleled opportunities to create something truly exceptional,
be it contemporary, traditional or a fusion of both.
By way of an introduction, I Tesori is excited and proud to present
Rococo Pop by Enrico Cassina blending Louis XV with Andy Warhol.
Here, the masters of traditional style play with the contemporary,
bravely exploring the possibility of bold colour, just as Warhol did
with signs and soup cans. Bright and full, like a summer drive with
the roof down or a dive in to the sea, Rococo Pop is a lively, happy
interpretation for the interior design sector.
[email protected] | www.itesori.co.uk
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Industry news
QUAY SIDE BATHING
Bette was recently chosen to provide the baths and washbasins for the luxurious
new residential development, Cheval Three Quays, near the Tower of London.
Cheval Three Quays is a luxury serviced apartment building for Cheval
Residences on one of London’s most prominent riverside sites. The
architectural design was led by 3DReid, with Forme UK responsible for the
interiors. The luxurious bathrooms feature BetteStarlet or BetteOcean baths,
selected in different shape and size options to provide the ultimate bathing
experience and comfort for each bathroom. Made of enamelled steel, the baths’
BetteGlaze surface has exceptional light-reflecting qualities, is highly durable
and has a 30 year warranty. Selected bathrooms also feature Bette’s BetteWave
washbasins, which are in enamelled steel to perfectly complement the baths
with their beautiful finish. The washbasins are designed to be convenient and
spacious, with a large washing and shelf area, and the striking design is created
through the contrasting angular profile and soft interior lines.
0844 800 0547 | www.bette.co.uk
KINGS AND QUEENS
OF BIN DESIGN
Earlier this year, interior design brand Brabantia launched an
exclusive Retro Bin collection with the ‘Queen of prints’, Irish
designer, Orla Kiely. Brabantia celebrated the new capsule
collection with a larger-than-life installation and a retro-inspired
VW camper van exhibited next to Tower Bridge in London. Orla
commented on the collaboration saying, “Brabantia are a company
that I have admired for many years. Their products are of a high
quality and very functional. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to
collaborate with them. We have added some fun to an object that
we all use every day. I would be very happy to have one of the bins in
my kitchen at home.” The Charcoal Linear and Cream Linear Stem
designs are available in 12, 20 and 30 litre. www.brabantia.com
BIOENERGY WALLPAPER
Metsä Board, a leading producer of wallpaper base, showed its
comprehensive Cresta range at Heimtextil 2015, with grades
designed to meet changing trends in wallcoverings. “Pattern is
coming back into interiors, but as accent or statement walls,” said
Olli Haaranoja of Metsä Board. “Wallpapers can be purchased
online, cutting out the DIY store and investment in decorating kit.
Ease of use is appreciated by consumers, for which paste-thewall non-wovens are perfect. We are committed to sustainability,”
he added. “Our main raw material is renewable fresh forest fibres,
grown in sustainable northern forests. The Cresta range is made
at our Kyro mill, which holds PEFC and FSC certification, and uses
bioenergy.” Cresta’s refined formation process ensures superior
printability, good PVC adhesion and lay-flat properties. It gives
optimal visual results, with opacity that disguises imperfect walls,
and light-fastness that resists yellowing. The Cresta range
includes products for paste-the-wall, washable and strippable
wallcoverings, as well as expanded vinyl, PVC coating and paper
wallcoverings. 07740 027384 | [email protected]
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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BIID Update
SHOWCASING SKILLS
SUSIE RUMBOLD, CPD DIRECTOR OF THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF INTERIOR DESIGN (BIID)
DISCUSSES THE AMBITION BEHIND THE INSTITUTE’S INAUGURAL CPD PROVIDER SHOWCASE
The timing could not be better
for the British Institute of
Interior Design (BIID) to
launch its first CPD Provider
Showcase. This year marks
the Institute’s 50th
anniversary and with it, the BIID’s continued
commitment to ensuring our members have
access to the best opportunities to review and
refresh their professional skills.
It is vital for interior design professionals to keep upto-date with the latest developments in such a
rapidly changing industry and to ensure they are
always following best practice. As part of the BIID’s
ongoing agenda to provide effective professional
support, the Institute strives to provide innovative
and varied opportunities, such as the CPD Provider
Showcase, for its members to engage with leading
industry experts in their field.
The CPD Provider Showcase will be a unique event
and a first for the BIID. Consisting of a day of
sequential CPDs delivered to an audience of 60 BIID
members, the event is being hosted at the modern,
light and airy Goldsmith’s Centre in Farringdon,
London, on Thursday 26th March 2015.
The CPD sessions are going to be delivered by CPD
Providers accredited with the BIID. There will be
eight 45-minute speaking slots in total, making up a
highly efficient way for our members to update their
industry knowledge in a single day.
There will be a series of engaging and informative
CPDs covering a diverse range of different subjects,
such as understanding a client’s brief, insider
knowledge on logistics, wine storage, bathroom
design, and how to make use of integrated audio to
create a continuous design environment. Amongst
the Showcase speakers already confirmed are
Junckers Ltd, Adam Crease Shipping, Spiral Cellars,
Roca and Amina Technologies.
There will also be several networking opportunities
interspersed throughout the day, giving attendees
the chance to meet other designers and discuss the
content of the CPDs with BIID Industry Partners.
The Showcase event is a fantastic member benefit,
being free for Full BIID Members and Associates to
attend. Members can obtain 12 CPD Points for
attending, over half the 20 point minimum yearly
total required of BIID members. Members have to
submit their annual CPD points total on 31st March
2015, meaning that the event will be a convenient
and timely way for any members who still need to
reach their CPD points total to top up!
The BIID has always championed professionalism
across our industry and is committed to making
sure interior designers remain on top of the latest
industry developments. For this reason, the BIID
offers its own CPDs alongside the CPD Providers
Directory. Through using the CPD Providers
Directory, members can be confident of having
access to BIID-approved specialist CPDs. The CPD
Provider Showcase is a valuable opportunity for
members to have more of a taster of what CPDs are
out there and take advantage of the highest quality
professional training.
For more information visit the CPD section of the
website.
www.biid.org.uk
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Industry news
A MODERN HQ
The Interiors Group, together with Engine Room Design, have created a modern,
cutting-edge interior design for headquarters of the GSMA. The colour concept is
principally white with bold blocks of red, which echoes the corporate and brand colour
and is picked out almost immediately in reception as well as in the furniture. Linear and
symmetrical lines in the reception area creates a futuristic feel with an added “wow”
factor and visitors are met with the striking contrast of a bold red against white walls.
Beyond the reception desk, visitors enter the “piazza”, a public space at the heart of this
office. This zone has been carefully designed to suit a variety of individual and group
requirements and features a mixture of soft seating. From reception through to the
spacious office floor, each area has been carefully planned and fitted out with built-in
flexibility to help reduce the monotony of day-to-day office life and maximise creativity
and the potential for innovative thinking. 020 74951885 | www.interiorsgroup.co.uk
DESIGN TO ENHANCE LIFE
A life-enhancing charity project has landed a prestigious international award
for Interior Design consultants Koubou Interiors. Crowthorne based Koubou
Interiors has won the Best Public Service Interior category of the UK
Property Awards after completing a design project aimed to improve the lives
of disabled children and their families in Berkshire. Koubou beat off
competition from all over the UK to win the Rolls Royce sponsored award
after completing their unique design project for “Our House” a new dedicated
day centre for disabled children and their families in Wokingham. Koubou
has now been put forward to represent the UK in the 2014-2015 International
Property Awards, competing against interior designers from all over the
world. Koubou Interiors are members of the BIID.
01344 779 323 | [email protected] | www.koubouinteriors.co.uk
COMFORT IN NATURE
Harrison Spinks, one of Great Britain’s most established and
innovative bed makers, has launched Harrison Spinks Contracts
Division, which will use its world-leading spring technology and
natural fillings in its new contract range. The Harrison Spinks
Contract Collection is designed and manufactured in the heart of
Yorkshire, to provide an exceptional sleep experience for hotel
guests. Harrison Spinks’ knowledge and expertise in the field of
sleep, along with their innovation, ensures that the mattresses
and divans offer the ultimate sleep experience.
Stephen Truswell, Contract Sales Director, who brings a wealth of
experience in the Contract Bed market, including senior roles at
Silentnight Group, will head-up the new Contracts Division.
Stephen said: “We wanted to push the boundaries and go where
no other contract bed manufacturer has gone before. Using our
unique spring technology, we have created a beautiful bed range
with the highest spring counts available to the hospitality market,
providing guests with a great night’s sleep night after night.”
Harrison Spinks prides itself on innovation and over the last ten
years has re-invented the way pocket spring mattresses are
manufactured by developing unique spring technology.
The investment in a Yorkshire farm to rear sheep and grow hemp
and flax for themattress fillings, only 20 miles away from the
factory in Leeds, coupled with unique spring innovations, has led
to Harrison Spinks being recognised by HM Queen Elizabeth II
with two Queen’s Award’s for Enterprise in Innovation and
Sustainable Development. The company believes a good night’s
sleep benefits from environmentally sound materials, so they
blend all mattress fillings ourselves from the finest natural fibres.
A range of beds from both the Harrison and Somnus brands will be offered
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Interior Design Today May 2015
under the Harrison Spinks Contracts Division. The collection was previewed
at the Independent Hotel Show and the Sleep Event last year.
0113 2055200 | www.harrisonspinkscontract.co.uk
Designer Profile
DESIGNER PROFILE
THOMASGRIEM
JADE TILLEY SPEAKS TO THOMAS GRIEM ABOUT DESIGNING TOWNS,
APPLIED ARTS AND INDUSTRIAL ELEGANCE
THOMAS GRIEM IS THE FOUNDER AND
DIRECTOR OF TG-STUDIO, HIS 20 YEARS’
EXPERIENCE SPANS FROM RESIDENTIAL,
RETAIL AND OFFICE SCHEMES IN
INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS FROM
HONG KONG TO NEW YORK.
Thomas studied in Berlin and London, where he won
the Hubert Sands Memorial Award, and graduated
with a BA and a diploma in Architecture. In 1998
Thomas worked with Phillippe Starck for the global
residential developer YOO and went on to co-found the
successful interior design practice Target Living. After
taking it to the prominent position of industry design
leader, Thomas Griem decided to move on in 2011 by
starting the creative venture that is TG-Studio.
Thomas has also recently launched into product
design with his own collection of beautiful rugs.
Here, Thomas talks about studying between Berlin
and London, going fishing for that first commission
and the elegance behind form and function.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF
DESIGN HAVING AN IMPACT ON YOU?
It was during my school years when taking art and painting.
I liked that very much and it was then that I started noticing
and paying attention to what things looked like. I still have
that capacity for noticing and absorbing things today and
would love to be able to paint in my spare time.
Unfortunately I don’t have time for it now. It’s a blessing and
a curse because I love what I do and am passionate about it,
40
Interior Design Today May 2015
Thomas Griem
but sometimes you have to let go of those other
passions and I guess painting was one of them.
WHERE DID YOU STUDY DESIGN
AND WHAT DID YOU SPECIALISE IN?
I began my studies in London at Westminster
University, studying towards my BA in
Architecture, after that I progressed on to a full
degree in architecture, studying at the Berlin
School of Art and returned to London to
complete my Part 3 at the AA (Architectural
Association). In between these studies I did take
some time out to practice architecture. As a
German, it was great to study in Berlin but the
system was different and did not marry with the
qualifications I had gained in the UK. I would
have had to study for additional years to
complete my training, which is why I came back
to London to complete my architectural
education. By this point I was ready to start
moving in my career and additional years just
didn’t make any sense to me.
HOW HAVE DESIGN SCHOOLS
EVOLVED SINCE YOU WERE STUDYING?
My experience of education in Germany relied
more heavily on practical experiences, more so
than the UK. There were a lot of physical
requirements and the structure was completely
different. The teaching was different as well. In
Germany you had to be practising lecturers, so
the teaching always came from those who were
working in the industry. In the UK there isn’t the
same necessity, which is why much of the
teaching is theoretical. My Berlin lecturer was a
very well known professor in the industry and
because of the practical nature of the courses,
you could be immediately ready to start in your
career by the point at which you left.
Realistically, and looking back now, I didn’t know
that much when I left my education, what I’ve
learned since has shaped me as a designer in the
field.
I think one of the key differences, when looking at
time-scale, is that my education was free! It
makes a huge difference as this just doesn’t
happen anymore. I think when your education at
that level is free, you are more forgiving of it,
whereas now, people pay so much to be
educated, their demands are much higher, and
rightly so.
Architecture comes under the bracket of applied
arts and I think the skills of presenting ones ideas
have changed. We now have all-access to the
Internet and computers and this accessibility
changes things. With this evolution comes a shift
in client expectations. Clients are more astute
and their demands are greater, so the task now
for new designers coming up into the industry, is
to be able to apply all of this knowledge, learning
and education and be able to explain their ideas –
sometimes a skill that cannot be taught.
WHAT KIND OF DESIGNER DID YOU ASPIRE
TO BE? HAS IT WORKED OUT THAT WAY?
I think I have always been inspired by logic, form
and function and have mostly stayed the same.
May 2015 Interior Design Today
41
Designer Profile
These are the things that continue to appeal to
me as a designer and I feel are the fundamentals
of good design.
WHO ARE YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATIONS?
This is a difficult question as there isn’t so much
as one person that inspires me, but often I see
projects and designs in isolation that inspire me
and my way of thinking. I don’t necessarily feel
that one person or one style is a solution to every
design problem so I keep an open mind and take
in ideas from all areas of design that speak to me.
It might be an artist’s recent project that really
strikes me, or a design statement that has been
made. Essentially, it always comes down to the
client an their wants and needs.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR DESIGN STYLE?
More and more it is becoming industrial but still
elegant.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN COMMISSION?
At school it was a sculpture but professionally it
was for a developer in Brighton. I was tasked with
designing two houses and it was a super exciting
time for me. There were high fives all round after
this project was completed.
The first project as a designer leading the pack is
a huge plunge to take. You put down your money
and go fishing basically, hoping for a great result.
It’s exciting, thrilling, but it’s a big step.
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Interior Design Today May 2015
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST
DESIGN COMMISSION TO DATE?
It was a town in Saudi Arabia, a whole walled
development where ex-pats live. Everything was
within these walls, which makes it quite a unique
place to design. The theatres, the ice-rinks –
everything, and it all needed to be considered and
designed to work together. We took the layout
from a local architect and from there had to
determine how we were going to approach it. I
always ask myself ‘what can we achieve?’ when
looking at the plans of a project. It’s an important
thing to question – ‘if we change this, what would
we achieve by doing so?’ In terms of the scale of
the design, it wasn’t too much of a showcase but
it was physically very big in scale. This project
grew and shrunk within the process. It was
unexpected, challenging and at times frustrating
– A great experience but one I’m not sure I would
repeat now.
WHERE IS THE MAJORITY
OF YOUR WORK BASED?
We tend to focus on London and the Balearics,
particularly Majorca. I did a project there quite a
few years ago and have made some good
contacts. We also have Spanish speakers in the
TG Studio office. The market is good in Majorca
too – it’s a buyers market. I consider what I do to
be an investment, so placing yourself in an area
of growth and investment is a good idea.
HAVE YOU EVER WORKED OR LIVED ANYWHERE
ELSE? HOW HAS THIS HELPED TO SHAPE AND
INFLUENCE YOUR IDEAS ON DESIGN?
There’s a list: Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia,
Switzerland, Spain, USA, France and Germany.
You learn so much about cultures and how other
places work and design differently. It’s
fascinating. They also have different expectations.
As I travel I take ideas with me and put them into
projects, then bring other ideas back that I’ve
gleaned from the culture and landscape of that
place. As an example, in Switzerland they have
these incredible diggers for rooting out
basements – creating these vast spaces
underground – perhaps we could bring it here for
UK projects. Hong Kong has this culture that
‘everything is possible’, which is a good mantra to
bring to your work.
IF YOU HADN’T BECOME AN INTERIOR
DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
My first thought was nothing but I figured I
couldn’t leave it at that. I’d like to think that I’d be
an entrepreneur, perhaps running a hotel, and
certainly involved in the environment.
TG Studio’s Warren Mews project can currently be
seen on the front cover of the Interior Design
Yearbook: consumer edition. Visit WHSmiths to
pick up your copy.
www.tg-studio.co.uk
Thomas Griem
May 2015 Interior Design Today
43
Surface design show review
IDEAS ARE SURFACING
THE SURFACE DESIGN SHOW 2015 PROVED TO BE ANOTHER STORMING SUCCESS WITH RECORD NUMBERS
GATHERING TO DISCUSS SURFACE DESIGN IN THE INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE SECTORS
FROM THE 10-12 FEBRUARY, LONDON’S
BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE SAW MORE THAN 130
EXHIBITORS, BOTH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL,
CONGREGATE TO INSPIRE AND DELIGHT WITH
THE LATEST SURFACE DESIGN PRODUCTS.
Surface Design Show focuses solely on interior
and exterior surfaces, exploring the most
innovative, sustainable and remarkable surface
designs, materials and lighting currently
available on the market. Since its inception in
2005 the show has steadily grown and a record
5,385 (subject to audit) architects, designers,
specifiers and the like visited, a 48 per cent
increase on 2014. Surface Design Show is now
firmly established as the must go to event in the
UK design calendar.
There was a packed programme of events and
entertainment at the 2015 show, which included
the Preview Evening’s Live Debate hosted by
RIBA Journal and the ever popular PechaKucha
evening.
Hosted within Surface Design Show and
presented by Light Collective and the Institution
of Lighting Professionals was Light School, an
area dedicated to lighting. Light School consisted
of three parts: The School Room, Product School
44
Interior Design Today May 2015
and the School Newspaper all of which were
designed to educate and inspire visitors about the
latest in lighting design and lighting products.
Sponsored by iGuzzini, there were more than two
days of lessons in the School Room, which
featured hands-on demos with top UK lighting
designers who took on the role of lecturers to
capacity crowds.
Global Color Research™ returned to the Show.
Following the success of the 2013 and 2014 Trend
Wall, the influential consultancy and creators of
colour forecasting publication MIX Magazine
presented Colour Collaborations.
Event Director Christopher Newton said “We
couldn’t be more delighted with the 2015 show,
the record number of exhibitors filled the halls
with creativity and innovation and the packed
programme of events inspired and engaged our
capacity audiences. We are already looking
forward to 2016 which from visitor, exhibitor and
speaker reaction we predict to be another record
breaking year”.
Part of the outstanding success of the Show is the
commitment to recognising excellence with the
Surface Design Awards. The Awards recognise
examples of progressive design and the use of
innovative surfaces in projects both in the UK and
internationally. Categories cover projects in Retail,
Commercial, Housing, Public Building, Light and
Surfaces and Temporary Structures. Launched in
2013, the Awards have grown quickly both in
stature and the number of entrants.
This year, 181 projects were entered, a record
number increasing by a staggering 62 per cent
since last year with a third of entries from
overseas making it the UK's leading award
scheme to identify innovation in surface design.
The stunning Ospedale Giovanni XXIII Chapel in
Italy was unveiled as the supreme Winner.
Designed by Traversi + Traversi Architetti &
Aymeric Zublena the radical design of the
uniquely modern chapel created surfaces that
were integral to the building and the atmosphere
that encompasses it.
The awards were presented by Helen Berresford
Head of ID:SR Sheppard Robson’s award winning
interior design group who said of the awards
“Amazing, so many people putting forward
projects with a diverse range of surfaces. Great
international audience. Beautiful internal and
exterior surfaces starting to emerge and be used
in projects.”
www.surfacedesignshow.com
@surfacethinking #SDS15
Surface design show review
KARNDEAN COLLABORATES
Karndean is celebrating a successful collaboration with Global Color Research at
The Surface Design Show 2015. Created by New Designers award winner Emilie
Osborne, two 3D installations featured Karndean Designflooring’s new LooseLay
Series Three and Opus Enhance ranges. Upon entry to the show, visitors were
confronted with the powerful, site-specific hanging installation of Beast, draped over
the foyer’s balcony above the heads of guests. Looking to combine danger and
beauty, Emilie opted to use the textured surface of Karndean’s Opus Enhance Carbo.
The black wash, wood grain effect created a striking backdrop to the entrance hall.
Standing at the front of the exhibition hall the design of Brink, based on the 2015
trend for order and control, was a major focal point for visitors. Emilie took
inspiration from ancient architecture, predominantly Roman columns. Emilie
featured the light blond hues of Cambridge and warm ginger tones of Burlington
from Karndean LooseLay Series Three within the Brink design. www.karndean.com
READY TO PAINT
At the Surface Design Show 2015, CD UK launched a new range of ‘readyto-use’ textured panels called ‘Textura’ made from DuPont™ Corian®
which can be applied to almost any conceivable scheme or sector. Offering
all the qualities and sophistication of Corian®, these panels are solid, both
water and stain-resistant, extremely durable and suitable for covering
large surface areas. Available in nine standard patterns and in all the
colours of Corian®. The range includes several styles that can be backlit to
create even more stunning effects and bespoke patterns are also possible.
0113 201 2240 | www.cdukltd.co.uk/textures
A SURFACE SELECTION
The Surface Design show is one of Altfield’s favourite shows, it is a
tightly focused show that draws in architects, designers and
specifiers from across the country looking for new and innovative
finishes for their projects. Each year, Altfield shows new
collections of wallcoverings from the brands they represent,
including Innovations in Wallcoverings and Weitzner based in the
USA, together with their own branded wallcoverings produced in
the UK, USA, Germany and Japan.
This year Altfield reverted back to the more traditional method of
display with the wallcoverings shown almost as artworks in their
own right, and included a polyurethane faux leather, real gold leaf
wallcoverings, grasscloths, vinyls and other textile wallcoverings.
Frequency generated a lot of interest at the show. A retro digital
print design on a polyester and linen textile base, Frequency is
available in a 120cm width and in seven colours. S-tilestone was
also popular, allowing for many interesting conversations with
visitors as to the potential uses and benefits of real stone on a roll
compared to heavy slab stone, especially in commercial
installations where considerations of time, weight and installation
costs could be crucial.
Lastly the Surface Design Show saw the launch of Altfield Luxe, a
brand within a brand, solely focusing on unique and artisan hand
made products from small producer studios. Altfield Luxe includes
a new flexible polished plaster wallcovering with a crackle finish
which comes in nine different colourways, together with hand
painted plaster wallcoverings made by Assemblage in the United
States to Altfield’s own colour palette and specification. Lastly in
the collection Altfield showed their Japanese Metal Leaf collection
made in Kyoto to traditional Japanese methods.
020 7351 5893 | [email protected] | www.altfield.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
45
Interview
STYLE LANDING
DIEGO GRONDA, ROCKWELL GROUP EUROPE, SHARES HIS INSIGHT INTO WORKING WITH VIRGIN,
THAT VIBRANT SPLASH OF RED AND THE NEW EXPERIENCE CREATED FOR TRAVELLERS TO CHICAGO
ROCKWELL GROUP EUROPE HAS COMPLETED
THE INTERIOR DESIGN OF VIRGIN HOTEL
CHICAGO FOR SIR RICHARD BRANSON’S VIRGIN
HOTEL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE
HOTEL’S 250 GUESTROOMS, 40 ONE BEDROOM
SUITES, AND TWO ROCK STAR SUITES; THE
COMMONS CLUB; TWO VIBRANT
RESTAURANTS; AND THE SPA.
Having opened in January 2015, Virgin Hotel
Chicago aims to offer travellers a comfortable and
efficient home away from home with a simple and
modern feel, featuring a contemporary style that is
sophisticated and elegant, yet understated. The 26story hotel is housed in the Old Dearborn Bank
building in downtown Chicago, an intricately
ornamented 1920s landmark originally designed by
Rapp and Rapp.
The interior design was undertaken by Rockwell
Group Europe, led by Diego Gronda, Managing &
Creative Director, Rockwell Group Europe. Here,
46
Interior Design Today May 2015
Diego details the design highlights, including
working with an enigmatic and exuberant brand
such as Virgin.
HOW DID ROCKWELL GROUP EUROPE COME TO
WORK WITH VIRGIN HOTELS INITIALLY?
Getting this commission was an exercise of
perseverance. In 2004, when I was a Principal and
Creative Director at Rockwell Group in New York, I
met Richard Branson to discuss a high-end
hospitality project that was going to be located in
upstate New York. I was fascinated by how different
he saw luxury hospitality. It was my first encounter
with Virgin’s vision of a new kind of hospitality
experience – one that is defined in non-glitzy terms
and breaks the classic, traditional codes. But this
particular project remained on the drawing board,
and I moved to Madrid in 2005 to start Rockwell
Group Europe. Several years later, Virgin set out to
create an entirely new brand with Virgin Hotels. I
was interested in this project right away and,
without really being asked, put together a team in
Madrid to develop some ideas around design and
technology, and to start defining the brand’s
audience. Somewhat impulsively, we flew to New
York to present these ideas to the new Virgin team.
About one year later, they contacted us in Madrid to
see if we were interested in taking on the design of
the first Virgin Hotel property in Chicago, and that’s
when we really got involved.
WHAT WAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE
BRAND, PRIOR TO WORKING WITH THEM?
Virgin likes to push the boundaries and is not afraid
to try things differently to satisfy their customers.
They also recognise the potential of smart,
functional design, so I was keen to work with them.
It had been one of my dreams to design a hotel for
Richard Branson that would redefine the guest
experience. The challenge with this project was to
create a new member of the Virgin brand family
and to build on past successes while carving out an
Virgin Hotel Chicago
identity for this new Virgin brand. We had to develop
a design concept that was aligned with specific
values that are key to Virgin, and the level of
expectation was high. The hotel had to express
Virgin’s innovative and playful spirit, yet this was
neither Virgin’s exclusive Limited Edition nor Virgin
Atlantic.
ONCE THE BRIEF WAS SET, WHAT WERE YOUR
INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PROJECT?
From the start, Virgin had a very clear, strong vision
for the hotel brand. It was impressive, but they
never approached us with a precise aesthetic vision
nor asked for a certain interior style. Instead, they
were really focused on the guest experience and
how the staff would engage with customers. Once
that direction was defined, we began to imagine the
physical environment that would provide the setting
for that experience. It was really a journey of
discovery together with the client to determine
what their guests at this hotel might really want
and need and to produce a destination that would
express the values that are key to Virgin. For us it
was very much about creating comfortable and
intuitive spaces with a casual, relaxed vibe and a
sense of playfulness. There was an emphasis on
integrating smart design features that would
enhance the guest experience and make people’s
stay more pleasurable and fun.
HOW DOES THE VIRGIN HOTEL DIFFER TO ANY
OTHER HOTEL OFFERING IN TERMS OF ITS
DESIGN?
Many other hotel brands use design as a
statement. Virgin’s team, however, looked at design
first and foremost from a functional point of view.
The hotel should be a perfect machine where every
special feature, piece of furniture, and electronic
outlet is perfectly placed and has a distinct
purpose. While the principles of functionality and
comfort guided all of our design decisions, the
notion of fun was never far behind. Our design had
to be clever and witty yet any problem had to be
solved in as simple a way as possible. Design was
always discussed with operational aspects,
functionality and a sense of humour in mind.
The design of the first-ever Virgin Hotel was an
exhilarating challenge that made us question pretty
much everything we’ve created over the past twenty
years. Take the most basic element of a hotel
room: the bed. With Virgin, we brainstormed about
the evolution of the bed and its function in the 21st
century. Surely our habits of sleep, party and work
have changed over time and we’ve become
attached to a host of handheld devices. How might
the design of a bed account for such changes?
Virgin asked us to completely rethink the
conventional hotel bed and its uses, which is how
we came up with the iconic, patent-pending
Lounge Bed.
Another interesting aspect of the hotel is that Virgin
asked us to create a better experience for both
male and female guests, accounting for couples
and a growing number of female business
travellers. This was such a refreshing point of view.
Our challenge was to design spaces that would
please both genders, which raised a lot of
May 2015 Interior Design Today
47
Interview
Image left: A working area
in the Sleeping Lounge
features a custom rotating
table, a leather Poltrona
Frau Chair, and an Artemide
LED task light. The
wallpaper in dark grey felt
with custom red stitching
was exclusively designed for
Virgin Hotels by Maya
Romanoff.
Image courtesy
of Eric Laignel.
Image right: The Dressing
Room features two large
wardrobes by Poliform that
provide ample shelving,
hanging space, shoe
storage, drawers, and
a full-length mirror. Above
the oversized vanity sink,
a custom round, wood
frame mirror with wall
sconces adds a
residential feel.
Image courtesy
of Virgin Hotels.
interesting questions, especially for the guest
rooms. We added amenities such as two large
wardrobes with ample shelving, hanging space,
shoe storage, and drawers for his and her
belongings, a separate make-up desk with its own
backlit mirror and space for cosmetics, and a large
shower with a built-in bench. The two-space room
layout provides additional flexibility and privacy.
These are subtle features that can greatly enhance
someone’s room experience, male or female.
HOW DID YOU CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF VIRGIN?
I believe the spirit of Virgin is a spirit of innovation
that’s in constant flux and evolution. Those who
expect a red hotel filled with Virgin logos will be
disappointed. We didn’t want to emphasise the
brand in such a literal way, and while powerful
when dealing with branding, the colour red can
also be a source of stress. As a result, the use of
Virgin’s signature red throughout the hotel is
subtle, almost minimalist, although we decided to
48
Interior Design Today May 2015
be bold in certain areas, like the staircase with the
“red paint blob” area rug and the guestroom doors.
More importantly, I think we captured the Virgin
spirit by creating a comfortable and tech-forward
environment with a casual, relaxed and playful vibe.
This is an understated pied-à-terre distinguished
by a contemporary, cosy and whimsical style. There
are the guestroom corridors with wall lamps
reminiscent of street lighting and British
townhouse-inspired red front doors that set a
residential mood and create an unexpected sense
of arrival. The quirky porcelain statue of a dog
marks pet-friendly rooms. The guest rooms, on the
other hand, are held in a neutral palette of natural
woods, grey, white and beige for the furniture and
finishes, exuding an air of serenity. The iconic,
patent-pending Lounge Bed again has the Virgin
spirit deep inside its sheets.
Another area that breathes the Virgin spirit is the
570 m2 Commons Club on the first floor, which
really blurs the lines between work and play. We
integrated different zones of activity into one
seamless, dynamic spatial experience. Guests can
use the library as their temporary office, meet in
the lounge areas, party in the semi-private Shag
Room, or enjoy a casual meal from the open
kitchen.
HOW DID YOU PAY HOMAGE TO THE ORIGINS OF
THE BUILDING AND THE ART DECO PERIOD IN
YOUR DESIGN?
Our design continuously juxtaposes the historic and
the contemporary, underscoring the vibrant DNA of
the Virgin brand. Significant architectural features
were restored to add warmth and character, such
as the ornate brass elevator doors and the vintage
oak cigar sales counter from the 1920s that serves
as the hotel’s reception desk. It’s a fun historical
reference in the context of today’s smoke-free
Chicago.
The highly ornamented, coffered plaster ceiling in
the Commons Bar is a standout. 75 per cent of the
Virgin Hotel Chicago
original ceiling had been destroyed and great effort
went into restoring this stunning feature. We
stripped away a mezzanine added by a previous
tenant to recapture the dramatic, double-height
space. It was quite an endeavour to build new
moulds in order to bring the ceiling back to its
original splendour.
We wanted to create a modern, forward-thinking
hotel that’s also respectful of the historic
architectural fabric, so our interventions are mostly
freestanding pieces. The oval-shaped bar at the
Commons Club draws attention with its zinc and
red leather cladding and exposed filament pendant
lights. It’s a focal point that brings new energy to
this former banking hall and creates a dynamic
dialogue between the old and the new.
DID THE CHICAGO LANDSCAPE PLAY A PART IN
YOUR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS?
Yes, the hotel’s location and aspects of the local
culture played a role, and the local community was
central to considerations about the hotel’s F&B
concept. It was important to Virgin to create a
destination that would appeal to both out-of-town
visitors and local residents, so on the ground floor,
we created distinct design languages for the hotel’s
entrance and lobby, the corner café, and the diner.
More than eighty percent of the building’s historic
street-level space is dedicated to neighbourhoodfriendly food and beverage. These spaces don’t
even feel like they are part of a hotel.
Other aspects of the hotel play off the local
landscape and culture. There is a space in the
Commons Club called the Funny Library, which
features a curated collection of comedic books,
vintage toys and art sourced from local antique
stores and bookshops. Local authors were a
priority and preserving many of the building’s
original features was a way to celebrate Chicago’s
extraordinary architectural history.
WHAT ARE YOUR DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
PROJECT SO FAR?
One of the highlights in this project is innovative
space planning and I think we shifted a number of
hotel paradigms in a new direction. We broke with
the typical layout by dividing each Chamber into
two distinctive spaces, the dressing room and the
lounge, separated by custom wood sliding doors.
This “suite-like” floor plan is refreshing. Given a
300 square-foot standard room, guests enjoy more
flexibility, privacy, and user-friendly amenities.
Couples can take advantage of two distinctive and
independent spaces. For example, while one
person is asleep, the other can shower and get
dressed in a separate, closed-off area without
disturbing the other.
Another extraordinary space is the Commons Club,
not only because of the stunning historic ceiling in
the two-story bar area, which we restored. There’s
an interesting flow of spaces and activity. People
can find a quieter spot at the library and pick up a
book, socialize at the bar, or enjoy a meal from the
open kitchen. It’s the kind of place you want to
spend time in.
This is also a hotel that uses technology in
sophisticated ways to make things more
comfortable for guests and give them more control.
There’s a mobile phone app that allows you to
manage details about your stay, from making the
initial reservation, to setting your room
temperature, to selecting music you’d like to listen
to. You can check into your room by using a checkin station with a touch screen at the front desk.
Technology smartly touches on many aspects of
the guest experience and helps streamline rituals
of arrival and departure.
www.rockwellgroup.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
49
Spotlight
LET THE LIGHT IN
JAMES LATHAM INVITES DESIGNERS TO SEE WOOD DESIGN IN A NEW LIGHT WITH ITS LATEST RANGE
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A REVOLUTIONARY NEW WOOD MATERIAL THAT
OFFERS EXTRAORDINARY DESIGN POSSIBILITIES
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Luminoso are wood panels that transmit light,
allowing designers to create visually stunning
effects that are exceptionally unique.
The transparent wood effect is achieved with fibre
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transmitted. When the panel is unlit it appears to
be a solid piece of wood as the fibre optics are only
visible upon very close inspection but, once
illuminated, all kinds of impactful and eye-catching
effects can be achieved.
Customised designs, logos and images can be
incorporated and even ‘movable’ images, such as
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Paul Latham, Sales & Product Development
Director for James Latham commented,
“Luminoso really does have the ‘Wow factor’ and is
unlike anything else available in the market. It’s the
ultimate in creating a luxury interior space and I
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Using species such as Oak, Maple, Walnut, Cherry
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wood with high strength adhesives. No holes are
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It can be finished with lacquer, oil or stain to match
the tone or finish of any other design element and it
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Luminoso is available in panel sizes of 3000mm x
500mm, 3000mm x 1000mm and 3000mm x
1250mm and in thicknesses of 6mm, 8mm, 10mm,
12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm and 20mm.
To arrange a product presentation, contact
Paul Latham on 01442 849119 or email
[email protected]
0116 257 3415 | [email protected]
www.lathamtimber.co.uk
May 2015 Interior Design Today
51
Hotel design
CRYSTAL CLEAR
Glasstrends creates the perfect solution for the design, manufacture and
installation of frameless glass for shower areas, screens, steam and sauna rooms
and more, complemented by a range of decorative and artisan features. Working
with leading specialist glass processors, this highly regarded supplier can supply
the widest choice of glass products possible. From exquisite boutiques to large
prestigious hotel groups, clients include Hilton, The Savoy, Hyatt, Four Seasons,
Marriott, St. Ermin’s, Mal Maison, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Berkeley and
Waldorf. Understandably there’s a different brief for each project, from the simple,
high quality fitting for multiple rooms to individually styled spaces. Glasstrends
responds exclusively to every client. An independent company of 15 years, this
forward thinking team of professionals is passionate about the use of interior
glass, priding themselves on a refined, attentive service and superior product
quality. From design, manufacture and installation or just supply only, your work
will be completed to the highest standard, delivering a result that will surpass
expectations. 020 7223 4017 | www.glasstrends.co.uk
LADY-LIKE SEATING
Following the unprecedented demand for its luxurious collection of
Mr & Mrs wing chairs, Lyndon Design has unveiled a new sofa
option to complement this handcrafted duo. The new Mrs low back
sofa provides the perfect complement to the wing chairs, and whilst
designed to sit amiably alongside these and other furnishings, it
may be used as a standalone piece to make a bold design
statement. Combining a stately grandeur with contemporary
touches, the sofa is particularly suitable for today’s hospitality and
boutique hotel environment. Echoing the same design concept as
the low back Mrs wing chair, the sofa features impression seat and
turned leg detail. Stylistically, the wings and arms have been
designed to make a deliberate soft, contemporary statement and
true to the sofa’s classic design, they draw the sitter into luxury and
comfort. 01242 584897 | www.lyndon.co.uk
SPLASH INTO SPRING
The new Splash Lounge Collection from Gaze Burvill has a
luxurious, indulgent and contemporary feel, perfect for terraces
and those outdoor-indoor spaces, which have become so much
a part of desirable lifestyle. The ‘handcrafted in Britain’, unique
design, and best environmental credentials give this collection
its place in the ‘preferred’ list for the elegant terrace. With
fumed, steam-bent oak providing outstanding strength, the
aesthetic takes its inspiration from the original Splash
Collection. A deeper, more relaxed and luxurious seat with a
softer, thicker cushion complements the flow of the oak curves
- comfortable and inviting. Versatile and on trend, the new
Splash Lounge Collection is a modular concept comprised of
five units, which can be configured according to the individual
space. The new pieces come with ‘Sunbrella’ canvas white
cushions, with quick-dry foam and outdoor fabric, as standard,
but clients can of course specify fabric, for outdoor or indoor
use, as the new collection will work well indoors too.
01420 588 444 | [email protected] | www.gazeburvill.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
53
May design series preview
Image courtesy of The Size
CURATED STYLE
THE MAY DESIGN SERIES OFFERS DESIGNERS THE CHANCE TO VIEW
THE LATEST PRODUCT OFFERINGS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE DESIGN INDUSTRY
MAY DESIGN SERIES RETURNS TO LONDON FOR
ITS THIRD EDITION THIS SPRING, DELIVERING AN
IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF INTERIORS PRODUCTS
FROM 500 OF THE BEST INTERNATIONAL AND
BRITISH BRANDS.
Promising to be the biggest yet, this year’s show
will span three days from 17 May at ExCeL London,
presenting an array of products for every interior
space across five sectors: Furniture, KBB, Lighting,
Decor and DX.
This internationally focused exhibition is perfectly
positioned at the finale of the European show cycle
to present shop-ready collections. ‘Curated for
Business’, the event will feature new products and
the latest trends, while providing unrivalled
networking opportunities.
Welcoming exhibitors from over twenty-five
countries, May Design Series’ truly unique offering
is that it’s the only event to boast an evenly
allocated British and international floorplan.
Expected among the May Design Series’ exhibitor
offering this year, are some highly anticipated
brands such as Aran Kitchens, Sareer Furniture,
Swaffer Fabrics and RetroTouch.
Hailing from Pescara on the east coast of Italy,
Aran’s products will adorn May Design Series’
dedicated KBB sector. Presenting their beautiful
kitchen and bedroom ranges, the company will
offer a wide spectrum of options to satisfy a diverse
range of needs, no matter what budget.
With 35 years’ industry experience, Sareer
Furniture specialises in leather, metal and fabric
beds from across the globe, offering both
traditional and contemporary designs to suit every
taste. Equally well-established, fine furnishing
fabric brand Swaffer will showcase its newest
range of designs encompassing prints, weaves,
embroideries, sheers and innovative velvets,
suitable for curtains, bedspreads, upholstery and
loose covers in both domestic and contract
applications.
Within the Lighting sector, RetroTouch will display
their recently released stylish and versatile
Simplicity range of switches and sockets. Each
product has a high quality screwless and finger
proof finish, with large, easy-to-use press buttons,
and the range also offers interchangeable covers in
a range of seven colours.
A number of design-led features will also run
parallel to the exhibitor offering, including: New
Design Britain, an awards programme for new
talent; a high level complimentary conference and
seminars programme outlining inspiring advice
dedicated to business growth and industry trends;
and Designer Makers, introducing the forty of the
UK’s top designer makers showcasing bespoke
product designs, to name a few.
May Design Series
17-19 May
ExCeL, London
www.maydesignseries.com
Image courtesy of Love Tiles
May 2015 Interior Design Today
55
May design series preview
ALL THINGS
ALTFIELD
This year at May Design Series, Altfield is presenting
new facets to its already outstanding collection of
international fabrics, wallcoverings, and leather.
Along with this range of wallcoverings Altfield will
also be showing signature American brands:
Pollack, Brentano, Weitzner, Innovations, and Moore
& Giles. Each range, a principal of design in the US,
will present their spring launches with emphasis on
both the residential and contract markets. From
beautiful satins to exquisite nubucks, each house
has American flair with a splash of European chic.
In addition, Altfield are proud to introduce Thesign, a
range of glamourous and graphic sheers and
upholsteries and their new collection of
paperbacked textile wallcoverings. With the
marrying of both fabrics and wallcoverings which
reference the traditional matching wall and windows
with a contemporary twist. Altfield is also delighted
to introduce to the family, Alcantara, an Italian staple
in the design industry. Known for their vegan suede,
which is ethical and carbon neutral, Alcantara has
an extensive colour palette of plains. Alcantara takes
the next step in their Metamorphosis collection,
utilising their most popular colours with the
introduction of prints, pleats and embossings.
May Design Series stand F50 | 020 7351 5893
[email protected] | www.altfield.com
TILES TO TEST TIME
British Ceramic Tile will be showcasing a selection of wall and floor tiles at
the May Design Series this year, including new and existing collections, along
with the company’s designer collaborations.
TRACE
A truly British range, the Trace collection in collaboration with Conran and
Partners, blends contemporary design with an on-trend colour palette,
coupling strong structural forms with tactile designs. Made up of three
distinct design families of ceramic wall tiles; Fractal, Tactile and Linea, the
ranges are composed of soft, contemporary colours, all of which are
manufactured in Britain. Each range has their own unique style and
structures, with matching plain wall tiles enabling you to combine different
textures for decorative feature walls, panels and accents, whilst coordinating
floor tiles complete the look.
FEATURE FLOORS
From eye-catching imitation pebble and grass effect tiles, to highly
decorative patterns and motifs, tiled flooring is stealing the show and
enjoying its moment in the spotlight. Available in a wide range of different
patterns, each ceramic tile can be used to create the wow factor, and comes
in a 331x331mm size.
HD SLATE
Rustic by design, but practical by nature, the new collection is incredibly
versatile and brings a strong, textural quality to walls and floors, seamlessly
recreating a rustic slate-effect from floor to ceiling. Made from ceramic, the
HD Slate collection is easy to install, hard-wearing and waterproof, making it
a practical addition to any kitchen or bathroom design scheme. Designed to
add a whole new dimension to walls, the split-face mosaic can be used in
wet areas such as the bathroom or kitchen as a feature wall or splashback,
bringing an urban, rugged look to an interior design scheme. A coordinating
floor tile in a large format 50x50cm size also forms a key part of the range.
Available in four neutral shades of oyster, beige, grey and black, the range
offers a plain slate-effect wall tile in a 25x50cm size, together with a splitface mosaic effect décor in 25x50cm.
May Design Series, stand E200 | 01626 831391
www.britishceramictile.com
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Interior Design Today May 2015
May design series preview
INDUSTRIAL ECHOES
The brief for Astro’s genre-defying Ginestra was simple: “Create an outstanding addition to
our family of metal pendants with an industrial feel but entirely distinct identity.” The design
office gestation is over and Ginestra is now available from Astro, the British lighting
success story whose extraordinary 20 percent average annual growth since its foundation in
1997 has included sales in more 70 countries. “Rather than create another reproduction
industrial pendant, we went our own way, as we are prone to do,” said Astro Design
Director and Co-Founder James Bassant. “There is a retro reference but the execution is
entirely modern and individual.” The luminaire offers considerable design flexibility: There
are two size choices and standard lamps, LEDs or decorative filaments lamps (squirrel
cage) can be used. As such Ginestra can play the lead or supporting role in a variety of
upmarket domestic or hospitality design schemes.
May Design Series Stand L240 | www.astrolighting.co.uk
LEICHT HAS LANDED
Leicht kitchens is showcasing its latest designs at KBB London with a
large stand and its new 2015 kitchens. As part of their current
worldwide growth Leicht aims to further increase sales and awareness
of its versatile contemporary kitchens. With a newly opened dedicated
LEICHT showroom in Battersea in London, LEICHT kitchens are
becoming more accessible to those all over the UK. New for 2015 is the
Concrete finish which will be the main display. Concrete is a timeless
material, which appeals to a design-loving market and offers unique,
contemporary kitchen designs. On display will also be the new Synthia
in Havana Oak and Classic FS in white to show the versatility and range
of textures and colours in Leicht kitchens. Featuring doors and
drawers, typical to LEICHT kitchens, the kitchens will be striking and
state-of-the-art. Other key Leicht concepts such as pocket doors,
which cleverly hide away cupboards, the cookware centres and the
Avance and Contino griprail handleless doors, will also be on display.
As one of the fastest growing brands of kitchens worldwide LEICHT
kitchens are available in over 80 showrooms in the UK.
May Design Series stand B270 | 07802 402921 | www.leicht.com
STYLE FROM
HAMILTON TO HOME
Hamilton Litestat has an eye for design and concern for quality within the interiors
industry. So when you are seeking the perfect decorative electrical wiring
accessory for your latest project, look no further, Hamilton has an unrivalled
number of options and expert advice to guide you. 18 unique plate collections
available are in metal, plastic, wood and glass. Numerous finishes including four
new shades of Bronze. When it comes to the exceptional or something unique for
that special project, Hamilton’s ‘Bespoke’ design and production service, Savile
Row, is the natural choice: non-standard plates in a special finish or colour made
to your designs. Prototypes and samples can be produced to help you with client
approval. Finally, Mercury’s programmable multi-scene lighting control is ideal for
projects that require changing ambient lighting. Control plates are available from
the Hamilton collections, for that co-ordinated look.
May Design Series Stand L155 | 01747 860088
[email protected] | www.hamilton-litestat.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
57
May design series preview
NEOLITH VERSATILITY
TheSize was founded in 2009 and is the manufacturer and
designer of Neolith, a unique and cutting-edge new material
category of sintered compact surfaces for kitchen and bathroom
applications, including worktops, sinks, flooring, wall cladding
and furniture. Neolith has recently increased its range from 34 to
45 different decors across its various collections and is now
available in three different thicknesses –3, 6 and 12mm, and four
finishes, polished, satin, silk, and riverwashed. This unique,
innovative material provides architects and interior designers
with extremely versatile solution that is durable, lightweight and
100 per cent recyclable. Neolith is created through TheSize’s
proprietary sinterization technology exposing minerals and other
raw materials to extremely high pressure and temperature,
resembling the way natural stone forms over thousands of years,
in just hours. The process gives the product outstanding physical
and mechanical properties in terms of compaction, resistance
and durability. May Design Series, KBB, stand B294
+34 964 652 233 | [email protected] | www.neolith.com
BATHROOM AESTHETICS
SALICE, will once again be exhibiting at the May Design Series in May.
Visitors can view SALICE’s range of furniture fittings for kitchens,
bedrooms and bathrooms, including their Eclipse pocket door system,
which features an assisted soft-close door return mechanism and a
door opening safety device. SALICE’s Lapis hinge, from their Silentia
range will also be on display. It offers aesthetic appeal coupled with
premium performance and an integrated soft closing action. With 12
finishes, including satin chrome, glossy gold and dull brown, and an
amazing 144 combinations, Lapis offers a high degree of
personalisation, meeting the requirements of producers of any kind of
furniture. Another featured product will be Futura with three way
adjustable clip system. Suitable for use with all versions of fullextension runners, including Unica, Smove and Push, the three way
adjustment allows the drawers to be precisely aligned.
May Design Series stand A200 | 01480 413831 | www.saliceuk.co.uk
RAK AND ROLL
RAK Ceramics is set to launch a new compact bathroom
range and complementary surfaces at this year’s May
Design Series. Exhibiting at the show for the first time, the
new RAK launches will include the Origin 62 range of
basins and sanitaryware, and polished porcelain tile
collection, GEMS. The new Origin 62 range includes three
basins and a WC, which each have a sleek, contemporary
design and are WRAS-approved. Basin options include a
hand basin, pedestal wash basin and a semi-recessed
design, along with a close-coupled WC design. The
complementary GEMS tile collection includes four colour
options - ivory, lemon, light grey and dark grey – in a
variety of formats, for wall and floor installation. Other
RAK designs on show will include the best-selling Resort
range – featuring Hygiene+ rimless technology – and a
variety of multi-use fireclay sinks.
May Design Series, KBB, stand A190 | 01730 237850
[email protected] | www.rakceramics.co.uk
58
Interior Design Today May 2015
Ask the designer
ASK THE DESIGNER…
WITH INCREASING INTEREST IN THE KITCHEN AS AN ESSENTIAL SPACE IN THE HOME
HOW, AS A DESIGNER, DO YOU MAXIMISE ON SPACE WHEN SQUARE FOOTAGE IS AT A MINIMUM?
Image courtesy of Absolute Interior Decor
ANNA
GRACE-DAVIDSON
Anna Casa
KELLY HOPPEN
Kelly Hoppen Interiors
CLARE PASCOE
Pascoe Interiors
In a kitchen with limited
space it works to your
advantage to use lighter
colours on walls and
floors matching this with
shiny finishes and
polished metals, giving
the illusion of more
space. I love using wall
cabinets with a reflective
mirror finish, they give a
sense of depth and reflect
light. Create a more open
and practical
environment by installing
efficient built in
cupboards and cabinets
to save room and provide
elegant storage.
Kitchens should be
comfortable and
stunning, yet
ergonomically functional
to use. In smaller
kitchens, find out what
tasks clients will be
carrying out most in the
space and prioritise
features based on what is
realistic. Use strategically
placed lighting, such as
up lighters, which can
work wonders in making
rooms appear more
spacious. In kitchens a
great trick is to use sleek,
lacquered surface
finishes which reflect
light wonderfully.
annacasainteriors.net
kellyhoppeninteriors.com
As the optimum space
between the work
surfaces is 900-1200mm,
small spaces can deliver
more efficient and
successful kitchens than
large spaces. The kitchen
triangle, encompassing
cooker, fridge and sink,
has long been a kitchen
design staple, but reality
is more complex, and
what we really need is a
kitchen star. Islands are
still high on client wish
lists, but they are fast
realising that a kitchen
does not need an island
with bar stools used
instead for more effective
storage.
pascoeinteriors.com
60
Interior Design Today May 2015
MILA PODIABLONSKA
Absolute
Interior Décor
A kitchen can be one of
the most challenging
spaces to design,
especially a small one.
Functionality comes first,
the oven and the hob
should be within easy
reach of the sink and
fridge. By using textured
wood, glass or white
lacquer for face doors,
combined with a light
colour composite will
keep the space feeling
light and spacious.
absoluteinteriordecor.com
REBECCA TUCKER
Suna Interior Design
Use tall wall cabinets that
fit all the way to the
ceiling, eliminating the
wasted space between
cabinet and ceiling. There
are many corner
solutions available, which
allow maximum use of
any difficult areas within
cupboards. Integrate
microwaves into your
units, or better still,
install a combi oven that
can do both jobs and
frees up countertop
space. A hot water tap is
another way of freeing up
worktop space, avoiding
trailing leads and kettles.
sunainteriordesign.com
Kitchen design
NEW DESIGN RECRUITS
BUCKS NEW UNIVERSITY LOOKS FORWARD TO RECRUITING ITS SECOND COHORT OF KITCHEN DESIGN
STUDENTS TO BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY TO BECOMING QUALIFIED, CREATIVE, INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
IN MAY 2014, BUCKS NEW UNIVERSITY
LAUNCHED ITS NEW DEGREE COURSE IN
KITCHEN DESIGN TO READERS OF INTERIOR
DESIGN TODAY. AT THAT TIME THE UNIVERSITY
WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE COURSE WOULD
ATTRACT INTERESTED APPLICANTS AND THAT
THE SECTOR WOULD SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH
THE RUNNING COSTS OF THE COURSE.
By September Bucks New University had exceeded
its student recruitment target and also received
generous financial help for student fee bursaries
from a number of companies. They are now looking
forward to recruiting their next intake of students in
the autumn.
The course had been under development for a
couple of years, and was designed to reflect the
requirements of the industry. The home
refurbishment market contributes around £1.5bn
to the economy each year, and despite this success
the kitchen sector was concerned about
perceptions of its image and the few routes to
professional development that existed. Bucks New
University was therefore ideally placed to establish
the degree because of its heritage in creative
courses with influential alumni who are part of the
design establishment.
Last October students were welcomed to the first
residential weekend induction at Missenden Abbey,
Buckinghamshire. The inaugural group of students
are representative of a cross-section of experience.
Some had been seconded by their employers, while
others had been recruited especially, so both the
employer and the student had a vested interest in
completing the course and adding value to the
business. Some staff with a sales background were
looking to move from front of house to the back
office, this course provided the opportunity to do so.
The course is delivered online through a virtual
learning environment, offering students the ability
to access a wealth of teaching resources, study
materials and video content. Assignments are
submitted via the same online portal, and students
are encouraged to contribute to forums and social
media activities. Face to face interaction with
teaching staff and fellow students is addressed via
three mandatory residential weekends in the
autumn, spring and summer semesters. These
feature lectures, workshops and tutorials from
Bucks tutors and kitchen design sector experts.
The accommodation and tuition costs of these
residential weekends are included in the annual
course fee.
This year, thanks to the financial and strategic
support of our industry partners, Bucks New
University have been able to offer generous bursaries
to the students who enrolled onto the course.So far
nineteen companies have committed to support the
programme in various ways. These businesses are
representative in terms of size and scale. Their
recognition of the course has ensured they will be
able to support students as they undertake the
programme. Bucks New University welcomes
interest from additional companies who would like
to be part of the industry supporter network.
Applications for 2015 are welcomed now. Students
may be eligible for financial support from Student
Finance England.
AS WE WENT TO PRESS: The team behind Bucks
New University foundation degree in Kitchen
Design received a Special Achievement Award from
The KBB Review Retail & Design Awards 2015.
At the recent annual awards dinner held in London,
KBB Review sprung a surprise on members of the
academic team and industry sponsors who have
brought the Kitchen Design course to fruition.
The award is recognition by KBB Review of how
important the course is to the sector, and the
positive contribution that the degree will make to
the professionalisation of the industry.
0800 0565 660 | [email protected]
bucks.ac.uk/kitchendesign
Image courtesy of Roundhouse Design
May 2015 Interior Design Today
61
Kitchen design
PERFECT
QUARTZ FINISH
COMPAC have introduced a new glacé finish
for eight of their popular quartz worksurface
colours including: Absolute Blanc, Botticino,
Carrara, Cool Grey and Perlino and it’s also
available on one of their latest quartz
worksurfaces – the New York Collection. This
innovative glacé finish, exclusively developed by
COMPAC, not only delivers the same porosity
as the traditional gloss finish making it
hygienic and easy to clean, each worksurface
also has a beautiful silky smooth and
sensuous feel to the touch. The colour and
grain of the worksurface is more enhanced
creating a magical 3D appearance.
[email protected]
www.compac.es
SHAWS CLASSIC
DOUBLE BOWL
The Shaws fireclay Classic Double Bowl sink comes with a central dividing
wall and is available in both white and biscuit finishes. Each bowl has central
3½” waste outlets to accommodate basket strainer or waste disposer and
traditional style round overflows. Available in two sizes, 800 and 1000, these
distinctive, heavyweight double bowl sinks require bespoke cabinetry and it is
recommended that they are professionally installed, due to their weight. The
Shaws range of basket strainers are manufactured in chrome, nickel, gold
and antique bronze, all with ceramic indices with the Shaws logo to finish off
the ‘look’ and co-ordinate with our range of taps.
01254 775111 | www.shawsofdarwen.com
62
Interior Design Today May 2015
Design stories
TAKE A SEAT
TIM ARMITT, MANAGING DIRECTOR, LYNDON DESIGN, OPENS UP ABOUT LYNDON’S
PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AND THE DESIGN JOURNEY THAT TAKES THEM ON
JT: WHERE DID LYNDON DESIGN BEGIN?
TA: Originally founded in 1982, Lyndon Design celebrates 33 years of
manufacture, this year having established itself as a leading manufacturer of
handcrafted upholstery and furniture for commercial interiors. In 2010 the
company was acquired by the Boss Design Group and Lyndon Design now sits
alongside the popular Boss Design, Komac and Unifi brands. The Lyndon Design
brand is specified worldwide throughout the hospitality, leisure, retail and
corporate sectors.
JT: HOW DO YOU CONTINUE TO INNOVATE IN THE FIELD
OF FURNITURE WITH INTENSE COMPETITION IN THE INDUSTRY?
TA: By adhering to our design principles of combining classic and elegant
designs with high-end quality and craftsmanship, and by collaborating with
some of Europe’s most credible and award winning designers, including Mark
Gabbertas, Nick Munro and Peter Emrys-Roberts, we are able to constantly
innovate with products that offer a ‘Lyndon’ feel, whether that is in the
detailing, the proportions or the way the wood is engineered. Following our
philosophy of “restless pursuit of excellence”, we’ve become more
adventurous in some of our designs. The recently launched Mr & Mrs
collection bears testimony to this as it boldly flaunts an innovative and modern
twist on the classic wing chair.
JT: HOW HAS HOSPITALITY CHANGED THROUGH THE EYES
OF THE DESIGNERS AT LYNDON DESIGN?
TA: A growing trend over recent years is the cross-over between hospitality and
corporate designs. Smaller desks and compact technology enable the
introductionof homely breakout areas, which provide soft seating and informal
work places, thus allowing a variety of working environments within the office.
No longer separate and distinct, the boundaries of interior design that were
once understood and abided by no longer apply, particularly when choosing
furniture for the hospitality environment. There has also been a distinct surge in
custom designs for this sector. The need to stand out from the crowd and to
provide that luxury wow factor, combined with comfort, flexibility and practicality
is now a key consideration.
JT: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL
PIECE/COLLECTION OF FURNITURE TO DATE?
TA: The two designs, which stand out are Entente and Arthur. Both are high back
designs bringing privacy into open spaces. Entente creates a full working
environment complete with work surface and the ability to integrate the
necessary technology such as power and data along with mounting points for
monitor brackets. Arthur is a lower, more ‘loungy’ seat with a softer feel.
JT: WHAT DOES LYNDON DESIGN REPRESENT IN 2015?
TA: As part of the Boss Design Group, we have a very definite brand message.
Lyndon Design represents the timber, handcrafting specialist within the company
and all our British-made products exude sophistication and quality, combined
with classic designs. This superior design ethic and aesthetic continues to open
up new opportunities for the Lyndon Design brand within the hospitality sector.
JT: WHAT ARE YOUR TOP MATERIAL PICKS FOR 2015?
TA: Timber continues to drive our design requirements. The sustainability of
responsibly sourced products through the auspices of FSC and PEFC ensure that
our furniture is both environmentally sound and appropriate to today’s office and
hospitality requirements.
JT: WHAT DOES LYNDON DESIGN ASPIRE TO LOOK LIKE TO 20 YEARS TIME?
TA: We will continue to draw on our strengths and capabilities using wood as an
essential material and, alongside our in-house design team, we aim to build on
our relationships with selected leading British designers who are able to bring a
high level of design creativity to the mix, thereby expanding our design repertoire.
We pride ourselves on our bespoke service and this will always remain intrinsic to
our offer.
JT: WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVISE YOU COULD GIVE
TO A DESIGNER THINKING OF SPECIFYING A LYNDON DESIGN PIECE?
TA: Look beneath the surface. The details are the important things to look for.
Whilst the top cover may be beautifully stitched and fitted, if the interior, the frame
and the overall construction are lacking, the furniture will not do its job correctly.
www.lyndon.co.uk
May 2015 Interior Design Today
63
Furnishings, fabrics + textiles
A WELL-ROUNDED
SERVICE
Whatever the style or cost of a dream bedroom design,
Deanswood Interiors guarantees to deliver on spec, on
time and on budget. Deanswood is willing to push the
boundaries when it comes to service. Experienced in
solutions for modern day living, Deanswood Interiors are
proud to have been associated with interior designers and
architects for many years, bringing to fruition their
designs and requirements in the field of soft furnishings,
curtains and blinds. Naturally, the team at Deanswood
appreciate that, until designers learn how the company
might feature in your designs, there will be little chance of
them becoming a valued supplier. To learn more about
how Deanswood work and importantly the guarantees the
team at Deanswood commit to, call and ask for a personal
explanation from Keith or David, the project directors.
01634 814444 | www.deanswood.co.uk
A GALLERY
OF WHITEHEAD
Whitehead Designs, bespoke upholstery manufacturer of
classic and contemporary furniture, has teamed up with
Trowbridge Gallery in central London to showcase its
luxurious collection. Not only can you visit Whitehead
Designs’ showroom in Nottingham, you are now invited to
view, touch and experience even more products that
include different design features and a palette of fabric
textures and colours at the Kings Road site. When
choosing a sofa, nothing will substitute for the experience
of trying it out for size and comfort. Whitehead Designs
has now ensured that customers up and down the country
can do this by adding Trowbridge Gallery to its showroom
portfolio. Visitors can see the handcraftsmanship and
exquisite detail in Whitehead’s unique furniture.
Trowbridge Gallery is located at 555 Kings Road, Fulham,
SW6 2EB. www.whiteheaddesigns.com
IMMERSE YOURSELF
Thibault Van Renne creates his own collections and lends his name to a thriving luxury rug
brand. This high-end label, founded in 2006, has proven ambitious, with a series of new
creations, including the “Immersive” and “Legends” collections, which show an extreme
attention to detail and quality. Thibault Van Renne’s design story goes all the way back to
the ancient tradition of Oriental rug knot art, to which he was introduced by his father as a
child. His work is rooted in a rich tradition, but also aims towards the future. “Legends”
boasts a vague familiarity of classic patterns in a sleek, contemporary interpretation. The
colours used range from bold, bright shades such as light green, azure and yellow over soft
natural tones, to a reference to traditional stone red carpets. The “Immersive” designs
were premièred during Domotex. This collection is more than ever a bridge between old
and new, classic and modern. The detail in these rugs is so exceptionally elaborated and
refined that you actually feel immersed in them. Each fibre exudes detail and shows the
layering of two, or up to seven different designs on top of each other. Immersive is
performed in a combination of hand-carded, hand-spun wool from Bikaner with hand-spun
natural silk of the finest quality. The extreme difficulty of the design pushed the knotters to
the limits of their craft. And that’s precisely what Thibault Van Renne is striving for: time
and time again pushing the limits of the possible further to create pieces of a controversial
beauty. 0032 9 329 54 75 | [email protected] | www.thibaultvanrenne.be
May 2015 Interior Design Today
65
My icon
MY ICON
ROSELIND WILSON, ROSELIND WILSON DESIGN,
REVEALS HER DESIGN ICON
Ros established Roselind Wilson Design in 2010. With a strong
background in marketing and armed with a business management
degree and interior design diploma, Ros started working in the
industry in South Africa 12 years ago. Now running her own
successful design practice in London, with projects completed
in the UK and South Africa, Ros thrives on balancing the art
of design with the intricacies of running a busy studio.
WHO IS YOUR DESIGN ICON?
Andrée Putman the global interior and product designer. Andrée had a strong
desire for independence. She envied those who were free and emancipated from
convention and strove to embody these characteristics. Lacking a traditional entry
into the world of design, Andrée carved a fiercely unique style for herself. Andrée
Putman is a designer but more importantly, a woman to be admired and
respected, certainly for me, for all of these character traits. The reverence for
basic, paired back design formed the foundation of a powerful style. I look to
Andrée Putman not as a designer whose work and style I wish to mimic, but
rather as a woman from whom I can learn, admire and respect in her visionary
approach to life and design, allowing truth, simplicity and application of unbiased
materials to develop refined and eponymous spaces.
WHAT IS ANDRÉE MOST FAMOUS FOR?
From Paris to New York, Dublin to Hong Kong, Putman was noted for her minimalist,
elegant interiors and esteemed contribution to the world of interior and product design.
She was responsible for the rediscovery and revival of 1930s Modernist furnishings from
the likes of individuals such as Eileen Gray, and Pierre Chareau, and is also noted for
creating boutiques for renowned fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Thierry Mugler
and Yves Saint Laurent. Putman is probably most famous her work on the first major
boutique hotel, Morgans, in New York in the early 80s.
HOW HAS ANDREE’S WORK BEEN RECEIVED BY THE DESIGN COMMUNITY?
Andrée was greatly respected in her field, despite having no formal training in
interior design or architecture. She was greatly sought after, and has been
responsible for a range of projects around the world, from hotels such as
the Im Wasserturm in Cologne and the Sheraton at Roissy–Charles de
Gaulle airport, to private residences, stores, film sets, museums and
even the interior of Concorde for Air France in 1993. Passionate,
independent and influential, Putman’s simple and modern approach
was, and still is, widely admired, resulting in her being deemed the
“Grand Dame of Modernism”.
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN ANDREE AS YOUR ‘ICON’?
I respect her individuality, her strength of character and ability
to be unjaded by any one or any thing. She was truly her own
person.
WHICH PROJECTS FROM YOUR OWN PORTFOLIO
DEMONSTRATE A NOD TO ANDREE PUTMAN’S WORK?
I do not base my works on Andrée Putman’s style but I
rather draw inspiration from the person she was, to allow
myself to exhibit style and individuality in my own work.
IF YOU COULD BE REMEMBERED FOR ONE ELEMENT
OF YOUR DESIGN, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Individuality and meaningful design.
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Showroom showcase
SHOWROOM
SHOWCASE
INTERIOR DESIGN TODAY TAKES A LOOK THROUGH THE DOORS OF SOME
OF THE UK’S BEST SHOWROOMS, OFFERING AN INSIGHT INTO THE COLLECTIONS CURATED
AND CREATED BY THE DESIGNERS WHOSE NAMES ADORN THE DOORS. By Jade Tilley
It is London Design Week down at Design Centre
Chelsea Harbour and I am inundated with
invitations to visit beautiful showrooms, to see
the latest collections revealed for the
spring/summer season. DCCH is alive with
activity as they welcome visitors, trade and
consumer, to come and witness the fresh new
ideas pouring out of the interiors world.
On this particular day I have arranged several
meetings in various showroom locations and my
morning sees me take a trip down Fulham Road,
just up from South Kensington station, to
experience the offering at Francis Sultana. It is a
gloriously sunny day, a sign that spring will soon
be on its way, and that certainly puts and extra
spring in my step as I make my way through the
gentle throng of pedestrian traffic to
number 60, Francis Sultana.
I am greeted by Sarah Matthew, the Showroom
Manager and dear friend of Francis’ for many
years. You can see from the neatly appointed
space that Francis and his team have a very
particular way of working. It is simple and yet
precise in its display, there are elements of
frivolity and playfulness scattered amongst
beautifully crafted pieces of furniture, and an
overall feeling of neatness and order that
pervades the style of this designer.
First some background. Francis is a furniture
and interior designer working in London but with
May 2015 Interior Design Today
67
Showroom showcase
a client list that covers Europe and Russia, USA
and Asia. His fine craftsmanship, use of noble
materials and luxurious finishes are what has
made him so well-respected across the
residential and commercial sectors of the
industry.
In 2011 Francis designed his first furniture
collection Homage to the Art Deco. This, along
with two other books I received as part of
Francis’ collections, was the one that caught my
eye. I’m always lured in by Art Deco influences
and there are some beautiful examples as part of
Francis’ work. The Yana Collection followed and
volume three contains The Celia Collection,
which has just been launched in the UK, France,
Russia and the USA.
Francis’ work takes much inspiration from the
1920s and 1930s periods, fusing in influences
from the natural world. This is evident across his
showroom, with natural materials appearing,
blended with more contemporary technologies
and vibrant tones. Francis’ body of work in the
product design arena includes cabinetry, tables,
upholstery and lighting.
Some of the pieces that really caught my eye
within the showroom space included the Anthony
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Table (from the Art Deco collection of course), a
beautiful bronze feat of engineering, the sides of
which look like a squared off canoe, encased by a
glass top that forms the main resting point of the
table. Its open bottomed appeal means you could
almost use the table as a showcase for
something within it. The Bronze colour is not
vibrant but subtle in the many crevices and
rivulets that run around the piece.
The Art Deco collection was launched at
Claridges in 2011. The pieces are defined, unique
and expressive, giving a sense of elegance and
luxury, so typical of the period. I later looked
through the collection volumes and found some
key pieces that I feel really define Francis’ work
here. The Lulu Banquette has a nickel plated
brass base and Scagliola body in black and
white. The Linda Square Gueridon combines
Maccassar wood, patinated bronze and gilded
glass on top and also comes in a cylindrical
shape. The Bond Coffee Table demonstrates
again Francis’ love of playing with materials.
Gilded wood, shagreen top and nickel plated
brass give this piece its form. Finally I stopped on
the Panos Chairs, a duo of Maccassar wood
bases with black leather upholstery. Panos is a
nod to Francis’ abilties in hospitality design.
These chairs would not look out of place in a
luxury hotel lobby.
Back to the showroom and Sarah and I go
through some of the pieces on show at the
moment, although it seems the space is
constantly changing to accommodate new
additions (the images you see are different to the
view I was welcomed with). As well as being a
prolific product designer, Francis is an interior
designer, working on a host of projects across
the industries. He is the Artistic Director of David
Gill Galleries, Mayfair, the new gallery of which
Francis designed himself. This year Francis will
be concentrating on other design ventures
including the prestigious PAD London VIP
restaurant and designing his first super yacht
interior for Royal Huisman. It is these projects
that keep Francis aware of his clients and in
touch with their needs and how to work with
them. Sarah often touches upon how Francis has
an ability to really understand his clients and get
to grips with exactly what they want/need, even
before they have realised it themselves
sometimes.
When working with various client expectations it
Showroom showcase
can sometimes feel like a loss to ones own
design ideas but not so with Francis. His work
has a common thread running through it, the
Sultana touch, if you like. It is evident his colour
is teal, as he works with it so often, but it is also
his fine nib effect he has across all of his
designs, a very clean and minimal aesthetic that
obviously draw his clients in initially.
The artwork displayed on the walls is not,
unfortunately, for sale but is another nod to
Francis’ frivolous side with dollar bills decorating
one canvas and a landscape of vibrant people in
another. They represent a connection with society
and a nod to people, who are of course at the
root of all successful designs. This showroom is
much more than just a showcase of Art Deco
designs and neatly appointed pieces, it is the
start of a journey from which Francis will embark
on with all of his clients.
Outside of his main stream of work, Francis is
Chair of the Patrons Committee of the Design
Fund, established for the benefit of the V&A
Museum, which raises money for the museum to
purchase contemporary design, and is also a
member of the London Volunteers Board for
children’s charity NSPCC and Creative Director
for the design and production of the annual
NSPCC Arts Gala.
With all of these commitments, and continuing
relationships building with clients, it’s a wonder
Francis has time to fit it all in. My suggestion is
that you visit the showroom and see if you can
schedule yourself into his world for a new design
journey experience.
FRANCIS SULTANA
60 Fulham Road
London
SW3 6HH
www.francissultana.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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Product gallery
GRAND SHOWER STATEMENT
The Abode family of showers and accessories has been designed exclusively to co-ordinate
with the complete company bathroom offering. The portfolio contains a myriad of outstanding
design pieces, square heads, round heads, oval heads, heads with glass, wall and roof
mounted. Flat and conical mounted thermostatic shower posts and bar showers, concealed
and exposed shower kits. Interestingly shaped rigid and tubular risers with and without
handsets and body jets. This grand, heavyweight square head wall mounted thermostatic
shower post with handset in chrome finish will give any shower-room the real ‘wow’ factor.
01226 283434 | www.abode.eu
ALL THAT GLITTERS
Create a luxurious spa ambiance in the bathroom with the
glistening new Sparkle and Glitter tap collections at Crosswater.
From small cloakrooms to grand master suites, the eye-catching
shimmer of the diamante inlays add a sophisticated touch of glitz
to any bathroom scheme for a refined five-star hotel finish. Inject
instant glamour with the super slim line tap design, Glitter, which
displays the finest in modern styling adorned with the highest
quality diamante stones. Shining with brilliance, Sparkle is
impeccably crafted and beautifully complements luxe décor
schemes offering an abundance of pizazz. For the perfect
pampering space, these collections ooze enchanting charisma to
transform a bathroom interior into a visual delight.
0845 873 8840 | www.crosswater.co.uk
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HOT TO TROT
To add value at minimal cost to any new or refurbished bathroom, the
inclusion of a demista™ heated mirror pad should be at the top of a
designer’s list. This pad is easy to install, and will ensure a steam free
mirror at all times, no matter how steamed up the bathroom. The
heated mirror pads are available in a variety of sizes, to suit most
mirrors and in the case of a particularly large surface, they can be
used in multiples. Running costs are minimal and once wired in to the
lighting system, they will gently warm the mirror when the bathroom
is in use. The UK winters can be unpredictable, either bitterly cold and
icy or less cold, but wet and windy, so be prepared and install electric
underfloor heating, the perfect way to ensure controllable, overall
warmth throughout the home. The advantages of electric underfloor
heating are obvious – no need for unsightly radiators, completely
silent, improved efficiency and ease of operation, to name a few. The
trend today is for solid floors, whether they are wood, laminate, stone,
marble or tile. The three options available are Cosyfloor™, Ecofloor
and Ecomat, each product designed for specific areas of the home.
01932866600 | [email protected] | www.demista.co.uk
BE CALM, AT PEACE
Methven has developed a pioneering new showering technology. Exclusively
engineered for Methven’s striking new Aio range, the patented Aurajet™ technology
delivers superior spray, maximum warmth and offers an unparalleled showering
experience. Methven’s latest innovation was developed following extensive research
into consumer showering preferences, taking the science of showering to new levels
by using water deflection to create fan-shaped sheets of water. The showerhead’s
hidden nozzles generate single jets of water that hit precisely-engineered surfaces to
produce a wide, even shower spray with no gaps and enhanced droplet density. Aurajet
delivers up to 20 per cent more total spray force than the SatinJet shower range and
double the water coverage on the skin than traditional showers, yet uses as little water
as nine litres per minute, continuing Methven’s commitment to savings on water and
energy bills for consumers. With greater spray force and body coverage, the shower
also offers increased warmth. Methven has integrated its ground-breaking Aurajet
technology into a stunning new shower collection, Aio. Referencing the company’s
New Zealand heritage, the word ‘Aio’ translates to ‘Be calm, at peace’.
The range will be complemented by a range of taps. www.methven.com/uk
THE MODERN BASIN
Everything you could want in a contemporary design statement,
Lapicida’s Modern Basin is simple, refined and highly
architectural. Hand carved in limestone, it comes in two natural
colours; grey and white. A matt, honed finish enhances the
absolute purity of its lines. Standing 200mm high x 545mm
diameter, the Modern Basin costs £594. From a wide selection
of classical and contemporary basins available at Lapicida.
Bespoke basins can also be made to special commission in
stone and semi-precious materials. www.lapicida.com
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Product gallery
EMERGING
CUSTOM CUT
TRENDS IN BLACK GEOMETRIC
FLOORS
One of the joys of natural stone is its infinite
variety of tone and texture, so that black becomes
a subtle, living shade rather than a flat colour.
This organic quality makes black stone easy to
live with; a chic look, which can play up into
super-contemporary or down into relaxed country
living. Lapicida see black as one of the biggest
emerging trends for walls and floors and offer an
inspirational choice of new and reclaimed black
stones - from limestone to slate and granite - in
countless different shapes, sizes and finishes.
Lapicida also offer a matchless range of bespoke
services and freestanding objects made to order.
www.lapicida.com
Luxury stone specialists Lapicida’s bespoke
floors are designed and made to order, using
both advanced technology and traditional
craftsmanship. Custom-designed floors featuring
geometric designs in a combination of materials
include, Thassos marble and Moleanos, Birr
Black and Hepworth Grey limestones. Each
design is waterjet cut in a process capable of
producing the most precise and intricate
detailing. Custom floors and walls can be made in
many other materials including Travertine,
antique stones and semi-precious materials.
Contact Lapicida for further information on its
wide range of bespoke services.
www.lapicida.com
RUSTIC WITH
A MODERN EDGE
Lapicida’s Marble Refectory Table unites a
weathered English Oak base with a sleek Italian
Carrara marble top. Handmade in Yorkshire, the
table is authentically rustic with a modern edge,
shown against a chic black Belgian Mix limestone
floor. The Marble Refectory Table comes in three
sizes: 1.8 metres from £2950, 2.4 metres from
£3450 and 3 metres from £3950. All three sizes
are one metre wide. The flooring featured is in
Belgian Mix (200 x 200 x 12mm and starts from
£72 per m2). Lapicida offer a matchless range of
bespoke services and freestanding objects made
to order.
www.lapicida.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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NEW CONCEPT FLOORING
Nadura is a completely new concept in flooring from Meister. Nadura,
Meister’s revolutionary engineered product, is engineered using wood powder
technology to create a flooring option that’s stylish, resilient and incredibly
tough; the product has a lifetime warranty on domestic use. Its unique
properties are achieved by bonding three layers together using heat and
pressure. Nadura Surface is a tough mix of wood powder and minerals;
AquaSafe, in the middle, is made from special wood materials to help prevent
damage from moisture; and Nadura Backing is specially engineered to
stabilise the structure of the flooring. Importantly for open plan living spaces,
Nadura floors are durable and impact resistant, unlike ceramic tiles, stone
and slate floors, which can crack when subjected to heavy impact. For busy
kitchen and living areas, Nadura offers the perfect combination of high
performance and stunning good looks. 01706 213131
[email protected] | www.facebook.com/MeisterUK
UBER-LUXE FLOOR FINISH
RAK Ceramics has introduced Platinum Black, a new lappato porcelain
tile. The lappato design has a striking metallic finish, combining streaked
silver and black tones, and emphasiSed by its monster-sized format. As
well as providing a luxurious aesthetic, the new honed tile also offers a
host of practical features, including exceptional durability and easy
maintenance. RAK’s new metallic is available in an impressive 60x120cm
format and has a vibrant, glazed finish. The tiles can be laid with narrow
white grout joints, to emphasis the large format, or with a darker joint to
create a fluid surface design. Practical benefits include resistance to water
and stains, as well as abrasion, impact and fire. The surface is easily
maintained and provides a very robust surface for high traffic applications,
in domestic and contract environments.
01730 237850 | [email protected] | www.rakceramics.co.uk
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Spotlight
PURPOSE AND BEAUTY
“A PERMANENT COLLECTION DESIGNED TO MEET FULLY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MODERN LIVING”
GEORGE NELSON, 1952
AT HERMAN MILLER, THEY BELIEVE WHAT THEY
MAKE IS IMPORTANT. THIS TRUISM, ALONG
WITH MANY OTHERS (THAT PRODUCTS MUST
BE HONEST AND THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A
MARKET FOR GOOD DESIGN) WERE FIRST
ARTICULATED IN GEORGE NELSON’S
INTRODUCTION TO THE 1948 HERMAN MILLER
COLLECTION CATALOGUE, AND THEY CONTINUE
TO INFORM THE HERMAN MILLER AGENDA
TODAY. WHETHER IT’S IN THE HOME OR THE
OFFICE OR ANY PLACE IN BETWEEN, THEY
BELIEVE THAT A WELL-CONSIDERED
ENVIRONMENT HELPS DEFINE AND ADD VALUE
TO WORK AND LIFE.
To assemble the collection, timeless pieces from
Herman Miller’s archives, all of which were
designed to be highly adaptive and versatile in
their own right, were the starting point. These
pieces have not only been restored to meet the
designers’ original intent, but have also been
updated to meet contemporary standards of
sustainability and durability. Additionally,
Herman Miller are committed to developing new
furniture and accessories with today’s most
talented designers who provide a bridge
between Herman Miller’s past and future,
reaffirming Nelson’s belief that the
“programme is strengthened by the
participation of a group of designers who share
Herman Miller’s particular attitudes.”
At Herman Miller, they believe there is a market
for good design. It is what has compelled the
company to create inventive, design-driven
solutions to life’s everyday problems for over a
century, and it continues to drive Herman Miller
in creating products that are as purposeful as
they are beautiful.
WIREFRAME SOFA GROUP
DESIGNED BY SAM HECHT & KIM COLIN
Taking steel wire, a material long revered in the
Herman Miller Collection for its strength and
utility, Sam Hecht and Kim Colin have created a
versatile seating group that answers today’s need
for comfort and durability. The designers chose to
work with wire because, explains Hecht, “With an
economy of material, a wire frame acts as a strong
and graceful ‘container’ for the human body.”
The sofa’s multi-layered, upholstered foam
cushions provide a strong visual counterpart to
the steel frame and render it about half the
weight of conventional sofas. Further, the sofa’s
sophisticated suspension technology is installed
in the base of the frame, adding extra durability
and comfort. Available in a white or black frame,
the two or three seat sofa and club chair and
ottoman options adapt easily to meet the evolving
needs of a casual yet sophisticated space. The
Wireframe Sofa Group is a thoughtful solution for
the way we live today.
NOGUCHI RUDDER TABLE
DESIGNED BY ISAMU NOGUCHI
Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi
believed his task as an artist was to shape space,
to give it order and meaning. His extraordinary
range of projects included playgrounds and
plazas, stage sets, gardens, stone-carved busts,
and Akari paper lights, as well as furniture for
Herman Miller. Two years after the introduction of
his famous glass-topped table, Noguchi created
the Rudder Table. Taking its name from the shape
of its single wood support, the table’s base is
rounded out by two simple metal hairpin legs.
With a biomorphic shape, the Rudder Table
enjoys a visual lightness and a material affinity
with other pieces in the Herman Miller Collection.
This updated archival design was adapted in
collaboration with the Noguchi Foundation and is
available in walnut, ebony, or white ash.
0845 226 7202 | www.hermanmiller.co.uk
61 Aldwych, London WC2B 4AE
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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CREATIVE BLOC
Kährs has introduced its new, creative Bloc Collection. Bloc is an
on-trend patterned wood floor created using individual oak staves,
in three different sizes and shades. Sections are easily joined using
an oak tongue to create unlimited geometric designs, from
traditional herringbone to modern brick, in single or multi-colours.
Staves can also be used to create eye-catching borders around
patterned or traditional plank floors. All Kährs Bloc staves have an
even timber grain, a lightly brushed surface and a beveled edge
along all four sides. Natural Bloc has a clear, satin lacquer
prefinish, whilst White and Grey Bloc each have a stained lacquer
finish, which creates an elegant washed hue. All Kährs finishes are
solvent-free, exceptionally durable and promote easy care. Individual
staves are 18mm thick and measure 300x300mm, 300x600mm or
300x 900mm; the engineered construction comprises a sustainable
oak surface layer and back, and a plywood core. This method
provides a surface that is climatically stable, making Kährs Bloc
Collection ideal for installation over underfloor heating systems.
023 9245 3045 | email [email protected] | kahrs.com
DRAMATIC
TRANSFORMATIONS
Revitalise furniture, feature walls and doors with Interior Film from
David Clouting, a unique range of self-adhesive, decorative films
manufactured by LG Hausys. Rooms can be dramatically
transformed in hours with minimum disruption. Interior Film is
versatile too and can be adhered to most substrates including:
wood, metals, plaster board, plastics and melamine. A bubble free
finish is achieved utilising air free technology. Interior Film is CE
Certificated so can be specified with confidence. Available in a
range of designs and finishes including: Exotic woods, Leather
effect, textured metals and Natural stone, Interior Film is part of a
wide range of innovative interior surface products offered by David
Clouting Ltd. www.davidclouting.co.uk
INSTANT ATTRACTION
Design and build quality is often assessed by first impressions and what
better way to set the right note than by the choice of interior door and
door assemblies. Vicaima offers designers, developers and contractors
real scope to put their own stamp on things with imaginative options in
quality veneered and laminated finishes. Two examples of Vicaima’s
contemporary design ideas include the introduction of the Dekordor 3D
and the Naturdor Oak stained ranges. Vicaima’s Dekordor 3D embossed
face finished doors have really made a big impression, with their highly
tactile yet surprisingly durable face finish. Used widely in apartments
and luxury living accommodation, Dekordor 3D presents a modern door
option with real uniformity of colour and texture. Available in five
popular finishes including grey and a recently introduced oak. For
specifiers keen to reflect the recent trend for stained oak floors and
kitchens, Vicaima have also developed an exciting selection of real oak
veneered doors with the added charm of staining to bring out the
natural beauty of wood in new and less common hues, such as
chocolate, hazel and grey, in addition to limed oak, wenge and walnut.
01793 532333 | [email protected] | www.vicaima.com
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Interior Design Today May 2015
Spotlight
EXPONA
FLOW
A CUT ABOVE
THE REST
FLOORING
WITH FLAVOUR
Polyflor has revealed Expona Flow, an exciting
collection of 50 heavy commercial sheet vinyl
flooring designs launched under the renowned
Expona brand. A unique addition to the Expona
family, Expona Flow is available in a two metre
wide sheet format with a 2mm gauge and a
0.7mm wear layer. Authentically replicating
natural wood planks from a diverse range of tree
species and wood treatments, combined with
innovative abstract and fantastical materials, the
variety of colour and pattern combinations
available is vast. The Expona Flow collection is
UK manufactured and enhanced with Polyflor
PUR, Polyflor’s exclusive and robust polyurethane
reinforcement which is cross linked and UV cured
to provide superior cleaning benefits. The new
Expona Flow collection is beautifully presented
within a sampling package which includes a 60
page brochure, a comprehensive presenter and
shadecards. The Expona Flow collection offers a
wide variety of shades and patterns, designed to
look beautiful whether they are used individually
or combined with other designs from the range.
Polyflor’s Expona Design range of luxury vinyl
flooring tiles was used to create a bold black and
white herringbone design, revitalising Crowning
Glorie hair salon in Bristol. Installed by local
flooring contractor Bristol Flooring, the fitters
used 46m² of Expona Design PUR luxury vinyl
tiles to create this on trend statement floor. The
contemporary chevron effect was created using
Expona Design flooring in the contrasting colours
of Black Elm 6183 and White Oak 6185, to match
the salon’s signature monochrome style. The high
performance Expona Design range is ideal for
use in regular footfall areas like retail and
commercial environments with its 3.0mm gauge
and 0.7mm wear layer. The collection features 28
design options including authentic wood and
stone effects with surface embossing. The
Expona range offers unlimited flooring design
possibilities to create an impact and attract
customers into retail spaces. Unique patterns can
be created by laying Expona tiles in many
different arrangements, or for a truly bespoke
flooring design Polyflor’s in-house design team
can use water jet cutting technology to create
intricate images and logos.
Luxury vinyl tiles from Polyflor’s high design and
high performance Expona flooring range were
used to create a sophisticated statement floor
design at Harris + Hoole coffee shop in Slough.
With unlimited design possibilities available from
the Expona range, a combination of tiles in
contrasting colours were chosen by interior and
retail branding design consultancy Path Design of
London to create a striking effect. Flooring from
two collections within the Expona range were
selected for use in this retail space; heavy duty
commercial Expona Design PUR tiles for front of
house and Expona Control PUR safety flooring for
back of house. Flooring contractors Redlay
Flooring installed 185m² of Expona Design
flooring in the drinking and dining areas of the
high street artisan coffee shop fitted out by
Uplands Retail. The design incorporated a
mixture of contemporary colours and textures
using tiles in Light Elm 6182 wood effect and
textile effect Creme Matrix 8077 and Mocca
Matrix 8076. Another 25m² of flooring was
installed behind the serving counter and back of
house, using Expona Control in Light Elm 6506.
Expona samples can be ordered free of charge on the Polyflor website or by calling the Polyflor Samples Direct Hotline on 0161767 2551
0161 767 1111 | [email protected] | www.polyflor.com
Polyflor Ltd PO Box 3, Radcliffe New Road, Whitefield, Manchester M45 7NR
May 2015 Interior Design Today
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THE RUSTEEL EFFECT
Armourcoat, the decorative surface specialists, have introduced a new
metal rust finish. The Rusteel® finish offers an authentic rusted iron or
patina effect, creating an aged, weather-beaten, metal surface. This timeworn finish similar to weathering (or Corten) steel is created from a
water-based paint with metal particles which naturally tarnish when
activated. A sealer coat is used once the desired effect is achieved and
provides a further protective layer. The finish is available exclusively
through the ArmourFX modular panel system. The ArmourFX range of
panels has evolved from Armourcoat’s renowned applied seamless wall
finishes. Armourcoat's specialist designers and artisan plasterers can
create integrated custom wall panel systems or design statement single
artwork pieces. The prefinished panels offer a rapid installation with ease
of handling, and are ideal for projects under tight deadlines for
completion. [email protected] | www.armourfx.com
GLOBAL LIGHT
Deltalight is recognised as being one of the largest
and most prestigious architectural lighting
manufacturers in the world today. Deltalight have
been operating globally since 1992 and in the UK
since 1997. With an architectonic approach to
contemporary and innovative lighting creations,
Deltalight has quickly established a name for itself
in the world market, growing to become a
trendsetter and industry leader. The company works
with individuals, architects and design professionals
alike on projects both large and small. A team of
knowledgeable lighting specialists operate
throughout the UK with the capacity to provide
lighting calculations and project visualisation to
meet client needs. A wide range of indoor and
outdoor light fittings are available, including many
eco-friendly, LED and IP rated options.
0870 757 7087 | www.deltalight.co.uk
REIMAGINING NATURE
LALIQUE is a symbol of artistic tradition and craftsmanship. This
new collection is a revealing insight into the immeasurable legacy of
René Lalique. With the greatest admiration and respect for his
work, LALIQUE gives a fresh vision of iconic designs: the Tourbillons
vase, the Flora Bella bowl and the Anemone are transfigured
through new colours, sizes, shapes and uses. Each piece originally
draws its inspiration from nature and invites us to admire its beauty:
the quiet blossoming of a fern that mimics the movement of the
wind or a wave, the poetic flair of a flower or the sensual curves of a
woman’s silhouette. Sculptor of light, LALIQUE uses a subtle elixir
of creativity and know-how to immortalise nature through crystal.
Inspired by movement of the fern blossom, a recurring theme in
René Lalique’s work, Tourbillons abstract design allows for the
utmost freedom of interpretation. Graphic and poetic, its curves
stunningly follow the rhythm of light, drawing the eye into whirls of
crystal and light. In limited editions of 288 pieces, the Tourbillons
vases and bowl are highlighted with a hand-applied blue patina.
lalique.com
May 2015 Interior Design Today
79
Last Word
thelastword
NICHE CONCEPTS
MARK BITHREY, DESIGN DIRECTOR AT B3 DESIGNERS, OFFERS UP HIS EXPERTISE ON THE
‘NICHE CONCEPTS’ MOVEMENT AND MERGING OF THE FOOD AND DESIGN WORLDS
THE ‘NICHE CONCEPTS’ MOVEMENT IS AN
INTERESTING TREND AT THE MOMENT; IT SEES
FOOD OFFERING AND DESIGN WORKING VERY
CLOSE ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER TO CREATE
THE DISTINCTIVENESS OF THE EXPERIENCE ON
OFFER. THIS IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE
PROMINENT IN TODAY’S EATING OUT CULTURE.
We are finding innovative restaurants are creating
very interesting menus by focusing on one main
food offer/ experience. Another interesting
experience that ‘niche concepts’ offers us is the
opportunity to revisit the provenance of food
through revivalism. This is a notion that design can
reinforce by forming the environment that
embodies the food offer, suggesting a tone,
atmosphere and ultimately and sense of
experience for diners. Overall consumers have
become less and less concerned about the brand
when dinning out and more with the overall
experience and the emotional impact that this can
deliver.
Sometimes this is strong conceptually and will go
the distance as it invites people to try the 'best' of
particular ingredients. Menus change but the base
ingredients remain the same. This gives the food
offer a sense of authenticity and skillful execution
that is reassuring. Pork-centric restaurant
Blackfoot by ex-Leonite Tom Ward executes this
very well.
Sometimes it relies on novelty and diners no doubt
feel they are living a Nathan Barley sketch e.g.
Cereal Killer Café, the UKs first speciality Cereal
Café selling 120 different types of cereal from
around the world and 30 different varieties of milk.
Another good example of this is Tincan, a pop up
restaurant project by Amanda Levete, AL_A
Architects serving the finest tinned seafood from
around the world.
Alongside niche concepts trend, we have found
niche ‘food pairing’ is still very popular. Being given
a smaller selection of food and drink and executing
that food offer very well. Good examples of these
are Bubbledogs, Burger & Lobster, Dirty Burger +
Chicken Shop and Tramshed to name a few. When
we designed Bubbledogs, a key consideration was
the use of laid back furniture and materials like
the reclaimed stools and shelve counters
juxtaposed against more elegant, sophisticated
materials like the polished copper bar and hand
blown bubble pendants, originally from a grand
chandelier. Creating this contrast was
representative of the food and drink offer, the laid
back hot dogs with champagne. In niche concepts,
this is the value that design provides, adding layers
on layers to the experience.
Another little trend we have noticed is ‘Chef-onresidence’ concept. We get quite excited when
chefs are invited to our favourite restaurants for a
few weeks or for a one-off event at established
restaurants and pop-ups. Guest Series at Lyle’s
restaurant is a great example of this where we saw
Head Chef, James Lowe, welcoming Leandro
Carreira to his kitchen. Jones and Sons
collaboration with Tripkitchen is another great
example of this ‘Chefs-on- residence’ trend. Niche
concepts –it’s all in the experience.
www.b3designers.co.uk
May 2015 Interior Design Today
81
Buyers guide
BATHROOMS
CURTAIN MAKERS
FURNITURE
Bespoke designs
manufactured in-house
BESPOKE FURNISHINGS
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To advertise here contact:
Vicky Bullivant
01733 385314
[email protected]
82
Interior Design Today May 2015
TODAY
Deanswood Interiors
01634 814444
[email protected]
www.deanswood.co.uk