Christian Werner on the balance of simplicity
Bathroom trends from ISH 2023
The master of modern classics
VERY WARM WELCOME TO OUR new-look magazine. In fact, there’s quite a lot of ‘new’ to tell you about this month. Firstly, you may already have noticed that we are now fully synced with our online brand, bringing both our print magazine and our ever-growing website together under the designerati name.
Since its launch in 2000, the magazine has been at the forefront of inspiring kitchen, bathroom and interior design. Over the years, the brand has grown and evolved to include an extensive range of offerings, including the industry’s most highly-respected design awards, an indispensable digital magazine and website, specification guides, extensive social media activity, plus our hugely popular podcast series. Now seems the ideal time to unite all of these exciting formats as part of the latest in a long-line of evolutions for our magazine.
Secondly, this year the magazine has switched to a bi-monthly
MARTIN ALLEN-SMITH Editordesigneratifrequency, enabling us to deliver more in-depth and considered content for designers, architects, and indeed anyone involved in creating kitchens, bathrooms, and interiors. Our focus remains on delivering insightful case studies, must-read interviews with leading design figures, and key issues affecting creators and specifiers, but within a bold new format that will enable us to go further to bring you the very best content and most inspiring design ideas.
As well as refining our offering in print, these changes will enable us to significantly ramp-up our online content, so do be sure to keep fully up-to-date with the exciting projects, products and innovations that we have in store for you at designerati.co.uk
In the meantime, we would really love to hear your feedback on our new look, so please do get in touch with me directly with any comments and suggestions.
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“SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2000, THE MAGAZINE HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF INSPIRING KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND INTERIOR DESIGN”
April / May 2023 - Issue 270
6 SOURCE
Our round-up of the people, products, and places that matter from across K&B design
14 OLD MEETS NEW
A home extension and renovation project has given new life to a Grade II listed house, creating a seamless contemporary space for family living
20 ISH 2023
Highlights from Europe’s biggest bathroom exhibition
30 PROFESSIONAL DAYDREAMER
German designer Christian Werner has created the Vitrium range for bathroom brand Duravit, unifying a new mineral casting manufacturing technique for washbasins with a bold, mixed-material furniture line-up
38 SCANDI BLEND
Scandinavian design meets Art Nouveau; this is how Nordiska Kök describes its latest kitchen collaboration with interior design studio AO/JN Interiors
40 ABLUTION EVOLUTION
Roberto Palomba talks to designerati about bold new creative directions at Ideal Standard
46 MASTER CRAFT
Complex planning and craftsmanship were the cornerstone of a striking kitchen project in a historic Georgian manor house
50 MODERNIST REINVENTION
A post-war London property is transformed with a light-filled, open plan layout for modern family life
58 ACCESS ALL AREAS
Bathroom brand KEUCO has collaborated with Studio F.A. Porsche to create a range of accessible products that combine top design specification with maximum usability
60 RAY OF LIGHT
A modern villa in Lyon, France, brings architectural impact and natural light together to create a bold, luxury living space
66 EXIT
Mosaic techniques make a splash with some truly sparkling swimming pool colour
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Our latest digest of people , places , and ideas includes Tom Dixon, sustainable showering, and CDW 2023
Tom Dixon designed the Milan installation using Cosentino’s Dekton with the vision of the bathroom as a sculptural space
A collaboration between surface manufacturer Cosentino and designer Tom Dixon aims to challenge conventional interpretations of the bathroom from a simply functional space to a sculptural place of refuge and contemplation.
Made using Dekton, an ambitious installation on display during Milan Design Week in April was created to focus ideas on how the bathroom space could be transformed through a high-impact, architectural and sculptural intervention.
Called Metamorphic, the installation features four modules of varying size that showcase a new vision of the bathroom space as a focal point of interior architecture. Dixon’s aim was to take visitors on a journey through the modular world, with surreal shapes and the dramatic effect of water, sound and light. He said: “I’ve long been fascinated by prefabricated bathrooms inserted into buildings as modules, which was the departure point and initial inspiration behind Metamorphic. After visiting the Dekton production facility in Spain, I was enthralled by the innovation and sustainability of the material. Its durability and beauty allowed me to create a unified and seamless 3D installation – almost as if it was carved out of stone.
“The end result showcases the bathroom as a practical place of refuge and awakens the opportunity for these spaces to be more expressive and heroic.”
The sole collection used to create the installation is the new Dekton Pietra Kode, which reinterprets the three classic Italian stones of Vicenza, Travertine and Ceppo di Gré. Five colourways featured in the project: Grafite; Sabbia; Ceppo; Nebbia; and Marmorio. cosentino.com/landings/metamorphic designresearchstudio.net
Shelf is an innovative extraction solution from the new Elements collection designed especially for walled kitchens. With its ultra-compact hood function, this element can be enriched with additional modules, creating a versatile hanging furniture system that expands the limits of the interior design.
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ART DIRECTOR LEE THOMAS
GRAPHIC DESIGNER BEN EMMERSON
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Italian manufacturer Cesar and UK-based interior design company Espresso Design have opened a new London showroom dedicated to the Cesar brand. Situated on the second floor of the Design Centre at London’s Chelsea Harbour, the Cesar by Espresso showroom features several displays including Tangram, the new Garcia-Cumini design project, Maxima 2.2, N_Elle, Intarsio, and the Dressup system.
Andrew Hamilton Barr, Director at Espresso Design, said: “Cesar’s Italian craftsmanship and industrial expertise in the production of cutting-edge kitchens, together with their sophisticated design and innovative approach, made them a natural partner for this new collaboration.”
FINANCE DIRECTOR CHRIS CORKE accounts@thedsgroup.co.uk
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Other new Cesar stores scheduled to open this year include Cesar by Nero in Barcelona, Cesar by AHC in Bern, and a flagship store in Vancouver, followed by showrooms in New York and Casablanca. espressodesign.co.uk, cesar.it
Bathroom brand GROHE has revealed details of its water-recycling shower GROHE Everstream, expected to be available to customers from Spring 2024.
The shower system is currently being field-tested and a training programme for installers is expected to start in the second half of 2023. In addition, the manufacturer is also aiming to have all GROHE concealed showers water-recycling-ready by 2030.
Everstream has been designed to create a high-quality showering experience while consuming as little fresh water as possible, as well as using less energy. GROHE says that its Everstream system uses as little as a quarter of the water and a third of the energy typically required by traditional showers, translating into a cost-saving of up to 65% a year for a four-person household and up to 70% fewer CO2 emissions, depending on individual shower habits.
The concept divides the shower process into three parts. First, users start the shower with fresh water, as with any regular shower. Once finished using the shampoo or soap, the user can switch mode; the water collected in the drain after switching is pumped into a circuit, maintaining the desired temperature, and hygienically treating the water. After use, cleaning takes place to prepare the shower for the next user.
David Mainka, Leader of Electronics and Innovation R&D Fittings at LIXIL International, said: “As we strive towards a circular economy, circularity can also play a much bigger role within our products themselves. GROHE Everstream takes our technology to the next level. We are looking forward to the results of our field-testing of the product, to fine tune it for market launch in 2024.” grohe.co.uk
Flooring brand Malmo has embraced the terrazzo trend with its new Marma design, one of four new styles added to its rigid comfort LVT flooring range. An alternative to real stone and ceramic options, the tiles are durable and quick to install using Malmo’s Välinge 5G installation system, with push down end joints. The tiles measure 457mm x 300mm x 5.5mm with a built-in 1mm underlay. malmoflooring.com
“AS WE STRIVE TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY, CIRCULARITY CAN ALSO PLAY A MUCH BIGGER ROLE WITHIN OUR PRODUCTS THEMSELVES”
Precision control for your cooking - elegance for your kitchen NikolaTesla Unplugged is the new extractor hob with easy, responsive control. Its beautifully balanced, easy clean knobs give you intuitive, precise control of the power and advanced cooking functions of your induction hob. Powerful whisper quiet built-in extraction with environmentally friendly 5 years regeneratable filters keeps your living area odour free. elica.co.uk
design Fabrizio Crisà
Kitchens and bathrooms figure highly in this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week line-up. The 12th edition of the show takes place 23-25 May, comprising over 600 events in and around London’s creative district.
On St John Street, Japanese bathroom manufacturer TOTO will focus on its new washlet models shown in the UK for the first time. Neighbouring showroom, RAK Ceramics, will have a host of new surfaces, brassware and sanitaryware on display – from RAK-Valet by Patrick Norguet to CookingRAK, a hidden induction cooking system designed to create a multifunctional kitchen space for everyday use.
Over at Design Fields, German ceramic specialist Villeroy & Boch will launch a new range of bathroom taps and fittings and announce a new designer collaboration. Taking part in the event for the first time will be Spanish brand Fiora, presenting its semi-modular bathroom furniture collection, Rok.
Ideal Standard will bring three new designs by Palomba Serafini Associati to its Clerkenwell Road showroom. They include the Gusto tap series building on the brand’s kitchen offering, and the Alu+ shower systems designed to offer a spa-like experience.
Recently opened on Charterhouse Street, the BAGNODESIGN Architecture + Design Gallery will display its new mixer range, Chiasso, alongside its furniture line, Alpine, which can be configured to work for multiple settings. On Farringdon Lane, Gessi will present its new Habito mixer collection featuring six decorative patterns and 13 finishes of its signature Woven Metal.
There will also be events and new launches from other brands including Kohler, VitrA and The Splash Lab. clerkenwelldesignweek.com
“THE 12TH EDITION OF CDW COMPRISES OVER 600 EVENTS IN AND AROUND LONDON’S CREATIVE DISTRICT”Above: The Habito mixer by Italian manufacturer Gessi Below: Designer Yinka Ilori has teamed up with Domus to create his debut tile collection. Yinka Ilori x Domus features his trademark colour palette and patterns across two new ranges and will be on show in a window display at Domus Clerkenwell on Great Sutton Street
The Artist’s House is a private extension and renovation project by Winchester-based architects AR Design Studio. This addition, located in the heart of Winchester’s Conservation Area, sought to remove a series of previous small extensions and a conservatory. In their place would be a single space that would reconnect the various components of the house and open it up to its garden.
This Grade II listed house, dating from the 18th Century, was used as a public house until 1903. Since then, various piecemeal additions over time have masked much of the original rear elevation of the house. Through rigorous consultations with the council and their conservation officers, a design approach was developed that would strip back much of the clutter, with a new lightweight addition taking its place.
A former public house, the building had been added to on numerous occasions in its history and needed unifying as a home
Key to this was pulling the extension away from the original rear wall of the house. A full width rooflight is used in order to bridge the gap between the two with a light connection, allowing natural light to highlight the wall and ensure that a clear distinction is made between the new and old. An elegant roof connects the different wings of the house, enclosing the new kitchen and dining spaces below. Full height glazing opens this space out onto a new patio and the garden beyond.
The material palette used is deliberately muted to draw attention to the fabric of the original listed components of the house. Timber is used alongside aluminium fasciae and a light grey tile to soften its appearance. This is carried between the interior and exterior spaces, keeping the number of materials to a minimum and allowing a seamless transition between the two. The original red brick and stone walls have had several past layers of paint removed to restore the appearance of the full two storey wall and enable it to form the backdrop of the extension. This carefully considered addition has breathed new life into this historic home. It reconnects previously disjointed elements of the house and its garden, providing a new space for modern living while respecting and enhancing its heritage.
Realising the need for a larger kitchen, dining and entertaining space, the owners teamed with local architects, AR Design Studio, and Keith Myers of The Myers Touch Kitchen Design Studio to create a modern, contemporary family kitchen and dining space that would extend seamlessly to a landscaped garden at the rear.
Working closely with the homeowner and AR Design Studio’s outline plan, Keith Myers of The
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Myers Touch Kitchen Design Studio developed a scheme that was to include a beautiful, yet functional statement island in the centre of the new space, as well as consider the materials, storage systems and appliances for the main rear wall cabinetry. The clients had a passion for design and symmetry but also required the layout to be functional and have plenty of storage in order to ensure that the new extension remained uncluttered.
The original walls of the property had many angled walls and featured some tight spaces, so careful consideration of SieMatic’s cabinetry choices was given to ensure maximum functionality in those spaces. After much consideration, Myers specified SieMatic’s SC10 Cabinetry in a Provence Oak Laminate finish which was placed in a framed style at the rear wall. The same cabinetry was specified for under the island to create a contrast with the new and original material features in the space.
In order for the family to keep the kitchen uncluttered, careful planning of internal storage systems was considered in the form of using SieMatic’s internal Drawer boxes and their MultiMatic internal storage system which were used to store smaller items such as spices and sauces, as well whilst providing space for slide-out drawers and storage baskets.
For the central island, Myers combined contrasting textures by using 30mm Silestone Eternal Calacatta natural stone, polished worktops with ‘waterfall island’ edges and a Corian solid surface back panel. The geometric patterned Corian panel in Cameo White looks particularly spectacular at night when the owners turn on the architectural-toned lighting under the island.
Appliances chosen for the island included a sophisticated Elica Illusion extractor hood so it could be totally integrated in the new architectural space without visual distraction, a Siemens iQ500 Induction Hob with touch-slide control, and a Caple undercounter wine cabinet. To maximise every inch of the new space and to ensure the owners had a place for everything, Myers also used additional cabinetry and storage options in the island such as extra deep drawers to store saucepans, cutlery, and everyday crockery.
The eye-catching antique-bronze mirrored splashback not only helps to provide the illusion of extra space but reinforces family ‘togetherness’ as it reflects and links the rear of the kitchen ‘snug’ area where family members can sit and relax or work when not in the main kitchen extension area.
The original toned brickwork and 18th Century steel windows in the original part of the extension also help to tell the story about the older part of the house which now juxtaposes to the new, contemporary kitchen living extension. A handy door was also included in the extension which leads to the garage on the main road for family convenience and over-flow storage.
THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS
We have a lot of experience working collaboratively with AR Design – they will initially design the layout of the kitchen in a new project, and from there we work closely with the client and AR Design to decide on the final design details, cabinetry choices, worktops and functional aspects of the layout to make sure we cater for how a client wants to live, work, cook, entertain and feel in the space that works from the inside out.
MY FAVOURITE ASPECT OF THE SCHEME
I love the warm and contemporary tones of the kitchen cabinetry that contrast so beautifully with the exposed original brick walls from the original rear wall of the house, so that it becomes a harmonious fusion of old and new in the space. The antique bronze mirror splashback is another lovely feature as it gives the illusion of extra space reflecting the snug and dining area of the room, but also adds a touch of sophisticated luxury to the space.
FRENCH DESIGNER PHILIPPE STARCK EXPLAINS WHY THE NEED FOR CLEAR THINKING INSPIRED HIS LATEST BATHROOM DESIGN FOR DURAVIT…
Arranged like a Japanese lunchbox, the Bento Starck Box bathroom series for Duravit features several internal compartments to enable items to be organised within the piece. With divided wet and dry areas, the basin and bathtub are intended to offer customisation in the way the user arranges their most-used toiletries and accessories within easy reach.
Presented for the first time at ISH 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, the product was shown as part of Duravit’s Artisan Lines series, alongside other distinctive creations from Sebastian Herkner, Christian Werner, and Studio F.A. Porsche.
Bento Starck Box includes washbasin, toilet sets and a bathtub, and is designed to be combined with the dimensions of the furniture and taps of the Starck-designed White Tulip series. The 650mm-wide washbasin is made from DuraCeram and offered alongside countertop basins in a range of sizes, all available in white and white satin matt.
Starck said: “I have been in Japan for periods of my life, and I was always so happy when I saw my bento lunch box arrive each day, because it was clear, it was serene. You know exactly where you will find the rice, the soup, or the sushi. It is perfect and simple.
“Too often, people think that creators should exist in fertile clouds, and that this is where the ideas are. It’s not true; the clouds are like a desert. Instead, you have ideas when you are empty and free of other distractions.
“I have had bento boxes in my house for 50 years now. When I am in my bathroom, I want to be able to keep my mind very clear, so I considered how something like this could help with making a place for everything you need without thought. That’s why organisation is freedom, especially when it is also elegant.” duravit.co.uk, starck.com
Europe’s biggest bathroom exhibition returned after a Covid-enforced break, with plenty of pent-up creativity from some of the sector’s leading brands. We pick out a few selected highlights...
BATHROOM BRAND LAUFEN HAS REVEALED A NEW INTERPRETATION OF ITS ICONIC ILBAGNOALESSI COLLECTION, HARNESSING ADVANCES IN MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY SINCE THE ORIGINAL RANGE...
Designed by Stefano Giovannoni, ILBAGNOALESSI is one of the brand’s longest-running and most successful collections. In cooperation with design brand Alessi, Laufen has reinterpreted the range utilising Saphirkeramik, a material that enables thinner ceramic shapes. New washstands and washbasins have been created by Giovannoni, including basins with rounded forms in different sizes leading to the distinctive new Tuna washbasin whose long, organic form has been accentuated with a slim new profile. It is available in a countertop or built-in version, in a variety of finishes.
The new ILBAGNOALESSI range also comprises a series of new furnishings, including cabinets with squared geometric lines, and handleless drawers with borders at a 45-degree angle. New wood varieties and the warm, earthy tones of the coloured laminated versions have been created to complement the stoneware surfaces, creating chromatic effects and creative material juxtapositions. The colour palette offers a range of over 30 hues and three special finishes, with metallic options such as copper, titanium and gold.
Another highlight is a striking frame structure made of black aluminium, which accompanies the mirror and furniture as a connecting element and sets the scene for the unusual shapes. This structure is equipped with an LED lighting system which offers a choice of mood settings which can be controlled via an app or remote control. laufen.com
GLASS DESIGN HAS BROADENED ITS OFFERING, ADDING VANITY UNITS DESIGNED TO MATCH ITS RANGE OF HIGH-END BASINS...
Inspired by the creativity of Italian design capital Milan, MilanoBath offers numerous configuration options for open or closed storage sections, as well as accompanying accessories such as mirrors and lighting.
The furniture is available in a range of material options, including Bamboo in various finishes, combined with brass, or porcelain stone in either Calacatta or Nero Marquinia marble effect. glassdesign.it
FRENCH BATH AND KITCHEN FITTINGS MANUFACTURER THG PARIS LAUNCHED A NUMBER OF NEW COLLECTIONS AT ISH...
...including Estrella, created by US-based designer Alexandra Champalimaud, who said: “I love the challenge of taking the mundane and making it innately extraordinary. The collection with THG Paris is largely inspired by teapots, especially from the Art deco period.
“Visually, I started seeing the angles and its spout as faucets and fixtures. On a conceptual level, the beauty of teapots and tea service elevates the simple ritual of drinking tea. That’s what we’re doing here for the bathroom, elevating the experience.” thg-paris.com
BETTE INTRODUCED ITS NEW BETTEBALANCE WASHBASINS WHICH OFFERS FOUR VARIANTS OF ONE SLENDER BOWL DESIGN...
Made from glazed titanium steel, the basins are lightweight yet long-lasting.
Developed for Bette by Tesseraux & Partner, there are four built-in and surface-mounted variants, each with a circular inner body with a diameter of 395mm. The undermounted and built-in washbasins are the classics for installation in bathroom furniture, with the slender rim created in only the thickness of the material itself. A cylindrical countertop washbasin and a washbasin bowl complete the range, which is available in numerous colours, including matt and sparking effect finishes. my-bette.com/en
THE DIVA COLLECTION IS A NEW FURNITURE RANGE FROM ITALIAN MANUFACTURER SCARABEO
Designed to complement the brand’s Moon washbasins, DIVA has a tubular metal structure and is available in three main finish options: matt black; grey; and dove grey as well as a new refined brushed gold. scarabeosrl.com
ROCA BROUGHT A SPLASH OF COLOUR TO PROCEEDINGS WITH NU, A VIBRANT NEW COLLECTION CREATED BY SPANISH DESIGNER INMA BERMÚDEZ...
The collection features three handle designs, a palette of bright colours and a variety of shapes and sizes. The collection also includes options for washbasins, bidets, showers, bathtubs, and the kitchen.
Among the options are three different handles – Pin, Dome and Stripes – which come in six glossy colours inspired by Roca’s Mediterranean heritage, including green, blue, yellow, black, white and chrome.
uk.roca.com
BATHROOM BRAND HANSGROHE PRESENTED ITS ‘DREAM BATHROOM’ CONCEPTS AT ISH, EACH AIMING TO BRING A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO THE MOST PERSONAL OF SPACES IN THE HOME...
The brand invited design studio Ippolito Fleitz Group to create three concepts intended to act as a tool for inspiration at trade fairs, in showrooms, and online, with each of the designs taking a different approach to user needs through create use of surfaces, materials, lighting and accessories. See full details on the concepts and the thinking behind them at designerati.co.uk hansgrohe.co.uk, ifgroup.org
RAK-VALET IS LATEST COLLABORATION BETWEEN MANUFACTURER RAK CERAMICS AND FRENCH DESIGNER PATRICK NORGUET. The range embodies the designer’s concept of the valet as ‘at your service’, offering shapes and dimensions to best meet the needs of its user. Consisting of washbasins, a bathtub and several accessories, the collection comes in a matt or glossy finish. rakceramics.com
RAK CERAMICS ALSO SHOWCASED ITS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES...
...and how they could be applied to the design and manufacture of washbasins with a demonstration of 3D printing technology. The manufacturer believes that such processes bring a number of important advantages over traditional casting techniques, enabling on-demand, scalable, and highly creative designs that can be produced with less waste, since 3D printing production is additive rather than done by taking material away from a larger block. rakceramics.com
RETURN OF THE EVENT AFTER A 4-YEAR ABSENCE
2,025 EXHIBITORS FROM 54 COUNTRIES
154,000 VISITORS FROM 154 COUNTRIES 44% OF VISITORS FROM OUTSIDE OF GERMANY
German designer Christian Werner has created the Vitrium range for bathroom brand Duravit, unifying a new mineral casting manufacturing technique for washbasins with a bold, mixed-material furniture line-up
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THE VITRIUM COLLECTION.
“Vitrium is based around an aluminium frame which gives it the main characteristic. At ISH, we showed the version with the glass front. The idea for me was to bring more cozyness to the bathroom. This is a space within the home where people like to have beautiful towels and toiletries so I thought ‘why hide them?’”
“The glass front makes the furniture act like a vitrine in which you can arrange and display these beautiful items. It’s backlit which adds to the atmosphere in the bathroom and reflects the fact that lighting has become an increasingly important part of the space, especially when it comes to the versatility. I have different feelings towards the bathroom in the morning compared to the evening: in the morning I want to be energised and invigorated; in the evening it is more about contem-
plation, relaxation and calming down. So there needs to be a completely different light. The backlighting in this glass-fronted version almost gives a warming fireplace effect in the evening.”
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE KEY AIMS FOR THE DESIGN OF THE RANGE?
“The important thing is to give the user these ideas and to tell the story of what’s possible – ultimately, the main thing is to offer these choices to enable them to use the space in exactly the way they wish. As a designer, of course I want to be able to tell a story with these designs, but I am always concerned not to impose that on the user. It ultimately has to be about their own story. That’s why much more important than what I have to say about it, is the way in which the user can play with it, and assimilate it into their own personal
Below: “I made this round basin to a slightly bigger dimension to the furniture, creating a contrast and an interplay between the two,” explains designer Christian Werner. “It enables a lot more flexibility to work with smaller bathrooms, particularly those in which you approach the basin from the side.”
story. With the L-Cube and Ketho designs for Duravit, I was careful to just bring it down, to simplify, and take care to let the customer determine how it should be.
“My designs must always be functional, but on top of that there has to be much, much more too. There has to be a sensitivity and an emotional aspect which, for me, is very important.”
DOES THE COLLECTION FOCUS SOLELY ON THIS OPEN, VISIBLE AESTHETIC?
“The glass is an important part of the collection, but of course such visibility is not to everyone’s tastes. As well as glass, there are fronts in white gloss and wood finishes, because I respect that some people will prefer things to be a little more hidden away. These options are equally beautiful, and in fact it can work especially well to mix them up, so that some sections are glass and others not. It is an open game for the user to play with.”
HOW DO YOU DESIGN FOR SIMPLICITY? WHEN DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO STOP CHANGING OR
ENHANCING A DESIGN TO AVOID OVER-COMPLICATING IT?
“For me, it is just gut instinct, a feeling. It is a constant aim to find the perfect balance between ‘simplicity’ and ‘too much’. Some designers take ideas directly from something that has triggered an idea, but I tend to find my inspiration from within, often through a complete mix of different things I have seen.
“I feel like I’m always collecting images in my mind. I’m a very visual person, so I see many different things when I travel and store them, but the way in which my simple mind explores them and draws on them is sometimes hard to define or explain. It just works. I think I’m more of a professional daydreamer.”
DOES THAT MEAN YOU CAN NEVER SWITCH OFF THE CREATIVE, DESIGN-FOCUSED MIND?
“No, I can’t. But that does not mean it is always turned up to the maximum. You have to put yourself in the right mood, and I sometimes feel when I am getting a creative push and I’ve learned when to recognise that and to harness it.”
“I think all of the best designs I’ve created are when I have designed for myself. When I consider how I want to live, what I want to surround myself with, what kind of beautiful-yetfunctional things I want in my life. This is the main source of my inspiration. I’m not an analytic person, I’m very intuitive and I’m drawing the whole day. I think with my pen in my hand.
HOW DO YOU BRING THIS TO BEAR ON YOUR WORK FOR CLIENTS?
“One of the good things about working with Duravit over the years
“I FEEL LIKE I’M ALWAYS COLLECTING IMAGES IN MY MIND. I’M A VERY VISUAL PERSON, SO I SEE MANY DIFFERENT THINGS WHEN I TRAVEL AND STORE THEM...”
is having the freedom to design. Of course, you have to know which segment and market position we need to create for, but then beyond that, the designer needs the creative freedom to explore how to fulfil that brief. Often, design starts with a question: Is this possible? Can we achieve that? This is how we developed the C-bonded technology – I asked the head of production whether it would be possible to have the wood and the ceramic in an almost seamless form. It took three years for the technicians to develop a machine that made it possible, and now they have a worldwide patent on that.
“But these ideas don’t ever become reality if you are simply following lines that you have already learned. Part of my job is to question everything. If you do not do that then it becomes impossible to take any forward steps. Some manufacturers will say ‘no, we have to do it this way because we always have’. Duravit are not like this at all. They are determined to lead with new ideas and that makes them fun and professional to work with.”
duravit.co.uk, christian-werner.com
“THAT’S WHY WE CHOSE MINIMALIST CABINETS, EXPRESSIVE MARBLE AND STAINLESS-STEEL DETAILS”
ITH ITS MINIMALIST DESIGN, ROUNDED CORNERS, striking kitchen island in Arabescato corchia marble, and contrasting details in stainless steel, The Statement Kitchen from Swedish kitchen brand Nordiska Kok is a contemporary kitchen that aims to match eye-catching detail with functionality.
By combining the minimalist, grey-beige cabinets with marble, stainless-steel and smart design features, the result is a contemporary yet timeless design by Stockholm-based AO/JN Interiors. The kitchen gives the turn-of-the-century room a bold, modern twist and the choice of materials and finishes are intended to add an extra sense of elegance.
Alexandra Ogonowski & Jesper Nyborg, AO/JN Interiors’ Founders, said: “When setting the new style, we think that the first step should be to look at the existing architecture. Is there something in it that you want to highlight, strengthen, or perhaps suppress? In that case, start from this when you start planning the design of the kitchen.
“Usually, you want to highlight a particular detail from the original architecture, but in this case the Art Nouveau-inspired stucco was a bit too cute for the client and they wanted something to balance the impression. That’s why we chose minimalist cabinets, an expressive marble and stainless-steel details. To tie the two styles together, we let the kitchen ‘grow out of the wall’.
“What we wanted to create was a beautiful and expressive kitchen with a slightly raw and youthful feel that would contrast the historic and cute.”
In this kitchen, the marble plays the main role, with all appliances hidden behind cabinets that are painted in a harmonious colour, allowing the marble to become a work of art, framed by the kitchen.
To accentuate the stone, the sides and ‘ceiling’ in
the niche framed by the kitchen cabinets were also set in stone. The stone has small steps in the outer edges, while to create a bolder feeling in the room, a stainless-steel worktop were chosen.
The Statement Kitchen is available in Nordiska Kok’s kitchen range from April 2023. Locally manufactured in Nordiska Kok’s carpentry studio just outside Gothenburg, Sweden, all kitchens are built from scratch. Each cabinet and drawer can be customized in size and style to create a bespoke design, with kitchens available in any colour and a variety of materials. nordiskakok.com, aojnd.com
Allen-Smith about the latest new products to emerge from Ideal Standard, as well as his role in steering a bold new creative direction for the brand
ONE OF THE NEW ADDITIONS TO IDEAL STANDARD’S PORTFOLIO IS ALU+. FROM A DESIGN PERSPECTIVE – AND AS SOMEONE WHO HAS CREATED SO EXTENSIVELY WITH CERAMIC AND BRASSWARE – WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH ALUMINIUM? DOES IT PRESENT SPECIFIC CHALLENGES?
“For sure. When you work from brass you can do things that you can’t do with other materials. At the same time, working with aluminium gives you the chance to do things that you can’t do with brass, but other things become not possible. It means developing a whole new form of
technology to enable us to work with such a material and is a new world to explore. That’s what we are doing now; exploring, testing, inventing.
“But it’s wonderful because it makes you a pioneer, and you really don’t know how far it might be possible to go with this exploration. For example, we can create extrusions very well in aluminium, but it’s very difficult to extrude in brass. Extrusions can be an important part of the aesthetic and this can shape how things will look in the future.
“Materials take us in different directions and we have to learn how to get the very best out of this in the future.”
AS WELL AS NEW PRODUCTS, IDEAL STANDARD’S RECENT POP-UP EXHIBITION – AESTH|ETHICS –EXPLORED A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES AROUND SUSTAINABILITY. HOW IS THIS BEING EMBEDDED INTO THE WAY IN WHICH THE BRAND IS DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS?
“Chrome is still the basic finish for bathroom fittings, but because chrome is so polluting, we simply have to reinvent a strategy and a new aesthetic to find a different way. For example, we look at using colours – not just because we like these colours but because the use of chrome could come to be considered unethical in the future. We have to think about how to create a whole new aesthetic, one that could become the new standard for bathroom fittings.
“Design is not a matter of art. We are not just exploring new ways of making things look nice. We are trying to find answers to important questions. My job as a designer is simple; to listen to the question and to come up with a good, workable answer.
“More to the point, it is sometimes about answering very difficult questions. Ideal Standard is asking questions about how it can be more ethical in everything it does, not just purely ticking the ‘green’ box. This isn’t just some kind of superficial sustainability, it goes far beyond that.
“So much of what we see as ‘green’ is, when you scratch the surface, not quite what it seems. That’s why we want to be trusted, and to explain that we are really and genuinely involved in sustainability. We want to be at the point in the future where we will not even have to explain to people what we are doing in terms of sustainability – they will already trust and expect that we have set those very high standards and that they are ingrained in everything that we do.”
WE HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT YOUR WORK AS A DESIGNER THROUGHOUT OUR 23 YEARS OF PUBLICATION, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK BACK THROUGH THE DECADES, SUCH ISSUES OF ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY WERE PRESUMABLY NOT AN ESPECIALLY BIG PART OF YOUR DAY-TO-DAY CREATIVE THINKING?
“Well, firstly, please don’t remind me how old I am – you already gave me a Lifetime Achievement Award for my career work back in 2015 and I’m still here! But seriously, my generation has been the worst when it comes to lifestyle and the way in which we lived
Ideal Standard unveiled its new La Dolce Vita range, the latest addition to its design-led Atelier Collections. Designed by Roberto Palomba, the collection will feature furniture, basins, toilets, bidets and bathtubs, as well as mixer taps, shower products and accessories. The tapered shape of the ceramic vanities and toilets characterise the aesthetic, with flower-shaped vessel basins in square and round designs. The freestanding bathtub is another eye-catching part of the new range, which is scheduled for launch in early 2024.
our lives. For many, it was seen as absolutely ok to spend money, waste things, throw things away. My generation was destroying the planet like nobody else.
“So now, there is a sense of guilt and responsibility. We have to be the ones that put a stop to this, and to try to redress things. It is why it is so important for all of us to keep trying, keep inventing, and trying to find another way that helps to correct the mistakes of the past. We absolutely cannot keep making those mistakes.
“The questions we are being asked as designers are different now. If a designer wants to remain effective and relevant today, they need to listen carefully to the questions and be able to adapt and come up with these more difficult answers. In fact, in some respects, they have to come up with the answers even before the question is asked. That’s really the only way to be ready for when the question is posed.
“It’s not easy, but if you do your job seriously, design is a very difficult job. If you only do the part that is, shall we say, more about showing off or being a superstar, it is missing a vital element. Serious design is about delivering answers and it is a very big responsibility. It’s a responsibility on a wider level for the planet, and also on a smaller level for the brand – this is a brand that employs thousands of people and everyone depends on everyone else to come up with these answers and deliver on them. Every time I put my pencil on the paper, I sweat!”
LA DOLCE VITA IS A NEW COLLECTION THAT WILL BE LAUNCHED AT THE START OF 2024 AND, LIKE SOME OF YOUR OTHER WORK FOR IDEAL STANDARD, IT CONVEYS A DESIGN STYLE THAT IS CLASSICAL BUT MODERN. IT HAS A TRADITIONAL TONE BUT WITH A CONTEM- PORARY AND FRESH FORM. SIMPLY PUT... HOW DO YOU DO THIS?
“Loving the past, and not viewing the past as a limit. The past is always
“SERIOUS DESIGN IS ABOUT DELIVERING ANSWERS AND IT IS A VERY BIG RESPONSIBILITY.”
a good start. There is no need to try to put your mind on the moon‑‑ and come up with something from space. I come from Europe, and collectively, we have a great history. We don’t have to neglect it or forget it, but at the same time, I am a man who tries to think in the future.
“I suppose I’m like a tree – my roots are in the ground, deeply reaching down to baroque, medieval, the Renaissance, Florence, Rome, Milan, the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, postmodernism – there is so much to appreciate and be inspired by. I am a designer who enjoys culture and who is not scared by the past but is living in the future.”
FIVE YEARS ON FROM TAKING ON THE ROLE AS CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER AT IDEAL STANDARD, HOW DO YOU FEEL THINGS HAVE GONE SO FAR, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF THE AMBITIOUS GOALS THAT YOU SET FOR YOURSELF AND THE BRAND WHEN WE SPOKE WITH YOU FOR AN INTERVIEW BACK THEN?
Launching in June 2023, Alu+ is a showering range made from recyclable aluminium and is made up by 84% recycled content. Free from chrome, lead and nickel, it also features water-saving technology built-in to the full range to limit consumption without affecting performance. The range will be available in three low-sheen finishes of silk black, rosé, and silver.
“I didn’t expect to be so far down the road by this stage. The original plan was for things to develop a little more slowly. But in our recent pop-up exhibition, everything in this big space – with just a few exceptions – is less than five years old. In the context of the long heritage of the brand, this represents a revolution.
“The pictures, the products, the people, the strategy – everything is new. This is a big brand. To renovate and develop a brand of this scale is an extremely difficult thing to do. Big companies can have fixed cultures, set in place over many years, and so in the beginning it was not easy at all to convince everyone that such change was needed because, after all, they were already successful. But today it is different, people trust me and are equally enthusiastic about all of our new plans.
“My aim is for this brand to be a real design leader, but not just as ‘nice’ products, but as good, empathetic products that go way beyond simple aesthetic and basic function that really connect with the user.
“There is still a lot to do of course, but this brand is consistently innovating and it is truly fantastic to be a part of it.” idealstandard.co.uk, palombaserafini.com
Launching in September 2023 is a series of showering additions to Ideal Standard’s Solos range. Introduced at Salone del Mobile in Milan in 2022 as a series of basins and fittings, Solos expands to include a shower with simple controls and a colour-changing light integrated in the overhead shower and designed to work with any smart home app such as Philips Hue or Amazon Echo. The range is available in chrome, silk black, and PVD finishes of brushed gold, silver storm and magnetic grey.
“I AM A DESIGNER WHO ENJOYS CULTURE AND WHO IS NOT SCARED BY THE PAST BUT IS LIVING IN THE FUTURE.”
Complex planning and craftsmanship were the cornerstone of a striking kitchen project in a historic Scottish manor house
RENTON HALL IS AN IMPOSING GEORGIAN MANOR close to the coast east of Edinburgh that had fallen into disrepair. Transforming it would prove to be an exciting renovation project including a contemporary timber framed pavilion extension. Any kitchen for such a project needed to bridge the gap between old and new, rustic, and sleek, natural, and sophisticated.
The kitchen was designed and created by Sussexbased Inglis Hall and was a project born from the clients’ love of the Inglis Hall’s Instagram feed and a smattering of mid-lockdown zoom calls.
Wooden cladding, Richlite and Caesarstone’s Airy Concrete surfaces combine to create a strong mix of tone and texture. Wall space was also a key consideration when designing this space, with tall cabinetry kept to a minimum to let the room breathe and to give room for a collection of vintage posters and large paintings.
Jay Powell, Design Project Manager for Inglis Hall, said: “The biggest challenges were surrounding logis-
tics. Concentration, communication, and stringent project management were vital when popping to site is a 1000-mile round trip. Survey visits had to be extremely detailed to be sure our cabinetry would fit and work around the architecture. In addition, conversations with the site team had to be unambiguous and productive and clarity of design intent had to be prioritised to ensure everyone was on the same page.”
The kitchen Is the only inside route from the original house to the extension. As such, it needed to allow for the flow of people whilst meeting the needs of a busy family of keen cooks.
Powell added: “With formal dining taken care of in the glass walkway to the extended living space, there was no requirement for a large table however it seemed a shame not to allow for a small round breakfast table under the morning light and an open-ended island that invites a more social kitchen experience.”
The kitchen brings together a range of materials.
“I LOVE THE TRANSITION FROM THE TALL RUN OF SAWN OAK TO THE DROPPED HEIGHT BLOCK OF RICHLITE, THE COLLISION OF TWO VERY DIFFERENT FINISHES...”
Jay Powell, Design Project Manager, Inglis Hall
Sawn oak cladding, Black Richlite and Caesarston’e Airy Concrete combine under the tall Georgian ceilings to create an eclectic mix of tones and textures. The aim was to bring the outside in and create an ideal backdrop for the client’s array of art and collectables.
Powell said: “We love the collection of colours and finishes that Caesarstone have to offer. All their surfaces have a natural look and feel to them which is sometimes hard to find with man-made products.Airy Concrete is a mid-tone grey that gives an airy feel to its concrete-like look and texture. “Swirling with clouds of dark and light hues, this textured surface adds an urban and sophisticated edge to the project. At Inglis Hall, we particularly like the texture and movement of the Caesarstone concrete finishes. Paired with the practicality of quartz these offer a natural feeling worksurface that doesn’t compromise on function.
“We also particularly love using our sawn oak as an architectural tool within a space. In this case, we used it not only to conceal the fridge and breakfast larder, but to bridge the doorway into the kitchen and wrap around the supporting nib for the new steel that had been installed to create the open plan space. It justifies some of the building quirks in a way that makes the kitchen feel like it has always been there and indeed could only be there.”
The kitchen is specified to a high-standard throughout. Powell said: “Decisions surrounding appliances and taps are very much up to the client in most cases. However, we always put forward suggestions and, in this case some of our favourites were chosen. A pair Fisher & Paykel Ovens, an Integrated Fisher & Paykel Fridge Freezer, a Quooker tap, and double sinks all go towards making this a kitchen that begs to be cooked in.” inglisshall.com, caesarstone.co.uk
A modernist post-war London property is transformed with a light-filled, open plan layout for modern family life...
Introducing RAK-Metamorfosi, a brand new vibrant collection inspired by colours and shapes found in nature. Available in large-format brushed resin porcelain slabs to create striking feature walls in 9 colours and 11 decors.
LONDON-BASED ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR practice TR Studio oversaw the refurbishment and interior design of BML House, a modernist family home in London’s Belsize Park. Unusually, the firm was engaged by the client ahead of the purchase of the property to advise on the possibilities of expansion and alternation. This phase of the project benefited both client and studio, ensuring the right property was purchased in line with their aspirations and daily life. The process also allowed the studio to explore permitted development routes, helping to make the design process smoother and less stressful for the client.
The property itself – a two-storey 220sqm post-war detached house – was designed in the 1960s by British architect John Winter. TR Studio set about retaining the property’s strong forms, enhancing the original exterior design by modernising elements including the porch and windows, without losing the character of the striking elevation.
On the front facade of the property, a double height extension was added. The extension itself, respectful to the building’s original character, is set back from the main front elevation. Utilising an open ‘hit and miss’ format to brick up the massing, this architectural detail employed by TR Studio together with opaque frosted glass created a privacy screen for the newly established ensuite at first floor level, whilst maximising daylight.
The form of the original building with its strong architecture was something TR Studio wanted to celebrate. By giving the property a ‘facelift’ with new large format, black painted, aluminium, sliding windows using slim framed section profiles, the plan was to modernise the structure and rationalise elements such as the porch and entrance. Landscaping the property’s front garden also added a sense of belonging and completion to the building’s approach.
Inside, the property had an internal layout that was less than desirable for modern family living. It was here that the architects made quite significant changes by creating an open plan layout on the ground floor for the growing family, connecting the
garden and maximising the internal floor area with a front and rear extension.
Originally, a rabbit warren of rooms and corridors with low ceilings which had seen little to no modernisation, the refurbishment stripped out all the internal walls. It is here at the entrance that the line of sight across the expansive interior through to the rear garden is realised, connecting indoors and outdoors. The client was keen to have an inclusive home and, with that in mind, TR Studio designed a large, openplan living arrangement for ground floor consisting of a living area, kitchen, laundry room, dining area and playroom.
The heart of the home, a large, handcrafted oak kitchen, was designed by TR Studio and made by GEB London. A combination of drawers, cupboards and tall, pull-out pantry storage allows for easily viewable and accessible storage.
A characterful timber was selected to line the doors and cupboard fronts, pared with a striking Calacatta marble splashback and worktop. Sleek fixtures and fittings including a Quooker boiling water tap, Franke sinks, InSinkErator waste disposal, Miele appliances, Hafele products and a Blum Space Tower, all ensured the kitchen was to a high specification. A large kitchen island is central to the space and houses storage and a hob whilst also offering space for seating.
With a matching Calacatta worksurface, the island features a contemporary fluted timber sides adding texture and depth to the area. A sky light above the island was chosen instead of an extractor to provide natural ventilation and airflow and flood the area with light. A graphic, architectural pendant light in brushed brass further enhances the kitchen’s refined elegance. Just off the kitchen, a separate laundry room features a sliding door which can be closed when entertaining.
A casual dining area adjacent to the kitchen was created for everyday family dining and as a space for the client’s children to complete homework. A large L-shaped built-in timber wall seat was designed for this area, upholstered in a textural blue stripe. A large timber dining table and chairs complete the space.
Adding panels to the white walls, punctuated by white wall lights, TR Studio have subtly zoned the area with this simple architectural detailing added a warmth and coziness to the corner.
From here, a living area with a large, curved sofa designed by the client sits alongside leather occasional seating to provide a comfortable yet stylish place to relax. Large format, glazed sliding doors frame the interior view out to the rear garden, transforming the ground floor and flooding the deep plan with light. A more formal dining area with views
“ORIGINALLY, A RABBIT WARREN OF ROOMS AND CORRIDORS WITH LOW CEILINGS WHICH HAD SEEN LITTLE TO NO MODERNISATION, THE REFURBISHMENT STRIPPED OUT ALL THE INTERNAL WALLS”
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across the front garden and a children’s play area take up the rest of the open plan.
Elsewhere on the ground floor, there is a separate home office and WC shower room. The guest bathroom is very much in contrast to the white open plan living space. Using this space as an opportunity to be bolder with the colour palette and to create a talking point, TR Studio opted for a fully dark theme, painting the small WC and shower room black and installing a Nero Marquina vanity unit pared with monochrome terrazzo tiles. Brushed brass fixtures complete the luxury feel.
On the first floor, TR Studio removed and repositioned most of the partition walls to suit a new, more appealing layout consisting of four double bedrooms, a large, shared, family bathroom and two ensuite bathrooms. Within the primary bedroom, a large, modern ensuite features a built-in marble clad bath, shower, and floor. Providing an elegant and striking backdrop to the ensuite, the marble offsets the chrome fittings to create a spa-like space.
A guest bedroom with ensuite clad in béton cire plaster and brass fixtures benefits from the ‘hit and miss’ brickwork on the front elevation with light flooding into the shower room to create a sense of tranquillity. The first floor also houses the family bathroom featuring geometric floor tiles, a large bath and walk in shower.
Carefully-planned reconfiguration of all areas within the building maximises daylight and reinforce the overall sense of connection between outside and in
Creating a better flow through the house and connecting both ground and first floors in a more elegant way, TR Studio have transformed the original interior. Once a maze of rooms and narrow corridors with no connection to the outside, nature or the sky, it is now a light and open, inclusive home for an integrated family life, which feels connected to the exterior through careful use of glazing and architectural design details.
Tom Rutt, Founder of TR Studio, said: “We love the free-flowing lateral spaces that we were able to create here, whereby one’s focus is always drawn to the gardens via the large walls of glass. Taking the original modernist principles of the house, and re-fitting it 50 years later to work with a new family, felt like we were working in a continuum of the original modernist ideals.”
trstudio.co.uk
GERMAN BATHROOM manufacturer KEUCO has teamed with industrial designers Studio F.A. Porsche to create a new barrier-free range of bathroom fixtures. The AXESS collection includes a minimallystyled folding support rail and rail system, grab rails and a freestanding stool to make the bathroom space fully accessible. Christian Schwamkrug, Design Director at Studio F. A. Porsche, said: “It was our wish to meet the highest aesthetic demands and yet incorporate the specific needs of a barrier-free bathroom system. Our aim was to develop accessible bathroom products from a completely new perspective. Timeless, very clear, aesthetic forms, permanently perceived as beautiful, even after many years.
“Our ambition was to create something special, right down to the smallest detail, and make it technically possible.”
The folding support rail is perhaps the most technically challenging component of the new range. It looks nothing like folding support rails of the past as it stands uniquely flat against the wall when folded up. It is available in three finishes – chrome, matt black or aluminium-chrome – and, depending on the surface, a grip-friendly plastic inlay in black or white can be integrated. The plastic is significant as it makes it easy to grip and prevents slipping when supporting or holding on. There is an optional and retrofittable toilet paper holder which has a black or white roller stopper enabling it to colour match the design. keuco.com, studiofaporsche.com
A modern villa in Lyon, France, brings architectural impact and natural light together to create a bold, luxury living space
Created by interlinking three white concrete volumes laid in an ‘H’ formation, architect Sebastian Belle of a2-Sb envisaged a strikingly modern and spacious villa near Lyon, France.
The building is designed to allow maximum interaction with the outside space, including the surrounding trees. Architect Sebastian Belle said: “The desire was that of including all the vibrations of the natural light to create changing atmospheres in accordance with the hour of the day but also of the seasons.”
To create continuity with the living area, bookcases have also been created utilising Rastelli furniture, and comprises closed panels and open modules in black
integrated
Made using mosaic tiling, this swimming pool art installation makes the most of the interplay between colour, light and water. The seafront home in Javea, Spain, is the location for the latest work by ArgentinianSpanish artist Felipe Pantone, known for his colourful, pixellated and digitalised artworks.
The piece features around 130,000 glass mosaic tesserae by ONIX. The artist’s process begins with a digital phase using several computer programs to create designs that can later be converted into friezes, murals, paintings and sculptures.
In this case, a mosaic spectrum in tones of blue, yellow and red merges individual ‘pixels’ to create a constantly shifting rainbow effect. felipepantone.com, onixmosaico.com
At SPEKVA we are dedicated to creating kitchen worktops and furniture of the very finest quality from hand-selected wood. The finished product couldn ' t be anymore premium.
We cater for your every wish and have something to offer for every taste and purpose.
