THE WORLD’S MOST GLAMOROUS HOMES
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15 editorial 16 Cheval Lodge, UK 26 Scottish Family Home, Scotland
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36 El Cubil, Costa Rica 44 Canford Heights, UK 54 Less is More, India
HARTMANN DESIGNS LTD “Our work never relies on a single burst of creativity, but always on sustained imagination, intelligently and consistently applied.” — Hartmann Designs ltd is a London based luxury Interior Design consultancy specializing in Residential Interiors for outstanding properties around the World. We offer a comprehensive Design service for new builds, renovation projects and for those focussing on furnishing and redecoration. In every case, we have a commitment to delivering exceptional Interiors, translating your initial vision into a completely bespoke and tailored solution.
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Once a year I am able to select a small number of p r o j e c t s from the past twelve m o n t h s that are considered to be ‘the most glamorous’ of the past year. It is, of course, difficult to determine what the word ‘glamorous’ should mean in terms of style or scope. For me, it is a very general term, perhaps a little clumsy even in its interpretation here, as what one determines as glamorous may not be another’s definition.
contemporary, whilst some have a more unique and even colonial inspired charm, They range from a contemporary London Townhouse to a traditional Scottish family home, a South American design inspired by nature to an architect-led minimalist design in India and more. Some of the projects were award winners last year, in The International Design & Architecture Awards as voted for by you, so I know that you like them too. Whilst others are carefully selected from recent issues.
An so my aim in this instance has been to simply select some of the most inspirational projects that I have seen in recent months, some are classically glamorous, others sleeker and a little more
I do hope you like the 2013 collection.
I cannot say that I have a favourite; I can see inspiration and wonder in each and every one and think that as a collection they sit well together.
Kind regards Joanne
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Cheval Lodge, UK by Joanna Wood
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Year on year, one of the most talked about awards at the International Design and Architecture Awards has to be the Residential Property over £20 million Award. With their jaw-dropping design schemes and painstaking attention to detail, projects within this category may be seen to reflect today’s most luxurious, desirable and glamorous design schemes. The shortlist for this award frequently reads like who’s who guide of the most widely discussed property developers, architects and interior designers of the year. This year was no exception, with Joanna Wood and the Joanna Trading team celebrating the highest number of votes for their incredible Cheval Lodge project. Located in central London, the five-bedroom townhouse is around ten years old. The owner, an international client, requested a floor to ceiling refurbishment of the property, in line with a budget of around £1.5 million. As this was fast track project, everything was to be completed within a timeframe of just 16 weeks.
“The style of the design is very contemporary, but not in a minimalist, stark way; the tones and textures chosen soften the look, making it a warm and comfortable home”
The brief was to create a sophisticated and luxurious London home, which was in style both modern and understated. Bespoke pieces were important to ensure that the project had a unique feel, as was the creation of well-lit spaces in which artwork could be displayed. “The style of the design is very contemporary, but not in a minimalist, stark way; the tones and textures chosen soften the look, making it a warm and comfortable home,” explains Joanna. The whole project flows beautifully, which was achieved through some ingenious structural changes made by the Joanna Trading team. Ceilings were removed throughout the property and replaced with coffered and dropped ceilings with concealed lighting, cleverly creating a sense of height. The main reception room was opened up through the removal of a balcony staircase that ran the length of the room. This was in turn replaced with a new design featuring glass and wood, further increasing the feeling of space and light. Custom commissioned furniture pieces ensure that the layout of every room is entirely in proportion, as well as ensuring that the project has a bespoke feel in line with the client’s requirements. The reception room, for instance, features a curved sofa and armchairs which were made
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to complement the size of the room and the rug, which is a central part of the scheme. The client’s lifestyle also involves a lot of entertaining. With this in mind, the dining room is designed to work with either two smaller tables or one large table, providing the client with complete flexibility. Lighting is also central to the project, as Joanna reveals. Joanna Trading commissioned designs from Baccarat in the reception room, Phillips & Wood in the dining room and Terzani in the entrance hall. Large steelwork structures were integrated within the entrance hall to support the sensational chandelier, which provides a perfect focal point within the space. The background lighting is also sophisticated and elegant. Another particularly striking feature, and a firm favourite of Joanna’s, is the bespoke plaster relief walls in the dining room, which are an exquisite work of art and a showcase of true British craftsmanship The entire property also benefits from advanced technology, including a system that controls music and entertainment, lighting, air conditioning, under floor heating and the curtains from an iPad. Importantly, this is a home designed for complete comfort. Delicate silk carpets in the master bedroom and the media room enhance this with a luxurious softness under foot. The media room also features battened fabric on the walls to assist soundproofing and acoustics. “It is a hidden gem,” says Joanna of the project. “We were so delighted to be so creative for a wonderful client.” Joanna Wood is recognised as one of Britain’s leading figures in the international world of interior design, with a reputation built over 25 years. Through her meticulous attention to detail, she creates a classic style that combines traditional and contemporary elements to produce a result that is both practical and visually exciting. Based in Belgravia, Joanna Trading Limited is one of the largest residential interior design companies in London. The team has attracted an impressive client list from all over the world. It has extensive experience in both the private residential market and also the property investment market. Projects to date have included a castle in Spain, a yacht in the South of France, and a private aeroplane.
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Scottish Family Home, Scotland by Maurizio Pellizzoni Design
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Inspiration for Maurizio Pellizzoni Design’s award-winning Scottish family home stems from an equally picturesque coastal setting, albeit one with slightly warmer climes. The brief for this comfortable, second family home requested that the relaxed, Mediterranean style of the South of France should play an influential role in its interior scheme and choice of key furniture pieces. The impressive residence, winner of the Residential Property £2.5 – 5 million Award at the International Design and Architecture Awards 2012, dates from the 18th century and is set within beautiful and extensive grounds with stunning sea views. However, the house had also received a sizeable extension prior to MPD’s embarkation on the project. The extension comprised several bedrooms, a second turret with a bell tower and a large, family kitchen designed by Mark Wilkinson Kitchens. Fundamental to MPD’s approach to the project was the desire to create a seamless transition between the old and new parts of the house. This is achieved, in part, as a result of the clients’ love of old furniture and antiques, in addition to their extensive collection of original artwork. Combined, the eclectic mix of pieces effortlessly creates a warm, lived-in feel to the newer wing of the house. Throughout the house, expensive finishes are rejected in favor of unfinished wood, antique leather and robust textures better suited to a comfortable family home. The wooden floorboards were replaced in the main house and, for added continuity, were also carried through into the new wing. The rustic table in the breakfast room was sourced from France while other pieces were salvaged locally or bought from reclamation yards. Interestingly, the chairs in the formal dining area still bear the company logo of the London lawyers’ office from which they were reclaimed. MPD selected a colour palette of pastels, neutrals and mellow yellows and blues to recreate a soft Mediterranean ambiance. That Ralph Lauren was used as a key supplier throughout the project is no coincidence. Not only is the brand in many ways synonymous with the understated luxury required for this project, it is also a brand close to the heart of Maurizio Pellizzoni, MPD’s design director.
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Before setting up his own design studio, Maurizio held the position of Home Collection Coordinator for Polo Ralph Lauren in Europe. His responsibility was to re-create the Ralph Lauren lifestyle established in the New York flagship showroom for the London Bond Street, London Brompton Cross, Milan and Brussels showrooms. As an employee and freelance consultant for Polo Ralph Lauren over the past five years, Maurizio is perfectly placed to incorporate elements of the luxury lifestyle to a variety of diverse projects. MPD is currently working on a variety of UKbased projects. These include the extensive refurbishment of two impressive Art Deco apartments in the London borough of Chelsea and Westminster. The design practice has been commissioned to re-structure the existing space, which is currently divided into two separate two-bed apartments, so that it accommodates a three bedroom flat with two separate studies and an interconnecting onebed guest flat. Another current project involves the full refurbishment of an apartment within a beautiful historic apartment block behind Royal Albert Court which requires a new kitchen, bathroom and full redecoration and modernisation throughout. Ultimately, the apartment will be used by the owners as a luxury pièd-a-terre and they have given the design team free reign to create an ultrasophisticated, luxurious space. MPD will again be drawing on the luxury lifestyle of Ralph Lauren for this project, with some personal keynotes from the client. A third large commission, currently underway in Godalming, will be finished in 2013. The project has involved the team working alongside an architect to develop the interior of a house, which is undergoing a 40% extension. This project also strives to recreate the rich, elaborate and luxurious style of the larger house within the new, extended space. MPD’s past and present project list, which also includes a number of international commissions, belies the young age of the company. Established in just 2007, the company has quickly grown in size and strength. Testament to its ever-growing success, the design practice has also recently reached the short list for the Living Space Award within the International Design and Architecture Awards 2013, with which we wish the team every success.
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El Cubil, Costa Rica by Andrés Morales Architects
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“The main objective of our architecture is to incorporate the art with nature in every one of its works, developing spaces where our clients can live and enjoy, in an environment with a sophisticated style, in harmony with its ambience”. This is the mission statement of Andrés Morales Architects, winners in the ‘Residential Property North and South America’ category at the International Design & Architecture Awards 2012. The firm, which prides itself on “innovation, quality and efficiency”, obtained the highest number of votes for the Costa Rican project, ‘El Cubil’. Located on the beautiful Hermosa Beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, the project was completed in 2010 headed by Andrés Morales Aguiar, who firmly believes that his company’s “larger impact in the world is to plan and design for a sustainable future”. One of the main characteristics of the El Cubil apartment building, therefore, is the exploitation of natural resources such as light, water and soil, which in turn lowers the construction and operational costs of the building. The architectural design of El Cubil was to create a habitable space to suit any occupant’s needs, aesthetically as well as technologically. In this way, Andrés comments that the key aspects taken into account for the architectural design were “creativity, organisation, the physical environment, functionality, the construction, and financial feasibility”. The luxury apartment lot is located on a corner just 150 meters from the sea. It is a five-floor building that consists of 14 condominium apartments. By means of a north-south orientation, cross ventilation was achieved along with great protection against global warming, especially in the west. Due to its orientation, the building was conceived by means of long horizontal planters that encircle the building, achieving constant contact with nature. The influence and importance of nature is something which encapsulates this entire project. Through large sliding stainedglass windows, the apartments create the sensation of being in terraces surrounded by beautiful views to the mountains and the sea, with the interior space bordered by planters. By means of intelligent irrigation systems, the gardens and planters are watered constantly, allowing for low maintenance costs. The gardens themselves allow for the project to remain in harmony with nature as they surround the building. As Andrés explains, “Its horizontality relates it to the sea and the horizontal branches of the trees surrounding it; its plants hanging from the planters create green curtains, promoting a constant relation to nature from the building’s interior as well as the exterior space”.
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The apartments have two levels; on the first level there is a social area as a single space that incorporates the living room, dining room, guests’ bathroom, kitchen, and the laundry room. On the second level, there is a master bedroom with its own small living room, bathroom and a large stainedglass window that allows it to be part of the natural landscape. There are then two more bedrooms sharing a bathroom. The third floor apartments are accessed by means of stairs or an elevator and these consist of three levels. On the third floor, there is a social area with its service areas, on the fourth floor the bedroom area with its bathrooms, and on the fifth floor a half-covered terrace that allows for a panoramic view to the mountains and sea nearby. The building has two parking spaces per apartment as well as a storage room per apartment. A common swimming pool for children as well as adults was designed in such a way that it can be seen from all the apartments, with a special effect at night created by its modern color-changing lighting system. The access to the main project is given by a corner square creating a portico, which is protected by a cantilever roof. It allows a two-vehicle parking space. The building lobby, where the stairs and the elevator are located, has a wide space with a waiting room where the planters are hanging, providing great shade and keeping an open, fresh, and natural space when mixing with cross ventilation. It is a structurally mixed building because the two first floors are made of reinforced concrete blocks and the next three floors are made of a metallic structure. The roof is made of clay tiles with large eaves that protect from the rain and sun. El Cubil stems from the idea of a housing solution that allows for the reduction of emissions and energy consumption and of recycling and reusing resources as much as possible, such as water or others necessary for the operation of the facilities, obtaining a sustainable architectural solution. Andrés comments, “we have erected the building considering the climate conditions, hydrography and ecosystems of the environment, aiming to obtain the highest efficiency with the least impact. Its vegetation and the use of renewable energies are relevant”. This effort to achieve green façades decreases the use of cooling systems and limits CO2 production, improving the user’s comfort and creating green areas. It is a way of conceiving architectural design in a sustainable manner, aiming to optimise natural resources and systems of the building in such a way that minimises the building’s environmental impact on both the environment and its inhabitants. For Andrés Morales Architects, “nature is the inspiration”, something which is truly evident in the accomplished design of this winning project.
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Canford Heights, UK by Hill House Interiors
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“A living space featuring Belle Époque inspired furnishings and luxurious fabrics that would look equally at home in the ateliers of couturiers Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfield”. This is how Helen Bygraves of Hill House Interiors describes the company’s Canford Heights project, winner of the ‘Living Space’ category in the International Design & Architecture Awards 2012. The London-based design consultancy was founded by Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves, who pride themselves on adding an “unmistakable touch of glamour” in everything they do. This winning project perfectly embodies their statement.
“ The unmistakable touch of glamour is easily found in this stylish Poole Harbour apartment. ”
Part of a ground-breaking development in Poole, Hill House Interiors were brought in to do a complete scheme for the show apartment at Canford Heights. The exclusive development, which comprises of five, large 3-bedroom apartments and a 5-bedroom house, is set in a private, elevated location with stunning views overlooking Poole Harbour, adjoining the exclusive Parkstone Golf Club. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, these properties have a real Bel Air ambience, and simply ooze contemporary luxury. For Hill House Interiors, the spacious open plan kitchen/living/dining area is the prime focus of their property, and has been designed to encapsulate the wow factor. Helen comments, “the focal point in the living area is the bespoke cabinetry wall”. Hill House are known for their innovative approach to bespoke furniture designs and this is reflected in the specially commissioned cabinetry in stained grey oak with lacquered fretwork which has been overlaid on mirror panels. This cleverly conceals the bulky air conditioning system, and also creates valuable storage. It features inset seating too, either side of a sleek fireplace, adding a 1930’s
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stylish charm to the installation. One of the reasons that the design for this project works so well is in the layout of the property, most notably in the way Hill House Interiors have utilised the interior space. Whilst kitchen/living/dining space has been combined into one large area, “the vast space has clearly and innovatively defined eating and sitting areas”, explains Jenny. Here, the colour palette ranges from burnished orange through pewter and dove grey to antiqued ivory. In the living area, the seating furniture comprising of bespoke L-shaped sofa and chairs is upholstered in a deeply luxurious grey pinstriped velvet by Kravet which is enlivened with short sharp shocks of burnt orange for the soft furnishings. This infusion of colour was cleverly used to reflect the sunset, which can be effortlessly viewed through the floor to ceiling windows, along with stunning vistas of Poole Harbour beyond. The dining area sits adjacently to the extensive living space. In this room, baby ocelot print velvet dining chairs surround a bespoke lacquered table. Here you will find what Jenny describes as “one of the apartment’s talking points”. Suspended over the table is an impressive glass ball chandelier, which rotates at the touch of a remote handset. This is used to create a ‘glitterball’ party atmosphere. Further to this, there is a feature mirror-framed wine rack, uplit for dramatic effect, which echoes the deco style of the bespoke cabinetry in the living area. As with all of their schemes, Hill House have paid exceptional attention to detail throughout. The end result uses opulent fabrics and textures which are indeed reminiscent, as Helen suggests, of Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfield. The “unmistakable touch of glamour” is easily found in this stylish Poole Harbour apartment.
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Less is More, India by KNS Architects
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In 1997, three young men from India, inspired by entrepreneurship and design, set out to create new benchmarks in the field of Architecture and Interior Design. These men, who all graduated together from the Academy of Architecture, are Kanhai Gandhi, Neemesh Shah and Shresht Kashyap, the founders of what has now become KNS Architects. A passion and ambition for the design industry has led to an impressive array of offices, residences, boutiques, gymnasiums and retail outlets. For KNS, projects must “bring about a refreshing zing and sophistication” and provide a signature style for each and every client.
“For KNS, projects must bring about a refreshing zing and sophistication and provide a signature style for each and every client.”
“We focus on both the brand and the people behind it, within the segments of the industry, with a view of its identity and environment. We work unconventionally, letting a project develop according to its own background variables”, comments Kanhai. KNS’ services include Architecture, Interior Design and Retail Design but what sets them apart is their R&D department. Dedicated to finding the most innovative, cutting edge technology and material finishes, this department is the key to maintaining their position at the forefront of the industry. KNS have won plenty of awards over the last few years for residential, commercial and retail properties and even an award from the Indian Navy for outstanding contribution to gymnasium design. In 2012, they won the award for ‘Residential Property Asia and Oceania’ at the International Design and Architecture Awards with their entry, ‘Less is More’. The name of the project is undoubtedly evocative, with connotations of a minimalist design approach along with a sense of intrigue which KNS likes to create as it strives to achieve this “refreshing zing”. The new design of the project is a complete transformation of the original layout. This
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was done in order to maximize the light and the view offered by the significant location of the high rise in South Mumbai, India. The wall at the entrance was broken down in order to achieve more openness and prevent the creation of defined zones. The idea to break down the wall was to create a very family centric house, with a strong visual connection between the rooms. This design of less division in order to create more connection ties in unmistakably with the project name, ‘Less is More’. The approach to furnishing means that within the property, areas such as the living room stand out for their clarity and openness, owing to the subtlety of the furniture. The material selected for the wall, floor and paneling in this room also help to connect the diverse areas of the house as well as creating a visual impact. Transitional spaces within the design of the property allow the house to unfold gradually. The master bedroom is a result of a style that weds luxury and functionality of design with the simplicity of the finished work. The design of the house is based on the concept of a cube and the interplay of superimposed solids. Solid took the most primitive form in the project and was repeatedly employed as a single operation, imposed on every aspect of design – from the roof to the walls to the furniture pieces. Solid panels were used to create drama in the ceiling height and at the same time KNS used it to create negative spaces by hanging a chandelier which became a part of the design. Of course, just as the name suggests, the minimalist design is a real focus in this project. Minimalist qualities combine with a bold use of colour in the interior space to create focal points and accentuate contrasts. The use of colours such as yellow and green enrich the visual appearance of the different rooms. Overall the house has a strong yet elegant design construct.
Contemporary Country House, UK by Gregory Phillips Architects
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This project for a Contemporary Country House (900m2) on a twelve acre site adjacent to the river Thames provided a rare opportunity for Gregory Phillips Architects to design both the building and its interiors. Winners of the ‘Residential Property Europe’ category in the International Design & Architecture Awards 2012, the aim of this project was to create a contemporary luxurious house built with a blend of modern design and traditional materials. Company Director Gregory Phillips comments, “this design provides a unique combination of modern luxury with simplicity and sophistication”. In response to the client’s brief for a “spectacular, glamorous house including the latest technology and an extremely high level of finishes”, GPA created a 6 bedroom/6 bathroom house, complete with formal living room, playroom, cinema, gym with steam room/shower area, guest cloakrooms, utility space and a spectacular combined living room/kitchen and dining area. All bedrooms have glass balconies and there is also an internal reception space at first floor level, which opens onto a dramatic external terrace. On arrival, the site is accessed via a pair of grand, Grade I Listed metal gates and a graveled driveway leading to the central courtyard, completely enclosed by the house and out-buildings. Entry to the house itself is made by crossing an enclosed reflecting pool leading into a double height space, from here the building is predominantly glazed to face the far-reaching north-western views with terracing at each level. The gardens immediately adjacent to the house incorporate an infinity edged swimming pool and a tennis court with the landscaping following a simple, semi-formal layout which leads on to the extensive grounds and open-countryside beyond. A concrete structure was built up to and including first floor level with a steel frame above. The house became the first residence within the UK to incorporate a Cobiax slab at first floor level in order to achieve the extensive cantilevers inherent within the design. On entering the property, as Gregory explains, “the idea was to create a space that was dramatic and at the heart of the house”. The solution is a double height entrance space with an open fireplace which can also be enjoyed from the formal living room. The space has dramatic views to both the landscape and back towards the reflecting pool. The main staircase is a cantilever staircase made with a frame-less glass balustrade and leather handrail. Both the stair treads, the underside and the adjacent staircase wall paneling are made of dark stained oak. In the Kitchen and Living Room area, GPA created a truly indoor/outdoor experience
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with floor to ceiling glass on three sides. The result is a luxurious room in which the family can cook, eat and live. A bespoke dining table was designed by GPA to complement the selected dining chairs and dark oak cabinet doors. The main bedroom suite is designed so that on waking, the view from the bed is of the extensive landscape. The bedroom has a home cinema with a concealed electric projector screen and hidden projector situated in the adjacent dressing room behind a glass screen for acoustic separation. There is also an oversized sliding door giving access to the main bathroom. At the north-east corner of the building at both ground and first floor levels are situated guest bedrooms with their own en-suite bathrooms. In the way that theses spaces have been designed this part of the building can be sectioned off, providing an enlarged guest suite with its own internal staircase. These guest bedrooms, as with all the main rooms in the house, have extraordinary views of the surrounding landscape. Within the house the palette of materials used is repeated with different variations in different spaces. This includes Chinese Basalt flooring which is used internally and externally, including the main circulation spaces, the kitchen/living space, as well as for the main bedroom and bathroom. Caramelised stained Oak engineered flooring is also used extensively. The colour of the flooring was made especially for this project and this specification was also used for the wall paneling within the hallway and in the guest bedroom cabinetry. Leather paneling was used within the main formal living space and a cowhide was used for wall paneling within the cinema. The majority of the bathrooms are clad in Carrara marble selected from Italy, with the main bathroom made of Statutory vein marble. The furniture in the property is made of a selection of silks, leather and fabric all chosen to complement the design. Silk rugs were selected and hand made for the main living spaces and bedrooms. One of the most apparent reasons the design for this Contemporary Country House works so well is due to the overall coherence between the project’s architectural design and its interior design. In this way, the seemingly conflicting styles of ‘contemporary’ and ‘country’ also become a coherent pairing. As Gregory comments, “this is a building where the interior design is part of the architecture and this is particularly clear in the twilight photographs that fully illustrate that the interior contributes to the external appearance”. With GPA responsible for all aspects of the interior design, the exterior design of the building and the landscape design, the result of this project is a truly holistic response to the client’s brief for a “spectacular and glamorous house.”
Kensington Place, UK by Casa Forma
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Casa Forma is no stranger to the International Design & Architecture Awards. The highly acclaimed team of architects and interior designers won two awards in 2011 and two more in 2012. This project, Kensington Place (Thornwood Lodge), was one of their 2012 entries, winning in the ‘Residential £1- £2.5 Million’ category. Leo Bertacchini, Senior Interior Designer for Casa Forma, explains that the brief was for “an apartment that was at the same time elegant and very practical. It was important to the clients that the living space addressed their formal entertainment needs as well as being functional for day-to-day use by the family including their 2 year old daughter”. On entering the lateral apartment you are greeted by an impressive entrance hall that leads your eye out to the spectacular views of Kensington. A high volume of discreet contemporary lighting was used in this area and indeed throughout the entire property, with coffered ceilings lit to give a sense of volume. The drawing room that leads off the entrance hall benefits again from the views of Kensington, which are framed by grey velvet curtains. Contemporary joinery is kept to a minimum with rich ebony Makassar timbers which sit in harmony with the more classical taste of furniture. The main entrance has bi folding doors which were hand made in a bronze finish with glass inserts, and the existing fire place was cladded with a black glass surround and framed with fine ebony Makassar shadow gaps. Subtle grey polished plaster was applied to panels and then cladded to the walls with shadow gaps and low level contemporary ebony Makassar joinery sits below the polished plaster feature wall. Full height pivoting ebony Makassar doors link the drawing room to the dining space, again complete with Herringbone smoked oak flooring and discreet lighting. The room is dressed with Fendi black crocodile sofas and generously-sized Ralph Lauren arm chairs. The dining room itself offers ample flexible spaces which link to the drawing room, hallway and kitchen. Low level contemporary ebony Makassar joinery sits below a black glass cladded feature wall that acts as a perfect backdrop for a large painting. The main feature back wall of the dining room consists of ox blood coloured gesso which is applied to canvas then hand cut to imitate crocodile skin. A free standing Ralph Lauren rose wood bar sits beside the dining table. The white contemporary Bulthaup kitchen combines contemporary style, elegance durability and most importantly functionality. As Leo explains, “the design of the kitchen
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was very much influenced by the client’s request for a kitchen that had to work for the whole family”. Included here is a floor to ceiling wine cooler and 27” LCD TV built into a white high polished plaster feature wall. There are three handmade contemporary lights suspended above the kitchen island, with the addition of Lutron control panels in a bronze finish. Thanks to bi folding doors, the play/TV room is almost an extension to the kitchen. The polished concrete flooring continues from the kitchen, and bespoke joinery in walnut timber houses the main TV, storage and a desk area. An L shaped sofa creates a generous seating area and a bespoke pin board and chalkboard was designed with a walnut frame, making this a cosy intimate area which houses a place for relaxing as well as a children’s play space. The pamper room leading off from the hallway provides a glamorous pampering area. Brown Levigato stone was used to create the bespoke sink in a slab of stone with a bronze-tinted mirror above the vanity unit. Ebony Makassar has been cladded to half the height of the walls with a bronze trim insert and brown glass to the adjacent wall of the vanity top. As a finishing touch a bespoke Serdaneli faucet from Paris was specified by the client, with a match of the same stone used for the vanity top cut to size and inserted to the handles of the taps. From the end of the Hallway past the black and white family photographs that hang in front of grey glass panelled walls you enter a dramatic Master Bedroom. Ebony Makassar joinery adjacent to the master bed encases a 52” size LCD TV, ample storage and a study desk which is concealed by a black glass sliding door. An Ebony Makassar full height door leads to the generous walk-in wardrobe at the client’s request. The master en-suite features a grand walk-in shower with white Italian stone book matched to the back wall. White Italian stone was also used to create the bathroom vanity top and unit with carved stone his and her sinks. In addition to this bedroom, there are three guest bedrooms each complete with en-suite, and individually designed features. “The brief for this project was very simple”, Leo comments, “clean and minimal”. The result of the winning project is exactly so. Casa Forma achieved this design with the use of clever storage solutions and maximum artificial lighting and mirrors, maximising the space of the property. It is then undoubtedly the numerous bespoke joinery pieces carefully designed and selected by Casa Forma which make this both a luxury house and a family home.
Mother of Pearl, Capiz Shell and Semi-Precious Stones. Exquisite Interior Design, Naturally. www.shellshockdesigns.com info@shellshockdesigns.com tel: +44 (0)20 8952 1345
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Kingston Mansion, UK by Staffan Tollgard Design Group
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Somehow, when the word ‘boutique’ is used in describing a particular living space, be it a nightclub, hotel or an apartment, a sense of exclusivity is instantaneously attributed to that said space. Exclusive, refined, chic and stylish...but family-friendly? Perhaps not the most obvious connotation. In this way, the design brief for Staffan Tollgard Design Group’s Kingston Mansion project, winner of the Residential Property over £5 million Award at the International Design and Architecture Awards 2012, was somewhat contradictory. The challenge was to create a home with a boutique feel, showcasing beautiful yet unassuming natural materials with a healthy dose of the ‘wow factor’. Importantly, however, the house also needed to function as a practical family home with plenty of storage space and ample room for three young children to play. As a designer, how does one begin to address and adhere to two such disparate driving principals; the dream of a serene, boutique space versus the reality of a busy, family home? “We decided that the key to bridging the gap could be to create a home that was stylistically unified in shape, material, and so on,” explains Rosalind Calow, Director of Residential Design at Staffan Tollgard Design Group. “But within this framework, we would play with colour to a greater or lesser degree in order to liven up or calm down individual areas with their different requirements.” Fortunately, the design group had a copious amount of space in which to create such unique areas. The new-build mansion, located in a sought-after, countrified conservation area near Kingston Upon Thames, South West London, spans an impressive 10,000 square feet. The team were responsible for designing more than twenty rooms within the property. The aforementioned stylistic unity that was so integral to the practice’s approach to the project is very much reflective of its founder and director’s guiding design principal. When asked by design et al to share his advice on approaching design, Staffan Tollgard advised us to ‘find the red thread’. “It’s a Scandinavian expression,” he explains. “I use it time and time again to explain the guiding principle of creative work. It’s unique to each project and following it makes each of our designs feel coherent and cohesive.” The unifying principle underlying the Kingston Mansion project stems from the clients’ love of contemporary craftsmanship, as Rosalind reveals: “Very early on and in consultation with the architect [Nick Baker Architects], we developed upon the idea of the contemporary Arts and Crafts theme of the exterior.”
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“This was with a view to taking certain Arts and Crafts Movement principles, rather than direct design quotations, and applying them to the interior design of the property in a contemporary way.” One particularly ingenious bespoke touch, through which the principles of the Arts and Crafts Movement were cleverly extended, was to create a contemporary decorative motif. From window panes and artwork to joinery and soft furnishings, this unique stylistic feature runs subtly throughout the house, aiding in the creation of that fundamental design unification. “Following the Arts and Crafts ideal, we decided that the motif should be sensitively and artistically detailed, complementing rather than obscuring the materials to which it was applied,” Rosalind says. “Since we first envisaged this motif being applied to the specialist built-in joinery, we tapped into the idea of a linear motif to follow the grain and work in harmony with the nature of the wood itself.” Craftsmanship arguably sits hand in hand with the use of natural materials, which, fortuitously, also featured highly on the clients’ brief. They were keen to invest in natural materials for the interior finishes, with solid walnut featuring on doors, exposed door frames, skirting and windowsills throughout. Prime grade American black walnut flooring was also used in much of the property, further adding to the boutique feel of the property. Playful, vibrant colours add a sense of fun to the scheme, with injections of orange, burgundy and yellow providing a youthful contrast to the fresh, off-white walls in the family room. A signature Paul Smith swirl rug further adds to the dynamism of this room. The reception room, conversely, represents a more sophisticated, understated adult entertaining space. Soft taupes and browns provide the backdrop for only the most understated splashes of orange, an accent colour used throughout the house, in this room. Another entertainment space to be given the full boutique treatment was the swimming pool, with its spa-like finishes, mood lighting and incredible statement-piece movie projection gadgetry. Not your average home cinema, this truly unique space required the wall, or ‘screen’, to be thoroughly waterproofed with matte protective paint. The overall effect is simply stunning. Through their astounding attention to detail and acute awareness of their clients’ tastes and requirements, Staffan Tollgard Design Group have undoubtedly succeeded in their aim to create a bespoke, boutique house – that just so happens to function perfectly as a much-loved, family home.
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