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C R E AT O R S O F T H E W O R L D ’ S M O S T F A B U L O U S L I F E S T Y L E S
Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, Third Floor - South Dome, London SW10 OXE uk@christopherguy.com LOS LOS ANGELES ANGELES
020 3397 2410
NEW NEW YORK YORK
LAS LAS VEGAS VEGAS
www.christopherguy.com LONDON LONDON
PARIS PARIS
HONG HONG KONG KONG
SINGAPORE SINGAPORE
SHANGHAI SHANGHAI
WORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE
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Classical Contemporary | Contemporary | Traditional Heritage
COLECCION
Furniture | Bath | Lighting | Textiles | Rugs
www.coleccionalexandra.co.uk 01904 677 063 01904 677 063
www.christopherhyde.com
Sales & Showroom: 2/12 Chelsea Harbour Design Centre London SW10 OXE sales@christopherhyde.com T +44 (0)20 7351 0893
AN EXCEPTIONAL ROSEWOOD, INLAID AND BRASS STRUNG SIDE CABINET | Retail £2,805 inc vat
THIRD GENERATION CLASSICAL FURNITURE SPECIALIST WITH 1,500 DESIGNS IN STOCK TO INSPECT IN SITU PRIOR TO PURCHASE
HAND CARVED MAHOGANY AND PARCEL GILT SETTEE Retail £4,680 inc vat
GUÉRIDON AFTER A. WEISWEILER Retail £2,190 inc vat
CHINOISERIE LAMP TABLE Retail £1,275 inc vat
CHINOISERIE COMMODE Retail £2,420 inc vat
DORSET
LONDON
OXFORDSHIRE
York House . 61-63 Leigh Road Wimborne . BH21 1AE Telephone 01202 884613
608 King’s Road London . SW6 2DX Telephone 020 7610 9597
Kingston House . High Street Nettlebed . RG9 5DD Telephone 01491 641115
wimborne@brightsofnettlebed.co.uk
kingsroad@brightsofnettlebed.co.uk
nettlebed@brightsofnettlebed.co.uk
WWW.BRIGHTSOFNETTLEBED.CO.UK
INTRODUCING YOUR NEW LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Access The World’s Finest Products Complimentary Sourcing Exclusive Trade Pricing Bespoke Commissions Effortless Logistics
www.luxdeco.com/trade
BIRGIT ISRAEL 251 - 253 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6HY | 0207 376 7255 | info@birgitisrael.com | www.birgitisrael.com
Exemplary, In Every Detail Always wanted a stunning new home designed to your every specification, in a beautiful setting of your choice? Then you should consider speaking to Octagon’s Bespoke division, which has been creating award-winning properties for more than 35 years. Octagon has become the leader in its field by specifying the finest materials, fixtures and fittings. This applies to every detail, from hand-made bricks and marble floors to custom-designed cabinetry and spectacular bespoke-built staircases. To discover how you could fulfil your dream, call Octagon on 020 8481 7500 or email johnp@octagon.co.uk
www.octagonbespoke.co.uk
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AWARD WINNING HANDCRAFTED KITCHENS Beautiful kitchens hand-crafted by a team of skilled cabinet-makers in Hambridge, Somerset. At Chalon, fully qualified design consultants in our showrooms will offer expert advice on design and colour.They can help bring your brief to life producing a detailed plan, drawings and quotation.
www.chalon.com | +44 (0)207 349 1430
CH A LON E S T .
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Silver Leaf Matisse TROWBRIDGE GALLERY 555 Kings Road, SW6 | T: +44 (0)207 371 8733
www.trowbridgegallery.com
Bridge Bridge forfor Design Design Summer Winter 2015
Interior Styling by: Julian Chichester, www.julianchichester.com
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CONTENTS 30 42 58 80 82
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108 118
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Design News 27 pages of the latest from the world of interior design Books Kit Kemp’s ‘Every Room Tells a Story’ Books Tim Gosling’s ‘Classic Contemporary, the DNA of furniture design’ Decorex Review Jim Evans of Uber interiors looks back at this year’s interiors show Fabrics & Wallpaper Eight pages of new collections from Designers Guild, Osborne and Little, Jane Churchill, Soane Britain, Rubelli and Swaffer The Fabric House We take a look at Redloh House, the fabric and wallpaper collective Design Trends Jason Cherrington hails the return of decorative stone floors, Brent Cooper gives advice on choosing a feature bed, Peter Sallick celebrates 19th Century design, Tina Mahony marvels at marble and Joanna Bibby talks about the lure of leather Swiss Design Project A derelict barn is given a £2m makeover Inspired by Alison Henry the NewZealand born designer has made herself at home in a stylish Chelsea townhouse renovation On Top of the World perched on a South African clifftop is an ultra modern house that is a marvel of precision engineering - a glass box that is fit for a James Bond movie
Cover story: The library at the Ham Yard Hotel has a traditional English feel with Kit’s Ozone fabric on the walls, a curated library by Philip Blackwell and a hand-block printed Mrs Monro fabric on the sofa and armchairs Read about Kit Kemp’s new book on page 42
DORYA INTERIORS AVAILABLE THROUGH INTERIO UK
www.interio.co.uk
CONTENTS 134 138 142 144
150
156
162 172
126
180 190
200 206
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Virginia Design Project the perfect backdrop for vintage furnishings Montreal Design Project redefining a heritage conversion Kitchens Four great designs from Cue & Co, Officine Gullo, Espresso Designs and Davonport Rugs 12 great rugs, we profile designer Jennifer Manners, Deirdre Dyson opens a new showroom and new designs from Stepevi and Alternative Flooring Lighting Christopher Hyde’s Lanesborough table lamps, Martin Huxford launch a trio of pendant lights, Valerie Wade’s new crystal lamps and Tigermoth’s silver chain pendant Bathrooms New antique copper collection from Catchpole & Rye, West One Bathroom’s stylish new bath, Drummonds introduce a new vanity and Matki have a whisper quiet sliding shower door Inspired by John Demsey the cosmetics kingpin opens the doors to his debonair and exuberant New York townhouse Inspired by Thomas Messel the renowned furniture designer has carefully adapted his quintessential English manor to accommodate his family and provide the perfect setting for his art and antiques London Design Project Church chic in Knightsbridge Great Houses Bowhill, the stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry was once a simple retreat for country pleasures, now it is full of treasure Berkshire Design Project A Grade-Ⅱ listed building transormed into a warm family home Inspired by Casa Cayman with stunning views out over the Pacific, this traditional Mexican home with a Palapa living room at its heart has geological treasures woven into its fabric
Makers of fine contemporary furniture and interior joinery | Bedrooms | | Dressing Rooms | | Libraries | | Kitchens | | Offices | | Cinemas | | Media Rooms | | Wine Rooms | | Console Tables | | Interior Doors |
01743 464080 enquiries@isis-furniture.co.uk www.isis-furniture.co.uk
PUBLISHER
Martin Trowbridge Martin@bridgefordesign.com
EDITOR
Rob Cork
Rob@bridgefordesign.com
Wigmore Street W1 · Harrods SW1 · King’s Road SW10
+44 (0)20 7493 4444
EDITOR’S ASSISTANT
Kelly Davies Kelly.D@bridgefordesign.com
EDITORIAL CHIEF SUB-EDITOR COPY-EDITING
Tammi Bell Tammi.B@bridgefordesign.com Katy Briscoe
ADVERTISING ADVERTISEMENT DIRECTOR
UK ADVERTISING US ADVERTISING
EUROPEAN ADVERTISING
Vivien Brockwell +44 (0)173 246 1090 +44 (0)786 754 7712 Vivien@bridgefordesign.com Simon Hemsley +44 (0)791 937 5159 Simon@bridgefordesign.com Shelba Cornelison 001 336 869 2528 Shelba@bridgefordesign.com Stephen Geer +44 (0)1892 667 600 StephenPG@bridgefordesign.com
From £7,500 to £125,000
CONTRIBUTORS JIM EVANS JASON CHERRINGTON BRENT COOPER PETER SALLICK TINY MAHONY JOANNA BIBBY
ACCOUNTS FINANCE DIRECTOR
FELIX 03
www.UBER-interiors.com www.lapicida.com www.simonhorn.com www.uk.waterworks.com www.gomodern.co.uk www.ochre.net
ACCOUNTS
Chris Norman Chris.N@bridgefordesign.com Cisca Cowling Cisca@bridgefordesign.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS BRIDGE FOR DESIGN
SLEEP BEAUTIFULLY The world’s most comfortable bed, hand made in London
Subs@bridgefordesign.com +44 (0)189 266 7600
www.bridgefordesign.com 16 Sybron Way, Jarvis Brook, East Sussex, TN6 3DZ, United Kingdom T: +44 (0)1892 667 600 F: +44 (0)1892 667 007 E: enquiries@bridgefordesign.com
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Copyright 2015 BRIDGE FOR DESIGN, TROWBRIDGE Gallery, ISSN 1764-4404. Printed by Pureprint Group, Bellbrook Park,Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1PL, T: 01825 768811. Published quarterly. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. The views expressed by contributors are independent and are not necessarily those of BRIDGE FOR DESIGN
www.deirdredyson.com Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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OUR DESIGNERS BIBI MONNAHAN
Pure, minimal, quiet and relaxed - These words best describe Bibi Monnahan’s design aesthetic. Her work is a reductionist mix of comfort, luxe and elegance but always with an eye toward modern practicality - incorporating furnishings that are tailormade to her clients’ individual lifestyle. www.bibimonnahan.com page 162
MAURIZIO PELLIZZONI
Maurizio is sought around the world for his design skills, his multifaceted services ranging from home styling to set design and window dressing. He will always endeavour to interpret his clients’ tastes and styles rather than imposing his own - to ensure a unique and characterful end-result. www.mauriziopellizzoni.co.uk page 200
The secret of a memorable night’s sleep
RAJI RADHAKRISHNAN
Raji’s work reflects her love for creating beautiful homes which have a lived in feel. Architectural details, exceptional craftsmanship, carefully selected pieces, comfortable perches - all brought together to create rooms that are not only inviting but make you want to stay, live in and enjoy. www.rajim.com page 134
THOMAS MESSEL
Hypnos ‘secretly’ knows that it is a supremely comfortable bed that is at the heart of a truly memorable night’s sleep. With over 100 years experience of making made-to-measure beds, using the finest natural materials, and with a Royally Approved reputation for hand crafting the most comfortable beds in the world, it is no surprise that Hypnos beds and their sublime comfort can be found in the finest homes, palaces and hotels.
Thomas Messel has been creating the finest handcrafted, stylishly elegant furniture since 1979. His style is is influenced by his enthusiasm for the European 17th to 19th Century decorative arts, from the baroque to the neo-classical as well as his appreciation of contemporary design. www.thomasmessel.com page 172
ALISON HENRY
“I admit to a dislike of the disposable and the quick fix. I like things to be done once and well so that they last. With everything that is happening in the world today, I detect that people are looking at their lives in a simple way, rediscovering certain values and creating a heritage that embraces all things in life.” www.alisonhenry.com page 118
HOWES & RIGBY
T: +44 (0) 1844 348200 | E: designer@hypnosbeds.com www.hypnosbeds.com Hypnos isBridge proud to CarbonWinter Neutral,2015 complying with BS PAS 2060 Standard. forbeDesign
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Howes & Rigby offers unrivalled experience for those wishing to invest in the London property market. Howes & Rigby’s unique skills-set means that as one entity they can oversee every step of the property journey for their clients, from planning to design and build. www.howesandrigby.com page 180
SINCE 1800
I M PA S S I O N E D M E TA L A BRAND NEW FINISH
M A G N I F I C E N T D R A P E RY H A R D W A R E
FIND OUT MORE
023 9225 2525 | www.tillysinteriors.com Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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DESIGN NEWS
THIS STYLISH end table shown in a striking Gunmetal finish with stainless steel accents and complementary mirror is accompanied by an elegant sofa in a neutral fabric. Matching pillows are highlighted with luxe leather; both fabric and leather are exclusively by Dorya. USA T: 001 305 373 4446 | UK T: +44 (0) 120 271 7017 www.trumphomebydorya.com www.interio.co.uk
HARNESSING THE elegance and craftsmanship of the Taj Mahal, the new additions to the Brabbu AGRA family are a celebration in marble. The delicate work of the robust white stone softens the imposing structure of the pieces, while touches of brass reflect warm tones to the polished surface. www.brabbu.com 30
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INSPIRED BY the joie de vivre of the French Regency style, the Antibes mantel by Suzanne Tucker for Chesneys is at once romantic and restrained. This classically proportioned and elegantly detailed mantel combines restrained lines and proportions to make it suitable for numerous applications lending itself to a wide variety of materials and decorating styles.
www.chesneys.co.uk
ARTIST, BEN MOSLEY, has taken two Doll chairs from the latest Novamobili collection and transformed them into unique artworks. Taking inspiration from British and Italian landmarks, Mosley captures the two nations’ vibrant creativity and design excellency, and encapsulates them on the artisanal craftsmanship of Novamobili’s quality furniture. www.novamobili.it
Manufacturers of traditional and contemporary bespoke furniture
www.cleyndertandbarr.com Telephone: +44 (0)1603 783665 | Email: info@cleyndertandbarr.com
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design news
THE BROGAN CHAIR by Leather furniture manufacturer Hancock & Moore features a traditional-style wooden frame upholstered with a mocha zebra hair-on-hide exterior, and a quilted leather interior. This refined look exudes a wild vibe for seating that really ‘roars’ with style. www.hancockandmoore.com
THE EXOTIC image of butterflies flying wild and free was the inspiration for Koket’s Nymph Chandelier. The elegant movement of this feminine animal is captured in a whimsical and delicate artisan piece with gold butterflies flying all around the central brass structure in this luxury lighting solution. www.bykoket.com
EXQUISITE DESIGNS by The Heritage Wardrobe Company backed by a dependable team of professionals, each bespoke wardrobe is beautifully crafted to a client’s exact specification and painted in a colour of their choosing. T: +44 (0)203 355 8575 www.theheritagewardrobecompany.com
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THIS SETTING from the popular Biltmore Collection by Fine Furniture Design embraces George and Edith Vanderbilt’s comfortable approach to gracious living for which they were so well known. Each piece draws on the timeless beauty of the treasures found throughout George Vanderbilt’s travels throughout Europe and the world. T: 001 336 883 9918 | www.biltmorefinefurniture.com
NATHAN ANTHONY速 MADE IN CALIFORNIA
nathananthonyfurniture.com Elan Sectional, Z-3 Chairs & Triton Table Design by Tina NicoleTM Photography by Khai Mai
nathananthonyfurniture.com Perle Collection photography by Khai Mai
2015 WINNER INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT DESIGN AWARD Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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design news
THIS MAHOGANY and parcel gilt throne chair by Brights of Nettlebed is based on a George II original circa 1735. Serpentine fine cow hide upholstered back and seat enclosed by lion head arms, on lion mask and leaf carved cabriole legs terminating in hairy paw and ball feet. T: +44 (0)207 610 9597 www.brightsofnettlebed.co.uk
LUXURY LIGHTING specialist Christopher Wray has introduced a new collection of sofas and armchairs from Italian upholstery brand Carlo Tanzi Salotti. Hand crafted from high quality materials, this luxurious collection embraces traditional upholstery techniques with innovative designs for stunning sofas that will fit both contemporary and conventional interiors. www.christopherwray.com
WOVEN WITH 80 percent sisal and 20 percent wool, the new Sisool Plaid collection from Crucial creates a beautifully textural flooring which is not only visually impactful but creates a tactile surface suitable for every room in the home. T: +44 (0)156 274 2747 www.crucial-trading.com 34
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FOLLOWING THE successful launch of the console and mirror set, Artmax introduce the full Chantilly collection with equally beautiful pieces ranging from assorted accent furniture to tabletop accessories. A true twist of classic Parisian combining with a modern element. T: 001 773 376 6266 | www.artmaxfurniture.com
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design news
NEW FOR 2015, luxury furnishings brand Christopher Guy introduces the ‘Breguet’ mirror. Featuring a bold sun-inspired design, the mirror is hand carved from mahogany and can be made to bespoke requirements in a range of sizes and finishes. T: +44 (0) 203 397 2410 www.christopherguy.com
SHOWN IN a new “linen” wood finish, Taylor King’s Ambergris Settee features a caned back and sides that cradle an ultra plush seat cushion in “Vintage Linen.” Pillow cushions in “Jenga Multi” add pops of turquoise and chilli pepper for a bold accent. www.taylorking.com
PICTURED HERE is one of the many classic designs by Rockwood for Mottahedeh lending a vintage charm to any setting. T: 001 800 242 3050 | www.mottahedeh.com 36
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People:
Orlando Boyne The revival of the use of British stone has a lot to do with Orlando Boyne, director of Britannicus Stone. He says: ‘A discerning clientele is always looking for something new, different and unique. British stone fulfils all these criteria. It is beautiful, often rare, can never be replicated and, to be honest, expensive.’ During the building of the British Empire, the aristocracy began to shop abroad, most notably in Italy. However, it was to Britain in the 19th century that the Italians came to learn the craft of polishing and Pietra dura (interlocking stone work). Orlando says: ‘The Devonian polishers were the world masters of their craft and the Italians flocked to the West Country to master their techniques. Unfortunately over the years the skill-set
diminished until now it is non-existent.’ Undeterred by local expertise Orlando, over the last 20 years, has been rebuilding the reputation of British stone and marble and in doing so has created a devout following of designers who regularly recommend these truly amazing pieces of natural beauty. British stone is quite simply astounding; the variety, the hues and the patterns all conspire to craft a unique series of stones and marbles that are rapidly becoming the envy of the world - Burlington Arcade, the eponymous shopping emporium in central London, has recently relaid its iconic walkway with British stone and British Royalty recently used a slab of Swaledale Fossil for the reburial of King Richard III. www.britannicus-stone.co.uk
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design news
ROMO’S ORNARE is a lustrous collection of velvets and modern jacquard weaves featuring delicate, organic flora, contemporary geometrics and timeless stripes. www.romo.com
THE ABILITY of The Oasis to mix and match different raw but precious materials and textures enables them to provide an overall concept in interior design based on a coordinated effect. Offering a bespoke, distinctive ambiance suitable for any Country and culture, they create classical and traditional interior designs in an innovative fashionable style. www.oasisgroup.it
ALL MARI IANIQ items are haute couture and collectable jewellery inspired. Covered from top to bottom in our exclusive hand cut fluting, finished with our refined, signature patinas, crowned with a row of Swarovski pearls, this Perlage cabinet is a masterpiece of luxury design, an artistic treasure for any stylish interior. T: +44 (0) 795 122 8666 | www.mariianiq.com
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WITH AN ATTRACTIVE angular frame design and floating seat, the Eclipse Collection from Pride Family Brands is a definite show stopper. Expertly engineered with multple banding layers and sleigh bed legs, Eclipse captures a luxury contemporary look. Sling dining as well as traditional and sectional deep seating also available. T: 001 855 612 9800 | www.pridefamilybrands.com
VEEDON FLEECE
A custom weaving house specialising in hand woven carpets
Purely bespoke and exclusively to design specification Muga ~ Pashmina ~ Silk ~ Veedon ~ Wool www.veedonfleece.com veedon@veedonfleece.com Telephone: 00 44 (0)1483 575758
design news
PALM BEACH Royal Lounge Chair from the Richard Frinier Collection for Century shown with resort white Sailcloth fabrics from Sunbrella also designed by Richard Frinier www.centuryfurniture.com/frinier
DAVID HARBER’s award-winning Chalice redefines the relationship between fixed and moving sculptural forms. Made of two mirror-polished stainless steel hemispheres, water overflows from the Chalice’s outer rim and, via surface tension, continues to conform to its side. T: +44 (0) 123 5859300 | www.davidharber.com
BITANGRA’S FURNITURE pieces are a bright and modern twist on stained glass, brought to life by the hands of master artisans. Each piece is a tribute to the ancient tradition of hand painted glass tiles, and are created to complement the decoration of any interior setting. www.bitangra.com 40
Bridge for Design Winter 2015
BESPOKE SOFA LONDON strive to create unique and desirable handcrafted furniture, using the finest materials and craftsmanship. Using luxury fabrics and blending traditional with modern techniques, creating some of the most beautiful handcrafted furniture available. T: +44 (0) 207 736 9900 | www.bespokesofalondon.co.uk
design news | books
ABOVE: The library at the Ham Yard Hotel has a traditional English feel with Kit’s Ozone fabric on the walls, a curated library by Philip Blackwell and a hand-block printed Mrs Monro fabric on the sofa and armchairs. LEFT: Paintings by late British artist Sandra Blow and a modern chandelier by Gareth Devonald Smith. Large coloured marbles are inserted into the occassional wrought iron balustrade railline.at the entrance to the Ham Yard Hotel.
Every Room Tells a Story
Kit Kemp has been creating exciting and innovative interiors for nearly three decades, in particular with her work as design director for Firmdale hotels which she co-owns with her husband, Tim Kemp. In her new book Every Room Tells a Story, she showcases her latest projects – including a new build hotel, a Caribbean hideaway, a listed townhouse and a bowling alley – to name but a few. Inspired by her travels, Kit explains the essence of her bespoke rooms, how contrasting tones and patterns can complement a space and how important it is to have a connecting thread running throughout her unique interiors. Whether she is using organic and natural materials, having a discernible colour palette or mounting significant art forms, her attention to detail knows no bounds. “Storytelling is at the heart of everything I do,” she says “the stories behind a fabric or an artist are what peaks my curiosity to know
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Bespoke hand embroidered Couture fabrics and cushions
261 Fulham Road, London SW3 6HY 020 7352 5594 sales@beaumontandfletcher.com www.beaumontandfletcher.com
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design news news || books books design
ABOVE: A base of blue with pops of pink run through from the light-filled drawing room to the master bedroom in the Terrace Suite at the Ham Yard Hotel. A combination of fabrics keep the eye travelling through to the vibrant Tulu fabric on the bedroom’s headboard LEFT: Holly Frean’s doggie miniatures hang above a marble-topped console made in India
more, to weave their meaning into the stories I try to create in a room. It’s what makes a space intriguing beyond being just lovely to look at – it draws you in, captivates your imagination, makes you become part of the narrative rather than standing on the outside simply looking in.” She says that’s why she called her second book Every Room Tells a Story, and alongside stunning photography her narrative for how a room can come to life is told in a way that is both warm, uplifting and inviting. Taking you through her cleverly crafted rooms Kit reveals how her ultimate inspiration of the loom is the foundation of her creations as she masterfully weaves a captivating narrative 44
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design news | books
design news | books
ABOVE: There are interesting bolts of colour - bright yellow leather used on the fire fender and the tops of chairs, sofas upholstered in William Yeoward’s Acri in denim and Carolina Irving fabric on the armchairs. In the far left corner is a series of framed horsemen at the Knightsbridge Hotel. LEFT: A gazebo at the foot of the garden, set amongst trees shaped to look like umbrellas, provides another room outside at Number Sixteen, South Kensington.
behind the chosen fabrics, textiles, specially commissioned installations and artworks seen throughout her interiors. Her distinctive and often bold approach invokes curiosity and intrigue and provides a visual journey for the reader that will delight the eye and mind. Kit is currently working on her second New York property, The Whitby Hotel, set to open in the middle of next year. Located at 18 West 56th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues it will comprise 86 bedrooms and suites over 15 floors. Every Room Tells a Story by Kit Kemp Published by Hardie Grant Books www.hardiegrant.co.uk 46
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559 KING’S ROAD LONDON SW6 2EB WWW.BESPOKESOFALONDON.CO.UK TEL: 020 773 69900
Bespoke sofa London is one of the UK’s leading bespoke furniture manufacturing companies. Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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design news
NATHAN ANTHONY Co-founder and lead designer Tina Nicole has created the limited edition Elan/S chair, inspired by the 20th century Dutch artists from the De Stijl art movement. Elan/S involves a unique overstitching technique that results in a glamorous irreverence to the love of geometric shapes and primary colours of a by-gone era. www.nafurniture.com
HIGH END occasional furniture manufacturer Jonathan Charles teams up again with renowned designer William Yeoward to debut new additions to the designer collection. Light wood finishes ranging in greyed oak, washed acacia, and white oak, are paired with his signature polka dot inlay to create a quirky, playful look with bags of personality.
www.jonathancharles.com
THE JOHN RICHARD line, including the Nian four-drawer chest with gold painted trim and red finish, may be used in many places throughout the home. Accessories include the Twisted accent lamp, three aqua vases showing floating clouds and bubbles and two Shoreline Glimmer pictures surrounded by a hand-painted and finished mat with gold bevel. USA T: 001 662 453 5809 | UK T: +44 (0) 120 271 7017 www.johnrichard.com | www.interio.co.uk
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UP YOUR dÊcor dosage at the flick of a switch with a galaxy of lush lighting ideas from Jonathan Adler’s new collection which encapsulates Modern American Glamour. With lashings of lucite and beacoup brass, luxe materials and elegant proportions combine to create a dazzling collection of jewellery for the home. T: +44 (0) 207 589 9563 | www.uk.jonathanadler.com
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design news
One To Watch: HICKORY WHITE’s Custom Elements cabinet shop program provides an opportunity to choose and mix a variety of looks. Available with a wide array of custom base options, all available with several decorator finishes as well as a mix of stylish hardware. Pictured is the Frank low four-door cabinet with a double leg X-stretcher base and shown in a warm Sable finish accented with gold leaf striping. T: 001 828 322 8624 www.hickorywhite.com
FLORRIE AND BILL’s collaboration with textile designer Abigail Borg sees a somewhat gothic twist on the recurring florals trend - Dark Blooms. Its bold and eye-catching Botanical collection features a palette of deep, moody hues offsetting the delicate nature of scattered flowers for this sultry print trend. www.florrieandbill.com 50
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Volta Ceilings is a craft collaboration between two highprofile Belgian artists, Eddy Dankers and Thierry Thenaers, who have marked the rediscovery of painted canvas ceilings, writes Katy Briscoe. First seen in classical Greece, painting scenes on fabric became an increasingly refined art, direct ancestor of the illusionist ceilings of Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo times. In the theatre too, painted canvas has always been a medium of magical illusion. As a bespoke art form, it has dazzling potential for both traditional and modern ceilings. Eddy’s family have been artists since the 17th Century and Thierry is a renowned master painter, operatic set designer and interior designer. Individually, both have worked on many of Europe’s historic buildings, including the restoration of the Palace of Versailles. Inheritors and developers of the art of painted canvas ceilings, Thierry and Eddy
set up Volta as an international interiors brand and their teams work all over the world. Through using old and new techniques and technologies, they can create anything from a perfect facsimile of a Baroque masterpiece to a dazzling ultra-modern trompe l’oeil ceiling. Highly eco-sensitive; they work on natural linen canvas, using natural casein paints, with a passion for authentic plant and mineralpigmented colour. Their stand at Decorex 2015 included an extraordinary virtual reality tour, with visitors donning advanced VR headsets to ‘travel down’ a grand corridor allowing them to view a series of rooms with unique Volta ceilings. Proving that, ancient as it is, this classical art form has most definitely made the move into contemporary interiors. www.voltaceilings.com
Dahlia- Photo © David Garcia
4 Pont Street London SW1X 9EL • Telephone: +44 (0)20 7838 7788 www.bathroomsint.com
design news
THE MANU SIDE table by Julian Chichester is a three tiered smoked oak table which is arranged on an aged brass central stanchion. Also available as a rectangular version. www.julianchichester.com
GLOBE PENDANTS free-blown using artisanal techniques from the twelfth century, result in glass of the finest colour, clarity and brilliance for Original BTC. Each piece is unique, and captures the simple elegance and attention to detail in a pendant with chrome or brass fittings, and the trademark braided cable. www.originalbtc.com
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People:
Ghizlan El Glaoui “Mosaics are part of my family’s legacy,” says artist, Ghizlan El Glaoui. “They are in my mind when I paint, bringing me back to my roots and the art and culture of colours of Morocco.” The granddaughter of Thani el mezouari el Glaoui, the last Pasha of Marrakech, Ghizlan draws on her rich Berber heritage to explore mosaics through clever paint techniques. She uses ‘the golden ratio’, a geometrical method often employed in fresco art to capture the essence of her subects through vivid colours, oils, traditional tempuras and luminescent metallic paints on canvas. “It is also known as the ‘divine proportion’,” explains Ghizlan. “It is the hidden maths behind beauty and designers and artists since rennaissance have used it.” Ghizlan then illuminates her paintings from behind to give them a new dimension and a fresh perspective. Working with a lighting designer, she uses a mix of remote controlled warm and cold light, so that when backlit, the light filters through the canvas to create a translucent effect and an ever changing image.
“When you have a portrait in your house, it’s static and doesn’t change,” says El Glaoui. “My portraits change throughout the day. The painting becomes a light in your house - bright during the day and abstract during the night. It is a piece of artwork but also an installation that changes with the time of day or the mood of whoever is in the room.” Ghizlan’s passion for art began when she was a child, where she spent many happy hours in her father’s art studio, the renowned Moroccan artist Hassen El Glaoui. Here, encouraged by her mother, a former leading Givenchy model, Ghizlan posed for portraits, becoming her father’s muse and igniting her own fascination with faces. These inspirational surroundings from her childhood, combined with rich colours of her father’s work, have influenced her distinctive painting style, resulting in a series of unique paintings, reminiscent of the glittering mosaics of the Byzantine Empire. www.ghizlanelglaoui.com
Licensed exclusively by Bogart, LLC. www.humphreybogart.com
Humphrey Bogart personified the romanticism and sophistication of his era. Fine Furniture Design has united that legacy with its own trademark of quality and design to create a visionary collection that embodies the extraordinary life and style of this truly remarkable man.
style precisely crafted
FFDM.com
design news
GROUNDED IN luxury, Abigail Ahern’s new collection is nuanced, personal, layered and luxurious. From blustery English gardens to dripping tropical rainforests, their faux plant range wows with cacti, oversized single stems and jaw dropping banana leaves and trees, perfect for embellishing every interior. www.abigailahern.com
HADDONSTONE LAUNCH the Young Athlete bust, an exquisite replica taken from a bronze created in 1889 by the renowned Sabatino de Angelis of Naples. This bust would make a charming addition to an exterior or interior setting such as a hall, drawing room or library. T: +44 (0) 160 477 0711 www.haddonstone.com
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AN ANTIQUED stone or reclaimed floor will inject character into any room - as proven by Natural Stone Consulting’s range of bespoke, hand-finished antiqued tiles and flagstones which features a number of exclusive materials from quarries around the world.
T: +44 (0) 845 521 8700 | www.naturalstoneconsulting.co.uk
ALL OF THE pieces in Delcor’s Chelsea range have a timeless look with perfectly placed curves and there’s no denying these designs add Chelsea charm to any interior. Featuring sumptuous high-density cushions, fully sprung bases and backs, plus springs that each move independently, these pieces create a smart and comfortable space to sink into. T: +44 (0) 207 352 5551 | www.delcor.co.uk
Every Towel Rail is Hand Made by people like Mack in our Wolverhampton factory. 100% made in Britain.
Nearest stockist for private residential please contact +44 (0)121 270 2222. Contracts and projects contact Kate Priestley 07980 630842.
w w w. b a r d b r a z i e r . c o . u k
design news
LIKE A SLICE of veined marble hewn and polished by craftsmen, the subtle wave design of CARRIERE, by Lelievre, is woven in rich heavy satin with the optical effect of marbled stone. The fluidity of curtains creates curving columns for a sensuous look while walling in the fabric fools the eye with the impression of luxurious marble walls. www.lelievre.eu
DAVIDSON LONDON’S TALISMAN MIRROR has been causing quite a stir since its recent arrival to our London showroom. Beautifully hand gilded with contrasting textures of matte and burnished white gold leaf, this mirror promises to bring daily joy to a luxurious house. www.davidsonlondon.com 56
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DURESTA OFFERS a stylish solution for upholstered sofas and chairs. Every piece is handcrafted to order in the Duresta workshops in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire. www.duresta.com
SAVOIR BEDS has announced its latest collaboration with world-renowned Parisborn architect and designer, Robert Couturier. Handcrafted by Savoir’s expert team in London, both the unusual sleigh-shape and arctic colourway of Couturier’s design evoke a winter style perfect for the festive season. www.savoirbeds.co.uk
When the Fragrance is a Memory...
...the Vessel is a Treasure.
HEIRLUMINARE by
Mottahedeh Available at fine retailers. www.mottahedeh.com 800.242.3050
design news | books
ABOVE: The dining room table and sideboards all feature elements on Robert Adam’s designs. They are framed by three spectacular double-barrel vaults LEFT: The main hallway of a house in Sarasota, Florida, has a hand cut marquetry panel as its focal point, which was created to extend the perspective by continuing the line of chandeliers on the architectural axis. Its design is based on a Rome Palazzo
Classic Contemporary The DNA of Furniture Design
TIM GOSLING is a British designer with an international reputation for his beautifully crafted furniture, exquisite interiors and a commitment to working with highly skilled British craftsmen. Gosling is a designer fascinated by capturing the essence of design and in his new book, Classic Contemporary, he articulates his philosophy: Encoded in the very DNA of designed objects are multiple stories, if we understand these, and the elements of historical design and its make up in furniture, we will be better able to break the rules of design and keep it moving forward. Featuring Gosling’s original drawings as well as archive drawings and photographs of the work of the architects and designers who have inspired his own aesthetic, each chapter begins with the ‘Design Rules’ of a particular historial period and details the materials and leading figures associated with the era and style, from Christopher Wren to Thomas Chippendale, John Soane to William Morris. These are followed by plates showcasing Gosling’s interiors and furniture. With a foreword by Michael Palin, a fellow committee member at the Athenaeum in London where they worked together to protect, enhance and display one of London’s finest buildings, in the pages of Classic Contemporary Regency Victorian, Art Deco and Modernism are revealed in a new light. The result is a book that provides a unique insight into the work of one of today’s most popular and respected designers.
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Classic Contemporary by Tim Gosling Published by Thames & Hudson Ltd www.thamesandhudson.com
design news
BEAUMONT & FLETCHER have a wonderful selection of handmade dining room chairs, which can be customised to suit you style. The Kingsley, Blake and Pavilion chairs are seen here with Beaumont & Fletcher’s stunning embroideries. www.beaumontandfletcher.com
THE LIZ ARMCHAIR by Urban Living Interiors as a deep padded seat cushion which provides exceptional comfort. With its shapely styling and decorative cross stitch seam detailing it’s new to the Casamilano collection. Shown here upholstered in fashionable Teal Blue velvet it is available in a range of colours and has solid beech legs. T: +44 (0) 207 637 9427 www.urbanlivinginteriors.co.uk
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One of the latest ROCHE BOBOIS fabric sectional sofa designs with an innovative seat mattress consisting of independent feather and down filled squares for optimum comfort.
www.roche-bobois.com
THE STYLISH oak frame of Woodland’s Joseph bench is softened with a time-worn Grigio Sahara finish which nicely complements the comfortable and fashionable upholstered cushions (COM fabric). Inspired by tradition with a modern sensibility, additional pieces in this vignette include the Murray cocktail table, Hombre upholstered chair, Nikola side table and the Saguaro table lamp. T: 001 208 523 9006 | www.woodlandfurniture.com
Lighting by Brilliant Lighting
+44 (0)1235 859300 www.davidharber.com
design news
DESIGNER NINA CAMPBELL came across these charming pen and ink and water colour views when she was tidying up her father’s things. They are by her great great uncle, Lieutenant Robert Hely-Hutchinson Keightley who, 150 years ago, was an officer in the British army’s 76th foot regiment posted to a garrison on Malta in the Mediterranean. During the dull evenings in camp he wrote a diary and worked on his sketches and paintings of scenes that surrounded him - harbours and mountain ranges or fishing boats pulled up on the beach. Several dozen of them ended up in a large Morocco-leather album which is where Nina found them. Working with TROWBRIDGE Nina has created two stunning collections in colour and in sepia using these wonderfully evocative images. T: +44 (0)207 371 8733 I www.trowbridgegallery.com
WITH MORE THAN thirty years experience behind them, the Custom Carpet Company are once again showing their expertise with this bold Handtufted Wool rug. With its geometric design and rich colours, it will enhance any domestic or commercial floorspace. www.customcarpetcompany.co.uk 62
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PORCUPINE ROCKS’S QALAKABUSHA SOFA displays images of vibrat, native wildlife floral and geometric patterns. Its solid beech wood frame is crafted to the highest quality. www.porcupinerocks.com
design news
People:
Andre Benis CREATING TOTALLY contemporary designs, Cox London are always looking ahead towards new and exciting ideas. Their wall mounted White Hart Sculpture features cast antlers and plaster on a wood mounting with a raw timber frame, producing a striking feature for any wall. T: +44 (0) 208 880 3923 | www.coxlondon.com
AS PART OF its Private Collection Rupert McBain Furniture have collaborated with Britannicus Stone to create an exquisite bespoke Hall Table made from three natural elements: Oak, Gold and Stone. The ecclesiastical nature of the design and use of natural materials have undoubtedly created an antique of the future. www.rupertmcbainfurniture.co.uk
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Half Japanese, half American, Andre has spent most of his life in London, where his family moved shortly after he was born. He left a safe advertising career in London, to devote his life to bringing ‘beautiful, high quality Japanese textiles to the western world’. This passion for textiles was inherited from the Japanese line of his mother’s family, who have been designing, making and selling fabrics for eight generations. The Aoki family created unique pieces for the Imperial family: their kimonos honoured as ‘national treasures.’ He spent childhood summers in Japan with his grandmother, who still sells exquisite decorated silks from a traditional Japanese house in Kofu, surrounded by mountains. She gave him his first textile screen print, a flock of cranes migrating for the winter - it holds an honoured place in his home. Having decided to launch Shogun Designs he travelled throughout Japan to meet artisans and source designs, which
he has developed into three collections, called Icons, Legends and Festivals. They are all made in Japan and hand-finished in the UK. He has introduced the ancient ‘katazome’ screen printing method to the UK for the first time, a technique which he says ‘produces vibrant colours, texture and depth.’ Some of the ingredients for the dyeing process, all organic and indigenous, sound like a smoothie, for example; soya bean milk, glutinous rice and persimmon juice. Japanese design has long been admired in Europe, influencing Impressionist artists, furniture, tableware, fashion, even turning French cuisine towards minimalism. These prints are versatile, easy to use in almost any room, traditional or modern. www.shogun-designs.com
25
years
ARTMAX HEADQUARTERS
4748 S. St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60632 p 773.376.6266 • f 773.376.6358 • e info@artmaxfurniture.com www.artmaxfurniture.com SHOWROOMS
High Point, IHFC Design Center #D420 • Las Vegas, WMC Bldg. B, #B-467
design news BARD & BRAZIER are keeping up with the strong trend for colour finishes which was highlighted at Decorex to the delight of architects and designers. Making their products in Wolverhampton by hand means all their work can be finished in any RAL colour, or in a beautiful selection of plated finishes. T: +44 (0) 121 270 2222 www.bardbrazier.co.uk
AUTUMN SEES the launch of Henry Blake Hardware’s latest addition, the fluted lever handle. Shown mounted on a round rose and finished in polished nickel, other finishes and back plates available. T: +44 (0) 138 649 975 www.henryblakehardware.co.uk
PHILLIPS & WOOD celebrates retro glamour with the introduction of the ‘Planetary’ pendant light. Based on a seventies classic, the pendant can be made to bespoke requirements in the Phillips & Wood workshop in West London. Born of a partnership between award-winning designer, Joanna Wood, and antiques specialist, John Phillips, the company restores antique and vintage lighting, designs its own collections and also creates bespoke pieces to suit any client brief, from contemporary to classic.
www.phillipsandwood.co.uk T: +44 (0) 208 222 8117
Stableford’s lamps are hand-made to order, unique and will rarely be seen elsewhere; a lamp for the truly discerning buyer.
www.stablefords.com info@stablefords.com Tel: 01535 669722
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Bespoke Lighting and Furniture
Introducing the Barcelona chandelier Launched at Decorex in September 2015, this modern design incorporates the highest quality materials to create a contemporary addition to any interior design project. Made in brass with scientific quality glass. Diameter 130cm/51� x Height 25cm/10� (plus hanging length) Bespoke sizes and finishes are available as with all Phillips & Wood designs.
Workshop, offices and consultation at 2 Harlequin Avenue, Brentford, TW8 9EW, info@phillipsandwood.co.uk, www.phillipsandwood.co.uk, t. 020 8222 8117
design news
DAEDALIAN GLASS STUDIOS, glass makers using etched, fused, cast, slumping, verre églomisé, painting and laminating techniques. Working with Architects and Designers in the interiors industry; with in-house capabilities to manage projects from concept and design development, to sampling, production and installation. www.daedalianglassstudios.com
AS A COMPANY steeped in rich heritage, Hypnos prides itself on creating bespoke, madeto-measure beds for homes around the world. Its latest Regency Collection offers the ultimate in luxury design and comfort. Only natural, breathable materials have been used in the mattress, ensuring healthy air flow for a truly restful night’s sleep.
www.hypnosbeds.com
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www.andrewkornatdesigns.com +44 (0) 773 808 0098
Made in England since 1860
The Beardmore Collection est. 1860 beardmore.co.uk
design news
FOUR GREAT FIREPLACES WITH OVER 20 stove ranges to choose from, Morso has worked hard to create a well-rounded collection that can suit all interior styles and tastes. Offering both cast iron and steel quality designs, Morso continually strives to develop its wood burning stoves to meet the requirements of today’s consumer. www.morsoe.com
THE BOSTON PLACE TO FILL T: +44(0)207 610 9597 www.brightsofnettlebed.co.uk
THE TAURUS fireplace surround by J Rotherham is inspired by Victorian heritage and engineering. Framed with steel bolt studding to create a modern aesthetic which nods to the architectural influences of the Victoria era. The Taurus fireplace is an impressive and dramatic focal point to any interior.
T: +44 (0) 845 388 1927 www.jrotherham.co.uk
TO COINCIDE PLACE TO FILL. www.rochebobois.com
TAKING ITS iPLACE TO FILL www.grantmacdonald.com
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ROBEY’S ABERDEEN SURROUND with majolica base available in a wide range of colours. This compact surround is particularly suitable for rooms where space is restricted. Marble base support, steel vertical element with black enamel finish. The firebox with three glass panels offers a perfect view of the fire. www.robeys.co.uk
THE PLATONIC FIREPLACE have not stopped over the summer, recently launching their new website and completing The Metropolitan Hotel lobby fire, which can be seen both from the inside and outside. This visual shows their bespoke Driftwood within a limestone recess and warming fires. T: +44 (0) 208 891 5904 | www.platonicfireplaces.co.uk
design news
CLEYNDERT & BARR specialises in the manufacture of free standing furniture, both contemporary and traditional. Featured piece is the extending dining table in American Black walnut with stored leaf and polished stainless steel inlay to cruciform base. www.cleyndertandbarr.com
THE OCEAN speaks to you in this handsome Oceana buffet from its namesake collection by Alden Parkes which shows off finely sculptured and flowing lines. With the use of rich book-matched crotch walnut veneers, this stylish stand-alone piece offers an exotic feel. The graceful hardware has a warm Champagne leaf finish. T: 001 904 279 1617 | www.aldenparkes.com
THE CITY COLLECTION by Hurtado puts a lot of emphasis on line and form to provide spaces with energy and elegance. As in all Evolution collections by the company, the visual impact of City shows subtle interplay of geometric shapes, fine quality materials and intricate detailing. A choice of lacquer finishes offers designers several looks from which to choose.
T: 001 336 885 6660 | www.hurtadofurniture.com
Quirky B
www.alternativeflooring.com
T: 01264 335111
THE ART OF FLAME Phoenix Wharf, Eel Pie Island, Twickenham TW1 3DY Tel: 020 8891 5904 Email: gabrielle.platonic@gmail.com www.platonicfireplaces.co.uk
@Platonic_Fires
design news
COLECCION ALEXANDRA’s Traveler Collection is inspired by the glory of luxury travel’s former golden era. This is a mere glimpse of the full collection, but the pieces are all finished with embossed leather, delicate steel details, leather belts and studded corners. www.coleccionalexandra.co.uk
THE BIG SOFA Augustus and the matching armchair are new pieces crucially important for the 2015 collection. They are the first Roberto Giovannini fully upholstered sofas. The brand now wants to offer a very comfortable set of couches which preserves Giovannini’s style thanks to their neoclassical hand curved and skillfully decorated wood base.
T: +39 057 167 0200 | www.robertogiovannini.com
me and my morsø I simply don’t need anything else. Just me and my Morsø. The gentle warmth of the fire, a cheeky glass of something special and the crackle of the flames, there’s no better way to round off a great day.
/morsouk
every stove has a story
CD8350
Bliss.
www.morso.co.uk
design news
MODERN, ECLECTIC and chic, the Notorious collection by Marioni is now available exclusively through Andrew Kornat Designs. Using finest materials and craftsmanship, these pieces will elegantly stand the test of time. www.andrewkornatdesigns.com
INSPIRED BY the German Bauhaus aesthetic, Birgit Israel’s majestic brass Walter Desk seamlessly combines sleek, contemporary elegance with the timeless solidity of German craftsmanship. The rich depth of colour in the surface is achieved through a bronze patina, which is lacquered and polished to give the desk its distinctive glossy finish.
www.birgitisrael.com
live cook sleep
enquiries@espressodesign.co.uk www.espressodesign.co.uk
149 St Johns Hill London SW11 1TQ 0207 078 9912
120 Church Street Bo Kaap | Cape Town + 27 21 422 5283
O PEN IN G J AN U AR Y 2 0 1 6 203/204 Design Centre Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XF 0207 078 9912
design news
BRITISH INTERIORS accessories brand Lane launch the Beam table lamp. Featuring 32 paper fins that are slotted together to make an elegant and lightweight silhouette, it is a contemporary take on the classic concertina form. www.lanebypost.com
McCARRON AND COMPANY’s Design Director, Alex Beaugeard says ‘This project carries the new styling hallmarks of our approach to bespoke kitchens and furniture; innovative detailing, rich materials and a mastery of luxury cabinet making. This was all about precision, making sure that the design delivered in terms of specific storage, and also in developing elegant, contemporary detailing to create a sleek finish.’ www.mccarronandco.com
Coco Wolf | www.cocowolf.co.uk
Jim Evans reviews: Atelier Alain Ellouz |www.atelier-alain-ellouz.com
Il Pezzo Mancante
www.ilpezzomancante.com
Moritz Waldemeyer
www.waldemeyer.com
Lapicida | www.lapicida.com
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www.degournay.com
DECOREX 2015
W
e are all intrigued with the new. We want the latest, the bespoke, the unique. When posed with the question “what is luxury?” at the Decorex seminar Eric Cohler answered “Given time what will you remember? The best of the best”. Which is why Decorex is the most important UK day in the calendar for the Interior Design industry. If for some reason your clients were holding you to deadlines and you could not make it to Decorex, then allow us to highlight the best bits for you… well at least through the eyes of an independent furniture retailer. But next time, no excuses, you must see for yourself what Nicky Haslam declares is “THE place to be every Autumn, where we hope to inspire, be inspired, meet old friends and discover the future”. To bring about a buzz of change in 2015 more than a quarter of the 400 hand picked exhibitors were new this year - a big increase on previous years making for a hubbub of excitement and plenty of new finds. Two big impact newbies to the high-end luxury showcase were Il Pezzo Mancante with their gorgeously gothic inspired LED and blown crystal lighting with new rose bronze finishes and wonderfully bold dining tables in walnut and ash with hand welded brass base rectangles almost haphazardly suspending it. The other is an inspired game changer in the guise of a recent UK start-up successfully managing to conquer the impossible by marrying true indoor furniture design styles built to withstand the outdoor market. Coco Wolf have stormed to the attention of the trade crowds with their sumptuously appealing furniture, but it’s the clever use of construction coupled with advances in material technology that have us finally saying yes we can have furniture that can withstand the rigours of a UK winter and yet still look as good as the genuine indoor pieces. Corinne Julius had curated an insightful mix of design makers for her Future Heritage section. An inspirational collection of one-off pieces. The likes of Moritz Weldermeyer’s Ming which has a series of subtly animating LED’s in a metal frame parametric structure making the core shape of this ‘Ming’ vase mesmerise with soft changing blue light depicting the gentle movement of water. We were also intrigued by the layering glass forms of Shelley James who used EEC scans of her own brain to enhance her works on the graphic impact of print captured within a 3D sculptural forms. On a mission to revive the neglected art of ceiling painting, Volta pushed us into the future showing their impressive geometric patterned ceiling designs plus more traditional work via a virtual headset of sound and vision. The stone specialist Lapicida whose previous stands always delight in innovation, always push the boundaries of what can be achieved with a beautiful piece of natures precious rocks and modern technology. This
Heathfield & Co
www.heathfield.co.uk
Stablefords
www.stablefords.com
year they have been launching a range of unique tables utilising differing coloured marbles and deep set in polished brass or brushed edges. Decorex attracts a plethora of great lighting brands to this exhibitors dream platform and tends to be the launch bed for some terrific pieces. Heathfield & Co were showing a large array of new pieces and we loved not only the fabulous coloured glass bases of some but their harmonious inside shade colour matches in shot silks. Mid century cool with an urban edge by the likes of Bert Frank and CTO lighting continue to set the trend for industrial chic paired with a softness achieved by their exceptional hand finishing and soft-looking brass work. The French company Art et Floritude showcased their elegant and organic structures like the brass multi-coloured leaves from their Vegetal collection which is a scalable bespoke construction allowing designs to ‘climb’ walls and across ceilings. Another newcomer, Stablefords lighting, created a buzz with their hand finishes and shattered effect glass by passing a current through the unset acrylic creating a unique shock effect which can be controlled to minimum bubbles or maximum shattered effect. And of course we always marvel over the hand charm delights of OCHRE’s lighting and furniture with the Seed and Celestial pebble always a showstopper with the clever refractions of shadows and pools of light to the tips of the smooth acrylic. Now available in new finishes and offsetting the new delicate leather Sable chairs perfectly. Quintessential British craftsmanship balanced with trend setting design was well represented in the furniture categories with the likes of Linley, Tom Faulkner, Stuart Scott, Justin Van Breda and Villiers really showing some creative flair. The Tempest dining table with support loop base by Villiers shows that they can construct this table to enormous proportions with a glass top of over five metres. One of our regular delights – and previous stand winner – Harlequin continue to surprise with a sumptuous treasure trove of exceptional discoveries. Exceptional wallpaper and fabric houses were on show with not only the current big favourite florals, geometric patterns and emphasis on quality and ethics but the likes of de Gournay had a live hand finishing expert to create an exquisite mural before our eyes. So to pose the question asked of us at this years Future Luxury show “what is luxury”? Could it be nature, space or is the ultimate luxury time? Well regardless of your own indulgence and to tip the hat to Eric Cohler, you can come away from Decorex full to the brim with his ultimate luxury: you will remember the best of the best.
Art et Floritude |www.artetfloritude.fr
Harlequin
www.harlequin.uk.com
Ochre
www.ochre.net
Jim Evans, UBER Interiors T: +44 (0) 333 220 5550 www.UBER-interiors.com Villiers | www.villiers.co.uk
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FABRICS & WALLPAPER
JANE CHURCHILL’s Atmosphere Ⅲ decorative range holds luxurious textural and metallic designs full of modern beauty. Inspired interpretations of botanical cues appear as palm silhouettes in this Amadine wallpaper. www.janechurchill.com
SOANE BRITAIN’s three colour print on linen displays an unusually exotic design inspired by an antique meisen kimono. The kimono’s pattern was a rendition of an ancient Indian design. www.soane.co.uk 82
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OSBORNE & LITTLE celebrate the launch of the new Matthew Williamson collection consisting of an array of decorative fabrics and wallpapers which captures the exotic and tropical landscapes, nature, flora and fauna loved by Matthew Williamson whilst on his research trips and travels to far flung destinations. www.osborneandlittle.com
MADE IN ENGLAND
HAND SCREEN PRINTERS AND WEAVERS OF FINE FABRICS AND WALLPAPERS 53 Chelsea Manor Street London SW3 5RZ 路 + 44 (0) 20 7352 5745 路 www.bernardthorp.com 路 sales@bernardthorp.com Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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design news | fabrics & wallpaper
INSPIRED BY a collection of antique Indian textiles, Barneby Gates’s pretty paisley features a super bright print on a softly aged background. www.barnebygates.com
THE NEW Korla collection is an exciting mix of contemporary geometrics and painterly designs. The collection’s name, Dalasini, meaning ‘cinnamon’ in Swahili, hints at this season’s colour inspiration with a palette reflecting the ancient spice trade routes with its earthy tones. www.korlahome.com 84
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THE SAFARI COLLECTION by Juliet Travers takes you on a journey through East Africa, exploring some of the varied wildlife found on the continent. Using mixed media materials to create life like textures, the wallpapers and fabrics appear hand painted, giving a high-end finish to any interior. www.juliettravers.com
IAN MANKIN recently launched its first navy blue ticking, a highlight of the Britannia collection. The perfect neutral, it is easily mixed with other patterns and easily incorporated into all manner of room schemes, bringing subtle depth and interest to upholstery, window treatments and more. www.ianmankin.co.uk
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design news | fabrics & wallpaper
LITTLE GREENE’s latest design is a relaxed interpretation of a Hampstead scene which is attributed to designer Els Calvetti. www.littlegreene.com
DISTINCT YET complimentary textures emphasise the strength of contrast in the new Dominique Kieffer by Rubelli collection, inspired by the energy and colour of the Mediterranean juxtaposed with the whimsical elegance of Paris. Each fabric blends craftsmanship and textile history, with modernity, to give an eclectic and unconventional collection which remains faithful to the Rubelli tradition. www.rubelli.com
THIS YEAR marks the 25th anniversary of Nina Campbell’s highly successful collaboration with Osborne & Little. Nina presents fabrics and wallpapers which bear her familiar signature of elegance and comfort. Pictured, an amusing homage to the monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar. www.osborneandlittle.com
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RAVISHING DESIGNS evocative of the romantic age inspired by the Frescoes of the Palladian Villas of Veneto make up Designer Guild’s new Caprifoglio collection. The grandeur of honeysuckle flowers and foliage against dramatic open skies, and tonal plaster backgrounds. Dynamic multicolour palettes, scaled for sensational effect in your home. www.designersguild.com
Not all sofas are created equal
This year we celebrate 120 years of building sofas in our Oxfordshire workshops. Bespoke sofas handmade by skilled craftspeople using solid seasoned wood frames, coil springs and high quality materials. Visit us soon and feel the difference. Showrooms: Witney 01993 776682 London W1 020 7629 2019 Guildford 01483 537717 Manchester 0161 834 7466 These showrooms are open on Sunday. Bridge for Design Winter 2015 87 Trade & International Email: trade@wesley-barrell.co.uk Enquiries: 020 7629 2019 Web: www.wesley-barrell.co.uk
design news | fabrics & wallpaper
INSPIRED BY intricate antique embroidery samples found at Parisian flea markets, Cross Stitch features alphabets in various needle work fonts interspersed with folkloric animal designs. Each cross has been lovingly hand drawn by Abigail Edwards for a playful artistic look. www.abigailedwards.com THIS STRIKING wallcovering from Altfield features a unique splatter-like pattern, originally inspired by raindrops on a window pane on a springtime voyage to rural France. These delicate droplets manifest in the form of an opulent metallic deboss on a linen/polyester substrate of fine luminous threads. www.altfield.com
SOANE’S FEZ STRIPE is a boldly scaled design that, close up, reveals delicate intracacies. The design is screen-printed onto linen to produce a deliberately faded effect that adds to the charm of the fabric’s hand drawn artwork. www.soane.co.uk 88
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THIS DEMASK Metallic Wallpaper from Urbane Living comes in a wide range with a lot of pattern variations and colours. A Regal element, to the patterns. Victorian in style. A richness to the overall look. T: +44 (0) 207 138 3838 | ww.urbaneliving.co.uk
To experience furniture at its finest visit us in store 0191 237 1303 W W W.D E L CO R .CO.U K NORTHUMBERLAND | LONDON | HARROGATE | LINCOLNSHIRE | CHESHIRE
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design news | fabrics & wallpaper
THE ARTEMISIA COLLECTION from Swaffer delivers two masterpiece prints, Rosa and Calla. A modern and artistic interpretation on the traditional floral design, the collection is available in a broad palette of colourways. www.swaffer.co.uk
GEOMETRIC SHAPES of honeycomb, concertina to graphical stars make a statement in Sketch Twenty3’s unique collection at Blendworth. It is all about texture as metallic grit, glass beads, suede and flock adorn these wallcoverings in rich hues of ruby, fuchsia, tea, gold and charcoal. www.blendworth.co.uk
THIS STRIKING velvet from Black Edition features contemporary blooms immersed beneath a soft flow of rippling water, digitally printed on a sumptuous cotton-viscose velvet to give a multitude of rich, intoxicating shades. www.blackedition.com 90
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There is nothing so beautiful as something well made
www.marshallandstewart.com 020 7723 2925 Marshall & Stewart beds are available from: Simon Horn, 638-640 Kings Road, London SW6 2DU | Westend Bed Company, 215 Upper Richmond Road West, Sheen, London SW14 91 8QT Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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on Redloh House
The fabric house R
A collection of printed linens based on historic textiles coloured using a soft and natural palette inspired by the English countryside
Cloth & Clover Founded in 2013 by London designer TANIA MCIVOR, Cloth & Clover’s prints are inspired by historic textiles and traditional arts and crafts, which she reinterprets using a mellow colour palette created by blending and matching pigments to found objects collected on her travels. Favouring relaxed and comfortable interiors and embracing the gentle art of eclecticism - combining old with new and mixing styles and genres, the collection has a crafted yet pretty handwriting. Keen to support and encourage British manufacturing and craftsmanship, Cloth & Clover designs are screen printed in England on a Scottish linen base cloth that echoes the texture of antique linen.
EDLOH HOUSE is a fresh, exciting and unique co-operative established to showcase an ensemble of highly talented artisan fabric and wallpaper designers. Each member offers their own individual and eclectic designs; for example, hand or screen printed on natural fabrics in unusual colourways; delightful artistic florals; exquisite textured embroidery with traditional influence; naïve etchings and muted abstracts. The residing impression is one of undulating pace, mood, tone and scale and an intriguing, alluring contrast to the ‘other world’ of mainstream urban standardization. All the designers are just starting out on their fabric/wallpaper journey and have a story to tell; whether it be fabrics from a childhood home in Jamaica (Bird in the Hand) or the layers of wallpaper in the house of Swedish Grandparents, (Astrid & Rudolf). Each
collection is chosen for its creative story and to work alongside the other collections with no pressures from third parties and rather than routinely launching new collections every Spring and Autumn, each designer launches their own collection in their own time. Furthermore, Redloh House enjoys a wonderfully unusual setting. Nestled in the heart of the Old Gasworks, just two minutes from the hustle and bustle of King’s Road Chelsea, is a country style white cottage set in an oasis of tranquility. Where else can one peruse and enjoy inspiring new fabric collections, whilst relaxing over a cup of tea in a charming room flooded with natural light. Redloh House is a rare jewel and presents a refreshing antidote to today’s mass-market conformity. T: +44 (0) 207 351 7787 www.redlohhousefabrics.com
Astrid & Rudolf Selma Wallpaper ASTRID & RUDOLF came to be after Nicole De Young came across remnants of vintage Scandinavian wallpapers hidden beneath several layers of plaster and paint at her grandparents house in Sweden. Inspired by the delicate long lost fragments she set about creating her own modern designs with patterns and colours taken from the surrounding countryside. Each one reminiscent of her childhood holidays spent fishing and picnicking by the lakes. Named after Nicole’s grandparents, Astrid & Rudolf wallpapers are printed in the UK using Flexographic printing techniques. 92
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C&B PubblicitĂ
simply different robertogiovannini.com
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on Redloh House Carolina Irving Textiles “I have always been obsessed with fabrics, colours and textures...and I have always wanted to have my own collection of textiles.” CAROLINA IRVING says she loves colours, but in an impressionistic way, mixing different patterns similar to a Vuillard painting. She has ransacked sources in France, England, Sweden and India for her toiles and chintzes, and in Turkey, Greece
and other Middle Eastern countries for riotous colours and patterns that she has reinterpreted. The collection includes several multi-coloured designs, many others printed in single colours both in large and small patterns that all work together.
Hand-printed in charming colours, the collection includes both large and small designs
Virginia White When it came to creating her fabric designs interior designer VIRGINIA WHITE chose to collaborate with artists in order to create fabrics that look like paintings and artworks. Virginia gives the artists she works with pictures, photographs and works of art that have a particular significance to her - often related to her time in Scotland - for them to produce the design. She then works on the screens herself so that she can create exactly the right shades and balance of colour. Virginia’s fabrics are all about colours and painterly patterns, they are all hand block printed in London on Belgian linen. Kerry Joyce’s fabrics mirror the firm’s refined aesthetic; combining his powerful visual perspective, with reduced historical reference and nuanced colour palette
Small-scale production allows creative freedom to experiment and innovate
Rapture & Wright
Kerry Joyce Textiles
RAPTURE & WRIGHT is one of the few remaining British artisan studios to hand print fabrics and wallpapers. Small scale, in-house production is time consuming, but it allows the creative freedom to experiment. By adapting age old techniques in clever ways, they develop innovative solutions to satisfy the renewed taste for bespoke design in fabrics and wallpapers. Their latest experiments have produced some subtle and unexpected results impossible to achieve by machine imposed regularity.
Hand block printed in London on Belgina linen, Virginia’s fabrics are all about colour and painterly patterns.
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Lauded as one of today’s preeminent designers, KERRY JOYCE embodies a passion for timeless design, attention to detail and impeccable execution which has earned him a broad array of honours on nationally esteemed best design lists. Joyce’s unique point of view marries clean lines and graceful, understated colours and textures with comfort, warmth, grace and elegance without undue formality. Luxurious hand-woven fabrics and hand-screened prints are interpreted with an artisanal approach, celebrating the natural beauty of materials, paired with sophisticated colour palettes and textures.
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on Redloh House Bird in the Hand Artist LAURA HAMILTON grew up in Jamaica surrounded by vivid colours and textures. Her family home was decorated in bright botanical fabrics designed and printed by ‘Textiles of Jamaica.’ Combining her Caribbean sense of colour with her British design knowledge she has redrawn and updated the fabrics she found on her travels, breathing new life into the designs to create a bold and vibrant collection.
Founded in 2008, Bird in the Hand has taken inspiration from original Jamaican prints from the 1960’s and 70’s. A bright, vibrant, stylised collection
Vanderhurd has designed distinctive fabric collections for over 8 years. Hand printed linens in striking colours are created in the UK, while the machine embroidery collection, Broderie, is produced in India. Vanderhurd also creates hand embroidery designs, which can be adapted for individual needs, for cushions, bed covers and head boards.
Inspired by treasured finds from her global travels
Jennifer Shorto sees textiles as historical maps. Her first woven collection is concerned with texture and allowed her to use her much loved Bourette de Soie, a rough uneven silk which encourages the brilliance of colour without the pedantic shine of smooth silk. The pattern inspired by Chinese minority fabrics. Designs based on old Turkish and Indian patterns
Penny Morrison
Designs from the 1940s and 50s revived
Flockhart Fabrics was created by the painter Eileen Guthrie and sculptor George Kennethson, who met whilst at the Royal Academy in London. They hand-printed their designs using lino blocks and silk screens embracing experimentation in technique and colour to delightful effect. Over the years the fabric and blocks have been carefully stored and today Guthrie and Kennethson’s grand-daughter, Lucy MacKenzie, is reviving the beautiful prints. 96
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has been decorating for over 30 years. She focuses on comfortable living incorporating classical and contemporary elements to create elegant interiors that are individual and welcoming, a deliberate jumble of old and new. Her fabric collection is a natural progression born out of her extensive decorating experience and having trouble finding the fabrics that she wanted to use in her schemes. Her designs are adapted from historical documents and symbols mostly Turkish, Anglo Indian or ancient Greek in soft colours.
Guy Goodfellow
Inspired by original archive documents and textile finds from around the world, these weaves, prints and embroideries comprise an unusual and eye-catching mélange of rustic motifs and classical design
and Jaine McCormack’s inspiration is largely taken from ethnic and vintage fabrics which are re-designed and adapted for use in many of Guys interior projects. The favourites are then given more colourways and form the core of the collection.
Design expertise for chic interiors Harlequin London provides a unique service, working closely with interior designers, private clients and architects, to help design and source all the finishing touches necessary to create a truly magnificent and well considered interior scheme. The company specialises in the supply of tableware, decorative accessories and lighting.
www.harlequin-london.com Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7384 1911 Email: info@harlequin-london.com Showroom: Redloh House, 2 Michael Road, Fulham, London, SW6 2AD THE INTERIOR DESIGNER’S BEST FRIEND
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THE RETURN OF STONE FLOORS They are now as impressive as those from the past says Jason Cherrington
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ecorative stone floors have been a feature of domestic interiors and public spaces for centuries. Despite being such a fundamental part of our European design heritage, in the 1960’s and 70’s, stone floors lost ground to other materials, especially in the home. For all its exceptional beauty and durability, stone was viewed as too cold, too hard to maintain and just plain old-fashioned. It took until the 1990’s for stone to find its feet again. People realised that stone need no longer be cold with the advent of modern underfloor heating and could be easily maintained with new generation sealants. From raw blocks hewn from the quarry to a finished floor, there are countless artisanal processes requiring everything from brute strength to the finest, most delicate understanding of what the final product will yield. The design and manufacture stages have been given new horizons with the introduction of leading edge technologies, from CAD to water jet and CNC cutting. Technology has made manufacture easier. Stone has become more user friendly. Designers are exploring colour, texture and decoration once more, confidently mixing the traditional with the contemporary and emphasising the sheer luxury of natural materials. Geometrics and trompe l’oeil designs are amongst today’s key trends. Lobbies and halls have always provided a perfect setting for patterned floors, but now the concept is being taken through into many other areas. Custom designed stone floors can also be extremely effective when used to subtly signal different ‘zones’ within open plan spaces. Bathrooms are another area where decorative floors are firmly on trend. At the very top end of the luxury interiors market, wholly
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ABOVE: This Venetian Chequer Limestone floor uses reclaimed natural stone custom cut to classic traditional bespoke designs - the effect is simply stunning
bespoke inlaid marble floors have also become increasingly popular and ornate. The delicacy and precision with which countless colours of marble and semi-precious materials can be cut and combined to create intricate designs underlines just how relevant and vibrant stone craft remains today. From the simplest to the most complex of designs, decorative stone floors have once again become as luxurious and impressive as anything history can show us. Jason Cherrington, Director of Lapicida T: +44 (0)203 012 1000 | www.lapicida.com
Valerie Wade 108 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6HS
020 7225 1414 info@valeriewade.com www.valeriewade.com
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CHOOSING FEATURE BEDS A good bed is the anchor piece of any bedroom says Brent Cooper
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good bed is the anchor piece of any bedroom – from the master suite to a child’s room or a guest room. Whether a project is domestic or commercial, the right choice combines three considerations; comfort, good looks and the correct emotional signals. These can range from pure romance and escapism to, at the other end of the scale, no-frills masculinity. Looking back in time, beds have always been key feature points –their importance signalled by the fact that they were by no means always designed for sleeping. Ornate state apartments with their magnificent suites of furniture were where rulers held court. Their actual sleeping space was often a more private apartment, where the bed itself was relatively small. It is said that antique beds, especially French ones, are small because their occupants were shorter people. In fact, their shorter dimensions are usually because occupants slept propped up on pillows and bolsters rather than lying at full stretch as we do today. Today, we want beds to be both a cocooning retreat and a clear statement about our personality. We also place immense value on quality of sleep, which makes the choice of mattress system just as crucial as the frame or divan. Therefore, the size of beds has changed appreciably in recent years with Kingsize becoming the default double and Emperor an increasingly usual specification. The rule of thumb for bed size is to choose the biggest size the room will allow, ideally leaving space for reasonably sized bedside tables on both sides. Not only do bigger beds look more luxurious, they also offer a better night’s sleep, undisturbed by partners’ body movements or temperature. With countless different types of mattress on the market, the ultimate remains a handmade pocket sprung construction. Ideally too, steer clients towards mattresses with natural fillings such as horsehair, wool and cotton, which regulate body temperature at night far better than manmade materials. Don’t forget that the 100 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
divan is the foundation for the mattress. Style-wise, there are some iconic beds which transcend fashion and stay always on trend, especially with the option of modern finishes, from mirror glass to metallics. These icons range from four posters (the epitome of romance) to the period French styles, especially those of the Rococo and Empire, first reintroduced to the UK by Simon Horn in the 1980’s. People have particularly enduring affection for the sleigh bed (lit bateau) and this look in particular has been resized and reworked into countless offshoot styles, accommodating the needs of modern bedrooms whilst still remaining a recognisable decorative theme. You’ll find sleigh beds in wood, in fabric, caned or upholstered in buttoned leather, with headboards and footboards high, low and every height in between. Suggesting solidity and exceptional comfort, it’s a fruitful seam to explore for both feminine and masculine interiors and a classic for children’s bedrooms too. Today’s confident fusions of classic and contemporary style are also bringing even more elaborate and splendid period beds back into focus. Carved, caned and painted or gilded styles of the 18th and 19th Centuries can comfortably hold centre stage in otherwise modern interiors, with bespoke finishing and an emphasis on luxury uniting the two elements. If a project calls for luxury with an altogether modern feel, divans paired to custom-upholstered headboards give an equally sumptuous look. The key to getting it right is to supersize headboards– in some projects we’ve been asked to make them up to 2 metres tall, so that they virtually become wall cladding. Bespoke-made and upholstered in your choice of fabric, with design detailing such as piping, buttoning or studding, headboards can be matched to custom upholstered divans for the seamlessly smart finish which all of today’s bedrooms demand. Brent Cooper, Managing Director of Simon Horn www.simonhorn.com A Member of the Chelsea Design Quarter
From decorative casegoods to tailored upholstery, Alden Parkes reinterprets and remasters the icons that define gracious living. Visit our showroom to discover the best of High Point.
High Point Showroom: 200 North Hamilton Street, Suite 110 Ground Floor in the South Court of the 200 Building Corporate Office: 904-279-1617Â www.aldenparkes.com
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ON AN INDUSTRIAL SCALE
Peter Sallick says 19th Century design taps into a desire for provenance
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here is a growing sense that people want to connect with something that is comfortable and familiar. This became apparent during the financial crisis when many of us were drawn to spaces that were warm and cosy as opposed to cold and contemporary. Whether it was shops, restaurants or hotels, industrial and vintage style became popular as it has a heritage and familiarity that people relate to in an emotional sense, so as a design aesthetic it satisfies a need to feel secure. When you work with references that have been around for decades you can be confident the product you are designing will stand the test of time. Modern style has its place but when you make something of the moment there is the risk that what is contemporary today will look dated tomorrow. That is not to say that it has to be either/or, no-one wants to live in a museum, and what is interesting in interior design now is very much a personal mix of old and new, with traditional and modern pieces in the same environment. The backlash against mass production and cheap imports has also played its part. Customers value quality materials and craft based manufacturing techniques that have been used for centuries. All over the world people are interested in where the things they buy come from, whether that’s food or faucets. When things are made where they have always been made in the traditional way, there is a sense of place and provenance which means these items have become high quality, luxury pieces. However, they do need to be presented in new ways. 102 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
It’s not just about replicating what has gone before. There is still a need to innovate; to take the best of yesteryear and to present it in a way that works for modern lifestyles. Over recent decades the role of the kitchen has changed considerably. No longer just a place for food preparation it has become the heart of the home; a social space for entertaining, working and relaxing. Kitchen manufacturers have adapted to that, designing pieces that are not just functional but beautiful and stylish too. We have seen ‘white goods’ become status symbols and in the same way that someone may chose an over-sized premium brand fridge, extractor or range cooker, they now have the option to buy sinks and taps on a similar industrial scale. Items which incorporate authentic design, quality craftsmanship and advanced engineering and are as much a focal point as the cooking zone. People want to have something special and our choice of colour palettes, finishes and configurations allows consumers or interior designers to create a scheme that is completely unique. It’s an evolution and an exploration of ideas that allows someone to customise and personalise their space. A kitchen should look good for 20 years or more and when you take the perspective that the room will live for a long time, the last thing you want is for it to feel trendy or that it will soon date. By working with classic designs that have been proven over a long period of time you can trust in its longevity and timeless appeal. Peter Sallick, CEO for Waterworks T: +44 (0) 207 384 4000 | www.uk.waterworks.com
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THE
HERITAGE
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WARDROBE COMPANY
Luxury Bespoke Wardrobes & Dressing Rooms To View More Designs visit www.theheritagewardrobecompany.com
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To Discuss Your Next Project and Obtain a Free Quotation call 0203 355 8575
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MARVEL AT THE BEAUTY OF MARBLE Tina Mahony hails the trend for a stone which exudes luxury and elegance
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nyone pounding the exhibition halls of Salone Del Mobile earlier this year, will have noticed that one of the predominant themes shouting its name loudly was marble. As many commercial and private clients have witnessed, the marble trend has been creeping back, in all its glorious forms with even more gloriously exotic names, such as Calacatta Gold, Emperador, Marquina black and Carrara white. It was everywhere at the prestigious Milan show, a fitting home for a stone once so celebrated by the great Roman emperors. Stonemasons and architects have used it for centuries, and white marble has always been particularly prized for use in sculpture. British architects and designers have had an enduring love affair with it too – it pops up in almost every room of the house, adding a touch of luxury living to bathroom floors and walls, kitchen worktops and fireplaces. Marble brings visual warmth to a room and beautifully honed tiles for floors in either halls and bathrooms bring a calm and peaceful atmosphere to an interior. The sleek, modern lines of polished tiles exude luxury and by using a contrast with the marble, clients can bring an elegance to a custom cut stone floor design which is truly striking. It’s also nothing new in furniture design, but over the last few decades or so its popularity in this area has waned, often associated with overly-fussy, outdated design, or ludicrously expensive price tags. However, more recently, it has emerged as one of the hottest materials in contemporary furniture design. Product designers are using modern, digital technology to create wonderfully 21st century designs faster, while specialist masons are still employed for their finishing skills. Shapes have been kept simple and uncomplicated; the beauty of marble with its characteristic swirls and veins means that there is a lot already going on within a design, and by keeping the overall look fairly minimalist, the material itself is allowed to take centre stage. An element of luxury prevails with the aged stone material but there is currently a move away from classic white with a resurgence in interest in the more 1970’s palette,for both residential and commercial spaces. There is an underlying shift with the trend with richer and stronger palette found in 104 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
ABOVE: The Vibieffe Opera table is fit for a King - the stunning table top evokes a sense of traditional design and is made from a selection of marbles; Carrara, Calacatta, Marquinia or Emperado
the brown Spanish Emperador and the mottled deep reds and blacks with white veining shows confidence in moving forward from white Carrerra marble with stunning results. Marble will always evoke traditional design ideas, sculpted with a classic style in mind but it is now being re-interpreted with a contemporary twist to produce very impressive styles which creatively incorporate real woods, such as walnut, or glass. Having been used for centuries as a building material and since Eero Saarinen used it for the iconic Tulip table it moves on and continues to break boundaries with excellent results coming through furniture design from Italian brands to intricate flooring designs which mix striking stone finishes to beautifully, hand-carved rug designs New interests in decorative prints, which simulate the marble effect from rugs to wallpapers and now, with the progression of technology specialist designers can use digital printing effects to transfer marble print, at a faster pace, onto anything from cushion covers to shower curtains – all surely set to become the modern classics of our time. Tina Mahony - Director of GO MODERN T: +44 (0)207 731 9540 | www.gomodern.co.uk A Member of the Chelsea Design Quarter
Call us to arrange a free bathroom design consultation on 020 8940 7554 143 - 145 Kew Road, Richmond, London TW9 2PN
T +44 (0)20 8940 7554 E sales@original-bathrooms.co.uk
www.original-bathrooms.co.uk
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THE LURE OF LEATHER A timeless material that just seems to sing in its surroundings says Joanna Bibby
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eather is such an ancient durable material that has been used in interiors going way back to caveman days. It’s basic, primal and pure. It can be tough yet fragile, soft yet strong and incredibly versatile. We have been working with leather, in all its variations from the very early days at Ochre. It all started with our love of colour. Creating a range of incredibly simple stools in different subtle colours of nubuck that were playful and worked well together. We have learnt a lot since, but colour and leather is still our passion and this combination is a strong trend in interior design. As we are noticing the return of comfort in the home, leather is welcome as it’s a sensual material that appeals to the senses on so many different levels. Its evocative smell makes homes feel loved and inspired the first ever Hermès perfume, Eau d’Hermès. On the touch and even on the ear, with that deliciously comforting squeaky sound only leather can make. Leather’s beauty just increases with age, the splashes, the spills, and the repeated touches in specific areas that become darker or shinier with time are part of its charm. It ages gracefully like an old friend. Leather can take colour well, which is why it’s a material of choice for interior designers. It does have a very strong memory though and some colours fade with time and others darken. This is the charm of leather, it carries a story. After decades of black and brown leather, colour is back and is spilling over to larger pieces of furniture with leathers being dyed in a range of new beautiful shades. The blue-grey palette works together so you can have a family of dining chairs in the ever-changing colours of the 106 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
sea and the sky. The colour of stitching leather can be fun. A red thread on a simple brown leather piece can make a discreet but beautiful detail statement. Play with colour changes. Be brave. Have a flash amongst the subtle. Designers are exploring leather techniques - wrapping, stitching, stretching, punching, laser cutting. It’s terribly exciting. A wrapped leather chair where the material is wrapped tightly around a frame is a smart design trend. Hand stitching is no longer the preserve of handbags or saddles. Leather furniture with hand sewn pinched seams and scalloped corner details is stunning and gives leather in interiors a couture look. Fine Leather is perceived as a luxury market. It is because it takes incredible craftsmanship to execute such work with this material. In the hands of a master craftsman leather can create works of extraordinary beauty. Bill Amberg is one of the most notable leather pioneers, using leather in its purest form and taking it in different directions. He made people sit up and think. This is a beautiful material. There are huge possibilities for decorative leather. Eponymous label Helen Amy Murray’s hand sculpted leather and textiles create arresting works of art for interiors, furniture and installations. She combines the old and new design trends – the traditional cutwork with contemporary techniques to sculpt her designs giving the flat leather surface a carved, layered aesthetic. Leather furniture can sit beautifully on a wooden, carpeted or concrete floor, against a stone, painted or brick wall. It’s a timeless material that just seems to sing in its surroundings. Joanna Bibby, co-owner-designer of OCHRE T: +44 (0) 207 096 7372 | www.ochre.net
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Design Project
CHALET LOTTIE
Wolfgang Winter and Andrew Barons took five years to find their dream home in Switzerland - a derelict barn WORDS WOLFGANG WINTER | PHOTOGRAPHS YVES GARNEAU 108 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
AFTER
BEFORE
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n our first trip to Switzerland to look for a new home, we fell in love with the hamlet of Lauenen, a small unspoilt village, five minutes drive above the exclusive resort of Gstaad. We had gone there after hearing about a farmhouse restoration project in the Swiss mountainside carried out by some school friends of ours. We were intrigued by their story and as we were ready for a change and looking for a new project we decided to investigate. The mixture of green pastures and high, snow topped mountain peaks was irresistible. As the village largely consisted of working dairy farms, there was no immediate property for sale. But having ruled out any other location in the area and set our heart on living in Lauenen we decided to rent an apartment there to use as a base to scout for our future home. A derelict farm built in 1867 by a local farmer, on a sunny hillside above the village, caught our attention. The grandson of the farmer who had built the farm had died in 1985 and the building left empty had started to fall to ruin. We approached the owner with an offer to buy it, but it took us five years to finally agree on a sale – as we quickly found, the local community takes pride in farming and they view real estate and land
LEFT: The original facade of the farm dates from 1867 and was restored while it remained standing in its entirety ABOVE: This photo of the previous owner’s family taken in 1900 was found during the renovation Bridge for Design Winter 2015 109
AFTERÂ
BEFORE
BEFORE
ABOVE: A North American cedar hot tub was sunk into the garden with breathtaking views onto the snow topped mountain peaks. In front, a sunny terrace with lounge seating to enjoy the summer sunsets
not as a commodity to buy and sell, but as a sacred commodity to be passed on to future generations. The barn was traditionally wooden built - like all other construction in the area - chalet style, with a living part in the front of the building, and an attached barn and cow shed at the back. It took us a year to get the necessary permissions as the plot had to be taken out of agricultural land to be changed to residential use and as the living part was listed as an historic building it was subject to a number of restrictions. But having jumped all the hurdles, work finally started on April 1st 2012. Most of the structure had to be completely replaced, but the facade as well as some of the interior walls had to remain standing for the restoration. These were propped up in order to dig out and create solid foundations. The traditionally built walls were made from solid five inch thick timbers. Even though having suffered from years of neglect and 110 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
water damage from the leaking roof, the local craftsmen, who revere the integrity of aged wood, were able to restore them by a repeated process of sanding and application of gentle cleaning solutions to maintain the patina of the walls without showing the damage from the years of neglect. The roof had to be completely amended in order to support the new heavier stone roof, and to eliminate several pillars in the barn, to create the open space of  the new drawing room that we wanted. From the very beginning we had a clear vision of the farm. It had to retain its integrity as an old building in its natural surroundings but at the same time it had to be comfortable and usable for modern life. The building was fitted with underfloor heating to avoid having radiators. Seven bedrooms were created, each with their own en-suite bathroom. Miles of cable was installed to support WiFi, TV and entertainment systems as well as the home cinema. When designing a home we always start from the basis that while
ABOVE: The former hayloft was transformed into a generous drawing room. The natural height difference of the attached buildings was filled with panoramic glass panels with a view onto the distant glacier
different areas have different needs, they all need to have various percentages of the three key ingredients: comfort, practicality and style. While the drawing room needs to have a greater percentage of style, the bedrooms need to be more comfortable and the kitchen more practical, for example. Being a skiing chalet it had to be cosy, yet we wanted a more contemporary feel, not minimalist, but light and relaxing. We approached each room from a different starting point. The drawing room’s focus was the fireplace; we chose three solid local grey granite boulders to give it presence and a link to the surrounding landscape. The seating in the 85sqm room needed to be smart, yet comfortable for a skiing chalet and also be cosy for four or 20 people. Hence we created three different seating areas, each with a slightly different feel. All the sofas were made to measure in Windsor in the UK. The colour scheme was developed around pastel heathers and fig tones. All the fabrics used were chosen from the UK, sofas in neutrals from Linwood and Ian Mankin, cushions from Osborne & Little.
The floor was another important feature in this big room. We tried to use as much of the old wood rescued from the old building, but we knew we would not have enough. Then one day our carpenter delivered by mistake a load of old ceiling and floor beams, which had been removed from the old barn. Luckily for us we tried to brush them and they cleaned up beautifully, giving just the right patina and look that the rooms demanded. The entrance hall was another critical transformation. The previous house was separated from the barn by a one metre wide empty space. We were able to push back the barn walls to create a generous volume, with double height and allowing a lot of light coming from the panoramic windows above. A ‘floating bridge’ connects the landing with the drawing room and the master suite on the other side. We decided to use natural stone floors in the entrance as well as in the bathrooms. On a trip to Provence we found a warm honey coloured Burgundy stone, which had been given a hand finished aged Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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ABOVE: The chalet commands total privacy and peacefulness, the only sound coming from a little stream running through the woods LEFT: Even from the free standing bathtub of the master suite, one enjoys a stunning view LEFT BELOW: The breakfast room features a double open sided fireplace towards the study
patina, blending well with the old building. This big space was a perfect showcase for the marble sculptures we have been collecting, most of them by English sculptor Jonathan Loxley. The mixture of those together with old master paintings, modern abstract paintings, antique furniture and photos gives a relaxed atmosphere of a home that has been lived in, rather than a completely new construction. Jonathan Loxley was also commissioned to create the coffee table in front of the fireplace. Dictated by the fireplace and seating area, we did not want the table to appear too solid, henceforth we ruled out stone and wood. The glass and steel piece complements the beautiful old wood floor and stone fireplace. We felt the kitchen had to be modern and as there was so much wood all around it had to be painted. The colour was custom made, a grey tone with a hint of fig to link with the colours in the breakfast room and study. The matt polished back granite (nero assoluto) and the flat induction hob finish the sleek look. The dining room needed to suit dinners of various sizes so the table was commissioned in Woodstock, England, and has two extensions which can be slotted in to seat 20. The elegant but comfortable chairs were custom made 112 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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AFTER
BEFORE ABOVE: The chalet’s roof lit with traditional Christmas lighting to which added some architectural light on the side walls
in Windsor and upholstered using three different shades of Osborne and Little’s crushed velvet. Dress curtains with coloured voiles from Colefax and Fowler break up the large expanse of windows. Each bedroom has a different colour scheme, curtains and the soft furnishing were all created by Hampshire based interior designer Susan Isin at The Officer’s Mess. Fabrics with soft colours and textures from Colefax & Fowler, Romo and Andrew Martin were chosen to give the more contemporary design of the rooms a feel of warmth and depth. The chalet would not have been complete without a sauna/steam room and a gym and massage room. The Jacuzzi, an all wooden construction of North American cedar wood, was sunk into the outside terrace, enjoying the breath-taking views over the valley and glacier, the perfect place to relax with a glass of champagne after a hard day’s hiking or skiing. The outside spaces and garden were again created to merge with nature. Large local stone boulders hold up a bank, creating structure 114 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
for flower beds and terraces. No local farm would have been complete without a vegetable garden, interspersed with some flowers to give colour and balance which already produced a healthy crop of herbs, salads, strawberries and carrots. While it has taken eight years to restore Chalet Lottie, our dream has been realised. Chalet Lottie is available to rent through Haute Montagne T: +41 445 864 994 | www.hautemontagne.com
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A little entrance hall to the formal dining room provides a bar area with fridge and sculpture by Jonathan Loxley. The entrance hall stairs were fitted with indirect soft LED lighting underneath each step. Instead of railings, large glass panels give a feel of light and space. A bedroom suite now occupies the former horse stables. For ski touring or snow-shoeing fans, the chalet offers ski in/ski out to one of the most sought after touring hills in the area.
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Haddonstone has a fabulous collection of designs replicated from historic originals at the renowned Sir John Soane’s Museum. This is a rare opportunity to enhance an interior or exterior with a design from the Museum’s historic collection.
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A London Townhouse
CHELSEA CHOICE
A New Zealand-born designer has made herself at home in a stylish renovation WORDS SUE MOODY | PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY / The Interior Archive 118 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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lison Henry could be forgiven for never wanting to step outside the handsome brick walls of her plush London mansion. The Kiwi-born interior designer, who has an impressive list of creative achievements to her credit, has recently completed a renovation of her Chelsea Square townhouse that had more than a few similarities to open-heart surgery. She has certainly earned a stylish convalescence. The expanded townhouse has quickly become a true family home for Alison, her financier husband Tariq Dag Khan and daughters Anna Cristina, two, Olivia, 12 and 15-year-old twins Sophie and Rebecca. “I decided to add what was missing,” says Alison, “so we could all hang out – especially in winter.” On the list: a spacious cinema/playroom, a gym “large enough for reasonable equipment”, a study/library, a guest bedroom suite and an office. Her ambitious design for the home, which now extends over five floors (basement, ground, first, second and third floors), also called for a “parents’ suite” on the first floor and incorporated the attic to make room for a charming suite for each daughter on the top floor. The building project got under way only after winning planning approval from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea as well as the Cadogan Estates, owners of neighbouring Chelsea Gardens. “It was important to maintain the feel and look of Chelsea Square,” says Alison, whose celebrity neighbours have included socialite Jemima Khan and Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone. LEFT: The drawing room is arranged in symmetrical fashion with a pair of carved console tables flanking the white marble fireplace and a sofa and armchairs around a large central ottoman TOP: A smiling Alison Henry in the living room of her Chelsea home Bridge for Design Winter 2015 119
ABOVE: In this living room the white colour scheme is followed through in both walls and furniture and is lit by a central skylight bathing the room in sunshine LEFT: French windows open onto a sunny decked terrace furnished with comfortable outdoor sofas and a coffee table
A massive excavation under the existing house created a basement floor – 186sqm of new floor space, including plant rooms for modern technology. “We added air conditioning, coordinated lighting, an audiovisual system and a cinema screen ‘with all the works.’ Now the whole family, from our two-year-old to the twins, can be playing pop stars or band heroes, banging away on the drums or curling up with big bowls of popcorn to watch a favourite movie.” Though Alison hasn’t lived in New Zealand since graduating from design school and coming to London to work, she and her family have an annual reminder of the less formal Kiwi lifestyle during summer holidays back home. In New Zealand, children are “part of our day-to-day lives, with everyone working together,” she says approvingly. With that aim in mind, the walls of the formal dining room have been removed, creating a family dining/living space between the spacious kitchen and courtyard garden, complete with outdoor fireplace “made by the best Kiwi guy in London”. “English houses have lots of little rooms. One of my goals was to expand into bigger spaces so that the family room flowed into the kitchen and outside of the courtyard. I opened the walls up with large glass doors and mirrors to reflect the garden greenery and installed roof lanterns in the family room and kitchen to make the rooms light and bright.” Winter 2015 2015 120 Bridge for Design Summer
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ABOVE: Cosy fur throws are placed within easy reach on comfortable armchairs and sofas in an informal living room and the alcoves on either side of the stone fireplace are mirrored to create an illusion of space LEFT: Light floods into the open-plan kitchen/dining room through a long centrally placed skylight
Alison used a pale palette throughout, with chalky white Farrow & Ball paint for the walls and white oiled oak floors. A neutral silk carpet was laid on the stairs and in the bedrooms, with a slightly lower grade used in the girls’ rooms; silver sisal leads down to the basement. Purple was used as an occasional accent colour. “I have used natural linens for the curtains and blinds and, to make it more of a home, I’ve added bits and pieces that I have collected or the children have made.” But the house also glows with more opulent pieces – crystal, candles, glass and silver – many proudly displaying the insignia AH, for the Alison Henry Collection, the result of a move to set up her own design house after the death of her first husband, David Davies. The magnificent chandeliers over the staircase were made to Alison’s design from photographs of antique originals. In the family room, one mirror is a Venetian antique and its twin is a 21st century replica. With a portfolio of work that takes in commercial, hospitality, residential and even marine design, Alison Henry has made an international name for herself since leaving Auckland. She’s no stranger to the pages of NZ House & Garden. Readers have had glimpses of three of her former homes: an elegant Hong Kong apartment, a Cotswolds manor and a magnificent holiday house looking out over Kawau Bay, north of Auckland. 122 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
www.johnrichard.com
interio.co.uk Bridgesales@interio.co.uk for Design Winter 2015 123 Interio | 555 Kings Road | Chelsea London SW6 2EB | +44 1202 717017 | Email:
ABOVE: In the master bedroom the massive double bed is situated between a matching pair of marble fireplaces in the style of an 18th century chateau LEFT: The entrance hall is dominated by a large mirror with an elaborately carved and painted frame
Alison is often asked by clients – referred by word of mouth and many with second or third homes in London - if she can recreate her own home’s distinctive style for them. Flattering though that might be, she prefers to emphasise the importance of treating each design brief individually. “If you’re good at design, you shouldn’t just roll out of a formula. You have a try to understand what people are passionate about. In making a real home, you add value. The client will want to sell it at the end of the day.” Since her 2008 marriage to Tariq and the arrival of their daughter Anna Cristina – “my good Kiwi girls abbreviated her name to AC” – Alison has scaled down her office to spend more time “on me and my family”. She now works from home with assistant Ewa Dryzner. “Our house is finished now, so it’s more about living in it, using it. I’m not precious about any of it. Last weekend the girls and their friends were here. Olivia and three girlfriends slept in the cinema room and next morning there were 16 around the table for breakfast. It was great fun. “I love cooking – all my New Zealand cookbooks are in the cupboard. We have lots of family parties, smart casual kitchen dinners with friends. I lay the white linen tablecloth on the 4.5m table and use the good glasses, or my girlfriends come here for a buffet lunch…” They must love it. Alison Henry www.alisonhenry.com 124 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
HURLINGHAM The Bath Company
COPPER BULLE Copper Exterior & Nickel Interior www.hurlinghambaths.co.uk For Stockists: T: 01400 263310 E: sales@hurlinghambaths.co.uk Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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South African weekend getaway
ON TOP OF THE WORLD This cliff-top marvel is a precision engineered floating roof that sits on top of a glass box WORDS SARAH BULLEN | PHOTOGRAPHS MARK WILLIAMS / The Interior Archive
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hen you pull up to the gates of this cliff top house you really should be driving a silver Aston Martin. The entrance is unassuming and discreet. But when the front door opens on the upper level, it is as if the earth falls away below you in a two-storey expanse of glass and exposed concrete that opens out to the sea and cliffs. It’s a house fit for a Bond movie – and it’s just a short walk down the sweeping staircase to the ground floor bar to grab a chilled glass and pour a martini. “A diagram of the design is simple,” says lead architect Greg Truen of SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects. “It boils down to a wall at the back and a roof over the site to create a shelter. Then the glass just encased it.” This house is at the exclusive Pezula Estate that sits just outside Knysna, a small town on the eastern seaboard offering privacy and endless views. The owners live in Johannesburg and wanted the house as a weekend and holiday getaway for their young family when they snapped up this plot in 2002. They needed a four-bedroomed house, each bedroom with its own lounge and TV room. Also on the list was a large-scale central area that was totally open-plan for living, playing, eating and entertaining. The owner’s brief was to create a space that was ‘radically uncluttered and open’. They also wanted no interior walls. “That was an exciting challenge,” Truen admits. But the architectural firm is a specialist in modern coastal design and they took it even
further by designing a house with almost no interior or exterior, walls. The primary idea in the design was to create a single living space that had a roof floating over it that mirrored the lay of the slope of the site. The point of reference for all rooms was to make the most of the view. Truen and his team of three chose to lower the level of the eye line by dropping the house down the cliff to include shoreline in the view. They also wanted to open the house to the more dramatic view, which was of the eastern cliffs. This meant opening the house on two sides. “So often with sea-facing houses you end up just seeing a blue line of the horizon,” says Truen. “We took it lower so you can see the shoreline, and also the cliffs which provide an interest factor.” Truen says one of the biggest challenges in contemplating a design made almost entirely of glass was the sun. But, unlike most houses, this challenge was not how to bring more light into the interior. Their challenge was trying to minimise the impact of the harsh African sun. “Our client was very clear that he didn’t want any direct sun in the house. So all design had to take that into consideration.” They did a detailed solar analysis on the building using modelling software and designed multiple levels of shuttering and shading. The cantilevered roof provides shade, as does a second level of wooden decking that breaks up the glass height. In the main atrium, the skylight is protected by using a timber screen that hangs down into the space. Four indigenous Natal Mahogany trees inside the house link to the
ABOVE: Wood meets granite in floors that are practical and hardwearing, both indoor and out. It was important that the house is both practical and beautiful LEFT: A Hollywood-style grand staircase pulls down from the elevated entrance to the lower living level, which holds the kitchen with carpeting to define the spaces
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ABOVE: Lighting at night is subdued. “We wanted to push light up onto the roof so that all the surfaces are lit rather than the air. You can put less light into the space if you do that,” says lead architect Greg Truen. An extensive home automation system controls the lighting and background music
outside environment and also act as an additional sunscreen to the West. The glass was a challenge on all levels and the owner says he knew they were in for a tricky task. “It was easy to visualise but very difficult to implement from an engineering point of view. The house is exposed to the elements including fierce winds. The glass could not leak, rattle or deflect and break. It was the biggest hurdle to overcome in building the home.” But at the end of the day, it was worth every second of effort. “We have pushed the limit and achieved a remarkable result in bringing the views into your lap when the doors slide back.” The house has also pushed the limits of ingenuity in many other ways. Water is a scarce resource in this part of the world and the sloping roof also acts as a collection device that feeds a 165,000-litre underground water tank. An energy raiser heats the domestic hot water; the house itself with under tile hot water pipes and in summer cools the house and subsequently heats the pool & jacuzzi. The pool water is cleaned and sanitized using an ultra-violet light, which means the water is good enough to drink. The building, despite its innate drama in scale and outlook, is also surprisingly simple. 130 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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Battersea I Chelsea I Clerkenwell I Knightsbridge I Mayfair I Notting Hill I Wandsworth Tunbridge Wells I Oxshott +44 (0) 333 011 3333
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ABOVE: A single dropped light breaks the seamless view of the dramatic African coastal cliffs and provides a space division from the larger living spaces LEFT: A 36-metre rim-flow lap pool runs along the front of the house
“We wanted a rustic, organic feel with elegance and timeless, modern, clean lines,” says the owner. The furniture was kept modern and low, so as not to interrupt the views.The finishes were kept natural, using granite tiles on the floors throughout, dark grey walls to blend into the natural greys of the landscape, and Garapa wood to clad the ceilings and walls. The more rustic feeling was brought in with the natural wood, and also by using raw concrete with no plastering and aggregated cement finishes. “The solid components are mostly steel columns and beams and the off shutter concrete which was cast on site and then left exposed,” says Truen. The scale of every element is breathtaking and Truen admits that was part of the grand plan. “We wanted something special, and a little dramatic,” he says. It is a house, and a view, that is guaranteed to leave you both shaken, and stirred. Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen www.saoti.com 132 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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Virginia Design Project
RAJI RADHAKRISHNAN The Brief: To showcase vintage furnishings and modern art by creating a neo-classical background
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lthough purchased 13 years ago, the home has constantly been improved to suit the family’s needs but, in the latest incarnation, the designer remodeled the main level from an open floor plan to a more enclosed set of private spaces. In the process, creating a classic backdrop with neo-classical details including an enfilade that leads the eye from the entry to the very back of the house. New walls were raised, wide entry ways were shortened creating fourteeninch thick walls and framing the views from room to room with custom mouldings. At this stage the home started to feel like an apartment in the fifth arrondissement. And as the decoration plans began, adding large scale murals layered yet another level and set the mood firmly for a classic European feel. But the surprise comes in so many levels as the designer started placing collectible modern furnishings around the house and the cherry on the cake goes to the mid-century modern art collection deftly juxtaposed against the classical murals and mouldings creating the perfect diaoluge between 18th century Europe and the world in the 20th and 21st century. Raji Radhakrishnan www.rajirm.com ANTICLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: A vintage French sofa in its original red velvet fabric from the 1940s brings the much needed character along with the parchment covered 1970s coffee table the scale of which perfectly anchors the space. An Al Held lithograph with it’s colourful circles is placed over a console table made out of an 18th Century French balcony but the gold “tooth” stool the designer found at an antiques dealer is the piece de resistance. The kitchen was a case of subtraction rather than addition, removing upper cabinets and then painting the background blue became a delightful change like a china cabinet in the middle of the kitchen.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The master bedroom’s first decision was a mural - Louvre #1 from Raji’s collection, setting the tone and the mood of the room, calm yet composed with nothing but a comfortable bed and a pair of Gio Ponti chairs that add a splash of colour to the quiet space. The dining room’s composition is based on a single colour note - blues among a sea of white - a rare Ettore Sottsass sofa anchors the wall hung with a collage of vintage serigraphs by Yves Klien, Matisse and Don Kunkel. A vintage modern sofa from the seventies is upholstered in a mix of dark brown velvet and gouffrage fabrics and topped off with an array of Jacquard throw pillows that seem perfectly in sync with the mural behind while Willy Rizzo’s modern coffee table with it’s own little bar.
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Metamorphose - Studio Putman - Photo © THG D. Grieu
4 Pont Street London SW1X 9EL • Telephone: +44 (0)20 7838 7788 www.bathroomsint.com
Montreal Design Project
LES ENSEMBLIERS Redefining a heritage conversion
L
es Ensembliers are the product of a partnership between an architect, Maxime Vandal, and an interior designer, Richard Ouellette. Recently, they completed a three-floor, 6,000 square-foot residence that unites three adjoining apartments in the Redpath Lofts. “We did not want the new space to be the simple combination of three different units. We wanted to leverage the visual power of the building’s industrial character, while getting away from the loft logic of the original conversion,� Vandal explained. With that vision in mind, the designers opted for two bold architectural statements, one vertical and the other horizontal. The basic character of each of the zones was defined by a particular treatment of the space, in terms of the design of volumes, the use of materials and the selection of furniture. The dining room finds its expression through its stunning central steel fireplace, high ceiling, large oval table, generous windows, and lighting fixtures. Everything was designed to highlight the impressive volumes of these old industrial spaces. Meanwhile, the kitchen aligns with the approach by being reduced to its essentials: three minimalist islands, and all storage and appliances concealed behind varnished walls. In contrast, the master 138 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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bedroom on the third floor expresses warm domestic comfort, with some nods to urban chic. A marriage of the space’s industrial origins and the occupants’ personality, the interior spaces were built as an interplay of contrasts between raw industrial character and a taste for luxury and urban comfort. In the living room, the angular easy chairs, cut-glass walls and broken lines of the carpet contrast with the rounded cushions and mirror. ‘Each object was carefully chosen for its personality and the way it fits into the whole. Whether you are looking at a vintage frame or a piece of custommade furniture, nothing is there by chance.’ Each room was designed like an artwork, with impressionistic touches calculated to inspire unique and complex emotional responses. Les Ensembliers www.ensembliers.com Photographs by André Rider 140 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
The New Piazzetta Stoves Collection
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Robeys Ltd, Riverside, Goods Road, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1UU. Tel: 01773 820940. info@robeys.co.uk www.robeys.co.uk
design news | kitchens
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4 1 All Cue & Co of London cabinetry, lighting and furniture is handcrafted onsite at its workshop in Parsons Green, London. Each piece is tailored to individual specifications. www.cueandco.com 2 Officine Gullo presents a wall unit in woodwork and oven-enamelled steel with chrome-plated finishes, featuring professional quality fitted appliances and a refrigeration area with wine cellar. The ultimate in stylish yet functional kitchen dÊcor showcasing their technical and design capabilities. www.officinegullo.com 3 Espresso Design creates stunning, award-winning contemporary interiors, from kitchens for the serious cook to warm and luxurious living spaces. Visit their airy St John’s Hill showroom to see the latest Italian kitchen and furniture ranges. www.espressodesign.co.uk 4 The Tillingham collection by Davonport is a beautiful example of shaker style cabinetry. The combination of top quality timber, expert craftsmanship and elegant design creates an understated and sophisticated kitchen. T: +44 (0) 845 468 0025 | www.davonport.com 142 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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design news | rugs
& flooring
People:
WELL KNOWN for striking and smart flatweave runners in pure wool, woven and hand finished in the UK, Roger Oates now offers a bespoke option for customers who want to choose their own colours from the Roger Oates colour palette. A customised route to totally unique, quality floorcoverings for your home. www.rogeroates.com
WORKING WITH classical oriental themes, Wendy Morrison’s use of vibrant colour and pattern has produced a collection of striking contemporary rugs, pictured above is Enchanted Wood. www.wendymorrisondesign.com
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Jennifer Manners As a recent arrival to the interiors world, it was rug designer Jennifer Manners’ former career as an international news reporter that informed her eclectic style writes Jacky Parker. ‘I had the privilege of living around the globe,’ she says. ‘My designs are influenced by my travels. They are a marriage of colours, images and objects from Mumbai to Monte Carlo and everywhere inbetween.’ Having settled in London thirteen years ago, Jennifer retrained as an interior designer at Central Saint Martins. However, she struggled to find rugs to suit her unique taste. After designing her own rug, she set out on a treasure hunt to find the most skilled artisans to bring her sketches to life. This search brought her to Nepal and India where the ancient craft of weaving rugs has evolved with modern
interpretations of design. ‘That journey gave birth to my business,’ says Jennifer. ‘Being able to see my vision come to life through these patient and skillful artists was captivating. A rug can completely transform any space and being able to create the piece and watch how it harmonises a room is thrilling.’ Jennifer now produces exquisite rug collections, which vary in theme from Geometric, Graphic and Estate to Culture and Nature. However, each rug is unique: a hand crafted, custom made piece that can be created in each client’s choice of colour, size, scale, wool or weave. ‘If you are creating a piece for your home and expect it to last for many years, why wouldn’t you create that piece in the exact colour, size, pattern and style needed for that space?’ Jennifer will also create a personalised design too. ‘The character of a room can be enhanced by the particular style of rug that suits it,’ she says. ‘Someone might bring an image from a photograph or a vintage scarf and we can create something special from that.’ Either way, the result is a personal, bespoke piece. T: +44 (0) 207 351 2584 www.jennifermanners.co.uk
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design news | twelve
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1. Gaudi by ITC Natural Luxury Flooring www.itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com 2. Sapphire by Deirdre Dyson www.deirdredyson.com 3. Rusty by Loomah www.loomah.com 4. Pompadour Sky by Edition Bougainville www.editionbougainville.com 5. Summer Fantasia by Veedon Fleece www.veedonfleece.com 6. Makrana â…Ą by Bazaar Velvet www.bazaarvelvet.com 146 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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7. CHAD by Atlantico Rugs www.atlanticorugs.com 8. Persian Qum by Ramezani Carpets www.ramezanirugs.com 9. A Silk Rug by Alton-Brooke www.alton-brooke.co.uk 10. Shyrdak rug from Felt www.feltrugs.co.uk 11.Monet by Matthew Wailes www.matthewwailes.com 12. ECLAT by Esti Barnes for Top Floor www.topfloorrugs.com
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design news | rugs
& flooring
FLOOR SEASONS introduce their French Artisan collection of beautifully aged and hand finished Herringbone. T: +44 (0) 207 731 4222 www.floorseasons.co.uk
LEADING CONTEMPORARY rug brand, STEPEVI, presents two new collections to further re-define rugs across the world as a key element of interior design. Pixel and Mimosa from the Ivy collection, encapsulate the essence of florals into abstract and geometric patterns, giving simplified and contemporary versions of the classic flower silhouettes. www.stepevi.com
ALTERNATIVE FLOORING leads the patterned carpet revival, collaborating with some of the UK’s best designers, Ashley Hicks and Margo Selby. This year Ben Pentreath adds great British pattern to the Quirky B carpet collection. With awardwinning natural fibre and wool designs, Alternative Flooring is also a CoolBrand celebrated for its unique style. T: +44 (0) 126 433 5111 www.alternativeflooring.com
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DEIRDRE DYSON is located at 554 Kings Road with a recently renovated gallery, showcasing the most recent designs. Carpets are hand made to order, from the finest, luxurious materials and from a palette of over 2,000 colours using wool and silk combinations. T: +44 (0) 207 384 4464 www.deirdredyson.com
ROBERT LANGFORD TRUSTED BY THE WORLD’S BEST DESIGNERS
BRAND NEW “IN STOCK” COLLECTION BY ROBERT LANGFORD Our customers have been asking for beautifully designed and finished bedside tables that are available for immediate delivery and we know that our latest collection fits the bill. This range of bedsides slots perfectly into our range of “in stock” items which can be viewed on our new “in stock” website. stock.robertlangford.co.uk
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LIGHTING
INSPIRED BY the rugged Scottish Highlands, Antlers is one of David Hunt Lighting’s most popular collections. Taken from traditional country-home designs, each individually hand-painted resin antler is used in clusters to form chandeliers, or in minimalist fashion wrapped around table lamps. www.davidhunt-lighting.com
GLOBAL LIGHTING’s Trio of Ginger fixtures, designed by Edmondo Testaguzza, are reminiscent of vintage candy jars. The translucent pale yellow or smokey triple-layered glass emits an ethereal glow. T: 001 914 591 4095 | www.globallighting.com
COPPER & SILK’s contemporary solid brass wall light with decorated shade, suspended from a solid brass drop rod and made in Britain using traditional metal-working methods. Each light is made up of a rolled and cut brass shade, with a frosted lining, suspended from a brass arm. www.copperandsilk.com
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LIKE AN ORCHESTRA, Botti embodies all the details of wind instruments and takes us into a music concert. Its structure is handmade in brass and gently covered by a golden mantle, a monumental piece which shows the exquisite capacity of Delightfull’s skilled artisans. T: +351 914 922 036 | ww.delightfull.eu
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design news |
lighting
MR.LIGHT Limited have just added the all new five-armed 97087 chandelier to their range, available in matt nickel with a choice of black, white or oyster shades. It comes with an adjustable suspension rod to get that perfect height. Part of a huge collection of modern designs encompassing interior, exterior, picture and bathroom lighting. www.mrlight.co.uk
TIGERMOTH LIGHTING uses beautiful materials in simple, elegant designs to create stunning contemporary lighting. Pictured is the Silver Chain Maxi Pendant which is made up of individual strands of silver chain, which light up with incredible opalescent glow when the bulb is switched on. UK T: +44 (0) 845 658 9059 | Int T: +44 (0) 118 984 5232 www.tigermothlighting.com
THE CURIOUSA & CURIOUSA lighting range gives traditional hand-blown glass a whole new lease of life. By keeping colour and form at the very heart of their appeal, the pure beauty of the glass itself is allowed to shine through, and the unique mouldfree service allows customers an endless choice of colour, shape and size. www.curiousa.co.uk
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VALERIE WADE specialises in unusual and flattering lighting and the new addition to the contemporary range is no exception. The SIMLA lamps are made of hand faceted crystal and come in a range of rich gem colours including amber, emerald, ruby, sapphire and clear. You can chose from a tall or short brass fitting and the ecru linen shade included. T: +44 (0) 207 225 1414 www.valeriewadejewellery.com
UK: 0845 658 9059 Int: +44 (0) 118 984 5232 www.tigermothlighting.com
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design news |
lighting
SOLARIA LIGHTING offers a diverse line of specialty lighting products such as the one pictured here; all carefully crafted in distinctive, weathered European style. These designs range from rustic sconces to formal distressed ceiling fixtures and beautifully embellished chandeliers, each styled to bring an elegance and grace that will illuminate the home. T: 001 404 508 1987 | www.solarialighting.com
CHRISTOPHER HYDE has supplied brass Lost wax cast putti table lamps to The Lanesborough. The lamps are finished in Ormolu gold plate with a Marble base and a full lead crystal bowl. Complete with hand decorated metal shade. Other finishes and colours to order. T:+44 (0)207 351 0863 | www.christopherhyde.com
A GREAT SUCCESS at their Decorex launch, Martin Huxford’s decorative trio of Lily Pendant Lights is an elegant contemporary blend of Eastern style and English cut crystal. Individually made from hand cast highly polished brass sections, juxtaposed with coloured jewel-like mouth blown crystal shades. T: +44(0)1903 740134 www.martinhuxford.com
LOVE & LIGHT lamps are bespoke lighting options that create a focal piece in a room like a unique work of art. From contemporary metallic to traditional classics, all the lamps have different inspirations and meanings to make the perfect lighting solutions for your design scheme. www.loveandlight.me.uk
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BATHROOMS
THIS STUNNING freestanding washbasin from ArlexItalia’s Class collection is available through Domicilio Furnishings. www.domiciliofurnishings.com
CATCHPOLE & RYE’s new collection of antiqued copper baths have an inviting glow, ideal for those cold winter nights. These new bath finishes are now on display in both London and Kent showrooms. T: +44 (0) 207 351 0940 | www.catchpoleandrye.com
SURFACE DISSOLUTION of limestone or dolomite rocks inspired the Lapiaz freestand by Maison Valentina. The polished brass details and mirrored sides attribute this luxury design giving off an aura of comfort and warm beauty. www.maisonvalentina.net
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THE MATKI-ONE Slider is not only luxurious but supremely functional, with a smooth, whisper quiet open and close. Above shows a corner enclosure with Black frames with Copper and Black disc details. T: +44 (0) 145 432 2888 | www.matki.co.uk
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design news |
bathrooms
THIS PROJECT conveys Maison Valentina’s mission to interpret in an exquisite way the modern consumer’s desire for exclusive decor products, all the while maintaining the balance between the timeless values of decoration and utmost quality with an evergrowing modern vision. www.maisonvalentina.net
DRUMMONDS INTRODUCE the new Ladybower vanity, one of the first elements of their collaboration with leading designer, Martin Brudnizki. Contrasting classic white marble and gleaming brassware, this simple, refined design also has many functional details including a storage shelf and shaped towel rail. T: +44 (0) 207 376 4499 www.drummonds-uk.com
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WEST ONE BATHROOMS brings you Agape’s new range, designed with fluid functionality unlike any other. Agape, with its Italian heritage, offers pieces that are not only classic, but contemporary and versatile. The full collection offers a range of multi-dimensional furniture and accessories, ensuring optimum integration within the rest of the room.
T: +44 (0)207 751 8000 | www.westonebathrooms.com
ALBION BATH COMPANY’S Tubby Torre Duo features luxurious double ended curves and a purpose built plinth, cleverly concealing the waste system. The Tubby Torre bath, as with other Albion roll top baths can be finished in any Dulux Trade colour, one of Albion’s special finishes, Polished Pewter or Aged Copper. . T: +44 (0) 1125 583 1605 | www.albionbathco.com
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MANUFACTURED IN ITALY SINCE 1908 H O M E | B AT H R O O M | C O N T R A C T ESTABL ISH ED I N I TA LY SI NC E 1 9 0 8
H O M E | B AT H R O O M | C O N T R A C T ESTABL I SHED IN ITA LY SINCE 1908
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Oasis Group www.oasisgroup.it | info@oasisgroup.it Showroom | Brompton Quarter Knightsbridge | 9 Thurloe Place for Design 2015207 159 LondonBridge SW7 2RZ - UK Winter | Tel. +44 584 7002
H O M E | B AT H R O O M | C O N T R A C T E STA BL I SH ED I N I TA LY SI NC E 1 9 0 8 H O M E | B AT H R O O M | C O N T R A C T
design news |
bathrooms
HURLINGHAM BATHS’ copper collection continues to expand with The Bijou. Our fresh take on a classic, distinctly French single slipper bateau bath first used in 19th Century. The unusual high ended design comes available in two sizes, perfect for smaller spaces. www.hurlinghambaths.co.uk
QUATTRO ZERO by Falper by AJP Bathrooms - simple elegant lines with angled detailing and the thin Ceramilux basin range with a stunning range of colours. T: +44 (0) 203 544 4002 www.ajp-bathrooms.co.uk
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OB LONDON, a new collection of furniture from Original Bathrooms which focuses on ‘Furniture - The way you want it’. Bathrooms are a very personal space and this collection ensures that the client is getting a high quality product which is tailored to their own tastes and requirements. T: +44 (0) 208 940 7554 | www.original-bathrooms.co.uk
SPECIALISING IN luxury bathroom fittings and accessories, THG is a fusion of wonderful craftsmanship, know-how and creative flair. With stylish fittings and original designs, often embellished with semi-precious stones and crystals, the THG collections embody the wealth of a luxury tap fitting that is synonymous with high end bathrooms and washrooms. www.thg.fr
t: 020 3544 4002 e: sales@ajp-bathrooms.co.uk w: www.ajp-bathrooms.co.uk
Inspired by
JOHN DEMSEY
The Manhattan townhouse of the cosmetics kingpin exudes a debonair and exuberant style WORDS MITCHELL OWENS| PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON UPTON / The Interior Archive
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hen the subject is personal style, judging a book by its cover can be as misleading as it is with literature. John Demsey is a prime example. A strong, silent type given to dark suits and perfectly dimpled ties, the group president of the Estee Lauder Companies is perhaps best known for making the cult brand M-A-C cosmetics a household name by enlisting over-the-top divas for its ads, among them drag queen RuPaul, ecdysiast extraordinaire, Dita Von Teese, and music stars, Mary J. Blige and Lil’ Kim. The Viva Glam campaign, not coincidentally, also raised more than $145 million for the M-A-C AIDS Fund. Demsey thereby memorably established the brand as both insouciantly fun and socially aware. Similarly eye-opening is his Manhattan residence. Guests arriving at the front door of the unassuming 1840 townhouse are invariably taken aback when they step into the emerald-green entrance hall, where the staircase treads are cloaked in zebra-stripe carpet and the walls are hung with neon-bright paintings depicting flamboyant hydrangeas, roses, irises, and tulips. These are the work of his mother, Renee Demsey, a glamorous socialite and free spirit who was an illustrator for Bergdorf Goodman in the 1950s and has had a major impact on her son’s aesthetic. ‘John’s style is anything but traditional,’ says Bibi Monnahan, his decorator and long-time friend. ‘He’s sophisticated, urban, and a little quirky.’ Demsey’s home, after all, is probably the only place you’ll find a vintage Willy Rizzo dining table standing near a bronze bust of a LEFT: The stunning custom-made fireplace and overmantel create an elegant focal point in the living room and are flanked with a pair of matching white bookcases TOP: Portrait of John Demsey standing amongst his large collection of framed photographs in a corner of the large living room of his Manhattan town house Bridge for Design Winter 2015 163
lioness sculpted by, of all people, soul singer Minnie Riperton’s motherin-law. The latter piece, with its retro, near-celebrity association, puts a grin on Demsey’s face, as does the bold macaroni-and-cheese-yellow paint enlivening the room around it. ‘It’s a non-New York kind of place - colourful, sunny, and happy,’ the native Ohioan observes of the rooms and their palette. ‘This is more what I grew up with: a bit of country in town.’ Back in the 60s, when the property was owned by actor Montgomery Clift, the townhouse was four floors of noncommittal pale beige. By the time Demsey and Monnahan came on the scene a year ago the interiors had been expertly renovated, but they were painted unrelieved white. ‘Colour was the easiest way to bring in John’s personality,’ the decorator says. She picked out the entrance hall’s brilliant green - it matches one that shows up in a painting by his mother-as well as the dining room’s yellow. For the living room, Monnahan selected lipstick-red, a sultry shade with a direct connection to Demsey’s profession. ‘John’s in the glamour business,’ Monnahan says, and that statement explains a lot about the intricate interiors they have crafted together. In the words of one visitor when he first got an eyeful of the décor, ‘This would be a perfect setting for John Steed,’ referring to the suave secret agent on the 60s TV series, The Avengers. Rather than leaving his work at the office, Demsey happily heads home to exuberant spaces that reflect it. Though the colourful ground floor of the home, which opens onto a shady garden, is outfitted as ‘a homage to my mom,’ Demsey says, the upper floors are a compelling portrait of one man and his world. The living room’s deep-dish upholstery and low lighting project a gentleman’s-club atmosphere. His TOP: The dining room is suffused with warmth and light from yellow painted walls and the monkey hiding in the fireplace is one from of a large collection RIGHT: The walls of the study are painted in grey, a Venetian mirror hangs above the ornate fireplace with a painting by John Clem Clarke in the adjacent alcove 164 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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TOP: Behind the Saarinen tulip table and chairs in the breakfast area a collection of framed cartoons is exhibited against a backdrop of kitchen-themed wallpaper RIGHT: A bright red vase placed in front of a large mirror in an orange frame creates a note of intense colour in an otherwise black-and-white scheme in the living room; the lacquer table is a Robert Koo design
extensive photography collection, much of it displayed floor-to-ceiling in half of what was once a double parlour, has a decided fashion bent; classic images of supermodels, Jean Shrimpton and Penelope Tree, a paparazzi snap of Yves Saint Laurent chatting with Diana Vreeland, comedian, Milton Berle, in sequined drag, William Klein’s photo of a model smoking through a veiled hat. Many of the furnishings throughout the house have a runway connection too, such as the Roubini rugs in the bedrooms from the debut floor-covering collection by Tuleh designer Bryan Bradley. ‘I think I was the first person to buy any of them,’ Demsey proudly says of the carpets, some of which depict curvaceous women in come-hither poses. The private spaces are nearly as fashion-centric. The fourth-floor bedroom occupied by Marie-Helene, the toddler daughter of Demsey and his former wife, is full of fanciful paintings of elaborately costumed animals by Mark Gagnon. A drawing by illustrator Ruben Toledo, 166 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The little girl’s toy-filled bedroom is painted a cheerful crimson with a painting by her grandmother, Renee Demsey, displayed above the fireplace. A Fornasetti-inspired rug is one of the bright red accents in the master bedroom which is painted a deep “Caribbean” blue; the bench at the end of the bed is an Anthony Todd design. In the living room the sofa and club chairs are Patrick Naggar designs and the deep red walls and warm red and yellow upholstery create a cosy and welcoming feel. The large living room of the New York town house is filled with an eclectic collection of furniture and artworks.
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an everyday masterpiece the beauty of art; the quality of caesarstone statuario nuvo 5111 www.caesarstone.co.uk
TOP: One end of the sunny yellow dining room is furnished with a sofa and armchairs, the large painting above the sofa is by Renee Demsey LEFT: Three large chrome-framed prints are displayed against the deep turquoise walls of the master bedroom above a chest of drawers laden with interesting objects
husband of clothing designer Isabel, hangs in a guest room that, in a neat twist, is currently on long-term loan to Demsey’s pal Cornelia Guest, the engaging actress daughter of the best-dressed socialite C.Z Guest and source of his new dog, Winston, a sweet Jack Russell puppy. And Demsey’s office features a chair and rug by designer Andree Putman, a fashionista favourite. As for the collection of monkeys, however, fashion has little to do with it. ‘I was a big Curious George fan as a kid,’ Demsey says of the assemblage of simians spread around the house, including vintage Kay Bojesen monkey toys found on eBay as well as Gagnon’s whimsical depiction of a solemn-faced primate in a Thom Browne suite. Hey, even John Steed has his secrets. Bibi Monnahan www.bibimonnahan.com 170 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
For your FREE 64 page Catalogue of the full Portfolio Collection call 0844 209 0008 or visit premdor.co.uk/portfolio
Natural
Exotic
Contemporary
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real veneers - consistent grain - consistent colour - never identical
COTSWOLD MANOR
An English manor adapted to be a family home and apt setting for arts and antiques WORDS STEPHEN CALLOWAY | PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON UPTON/ The Interior Archive 172 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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he owners of this quintessentially English manor house have carefully decorated and adapted it as a family home and an apt setting for their art and antique. Asked to describe their perfect house, the chances are that many people would suggest an old Cotswold manor house, its grey stone gables crowning as picturesque and not quite symmetrical façade, the heavily studded oak front door approached by a lichen-encrusted, stone-flagged path between ancient topiary hedges; the whole nestling in a green fold of country with still unspoilt views to distant hills. An impossible dream? Well, Thomas and Pepe Messel’s house in Gloucestershire is just such a gem, the almost too-good-to-betrue perfection of its setting and its air of ancient calm making it the very quintessence of idyllic Englishness. The Messel’s bought the house 24 years go, through the happy intervention of Thomas’s cousin, Lord Snowdon, who was a friend of the previous owners. The building of the main house probably began about 470 years ago, but a great event during recent patient restoration of the building by local stonemason, Rory Young, was the discovery of a stone carved with the date 1559. Utilizing local stone and also rendered brick-it lies at the border of Cotswold limestone country and the predominantly brick-built area of the Severn-valley - the house conforms to the typical long, narrow, one-room-deep plan of Tudor hall houses. Two handsome stair turrets were added to the front later in the sixteenth century, aggrandizing the house as well as making it more convenient-but little else, apart from the substitution of Georgian sash windows for the LEFT: A fountain sits in the middle of the parterre in front of the 16th century manor house TOP: Portrait of furniture designer Thomas Messel standing in the door of his summer studio and airy gallery from which to view the array of portraits and tapestries Bridge for Design Winter 2015 173
TOP: The rear wing of the house, designed by Anthony Keck and added in the 1790s, has commanding views of one of the lawns and pond RIGHT: A Regency mirror hangs above the fireplace in the drawing room which is filled with artwork
original Tudor mullioned versions, has changed since a detailed bird’seye view of the estate by the meticulous topographical artist and engraver Johannes Kip was published in a book of 1712. This rare engraving, a framed copy of which Thomas has hung in the entrance porch, is particularly valuable because it shows not only the house but also the precise arrangement of the garden walls, the gazebo (‘modernised’ in about 1700), the old stable block and the planting of the more distant parts of the estate. The current appearance of the surroundings of the house owes much to Pepe Messel’s inspired replanning and careful tending. Having trained originally at Camberwell College of Art and the Royal Academy, she has more recently turned her painter’s eye to landscape gardening. Taking her inspiration from Kip’s print, she swept away an ugly parking space at the front of the house to create a perfectly contrived box parterre, while at the back of the house, she bulldozed a run-down tennis court and replaced it with a sunken lawn that opened up vistas to a replanted orchard and the view beyond. Inside the house, the same mix of quiet continuity and inspired reinvention has resulted in a sequence of rooms full of delights. Much of the internal appearance of the house came into the possession of Thomas Dawes, a rich local cloth merchant who ‘gained his great estate by his own industry’. Delightfully, it is recorded in the 1727 The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire by Sir Robert Atkyns that, the better to enjoy life in his pretty manor house, Dawes then ‘left off his employment because he knew he had enough.’ It was most probably he who transformed the old Tudor hall, eliminating the, by then, outdated enclosed screens passage and big, draughty chimneypiece, and introducing cosy, modish fielded panelling both here and elsewhere in the house. Following Thomas Dawes’s death, the house passed several times from one branch of the family to another, and gradually it ceased to be a principal residence, instead being let out to tenants. This gentle neglect had the happy consequence of preserving much of the interior largely untouched for almost a century. Only at the very end of the eighteenth century were major changes undertaken when a new addition was built at the rear. This 1790s wing, designed by West-Country architect Anthony Keck, added a high174 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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TOP: A sofa and chairs are arranged around a carved chimneypiece in the library LEFT: The bed and half tester in the master bedroom were designed by Thomas Messel and the chandelier is Venetian glass
ceiling drawing room of elegant proportions, with fine plasterwork cornices and three tall windows commanding views of the gardens and, above, two grander and more fashionable bedrooms. Over the years, the house has been fortunate to have sympathetic and artistic owners. In the seventies, Adrian Garnett and his journalist wife, Polly Devlin, did much to maintain the beauty of the place. They built the grotto in the grounds and asked John Stefanidis to advise on the decoration of the hall. Thomas and Pepe Messel have made the house both a lively base for the activities and a reflection of their wide tastes and talents. Their thorough restoration of the structure included converting small, cluttered rooms into a large kitchen and dining room, and the removal of an awkward corridor on the upper floor to allow the reinstatement of the original enfilade arrangement of the bedrooms. Describing their varying levels of architectural grandeur and decorative elaboration or simplicity Thomas designates these rooms as ‘first 176 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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CONTEMPORARY HAND KNOTTED RUGS
LONDON SHOWROOM 2 New Kings Road, London SW6 4SA Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 5.30pm 020 7736 9693 | info@bazaarvelvet.co.uk | www.bazaarvelvet.co.uk
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TOP: A long dining table with chairs made by designer Thomas Messel is laid for dinner LEFT: A collection of Sunderland lustreware is displayed in the bathroom
class’, ‘club class’, ‘world traveller’ and ‘economy’. In the main rooms such as the drawing room, which is painted pale stone colours inspired by a visit to the villas of Vicenza, Thomas and Pepe have created ravishing and slightly theatrical backdrops for an eclectic mix of objects. Both of them inherited furniture: from Pepe’s parents house in Cumbria came eighteenth-century and Regency pieces: from Thomas’s family are seventeenth-century items including a superb marquetry cabinet, which was previously at Nymans, his grandparents’ house in Sussex. In addition, many of the rooms are enlivened by a number of more flamboyant baroque items, including chandeliers, Venetian mirrors and carved blackamoors inherited from Thomas’s uncle, stage designer and decorator Oliver Messel. It was Oliver Messel’s encouragement that led Thomas to use his artistic talents to design and make fine furniture. He counts among his clients leading decorators such as Colefax and Fowler, Michael Priest, Amanda Murray and Alidad, and works increasingly to commissionhe recently created a scagliola-topped centre table for Lady Derby. He longs, too, to create complex ‘metamorphic’ dining tables. Already his house is a showcase for Thomas Messel’s designs-with its long history and beauty, it would be hard to imagine a more sympathetic setting for these timeless pieces. Thomas Messel T: +44 (0) 145 384 3220 | www.thomasmessel.com 178 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
N AT U R A L L U X U R Y F L O O R I N G
CANNES Cannes is a brand new FAUX SILK broadloom carpet in 15 sumptuous colours. Bespoke rug sizes, up to a maximum width of 500 cm are also available in this fabulous range. ✓ Luxurious ✓ Shiny ✓ Soft to the touch ✓ Durable ✓ 4 & 5 mtr wide available ✓ Class 33 Heavy Commercial rating / Class 23 Heavy Domestic ✓ Bfl-s1 Fire Rating These characteristics makes Cannes an ideal product for almost every location, from homes to hotels. V I S IT OU R B RA N D N EW WE B S ITE N OW ! Schering 45 8281 JW Genemuiden The Netherlands
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London Design Project
KNIGHTSBRIDGE CHURCH
The brief: To create a chic, understated design while still retaining the building’s original historic features WORDS MARK TURNER | PHOTOGRAPHS TOM SULLAM
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In the bathroom, a floating wall in bronze. with a cherry blossom tree etched on it was commissioned from Based Upon.
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his 11,500 sq ft private house church conversion in Knightsbridge, London, was designed by Howes & Rigby, a collaboration between London’s leading developers of super prime residential property, Rigby & Rigby, and award-winning international luxury interior design studio, Taylor Howes. The church – the front half of which is still in active use – was bought by international clients who had fallen in love with its architecture. For this reason the clients were keen to retain the building’s original historic features, in particular the vistas through the arches. With regard to the design’s final look and feel, the client specified
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that the interior be more Armani than Versace, using understated colours and calm neutrals similar to those used in the Aman Resorts. As the clients were based abroad the majority of the correspondence took place remotely with only two client meetings taking place over the two and a half year build. A neighbouring mews house was bought and linked to the church at ground and basement level. The extension added three additional bedroom suites to the existing five bedrooms in the main house, as well as a large basement gym. The entrance hall features a circular platinum leaf coffer in polished plaster and full height doors. To the left of the main reception
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ABOVE: In keeping with the building a Kevin Reilly church candle light feature was used above the dining table LEFT: The entrance hall features a circular platinum leaf coffer
area a glass lift, positioned in the centre of the helical staircase, acts as a key focal point to the formal living/dining area. The main and guest reception are separated by a glazed panel of electro magnetic privacy glass that allows for a more private opaque option when required. The more informal living area is situated on the upper mezzanine, with exposed original arches and beams that have been uplit to highlight the beauty of the stone details. The roof has been part glazed to provide a source of natural light whilst allowing lift users to see directly up to the sky. A Damien Hirst butterfly painting hangs above the stone clad fireplace. The dining area and main reception is divided by a sideboard that houses a double-sided pop-up television. This not only splits the space but also allows the clients to watch the television from either the seating area or from the dining table – the back-to-back televisions sink into the floor when not in use. Accommodating a range of champagne bottle sizes, the wine unit behind the dining table is temperature controlled and sits opposite a secret door to the commercial kitchen that serves the dining area. The commercial kitchen also connects to the family kitchen which is located opposite the living area. 184 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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TOP: The top half of the arch in the mezzanine has been glazed to reveal glimpses of the sky. LEFT: The seating area in the master bedroom with its stunning windows ABOVE: The door to the double bedroom is taylored to fit within the arch’s curve
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ABOVE: In the master bedroom, it was important the beautiful church windows remained as the focal point LEFT: The walls of the swimming pool were clad in bush hammered stone
It was important to the team that the original church windows remained the focal point of the master bedroom – as well as the arches and the apex of the roof. Using the arches as a natural divide, the room was split into three sections - a main bedroom, an informal study/seating area and a bathroom. To sit behind the bath, the team commissioned a bronze floating wall from Based Upon. The wall features the client’s favourite cherry blossom cast in bronze resin. Down in the crypt the swimming pool area features a wall clad in bush-hammered stone and has walls with spectacular night lighting effects, including fibre optic lights in the bottom of the pool and electric church candles in the niches designed by Sally Storey of Lighting Design International. At one end of the pool a bronze leaf lit coffer leads the way through to a juice bar, while behind the pool is a sauna/ steam room and guest changing room. Next-door is a treatment room complete with massage table and bespoke lighting. Howes & Rigby T: +44 (0) 203 011 1230 | www.howesandrigby.co.uk 188 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
fire s ide by
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Great Houses
BOWHILL
Once a simple retreat for country pleasures, now full of treasures WORDS JAMES KNOX | PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FENNELL / The Interior Archive
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he doorbell at Bowhill is an intercom bearing a small, worn, white sticker inscribed ‘Their Graces’ in ballpoint pen. The informality combined with grandeur sums up this house, one of the two principal seats of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry in Scotland, the other being Drumlanrig. ‘This has not always been the case, as until 1914 Dalkeith Palace took precedence,’ says Richard Buccleuch, the tenth duke, who inherited from his father in 2007. ‘Bowhill was a huge but simple retreat for country pleasures, with none of the treasures now on view, just scores of paintings of favourite horses, hounds, and dogs and dark classical landscapes by the clerical amateur, the Rev John Thomson.’ The status of Bowhill changed after World War I, when Montagu House in London was given up and Dalkeith Palace in Midlothian was not reopened for family use. Situated some 30 miles southeast of Dalkeith, Bowhill was a natural place to retrench, as it was more accessible to the great landholdings of the Scotts of Buccleuch, which had been built up since the 13th century and today extend over 46 thousand acres of wild country running southwest from Selkirk and Hawick to the English border. Originally a plain Queen Anne box with low wings, the house, set in ‘a pretty little estate,’ had been acquired by the Buccleuchs in 1745 but had remained largely overlooked by the family until 1812, when the fourth duke, a keen shot, commissioned the architect, William Stark, to LEFT: In the library, a patchwork of wallpaper hints towards the past its vibrancy TOP: William Burn’s double height saloon, built in the early 19th century, provides a light and airy gallery from which to view the array of portraits and tapestries
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add a neat Regency villa onto the south front of the existing building. Stark’s simple classical design, realised in grey whinstone, set the style for all future additions to the house, regardless of the architect’s natural preference. On Stark’s death in 1813, William Atkinson, better known for his Gothic work, continued Stark’s campaign of enlargement, adding a suite of reception rooms and family quarters over the next six years. ‘I think this addition will add much to our comfort and convenience,’ wrote Duke Charles to his close friend and kinsman, the author, Walter Scott. ‘It gives me a bedroom, dressing room (which I shall use as a depository for guns and fishing tackle), a sitting room and a servant’s room, all connecting. The sitting room connects with the library by a sham book door.’ Duke and Poet were intimate friends, sharing a love of books and the Border country, as well as the same architect in Atkinson, who was also assisting Scott at Abbotsford, which is only eight miles from Bowhill. ‘Scott’ says Richard Buccleuch, ‘was also half in love with the duke’s wife, Harriet, who was his muse. She inspired him to write the Lay of the Last Minstrel, where he speaks of ‘Sweet Bowhill.’ In return, Scott acted as mentor to Duke Charles and his eldest son, Walter, to whom he was guardian. ‘Scott was, for them, such a role model,’ explains Richard Buccleuch. ‘He had huge sensitivity towards the rural population and the rural economy-and wrote directly to the fourth and fifth dukes about their responsibilities. His early life was spent recreating the minstrelsyroaming the borders writing down the oral stories. He had this ability to relate to people across the social spectrum; a complete mixer. He was fascinated in every aspect of an estate, such as not just planting trees but their provenance. That sort of stewardship was what he thought the young fourth and fifth dukes should practice.’ His spirit lives on today. ‘I just think Sir Walter Scott was an all round good egg.’ Richard Buccleuch says, ‘with all the sort of instincts one would like.’ As a result, the library at Bowhill is no shrine to dead authors but stacked with new books, many submitted for the Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction established two years ago by him and his wife, Elizabeth, with the winner announced at the annual Borders Book Festival. The Victorian fifth duke took Scott’s words on stewardship to heart and became a great agricultural improver and industrial developer, who, as one obituarist put it, ‘went to his office and transacted business much the same as a city merchant would do,’ All the more reason for turning Bowhill into the ultimate country retreat, which was set in motion in 1832 with the commissioning of Scottish architect, William Burn, to remodel and enlarge the house. A master planner, Burn was attuned to every requirement of his grand Victorian clients with their crowd of children (the Buccleuchs had seven) and army of servants, mapping out country houses along rational lines. At Bowhill, he moved the entrance to the north front, which now opens onto a parade of outer and inner halls, culminating in the towering saloon, a place to get one’s bearings before heading off east or west down the service corridor that runs along the spine of the house. Burn retained the comfortable reception rooms at the core of the old Regency house, although an enlarged drawing room was dignified with rich crimson damask. But he extended the house to incorporate a larger dining room and a family apartment with the duchess’s boudoir at its
RIGHT: An array of family portraits lines the stair hall. The yellow wall colour was chosen by the present duke’s mother
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TOP: View of the house from across one of two lochs created in 1832 LEFT: Gold and crimson damask silk-wallpaper lines the walls of the drawing room
heart, a glittering casket of a room, lined with old Chinese wallpaper and laden with silks, fringes, and needlepoint in an exquisite fusion of form and purpose. Like many functionalists, Burn’s strength lay in the fine tuning of his ‘machine for living,’ to retrofit Le Corbusier’s famous dictum, rather than in creating a pleasing exterior. His new entrance front at Bowhill absorbed the surviving fragment of the Queen Anne house and extended Stark and Atkinson’s villa in an elongated stretch of grey Whinstone. This suited his client, who, according to the current duke, ‘wasn’t building to impress anyone. It had to be practical.’ Even so, Burn’s attempt at adding a picturesque feature to yet another extension in 1870 led the duchess to remark of his clock tower, ‘Burn should pay us to take it down.’ The 20th century saw one last transformation of Bowhill. ‘In 1910, when the picture catalogue was done,’ says Richard Buccleuch, ‘there was nothing in the way of art-and there are no photographs of pre1920 interiors, as the house didn’t merit it.’ All this was soon to change with the arrival of treasures from Montagu House and Dalkeith Palace, a stream of French marquetry furniture, including many pieces with royal provenance; British portraiture by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Lawrence, and their peers; Mortlake tapestries after Mantegna; and Claude Lorrains and other Old Masters, not to mention troves of silver, miniatures, and Sevres porcelain. Belying its plain exterior, the wellplanned house with its varying scales of rooms-from the double-height saloon, tailor made for the Mortlake tapestries, to the broad dining room, well lit for portraits-provided the perfect setting for the collection. 194 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
www.boldstonesculpture.co.uk info@boldstonescupture.co.uk
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TOP: A panorama of Westminster Bridge adorns the west end of the dining room LEFT: The library, furnished with books old and new
Not only did the Buccleuchs themselves collect, but they also acquired great collections through marriage, notably that of the dukes of Montagu, the last of whose line, Elizabeth Montagu, was the wife of the cultivated third duke. Also brought to Bowhill were the relics of the Buccleuchs’ royal ancestor the Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son of Charles II, who married Scott heiress the Countess of Buccleuch. Their marriage in 1663, signalled the creation of the Dukedom of Buccleuch. Following her husband’s execution after the Monmouth rebellion, Anne Duchess of Buccleuch was made duchess in her own right to protect her estates from confiscation, and she lived out her long life at Dalkeith Palace. Her portrait now hangs at Bowhill in the library above the chimneypiece (also from Dalkeith), which is carved with her initials, a reminder that the family’s ‘simple retreat’ has also become the store of collective memory for the Buccleuch family. ‘Bowhill,’ says Richard Buccleuch, ‘reminds us of the need to remain rooted.’ Bowhill House www.bowhillhouse.co.uk 198 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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Berkshire Design Project
ASCOT LODGE
Maurizio Pellizzoni transforms a Grade â…Ą-listed building into a warm family home 200 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
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ABOVE: Two matching Desert Modern sofas from Ralph lauren are accompanied by two zebra ottomans which were custom made for the project LEFT: The original fireplace surround has been restored by adding a mirrored chrome detail to create a more contemporary feel
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scot Lodge is a Grade II listed building with a fascinating history; it was built in the 15th century and was used by King James 1, son of Mary Queen of Scotts as a hunting lodge in the Berkshire countryside. It was remodelled in the 18th century and then further extended and altered in 1912 by the renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens who created the south-east wing incorporating the famous Lutyens Ballroom. The extension had its own style identity with signature domes that were replicated in other areas of the house. Maurizio Pellizzoni’s brief was to create a warm, family home which would grow and develop with the owners while retaining the stamp of their individual taste and family history. “Like all interior design projects, Ascot Lodge wasn’t without its challenges. As a Grade-II-listed building, absolutely everything had to be submitted for council approval, including colour choices which had to be drawn from the original pallete,” says Maurizio. Fireplaces, floors, windows, doors, ceilings, cornicing, coving and all other architectural detailing had to be maintained. Listed buildings consent was obtained and the project was subject to a rigorous checking process. Maurizio Pellizzoni Ltd worked on the refurbishment of the interior of some of the key rooms in the house: the Georgian Room, Ballroom, Master Bedroom and two guest bedrooms. The brief was to draw on elements of Ralph Lauren styling but also to incorporate antiques, artworks and personal heirlooms belonging to the family. This unique 202 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
heimtextil theme park
12 – 15. 1. 2016
Well-Being 4.0 Trends 2016 / 2017 www.heimtextil-theme-park.com Discover the symbiosis of Industry 4.0 and textile trends – experience the technologies and textiles that enhance everyone’s well-being. Human design coupled with digital advance. A source of inspiration and progress. Heimtextil Theme Park “Well-Being 4.0” – Trends 2016/2017 – now in Hall 6.0.
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ABOVE: A Ralph Lauren Clivedon Tufted Bed upholstered in de Le Cuona fabric LEFT: In the living room, a Duke Bar is accompanied by Noble Estate Club chairs all by Ralph Lauren. The two suede cushions on the chairs are from de Le Cuona
property required sensitive, thoughtful treatment to bring it up to date whilst retaining the original character and charm. “Once we had the clear understanding of the client’s brief, I took the time to understand the space and fabric of the building, accompanying the client onsite.” Each room has a signature style inspired by a piece of artwork or connected to the history of the room itself, as in the case of the Georgian Room which was transformed into a private gallery with the use of a power rail attached above the original panelling which was carefully restored. All of the artwork was framed by master framer John Jones and was a lengthy and meticulously planned element of the project. The furniture is a mix of Ralph Lauren pieces, bespoke furniture and antiques, some of which were sourced by Maurizio Pellizzoni Ltd and others belonging to the family, which they wished to incorporate into the design. Soft furnishing fabrics and curtains were sourced from De Le Cuona. “If during the design process we cannot find what we are looking for, we won’t just settle for that. We usually work with expert craftsmen to custom-build pieces to the exact specifications, and this was very much the case for the Ascot Lodge. For example, the bookcases and some of the sofas and chairs in the Ballroom were custom-made for this project,” says Maurizio. Working alongside and collaboratively with a trusted, vetted and longstanding team of talented craftsmen, the end result is unequivocally a modern, timeless and elegant space which is ultimately sophisticated, functional and considered, and a true reflection of the clients’ needs and expectations as well as the unique character of the building. Maurizio Pellizzoni Ltd www.mauriziopellizzoni.co.uk 204 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
WWW.IMM-COLOGNE.COM
The event for rooms and bathrooms at imm cologne.
CREATE. FURNISH. LIVE. THE INTERNATIONAL INTERIORS SHOW 18.–24.01.2016 Where the interior design world comes together. First is best: in January, the key trends and business momentum are determined at imm cologne. Experience the global furniture industry focused in one place and discover a unique range of furnishing ideas, living accessories and exclusive interior design – up to the latest concepts from the bathroom and interior design sectors at LivingInteriors. Design Winter 2015 205 Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln, Germany, Tel. +49 1806 913 131, Fax +49 221 821-99 Bridge 1180, for imm@visitor.koelnmesse.de
Inspired By
CASA CAYMAN
Maximising both the potential of the setting and the breathtaking views out across the Pacific Ocean WORDS DOMINIC BRADBURY | PHOTOGRAPHS MARK LUSCOMBE-WHYTE / The Interior Archive
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OPPOSITE: The covered terrace is comfortably furnished with round wicker chairs, designed by Michael Possenbacher RIGHT: A swirly patterned path of black and white pebbles contrasts with the bright green of the grass
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ntiques dealer, Michael Possenbacher, arrived in Mexico from Germany in the 1950’s and has lived here ever since. He made his home in Mexico City for many years, but after the earthquake of 1985 he began looking for a more peaceful part of the country to live for himself and his wife. Careyes was the place they eventually fell in love with. Working in collaboration with his architect son, Alex Possenbacher, he came up with an inspirational design for Casa Cayman that maximised both the potential of the setting and the breathtaking views out across the Pacific Ocean. The heart of the house is the Palapa living room, moving seamlessly out towards the open terraces of the house and the infinity pool, reaching into the sea. The Palapa with its timber supports enclosed in vine wood and a vast stag fern tumbling down, the floors made with stone from the Yucatan, the sculpted rattan chairs, the vaulted and curving ceilings of the bedroom wing, the soft and warm earthy colours; together all these create the impression of the most organic of homes. ‘And the garden in Careyes is the ocean,’ says Michael Possenbacher. ‘Instead of a park, you have the sea.’
A collection of contemporary artwork, antiques and sculptures has also formed part of the design of the house, including integrated pieces such as the eight-century Indian columns by the pool, while the mascot of the house is the vintage Mexican cayman, or crocodile, mask in the master bedroom. A soothing, sociable house where nature meets nurture, and simplicity is part of its sophistication, Casa Cayman is at the heart of Careyes. In the large lounge bedroom, the painting above the fireplace is by Francisco Toledo while the little chair is Mexican. On a polychrome Mexican eighteenth-century table rests a pair of ornate Mexican cruciform stirrups from the colonial era, with another Toledo on the wall behind. Michael Possenbacher designed the mast-like lampshades, suing fifteenth-century Asian vases as bases. The chest is Dutch, from the sixteenth century. All this suggests the home of a serious collector with a wide-ranging interest in art and antiques. The infinity pool appears to reach out into the sea and sky, while the terraces offer views down to the Pacific and the jagged islands and rocks that stud part of the Careyes coastline. This was a difficult site on which to build a house, given the rugged landscape, but also an enticing one. It has been designed to take maximum advantage of Bridge for Design Winter 2015 207
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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The spacious master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and a comfortable seating area. The ‘palapa’ allows the creation of a ‘terrace with a hat’ that is perfect for the Pacific setting of the house. The round wicker chairs grouped around a low table on the terrace under the ‘palapa’ were designed by Michael Possenbacher Bridge for Design Winter 2015 209
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: In the master bedroom, Michael Possenbacher designed the lampshades that resemble sails using 15th-century Asian vases as bases. A small dining area has been created on a raised floor under the eaves of the ‘palapa’. A pair of ornate Mexican cruciform stirrups on a polychrome Mexican eighteenth-century table in the bedroom. An embroidered, leather Mexican chest and an Italian Renaissance relief are used to furnish the hall
the vista, with the palapa, terraces and pool oriented towards the sea. ‘You always have to try and frame the views,’ says Alex Possenbacher, ‘because that’s why everyone is here, after all,’ Many antiques and geological treasures have been woven into the design of the house. The granite columns by the pool, for instance, are eight-century Indian. The round cannonball-like pieces in the stone basin are Mexican ‘bambas del volcano’. The rounded wicker chairs underneath the palapa were designed by Michael Possenbacher, and the pillars that support the palapa are made of local wood, as hard as ebony as its centre, covered in vine growth. ‘It looks like Art Nouveau,’ observes Possenbacher. 210 Bridge for Design Winter 2015
In the dining area located on a raised level overlooking the main terrace, an ammonite has been skilfully incorporated into the wall. The colours are soothing and fit well with the natural tones of the stone and wood used throughout the house. In the master bedroom an alligator (part of a dancers costume) lies on a dividing wall, acting as the house’s cayman mascot; the table in front of the wall is seventeenth-century Mexican. The chest is Mexican, in embroidered leather, while the relief is Italian Renaissance. The curving form of the room’s design gives a cool, cavernous feel to the room. ‘The house looks very organic,’ says Alex Possenbacher, ‘but actually it’s also very mathematical.’
MADE IN ITALY
КоллекцияCOLLECTION DAYDREAM DAYDREAM
www.giorgiocollection.it Seregno (MB) Italy
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