The photos clearly reect how Villa Kishti, featuring an agglomeration of building volumes around the central hub, nestles in the landscape of the Caribbean island of Anguilla. Designers Anne Simone and Elaine Cecconi from the Canadian city, Toronto, in close collaboration with their clients, have created a holiday retreat that offers both intimacy and privacy, despite its open character and direct interaction with its imposing surroundings. The design of the entrance is simple and functional: the front doors, when closed, reveal nothing of the opulence that lies beyond. Right: Anna Simone and Elaine Cecconi. Overleaf The various living areas and bedrooms all overlook the sea and, with the spacious terraces, create a direct connection between interior and exterior. The colours used in the interior design produce a symphony of whites with accents in dark wood.
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Anguilla under the spell of Anna Simone and Elaine Cecconi Villa Kishti is located on the Caribbean island of Anguilla. It is a holiday home inspired by the style of Bali and created by a sophisticated, design-loving couple with three sons. The villa comprises a series of separate volumes in which interior, architecture and landscape form a logical ensemble.The unique setting accentuates the villa’s contours and thanks to those contours, the views acquire an additional dimension. Although the various ‘compartments’ of the villa form differing entities, the spaces flow naturally together thanks to the unifying materials, colours, forms and textures.The design is by Anna Simone and Elaine Cecconi from Toronto in Canada who addressed all the different aspects of the interior.
production: OBJEKT©International photos: Joy von Tiedemann
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Adjoining: the entrance of the house with paths that fan out to access the various rooms and semi-detached villas. Below: several bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, all of which have views of the Caribbean Sea. The kitchen is in the central hub of the complex and is part of the living-dining area. Right: the main villa seen from one of the other volumes in the complex; the spectacular, semicircular water features salute the majestic blue sea.
Villa Kishti's tripartite design is composed of a central hub, master suite and three self-contained villas, arranged in a fan-like plan. The central hub contains the principal gathering areas of the residence – the kitchen and living-dining area with extensive outdoor terraces. Spaces are uncluttered, with Corian counters and backsplash and marine ply with wood veneer custom millwork in the kitchen and custom millwork, custom furnishings and carefully-chosen accessories in the living-dining area. The master suite, accessed internally from the living-dining area, contains a master bedroom with lounge area and generous terrace, as well as an adjoining travertine-clad en-suite with indoor and outdoor showers. The master bedroom is appointed with custom millwork and custom furnishings and subtle Balinese accents.
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The three self-contained villas, across the central hub from the master suite, encompass a lounge area with private, outdoor deck, kitchenette, powder room and master bedroom with en-suite bath. Custom furnishings, accessories, finishes and fittings are in harmony with the quiet, contemporary, Balinese-accented look of the rest of the residence. Villa Kishti incorporates numerous sustainable technologies and fittings that protect its remarkable natural environment. Rooftop solar panels supplement the power supply. Lighting is on timers. Rainwater is collected in cisterns and grey water is recycled for irrigation. Passive cross-ventilation eliminates the need for air-conditioning, apart from the master suite. Energy-efficient LED pin lights in corrosion-proof plastic casings create constellations of artificial starlight after sundown. Villa Kishti is the result of a remarkable collaboration between designer and client. This singular partnership allowed for an expansion of the original client brief, whereby the interior designers were charged with fully realizing the conceptual, architectural vision for the residence in built form. This would come to involve all aspects of interior, architectural and landscape design-management. The client's exceptional contributions to design development, product sourcing and logistics were invaluable in reducing costs and shortening timelines. Villa Kishti is suffused with nature, producing an atmosphere of relaxation and inspiration. The encircling landscape and seascape, ever-changing, are constant companions in this meditative, private sanctuary.
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Everywhere water, water,
this page THE SLOPED ROOF OPENS THE INSIDE TO THE EXPANSIVE SEA VIEW. A NUMBER OF WATER FEATURES INCLUDING THE STONE WATERFALL, SALT-WATER POOL AND JACUZZI (ON THE UPPER LEVEL) HELP TO PROMULGATE THE AQUATIC/BOAT THEME.
WATER, WATER,
EVERYWHERE
AN FANATICAL OBSESSION WITH WATER VIEWS INSPIRES A MODERN ANGUILLIAN MASTERPIECE. TEXT: Orrett H. Wynter PHOTOS: Orrett H. Wynter & Joy von Tiedemann
Photo: Joy von Tiedemann
Photos this page and facing: Joy von Tiedemann
HORIZONTAL WOODEN SLATS HELP SOFTEN THE ENTRANCE AND PROVIDE A WARM WELCOME.
T
he Nantucket of the Caribbean.
his credit, Frank was able to fulfil this request in all
That was how a friend of Villa Kishti’s
but the most utilitarian spaces.
owner, Suresh Bhalla, described Anguilla
floating in the water,” explains Frank, “I thought
coast of Massachusetts. Intrigued, he, and his
I’d reinforce that by putting controlled areas of
wife, took a short trip to the island that ended
water on the north side [pools and spa] as well
with them purchasing the Black Garden Bay
as the south side [wading, reflecting pool].” Aptly,
property which the villa now occupies.
the name chosen for the villa was Kishti, an Urdu
Having worked with him on a number of occasions dating back about 15 years, Suresh
www.designanguilla.com
“There’s a sense that it is a ship…that it’s
- drawing parallels to the luxurious island off the
word that translates to mean a boat, or ark. Frank attributes the very white, contemporary
again called on Toronto architect Frank Hamilton
look of the villa to a fairly obscure conversation
to provide design direction for his family's pied-a-
he had with Suresh at the time they first became
tierre. “Your architect is only as good as his client,”
acquainted. “When Suresh proposed his lake
Suresh remarked, “[Frank] knows our family quite
house in Ontario, he had me come over to his
well, so he understood the requirements we had
house and said ‘Frank, look around this house,
for the property.” These requirements are easily
look at these mouldings, the patterns, etc…
summed up in three words: water, water, water.
what I want is NOT that!’” That relieved him
The retired banker, who moved to Canada from
of the burden of trying to imitate and allowed
India when he was 28, explained his obsession, “I
him to create a house that could maximize the
want to be able to see the water when I’m having
experience of the surroundings.
a shower, when I’m in the tub, anytime I’m in the bathroom – I want to be able to see the water.” To
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To satisfy Suresh’s request for views of the water, Frank designed sloping roofs and massive
top left & right BEYOND THE GATES, GLASS PANELS OFFER A GLIMPSE OF THE PANORAMIC VIEW, WHILE A WATER FEATURE TO THE LEFT OF THE WALKWAY GIVES AN IMMEDIATE INTRODCTION TO THE HOME'S NAUTICAL THEME.
left THE VIEW FROM THE BAY CALLS ATTENTION TO THE DRAMATIC GEOMETRY OF THE MANY SLOPING ROOFS.
right THE OUTDOOR SHOWER IS CONTRAST OF RUSTIC AND CUTTING EDGE FINISHING.
Photos this page and facing: Joy von Tiedemann
this page, top, middle & bottom THE BEDROOMS & BATHS ALL SHARE THE SAME NEUTRAL PALETTE WITH LOTS OF NATURAL FINISHES.
opposite ASIAN-THEMED DECOR OUTFIT THE VERY MINIMAL LIVING/DINING, WHICH TAKES A BACKSEAT TO WHAT SURESH CALLS "THE LARGEST TV IN THE WORLD" — THE VIEW.
“My FAVOURITE PLACE would have to be between the pool area or in the living room watching the largest TELEVISION SCREEN in the world.” - Suresh Bhalla
sun, something also of high value to Suresh.
glass openings to face the ocean in all the
wedge-shaped site open up to the North
main spaces. He admits he marvelled at
allowed us to open up that side without
the level of concrete work achieved by
having to worry about too much Sun
also from Toronto, joined the design team
local builders. “I felt limited working with
getting in. So I thought maybe the roof
once the structure was completed. Initially
concrete, but when I came to Anguilla, I
could lift up and grab the view of the ocean
brought on to provide kitchen design, they
saw all these roofs, made out of concrete,
and the sky”, Frank said .
completed interior, as well as some exterior
Meant to accommodate the couple and
design, including landscaping and lighting.
their three adult sons, the 4-bed villa is split
“We tried to honour the forms that the
“After talking to Audley about it, I had no
into three 2-storey suites on the west, with
architect had developed,” Anna Simone
hesitation about letting the roofs just slope
the master bedroom suite on the east with
explained, “We worked very strongly with
up there”, he explains. And slope they did.
common living, dining and kitchen spaces
those forms and the lines and really wanted
To truly let in the views, the main areas of
in between. The master bedroom’s volume
the house to be one with nature.”
the building have massive glass openings
is pulled forward, protruding towards the
facing the ocean. The lot selection was
sea, allowing for views past the western
a relaxing, harmonious blend of
fortuitous, as Frank explained , “Having the
suites. In the evening, it faces the setting
contemporary items with an Asian
Audley Carty, set his mind at ease.
For the interior, the Bhallas chose
www.designanguilla.com
some of them were 45degrees!” Contractor,
Interior designers Cecconi Simone Inc.,
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Photos this page: Orrett H. Wynter
www.designanguilla.com
top row UNIQUE, NATURAL FURNITURE PIECES, SUCH AS THESE REPURPOSED TREE TRUNKS FIT WELL IN THE DECOR AND ADD WARMTH TO THE OTHERWISE CLEAN, MODERN SPACES.
bottom row THE UNIQUE, HAND-CARVED COFFEE TABLE (LEFT) PLAYS HOST TO A RANGE OF CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS ITEMS AND COMPLEMENTS OTHER PIECES, SUCH AS THE COUCH (RIGHT) WITH ITS MORE CONTEMPORARY DESIGN AND UPHOLSTERY.
theme and subtle earth tones - providing a warmth that is often
exercises, breakfast in the mild breeze, and a glass of wine at
absent from contemporary design. “Suresh always joked about
sunset. An intricate system of tiered water features including fresh
the ‘three B’s,’” Anna laughed, “beige, brown, and Bhallas.” The
and saltwater swimming pools, hot tubs, and a waterfall combine
interior designers drew from that to put together “a palette and a
to satisfy Suresh’s need to incorporate water.
movement within the home that would always lead the eye to the outside.” That it did. The stone floors bleed seamlessly into the outdoor
“I’m thrilled with the result,” Suresh concludes, “We come here as often as we can…[and] aggregate about 3-4 months per year, 2-3 weeks at a time, mostly during the winter. My favourite place,” he
living areas, providing continuity. The Bhallas spend most of
commented, “would have to be between the pool area or the living
their time at the villa enjoying the outdoor spaces: morning yoga
room, watching the largest television screen in the world.”
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Photo: Joy von Tiedemann
this page LIGHTING ADDS INTRIGUE TO THE SCULPTURAL FORMS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE DIFFERENT TEXTURES ON THE EXTERIOR.
ESCAPES
Five Great Places LUXURY GETAWAYS IN MEXICO, COSTA RICA, SPAIN, AND THE CARIBBEAN.
VILLA KISHTI
Blackgarden Bay, Anguilla, West Indies Villa Kishti, which takes its name from the Urdu word for “boat,” is the work of architect Frank Hamilton and the international design group Cecconi Simone, Inc. Reflecting distinct Asian sensibilities in a Caribbean setting, the home has four suite bedrooms, each with a private terrace, and the indoor-outdoor dining area can seat 12 people. There’s also a large infinity pool and a grotto with hot tub. Anguilla, just a short hop from St. Martin and St. Bart’s, is known for its abundance of broad, sandy beaches—no fewer than 33 of them—along with a collection of excellent restaurants. Villa Kishti can be rented in its entirety, or by individual suites.
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PRICING: Entire villa from $3,840/night, five-night minimum,
low season (April 15-December 14); $5,040/night, seven-night minimum, high season.
INFORMATION: www.villakishtianguilla.com
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