Hotel Designs

    NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
    Roundtable discussion in the Kohler showroom hosted by Hotel Designs

    Live roundtable: enhancing luxury through digital innovations

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    Live roundtable: enhancing luxury through digital innovations

    Amidst the design laden schedule of Clerkenwell Design Week, Editor Hamish Kilburn, in association with Kohler, found time to sit down at a table with a group of leading designers to discuss the path that technology is – or should be – heading in the realm of wellness and intuitive bathroom design…

    Roundtable discussion in the Kohler showroom hosted by Hotel Designs

    Thoughts on technology in the bathroom can usually be divided into two distinct camps; those who embrace it, and those who see the bathroom as a sanctuary, a place to escape technology. But, is there space in hospitality design for a middle ground? Can technology be used in a sensitive and subtle way to enhance the wellness experience, embedded within, rather than added on? Framing the conversation in the Kohler Experience Centre in the heart of London’s Clerkenwell neighbourhood, it felt appropriate to be discussing technology in the bathroom while surrounded by design by a bathroom brand moving sensitively into the digital space.

    On the panel:

    As home bathrooms are getting bigger and more intuitive, the hospitality industry would fall behind if it didn’t identify what a hotel can offer that is more than what we have seen or experienced before. Bathrooms have to work harder, while at the same time look sophisticated and have a design edge, as they are increasingly the hero in the hotel guestroom experience.

    As the discussion rolled out, the panel soon reached consensus on the fact that while it is important to give the guest an enhanced experience, it is as important to look carefully at how and where technology is injected into design. A guest experience of technology in the bathroom should be an intuitive one, rather than something that needs to be confronted. “Our lives are already complicated, balancing family, work and social,” said Jo Littlefair, Co-Founder, Goddard Littlefair who took the position that technology needs to assist design rather than dictate to it. “So for me I don’t want to over complicate things, but would love to see a more intuitive experience in the bathroom – technology that actually works, that can be used as much or as little as we want to.”

    hotel designs roundtable event in the Kohler showroom clerkenwell

    Image credit: Kohler

    What was agreed on by the panel was the importance of technology behind the tiles.; the technology that works to make things more efficient, more sustainable, and in fact easier for the user. With this in the forefront, Henry Reeve, Director of Interior Design, IHG, believed that this conversation really should be about balance. “There is then a need to balance technology with design,” he said. “Everything needs to work together to create the whole package.” Successful technology adds to the experience, sometimes without even being noticed. “Where I see technological advancements as a positive, is when it enhances our ability to be more sustainable without impacting the user experience, added Littlefair. “Products like these allow the designer to focus on a more curated experience.”

    Kohler Statement & Anthem showering collection

    Image credit: Kohler

    To integrate technology successfully and seamlessly into a design we need to explore it on all levels – it can be quite simple, like underfloor heating, good lighting, a de-mister in the mirror. “We are seeing hotels include subtle add-ons that elevate the experience without leaving guests feeling like they need to be an IT expert to turn on the shower,” said Joseph Troughton, Senior Designer, David Collins Studio. “It is instead about finding solutions that elevate the experience rather than a technology based gimmick that will receive short term interest but will ultimately date and reduce the lifespan of a design, rather than enhance it.”

    With debate around levels of technology a user or guest might be comfortable with, it was felt that design should be used to curate the experience and to ensure that the balance between technology and experience is maintained. “Technology should be in the functionality of the bathroom and should make life easier rather than over complicate our already complicated and technology driven lives,” explained Kincaid. “Looking to the future, there is the ambition to be able to personalise technology in the bathroom to simplify, to create an experience that is able to tread the line between invasive and inventive.”

    “A hotel is an unfamiliar space, and as a designer it is important not to make a guest feel unintelligent,” said Jane Maciver, Creative Director, BuckleyGrayYeoman. “If it is all too complicated and they have to ask how to turn the shower on, you’ve lost them. Technology works best [in a hotel setting] when it is really seamless, intuitive, and present without even being noticed.”

    hotel designs roundtable event in the Kohler showroom clerkenwell

    Image credit: Kohler

    With the bathroom increasingly the focal point in the guestroom rather than a practical necessity or add-on, tucked away in wardrobe-like proportions, spaces are getting bigger in response to guest expectations. “Bringing a wellness and a spa experience into the bathroom has become key, and along with this, the luxury of space,” explained Chuck Dedeu, Design Principal, 1508 London. “This has become the ultimate luxury in the bathroom and one which is changing the demands and design specifications of not only bathrooms but the guestroom and suite as a package.”

    Of course, with the standard hotel bathrooms larger and given more of an emphasis, this opens up opportunities to take these spaces beyond practical spaces. “Bringing in the wellness aspect is really starting to shift what we can do in the space, and is a great opportunity to take the bathroom to another level,” added Claire Walduck, Senior FF&E Designer, GA Group.

    KOHLER Stillness bath

    Image caption: The Stillness bath is Kohler’s answer to a premium sensory design experience in the bathroom. | Image credit: Kohler

    Technology is and will continue to be integrated into successful bathroom design, but the how and what is a matter of both nuance and opinion. It is about balance. Balance between gimmick versus longevity versus elevation. With longevity increasingly becoming the pivot around which discussions on sustainability hinge, technology needs to be considered to ensure it doesn’t date a design.

    While the panellists might have had different ideas of the level of technology they were comfortable with, and there was some hesitation when discussing how far to move in the direction of digitalisation in the bathroom, it was agreed by everyone on the panel that where technology unquestionably has a role to play is in the production of materials and surfaces that are more sustainable in the bathroom.

    With the pace that technology is developing, it needs to be considered carefully within the debate on longevity of design. Technology can instantly date a room and does tend to need replacing, which can detract from its design appeal. However, again it was felt that designers need to curating the level of technology. “Clever design can get around a lot of the problems, where you recognise that you have technology that will need replacing, don’t build it in in a way that is not replaceable,” advised Lauren Hughes Glass, Associate Interior Designer, ICA.

    Bathrooms are, by design and purpose, used in a very routine way which presents technology with the opportunity of directing and enhancing these everyday routines. For some it is a place where guests can detach from technology, while others are happy to embrace it. It might be the place to catch up with Alexa about your schedule, or the sanctuary to soak away the day in some in Himalayan salt – and a good design should be able to integrate both these roles. How this is integrated into design needs to be a considered and a natural progression rather than something imposed on the user. In short, we need to be smart about how we use technology to ensure that it contributes to the design, experience, and finally longevity.

    Kohler have recently launched its new digital showering collections, Statement and Anthem, ensuring that technology in the bathroom is driven by both design and concepts of wellness.

    Kohler is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs

    black basin with gold taps by Ideal Standard against a monochromatic wall design in the bathroom

    Ideal Standard gets the Red Dot of approval

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    Ideal Standard gets the Red Dot of approval

    Ideal Standard has been recognised by the international Red Dot Awards for Product Design 2022, collecting four awards for three ranges in Ideal Standard’s design-led Atelier Collections and the new Ceraplan iX mixer…

    black basin with gold taps by Ideal Standard against a monochromatic wall design in the bathroom

    Every year, the Red Dot awards celebrate products that are aesthetically appealing, functional, smart and innovative – all with outstanding design. The first Ideal Standard product to be recognised by the award is, Joy Neo, Ideal Standard’s most recent addition to Atelier Collections – a classic yet contemporary range of taps. The products’ neoclassical aesthetic perfectly combines extravagance and modesty, while the simple geometric shapes and symmetrical design of these pieces deliver luxurious, understated elegance. Available in two different finishes, a variety of models and two handle styles, Joy Neo encourages creative expression.

    Joy Neo taps by Ideal Standard

    Image credit: Ideal Standard

    Next to be recognised by the judges was the Linda-X collection – a timeless and elegant range of basins, vessels and a bathtub, celebrating the iconic Linda collection first launched in 1977. The fine, curved lines of the Linda-X range are achieved with Diamatec, an innovative material that pushes the boundaries of ceramics to offer thin, yet extremely strong and durable pieces. The result is a collection that beautifully meets the needs of contemporary living.

    The Atelier Collections striking Tipo-Z basin was the third product to be awarded. Carefully sculpted as a single, fluent piece of fine ceramic, this unique washbasin features a monolithic silhouette and smooth flowing surfaces, making it an elegant standout feature in any bathroom. All three collections have been designed in partnership with renowned Italian design studio Palomba Serafini Associati.

    “We are delighted that Ideal Standard’s design excellence has once again been recognised by Red Dot,” said Jan-Peter Tewes, Joint-CEO at Ideal Standard. “Our Atelier Collections, in particular, are aimed at fostering the process of creation by bringing together high-performance technology and innovative design to enable the realisation of timeless projects.”

    Ceraplan iX by Ideal Standard awarded Red Dot

    Image credit: Ideal Standard

    Ideal Standard’s innovative hybrid basin mixers, Ceraplan iX, also won an award – taking the total to four for the brand’s most successful year yet at the Red Dot Awards. The tap’s advanced technology combines the flexibility and control of a single lever basin mixer with the hygiene and water-saving benefits of a touchless tap. Specifically designed to bring no-touch technology to residential homes and the hospitality sector, the Ceraplan iX collection achieves a beautiful balance of innovative technology and stylish design, answering the needs of modern life. The new range was exclusively showcased at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan and will launch later in 2022.

    The award-winning pieces can be easily paired with products from other Ideal Standard ranges to provide a complete solution for any bathroom through the brand’s innovative Singular approach. Developed specifically to simplify the selection process, while also inspiring creativity, Singular streamlines bathroom design for architects, designers, retailers, tradespeople and end-users.

    With thousands of entries from across the globe, the Red Dot Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. Since its inception in 1955, the sought-after distinction Red Dot has been the revered international seal of outstanding design quality.

    Ideal Standard is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Ideal Standard

    render of YOTEL Tokyo

    YOTEL announces new flagship hotel in Tokyo

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    YOTEL announces new flagship hotel in Tokyo

    The innovative hotel brand YOTEL has announced its first hotel in Japan. Slated to open in 2024 YOTEL Tokyo will be located in Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most desirable and dynamic neighbourhoods. Here’s what we know…

    render of YOTEL Tokyo

    The new YOTEL Tokyo is steps away from Ginza, the city’s most popular dining and shopping destination, featuring flagship stores for many of the world’s best-known brands. The hotel is also only a fifteen-minute walk from Tokyo station, home to the city’s main Shinkansen high-speed rail terminal providing access to most parts of Japan. Sheltering 244 guestrooms, YOTEL Tokyo will showcase the brand’s latest features including the brand’s signature robotic concierge YOBOT, motorised SmartBeds, and fully integrated technologies enabling a complete touchless guest experience from reservation up to check-out.

    guestroom render for YOTEL Tokyo

    Image credit: YOTEL

    The hotel will also include the brand’s signature versatile and high energy public areas, where guests can eat, drink, work and play as well as a 24/7 fitness centre, a Grab-and-Go cafe where guests can take away locally sourced food and drink options, meeting space and an outdoor terrace to meet, connect and relax.

    “Japan’s focus on technology and innovation has been an important source of inspiration for YOTEL ever since our inception,” said Hubert Viriot, CEO of YOTEL. “We are immensely proud and excited to announce our first hotel in Tokyo. A flagship for our group, YOTEL Tokyo will also be a steppingstone to roll out our brand across Japan, a market of strategic importance for YOTEL.”

    YOTEL Tokyo is part of the brands wider expansion strategy to expand across key cities in Japan including Sapporo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. The group is also working on opportunities to roll out YOTELAir – the group’s unique transit hotel concept – at key gateway airports and train stations.

    Main image credit: YOTEL

    apartment room in the Pullman hotel in Doha decorated in gold and cream with windows looking over city views

    Pullman Doha West prepares to open its doors

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    Pullman Doha West prepares to open its doors

    Pullman Doha West Bay, the first Pullman in the heart of Doha, is opening the doors on a stylish addition to the iconic West Bay skyline and bringing a contemporary twist to Doha’s diverse hospitality scene…

    apartment room in the Pullman hotel in Doha decorated in gold and cream with windows looking over city views

    The upscale Pullman hotel in central Doha is poised to welcome residents, leisure and business travellers with its 468 guestrooms, suites and apartments, innovative culinary concepts, artful touches, flexible meeting spaces and vibrant lifestyle facilities.

    “We have been given a wonderful opportunity to open the first Pullman hotel and introduce the brand to Doha ahead of the anticipated World Cup later this year,” said Ehab Barghouth, General Manager, Pullman Doha West Bay. “Featuring a smart and modern design, best-in-class business facilities, reliable service and a balanced approach to work and wellbeing, I am confident Pullman Doha West Bay will become a standout favourite of Doha residents and international visitors alike.”

    decorative niches in the lobby at Pullman Doha display local artefacts and objects in an installation

    Image credit: Pullman

    Inspired by the colours of the sand, Pullman Doha is filled with light and brightness, and the high-end materials in the interior create an impression of understated glamour. Upon arrival, guests enter a generous lobby space and are welcomed by an impressive sculptural globe. The piece of art created by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur represents a time, place, and sense of travel and discovery, embodying the spirit of Pullman. As guests walk through the lobby, they will find a stunning collection of playful sculptures complemented by carefully curated decorative artefacts and books. Quirky and bold, these installations add character to the hotel design and enrich the guest experience. The art concept will be developed and completed later this year with the launch of the Artist Playground, a dedicated space in the lobby for inspirational art exhibitions by local and international artists.

    the penthouse in the Pullman doha with geometric carpet and screen design

    Image credit: Pullman

    Resolutely chic and modern, the 375 guestrooms and suites, which include four Pullman Penthouses, span 47 floors and feature 11 categories. All rooms offer an extensive selection of C.O. Bigelow amenities, a UK handcrafted skincare brand. The guestrooms also feature a pillow and duvet menu for an ultimate good night’s sleep experience – the core of Pullman’s Bedding concept. The hotel also shelters 93 stylish apartments, all fully furnished, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and some available with balconies.

    “Our apartments cater for demand in extended stays and serviced living options, combining the luxury of five-star hotel and comfort of your own home,” commented Barghouth, General Manager, Pullman Doha West Bay.

    views over Doha in the Pullman Doha apartments for long stays

    Image credit: Pullman

    The hotel offers multiple dining options with fresh, fine cuisine for all palates. Full of light and brightness, Avenue restaurant invites guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This venue is themed around bringing people together through the restaurant’s signature concept – CuisInMotion, which gives diners an opportunity to watch the culinary team in action or hop on a gastronomic journey through four cosmopolitan avenues of the world – Champs Elysees in France, Tsukiji in Japan, Bosphorus in Turkey and Broadway in the US. Food lovers can also enjoy the best flavours of Italy at the internationally renowned BiCE. The restaurant overlooks the city and features an impressive cellar. For something more relaxed, guests can try The Score, a trendy gastro and sports bar that blends a casual settings with contemporary American cuisine. Lastly, located in the heart of the hotel, The Junction makes for a perfect hub to socialize over selection of healthy dishes, sweet and savoury delicacies or linger over classic afternoon tea with a modern twist.

    green and purple chairs in the open plan dining experience at Pullman Doha West Bay

    Image credit: Pullman

    The Meet/Play concept by Pullman reflects the need of today’s entrepreneurs to combine efficiency and pleasure for a fresh take on the traditional aspects of a meeting. The extensive range of events facilities in Pullman Doha West Bay creates an environment that enables guests to push their limits and unlock potential. All seven meeting rooms are hyper-connected, smartly furnished and offering cutting-edge AV facilities. The ‘Play’ part comes with a ‘chill out’ room right next to the meeting spaces, where delegate can recharge and disconnect over a cup of coffee or play foosball.

    the penthouse in the Pullman doha with geometric carpet and screen design

    Image credit: Pullman

    And finally, on a suitably lavish note, the Al Thuraya Ballroom is one of the largest in Qatar and can accommodate up to 700 people. Featuring high ceilings, Arabesque-designed walls, stunning Swarovski chandelier and an expansive private bridal room, the venue sets the perfect stage for dream weddings, milestone celebrations and gala events.

    Main image credit: Pullman

    The Sanctuary, The House Collective, Tokyo

    BREAKING: The House Collective to open first hotel outside China

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    BREAKING: The House Collective to open first hotel outside China

    Positioned in Tokyo’s fashionable Shibuya district, the as-yet unnamed luxury hotel – the fifth property in The House Collective portfolio – is expected to be an inspiring and peaceful retreat from the city. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…

    The Sanctuary, The House Collective, Tokyo

    Swire Hotels has announced a collaboration with Tokyu Corporation and Tokyu Department Store (together, Tokyu Group) and L Catterton Real Estate (LCRE) for a new luxury hotel in Tokyo under The House Collective brand, as part of a prestigious and striking mixed-used development.

    Architectural design of the project is being led by Snøhetta, internationally acclaimed Norwegian architecture firm that specialises in creating sustainable spaces that fuse conceptual form with nature.

    Set in the fashionable and vibrant neighbourhood of Shibuya, the as-yet unnamed hotel – or House – is due for completion in 2027, and will be the first property to open outside China for The House Collective; a notable milestone for the brand which marks the start of a new phase of expansion.

    Architectural Rendering of the new House Collective hotel in Tokyo

    Image credit: Proloog, Copyright: Snøhetta, Courtesy of: Tokyo Corporation.

    The new hotel, designed to meet ambitious sustainability standards, also marks the ongoing commitment of the Swire Group in Japan as the firm had previous businesses dating back more than 150 years with the opening of its office in Yokohama handling imports and exports. The firm gradually built a varied portfolio of businesses, and expanded its network with branch offices in Kobe, Tokyo and Nagoya. In 1959, Cathay Pacific Airways, one of Swire’s aviation businesses, inaugurated a service to Tokyo, making it the first foreign carrier to serve the city. The Swire Group’s marine and aviation businesses are its principal interests in Japan today.

    Launched in 2008 with the opening of The Opposite House, The House Collective creates and manages distinctive hotels. Each with its own cultural character and architecture, The Opposite House in Beijing, The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Temple House in Chengdu and The Middle House in Shanghai are created for seasoned travellers who seek originality, style and personalised service in luxury travel. Each House is uniquely imagined and inspired by its location – from Beijing’s prominent art scene, Shanghai’s high fashion style, Chengdu’s tea and tranquility, to the bright lights of Hong Kong – with distinctive design, exceptional culinary experiences, and individualised hospitality to be found at each. By taking a people-first approach, The House Collective creates spaces and stays which are both inspiring and effortless, setting the brand apart and earning the Houses loyal fans world-wide.

    For the new House, The House Collective, a member of The Set Collection, will work with acclaimed developers Tokyu Group and LCRE, pooling their established market presence and understanding with The House Collective’s experience in operating world-class luxury hotels, to create a unique and exciting new destination. Standing for modernity, social vibrancy and luxury, the choice of Tokyu Group and LCRE as partners was a natural fit for The House Collective which puts elevated experiences, people, and places at its core.

    statement chandelier in entrance to The Middle House in Shanghai

    Image caption: The Middle House, another property in The House Collection portfolio. | Image credit: The House Collective

    “Witnessing the growth of The House Collective is an extremely proud moment for us as we look to expand into new cities throughout the Asia Pacific region,” said Toby Smith, Deputy Chairman, Swire Hotels. “We’re delighted to be able to bring our distinctive design and people-first approach in hospitality to Tokyo. Our partners Tokyu Group and LCRE, share our vision of creating a new and vibrant guest experience which, with the opening of our new House will offer world-class hospitality for both locals and visitors to Tokyo.”

    Kazuo Takahashi, President and Representative Director of Tokyu Corporation, added: “Swire Hotels’ The House Collective creates elevated luxury experiences with distinctive character and a sense of style. With Swire and The House Collective, we work with one of Asia’s most sophisticated and luxurious hoteliers and are delighted to introduce a new standard of contemporary hospitality to Tokyo”, said Mathieu le Bozec, Managing Partner of L Catterton Real Estate.

    The new House will be part of the Shibuya Upper West Project by Tokyu Corporation, Tokyu Department Store and L Catterton Real Estate. This 117,000 square meter (includes Bunkamura) landmark real estate project will bring together a potent combination of luxury and high-quality retail, contemporary luxury hotel, luxury residences, as well as art and cultural experiences to the vibrant Shibuya district for the very first time.

    No news yet on the interior design studio who will take on the responsibility of bringing the interiors to life, but our bet is going on André Fu Studio, given the designer’s bond to the brand. Only time will tell…

    Main image credit: Proloog, Copyright: Snøhetta, Courtesy of: Tokyo Corporation.

    guestroom in Tower Elvira with stone arches and bespoke metal bed

    Tower Elvira – restored and open in Puglia

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    Tower Elvira – restored and open in Puglia

    Following a magnificent restoration, Tower Elvira has now opened in Puglia, providing luxury hospitality and bespoke experiences across four uniquely designed suites within an 18th century tower and ancient masseria…

    guestroom in Tower Elvira with stone arches and bespoke metal bed

    With design and art at the heart of this unique property, owner Steven Riseley employed a team of local architects and specialist artisans to assist in the respectful restoration of the two historic structures and surrounding gardens. Set on St Elia Ridge, the historic lookout tower offers unrivalled views of citrus groves, private parkland, a 40 square metre swimming pool with colonnaded sun loungers and sister residence, Castle Elvira.

    Now home to two stunning guest suites, the tower was originally built in the 18th Century and was thought to have been created as the lookout tower for the Saint Elia Monastery. Star vaulted ceilings, meet supersized Timothy Oulton beds and exquisite design fixtures. The ensuite bathrooms feature powerful rainfall showers with luxury fittings from IB Rubinetti with a sunken bath in the Park Suite and hand carved sandstone bath on the private terrace of the top suite. Whilst the suites are all equipped with modern, state of the art technology and contemporary design details, Riseley has kept these details carefully hidden amongst a mix of antique furnishings and design elements, ensuring the design remains authentic with a contemporary twist. Each of the rooms feature carefully curated art works, including a selection of new pieces by Elvira’s resident artist Harvey B-Brown.

    handcarved sandstone bath on the top roof terrace of Tower Elvira

    Image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge

    The ancient masseria features two beautifully designed en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to five guests. Each suite boasts a private garden with barbeques for an exclusive dining experience. Additionally the suites features a two-person, hand carved, sandstone bathtubs within the private garden, the Agave Suite, or extra-large ensuite, the Pepper Suite. The split level Agave Suite, with its own lounge area with open fireplace, is suitable for up to three guests.

    Tower Elvira’s sister residence, Castle Elvira, accommodates 12 guests in six uniquely designed suites. Castle Elvira is located in the immediate vicinity of the Tower and offers the same luxury across its suites with private salons, luxurious living and dining rooms, an incredible roof terrace, a heated 70 square meter swimming pool, and 37 acres of private parkland and gardens.

    columns and sunloungers next to the pool at Tower Elvira

    Image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge

    In a conscious effort to preserve nature in the estate and local area, Riseley has invested in the preservation and potential cure of the estates 500 olive trees, suffering the ravages of formidable Xylella bacterial disease which has hit the entire region, destroying thousands of trees. This remarkable new scientific effort is showing great promise and could potentially save some of Puglia’s most ancient trees. Additionally, the team has put huge efforts into the revival of the 50-tree citrus orchard, with its lemons, limes, and mandarins.

    Main image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge

    organic shapes and lighting in the lobby of SO/Paris

    Why SO/ Paris is the new address to know

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    Why SO/ Paris is the new address to know

    Planning to open its designer doors to coincide with Paris Fashion Week, SO/ Paris is the newest addition to the Ennismore SO/ portfolio. Sitting stylishly on the banks of the Seine, Paris’ new flagship hotel has been infused with art, fashion and charisma for a truly unparalleled experience…

    organic shapes and lighting in the lobby of SO/Paris

    SO/ prides itself on taking travelling in style to a whole new level, and now the glam group has landed in the fashion capital of the world. As part of the newly inaugurated La Félicité Paris, Sully-Morland complex, which has just transformed a former municipal building – the Cité Administrative de Paris – into the capital’s new hospitality hub, the SO/ Paris hotel is housed in a 1966 structure designed by architects Albert Laprade, Pierre-Victoire Fournier and René Fontaine, and features urban arches created by architecture firms David Chipperfield Architects and CALQ.

    SO/ Paris features 140 guestrooms and 22 suites, designed by the architectural firm RDAI represented by Denis Montel and Julia Capp. Elegant, warm and vibrant, the guestrooms and suites echo the SO/ spirit of redefining Parisian luxe with style. Filled with life and light, the interior decor is inspired by the origins of the city of Paris itself, a total immersion into contemporary art inspired by our destination’s iconic fashion sense. The très chic Parisian location celebrates a love for the joy of dressing up, where great tailoring meets a backdrop of considered construction and flawless accessorising.

    guestroom at SO/Paris with views over the Seine and the city

    Image credit: SO/Paris

    Fashion designer Guillaume Henry, the artistic director of La Maison Patou, has infused his own creative vision into the hotel’s avant-garde design and signature style. The hotel also welcome an iconic guest star: the view. Its panoramic perspective is both romantic and stunning. On the top two floors of the hotel, Bonnie is the hotel’s restaurant, bar, club and smoking room. Design and location combine flawlessly, making it the new place to rendez-vous for memorable Parisian nights. The creative, sensual and sultry allure on show here is the work of interior designer Jordane Arrivetz, founder of the Notoire agency. The interiors are wrapped in masterful works from Studio Other Spaces’ ‘The Seeing City’ by Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann, which like a kaleidoscope of sumptuous mirrors, reflects all of Paris’ beauty.

    Leaving no element of luxury unturned, SO/ Paris offers guests the ultimate interlude for a Parisian pause at the Maison CODAGE Spa. On its very Zen-en-Seine programme are an array of healing face and body treatments. The spa features all the essentials for beauty, youth-boosting and fitness treatments as well as access to the Ô Zenhit sports club and its 20-meter long pool.

    Main image credit: SO/Paris

    How Dornbracht added designer touches to Langham Nymphenburg bathrooms

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    How Dornbracht added designer touches to Langham Nymphenburg bathrooms

    As part of a project to restore its Langham Nymphenburg Residence in Munich, porcelain manufacturer Nymphenburg teamed up with Dornbracht to give each bathroom its own individual character…

    Dornbracht’s iconic design and choice of materials and finishes, as well as the quality of its workmanship and production, made it an ideal partner for the porcelain manufacturer when embarking on the design makeover of Langham Nymphenburg. The cooperation came about as a result of the two companies’ membership of the ‘Meisterkreis’, which fosters collaborative projects involving the best talents in terms of creativity and quality across a wide range of industries. With interiors designed by Mang Mauritz Architecture, the timelessness of Dornbracht’s iconic forms were chosen to complement the Nymphenburg design story.

    Each of the seven bathrooms in the residence is dedicated to a specific theme and tells its own story: in one room guests are the stars in a circus ring, in another they find themselves in a cloud bath. The carefully selected Dornbracht products reflect the style of the residence’s architecture and give each bathroom its own individual character. The luxurious quality of the furnishings is complemented by Dornbracht’s Tara, Vaia, Meta and CL.1 design series in gold, chrome and matt dark platinum finishes. While Tara complements the safari theme in matt black, Vaia in matt dark platinum blends perfectly into the butterfly setting. The golden Tara emphasises the flair of the Master Suite, which reflects Bavaria’s royal past in detailed depictions of Bavarian castles such as Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and Herrenchiemsee.

    Dornbracht taps in the raindrop bathroom with blue accents and porcelain bird at The Langham Nymphenburg Residence

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    Dornbracht’s designs fit perfectly into the architecture of the residence thanks to their timeless and long-lasting quality that outlasts epochs, styles and trends. At the same time, the clear lines of the Dornbracht icons form a contrast to the opulent, playful interior design of the house. The examples of Tara and CL.1 make a bold design statement and showcase what is the essence of  Dornbracht design; uniting different shapes and strong individual character, and allowing them to blend effortlessly into their surroundings.

    Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Dornbracht 

    night view across the river of Virgin Hotel Glasgow

    Sneak peek: inside Virgin Hotels Glasgow

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    Sneak peek: inside Virgin Hotels Glasgow

    We step inside Virgin Hotels Glasgow, the second Virgin Hotels to launch in the UK, ahead of its official opening slated for December…

    night view across the river of Virgin Hotel Glasgow

    Situated on the banks of River Clyde, is the newest addition to the Virgin portfolio, Virgin Hotels Glasgow. The hotel was developed by Silk Property Group, which selected Twenty First Architects to work on the hotel, while UK based design firm Four-By-Two was tapped to curate the hotel interiors in accordance with Virgin Hotels’ localised approach to design. The firm’s experience in residential and boutique commercial projects made them the perfect choice to create welcoming, comfortable environments, with local touches and historical details.

    The hotel will shelter 240 guestrooms – Chambers – spanning across 15 floors, and host four dining and drinking options including the playful and sophisticated Commons Club, Virgin Hotels’ flagship restaurant and bar that acts as a modern-day social club. In addition, the hotel will shelter Highyard, for entertaining, co-working and dining; Funny Library Coffee Shop and the elegant late-night bar, Rocks. With a prime city centre position, the hotel has panoramic views overlooking the River Clyde to the south, and across to the heart of Glasgow in the north, making it an ideal base to explore the city.

    stairway and red carpet entrance to Virgin Hotels Glasgow

    Image credit: Virgin Hotels

    Bright and airy with warm textiles and locally sourced furnishings, the Chambers guestrooms are a welcoming space to relax after a day exploring the city, featuring Virgin Hotels’ signature layout with two distinct spaces. The Dressing Room includes a full vanity, closet space big enough for two, makeup desk with a well-lit mirror, an extra-large shower with a built-in bench and toiletries by Arran of Scotland. A sliding door or drapery separates it from The Lounge, which features Virgin Hotels patented ergonomically designed bed with a tufted headboard, a red SMEG mini-fridge generously stocked with a curated selection of local products, television and ample outlets for smartphones, laptops, or other devices.

    guestroom - Chamber - at Virgin Glasgow with sliding doors and red accents and fridge

    Image credit: Virgin Hotels

    “We’re thrilled to share our second hotel in the UK in a completely different city, Glasgow,” said James Bermingham, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Hotels. “Virgin Hotels Glasgow will feature neighbourhood-driven design and various restaurant and bar offerings. We truly believe the hotel will be the ideal hub for visitors wanting to soak up this vibrant city while enjoying authentic experiences. Glasgow showcases fantastic museums and galleries, a thriving music scene, and innovative food and drinks outlets, and we cannot wait to open.”

    Virgin Hotels Glasgow will offer a selection of beautifully curated suites. The signature suite, Sir Richard’s Flat, features a retro-luxury design with a personal bar and games table and sumptuous velvet sofa, creating a sociable space within the suite. In a nod to Virgin’s heritage, guests of Sir Richard’s Flat will find musical references throughout, including unique pieces of record-inspired artwork.

    Inspired and named after Richard Branson’s wife, Joan – a proud Glaswegian – Lady B’s Flat will feature floor and wall tiling inspired by alabaster, spreads over 69 square metres and provides guests with a light, airy and soft space with exquisite furniture and a large, curved bath. For guests looking for something a little different, there is also the Moroccan-inspired Kasbah Tamadot Suite. The calming suite features hand carved heritage wood panels, along with a sumptuous bathroom decorated with Moroccan-style tiles – inspired by Virgin Limited Edition’s property in Morocco of the same name.

    With both design and technology at the forefront of the Virgin hotel concept, all guestrooms and suites have integrated tech capabilities, which can control lighting, thermostats, TVs, and order room service directly via the mobile app, Lucy. Lucy also gives guests the ability to check in prior to arrival and can be used as an access key to the guestrooms.

    Virgin Hotels Glasgow will open in the centre of Glasgow, joining many noteworthy local restaurants, music venues and boutique hotels.

    Main image credit: Virgin Hotels

    In conversation with: Rose Campbell, Head of Creative Development at Newmor

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    In conversation with: Rose Campbell, Head of Creative Development at Newmor

    Rose Campbell joined Newmor five years ago, and in that time she has had a huge impact on their design portfolio. We spent some time with Campbell as she walked and talked us through the design process behind the print…

    Newmor has been manufacturing and designing wallcoverings for over half a century. Family owned, they operate in over 70 countries worldwide through a vast international distribution network. With undisputed manufacturing expertise, we thought we would take a closer look at their design credentials in conversation with Campbell.

    a workbench and tools of the trade - inks and paints used to create designs at Newmor Wallcoverings

    Image credit: Newmor

    Hotel Designs: What has been the highlight for you heading the process of creative development and design at Newmor?

    Rose Campbell: Time has flown by, and I have really enjoyed developing a host of new contract specification collections for the hospitality, leisure, retail, and healthcare sectors. As well as manufacturing stocked designs, we also produce custom designed large format digital prints. Our combination of traditional manufacturing alongside cutting-edge new technology, has resulted in the expansion of our commission printing service for brands who also want their designs manufactured in the UK.

    HD: Newmor have thousands of textures, colours and patterns in stock – does the  design and production team also welcome one-off bespoke projects?

    RC: Our in house facility allows us to support any project timescale and budget -from classic woven embosses, tweeds, linens, and silks to contemporary geometrics and metallic effects. All designs can be recoloured, rescaled, and digitally printed onto any of our substrates including textures, metallics and window films.

    checking the printing of a wallcovering on the Newmor production line

    Image credit: Newmor

    HD: You are clearly passionate about design, can you tell us more about your favourite part of product development?

    RC: I really value the hands-on time I have in the studio. My favourite part of product development is most definitely the sampling stage. As a designer working in a company that has its own manufacturing facility it gives me the creative freedom to develop new concepts and experiment with effects by changing the embosses, colours etc. Plus, I get to work with a great team of people.
    Promoting design and British manufacturing is important to us. So, as well as our own studio, we support British design talent through our Newmor Designer collaborations.

    The brand vision is to celebrate pattern and design in commercial installations globally, whilst reducing life cycle cost and impact on the environment. With Campbell at the design helm, Newmor continually keep this vision at the forefront while working in collaboration with a vast array of artists and designers to promote British design to an international audience.

    Newmor is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Newmor 

    Dorsett Gold Coast deluxe king guestroom with panoramic city views

    Sneak peek: Inside Dorsett Gold Coast

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    Sneak peek: Inside Dorsett Gold Coast

    Taking design cues from the views and vistas of Australia’s Gold Coast, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) unveils the interiors of Dorsett Gold Coast, located at The Star Gold Coast’s world-class entertainment and leisure destination in Australia…

    Dorsett Gold Coast deluxe king guestroom with panoramic city views

    Drawing inspiration from the beautiful coastline views of Broadbeach Island, the lush vegetation of the hinterland and the calming ocean waves, HBA designers sought to achieve harmony between the interiors of Dorsett Gold Coast and its surrounding environs through a fresh, sophisticated, and relaxing overall design aesthetic. Subtle references to lapping ocean waves and abstracted underwater scenes are woven into the design narrative of the lobby, guest room artwork, and watercolour-like wallcoverings in the public areas to establish a true sense of place.

    white and gold interior of the lobby at Dorsett Gold Coast

    Image credit: Adam Bruzzone

    “Our vision for the design of Dorsett Gold Coast was one of unapologetic playfulness, whimsy and soothing tranquillity yet modern and authentic for the sun-seeking traveller,” said Charlie Mendoza, HBA Atlanta Associate . “We used an interplay of colour, texture and pattern to create a spirited, naturalistic interpretation of the locale with a sense of welcoming invitation from the moment guests walk through the front doors.”

    Materiality orchestrates a poetic, multi-sensory experience in the main lobby where a stunning custom chandelier installation serves as a focal point, composed of kinetic lighting and reflective materials that enhance the concept of lapping waves and shimmering light dancing on the ocean’s surface. Curved walls envelop the space in a soft organic manner, emulating the fluidity of the sea. Behind the sculpted marble reception desk, a batten feature wall makes an architectural statement and frames the space. Columns wrapped in veneer wood and furniture in faux metallic leather with 3D stitching offer elements of interest. Rich blues of the surrounding sea and sky are translated into the custom lobby carpets.

    The curved lines seen in the lobby are echoed in the bar area where ceiling heights are lowered to create to create a more intimate feel. A wallcovering behind the bar adds a delicate layer of texture in a monochrome hue evocative of the sand. The light installation mimics the shape and scale of the bar top, rounded at the edges as if smoothed by the wind and water.

    blue and gold design details in the bar at Dorsett Gold Coast

    Image credit: Adam Bruzzone

    Upstairs on the 19th floor Executive Lounge, HBA designers took cues from the local flora and fauna to devise a colour palette of turquoise and pink that resonates with the mood of being on holiday. Sun-bleached floor planks and crisp white at the ceiling amplify the natural light that fills the space from the large-scale windows that also serve as a portal to the city’s skyline. Brass screening elements provide intrigue and a level of intimacy without total isolation.

    guestroom with tropical green art and blue carpet reference the local environment surrounding the Dorsett Gold Coast

    Image credit: Adam Bruzzone

    “So much of the detailing in the design of Dorsett Gold Coast was informed by our own journey of discovery in conceiving this project’s visual vocabulary, which lays a foundation for happy memories to be made while on holiday,” said HBA Project Director Anna Mastrodomenico, based in Australia. “This project was truly a global team effort and one reflective of the strength of HBA’s international presence.”

    Guest rooms exude an understated elegance, with walls washed in white and soft-spoken pink, to emphasize the glistening Gold Coast views and tropical hinterland vistas. A headboard wall wrapped in faux leather introduces refined texture while soft nods to botanicals are incorporated through bespoke carpet patterns. Custom-designed furnishings, decorative lighting elements and accents of hairline brass create the design layers which work together to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, memorable stay.

    Main image credit: Adam Bruzzone

    the curved contemporary facade of Isla Brown Corinthia seen from above with a view over the pool and beach

    Brown Hotels moves into the luxury market

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    Brown Hotels moves into the luxury market

    Located on the Gulf of Corinth, with design inspired by Greek mythology, Isla Brown Corinthia is the first of the brand’s new ‘Isla’ collection of design-driven luxury destination resorts…

    the curved contemporary facade of Isla Brown Corinthia seen from above with a view over the pool and beach

    The creative vision of the team at Elastic Architects, Isla Brown Corinthia is the first property from Brown Hotels’ new line of luxury resorts, and joins the groups growing portfolio of Greek properties as the sixth hotel to open in Greece in the last two years. The hotel raises the bar for Brown Hotels’ hospitality offerings, known for its quirky, design-driven collection of boutique urban properties, and sees the brand expanding into beach-side offerings with the launch of the inaugural resort from the new ‘Isla Brown’ collection.

    “After operating a growing collection of boutique, urban hotels for the last 12 years, and following a successful launch into the Greek market, we felt inspired to broaden our horizons and challenge ourselves with the development of a whole new line of full service design resorts,” said Leon Avigad, founder of Brown Hotels. “The beauty of Isla Brown Corinthia is its proximity to Athens, making it a perfect coastal destination for both local holidaymakers and international travellers for vacations or events. Isla Brown Corinthia marks the inaugural design resort by Brown Hotels, with additional “Isla” branded resorts in Crete and Corfu in the pipeline for 2023 – it’s a very exciting time indeed for the group, as we make the transition into the luxury market.”

    Isla Brown Corinthia boasts a clean and organic design concept intended to compliment its natural surroundings, all with sweeping views of endless blue across the Saronic Gulf. With 166 stylish guestrooms and suites, two swimming pools, wellness centre, rooftop bar and restaurant, private beach with water sports facilities and an events space, Isla Brown Corinthia is set to be one of Greece’s most accessible and anticipated openings for summer 2022, for both local Athenians and international travellers.

    The sophisticated design concept champions an organic and light-filled colour palette and strong architectural form, with the intention of the structure to appear as an extension of the surrounding landscape. Inspired by the northern Aegean volcanic arc and the Greek myth of the Giant Typhoeus, who resided beneath ‘Sousaki’; a craterless volcano that has laid dormant for 2.7 million years, Typhoeus was so tall that he rose above the mountains with his head touching the stars. This idea is rooted in the concept of Isla Brown Corinthia, with the hotel’s design intended to embody the volcanic eruption of Typhoeus, harmoniously marrying the earth with the sky through a continuation of the physical form and the vast land and sea that surrounds it. The result is a contemporary structure that manifests clean, smooth lines like pebbles stacked upon each other. Cohesive with the external design, the hotel’s interiors mimic these soft and fluid forms, with a curved line motif and earthy colour palette of stone, white and brown, finished with bronze detailing and tinted mirrored walls.

    fluid curves above the beds at Isla Brown Corinthia

    Image credit: Brown Hotels / Pygmalion Karatzas

    Isla Brown Corinthia presents four different room types and two suite varieties to suit the needs of every traveller, and all of the guestrooms offer spacious balconies, with views that stretch across the endless blue of the Saronic Gulf or the mountainous landscape of inland Greece. Each guestroom, regardless of size, features complimentary high-speed WiFi, a Nespresso machine, bathrobes and slippers and luxury bathroom amenities, and the suites are finished with kitchenettes, open closets and dining areas.

    Food and beverage is a priority, with the resort offering a variety of restaurants serving different cuisines, for an exemplary gastronomic experience. The hotel will house an intimate cave-bar serving fresh and contemporary dishes, and a more traditional Mediterranean restaurant offering Greek classics. In addition, the hotel will provide its guests with an a la carte menu, and the famous Brown Hotels breakfast buffet. The spacious adult-only roof terrace is a stand-out feature at Isla Brown Corinthia, with unobstructed 360 degree views, sun loungers, jacuzzi baths, a small pool and open-air bar, and as the night draws in, fire pits alight the terrace with a DJ set playing until late.

    curved gold bar and sculptural ceiling designed by Elastic for Isla Brown Corinthia

    Image credit: Brown Hotels / Pygmalion Karatzas.

    With its own private beach, guests can relax on the pebble bay or take to the water with the benefit of the resort’s fully equipped water sports centre. The wellness centre invites guests to step into a sanctuary of calm, and enjoy a selection of quality spa treatments in the burnt-lava tiled treatment rooms, take advantage of the onsite gym, or the spacious event space that works well as a wedding venue or corporate business setting. Next year, Isla Brown Corinthia will add a 110-bungalow complex complete with a swimming pool and restaurant, located on the Corinthia hillside.

    Main image credit: Brown Hotels / Pygmalion Karatzas

    Octant Evora Adults only pool

    Octant Evorá – a luxury wellness hotel crafted into nature

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    Octant Evorá – a luxury wellness hotel crafted into nature

    Re-emerging for the summer travel season under a new identity, following the unveiling of Octant Hotels, no one can deny that Octant Evorá answers accurately to its location, while also sheltering idyllic spaces that are suitable for all modern travellers. Editor Hamish Kilburn becomes the ‘first in’ under the new name to exclusively review the boutique wellness hotel…

    Octant Evora Adults only pool

    Evorá, with its harsh, dry climate and mirage-inducing landscape – geographically pinned right in the centre of Portugal – is not the obvious place to expect a luxury hotel. But for Octant Hotels, a newly formed hotel group that sits under the Discovery Hotel Management portfolio that comprises eight properties dotted around the country, the site formally owned and partially built by a famous footballer was the perfect venue to showcase wellness and wellbeing outside already popular hospitality hotspots.

    Octant Evora two outdoor pools at sunset

    Image credit: Octant Evorá

    For Luís Mexia Alves, CEO of Discovery Hotel Management, the arrival of Octant Hotels is aimed very much to “meet the needs of the new generation of tourists” who are emerging globally who seek out authentic, laidback yet luxurious experiences. “With Octant, we hope to connect our guests to the places where each of the hotels are located through warm hospitality, food and wine and unique experiences in an authentic way,” he told Hotel Designs. “We’re thrilled to have finally launched it, especially at such a pivotal time in the recovery of the Portuguese tourism market.”

    Each property in the eight territories have a unique stamp within the collection – and Evorá is no exception, which first opened in 2021, with a sharp design and architecture narrative very much dictating how guests should feel immediately upon arrival: at ease, calm and taken care of.

    Arial view of Octant Evorá

    Image credit: Octant Evorá

    For guests checking in, seeing nothing on the horizon other than the working estate and vast hills, it’s hard to escape the feeling of complete relaxation – far removed from city life– as Alves explained. “The hotel’s design speaks of the locality and it evokes a sense of true relaxation and immersion into the landscape,” he said. “This is matched with an element of buzz and excitement, created by the communal spaces around the pools, firepits and outdoor bar and immersive nature of the working farm, expansive land to roam and wild gardens.”

    The deliberately low-level architecture of the hotel allows the building’s foundation to connect, almost sink, into nature. In fact, this along with the savvy design throughout makes the hotel stylishly accessible to all guests checking in.”The hotel structure blends seamlessly with its setting and we knew it would offer something special to guests looking to visit the region,” added Alves. “Since purchasing the property, we have designed and executed all of the interior spaces and created additional villas for family and group getaways. The hotel lends itself to evolution and we will continue to regenerate the estate as and when it is required.”

    Lobby in Octant Evora with fake tree and blue shelves

    Image credit: Octant Evorá

    Each area has been designed consciously by Broadway Maylan, with endless nods to Evorá’s unique topography, whether that be the almost real-looking tree in the lobby or the bamboo-like lighting pendants in the restaurant and guestrooms. What guests don’t perhaps see, though, are the solar panels on the rooftops of the buildings, which produce clean energy for many areas of the hotel, including the heated indoor pool in the summer months and the air conditioning.

    A Terra restaurant inside Octant Evora with nature-inspired interiors

    Image credit: Octant Evorá

    The journey through Octant Evora is refined, with a clever lighting scheme, at shin height, allowing the experience between spaces to feel muted yet dramatic – all part of setting the scene – almost transforming guests through two contrasting vibes.

    Inside the rooms and suites, guests are immediately hit with a Mediterranean-meets-rural-farm design style, which feels immediately relaxing and well considered – the way guestsrooms should feel these days. With a distinct lack of complicated technology, the colour scheme of shallow-ocean blue mixed with earthy taupe compliments the simple yet effective landscape artwork that hangs above the bed. The rooms on the ground floor feature floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding door that opens onto a private decking with two sun loungers.

     

    Beyond this is where private and public areas meet for the first time, as guests can walk onto the mounded garden, towards the two main pools. It’s a clear indication that manicured landscape architecture plays a clear role in the hotel.

    Outdoors of Octant Evora

    Image credit: Octant Evorá

    While the guestrooms may be tranquil, Octant Evora’s best kept secret – of which I am about to out – is located at the edge of the property. Past the hotel’s fast-growing herb garden, but not as far as its very own farm, sit four completely separate, adult-only pools, which sit on individual pavilions.

    Adults pool at Octant Evora

    Image credit: Octant Evorá

    Next to these, on a separate stage, if you like and decorated with hanging lights, is an area that is reserved for parties, yoga and ‘oxygen sessions’ (you heard me correctly). This specially curated session – new to me – mixes cohesive breathing exercises with yoga and a hint of meditation. In many ways, it’s the perfect experience if, like many guests expected to check in, are looking to detach from the often hectic, always on, world outside.

    The other special area of the hotel is located above and beyond the lobby. The hotel’s spa is a ‘treatment’ in itself. With an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and a fully operational gym, this area of the hotel offers all and more that today’s modern traveller desires – and it does so with elegance, thanks to a carefully curated natural design scheme that helps transport its guests into a zen-fused enclave.

    Terrace at Octant Evora

    Image credit: Octant Evorá

    Checking out of Octant Evorá, I am impressed with the raw bones of the place – designed with all travellers in mind. As the hotel settles into its surroundings, and as it gets used to its fresh identity, I can see it flourishing into one of Portugal’s finest. But before I leave, I am intrigued to understand what’s next from this new and disruptive brand. “The Octant brand has only just launched into the Portuguese hotel market and as such, our focus remains on driving brand awareness, delivering warm hospitality and continuing to invest back into the properties with the group,” concluded Alves. “The name Octant is inspired in the octant, also called reflecting quadrant, it is a reflection instrument used primarily in measuring distances for navigation. For us we are not limited to eight, because our inspiration is this instrument, we have hotels all over Portugal, from north to south and Azores, and we intend to grow.”

    And so the journey continues, which after all is much more fun and fulfilling than the end destination.

    Main image credit: Octant Evorá

    The Westin London City with plants in guestroom

    How Leaflike used nature to add design layer inside The Westin London City

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    How Leaflike used nature to add design layer inside The Westin London City

    The Westin London City has been open a few months now, standing tall as the brand’s debut hotel in the UK. Hotel Designs explores how Leaflike added a new layer of biophilic design through its innovative planting solutions…

    The Westin London City with plants in guestroom

    The Westin London City opened its doors in February 2022, and by doing so it marked several milestones. Not only was it the brand’s debut property in the UK, but it also opened as Marriott Bonvoy’s 1,000 property in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

    For a hotel making such a statement in a brand and group’s history, we therefore expect something special. And the design team at Dexter Moren Associates did not fail to deliver on unveiling a spectacular architectural and design marvel, which sits riverside of the Thames.

    Inside, the 222-key hotel combines meaningful wellness with contemporary fluid and sculptural design. Built on the premise that a connection to nature enhances wellbeing, the design is integral and is inspired by the unique location, and shelters a modern residential feel.

    From the moment guests walk in through the lobby, for example, there is an instant connection with nature. The brand responsible for this injection of biophilic design was Leaflike, which is known for designing nature-inspired environments in leading hotels, all while supporting a circular economy. “Its great to have Leaflike onboard as our biophilic designer, providing the interior planting to enhance the guest experience,” said Raffaele Ruocco, General Manager, The Westin London City.

    The Westin London City lobby area with gold partitions and plants

    Image credit: Leaflike

    Throughout the hotel, starting with the residences, the design areas include entrance side tables, lift landing, apartment reception, apartment lounge, console table and terrace. Designer planting displays range from the sustainable Everleaf seasonal changing flowers and foliage display in a vase standing a total of 80cm tall, to interior living planting in grey planters with preserved moss top dressing standing a total of 1.8m tall.

    As guests travel through the hotel, the planting can be seen in additional areas including Drive Court and the entrance area. These include living plants in grey and bronze planters with slate top dressing standing at a total of two-metres high. Made with 100 per cent recycled plastic and a CO2 neutral product, the planters can also be recycled. “[It was] a pleasure working with The Westin London City, a fantastic space with perfect interior made it easy for us to contribute the biophilic design to the standard required,” said Brandon Abernethie, Head of Design at Leaflike. “It’s always a special moment seeing a client vision turn to reality.”

     

    Leaflike maintains the biophilic design and sustainable planting displays throughout all public areas within the venue – the company has even been asked to provide the hotel with Christmas decorations to include trees and displays.

    Leaflike is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Leaflike

    RAK Metamorfosi collection makes a visual statement on the wall behind a freestanding bath

    Product watch: RAK makes a big impression with Metamorfosi

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    Product watch: RAK makes a big impression with Metamorfosi

    Creating a virtually seamless, durable mural, Metamorfosi from RAK Ceramics is a decorative porcelain surface that will make an eye-catching impression for any interior…

    RAK Metamorfosi collection makes a visual statement on the wall behind a freestanding bath

    From geometric and floral patterns and lush tropical leaves, to bold and vibrant shades that tap into the trend for block colouring, RAK’s Metamorfosi brings the beauty of nature, in all its boldness, indoors. The large-format surface, available in two sizes – 120x260cm and 120x120cm, is inspired by the colours and shapes found in nature and responds to the interior design trend of biophilic design, transporting elements of the natural world directly onto the walls.

    RAK metamorfosi tiled wall panel in a tropical green design

    Image credit: RAK Ceramics

    Metamorfosi is a highly durable and splash resistant wall cladding, just as porcelain should be, yet visually striking in its appeal, with several design options to choose from.

    The collection includes nine colours and 11 designs transferred on to large-format brushed resin porcelain stoneware slabs, to create striking wall decorations that become part of the interior design. The shapes on the ceramic surfaces have a handmade appearance, creating a versatile, contemporary a wallpaper effect.

    RAK Ceramics is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: RAK Ceramics

    Marriott International signs with Vinpearl in Vietnam

    Marriott International to add eight hotels in Vietnam

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    Marriott International to add eight hotels in Vietnam

    Marriott International has announced a landmark agreement with Vinpearl, as it strengthens its pipeline and presence in Vietnam with the expected addition of more than 2,000 rooms to its existing portfolio…

    Marriott International signs with Vinpearl in Vietnam

    Marriott International has signed a strategic agreement with Vinpearl, Vietnam’s largest hospitality and leisure chain, to convert and develop 2,200 rooms across eight hotels in Vietnam – significantly expanding its portfolio of world-class hotels and resorts in the country. This collaboration expects to see the debut of the Autograph Collection Hotels brand in the country, while other planned openings will include brands such as Marriott Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, and Four Points by Sheraton. Of the eight hotels, six are conversions that are expected to be part of Marriott’s system later this year.

    “We are thrilled to be working with Vinpearl to accelerate our growth in Vietnam,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International. “With the country’s solid foundation for a resilient economy, and continuous growth of its infrastructure especially in the tourism sector, we are confident this collaboration will enable us to better cater to our guests’ needs.”

    guestroom in Vinpearl Landmark 81

    Image credit: Vinpearl/Marriott International

    Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection is expected to serve as Vietnam’s first Autograph Collection hotel. The lifestyle hotel will join a diverse and dynamic collection of over 260 independent hotels around the globe hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspective on design and hospitality. Currently known as Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81, the hotel is set high up in a gleaming 461-meter tower on the banks of the Saigon River and is anticipated to feature 223 rooms and suites, three food and beverage outlets, 12 function spaces, a business centre, spa, outdoor pool, and fitness centre.

    Danang Marriott Resort & Spa is expected to fly the Marriott Hotels brand flag following the rebranding of Vinpearl Luxury Danang. Nestled on Non Nuoc Beach, close to downtown Danang, the retreat is anticipated to feature 200 rooms and suites, 39 villas with a modern, residential design, and locally-inspired accents, catering to providing guests with enriching experiences alongside its signature spaces and heartfelt service. Design plans call for five different food and beverage outlets, eight event spaces, an infinity pool, a spa, kids club, tennis court and a wealth of water sports, including a dive centre.

    Sheraton Long Beach Phu Quoc Resort is situated on the west coast of Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, and is a rapidly emerging tourism hotspot. Rebranded from the existing Vinpearl Phu Quoc Resort, the resort is anticipated to feature 500 modern and residential rooms, suites, and villas, three food and beverage outlets, extensive conference space, three pools, a spa, and a kids club.

    Sheraton Hai Phong, currently known as Vinpearl Hotel Imperial, Hai Phong, is expected to become one of the city’s top choices for business and leisure travellers and a hub for conferences and events in the centre of Vietnam’s largest port city. The property is anticipated to feature 362 modern, residential rooms and suites, four food and beverage outlets, a ballroom and four function spaces, a pool, spa and fitness centre.

    Sheraton Can Tho expects to be a landmark property in the thriving Mekong Delta city. Currently operating as the Vinpearl Hotel Can Tho, the 262 key hotel is set on the banks of the Can Tho River, surrounded by multiple attractions. Guests can unwind at the restaurant, lobby lounge, terrace café and outdoor swimming pool with pool bar. There is also extensive event space, including a grand ballroom.

    Four Points by Sheraton Lang Son is a 21-story hotel in the heart of the charming northern city of Lang Son, offering panoramic views of the surrounding forests and mountains. Currently known as the Vinpearl Hotel Lang Son, it is expected to become the first internationally branded hotel in the city. The hotel is anticipated to feature 127 rooms and suites, four food and beverage venues, a spa and a ballroom, all catering to the needs of today’s everyday traveller through its vintage modern design, stylish comfort, authentic sense of the local, and genuine service.

    Two new build hotels are expected to open in 2025 – the Sheraton Vinh and Four Points by Sheraton Ha Giang. Both are located in unique locations promising to attract not only domestic but also international travellers.

    As a leading hospitality brand in Vietnam, Vinpearl currently operates 35 hotels and resorts spanning 17 cities and provinces, with a total of more than 18,500 hotel rooms and villas. The cooperation with Marriott International is part of Vinpearl’s strategy to advance and internationalise the brand in the hospitality field. This perfect combination expects to elevate domestic and foreign tourists’ diverse experiences through Vinpearl’s signature local ‘all-in-one’ complexes and world-class standard services by an international prestigious hotel company.

    Marriott International currently operates 10 hotels and resorts in Vietnam. The company recently announced its plans to more than quadruple its portfolio in Vietnam with a signed pipeline of 30 hotels, and this announcement brings the company’s pipeline in Vietnam close to 40 hotels.

    Main image credit: Marriott International

    the lambswool mattress by Naturalmat in front of open doors and windows

    A better night’s sleep with Naturalmat

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    A better night’s sleep with Naturalmat

    Naturalmat was founded on one key belief – when it comes to where we sleep, natural is better. We take a look at why you should consider going all-natural…

    the lambswool mattress by Naturalmat in front of open doors and windows

    Whilst a bedroom’s visible design features might seem the most likely to stick in the minds of hotel guests, it is invariably the quality of the mattress they sleep on – and by extension the quality of sleep – that will live longest in the memory. “I had the best night’s sleep in years” is hard to beat when it comes to driving repeat visits and referrals!

    Today’s guests expect not only comfort, but provenance, sustainability and a ‘buy well, buy once’ ethos to every element of the guestroom design. Devon-based bed and mattress manufacturer Naturalmat provide all four and have been handmaking natural fibre mattresses for hotels since 2010.

    naturalmat mattress on a bed next to a lake

    Image credit: Naturalmat

    There are a number of reasons that top hotel chains around the world – including Hoxton and Six Senses – furnish their rooms with Naturalmat mattresses. But when it comes down to it, the starting point will always be ‘do they help guests sleep better’?

    Natural materials have a number of attributes that make them perfectly suited to where we sleep. Not only do they add a soft, comfortable layer to pocket sprung mattresses, they also provide exceptional temperature regulation and hypoallergenic properties – which all contribute to more settled and comfortable sleep. Hoxton’s open house hotels in London, New York and Paris opt for Naturalmat’s Avon mattress, which combines hand nested pocket springs with the support of natural latex and the temperature control of their signature, certified organic West Country wool.

    a cross section through a Naturalmat mattress showing the natural fibres and structure

    Image credit: Naturalmat

    From food to beauty products, hotel guests are on the lookout for anything that brings them into close contact with chemicals, toxins or any other unappealing substances. Awareness of the importance of organic certifications and natural alternatives has never been higher. Naturalmat was founded over 20 years ago on one key belief – when it comes to where we sleep, natural is better. From the use of organic certified materials, including coconut fibre from organic coconut plantations, to chemical free solutions to the typical fire retardant chemicals used in mattresses, this is still the case two decades on.

    flatlay of Naturalmat sustainability report for 2022

    Image credit: Naturalmat

    Whilst the rest of the industry scrambles to jump on the sustainability bandwagon, Naturalmat have had a planet-friendly approach from day one. All of its beds and mattresses are handmade in Devon in a solar-powered workshop, from materials that are biodegradable or recyclable. It is these factors and more that contributed to the brand winning a coveted Queen’s Award for Sustainability.

    You can find out more about the industry leading sustainable approach to mattress making and ambitious future goals in the Naturalmat 2022 Impact Report.

    Naturalmat is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Naturalmat

    Trophy design for The Brit List Awards 2022

    Trophy design revealed for The Brit List Awards 2022

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    Trophy design revealed for The Brit List Awards 2022

    Taking the awards campaign up a deserving notch, The Brit List Awards 2022 has announced that Sans Souci has been confirmed as this year’s trophy partner. Before the free applications/nominations process closes, Editor Hamish Kilburn spoke to Jiří Krišica, Head of Design at the lighting brand, to get a sneak peek of the design behind this year’s bespoke trophies…

    Trophy design for The Brit List Awards 2022

    For five years now (and counting), The Brit List Awards has been a major event in the design, architecture and hospitality calendar. Since opening the floodgates to the free application/nomination process in June, we have on good authority to believe that this year’s awards campaign will be the most successful yet.

    To add a further spark this year’s campaign – and to add a bespoke touch to the awards ceremony on November 2 at PROUD Embankment– this year’s nine individual trophies will be designed by lighting design studio Sans Souci.

    “The shape of the award is inspired by a room or a model used in architecture.” – Jiří Krišica, Head of Design at Sans Souci.

    Ahead of applications/nominations closing, I caught up with the design team to understand more about the concept behind this year’s trophies. “The concept was to come up with something related to the interior design industry, while keeping it contemporary and in line with the event vibe,” said Jiří Krišica, Head of Design at Sans Souci. “The shape of the award is inspired by a room or a model used in architecture. The open door represents openness and welcoming attitude. The overall piece is made from glass and enhanced with Sans Souci Aurum nanocoating. As the final touch the logo and The Brit List Awards branding is incorporated.”

    Angled view of trophy for The Brit List

    Image credit: Sans Souci

    For The Brit List Awards 2022, seamless and meaningful partnerships has been the driving force of the campaign since its launch, and this year’s decision to include a trophy partner in the mix is not only testament to that mission, but it feels like the right time to take the awards up a level or two. “Our studio works with architects and interior designers on regular basis and it feels natural to be part of events and projects such as The Brit List Awards,” added Krišica. “As a lighting brand we are part of the industry and it is a privilege to see the latest trends and novelties and meet with the creative minds behind the best projects in the hospitality industry.

    The design of the trophies for The Brit List Awards had to strike the balance between innovative and statement-like. But it also had to aptly reflect San Souci’s style. “The Aurum nanocoating technology is something we have great expertise in,” explained Krišica. “Our in-house nanocoating facility one of the largest in the region. The design is effortless, but with a twist, which is also characteristics for our products and collections.  The award was made in the North Bohemian, the region famous for glassmaking as all our products.”

    The nine individual trophies will be unveiled at The Brit List Awards 2022 Awards Ceremony, which will take place at PROUD Embankment – London’s famous cabaret venue – on November 2. Tickets have just gone on sale. Suppliers can purchase tickets for £150 + VAT and interior designers, architects, hoteliers and developers can purchase tickets for £30 + VAT.

    Main image credit: Sans Souci

    Objet wallcovering by Arte in purple contrasts with yellow sofa

    Product watch: Objet from Arte

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    Product watch: Objet from Arte

    Taking inspiration from history, Objet by Arte is a collection of decorative wallcoverings bringing colour, texture and three dimensional relief patterns to the wall…

    Objet wallcovering by Arte in purple contrasts with yellow sofa

    Decorative mouldings have been adorning walls and ceilings in all shapes and styles for centuries. From skirting boards to cornices, wainscoting or wall panels, in stately mansions, imposing palaces or listed buildings – all have been a source of inspiration for the Objet collection by Arte. Adding colour, texture and relief to any interior concept, the wallcoverings are finished in a soft suede look for a luxurious tactile feel. In addition, as these wallcoverings are three dimensional, they have a positive impact on the acoustics in a room.

    panelled wallcovering manoir colourway in Arte Objet collection

    Image credit: Arte

    “Texture and colour have always been at the core of what we do at Arte, with many of our designs pushing the boundaries of what is considered wallpaper,” said Philippe Desart, Managing Director, Arte. “We strive to offer our clients a multitude of options for adding personality and customise their spaces, making each unique. One prevailing feature in everything we do has always been our focus on detail; everything is carefully considered, whether that’s a particular texture, colour or pattern, and these elements are all intricately designed and developed with the best quality in mind. This latest collection ‘Objet’, features suede effect designs. Although pattern free and within a more concise palette of refined colours, the collection is rich in textural detail with a super soft and tactile touch, whilst delivering all the timeless elegance of panelling with a three dimensional embossed effect.”

    While the Grandeur and Manoir wall panel designs are inspired by the decorative mouldings in mansions and palaces, Cassetta and Pantheon take their inspiration from the classic coffered ceilings and architectural details used by the Romans to lighten the vaulted structures of domes and ceilings. In addition to colour and texture, all the designs in the collection add relief and depth to the wall, and are available in five colourways.

    Arte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Arte

    aerial view of the Royal Palm Galapagos Curio Collection by Hilton

    Hilton arrives in the Galapagos islands

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    Hilton arrives in the Galapagos islands

    With the opening of Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton offers guests a peek into one of the world’s most distinctive island ecosystems with immersive experiences, an ethereal excursions and serene accommodations…

    aerial view of the Royal Palm Galapagos Curio Collection by Hilton

    Hilton has announced the opening of the Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton, a boutique estate with 21 villas and deluxe rooms brimming with the charm of an Ecuadorian Hacienda. Set in a secluded 160-hectare estate in the lush Miconia Highland Forests adjacent to Galapagos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Curio Collection by Hilton’s newest tranquil sanctuary is a haven for serenity and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.

    “Debuting in a destination that organically welcomes travellers to connect with nature, dream and discover, this momentous opening marks the first international hotel brand in the Galapagos Islands, while making Ecuador the Curio Collection by Hilton brand’s 30th country to welcome travellers to its growing portfolio,” said Jenna Hackett, Global Brand Head, Curio and Tapestry Collections by Hilton. “With more than 115 unique hotels and resorts around the world, Curio Collection by Hilton properties provide authentic and curated experiences that are both distinctive and draw inspiration from their local communities. Royal Palm Galapagos brings that vision to life, and we look forward to welcoming travellers to this truly one-of-a-kind hotel.”

    view across the swimming pool at the Royal Palm Galapagos Curio Collection by Hilton

    Image credit: Curio collection by Hilton

    Nestled amid a jaw-dropping panorama and the unspoiled vegetation on the Galápagos Islands, located roughly 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton is designed to respectfully maximize guests’ interactions with the remote and eco-sensitive destination. Sheltered within a valley between two extinct cinder cone volcanoes, the hotel features nine areas of geological interest from craters to lava tunnels and features newly enhanced accommodations, a reception area, restaurants, and a gym. By the end of 2022, guests can expect a new spa and by mid-2023, the hotel plans to introduce a refreshed pool.

    a four poster bed in the king suite of the Royal Palm Galapagos

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton

    The hotel’s 21 villas and deluxe guestrooms dot the verdant landscape and are adorned with local textiles, earth-toned fixtures and artistic touches, and offer contemporary casual elegance inspired by the natural preserve of the beloved enchanted islands. The eight deluxe guestrooms have spacious bedrooms, dining areas and front porches or terraces to enjoy the expansive garden and nature reserve vistas. Similarly, the eight villas feature a bedroom, bathroom, jacuzzi room, living/dining room and open fireplaces to relish in the scenic views across the estate and Santa Cruz Island. The executive villas are secluded cottages with a private garden, indoor sauna, living room and dining area with an open fireplace. The largest suite on the property is named in honour of British royals and boasts extreme privacy including two bedrooms, a sauna, private garden areas, an open fireplace, a dining area and more.

    For an extra immersive experience, guests can camp at the crossroads of comfort and unspoiled wilderness amidst pristine nature. With three different camping sites, the hotel offers a unique way to see the diversity of the Galapagos Islands with its overnight camping programme.

    villa set amongst the natural tropical gardens of the Royal Palm Galapagos

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton

    The gastronomic experience is the heartbeat of the estate with cuisine largely based on fresh products coming from the Highlands of the Galapagos. Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a distinct dining experience featuring island-sourced ingredients, from vegetables and fruits from local producers to grass-fed meat products and sustainably harvested seafood. The hotel’s food and beverage offerings are helmed by two extraordinary sous chefs born and raised in the Galapagos, Patricio Sisa and Rommel Chalen, who bring their vast experience, passion and enjoyment of their local traditions, including traditional Ecuadorian and international flavours to their always evolving menu while transforming the customs of the Galapagos into culinary adventures.

    The hotel is home to the destination’s only fine dining restaurant inside a lava tunnel located nearly 60 feet underground. Opening this year, this new culinary journey begins at Muttini, a 30-year-old building decorated with cannons and anchors, with a guided tour through the lava tunnel and finishes at the volcanic vault with a six-course dinner inspired by the homegrown culture and ingredients.

    The Royal Palm Restaurant serves delicious international and local cuisine featuring a variety of Galapaguenian recipes with fresh ingredients from its house farm and catch of the day. The 50-seat restaurant combines elegant colonial style and traditional island design with warm mahogany furniture that reflects the glow of the open fire and on warmer nights, guests are encouraged to dine alfresco on the terrace under the equatorial stars. The wine cellar reflects the eclectic nature of the menu and includes an extensive range of some of South America’s best wines.

    Home to one of the last remaining natural island ecosystems in the world, the Galapagos Islands are treasured for being the world’s foremost destination for wildlife exploration and encounters. From catching the first glimpse of a Galapagos giant tortoise in its natural habitat as they roam freely in the National Park to snorkelling among the volcanic crevices filled with crystal-clear emerald water, the experiences designed by the hotel offer a unique and local experience. Guests also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conserve the endangered species that reside on the property such as the Galapagos Crake, Galapagos Short Eared Owl, Scalesia pedunculata, Robesonian Miconia and more.

    Main image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton

    manual bidet seat by Grohe - future proofing design

    “Immense opportunities to futureproofing in design,” says GROHE

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    “Immense opportunities to futureproofing in design,” says GROHE

    With an increasingly ageing population, and a growing need to be more sustainable when it comes to project planning and interior designs, there are a number of key considerations for the future when it comes to designing a new bathroom, advises global bathroom and kitchen manufacturer, GROHE…

    manual bidet seat by Grohe - future proofing design

    Futureproofing hotel designs is a crucial design requirement that should be being addressed within discussions on sustainability. Key to this are the needs of our aging population and the increase of multi-generational living. Accessibility and inclusivity are factors that must be considered from the outset of all designs but are particularly of importance for the future of hotels, especially when it comes to the bathroom. An accessible design ensures a hotel can appeal to all potential customers and families of varying ages and capabilities, while giving a consideration to the future. Designing with the future in mind can also prevent further work and updates needing to be carried out at a later date if specifications and clientele change.

    GROHE futureproof bathroom design with the infra red tap

    Image credit: GROHE

    “There is immense opportunity to futureproof buildings and provide inclusive design when designing bathrooms,” said Elina Enqvist-Twomey, Leader, Product Management UK, LIXIL EMENA. “In a hotel where experience and comfort remain pivotal to all customers, there are clever ways to add additional comfort and safety without relinquishing a sense of independence or style.”

    Fittings such as state-of-the-art shower toilets, hybrid-functional taps with touchless activation and long-levers and highly specified wetrooms with ease of functionality, allow hoteliers to bring in premium qualities and additional benefits to customers. With these advance fittings, customers enjoy a luxury experience that many would not typically get to enjoy at home, heightening their overall experience, while designers and hoteliers ensure all individuals and needs are catered for.

    There’s an impressive array of technology and features which can be considered at the design stage to help hotels provide a premium level of hygiene, and it’s entirely likely that many of these options will be become the standard in due course. By joining the movement early, designers can futureproof spaces while demonstrating understanding of the importance of hygienic, sustainability, and accessibility.

    GROHE is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: GROHE

    exterior of Hotel Seegarten lit up at night after bathroom redesign with Dornbracht

    Case study: Hotel Seegarten showcases innovative shower solutions

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    Case study: Hotel Seegarten showcases innovative shower solutions

    With the interior design created by Studio Aisslinger, the characteristically clear and ambitious layout conveys a sense of clarity and spaciousness, and fittings from Dornbracht are a key element of the overall concept…

    exterior of Hotel Seegarten lit up at night after bathroom redesign with Dornbracht

    The recent renovation and guestroom refurbishment by Studio Aisslinger for Hotel Seegarten, creates an increased sense of space in the living areas, and bathroom interiors with statement Dornbracht fittings complement the vision. Most of the materials used, such as wood and stone, are untreated. The materials and the choice of products are a clear acknowledgement of the quality to be found in the region with the lighting, furniture and the home accessories all coming exclusively from the Sauerland. Iserlohn-based Dornbracht is practically a neighbour and is represented by fittings and shower solutions from the Meta series, as well as by the Aquamoon wellness shower.

    Dornbracht matt black Meta taps in Hotel Seegarten

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    The Seegarten Hotel and Restaurant is a short walk away from the promenade on Germany’s Lake Sorpesee in the Sauerland. With an exclusive location, superb architecture, and famous restaurants, this 4-star accommodation is a haven of well-being for anyone seeking rest and relaxation. Owner and operator Olaf Baumeister took over the traditional house from his parents in 1992. The famous TV chef, who has now been appointed Ambassador of Good Taste for the North Rhine-Westphalia region, has been continually renewing and extending the buildings and interiors ever since.

    “I have a passion for superb design, high-quality materials and exceptional surface finishes,” said Baumeister of the collaboration with the manufacturer. “We have found in Dornbracht a partner who more than meets these requirements. I was even more convinced by knowing that the fittings come from Iserlohn.”

    bathroom in Hotel Seegarten with dornbracht fittings and terazzo surfaces with a slatted wood room divide

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    The striking monochrome elegance of Meta in black matt makes a statement in the open and functional interior design concept of the new guestroom schemes. All that separates the bathroom area from the rest of the room is a small wall and inclined, light wooden slats. The floor, parts of the wall and the bath surround were covered in distinctive terrazzo natural stone, which is also used for the washstand. Two fittings from the Meta series are mounted behind the white counter-top basins. A concept of maximum reduction, with an almost sculptural appearance makes a confidently stylish statement here. Another Meta is fitted right next to the bath – this time a single-lever wall-mounted mixer. Here too, the monochrome elegance of the black matt fitting contrasts subtly with the warm greys of the natural stone, stabilising its striking pattern and the polished surfaces.

    Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Dornbracht

    The Brit List Awards 2022

    The Brit List Awards 2022: meet the sponsors (so far)

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    The Brit List Awards 2022: meet the sponsors (so far)

    Now that The Brit List Awards 2022 is officially underway – the free application and nomination process closes on August 19 – we thought it was apt for you to meet this year’s sponsors who will help to fuel the campaign to find Britain’s best interior designers, architects, hoteliers and brands beyond what it has achieved in previous years…

    The Brit List Awards 2022

    The Brit List Awards is always a spectacular evening; full of glitz, glamour and good vibes, as the industry comes together in harmony to celebrate the best in British – and international – hotel design and hospitality.

    Much of the focus is on the awards ceremony, which this year will return to the fabulous cabaret venue, PROUD Embankment. The campaign, though, begins long before the indoor sparklers are set off. From June to August 19, designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike can enter the completely free application and nomination process.

    From there, the judges will take over to whittle down the entries in order to establish this year’s shortlist. The whole process is one of collaboration, and an often forgotten part in these projects are the sponsors who take the whole event and performance up a notch. So let’s meet the talent

    Headline Partner: Bathroom Brands Group 

    For the last four years, Bathroom Brands Group, under the identity of Crosswater, has been the headline act/partner. In our very recent interview with CEO Stephen Ewer, it was clear that Bathroom Brands Group, with its four distinct brands being Crosswater, Burlington, Britton and Clearwater, is about total bathroom solutions. This year, we can see that the group has focused on adding texture and colour to its portfolio.

    Showcase Partner: Schlüter-Systems

    Exclusive modern white bathroom with glass shower

    Image credit: Schlüter-Systems

    Waiting eagerly in the wings as this year’s Showcase Partner, Schlüter-Systems would paint the venue orange if it has its way. If you haven’t noticed already, Schlüter-Systems, with more than 10,000 products, is a market leader in essential accessories for tile and stone. Formed in 1966 by Werner Schlüter, a man who set out to provide practical solutions for bathroom tile installations.

    To this day, the company remains a family-owned business with products born out of practical experiences. The headquarters resides in the town of Iserlohn, Germany, with a further eight subsidiaries aiding distribution across more than 20 countries.

    Showcase Partner: Hamilton Litestat

    Image of cut-out switch plates in luxury suite

    Image credit: IHG/Hamilton Litestat

    What’s better than a Showcase Partner? Two Showcase Partners! For the fourth consecutive year, Hamilton Litestat, which produces quality wiring accessories and tech solutions, will join us for the campaign.

    A British manufacturer, Hamilton Litestat has created an enviable portfolio of decorative switch plate and socket designs to please the hotel interiors fashion industry, as well as smart lighting control and multi-room audio systems designed to enhance the hotel guest experience.

    Decorative Partner: Arte

    wallcovering by Arte and Moooi in golden tiger design

    Image credit: Moooi / Arte

    Considering the spectacular wallcovering displays that Arte produce collections that drop throughout the year, the fact that the brand has become the awards’ Decorative Partner is no coincidence. Known for adding new innovative layers to surface design in hotel design and beyond, Arte are a fitting partner for this year’s campaign.

    Industry Partner: NEWH

    The NEWH team scanning The Brit List 2021

    The NEWH team scanning The Brit List 2021

    It’s been a few years now since Hotel Designs and NEWH formed a unique media partnership. In that time, following exclusive interviews, unique editorial opportunities and targetted events, NEWH UK Chapter has remained a quality association that delivers its promise to connect the industry bridge the gap between generations in interior design and architecture. A fitting nod to the association’s success, this year, Libby Bull, President of NEWH UK Chapter will be the head just for the Rising Star Award.

    Award Partner: Dornbracht

    modern light filled bathroom in neutral shades with Tara fittings by Dornbracht

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    Speaking of the Rising Star Award, please welcome to the stage Dornbracht, which is exclusively sponsoring and supporting the category for this year’s campaign. The bathroom brand, which is known for its innovative products and designs for bathrooms, kitchens and showers that has recently evolved its Tara collection, will make its debut at The Brit List Awards 2022.

    Exclusive Trophy Partner: Sans Souci

    For the first time in the campaign’s history – and helping to take the whole awards ceremony up a level – The Brit List Awards has announced it is working with Sans Souci to design this year’s contemporary trophies. Each of the nine trophies will be individually designed using technology and manufacturing processes that form the DNA of the luxury lighting studio. More on the trophy design will be announced shortly.

    Broadcasting Partner: GROHE

    For the second year running, GROHE has come on board to help amplify the noise generated from The Brit List Awards. With the aim to understand the narrative behind each winner, the bathroom brand will stage interviews with a handful of the winners on its GROHE X platform.

    Official Videographer: CUBE

    We couldn’t mention our Broadcasting Partner without also giving credit to CUBE, which for the third-year running joins us as our official videographers, on the night filming and editing the highlights video as well as for the winners’ interviews. CUBE, which is a bold, innovative and strategic video and animation agency, also works with Hotel Designs on various video content throughout the year.

    Event Partners: Atlas Concorde, Duravit, Hansgrohe Group, ØTHERS, Utopia Projects

    For years, our Event Partners have arrived with energy and personality and sheer innovation – everything The Brit List Awards stands for. And this year is no exception.

    Atlas Concorde, which has just unveiled its first porcelain sink collection in collaboration with architect Mario Ferrarini, and opened its brand-new Clerkenwell Showroom, debuts this year as an Event Partner. The Italian brand, with a strong persona here in Britain, is a benchmark player in the entire ceramic tile industry and one of the most important and solid companies worldwide.

    Duravit, which has won several accolades itself this year, including iF DESIGN AWARD and the Red Dot of approval, operates in more than 130 countries worldwide and stands for innovations in the fields of signature design, the intelligent use of technology and premium quality.

    Hansgrohe Group, which has recently set out a clear path to climate neutrality and produced, in association with Hotel Designs and Arigami a science-driven report on luxury in wellness spaces, has returned for The Brit List Awards 2022 as an Event Partner.

    With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/Southern Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in innovation, quality and design within the bath and kitchen industry. With more than 118 years of history, the company is marked by innovations such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen tap, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower.

    ØTHERS, a dual-sensory, ‘welltech’ product that allows spaces to adapt the mood of their environment using scent and sound to functionally influence the guest states of mind, makes its debut this year to The Brit List Awards as an Event Partner.

    The experience designed by the brand translates functional scent into its sonic equivalent; a sensory tuning tool controlled via an app for creating the most optimal ambiance for any room desired.

    Utopia Projects, which supports the design, supply and aftercare of bathrooms and spas to hotels, public buildings and residential properties nationwide, comes on board this year as an Event Partner. The bathroom design experts at the brand understand the time constraints often faced on a project and searching the market place for the right products is not just time consuming, but costly. With their key industry contacts and wealth of knowledge, the team aims to make life easier for A+D professionals.

    Tickets to attend The Brit List Awards 2022, on November 2 at PROUD Embankment are now on sale. If you are an interior designer, architect, hotelier or developer, click here to purchase your tickets. For anyone else wishing to attend, click here to purchase your tickets. The application/nomination process for The Brit List Awards 2022 closes on August 19. Click here to apply.

    Main image credit: The Brit List Awards

    colourful portraits on the facade of citizenM London Victoria

    citizenM London Victoria opens its doors

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    citizenM London Victoria opens its doors

    A decade after its entry to the capital, affordable luxury hotel and lifestyle brand citizenM, continuing with its mission to disrupt the traditional, has opened the doors to its fourth property in central London…

    colourful portraits on the facade of citizenM London Victoria

    Ten years after the opening of the brand’s first London hotel, citizenM Bankside, which was swiftly followed by Tower of London and Shoreditch locations, industry disruptor citizenM is bringing its hybrid hotel model to a new address on Vauxhall Bridge Road. Intended for business travellers and leisure visitors alike as somewhere to sleep, work, meet and relax, the new hotel neighbours the major transport hubs of the city, offering easy links to work, play and see the sights. Design of both the rooms and public spaces feature the trademark clean lines, modern furniture and bold colours. Both the interior and the exterior are designed by citizenM’s Amsterdam-based collaborator Concrete, teaming up with executive architecture and interior design firm Ica.

    “We are excited to open the doors to our latest London property,” said Klaas van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of citizenM Hotels. “With three hotels already operating successfully in the city, this new property offers a fantastic addition to our existing portfolio and confirms our commitment to expand further in London’s most desirable neighbourhoods.”

    bright green couch with bold carpet design in public area of citizenM London Victoria

    Image credit: citizenM

    As a hybrid hotel, citizenM has introduced its distinctive communal spaces to this new neighbourhood. The Living Room is intended as a home-from-home; a cosy space with corners and nooks for working, lounging, reading and relaxing. In this space, the brand standard of ‘curated chaos’ includes art, books and local artefacts alongside stylish, comfortable furnishings by long-term collaborator Vitra. 24/7 canteenM is positioned in the centre of the building, serving as pit stop for a bite to eat at any time of day, from early breakfasts to midnight snacks; guests can grab a barista-made coffee to takeaway, linger in the Living Room with a glass of wine, order a working lunch with delicious sandwiches and salads, or indulge a sweet tooth. Behind the bar, a wavy iconic bench is placed on a raised platform, connecting with Kings Scholars Passage (KSP). Natural daylight flows into the building from the open windows at the back of the space.

    the statement wavy red couch connects spaces in citizenM victoria, along with feature red bottles in the bar

    Image credit: citizenM

    Since its founding, the brand has placed great importance in supporting and commissioning locally-based artists. A focal part of every property, the in-room art at citizenM London Victoria has been carefully and playfully curated, showcasing London talent that both documents and re-imagines English culture. In his photographic series, Luke Stephenson tracks the story of the 99p ice cream via a road trip around the UK; while Julie Cockburn, who trained as a sculptor at Central Saint Martins and has been exhibited extensively in the UK, Europe and the US, uses found objects and vintage photographs, re-configuring them in colourful and contemporary ways. Lastly, London-based Lorenzo Vitturi brings his colourful compositions of Ridley Road Market in Dalston, Hackney – the fruits and vegetables and the multicultural neighbourhood over the years – to the guestroom walls.

    “Unlike a museum or art gallery, the artwork we feature in our hotels is meant to inspire you, yet make you feel included and at home,” explained van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of citizenM Hotels. “In every one of our hotels we like to mix art you recognise with art that keeps you guessing – the kind that stops you in your tracks. We like art that makes you think, without being intimidating.”

    bright yellow chairs, books and art on the walls at citizenM London victoria station

    Image credit: citizenM

    When opening a new hotel, citizenM is always looking for opportunities to bolster and support the local community. With this latest addition to its portfolio, the brand is delighted to be able to do so with a donation to the KSP Community Garden Project. This historic corner of Westminster runs right by the hotel, and thanks to the support of local partners like citizenM, KSP is creating a public potted garden to revitalise an otherwise overlooked space. The launch of citizenM London Victoria is the perfect embodiment of the brand’s intention to provide its luxury accomodation at affordable prices to modern travellers across multiple locations in one of the most visited cities in the world.

    Main image credit: citizenM

    Skopos fabric Halcyon Dawn and Foss with wave and stripe designs

    Product watch: Halcyon Dawn and Foss from Skopos

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    Product watch: Halcyon Dawn and Foss from Skopos

    Continuing its 50th anniversary celebrations, this month Skopos throws some colourful notes of stripes and waves into the mix…

    Skopos fabric Halcyon Dawn and Foss with wave and stripe designs

    The first celebratory design for July emerges directly from the Halcyon collection first created in 2011. As a development of the Shangri-la design, Halcyon Dawn is a two-colour design, depicting an abstract, wavy graphic flower. Celebrating a self-indulgent hedonistic vibe, the Halcyon collection brought together a selection of woven, wide-width designs aimed at the hospitality market. Translating this design into a print, the team at Skopos have given the design a linen-look textured background, retained the same impactful scale, and produced Petrol blue and Gooseberry options for transfer onto curtain, bedding and upholstery fabrics.

    The second design for July, Foss, started life as a design for digital print, in-house at Skopos. Never previously featuring within a collection, the archive design beautifully emphasises the benefits of digital printing, showing energy and movement with a blurred vertical stripe, with colours in complimentary shades. Foss has been produced in two colourways, picking up elegant tones of cyan and copper in one colourway and green, slates and blue tones in the other, with elegant contrast and reflective values in each combination.

    stripes and waves from Skopos Fabrics

    Image credit: Skopos

    Designs for July are available on any of our standard print base-cloths, with Halcyon Dawn sampled immediately on our Turin linen-effect base-cloth and Foss stripe sampled on Beau velvet cloth. Both designs are being offered in 2 colourways for immediate order.

    Skopos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Skopos

    Aurelia light design by Northern Lights for Coya restaurant

    Product watch: the Signature Collection by Northern Lights

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    Product watch: the Signature Collection by Northern Lights

    Combining 35 years of lighting design expertise with cutting edge technology and traditional craftsmanship, the Signature Collection brings to life the materials, finishes and manufacturing techniques Northern Lights are renowned for…

    Aurelia light design by Northern Lights for Coya restaurant

    The Northern Lights team of artisans work with an impressive range of materials, most of which are consciously sourced within a 60-mile radius. Hand sculptured and moulded ceramics feature unique textures and rich reactive glazes, whereas luxurious stone offers an organic presence, as does the hand turned raw wooden parts which can be finished in everything from Walnut to Wenge.

    The array of glass capabilities is equally as impressive. Free blown and mould blown glass feature in decadent colours such as smoke, rich amber, cognac and anthracite to compliment different design schemes. Whilst fabricated brass, steel and copper are exposed to a wide variety of truly unique finishes, all applied and controlled in-house.

    With over 35 years of expertise, Donna Gridley, Head of Creative at Northern Lights is the designer behind the collection. “With a fine art background, my inspirations come from many sources,” explained Gridley. “I am always looking to nature for inspiring textures and colours and architecture for structural elements and detailing. Designs in lighting and furniture from the last 150 years also inspire. I also find textiles and wallpaper patterns can spark an idea.”

    the Maledere chandelier is part of the Signature Collection by Northern Lights

    Image credit: Northern Lights

    The Maldere pendants and wall lights were inspired by a flea market find in France. The alabaster shade adds noteworthy elegance and diffuses the light in a softer way, accentuating the craftwork of the brass and depth of the patina. The Maldere pendant works beautifully in the Mathura restaurant in London.

    From dramatic chandeliers and perfectly considered wall lights to cordless rechargeable table lamps that can be moved around both interior and exterior spaces with ease, each piece has been curated to form an exquisite collection of versatile timeless lighting, to transform & elevate any space. This versatility brings to life unlimited visions across endless design schemes, allowing interior designers to transform a variety of spaces effortlessly and within a shorter timeframe. A choice of materials and finishes on selected designs allow for tailored pieces that perfectly fit the design brief.

    Amongst the collection highlights, the clay form that is the base of Coper, was inspired by the Ceramic Artist Hans Coper, a leading potter in the 50’s and 60’s. “I sketched some shapes and silhouettes in homage to the beautiful pieces he created before his death at 61 in the early 80’s,” said Gridley. “It is available in several glaze finishes, my favourite being a matt ammonite reactive glaze which complements the strong lines of the design. It is paired with short drums in natural linen colours.”

    The Iveston table lamp is another versatile favourite – it has been specified for many projects including the luxury Galaxy yacht by Bergman and the Mansion House Hotel in Edinburgh, by Hamilton Design. This design was a result of looking to mid century influences to create a minimalist yet striking design from brass spinnings and marble and granite bases. The advantage of this design is that the real brass detailing can be patinated in any brass acid finishes from light antique through to oiled bronze to customize the fitting to suit any scheme.

    New pieces in this collection will be brought to life and showcased exclusively at HIX in November, emphasizing the ever-evolving design process behind Northern Lights’ Signature Collection and the fluidity of its inspirations.

    Northern Lights is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Northern Lights

    round swimming pool with Parkside aquatechnica tile sytem

    Product watch: Dive in to Aquatechnica online

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    Product watch: Dive in to Aquatechnica online

    The Aquatechnica range of complete pool and spa tiling solutions from Parkside, can now be found online, providing the basis for a stand-out design that meets any brief…

    round swimming pool with Parkside aquatechnica tile sytem

    The Aquatechnica portfolio is focussed on delivering a total answer from design to installation, and includes everything needed to deliver a tile specification that works hard for a swimming pool project. With pool tank, surround, changing room, wet area, circulation, outdoor and complementary area tiles, profiles, movement joints, adhesives, epoxy grouts, renders, screeds and waterproofing.

    Parkside has announced that Aquatechnica can now be found online providing its specialist solutions that meet the demands of technical and competition pools, leisure pools, spas and private luxury homes. Featuring technical collections, as well as supporting wall, floor and outdoor tiles; the Aquatechnica website makes it easy to choose a lane to a specification that will exceed expectations.

    Parkside Aquatechnica system used in indoor poolThe website provides an overview of the wide breadth of solutions available from Aquatechnica, including high-design ceramic and porcelain tiles, specialist competition ranges, mosaics and outdoor tiles that respond to the rise in lido and outdoor facilities. Along with ordering samples of Aquatechnica products, visitors to the website can also download the Aquatechnica Technical Brochure, an essential guide for tiling systems designed to meet the unique demands of swimming pool specifications.

    Upholding aesthetics and delivering on cost, the complete Aquatechnica range is available exclusively through Parkside Architectural Tiles and Strata Technical Tiles. By an integrated approach and high levels of UK stock, Aquatechnica delivers a fast-track solution that meets the demands of swimming pools in a multitude of environments.

    Parkside is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Parkside

    Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an

    Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announce plans for hotel in Xi’an

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    Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announce plans for hotel in Xi’an

    Slated to open in 2026, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts have announced plans for the upcoming Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an. Here’s what we know…

    Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an

    Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an, a Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts project with Chinese development firm, Spring Garden Company Limited, a subsidiary of Vanzhong Group, will stand out from the crowd in its proposes setting in an expansive landscape within an otherwise high-rise and bustling metropolitan setting. The hotel will feature 250 luxurious guestrooms and suites as part of a mixed-use development project in Xi’an – a former imperial capital of China and start of the ancient Silk Road.  As one of China’s most industrialized cities and now dubbed the “Digital Silk Road” as a result, Xi’an’s impressive plans for growth can be attributed to the concentrated focus on specialized technology by the extensive list of domestic and Fortune 500 companies that have established operations in the city.

    “A resort-style hotel set within a thriving city-centre will be the first of its kind for Xi’an and its visitors,” said Wuliang Li, Chairman, Vanzhong Group. “In a city with such a rich history and leading commerce ecosystem, welcoming Four Seasons and their curated luxury hospitality offering to Xi’an will serve to further ignite the bright future that lies ahead.”

    Local guests and international travellers alike will enjoy a collection of fine dining options that include two restaurants, a lobby bar and a rooftop bar overlooking Muta Temple Relics Park. Several private dining rooms, two ballrooms as well as flexible meeting and event spaces will be available to suit the needs of gatherings big and small. For those looking to refresh and relax, the hotel will feature a well-appointed spa, salon, indoor and outdoor pools, as well as open-air space dedicated to exercise and Tai chi. An abundance of historic exploration awaits the millions of travellers visiting Xi’an each year, and hotel guests will be able to immerse themselves in the city’s well preserved imperial museums, the majestic ancient city wall and renowned Terracotta Warriors Museum. Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an will be adjacent to Muta Temple Relics Park which is celebrated for the famous Muta Temple that once occupied the land (603 A.D.) during the prosperous Sui and Tang Dynasties. Tang Dynasty Wall Relics Park is also a short walk from the hotel where preserved relics proudly celebrate Tang culture, poems, music and calligraphy throughout.

    “Xi’an is a dynamic destination known for its history, culture and incredible growth grounded in the city’s flourishing tourism and technology sectors,” said Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “We are thrilled to continue expanding Four Seasons footprint in China alongside our partners at Vanzhong Group. This exceptional new hotel will offer guests a luxury respite in the bustling city of Xi’an that effortlessly meets the needs of today’s business and leisure travellers.”

    Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an will join a growing collection of Four Seasons properties in China, and joins an ambitious pipeline with over 50 projects currently in development worldwide.

    Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    The Bette Configurator makes product planning easy and accurate

    Product watch: online product configurator from Bette

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    Product watch: online product configurator from Bette

    Bathroom product manufacturer, Bette, has added a new online product configurator to its website to make the planning of its baths, washbasins, shower trays and shower floors easy and accurate…

    The Bette Configurator makes product planning easy and accurate

    The online configurator has been developed by Bette to make design easier – it allows bathroom designers, installers and end customers to put together a product, add relevant accessories and view it from all sides in 3D in the desired colour. Customers can choose from an enormous variety of bathroom products, dimensions, colours and equipment options using the new configurator, which can be found on each product page of the Bette website. It means that users can configure their product without having to worry about whether the selected features and accessories are appropriate, because the configurator only provides the options that are available and work together.

    “The idea was to develop a tool with which bathroom products can be configured easily, accurately and quickly – without a lot of scrolling and without a lot of text,” said Sven Rensinghoff, Head of Marketing & Product Management. “Bathroom planners, installers and end customers can quickly find the perfect product thanks to the intuitive controls. And for Bette, it’s another important building block in the digitalisation of our sales.”

    the online Bette configurator

    Image credit: Bette

    The user is shown which dimensions and colours can be selected, which accessories can be used, whether a Bette frame can be chosen and which sealing and installation systems fit. In the case of multi-part products, such as the BetteLux Shape bathtub, which sits within an exterior frame, the configurator allows the user to choose the colour of the bath and frame individually. Once the configuration process is complete, the user receives a summary, including the final reference number, plus all features and selected accessories. The summary can be downloaded as a PDF, or sent by e-mail as a link, so that it can be shared for example with a retailer or designer. If the link is called up again at a later time, the configuration can also be edited again.

    For end customers, the new service means they can share their desired product configuration with their retailer, and this is made even easier as the retailer search facility is directly below the summary. Bathroom planners can tailor products on the screen for discussion with the customer, face to face. Installers can also benefit from the practical tool, as they can view and check possible product combinations. For example, the planning aid ensures that the correct fittings and installation systems are automatically preselected when the height of the finished floor is entered.

    Benefits for bathroom designers, installers and end customers have been integrated across the platform making access and installation of Bette’s specialist  bathroom products a seamless process.

    Bette is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Bette

    Counter a speakeasy bar by Native Edinburgh

    Native Edinburgh reveals refurbishment

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    Native Edinburgh reveals refurbishment

    Native, one of the leading UK aparthotel brands with eleven sites across London, Manchester and Scotland has announced Native Edinburgh’s re-opening following a 14-month refurbishment, along with the launch of the city’s hottest speakeasy…

    Counter a speakeasy bar by Native Edinburgh

    The design for Native Edinburgh’s refurbishment was inspired by ‘The Inventors’ who lived within the city. The famed Scottish inventors include John Logie Baird, inventor of the television, Sir Alexander Fleming who discovered penicillin and won a Nobel Prize, and William Cullen, inventor of the refrigerator. The history of the Scottish inventors surrounds the streets around the property, and the new design aims to highlight this unique history through the décor, artwork and quirky gadgets used decoratively. Running with this theme the half-a-million-pound revamp covers the public spaces and eighty-two apartments comprising of studios, one bed apartments. Additionally, a new cultural programme and a speakeasy bar, Counter, is launching.

    tones of green in the lobby of the Native edinburgh

    Image credit: Native Edinburgh

    The chic new interiors combine amber whisky tones with the midnight teal colours of the night sky above the Georgian facades of Edinburgh’s New Town, where the property resides. Rich colours including the bright gold palette is reminiscent of the local area that was originally built to bring wealth back to the burgh of The Whisky Barone. The reimagined heritage-inspired lobby space showcases opulent green hues and botanical themed prints, taking inspiration from the Royal Botanic Gardens – a natural treasure of Scotland. The original Georgian windows allow natural light to flood in over the mid-century style furniture and lighting. The wallpaper in the lobby has been designed by Edinburgh Mairi Helena, known for her vibrant designs inspired by a love for Scotland’s colourful and textual landscapes.

    “Each Native site celebrates the best of its surrounding area and Native Edinburgh’s refurbishment reflects the history of the city, and a focus on local culture to allow guests to plug into the city, whether they’re passing through or staying for longer,” said Olivia Immesi, Managing Director.

    Coinciding with the re-opening, Native Edinburgh is launching a new speakeasy bar; Counter. Counter will serve coffee by day and cocktails by night providing an undiscovered destination bar in the heart of city centre for guests and locals.

    an apartment decorated in blues and browns in Native Edinburgh

    Image credit: Native Edinburgh

    The Counter at Native Edinburgh will also be home to a new bespoke cultural programme: it will host a selection of carefully curated eclectic events, spotlighting local produce in the daytime and homegrown talent at night. Late night summer programming will see the venue host a range of acts from neo-soul jazz nights and vinyl DJs to spoken word poetry. Counter will shine a light on up-and-coming creatives from around the city, including artists, writers, musicians and more.

    Combining the freedom and authenticity of a local apartment with the comfort, convenience and premium service of a boutique hotel, Native breathes new life into historic city-centre buildings through thoughtful restoration and refurbishment. Embracing local culture, Native collaborate with local, independent like-minded businesses, designers and artists meaning each site has its own unique personality, creating inspiring, ‘native’ experiences.

    Main image credit: Native Edinburgh

    decorative Compact MDF from Unilin Panels

    Product watch: budget beating multi-purpose panels from Unilin

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    Product watch: budget beating multi-purpose panels from Unilin

    Unilin Panels, has introduced decorative Compact MDF – a budget-friendly product that brings more than 80 surface designs to the table…

    decorative Compact MDF from Unilin Panels

    The perfect choice for lockers and changing rooms to furniture subject to intensive use, Compact MDF is the latest decorative surface available from Unilin Panels. With a high-density, moisture-resistant black core, Compact MDF needs no edging tape and can be used in humid environments. It is also ideal for areas subject to intensive use: changing and dressing rooms, toilet areas, kitchen and bathroom furniture, product displays and worktops can all benefit from its excellent scratch- and wear-resistance.

    The core of Compact MDF is made from 100 per cent recovered wood. This is wood and wood waste that is no longer usable for someone else, which is used in the production of MDF to save it from incineration. More specifically, the MDF is made from wood originating from residual flows from the wood industry and thinning from sustainable forest management and roadside maintenance.

    changing room with Unilin decorative mdf in black

    Image credit: UNILIN Panels

    Compact MDF is available in a wide range of looks. From true-to-material Fibromax Compact MR Black and classic wood effects to brushed metals and an extraordinary collection of solid colours, there’s a finish to coordinate with almost any interior. So, whether recreating a sophisticated and welcoming wood for bespoke features in a hotel room, or bright colour coded storage in a primary school or office, Unilin Panels Compact MDF is a great place to start.

    Available in different thicknesses, the material is easy to process using standard MDF tools. The wide panel format (2070 x 2800mm) also reduces saw loss and ensures fewer joints. A budget-friendly answer for decorative finishes, Compact MDF is the multi-purpose panel.

    Unilin Panels is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Unilin Panels

    Laufen in Pan Pacific London

    Case study: sleek solutions Laufen provided inside Pan Pacific London

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    Case study: sleek solutions Laufen provided inside Pan Pacific London

    Swiss bathroom specialist Laufen has once again partnered with New York based design duo, Yabu Pushelberg to equip the bathrooms and wellness treatment rooms of Pan Pacific, London with stylish design solutions…

    Laufen in Pan Pacific London

    The concept behind the spectacular architecture and interior design of the luxurious Pan Pacific, nestled in Bishopsgate Plaza, in the heart of London’s historic centre, diligently honours the brand’s Asian heritage, whilst creating a contemporary structure that flawlessly echoes its London surroundings. Global influential interior designers, Yabu Pushelberg created a stylish, contemporary design aesthetic for the Pan Pacific, London – Pan Pacific Hotel Group’s first European accommodation and flagship hotel.

    exterior of Pan Pacific London from the main plaza

    Image credit: Jack Hardy

    The impressively towering exterior of the Pan Pacific is where the journey begins as you enter through the grand double doors. Once inside, it’s tranquil serenity is a parallel to the hustle and bustle of the busy London streets just metres away. This serenity continues through the hotel’s 237 elegant guestrooms, where beautiful Asian influences are apparent in the soft colour palette, wooden panelling and neutral décor, creating a calming atmosphere. The large marble bathrooms feature a luxurious walk-in shower and bathtub, and are completed by contemporary, sleek solutions from the Kartell • LAUFEN collection, including a sleek wall hung WC and stylish basin.

    Laufen hand basin in Pan Pacific London

    Image credit: Jack Hardy

    “We are delighted to once again partner with Yabu Pushelberg, and to be a part of this incredible project,” said Ilker Hussein, Global Projects Corporate Director, Roca Group. “Upon entering the Pan Pacific, its warmth and tranquillity welcome you with open arms, paying homage to its Singaporean heritage. The Laufen products specified effortlessly complement the luxurious quality and contemporary design aesthetic.”

    Laufen products installed in the Spa Treament room at Pan Pacific London

    Image credit: Jack Hardy

    Created by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba, Kartell • LAUFEN embodies distinctive characteristics: design excellence, innovation, quality and functional efficiency, all interpreted to bring a new dimension to the bathroom. The exquisite collection uses Laufen’s innovative SaphirKeramik to achieve thinner, more defined and extremely robust ceramics, producing impactful, stand out pieces that will stand the test of time.

    The hotel’s theme of calm and serenity is continued with the guest wellbeing amenities on offer, incorporating fitness, nutrition, holistic treatments and mindfulness. Guests can relax in the stunning 18.5m infinity pool, steam and sauna rooms and beautifully designed luxury treatment rooms featuring Kartell • LAUFEN washbasins. The Public washroom facilities also feature the Kartell • LAUFEN washbasins and wall hung WCs to complete the project for the Swiss manufacturer.

    Laufen is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Jack Hardy

    Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn in conversation with designer Mario Ferrarini

    In conversation with: Mario Ferrarini, the designer of Dialogo Collection

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    In conversation with: Mario Ferrarini, the designer of Dialogo Collection

    Mario Ferrarini, an innovative product designer, has worked with some of the biggest names in the arena. His recent collaboration with Atlas Concorde led to the launch of the Dialogo collection. Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with him during Clerkenwell Design Week to discuss his designs past, present and future in the Atlas Concorde showroom…

    Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn in conversation with designer Mario Ferrarini

    A few months ago, we unveiled to the world of design Atlas Concorde’s first foray into porcelain sinks when we published an article that introduced the Dialogo Collection. The product had been developed in partnership with the designer Mario Ferrarini, who has extensive experience in the bathroom furnishing sector. For this project, Ferrarini worked on parallel lines with an extremely calibrated design that carefully assesses thicknesses and cross-sections to create sinks of dimensions that meet the needs of interior design.

    Ferrarini, who graduated in Industrial Design at the Polytechnic of Milan, began his design career practicing as a consultant for a number of renowned design studios until, in 2007 he took the step and founded his own studio. His studio works alongside companies to create unusual products that are timeless and transcend passing trends. For him, the partnership with Atlas Concorde was “seamless and made a lot of sense.”

    To mark Atlas Concorde’s timely arrival into the Clerkenwell area, Hotel Designs invited a handful of designers to to the new showroom to listen in on our exclusive interview with the designer.

    Hamish Kilburn: So, Mario, let’s start by understanding how all this began. What inspired you to launch your own studio in 2007?

    Mario Ferrarini: To be honest with you, I was working with a famous design studio at the time. I had just won a design competition, which understandably created an element of tension for a time in the workplace. This prompted me to see what else there was out there. So, I ended up launching Studio Mario Ferrarini.

    HK: In the past, you have said that balance is the principle goal of your global concept? How has the meaning of that sentence evolved in the last say five years?

    MF: Well, it’s not a focus that I follow like a rule, but rather something that comes as an observation at the end of the process. It’s about the process, you see. And a sense of quiet and balance that comes from the dialogue that is part of the design project. It is about taking the time and understanding the journey – from prototype to completion. I work a lot using sculpturing, which allows me to focus on the details, and when a client likes and understands that process of ‘balance’, well that’s when a project works in my opinion.

    HK: You have worked with leading brands, such as Linge Roset, Poltrona Frau, Castelli and more including, recently, Atlas Concorde. How do you approach working with new brands?

    MF: At the beginning of my career it was very hard to be taken seriously by some of the companies – in Italy it feels like your age is often more important than your ideas. As a young designer, I was not taken seriously, which is sad but it’s true. I used to spend a lot of time at design fairs in Europe to see, understand and keep contact with companies. You can speak with 10 people, and end up working with one – although those other contacts might come into play in later years. It is vital to create a network and to keep authentic dialogue going as we are no longer in the 1970s when designers are a rarity and companies weren’t flooded with emails, texts, and links – today, there is strong competition so you have to work hard to be heard. And to be a bit older now is also a plus!

    HK: In a lot of the conversations we are having at the moment, collaboration seems to be the tool for evolution. Is it easier to collaborate these days than it was when you first started in 2007?

    MF: I think the key to successful collaborations comes back to your network. At the starting point of your career you follow competitions, possibly try to share something with a company, do parallel works like renderings. You do what you can to develop a network and out of this collaborations will develop. When I am working on a collaboration I try to really get to know a company, how it works, to feel their vibes, the soul of the factory – it might look wonderful from the outside or in a magazine, but as you get to know the company and its process,  it might be totally different. I also think it is important to share skills, as part of the process of collaboration. It can sometimes be difficult starting a collaboration with a new company, but at the same time, once we start to talk and the process between the design and the supplier is a positive one, then one collaboration inevitably leads to others – it all goes back to the process and importance of networking.

    A marble-like bathroom with grey and white sink

    Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A

    “The design solution we developed has a simplicity that is underlined by a more complicated process.” – Mario Ferrarini.

    HK: Taking a look at the Dialogo collection, where did you start, and can you talk us through the various stages of design?

    MF: At the beginning of the pandemic, I received a call from the board of Atlas Concorde asking me to suggest how we could link their ceramic tiles with the world of the bathroom object, to design something with soul. It was interesting to understand their motivation in a period where there was so much uncertainty, and that despite this, they remained committed to the design process without compromise – this was an important point for me as it was clear that this was a focussed team.

    The real challenge of the project was developing an understanding of the material, its qualities and the limitations of ceramic. The design solution we developed has a simplicity that is underlined by a more complicated process. The context of the design was based on the bathroom as a temple of quietness and beauty. The design works on suggested boundaries where we take a pause from a frantic life. It was important to make a recognisable washbasin but one that is also unique, and in this case it is the connection with the wall surface, the tiles, that results in an entirely integrated product with a seamless and architectural design profile.

    HK: How did your experience, designing industrial products and furniture, help with this project?

    MF: Fortunately that experience helped a lot. I started my career in the bathroom area working with Jacuzzi and Antoniolupi, both of which taught me a lot about the technical side of the process while allowing me to develop my own design vision. Bathroom product design is of course very technical, very precise, and you need to know the right dimensions and proportions of, for example a washbasin, to ensure that it not only looks good, but functions correctly as well.

    Industrial sink with contemporary lighting in concrete room

    Image credit: Atlas Concorde

    HK: With so much emphasis on materials, how beneficial has been to work with a surface brand on this sink collection, instead of a bathroom brand?

    MF: We had to tread carefully, because this was a first for Atlas Concorde. So, to introduce an entirely new product is always difficult even if it is made with the same material. But happily the end result is a good design and a unique concept developing the connection from the surface tiles to the sink which will complete a bathroom design in a new way, integrating the furniture and the surfaces.

    HK: There’s a strong narrative in this sink collection around ‘changing perspectives’, can you elaborate?

    MF: The collection is a new chapter for Atlas Concorde – it has been about working with the DNA of the company, its tiles, and then taking it in a new direction, developing new designs and products. This is only a starting point of discovering how to look differently at a product and develop the design process as a more fully coordinated concept.

    HD: In the Habitat model, which is reminiscent of a piece of art, how do you ensure vein continuity when cutting the porcelain?

    MF: With difficulty! We spent a lot a lot of time working on this and trying to find a workable solution that had to accommodate so many different aspects of design, including the need to avoid waste.

    HD: And finally, how do you see this collection evolving?

    MF: For the Milano fair we completed the collection by adding furniture to complement the sink design and this takes it to another level. The concept remains true to the design, but is then combined with a base in a selection of colours that connect directly with the sink and tile palette. There are always new ways of developing and evolving the design and integrating it successfully into the bathroom.

    The name itself, Dialogo, reflects the ongoing nature of the project – a dialog between materials, both in harmony and in contrast; between different surfaces; between an industrial reality like Atlas Concorde and the world of design.

    Atlas Concorde is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Atlas Concorde/ Hotel Designs

    guestroom at Hotel Per La opening onto patio garden

    Hotel Per La opens its doors to Los Angeles

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    Hotel Per La opens its doors to Los Angeles

    Having been revamped and reimagined by Sage Studio, Hotel Per La, located in the iconic former NoMad Hotel site in downtown LA, has opened its doors just in time for the Major League All-Star Weekend in the city…

    guestroom at Hotel Per La opening onto patio garden

    Under new ownership and management, debuting rooms and a new rooftop concept, with full completion scheduled for September 2022, the 12 story Hotel Per La will feature 241 signature guestrooms, and a variety of public spaces. The 10,000 square feet of versatile event space, along with a new rooftop bar & pool space overlooking the LA skyline have opened, with a new ground-floor café and restaurant preparing to launch this September.

    “We are truly honoured to welcome this iconic hotel to the Sage family, as it represents the type of luxury lifestyle property we plan to strategically add to our portfolio in the coming years,” said Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group. “This hotel marks a new evolution for our organisation as we work to become the undisputed lifestyle hospitality company in the nation.”

    Hotel Per La view across the Amadeo Suite

    Image credit: Hotel Per La / The Ingalls

    Located in the Giannini Building, the former Bank of Italy home originally built in 1922, the reimagined property will retain the signature features of the previous hotel, while enhancing the guest experience. HN Capital Partners has collaborated with Sage Studio to revamp and expand the property’s guest offerings. They are introducing new food & beverage concepts that highlight community-driven dining experiences, and working closely with a number of local Los Angeles based creative partners to bring a new hospitality space to the Downtown neighbourhood.

    ”HNCP is excited to work with the existing ownership group and Sage to rebrand and relaunch this unique property. Since our founding, we have had a focus on creating unique luxury and service experiences in lifestyle hotels we acquire or develop, with a keen eye on changing consumer preferences. This hotel is directly within that strategy,” said Vipin Nambiar, Founder & Managing Partner of HN Capital Partners. “This acquisition is also special in that we were able to welcome Jeremy Selman to our team as a partner to help execute this investment with me. Jeremy is a true hotelier and has had a long and successful tenure in hospitality. He also has a deep understanding of this hotel and property given his prior role at Sydell. We look forward to welcoming guests to the hotel.”

    Sage Hotel Management is a passionate group of accomplished industry veterans who have led the way in defining experiential hospitality while maintaining a reputation as best-in-class operators and consistently delivering results. With a diverse portfolio of nearly 60 hotels across the US, the addition of Hotel Per La to this portfolio is part of a dynamic pipeline for the company.

    Main image credit: Hotel Per La / The Ingalls

    flying carpet chandelier in the lobby of JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea

    KCA International’s design vision for JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea

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    KCA International’s design vision for JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea

    From flying carpets to the blue waters of the Bosporous, KCA International have captured the many facets of Istanbul and its surroundings in the design of the new JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea…

    flying carpet chandelier in the lobby of JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea

    A member of Marriott International, JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea is a five-star hotel, offering a seaside location within the Sea Pearl complex while being close to the city’s cultural, shopping and business district. With 201 guestrooms and suites, the hotel shelters a diverse collection of restaurants and bars, while the hotel’s spa offers luxurious holistic treatments from all over the world. Conceived by interior designer, Khuan Chew of KCA International and her teams in Dubai and in London, the hotel interiors showcase a contemporary look, letting the light of the Marmara Sea flood in while fusing the very best of sophistication, precision, and simplicity, with the warmth of Turkish culture.

    bar and restaurant overlooking the bosphorous sea in the JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea

    Image credit: Marriott International

    KCA have chosen a theme of ‘water’ representing the Bosphorus as a source of life, the lifeline of Istanbul through the centuries. It is reflected in the typical Turkish symbolic blue, captured in many of the finishes throughout the hotel. With the city and the hotel being in the centre of civilisation, straddling Asia and Europe, KCA have taken inspiration from both diverse cultures in the various areas within the hotel.

    The story of Istanbul is depicted as the guest walks through the entrance Sky Frame that is central to the entire architecture and takes the eye to the end with stunning views to the sea. The ‘flying carpet’ chandelier is a first and is the main focal point in this magnificent space as it drops down to the floor making a strong visual statement.

    dramatic lighting installations designed by KCA International in the JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea

    Image credit: Marriott International

    The F&B areas vary vastly, from a chic and contemporary Lebanese offering, to Turkish cuisines, to a very European Bar Lounge. The details are carefully designed to portray a more contemporary 21st Century take on relevant historical classical details, patterns, and motifs. Modern and eclectic dining choices also include a fine dining specialty restaurant, an all-day dining venue, a classical tea lounge, and sea front terraces. Each and every area has a meaning, a story, or a reason for being. For Chew, interior design is always key to a human’s relationship with space and therefore whether they are grand spaces or intimate ones, the attention to detail and scale is of monumental importance with the focus on the  guest’s comfort and approval.

    the cigar lounge with interior design by KCA in the JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea

    Image credit: Marriott International

    Turkish hospitality is unique, and the stylishly lavish guestrooms and suites provide generous space and feature balconies either facing the Marmara Sea or the city’s skyline. From the colours to the textures, the entwining influences of both Europe and Asia are present in each space. The Marmara Sea shimmers into view thanks to KCA’s emphasis on natural lighting and a selection of stunning light installations, ensuring guests have a real sense of place each time they return.

    The Function areas are again directly inspired by the life of the Bosphorus and connecting seas. It’s a celebration of the fishing tradition with the crystal hanging pendants and bar screens. Reflective metallic wall coverings representative of water and skies work in harmony, supporting and enhancing the scheme.

    The Leisure and Spa areas offer a space of peace and tranquillity. The layering of forms is inspired by the travertine terraces of Pamukkale. The interconnecting, abstract tree mosaic in the pool area is representative of the five forests of Istanbul – everywhere in the design the surrounding natural environment is omnipresent.

    Main image credit: Marriott International

    Ikos Odisia seen from above

    Ikos to open a second property on Corfu

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    Ikos to open a second property on Corfu

    Ikos Resorts have announced plans to expand its luxury offering with a second property on Corfu Island – Ikos Odisia – slated to open in May 2023 as a sophisticated beachfront escape where architecture and aesthetics blend harmoniously with nature, embodying the brand’s signature luxury essence…

    Ikos Odisia seen from above

    Ikos Resorts has announced the sixth addition to its luxury all-inclusive portfolio, with the opening of Ikos Odisia in Corfu scheduled for Q2 of 2023. The second Ikos to open on the Greek island, Ikos Odisia sits in an iconic location, protected in a secluded bay across from Ikos Dassia. Designed by Nimand Architects, the new Ikos Odisia is gracefully elevated for dramatic views and landscaped vistas across the Ionian Sea.

    Surrounded by fragrant woodland, the serene resort boasts 395 guestrooms, suites, bungalows, and villas, each thoughtfully designed for couples and families of all sizes. Sprinkled invitingly across 60 acres and blending harmoniously into the lush natural surroundings, Ikos Odisia will welcome guests to elegant ambience on the water’s edge, combining relaxed beach life with luxury, chic interiors. The five-star property will welcome the outdoors in, taking full advantage of the unspoiled nature surrounding the resort. Those looking for the ultimate Ikos experience can opt for the exclusive Deluxe Collection Suites, in an unrivalled area of the resort with tailored pre-arrival planning via a personal concierge and a range of benefits.

    bungalow suite at Ikos Odisia with a riot of bouganvilla framing the seaview

    Image credit: Ikos Resorts

    Guests at the new Ikos Odisia can look forward to the group’s award winning all-inclusive Infinite Lifestyle concept, bringing next level relaxation to virtually every element of a holiday, with menus created by Michelin-star chefs, signature spa experiences by Anne Semonin Paris and 24-hour room service. Also included as part of their stay, guests can enjoy dining out at select local restaurants, including a tempting option on Vidos Island, only accessible by private boat.

    The resort will have five a la carte restaurants, with menus created by Michelin-star chefs offering flavours from Greece, Italy, Peru and Asia, as well as a Mediterranean buffet-style restaurant. Creative signature cocktails and a choice of 300 international and local wines will be served by Ikos sommeliers and expert mixologists at the hotel’s indoor and outdoor bars, which offer a venue for every occasion- from laid-back beach bars to elegant live music settings. Taking full advantage of the resort’s elevated location, Ikos Odisia’s exclusive new dining venue, The View Lounge, welcomes guests to incredible views across the Ionian and will serve cocktails, light snacks, and a full dinner menu celebrating a fusion of Peruvian cuisine.

    The resort will offer ten heated outdoor and indoor pools, including kids and adults-only pools, as well as a 420m white sandy beach framed by fragrant pines, citrus groves and olive trees, and overlooking crystal-clear waters. A beach waiter service serving food and beverage and 30 minutes free childcare on the beach for kids over the age of four will also be on offer. Those looking to keep active while on holiday can enjoy the state-of-the-art fitness centre or enjoy the range of sports facilities and activities from tennis to canoeing, mountain biking or windsurfing. The Ikos Spa offers unrivalled views of the Ionian Sea, the ideal backdrop for a luxurious signature treatment, with beauty products by Anne Semonin Paris.

    As with all Ikos properties, Ikos Odisia will support the local community to have a positive impact on Corfu island’s economy and the destination overall, one of the most cosmopolitan and attractive destinations in Greece. The resort will collaborate with local suppliers and generate 700 new jobs, with at least half the positions filled by locals. Ikos Odisia will also establish sustainable hotel operations under the Ikos Green programme, including being carbon neutral and implementing zero waste initiatives.

    Main image credit: Ikos Resorts

    Häfele ironmongery in entrance and reception area of 329 High Street

    Case study: Häfele opens doors on 329 High Street

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    Case study: Häfele opens doors on 329 High Street

    The Edinburgh hotel 329 High Street, combining a rich heritage with a modern-day design is able to achieve its vision with Häfele ironmongery…

    Häfele ironmongery in entrance and reception area of 329 High Street

    Häfele was called upon by Chris Stewart Group, who were overseeing the refurbishment of the Old Town Chambers as a collection of luxury serviced apartments in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, to provide a suite of suitable door ironmongery for the apartments at 329 High Street. The schedule was required to complement both the new, modern apartments added to the hotel and the more traditional reception, bar and restaurant areas.

    Having identified a growing need for accommodation that combines the heritage of the city with high-quality, comfortable stays, Old Town Chambers offers exactly that. Each room showcases the building’s fascinating history in a globally-renowned part of the city, teamed with contemporary furnishings and distinctive architecture. The original Old Town Chambers, a listed building from the mid-18th Century, is home to 50 high-quality apartments, accessed via Roxburgh Court, which sits just behind the Royal Mile. In 2021, the owners of the hotel had the opportunity to refurbish the existing building and expand their footprint by taking over an adjoining address – 329 High Street – which would add 24 new high-end apartments to the property across three floors and a mezzanine level, as well as a street-level reception area, bar and restaurant.

    Häfele ironmongery in the interior of 329 High Street apartments

    Image credit: Häfele

     

    Old Town Chambers is a perfect blend of the old and the new; the 24 apartments added to the building might appear to be the stars of the show with duplexes and mezzanine floors, but equally incredible are the existing rooms and communal areas which have so much heritage, and offer visitors an authentic Edinburgh experience,” said Ken Binnie, Specification Consultant for Häfele Projects.“The ironmongery for the doors of the apartments had to be carefully selected to reflect the rooms’ individual character and modern feel, while the reception, bar and restaurant spaces – which look directly onto the historic Royal Mile – required more traditional hardware, of exceptional quality, to match the aesthetic of the existing building.”

    “The attention to detail offered by Häfele Projects was excellent; ironmongery can be a minefield but Ken and the team listened to what we wanted and knew exactly what to apply to the project, “ said Karen Brown, Head of Interiors for Chris Stewart Group, having worked closely with Ken on the 329 High Street project. “There were some intricacies to consider, which were met with experience and a knowledgeable approach. For example, some doors required a lever handle on one side but we were retaining the existing door knob on the other. Getting the two to marry was looking difficult and would’ve been an ongoing maintenance issue for the hotel if not resolve, but Ken suggested connecting them via a spindle which instantly resolved the matter. We were able to meet and discuss our requirements in-depth, explore a huge range of sample and Häfele Projects were more than happy to liaise with the contractor direct to enable us to focus elsewhere. This project has really opened our eyes to what Häfele is capable of, and we’ve been able to consider other project ranges too which we intend to utilise on future developments, like lighting and small appliances.”

    bright blue sofas in a white apartment with Hafele details

    Image credit: Häfele

    Working closely with Chris Stewart Group and architects ISA, Häfele developed a tailored hardware schedule and specification. For the communal areas of the hotel, specialist Frank Alark handles were selected in a satin nickel finish to complement the traditional style of the space. For the apartments, Häfele’s stainless steel mitred lever handle provided the perfect solution. Furthermore, given the complexity of the requirements, it made sense to utilise Häfele’s Häfele to Order service – which allows customers to order their products cut, labelled and delivered to their exact requirements. This included both phased floor-by-floor and door-by-door packaging to make the installation process as efficient as possible for contractors Thomas Johnstone Ltd.

     Häfele is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Häfele

    Chelsom lighting Hotel Designs

    75 years of Chelsom: highlighting the milestones

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    75 years of Chelsom: highlighting the milestones

    Stop the press! Chelsom turns 75 this year. To celebrate more than seven decades leading the way in lighting manufacturing, Hotel Designs has launched an editorial series that looks at what the family-owned British company has achieved. In our first article, Editor Hamish Kilburn makes a nod to the milestone moments…

    Chelsom lighting Hotel Designs

    It was good taste, a keen eye for design and detail and a ‘seven days a week’ work ethic that made Reg and Kay Chelsom’s small antique lighting shop, The Golden Age, a huge success in post war Blackpool. Sourcing mostly from Paris flea markets, they restored and sold fabulous antique pieces with Kay’s mother contributing by making exquisite hand-sewn lampshades. The growing reputation for unique lighting pieces attracted clients from all over the North of England, as well as the stars of stage and screen of the day who were performing live at the UK’s famous holiday destination.

    Image caption: Shop front of The Golden Age, where the Chelsom story began. | Image credit: Chelsom

    Image caption: Shop front of The Golden Age, where the Chelsom story began. | Image credit: Chelsom

    In the ’50s, one shop became two and then three, and at the same time the first tentative steps were taken into UK manufacturing. Using small local foundries, original antique pieces were purchased to make moulds for reproduction traditional lighting which was originally sold through the Golden Age shops and later distributed to other retailers throughout the United Kingdom. The fledgling manufacturing company was proud to count Harrods, Fortnum and Mason and John Lewis as three of its earliest customers. High demand required higher levels of production and some of the component manufacturing was moved to Europe where the company, now called RJ Chelsom and Company Limited, was one of the first to import high quality traditional lighting into the UK.  Throughout the 1960’s a nationwide distribution network was set up with supply to retailers and interior designers working in the contract market.

    Robert Chelsom joined the company in 1971 just as it moved to larger premises, and he became Managing Director in 1976. The following year the original antique shops were finally closed to allow full concentration on the burgeoning manufacturing distribution business. In the early 80s, Robert felt that there was a much greater appreciation of up-to date design and high quality in the contract and hospitality sector than there perhaps was on the high street and so began the transition from retail supply to providing lighting solutions to the contract market. “It was a fantastically exciting time” he told Hotel Designs. “With the growing realisation of just how important good lighting is to any interior design scheme, lighting moved from the bottom of the interior designer’s wish list right towards the top and there was a much greater appreciation of lighting design and function within the industry.”

    Image caption: Robert Chelsom in his younger years at Chelsom. | Image credit: Chelsom

    Image caption: Robert Chelsom in his younger years at Chelsom. | Image credit: Chelsom

    1987 saw a move to the company’s current large premises, Heritage House, and the team was strengthened with senior management, particularly on the technical side, to oversee the demise of the incandescent lamp and the innovative moves to energy saving halogen and compact fluorescents. In 1989, the company opened a magnificent trade lighting showroom in London and welcomed many top interior designers to view the ever-changing collections.

    By the early 1990s, Chelsom Limited as it was now called was winning hotel projects with many of the UK’s major hotel groups. It was then that the decision was taken to create the first of many industry leading substantial lighting catalogues covering the greatly expanded range. Plans were laid for the launch of the catalogue to be a biennial event and the latest catalogue was always greeted with great enthusiasm by the interior design industry. Landmark projects were won in the UK and for the first time, exports became a substantial part of the company’s turnover. New company Directors were appointed to manage and direct the ongoing company growth. Looking for market diversification, two new company divisions were created- the retail division whose main customers were Marks and Spencer and Laura Ashley and the architectural division, Light Engine, which worked with architects and lighting designers to illuminate the interiors and exteriors of prestigious public buildings.

    By 2005, the hospitality side of the client base was becoming so all-consuming that a decision was made to sell the retail and architectural divisions and concentrate 100 per cent on hospitality. In 2006 the current Managing Director Will Chelsom joined the business and spent several years working closely with designers and procurement companies in London before moving North to manage the company from Head Office. The decade saw a successful move into the USA market and the creation of Chelsom Hong Kong Limited to facilitate shipments to Asian markets and to oversee the very stringent QC operation which Chelsom has in the Far East to ensure all componentry coming from that part of the word reaches the very highest Chelsom standards of quality and function. Will very much pioneered a move into the marine industry where the company’s design capabilities and high levels of quality have been much appreciated by the cruise sector. This has been particularly the case with custom lighting where Chelsom have worked hand in hand with specifiers to create some of the cruise market’s most spectacular lighting installations manufactured mostly in the UK.

    Image credit: William and Robert Chelsom meeting the late HRH Prince Phillip when Chelsom awarded the Queen's Award. | Image credit: Chelsom

    Image credit: William and Robert Chelsom meeting the late HRH Prince Phillip when Chelsom awarded two Queens Awards for Export. | Image credit: Chelsom

    Coming right up to date, Chelsom has recently won two Queens Awards for Export as a result of substantial and continuous overseas sales growth, and last year a prestigious Red Dot Award for product design. Will Chelsom said: “I am extremely proud that I am a fourth-generation family member involved in a business which has thrived on its original principles of design, quality and service. Today we have an extremely high global reputation, exporting to more than 70 countries and it gives me great personal pleasure that we have worked with many of the world’s leading designers and specifiers for so many years and continue to do so. We will maintain our search for creativity in product design; our drive for ever higher levels of quality; our journey towards total sustainability and our passion for product that we love.”

    Chelsom is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Chelsom

    Nordelaia guestroom with four poster bed in shades of grey

    Nordelaia opens in Italy’s Piedmont wine region

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    Nordelaia opens in Italy’s Piedmont wine region

    Nordelaia, a brand-new independent boutique hotel, with interiors by These White Walls, is getting ready to throw open its doors onto the Piedmontese countryside, inviting guests to disconnect and re-connect with themselves, each other, and nature…

    Nordelaia guestroom with four poster bed in shades of grey

    Set within five hectares of agricultural land planted with vines that will produce the hotel’s own wines, Nordelaia is the culmination of a careful three-year restoration of the 800-year-old farmhouse steeped in a rich history. Working alongside local architects Tunesi Studio Genova, this historic building has been thoughtfully transformed by by British design studio These White Walls, with the guestrooms and spa sitting alongside a striking new three-tiered building within the grounds which is home to the dining and events space.

    “Our design for Nordelaia is centred around wellbeing and escapism,” said Rose Murray, Founder of These White Walls. “The aim being to create a holistic and nurturing environment in which guests can relax, switch off and connect not only with each other, but also with the stunning landscape that surrounds them. We define this design as ‘rustic-luxe’, where rest and reconnection with nature go hand-in-hand with cultivated indulgence.”

    swimming pool and restored farmhouse of boutique hotel Nordelaia in Italy

    Image credit: Nordelaia

    Each of the 12 individually designed guestrooms has a distinctive aesthetic that celebrates Italian heritage and local craftsmanship. Ground floor ‘Garden’ rooms have direct access to ornamental gardens and feature textured materials, including rustic woods, natural stone burnished metals and wrought iron. These sit in contrast to the ‘Legacy’ rooms on the second floor that have a more dramatic feel with luxurious materials such as velvet and brass. Tucked away at the top of the building are the cosy and wonderfully private Attico Suites. There are no televisions in guestrooms in an effort to encourage guests to enjoy a digital detox, and various rooms feature Devon & Devon freestanding bathtubs, fourposter beds, private terraces, or a ‘Yours & Mine’ layout, where each guest has their own wardrobe, desk and chair.

    Adjacent to the farmhouse are Nordelaia’s two restaurants – a ground floor Bistro for relaxed all-day dining with a focus on Piedmontese ingredients, and L’Orto fine dining restaurant on the second floor for an innovative culinary experience. The food concept by Michelin-starred Chef Andrea Ribaldone and resident Chef Charles Pearce, emphasises home-grown produce from local farmers that evolves with the seasons and is inspired by traditional dishes. L’Orto bar offers a tailored list of wines from the region as well as imaginative cocktails, again using the freshest seasonal ingredients.

    “The design for the restaurant is very much a reflection of the layers of the garden that surround it,” said Murray, discussing the design. “The ground floor palette is reminiscent of the rich soils, roots and earthy, deep shades of green, red and black found underfoot. The first floor, in contrast, references the budding and blooming flora of those gardens, with plaster pink walls and peachy gloss tiles and textiles.”

    restaurant at Nordelaia

    Image credit: Nordelaia

    Placing importance on a slower pace of life, the spa at Nordelaia is 450 square metres and set in the vaults of the building with views across the valleys of Montferrat, inviting in the healing powers of nature. The spa has partnered with Comfort Zone to offer relaxing rituals and rejuvenating treatments, and guests can make use of the Turkish hammam, banja, Kneipp pool and a herb room, as well as yoga and gym spaces.

    the spa at Nordelaia is set in the vaults of the building with views across the valley

    Image credit: Nordelaia

    Open year round and with a focus on natural relaxation, Nordelaia has plenty to inspire and explore. Easily accessible from Genoa, Milan and Turin, guests can enjoy countryside walks or cycles in the rolling hills, wine tastings and winery tours at local vineyards, truffle hunting, foraging and cooking classes using local ingredients and traditional techniques. Beyond the hotel, the destination offers ancient castles and picturesque villages, hot sulphur springs – as well as under-the-radar Genoa, with its art, historic centre, fabulous food and the transformed Renzo Piano port.

    Main image credit: Nordelaia

    LEDS C4 lighting display in Barcelona

    Resiliencia – an immersive light experience by LEDS C4

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    Resiliencia – an immersive light experience by LEDS C4

    LEDS C4 is once again joining the Grec Performing Arts Festival with a new interactive lighting installation. Titled ‘Resiliencia’, the light experience invites the public to reflect on current events in Europe…

    LEDS C4 lighting display in Barcelona

    Europe is the featured continent of this year’s edition of the Grec Festival, and LEDS C4 invites the public to step into its interactive installation, ‘Resiliencia’, in the gardens of the Teatre Grec in Montjuïc. This immersive lighting experience highlights the immense capacity of new generations to overcome the obstacles and traumatic circumstances that have been suffered recently – such as COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis.

    outdoor lilac lighting by LEDS C4 as part of the installation in Barcelona

    Image credit: LEDS C4

    Along the main axis of the garden you can find the ‘digitotems’ – lighting features which have been custom designed and produced by LEDS C4 for this installation. These elements have a two and a half metre high vertical body that blends in with the surroundings. Their function is to create an interactive space, with a feeling of calm with warm white, blue and lilac tones, while allowing the user to interact using a button that will trigger an environment of chaos – with red, black and white moving light – which will conjure up fleeting feelings of instability in the user before calm is restored. On the side paths the chosen colour for the lighting is lilac, representing reflection and the human being’s capacity for empathy. Warm white has been chosen for the restaurant and rest area, offering a sense of security and calmness to the user while creating a haven at the end of the walk through the installation.

    interactive button for visitors to activate the light installation by LEDS C4

    Image credit: LEDS C4

    “We live in the era of connectivity,” said Carlos Martínez, Head of LEDS C4 Control & Connectivity team. “What better way of representing it in Grec than connecting light with people in a spectacular way.”

    “Though our lighting software, in partnership with LEDS C4, we’ve managed to create light based on space and time to express the essence of the project,” said Sebastián Mealla, CEO of ProtoPixel.”The capacity of our software to integrate sensors and interfaces makes it possible for the visitor to interact with the installation in a natural and disruptive way. Light is more than just an element to help us see, it enables us to connect with the space, transmit emotions and improve our daily lives.”

    To bring the idea of ‘Resiliencia’ to life, LEDS C4 has worked in collaboration with the Catalan company ProtoPixel, which, through its lighting platform, has been able to deliver the vision and mission of light in this project by co-designing three main light expressions. These light contents have been programmed to be projected on the eighteen digital totems that are strategically distributed along the main walkway of the garden. When a visitor activates the button, the scene is interrupted and the pre-programmed sequence activated.

    This is the fourth consecutive edition of the Grec Festival where LEDS C4 has created a lighting installation. This interconnection between light and culture developed by the LEDS C4 lighting project team uses light itself as a tool, modulating it and applying a great deal of technical knowledge to create these ephemeral and interactive statements.

    LEDS C4 is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: LEDS C4

    Leaflike installation at the entrance to Andaz hotel

    Leaflike – supporting a circular economy

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    Leaflike – supporting a circular economy

    Determined to do more than provide pretty plants, Leaflike is committed to working towards a circular economy on every level – whether though promoting preserved florals, using recycled planters, or creating lifelike green walls, re-cycling and re-using remains a focal point…

    Leaflike installation at the entrance to Andaz hotel

    The idea behind a circular economy is about the end of life of a product. It is not a new concept as generations gone by have had to adapt to the resources they had available at the time, often through re-using and re-purposing. However it is something that has got lost in the pursuit of the quickest, cheapest and the easiest options, which ultimately may not be sustainable. The mantra ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ needs to inform all our design decisions.

    Leaflike are able to support a circular economy by bringing back products once they have finished their time on display. This applies to green walls as well as the more traditional floral arrangements and seasonal changeover maintenance contracts created for ongoing customers.
    Whether its preserved florals, recycled planters, lifelike green walls and even moss, the priority is always to reuse and recycle products where possible.

    “We work with the best suppliers in the industry to ensure we are aligned in the reduction of carbon emissions,” said Stephen Abernethie, Managing Director, Leaflike.”Using tools to measure fuel consumption, electricity consumption, energy consumed and fertilizer data, their research shows that preserved flowers and plants have less than a third carbon footprint than that of natural flowers, in a cultivated environment.”

    A circular economy works towards reduction in waste and pollution, and goes hand in hand with increasing biodiversity. It is about bringing prosperity to business and society in addition to the environment. Regenerative by design meaning natural resources do not become depleted and thus new industries can arise bringing economic growth. The new London Plan, which came into law in March 2021, insists a circular economy statement be submitted along with a whole life carbon assessment as part of the planning process. This aims to reduce waste and pollution and ultimately help achieve the net-zero carbon commitments. If we all embrace this much needed change, it is suggested that circular economy strategies could deliver emission reductions that could limit the expected temperature rise by half.

    Leaflike sees working towards a circular economy as being a fundamental part of the brand commitment and responsibility to provide the best advice and products for clients to achieve sustainable goals.

    Leaflike is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Leaflike

    designer Cristina Celestino discusses her collaboration with Kaldewei

    5 minutes with: interior designer Cristina Celestino

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    5 minutes with: interior designer Cristina Celestino

    Having recently made a bold collaborative statement with Kaldewei at Fuorisalone in Milan, we caught up with designer Cristina Celestino to ask her about the shift from wearable to washable design, bathroom trends, and that crucial debate of bath vs shower…

    designer Cristina Celestino discusses her collaboration with Kaldewei

    At this year’s Fuorisalone in Milan, Kaldewei celebrated the luxurious and intimate beauty of bathroom culture. The brand teamed up with Vogue Germany for the jointly presented ‘Bathscape’, an installation, designed by Milan designer Cristina Celestino, founder of Attico Design. A private spa, a glamorous relaxation room and an intimate retreat for very personal ‘me time’ moments –today’s bathroom has so many facets, and Celestino built on these concepts in her installation.

    For the Milanese designer, the project was a sculptural research into the multifaceted aspects of bathroom furnishings, from aesthetic questions about sensual perception and the luxury of relaxation to aspects of sustainability and resource conservation. ‘Bathscape’ explored how the choices we make in the bathroom can transform these spaces into a very personal home spa. What makes the modern bathroom an oasis where you can recharge your batteries and relax? And how important are ecological and social aspects? Against the backdrop of these complex questions, ‘Bathscape’ created the basis for a highly topical dialogue whilst presents exciting ways to approach contemporary, luxurious bathroom design.

    Hotel Designs: Historically you have worked with some of the great fashion houses such as Fendi and Sergio Rossi, so did it come as a surprise to be asked to work with Vogue Germany on a project that included sanitaryware?

    Cristina Celestino: I was pleasantly surprised when Vogue got in touch with us: I knew the products of Kaldewei for their intrinsic sustainable quality and aesthetic rigour and Vogue has always been an editorial reference for tips in the field of fashion, with a contemporary look. The three-way collaboration between Kaldewei/Vogue/Celestino has produced a cultured and innovative setting, mixing different skills and cultural aspects.

    HD: Kaldewei are one of the leading advocates for sustainability, all their products are 100 per cent recyclable, are you finding that many clients now prefer a sustainable option?

    CC: There is a growing awareness of people who choose to use materials, objects and furnishings while respecting ethical and sustainable codes. Having the ability to recycle objects is crucial. Kaldewei has been doing this for a long time and has proven itself as a world leader.

    HD: Colour is a key trend in bathrooms now, how do you feel about colour in the bathroom, is this something that you are happy to see extending into sanitaryware?

    CC: Colour is part of our interpretation of the world, so inextricably linked to it. We have long been accustomed to identifying sanitary ware with white colour, but this is for obvious reasons purely related to the history of hygiene. Today we can dare new associations, new approaches, under the banner of a contemporary vision of new habits and needs of man/woman.

    HD: Do you prefer white bathtubs, washbasins and shower trays or would you mix and match?

    I freely move between white and colour, with no specific preferences. The colour is chosen according to the project, the place and the customer and the result differs every time.

    HD: How will this ‘mega trend’ around wellness evolve in years to come, in your opinion?

    CC: The intimate space of the bathroom immediately connects us to a desire to return to ourselves, to time itself, to our well-being care. The bathroom, traditionally relegated to ‘lower function’ is acquiring more and more importance and value, just like other living areas. I imagine articulated spaces, such as the Milan exhibition, where objects assume an identity and a symbolic role, at the same time fluid and functional.

    HD: Final question. Are you a long soak in a bathtub person or do you prefer the speed and revitalising effect of a hot shower?

    CC: I get up very early in the morning and a vigorous and refreshing shower after the night is crucial to start the day off right!

    Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Kaldewei

    Festival of hospitality collage

    Festival of Hospitality announces 2022 headline theme

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Festival of Hospitality announces 2022 headline theme

    Togetherness, celebrating inclusivity and diversity for a positive future are the major themes that will run throughout this year’s Festival of Hospitality. Here’s what we know…

    Festival of hospitality collage

    The gamechanging thought leadership event that launched last year, The Festival of Hospitality, introduces ‘togetherness’ as the headline theme for 2022, in celebration of the individuals that represent the wide-ranging and diverse skills across the industry. Returning this October, the festival aims to help shape a better connected, positive future for hospitality with events that dare to be different from the norm and bridging the gap between a traditional design fair and investment conference.

    Event formats – anything but ordinary

    The line-up promises to be unconventional; taking place both on and offline, inviting all levels to participate with a focus on intimate events that encourage conversations.

    The festival offers exclusive access to some of London’s hottest new hotel openings with behind-the-scenes tours, fireside chats with panels of high-profile industry leaders, digital content focussing on current and future trends as well as providing skills-based workshops helping individuals develop their networking and communications skills; useful for the

    many fun social events taking place. In addition, a new series of conceptual events launches during the festival with engaging and creative content designed to be insightful, fun, and inspiring.

    Conceptual events include:

    • Devil’s Advocate: lively debates that challenge status quo and current thinking.
    • Under the Covers: real life case studies behind-the-scenes of hotels and their teams. Community Table – invitation-only round table discussion events hosted by guest chefs. MyStorySlam – industry professionals share their experiences and career journeys. Urban Safaris – a guide to the best places to visit in London for inspiration.

    “Our mission is to create a better-connected industry and to shake up old-fashioned ideas on how people should network. Just recently, we’ve seen how great it is when we all come together through the most challenging of times and now, we have the chance to recalibrate, address old ideals and make positive changes,” commented Karen Willey and Katie Tobin, Founders of Festival of Hospitality. “Throughout our events, we are hoping to inspire the next generation by sharing learnings from hospitality leaders demonstrating just how rich and varied a career it can offer, and we also want to give them a voice – by offering them a seat at the table to help shape their future.”

    Paying it forward

    The future-focussed festival provides the opportunity for participating partners and businesses to pay it forward. A percentage of all sponsorship contributions and ticket proceeds will contribute towards extra events that are aimed at those looking to break into the industry, additional proceeds will also fund two people on the annual membership programme, which provides mentorship and development.

    Steering group

    The festival’s steering group is made up of an impressive line-up of individuals representing a wide-range of industry professions, including: Eric Jafari, Creative Director, Edyn; Maurice Petignat, Vice President, Cedar Capital; Adam Mursal, Founding Director, Pillar; Phillipa Wagner, Founding Director, PW/c; Ella de Beer, Director, Electric Mayonnaise; Phoenix Chow, Associate Director, Hotel Capital Markets Savills; Marie Carcassonne, CEO, Dynamo and Dean Culpan, GM, Birch.

    “The Festival of Hospitality brings together some of the industry’s brightest and most creative minds to discuss some of the hot topics that are top of the agenda for investors, designers and operators during panel discussions and networking events. An event not to be missed!” added Maurice Petignat.

    Main image credit: Festival of Hospitality

    Tulum tap in black finish for Duravit by Philippe Starck

    Philippe Starck designs second edition of Tulum for Duravit

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    Philippe Starck designs second edition of Tulum for Duravit

    Tulum, designer Philippe Starck’s second tap series for Duravit, is an elegant and timeless design uniting iconic forms with patented innovation…

    Tulum tap in black finish for Duravit by Philippe Starck

    Following the successful introduction of  ‘White Tulip’, Tulum represents Philippe Starck’s second tap series for Duravit. The harmonious combination of round and angular forms brings timeless elegance to the collection. The taps are extremely adaptable, and slot perfectly into a variety of bathroom interiors, harmonizing with numerous ceramic series. Positioned in the mid-price range, the tap series is guaranteed by Duravit for five years.

    For Philippe Starck, timelessness means longevity of objects, and today this is one of the most important parameters when designing, not only on a material level but a cultural and emotional one to. He employs this concept within the design of Tulum via a successful symbiosis of minimalism and elegance. The slim, rectangular geometries of the spout and handle emerge from the conical body in an exact parallel. The combination of round and angular elements means that the taps can be matched with organically shaped or angular sanitary objects.

    Tulum tap in black finish for Duravit by Philippe Starck

    Image credit: Duravit

    The flat, exquisitely worked spout is the same width as the long, elegant, lever-style handle. It guarantees that water volume and temperature can be set easily and precisely. Available in two finishes – chrome and matt black – Tulum synchronises with the Starck T accessories series, also designed by Philippe Starck.

    From the compact washbasin taps for the small guest bathroom through to the extra-high models that can be combined with wash bowls, Tulum by Starck offers the perfect solution. The range can be installed in other areas of the bathroom – bidet, shower, and bathtub: from exposed to concealed installation through to the freestanding bathtub mixer. The showerhead portfolio includes matching hand showers and showerheads in a range of sizes and design variants, from round to rectangular or as a stick shower

    https://www.duravit.co.uk/products/washing/bathroom_faucets.com-en.html

    Image credit: Duravit

    Tulum makes a durable impression in both visual and tactile terms and holds its own in terms of quality with long-lasting ceramic cartridges and perfectly finished surfaces that are easy to clean. The harmoniously integrated aerator enriches the water jet with air and generates a gentle spray pattern. The washbasin mixers with the energy-saving FreshStart function are available in both small and medium. Initially, only cold-water flows in the central position, and the hot water is only added when the user deliberately moves the handle to the left. The Duravit BlueBox, a universal installation system for a range of tap designs (lever mixers or thermostats), is used for concealed installation, allowing the design decision to be taken even after the basic set has been installed.

    Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Duravit

    Hyperion Tiles natural flooring

    Hyperion Tiles introduces naturally inspired flooring

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    Hyperion Tiles introduces naturally inspired flooring

    Hyperion Tiles adds naturally inspired flooring, suitable for a variety of settings, to its comprehensive collections…

    Hyperion Tiles natural flooring

    Family-run, independent online tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles has expanded its comprehensive portfolio to feature Woodpecker engineered wood, bamboo and Stratex flooring. Working closely with designers, architects and specifiers, Hyperion Tiles is renowned for providing comprehensive collections of porcelain and ceramic tiles, with technical support, for commercial projects. 

    The new range arrives after the launch of the Onyx tile collection. Richard Skeoch, Director at Hyperion Tiles, explained: “Our new Woodpecker flooring offers you a wealth of opportunities in the field of creative floor design. We are now offering three Woodpecker ranges – engineered wood, bamboo and Stratex – which will enable you to benefit from three distinctive looks for a statement floor in a commercial hotel project.”

    Image caption: Featuring a real wood top layer, this bathroom flooring, our Woodpecker Lynton in Seagrass Oak from the Stratex collection, features a waterproof finish. | Image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    Image caption: Featuring a real wood top layer, this bathroom flooring, our Woodpecker Lynton in Seagrass Oak from the Stratex collection, features a waterproof finish. | Image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    Hyperion Tiles’ new engineered wood flooring collection allows you to create a luxurious finish with all the character and style you would expect from a solid timber floor. However, advanced technology has been used to minimise expansion, contraction and warping, making most of these designs suitable for underfloor heating. The entire range of engineered wood flooring is also FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified and sustainably sourced. 

    The brand is now offering a revolutionary new twist on luxury vinyl and laminate with Woodpecker’s unique Stratex collection. This combines the water-resistant and durable benefits of luxury vinyl with the style and stability of laminate. Incredibly strong and durable, you can choose embossed vinyl wood-effect or a real wood upper layer flooring and a water-resistant or waterproof finish, making the latter highly suitable for areas with high moisture and humidity, such as the bathroom. Choose from more than 26 colours and finishes in the collection and this flooring is also suitable for underfloor heating. 

    If designers are looking for a super-stylish floor, which is incredibly tough and features one of the most sustainable materials to man, the brand’s new Woodpecker bamboo flooring collection could be ideal. This rapidly regenerating grass grows to full maturity within five years and it’s the strongest growing plant on earth (each plank has a tensile strength equal to steel), making it the perfect choice for ultra-durable, sustainable flooring. 

    Hyperion Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    North Lodge at Coworth Park - Hotel Designs

    Checking in to North Lodge at Coworth Park

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Checking in to North Lodge at Coworth Park

    On the fringe of London, Coworth Park became Dorchester Collection’s youngest member of the hotel family when it opened in 2010. Editor Hamish Kilburn, along with a production crew from CUBE, arrived to explore the hotel’s design narrative, and were given access to the hotel’s latest premium suite, North Lodge (scroll down to watch the full video)…

    North Lodge at Coworth Park - Hotel Designs

    In recent months, much emphasis has been put on The Dorchester, as details emerge about its latest renovation that should be unveiled this September. However, without taking away the significance of that historical project, I headed outside of London for our latest hotel review in order to explore Coworth Park, which has for over a decade added a leafy layer of luxury hospitality to Dorchester Collection’s UK portfolio.

    Summertime at Coworth Park (high res)

    Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    The iconic hotel, designed originally by Martin Hulbert who at the time was working for Fox Linton Associates, sits in the quiet village of Ascot – just 45 minutes by road from Central London – and shelters 71 suites and rooms, as well as two signature suites.

    The luxury country house hotel and spa is set over 240 acres of picturesque Berkshire parkland. The estate includes polo fields, an equestrian centre, an award-winning luxury Spa with indoor pool and three restaurants including the Spatisserie, relaxed dining in The Barn and one Michelin starred dining at Restaurant Coworth Park, serving a modern British menu.

    Inside, the design and décor is an ode to Coworth’s origins and yet avoids the predictable country house clichés one might wrongly expect. Hulbert’s approach was one of seamless comfort and simple beauty. As a result, he created a relaxed and informal environment that encourages intimacy and privacy. Furnishings, furniture and art are mostly British-made, acknowledging a British tradition of craftsmanship. Throughout the hotel, the flooring is of English smoked oak adorned with beautiful bespoke rugs. Textiles include wool, cashmere, mohair and linen. Natural pigments and dusky colours predominate to instil a character to the hotel that is undeniably English – subtle, understated and elegant.

    Coworth Park bedroom with metal frame

    Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    As impressive as Coworth Park is, with its timeless elegance and awe-inspiring architecture, I arrived with the intention of exploring the hotel’s latest premium suite, North Lodge, which is housed in the estate’s gatehouse located on the outskirts of the estate. To my initial surprise, I was told that North Lodge, unlike the rest of the estate, was not created by an award-winning interior design studio. Instead, it was designed by the two people who arguably knew the hotel – and its regular guests – best; General Manager Zoe Jenkins and Director of Rooms, Rowan McFeat.

    Here’s the full hotel review:

    I have been fortunate enough to experience three properties that are under Dorchester Collection’s umbrella. What strikes me as significant is the fact that while the design of each hotel is a unique – unmatched like a fingerprint – each are connected in hospitality and in style. Coworth Park, for example, may be a junior in comparison to how many more decades its siblings have stood for, but it uses its assets, such as its captivating, manicured grounds, to its full advantage in order to offer something no other hotel could in, or outside, the collection. And that is testament to the hotel group, but more importantly, to the team who, day in and day out, effortlessly ensure that quality never goes out of fashion on the hospitality scene.

    Main image credit: Dorchester Collection

    guestroom with french doors onto terrace with seavies at Hilton Santorini

    Hilton makes a spectacular debut in Santorini

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    Hilton makes a spectacular debut in Santorini

    Hilton has opened the doors to its first hotel in Santorini, one of Greece’s most coveted island destinations. Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, inspired by the simplicity of white-washed Cycladic architecture is located on the island’s south coast…

    guestroom with french doors onto terrace with seavies at Hilton Santorini

    Sea Breeze Beach Resort is located in the heart of the bustling village of Exomitis, a typically Santorinian community that offers guests a true slice of island life. The Cape of Exomitis is set in a quiet and unspoilt area, where a long black sandy beach starts from below the village and the property and extends for over three kilometres. Situated on the southernmost point of Santorini, it is easy to feel like there is nothing beyond the expanse of turquoise waters below.

    “We are thrilled to expand Hilton’s presence in Greece with our second Curio Collection by Hilton hotel on the nation’s idyllic islands,” said David Kelly, Senior Vice President, Continental Europe, Hilton. “Marking Hilton’s debut in Santorini, this is one of a growing number of outstanding Hilton resort properties across Europe. We are thrilled to be welcoming guests to experience true Hilton hospitality in this fantastic one-of-a-kind hotel on the shores of Santorini.”

    guestroom with doors to private pool at Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton,

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton

    All rooms come complete with their own private pool or hot tub for that extra special touch – offering the perfect destination for guests who desire the facilities of a resort, but the privacy and seclusion of a rental villa. Rooms are domed and white-washed in keeping with the local Cycladic architectural style, making this the perfect place to escape and enjoy a break from the day-to-day.

    “We are thrilled to open Sea Breeze Beach Resort on Santorini’s south coast, a spectacular new property perfect for a romantic or family getaway,” said Alexandros Koutsodontis, General Manager, Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton. “Working with Hilton to introduce their first hotel on the island and opening in time for the summer, we know that guests will love the simplicity and elegance of our hotel. From thoughtfully designed gastronomy and highly sought-after direct beach access, to some of the finest guest rooms on the island, we anticipate Sea Breeze Beach Resort will be a hit with visitors to Santorini.”

    design inspired by traditional greek architecture and design at Hilton Santorini

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton

    When not enjoying the private pool directly outside their bedroom, guests will be able to cool off in one of the large infinity pools, or relax poolside gazing out at endless views of the Aegean Sea. With wellness on the Sea Breeze agenda, The Euphoria Spa, has an extensive menu that is guaranteed to deliver ultimate relaxation. From Cretan massages to detoxifying Ice Treatments, if guests were not already soothed by the sounds of the waves, a morning of pampering will ensure the chance to fully unwind.

    Serving the very best of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with a creative twist, Sea Breeze Beach Resort offers exquisite dining experiences at its two restaurants. In a relaxing setting with spectacular views of the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea, guests will be able to enjoy an appetising menu of dishes, while the restaurants’ handpicked selection of traditional Santorinian wines will delight oenophiles looking to sample local grapes.

    Main image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton

    Geberit Guest Report 2022

    Meet the contributors to the Hotel Experience Guest Report 2022

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    Meet the contributors to the Hotel Experience Guest Report 2022

    Having teamed up with some of the leading experts in the world of hospitality design, Gerberit explores the challenges being faced by the industry in its Hotel Guest Experience Report for 2022. With chapters from Sensory Designer Ari Peralta, Architects Balkaran Bassan and Cecilia Vodret, and Sound Architect Tom Middleton, here is a little more about the contributors and the content behind the report…

    Geberit Guest Report 2022

    Through the report, Geberit explores several themes within the broad parameters of hotel trends and design, from the use of technology and maximisation of space, through to concepts around wellbeing and the role of sound.

    With wellbeing and smart tech being one of the report’s main themes, Sensory Designer and Neuroscientist, Ari Peralta, kicks off the discussion and explores the importance of human wellness in hospitality design by looking at the role of smart technology in amplifying positive guest experiences in his chapter ‘Beyond Smart: Sustainability, Wellbeing & Experience’. Ari is joined by other experts, including architect Cecilia Vodret, Head of Interior for Speri design’s London office who examines how hotels can make the best possible use of every space available to boost both revenue and guest wellbeing. Balkaran Bassan, Senior Designer at Areen Design, predicts in the report that we will increasingly be combining the individual user experience with an emphasis on wellbeing. And finally, Sound Architect, Tom Middleton looks at the growing importance of the bathroom and why it can no longer remain just a transactional and transitory space for guests.

    Peralta takes the report into his world with a closer look at Smart Wellbeing. With smart devices becoming must haves for today’s connected consumer, and technology shaping the future of hospitality, smart tech enhances user experience even in the bathroom, with innovation like shower toilets incorporating features such as built-in orientation lighting with different atmospheric colours, or odour extraction and user recognition. The intuitive nature of smart products like this make the bathroom experience a relaxing one.

    “From new user interfaces to intuitive design, technology is rapidly evolving…subsequently transforming the built environment from the inside out,” said Peralta. “This shift from analogue to automated hotel operations represents a unique opportunity to bring wellbeing into the conversation and reimagine what a smart hotel can do.”

    “There are some smart devices that many designers and hoteliers may not think about immediately, including smart bathroom technology,” continued Peralta. “A smart bathroom connects with your smart home devices (including smartphones and voice control devices) to provide you with complete control and customisation of your bathroom experience. Smart bathroom gadgets can offer many benefits including convenience, reduced resources and improved health.”

    With space maximisation another of the report’s main themes, architect Cecilia Vodret, Head of Interior for Speri design’s London office examines how hotels can make the best possible use of every space available to boost both revenue and guest wellbeing in her chapter ‘The Importance of Space Maximisation in Hospitality Settings’.

    The importance of space and its impact on our wellbeing cannot be underestimated. After being confined to one place and restricted to our homes for much of the past couple of years, the need to break out and exist in a fresh and fulfilling space is instinctual, and this is what Vodret explores in her chapter of  the Hotel Guest Experience Report.

    Using space intelligently is essential to creating a sanctuary in the washroom as Vodret comments: “The washroom should be elevated to a sanctuary to provide a restful, serene retreat. To achieve this, it is key that the space is used efficiently; harmonic ratio in defining the room’s washroom area should be at the forefront of the design, ensuring that flow and guest experience are prioritised.”

    Balanced room proportions are key and harnessing cleverly designed small ceramics can achieve this. Geberit’s iCon and Selnova Compact ranges, for instance, incorporate a short projection design to efficiently maximise the space. Additionally, making the best use of innovations like wall-hung technology can expand a room. The Geberit Duofix frame can support wall hung WC, making a larger portion of the floor visible and so allowing the guest to perceive the area as more spacious. Combining space saving innovations that work together can not only enlarge the feeling of the room, but also creating a refreshing, relaxing aura in the space.

    “Proportions and ratio have been cleverly used throughout human history to enhance and maximise the space,” said Vordret. “As Vitruvius, Roman architect of the 1st century BC, once said, ‘beauty is produced by the pleasing appearance and good taste of the whole, and by the dimensions of all the parts being duly proportioned to each other’. Those are valuable lessons that are very much applicable today.”

    Moving onto user experience and wellbeing in the report, Balkaran Bassan, Senior Designer at Areen Design*, predicts that we will increasingly be combining the individual user experience with an emphasis on wellbeing. Bassan details how hotel guests will expect thoughtful experiences and solutions that allow them to detach from the stress of travel and find their home away from home in his chapter ‘The Case for Change’.

    Image caption: Editor Hamish Kilburn speaking to Balkaran Bassan (Areen Design), Tina Norden (Conran and Partners) and Vince Stroop (stroop design) about their WFHotel concepts | Image credit: HIX

    Image caption: Editor Hamish Kilburn speaking to Balkaran Bassan (Areen Design) and other designers about a WFHotel concept that was designed for HIX | Image credit: HIX

    He goes on to discuss how now, more than ever, the bathroom is more than a singular functional room but also a sacred space, where users can retreat from everyday life for some much-needed relaxation. The pandemic vastly affected people’s attitudes towards wellbeing and now, creating a comforting space is essential. And when it comes to creating this all-important haven for calm, hoteliers must take note of the gradual shift towards ‘lifestyle’ design and service.

    “Whilst there was a danger that such an approach could, like previous trends, stagnate, this concept could still align well with the personalisation and flexibility elements,” said Bassan. “It could also offer the potential for growth and longevity if the elements of wellbeing and ‘the bigger picture’ were also taken on.”

    The world is opening up once more giving hoteliers the opportunity to impress visitors, offering a meaningful experience to those who have been eagerly waiting and have high expectations for their stay. Bassan concluded, “As opportunities to travel are constantly in fluctuation – and significantly more difficult than they were before – hotel guests will expect thoughtful experiences and solutions that allow them to detach from the stress of travel and find their home away from home.”

    Finally, exploring the concept of sound in the report, Tom Middleton discusses how hoteliers now have a social responsibility to design a ‘temple of tranquillity’ with empathy and how the sector can support the real human challenges of our life navigating a new normal in his chapter ‘Your Temple of Tranquility’.

    Hamish Kilburn, Marie Soliman, Tom Middleton and Mark Bruce on stage at Independent Hotel Show

    Image caption: Tom Middleton joined a panel at the Independent Hotel Show on sensory design in hospitality. | Image credit: Independent Hotel Show

    The impact of sound on our wellbeing should not be underestimated. Our ears work even when we’re asleep, with the brain continuing to process the sounds it detects. Unwanted noise pollution – such as dripping taps, loud drains or a disruptive toilet flush – can cause hotel guests to wake up groggy, unrested and having never entered the crucial deep REM sleep our body and mind needs.

    In his chapter Middleton comments: “We rarely give ourselves a chance to truly switch off, disconnect and invest time in wellbeing practices to build greater resilience. Ask yourself one simple question: where do you really get time on your own to escape? To take a moment to breathe, clear your head, come up with ideas or solve problems. I think most would agree the bathroom is the place for all of these.”

    Managing the acoustics within a bathroom is key. Geberit’s Silent-db20 piping can reduce noise transfer from draining water from washbasins or showers. Wall-hung toilets with concealed cisterns and pre-wall frames such as Geberit Duofix can prevent noise from travelling down the wall and through the floor. Simple product innovations like this can vastly transform the guest experience into one that produces nothing but positive and peaceful emotions.

    “With a socially responsible person-first sensory design approach I believe we can optimise our bathrooms,” continued Middleton. “Hotel guest bathrooms in particular need to be a safe and peaceful haven of optimal wellness where we can escape the noisy, stressful world outside. If we assess the time spent in the bathroom each day, we can identify those micro-moment opportunities to build new healthy self-care habits, behaviours and rituals to support our wellbeing.”

    Harnessing the power of sound and smart technology, maximising space, while focussing on user experience and wellbeing to create an escape for guests away from the stresses of everyday life is sure to enhance the experience of the customer, help build stronger, more positive memories and keep them coming back. The hotel washroom may be at the heart of this.

    *Since publication of the report, Bassan has moved from Areen Design to Blacksheep as Senior Design Lead.

    Geberit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Geberit

    the Linda Collection by Ideal Standards

    Ideal Standard joins forces with Faucets

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    Ideal Standard joins forces with Faucets

    Following the success and rapid expansion of Ideal Standard’s retail network, Faucets has been appointed as a new retail distributor for both Ideal Standard’s Atelier and Bathroom Collections offerings…

    the Linda Collection by Ideal Standards

    Ideal Standard and Faucets have entered into a distribution and service agreement. The partnership sees Faucets become the first distributor of Ideal Standard’s premier Atelier Collections in Great Britain. First launched in 2021, the award-winning luxury collections were designed in combination with renowned Italian design company Palomba Serafini Associati. Faucets will also be a key distributor for Ideal Standard’s Bathroom Collections range.

    “Maintaining the strength of our relationship with retailers is vital to us at Ideal Standard,” said Adam Evans, Retail Channel Director at Ideal Standard UK. “Our partnership with Faucets supports our existing retail network, while providing an enhanced service and ensuring we can provide a wide range of stock, quickly.”

    “We’re delighted to announce this partnership, which helps further cement our position as a leading stockist and distributor of quality bathroom products,” added Darren Taylor, Managing Director, Faucets. “Working with Ideal Standard’s existing retail network helps bolster our offering and means we can provide an excellent service to all customers, every time.”

    Both Atelier and Bathroom Collections offer a comprehensive range of products, with innovative designs and high-performance technologies, providing retailers with the strongest possible portfolio. Importantly, the service agreement means retailers can take advantage of a large range of stocked products available on a next day basis for a faster, more consistent service

    Ideal Standard is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Ideal Standard

    pool terrace at Nordelaia overlooking the vineyards

    VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in July 2022

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    VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in July 2022

    The sunbeds have been rolled out and with summer in full swing north of the equator, the hotel openings continue at a pace taking us from island hopping in Greece to a luxury staycation in London, with an Italian vineyard visit in the middle for good measure…

    pool terrace at Nordelaia overlooking the vineyards

    Anyone else feeling like this year is rolling by relentlessly? No sooner is one event wrapped up than another is on the horizon, and the same can be said for hotel openings which show no sign of slowing down.  With projects and ambitious pipelines being announced constantly, new hotels are constantly changing the hospitality skyline  – some opening their designer doors quietly while others are making a bit of a noise – from rural retreats to city statements, here are a few that caught our attention this month.

    Nordelaia – Piedmont, Italy

    dramatic four poster bed in guestroom of Nordelaia in Piedmont Italy

    Image credit: Nordelaia

    Heading for the vineyards of Italy, this new rustic-luxe 12 guestroom hotel invites guests to disconnect and reconnect with nature. Nordelaia, slated to open mid July, has seen a careful three-year restoration of an 800 year old farmhouse steeped in a rich history by British design studio These White Walls. Working alongside local architects Tunesi Studio Genova, this historic building has been thoughtfully transformed into the guestrooms and spa, alongside a striking new three-tiered building within the grounds, which is home to the dining and events space.

    Nobu Santorini – Santorini, Greece

    Nobu hotel Santorini at sunset

    Image credit: Nobu Hospitality

    Situated on the island’s captivating northeast coast, the boutique hotel is a first in Greece for the brand, and will house a signature Nobu Restaurant, full-service spa, fitness facility, dual-level infinity pool, and five luxurious pool villas, and offers panoramic views of both the Caldera and Aegean Sea from its unique clifftop location in Imerovigli.

    One&Only Aesthesis – Athens, Greece

    One&Only resort Athens master bedroom with seaview

    Image credit: One&Only Aesthesis

    The expansion of the ultra-luxury brand One&Only in Europe, continues with the development of One&Only Aethesis on the Athenian seafront.

    In a 21-hectare seafront estate, within a six-hectare forest reserve, One&Only Aesthesis will be positioned a short distance from the capital and its most iconic sites, such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Syntagma Square and Cape Sounio. The resort, overlooking a 1,600-metre shoreline, will offer a statement beach club where guests and residents alike can gather and enjoy priceless views from sunrise to sunset.

    Cap Karoso – Sumba, Indonesia

    chair and plants on the terrace from guestroom at Cap Karoso

    Image credit: Cap Karoso

    Sitting on the shores of a coral reef and surrounded by turquoise lagoons and traditional villages, Cap Karoso is a luxe launchpad for exploring the Indonesian island of Sumba. The 47 guestroom, 20 villa resort brings a sophisticated and multi-dimensional approach to the island experience, focussing on mindful exploration, finding solitude in nature, while enjoying lifestyle experiences. With the organic farm at its heart, this hotel is about cultural immersion, adventure and artistic refelctions.

    Rosewood Vienna – Vienna, Austria

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    Making its mark in the heart of one of Europe’s most historic cities, Rosewood Vienna is set to provide visitors with an authentic, original, and personalized travel experience inspired by the destination’s local culture and international spirit. Situated in a historic 19th century building, Rosewood Vienna is a collaboration between A2K Architects, BEHF Architects and interior designer Alexander Waterworth. The end result is a hotel that marries historic charm and European Belle Époque architecture with modern interiors and timeless sophistication.

    Cosme Paros – Paros Greece

    circular garden and fountain in the grounds of Cosme, Paros

    Image credit: Marriott / Kanava Hotels & Resorts

    With a design to embrace the authentic Cycladic lifestyle and encouraging a carefree state of mind, Cosme has opened its doors and is able to make good on the promise by Konstantinidou to welcome global explorers an invigorating journey of experiences on the shores of the Aegean Sea, celebrating the joy of life in the charming town of Naoussa. Developed by Kanava Hotels & Resorts, Cosme embraces hoteliers Antonis Eliopoulos’ and Kalia Konstantinidou vision and ethos for understated luxury while elevating authentic, Greek hospitality.

    The Other House

    dark burgundy and blue in the club flat in The Other House

    Image credit: The Other House

    And finally, a small hotel making a grand entrance claiming to herald in a new era of hospitality! The Other House is an innovative concept that we first explored earlier this year. Combining concepts of hotel with private club, The Other House is as much an exciting, eclectic, boldly designed new destination for guests coming for just a few days, as it is a London bolt-hole for those who moved to the country during the pandemic or international visitors needing a place in London to call home. Offering ‘Club Flats’, a Private Club for residents and hotel services, it is the first of this type of accommodation that the UK has seen. Sheltered inside Harrington Hall, a heritage property, The Other House South Kensington will offer 200 Club Flats – all of which will feature signature, fully fitted and contemporary design – for leisure travellers and corporate visitors alike. 

    Main image credit: Nordelaia

    The Dorchester suite rendering Pierre-Yves Rochon

    First renders of The Dorchester’s renovation released

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    First renders of The Dorchester’s renovation released

    The Dorchester, which has remained opened throughout its extensive renovation – credit to the exceptional operations team – will reopen its famous revolving doors in September of this year. The renders of the project have been a tightly guarded secret. Until now. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…

    The Dorchester suite rendering Pierre-Yves Rochon

    London’s hotel design scene is enjoying somewhat of a moment in 2022. Following the opening of NoMad London, The Londoner and the soon-to-open Peninsula London, it can be easy to forget about the legendary hospitality establishments that have stood the test of time and are currently going through major renovations. One of the most complex and interesting among them is The Dorchester, which recently announced a full-scale renovation.

    > Since you’re here, why not watch our video that explores style over fashion inside The Dorchester?

    The hotel, which first opened in 1931, has engaged with the most renowned names in design and architecture to transform the hotel: Pierre-Yves Rochon is redesigning the hotel entrance, The Promenade, new Cake & Flowers boutique, and the guestrooms and suites; and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has been appointed to redesign the bar. And overseeing the entire operation is ReardonSmith Architects.

    The Dorchester rendering of The Promenade Pierre-Yves Rochon

    Image caption: Render of what we should expect the iconic Promenade to look like inside The Dorchester. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    With decades spent fine-tuning a tradition of placing guests at the centre of everything, The Dorchester has found a way to be true to its celebrated past whilst becoming fluent in what matters in an ever-changing world. By cultivating and encouraging sophistication without snobbery, style without excess, and curiosity without judgement, this remarkable hotel embraces its next chapter as the London home from home for those who make the world turn.

    Pierre-Yves Rochon’s vision presents light, fresh and thoughtfully composed rooms and suites designed in varying colourways inspired by an English garden, from pale leaf green and rose fog pink, to heather blue and lemon yellow. New signature and junior suites will be introduced, allowing for spacious and more residential style accommodation for guest comfort.

    Image caption: The new lobby, sheltered inside The Dorchester, has been designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    The Dorchester’s famous façade has been a prominent landmark of this dynamic international city for over nine decades. New lighting will rejuvenate the exterior, creating a welcoming glow across Park Lane. Guests will arrive onto an enhanced forecourt, featuring a beautiful green granite underfoot and a landscaped, verdant garden area located underneath the renowned plane tree.

    The arrival experience will extend into an open lobby, flooded with natural light and bookended by two imposing artworks. Both are truly distinctive, yet each work connects with the other through their celebration of The Dorchester’s prized position, anchored in the landscape since its original arrival.

    The Promenade will capture guests’ imagination as they move beyond the lobby into the heart of the hotel and the setting for vibrant dining experiences, including The Dorchester’s afternoon tea. A new destination will be unveiled towards the end of The Promenade, a glamorous and sparkling area for fun and frivolous evenings of Champagne, seafood and entertainment.

    Image caption: The Dorchester rendering of The Promenade bar Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    Image caption: The Dorchester rendering of The Promenade bar Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    An original collection of contemporary artworks by British artists will be revealed throughout The Promenade. The pieces, uniquely individual and crossing a range of diverse media and techniques, all offer a new take on nature and have been created to evoke the sensation of strolling through a perfectly curated and cultivated British landscape.

    Meanwhile, Martin Brudnizki is redesigning the hotel’s legendary cocktail institution. Here guests will encounter a bar with movie star looks and a supporting cast of talented bartenders ready to curate evenings of mature fun.

    The Dorchester main bar, designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    The Dorchester main bar, designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    The bar’s new interior is inspired by the spirit and elegance of the roaring thirties, a time when manners were still important and yet mayhem was celebrated. The new layout allows for a dedicated Park Lane entrance and an outside terrace with views towards Hyde Park. Ornate design runs throughout the bar, including a 1930s Palladium leaf ceiling creating a warm effect as Martini hour transitions into the evening. An upper area of the bar and cosy ‘snug’ provide more privacy without compromising on the atmosphere.

    A series of Cecil Beaton pieces will hang within the bar to honour a long-standing connection between the photographer and designer and the hotel, and to remind guests of this glamorous decade. Some of Beaton’s original drawings and celebrity photography will be brought together with work by contemporary artists, such as Rosie Emmerson, who were inspired by both Beaton and the energy of that time.

    With its own entrance on the Deanery Street corner of the hotel, Cake & Flowers, is an entirely new offering to entice the curious and sophisticated. Feature windows will come alive with captivating masterpieces that showcase the passion and mastery of in-house designer florist, Philip Hammond, and executive pastry chef, Michael Kwan. Within, shelves and cases will be filled with lively delights; signature pastries and cakes to take away, uniquely presented gift hampers, floral bouquets and a selection of Champagnes and artisan chocolates.

    In addition to renovating all public areas, the hotel will also unveil newly designed guestrooms and suites – here’s a teaser showcasing what to expect:

    Image caption: Rendering of a room inside The Dorchester, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    Image caption: Rendering of a room inside The Dorchester, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    The Dorchester will be ready to reveal its new interiors as of early September 2022 – hitting this ambitious turnaround, considering the latest constraints when it comes to sourcing materials, will be an extraordinary feat. Until then, the hotel remains open for guests throughout the renovation with its popular afternoon tea served in the beautiful Orchid Room and a Mediterranean concept at The Dorchester Rooftop throughout the summer. As The Grill, Alain Ducasse and China Tang completed refurbishments in recent years; they will continue to remain open as normal, as will The Dorchester Spa. The Ballroom, with its own entrance on Park Lane, the magically theatrical Penthouse & Pavilion, and the Chef’s Table continues to be available for corporate and social events.

    Stay tuned as Hotel Designs is committed to publishing all the latest news from The Dorchester during this renovation period.

    Main image credit: Dorchester Collection

    Queer Frontiers

    Artiq and Link open 2022 Queer Frontiers Pride exhibition in style

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    Artiq and Link open 2022 Queer Frontiers Pride exhibition in style

    Artiq, the international art agency, has opened the fourth annual charity art exhibition, Queer Frontiers, which takes place until July 10 as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Pride in London…

    Queer Frontiers

    Queer Frontiers was founded by Artiq in 2018 to champion LGBTQ+ creatives and allies and has raised more than £40,000 for LGBTQ+ and ally charitable causes. Queer Frontiers 2022 opened last week with the aim to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and creativity, as well as support the work of vital LGBTQ+ charities. All artworks displayed in the exhibition at 7-9 Walker’s Court in London’s Soho will be for sale, with at least half of the proceeds donated to the Albert Kennedy Trust and Outside In.

    Creating a more sustainable and inclusive arts economy is at the heart of Artiq’s ethos, and Queer Frontiers will feature a selection of emerging and established artists. The artists on display this year include Chris Hawkes, Emil Lomardo, Zeena Wright, Kevin Anaafi-Brown, Nan Carreira, Natalia Lewandowska, Trinity Tristan, Sebastian Sochan and Curtis Holder.

    This year’s exhibition sees Artiq partner for the first time with Link, along with Soho Estates and headline sponsor, specialist insurer and arts supporter, Hiscox. Several other leading industry firms are also supporting this year’s exhibition, including Talent Solutions Provider Sheffield Haworth, CFC Underwriting and Markel International. The space, 7 – 9 Walkers Court, hosted by Soho Estates, is located within Soho, the LGBTIQA+ centre of London. This partnership is a result of ARTIQ and Soho Estates working closely together over the years to provide inclusive spaces for creativity.

    “I founded Artiq with a mission to improve inclusivity and diversity within the art world, and the whole team are excited to make this year’s Queer Frontiers the biggest, best and most daring Pride exhibition we have ever delivered,” said Patrick McCrae, CEO of Artiq and founder of Queer Frontiers. “I also want to thank our principal partner, Link, and their supporters who have come on board for this year’s Queer Frontiers. Our ethos is to bridge the divide between the corporate and cultural words, and our partnership with Link perfectly encapsulates that.”

     

    Artist credit: Zeena Wright

    Maurice Rose, Co-Chair of Link, added: “This is a fantastic initiative to bring the insurance industry together, to do something creative and to celebrate a monumental milestone in LGBTQ+ history, with 2022 marking the 50th anniversary of Pride. The programme will support the insurance industry’s aspiration to innovate and whilst promoting the sectors support for diversity and inclusion. I’m incredibly proud to be supporting two great charities, the Albert Kennedy Trust and OutSide In, whose vital work is helping to shape a more inclusive society.”

    Since you’re here, why not listen to our podcast episode with Patrick McCrae? 

    Artiq is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image artist credits (from top left – right): Kevin Anafi-Brown; Chris Hawkes; Trinity Tristan; Natalia Lewandowska; Sebastian Sochan and Emil Lombardo.

     

    Image of luxury bathroom

    Exclusive report: designing conscious water-related luxury spaces

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    Exclusive report: designing conscious water-related luxury spaces

    Hotel Designs, in association AXOR and powered by Arigami, has published an 18-page report that explores conscious luxury through designing innovative water-related, luxury spaces. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores the main takeaways…

    Image of luxury bathroom

    The world as we know it is drastically changing, and thankfully so are we! As a society, we are experiencing a collective shift in our awareness and responsibility of our water consumption.

    This heightened sense of oneness and legacy continues to permeate into every market, including the luxury hotel sector. Over the past several decades, there has been an increasing awareness globally of the need to manage our water resources in ways that better conserve, reuse and protect our water supplies.

    The free-flowing topic has long been investigated and explored through the eyes of designers, architects and hoteliers. But rarely is conscious luxury put under the magnifying glass by scientists, until now.

    Image of conscious luxury report from AXOR

    Image credit: Arigami/Hotel Designs

    In an 18-page, science-driven report, Hotel Designs, Arigami, AXOR and whole host of contributors, have put into words water’s role in shaping a more sustainable hotel design and hospitality landscape. In the report, designers and scientists alike have investigated how the perception of luxury is shifting, while also identifying tech-savvy products that are vastly helping designers and hoteliers make more meaningful decisions when specifying products in bathrooms.

    Hansgrohe / AXOR is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: The Hansgrohe Group. AXOR conscious shower designed by Philippe Starck

    Collage of The Londoner and Yabu Pushelberg

    Checking in to The Londoner with Yabu Pushelberg

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    Checking in to The Londoner with Yabu Pushelberg

    The Londoner is “theatricality and intimacy on an extraordinary scale,” said Anna Lambert after she checked in for the night to explore the hotel everyone is talking about on London’s Leicester square. More than a review, Lambert sat down with the mastermind designers, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, Founders of Yabu Pushelberg, to understand the design DNA of the hotel – including the many challenges the team faced along the way…

    Collage of The Londoner and Yabu Pushelberg

    With  the UK premier of Top Gun Maverick taking place a mere 100 metres from its door that evening, arguably there cannot have been a more appropriate time at which to have checked in to the latest ground-breaking (in every sense of the phrase) offering from Edwardian Hotels London, The Londoner.

    The glamour and excitement outside on Leicester Square is entirely reflected in the space that greets the guest when they step through the hotel’s doors – something that was always the intention of its designers at Yabu Pushelberg, who describe project in its entirety as, “an ode to the art of performance”.

    This remarkable, first-of-its-kind super-boutique hotel – 16 storeys high (and deep) and with a staggering 350 rooms – manages to be both spectacular and cocooning at one and the same time, through thoughtful zoning, expertly curated art and a rich yet muted colour palette using – of course – the finest materials.  I caught up with the team at Yabu Pushelberg, as well as George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg themselves, to find out how they succeeded in creating individuality and intimacy, yet on such a jaw-dropping scale, in this unique project.

    Gold and dark green bar inside The Londoner

    Image credit: Henry Bourne images

    Anna Lambert: Tell me about the team involved in creating The Londoner’s design…

    Yabu Pushelberg: We are a highly collaborative practice, so although the main team was from our New York studio, the entire project team spanned both of our offices and drew upon the expertise of all of our specialty teams too: in lighting, styling, industrial design, textiles. The main interiors team is about 10-12 people, but when we consider all the other hands that touched the project, it’s a bigger number. For us, this way of working is really exciting and is at the core of our practice. All these varying perspectives and areas of expertise really come through in the finished design. It’s extremely textured and thoughtful. No detail was left untouched.

    “The financial risk of that endeavour alone really bound us all together.” – Yabu Pushelberg.

    An asian-inspired circular wall art in lounge

    Image credit: Henry Bourne images

    AL: Are you able to tell me about the budget, and any particular challenges in design terms that the site posed?

    YP: We can’t speak about budget for confidentiality reasons, of course, but a lot of factors create an exceptional project. Our client took a risk on this project, excavating many levels below ground – and in the heart of London! – in order to accommodate an expanded amenity offering [multiple restaurants and lounges, a rooftop bar and underground spa with swimming pool and a vast ballroom are just some of those amenities]. The financial risk of that endeavour alone really bound us all together. We were emboldened by their commitment. This is a new type of luxury hotel for London and also a legacy project for Edwardian London Hotels. The Client treated us as true partners in bringing this vision to life, so it was of the upmost importance that we delivered.

    AL How did you come up with the overall concept for the hotel?

    George Yabu: The hotel was designed to play into the roots of Leicester Square as London’s historic theatre district. We created layers of programming up into the sky and deep into the earth that emphasise this extraverted, alluring, playful voice.

    AL:  That sense of playfulness, theatricality and largesse comes across from the get-go: at check-in you’re greeted by the sight of Andrew Rae’s giant metallic moonhead, floating benevolently overhead, and I loved, too, how the lobby bar is like a stage in itself, with the guests as ‘living theatre’. From that lobby to the roof terrace bar 8 at the top of its building, with its extraordinary sculptural rope installation, there’s a tremendous energy to the place.

    The Lobby at The Londoner hotel

    Image credit: Andrew Beasley

    Glenn Pushelberg: The hotel is an homage to performance, with each public space imbued with the character of someone essential for bringing a production to life. For example, Whitcomb’s all day dining space is an ode to the screenwriter. Its poetically layered design gives the space character and a unique storyline, with specific decorative details, such as the abundant harvest table, introducing elements of whimsy and fantasy.

    AL: I appreciated the flexibility of Whitcomb’s as a space, too – it had a totally different vibe at breakfast, when those harvest tables you mention were laden buffet-style, to that in the evening when the tables were pared back and the portraits and sculptures (especially the wires faces visible on the ceiling) really came into their own. There’s so much, then, in terms of service and experience for a guest at The Londoner to enjoy, but what for YP is the most important aspect of this sort of project?

    Glenn Pushelberg: It was most important to create somewhere exuberant, a joyful expression of not only its location but also of its cultural context. The history of London theatre provides such rich material. We wanted to create an experience with substance that was thoughtful, transcending the moment through its design.

    An asian-inspired fire pit on rooftop of The Londoner

    Image credit: Henry Bourne images

    AL: And you’ve certainly achieved it. The Residence, for me, encapsulates that sense of thoughtful design. Yes, it’s an intimate, club-like space just for hotel guests – somewhere they can relax, socialise do business if they want to – but then, as part of it, you’ve got the Y Bar, which is neutral by day, but with those amazing symbols and characters on the walls, it really becomes visible at night. It’s all stimulating without being too much. Even in the larger public spaces, that sense of intimacy and ‘one-off’-ness is always there. What techniques did you utilise to ensure that, despite its scale, The Londoner still has that enveloping, intimate feel?

    George Yabu: We broke the public spaces into multiple, smaller interconnected spaces, giving each area individual personalities while creating connectivity through one overall design narrative. We leaned on seduction as a device to draw visitors through the giant hotel. Through carefully curated view corridors, for example, there is a sense of veiling and unveiling, so that one can take in and absorb all the details. There is a real feeling of discovery as you wander through all the chambers – like leisurely book chapters instead of a quick synopsis of the overall hotel narrative.

    The Londoner, The Residence, Evening_Credit Andrew Beasley

    Image credit: Andrew Beasley

    AL: Yes, and it’s the painstaking attention to detail that’s especially impressive and keeps guests guessing as to what they’ll discover next…

    Glenn Pushelberg: One of the things we cherish most about the Londoner is the incredible layer of styling we were able to apply to each and every space. Our decorative arts team touches on each of our projects, however the Londoner served as a one-of-a-kind canvas to fully explore our stylistic creativity. From custom gramophones in the club to playful oversized slices of fruit carved from colourful stone in the spa, this final styling layer is what really brings each space to life with an exceptionally unique personality and subsequently [for the guest] a unique experience.

    Decorative art inside The Londoner

    Image credit: Henry Bourne images

    AL: And of course as well as styling, so much of the ambience is achieved via your choice of colour palette and materials – what was your primary aim in selecting them?

    George Yabu: Materiality was essential to give each space a distinctive energy. The club features vivacious yellows while the whiskey bar is wrapped entirely in mirror, creating an intimate jewel box of boozy treasures. The guestrooms take on a neutral palette to invite rest and relaxation. They feature bespoke works of art that serve as headboards and depict scenes from nature to enhance comfort and introduce a more personal feel to each private space.

    AL: Yes, certainly the look and feel of the guestroom I stayed in couldn’t have been more conducive to relaxation – understated opulence meets supreme comfort would be how I’d describe it. I appreciated the attention to detail – that handles on the wardrobes that gave out a pleasing ‘ting’ when you touched them; the sense that everything was beautifully finished. As a guest, the room was my space and mine alone, and as such it was special to me. You’ve got a lot of space to choose from, I know, but which areas of The Londoner give you special satisfaction and why?

    George Yabu: The pool level is spectacular. It’s in one of the basement levels, but it feels like its above ground – magical! The Presidential Suite is one of the quirkiest spaces in the hotel. It’s playful but still elegant and refined. You can really feel the theatricality of The Londoner here.

    Contemporary calm space inside The Londoner

    Image credit: Henry Bourne images

    Glenn Pushelberg: I love the cocktail bar. The space is very small and intimate, completely covered in wood panel. Hidden within the panels is a lighting effect that looks like graffiti. It’s crazy artistic.. it doesn’t ‘fit the mould’ and completely transforms from day to night. In my opinion it’s the best room in the hotel. Generally, all the food + beverage spaces within The Londoner are quite special. There the hidden whiskey room that George mentioned – I won’t tell you where it is – that is worth seeking out. It has mirrored walls and sumptuous green velvet. Really fun and unexpected.

    The spa inside The Londoner

    Image credit: Henry Bourne images

    AL: Yes! I found it: a discreet door that led to a glamorous, theatrical, unexpected sanctuary. And I guess that’s  a phrase that could be used to define The Londoner as a whole.

    The Londoner’s arrival is more than just another luxury hotel in the capital. It’s meaningful design and effortless style has the power to shake up – even transform – the local neighbourhood that has for years been considered a tourist trap.

    > Since you’re here, why not read more about how The Londoner created a new dialogue between design & wellness, or a case study on how the bathrooms were designed? 

    Main image credit: Yabu Pushelberg/Henry Bourne images

    Kaldewei teamed up with Vogue for Milan installation

    Kaldewei – making waves at Milan’s Fuorisalone

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    Kaldewei – making waves at Milan’s Fuorisalone

    Kaldewei presented a whole quartet of productions at this year’s Fuorisalone in Milan. From the Bathscape installation by Cristina Celestino in the vibrant Brera district, to the Design Forever exhibition in the Palazzo Bovara – we take a closer look at the installations and designs that stood out from the crowds…

    Kaldewei teamed up with Vogue for Milan installation

    Kaldewei describes its global strategic orientation with the term ‘luxstainability’, and it is this concept, focussing on both design and durability that, along with the installations and curated collaborations, made the brand presence felt across Milan this year. The collaboration between Cristina Celestino and Kaldewei was possibly one of the highlights of this year’s special edition of the furniture fair, with the title ‘Bathscape’ playing on and referencing the verb ‘escape’. Cristina Celestino’s work became a kind of aesthetic escape, transporting the viewer into the splendour of modern bathroom culture.

    Kaldewei Bathscape installation at Fuorisalone

    Image credit: Kaldewei

    Further on, in the Palazzo Bovara, Kaldewei continued its design collaborations – this time with ELLE Decor Italia and designer Stefan Diez, where the free-standing Oyo Duo bathtub, designed by Diez was in the spotlight at the ‘Design Forever’ exhibition. Oyo Duo is the new key piece from Kaldewei’s Luxstainability world. The concept combines structure and design with sustainability and conservation. Focusing on these elements, Stefan Diez created the bath as a design sculpture created from recyclable steel enamel, which integrates harmoniously into the bathroom and seems to almost float. Diez was inspired by Japanese porcelain art for the design.

    As their fourth installation, the bathroom brand worked together with the furniture brand Paola Zani on the Alcova platform. Determined to keep the design conversation flowing, Kaldewei was a key player in the special installation Camera Di Fatto by Maddalena Casadei, designed for the Italian furniture brand Paola Zani. This was part of the Alcova 2022 exhibition. The installation reflected the hotel room and its history and represented an attempt to make this space freer and more fluid. In this conceptual space, Kaldewei featured one of its most iconic designs, the Classic Duo Oval free-standing bath. The ALCOVA exhibition once again focused on the future of living and design.

    Finally, Kaldewei appeared at this year’s Milan furniture fair for the first time as an official partner of the H2Otto showroom. The space was open to trade visitors as well as end consumers and invited guests to participate in a tactile experience. In the showroom Kaldewei presented an exclusive selection of shower surfaces, bathtubs and washbasins made from recyclable steel enamel. One area was completely dedicated to Kaldewei’s latest product developments made from CO2-reduced Bluemint Steel.

    Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Kaldewei

    portrait of design partners at Chapi Chapo Design

    In conversation with: the masterminds at Chapi Chapo Design

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    In conversation with: the masterminds at Chapi Chapo Design

    With The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City having recently opened its doors, the design team at Chapi Chapo Design created a bold interior design statement for the brands city debut. We caught up with partners Tatiana Sheveleva, Boris Mathias and Loris Ognibene and dug a little deeper into the hotel concept…

    portrait of design partners at Chapi Chapo Design

    Soaring into the Mexico city skyline, the newly opened Ritz-Carlton is situated in a stunning building, concepted by Taller G, features 153 guestrooms and suites. Transforming the cityscape and sitting amongst the country’s tallest buildings, the Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City is centrally located along the iconic Paseo de Reforma and showcases uninterrupted views of the famed Chapultepec Park. Capitalising on its enviable location and views, a double glass façade provides unique open-air terraces, inviting guests to discover a new perspective on the city at every turn, while each detail has been thoughtfully designed and curated by the design team at Chapi Chapo Design to immerse guests in the city’s rich culture.

    So, to really understand the fabrics of the hotel, we thought we would catch up with the design experts.

    Hotel Designs: You mention the design being about ‘breaking away from colonial influences’ and celebrating ‘indigenous roots’ – can you explain a little more about this? Were there any specific points of inspiration referenced throughout the design?

    Boris Mathias: From the beginning, we wanted the hotel to represent a looking glass into Mexico City’s dynamic past, present and future. Rising 58 storeys above the city’s glittering skyline, the modern glass skyscraper’s extraordinary floor-to-ceiling windows inspired the hotel’s interior design journey. The hotel’s breathtaking panoramic views, from floors 37 to 47, invite guests to uncover Mexico City’s rich history, sparking curiosity and a desire to explore this city’s magical culture and to meet the people who call it home.

    To bring this to life, we explored unconventional and surreal ways for the guests to gain a new perspective into this ever-evolving city like never before through storytelling. The hotel’s contemporary interior design draws inspiration from Mexico City’s profound influence on Surrealism by famed Mexican artists like Frida Kahlo, Gunther Gerzso and Leonora Carrington. It was in Mexico, in the 1930s and ’40s, that Surrealism’s scope expanded and diversified. Inspired by the Mexicanidad movement, which saw Mexican artists celebrating their indigenous roots in a rejection of colonial influence, its artists made some of their most mind-bending, visionary work. Like many of these artists who drew from sources that unlocked buried instincts and emotions, our modern interior design moves away from colonial influence and stereotypical forms of Mexican art and design by bringing ancient folklore and authentic indigenous storytelling moments to life.

    Our design draws inspiration from surrealism and Mexico City’s history of juxtaposing a traditional culture with a modern world. It is not forgetting the past, but rather celebrating it in a modern world. For us, we didn’t want to try to create something traditional in a very modern building. The tradition and the history of the city envelopes you through the hotel’s remarkable floor-to-ceiling views, and that is what we wanted to compliment. In our design, we take advantage of that by directing the guests view to the exterior as it transports you through time. By using reflective materials, we reflect the exterior to the interior, playing with the guests’ perspective, thus creating a surrealistic experience.

    To create a sense of calm, we used natural colours. Keeping materials true to their essence and not altering them is important in all luxury projects. Keeping with the inspiration of surrealism, we used reflective materials in certain areas to reflect the exterior and adjacent materials, to create a play of light and trompe l’oeil. Surrealism can be found in each of the guestrooms with the wall art’s 3-dimensional reinterpretation of the city scape outside and carpet patterns showcasing the layered topography of Mexico City’s actual landscape. Shades of smokey ash and deep blues are woven throughout the hotel while metallic fibres journey between the carpet of each hallway and corridor allowing the spirits to pass through and greet each guest. This concept offers respect to Tezcatlipoca (Aztec God of Night and Smoking Mirrors) and Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which celebrates and welcomes back the spirits of loved ones who have passed.

    interwoven metal strips create a surreal and symbolic installations are part of the design narrative in The Ritz Carlton Mexico city

    Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton

    HD: What made this project different from others you have worked on?

    Tatiana Sheveleva: At Chapi Chapo Design, we view each project as a custom design. It is very important to us that our clients are given a bespoke design, unique to their hotel but also as a one-of-a-kind contribution to the community, city and country that they can be proud of and that honours and respects their heritage. We do so by researching everything from the country, city and neighbourhood that the hotel will be built in, to their history, culture and traditions.

    The Ritz-Carlton brand and Mexico City are similar in some respects. Both are established and immersed in tradition; neither forgets about their history, and they both look towards the future. We too looked to the past to inform us of what the future could be, which is why we were so inspired by Mexico City’s profound influence on Surrealism. One factor that makes Mexico surreal is not only its diverse landscapes but also its mythical storytelling. “Mexico still lives in this magical atmosphere that is meant to clash with the modern ideologies but instead they seem to co-exist in perfect harmony, resulting in a surrealist experience” wrote Karina Alanis, author of the book Surreal Interpretation of Mexico.

    As designers, we believe detail is the baseline of quality and when you pay attention to detail, the big picture will take care of itself. At The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City, details like reflective metals, mirrors and glass act as the juxtaposition of distant realities to activate the unconscious mind in the hotel’s public areas, spa and guest rooms. These reflective elements distort the surrounding traditional Colonial architecture while inviting them in for the guest to metaphysically experience Mexico City’s past, present and future.

    design details in the finishes and furniture by the Chapi Chapo design team for the Ritz Carlton Mexico city

    Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton

    HD: Where there any project specific design challenges during the course of the project?

    Loris Ognibene: The idea behind the tall and twist architecture is to have an extraordinary view from each window to the city and Chapultepec Park. It is a truly magnificent panoramic view from each of the hotel spaces and from each guest room and suite. Rising 58 storeys in the heart of the city, the home of The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City adds a striking structure to the city’s skyline. These architectural characteristics challenged our team in many ways during the design process. Unlike most hotels that have identical floor plans for each room category, The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City does not – which is what makes the hotel so unique. Almost every single room and suite layout was unique and therefore each design and install had to be custom-made to fit the layout of each of the hotel’s guestrooms.

    views over Mexico City from the guestrooms of The Ritz Carlton with Chapi Chapo Designs

    Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton

    HD: Lighting features strongly throughout the design – can you tell us a bit more about the role of lighting in your design.

    BM: Lighting is very important for the design of any project. Proper light can highlight the features of the space and can make them even more special. Soft light has the ability to create a warmer and more comforting atmosphere which is essential in a hotel’s design. As hotel interior designers, we always want to create spaces that allow the guest to relax and unwind from their busy lives and this is most important in luxury city properties where guests are looking for an escape. Lighting was important for The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City as the floor-to-ceiling windows allow an incredible amount of natural light in, therefore we wanted the evening time to be a soothing respite to enjoy the city views at night. We love that we can manipulate light to create a calm and soothing oasis within a busy metropolis like Mexico City. The Spa is a wonderful example of this because it is one of the only areas within the hotel that is hidden from all the natural light that shines inside the building.

    bespoke lighting by Chapi Chapo designs in the Ritz Carlton Mexico City

    Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton

    HD: Personal favourite design detail in the project?

    TS: There are so many different aspects and nuances to a hotel’s design but as designers we believe the most important detail is not something you will see with your eyes, but that you will feel with your heart. Our goal is to create spaces that allow for the guest to create memories because that is what they remember most about their travels. We hope the endless warmth, comfort, peacefulness and elegance of the hotel’s design will be the unforgettable details that will remind guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City. A well-designed space is always the result of significant effort, time, and the brainstorming of multiple creative minds but it does not come to life without the hotel staff. One thing that makes this hotel so unique is that each guest room and suite has a different layout and view of the city and so every time you stay, you experience something new.

    grey and blue interiors in the guestrooms at the Ritz Carlton Mexico City

    Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton

    HD: Finally, with issues of the environment and sustainability on everyone’s agenda – was this a consideration in any of the design elements on this project?

    LO: It was very important for us, and our client, to use locally sourced and fabricated design elements such as millwork and furniture. As Covid-19 began to impact the world, this became even more significant as the borders started to close. This of course helped in reducing transportation costs and ultimately greenhouse gas emissions. At Chapi Chapo Design, we always look at recycled materials such as furniture fabrics and wall coverings to be used in our projects. We look to use real materials that have a longer life span and that can be recycled in the future as well as specify low voltage, long lasting LED light fixtures. At Chapi Chapo Design, we believe it is important to do our part to help make a difference in any way possible.

    Main image credit: Chapi Chapo Design

    Round Table event at Vaughan

    Live roundtable: decorative lighting solutions & schemes

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Live roundtable: decorative lighting solutions & schemes

    With the aim to put decorative lighting under the spotlight, Editor Hamish Kilburn, in association with Vaughan, invited a handful of interior designers to understand trends, materials and more…

    Round Table event at Vaughan

    Lighting has long been considered one of the most integral elements in hotel design. In today’s arena, designers have noticed a shift as design sectors – such as hotels, residential and office design – have collided. The rule book as to how to light a space has been almost erased and, in its place, enters new, innovative schemes that are simply changing the way spaces look and feel, and even going as far to helping brands establish their identity.

    With the possibilities almost endless, Hotel Designs in association with Vaughan, wanted to hear from designers who are themselves using lighting in clever ways to transform buildings.

    On the panel:

    • Shane Brady, Co-Founder, Brady Williams
    • Dale Atkinson, Founder, Rosendale Design
    • Amal Yusuf, Design Manager, David Collins Studio
    • Gemma McCloskey, Founder and Creative Director, Cúpla
    • Hayley Roy, Founder, Harp Design
    • Lucy Vaughan, Co-Founder, Vaughan
    Round Table at Vaughan

    Image caption: The Vaughan showroom at DCCH was the perfect venue to shelter the conversation about decorative lighting. | Image credit: Vaughan

    Hamish Kilburn: How has the demand for hotels to feel more residential inspired a change in demand for decorative lighting?

    Shayne Brady: When I started as a junior, hotels were littered with ceiling spotlights – we affectionately called it ‘a case of ceiling acne’. Over the past 10 years, I would say, clever brands have transformed lighting and paired it back. And that, to me, is the residential feeling. I don’t think hotel rooms need complicated control panels. Without all that unnecessary distraction, I think lighting then becomes much more flattering.

    Image caption: Bob Citi Citi diner, designed by Brady Williams Studio, which includes bespoke lighting from Dernier & Hamlyn | Image credit: Bob Citi Citi

    Image caption: Bob Citi Citi diner, designed by Brady Williams Studio, which includes bespoke lighting from Dernier & Hamlyn | Image credit: Bob Citi Citi

    Dale Atkinson: In terms of how hotels are run, they more likely than not will be designed to be a home-away-from-home. Usually, guests are checking in to an aspirational feeling, almost wishing their house replicated the same style and feeling. A ceiling littered with spots, therefore, is not appealing and it’s not what people are used to in their own home anyway! Decorative lighting – I’m talking about beautiful chandeliers and pendants – is much more welcoming.

    A render of a luxury living room and kitchen

    Image caption: In 2014, Dale Atkinson founded Rosendale Design. Since then, the interior designer has worked on many hospitality and residential projects that eloquently and meaningfully challenge conventional approaches to design. | Image credit: Rosendale Design

    Amal Yusuf: I really saw this change when Airbnb entered the market. In the early days, that brand was designed to offer a cheaper place to stay. But then people started to take photographs of their digs, on the balcony or of the lighting. And it looked much better than being top-lit. That’s when hoteliers started to take notice and brand guidelines started to change. The focus shifted. A lot of that was to do with how the guest felt in the space.

    Image caption: The American Bar inside Gleneagles, designed by David Collins Studio. | Image credit: Ennismore

    Image caption: The American Bar inside Gleneagles, designed by David Collins Studio. | Image credit: Ennismore

    Gemma McCloskey: These days, the light is in fact a piece of art! For me, to be honest, the structure of the lighting often informs other elements, such as furniture.

    HK: Recently at Hotel Designs, we have been working with scientists to understand the benefits of circadian lighting design. In my research, it has been refreshing to see technology, science and design working together. But what you are saying is that the demand for hotel lighting, right now, is for controls to be simple…

    DA: Public areas within hotels have to constantly evolve throughout the day. Lighting, and lights that dim, plays an extensive role when creating that ever-changing atmosphere. You have to also consider what surfaces you are lighting as well, because you could be transforming the space, through lighting, not necessarily how you intended to light the product.

    Image caption: Langham Palm Court, featuring lighting supplied by Vaughan | Image credit: Langham Hotels

    Image caption: Langham Palm Court, featuring lighting supplied by Vaughan | Image credit: Langham Hotels

    Hayley Roy: We have a lot of F&B projects, and in the public areas it is vital to have lots of different settings – and to have them pre-set so that it’s easy for the staff to operate. In addition to mood lighting, you also need to think practically as well. So, it’s important to have settings for cleaning and versatile lighting settings for all kinds of events. In public spaces, I can really see the value in circadian lighting.

    HK: Is it harder to light hotels in colder climates? 

    DA: Design certainly has to be harmonious with everything and everyone else in the room. When I am designing in the UK, I do try to create more warmth in the lighting. However, I would say that brands are designing hotels around the world that have the same design DNA – especially private members’ clubs, where guests will recognise the feeling of the brand wherever they are. I think things have developed so much now that lighting can also reflect the brand itself, which is kind of wonderful.

    SB: We start all of our projects with the words around how we want the space to feel. We start with, say, 10 words that we leave on the table.

    We just finished a Mandarin Oriental project, for example. The word we wanted people to feel as they walked into the public areas was ‘titillated’ and ‘excited for what could happen’. Once you establish the emotion, you then move on to the practical aspect as to how we make that feeling come to life through design. You can’t forget that people have an emotional relationship to these spaces. Life happens in hotels!

    HK: That leads me nicely on to talk about zoning. These days, hotels shelter many ‘feelings’, as we have just established, some of which contrast others. How can we achieve this through lighting?

    Simon Hamilton: It’s so important to use lighting as a tool to create contrasting spaces, as it’s subtle and non-obtrusive.

    I designed a hotel in Venice where we really focused on the emotion. Venice is a beautiful and romantic destination, and the hotel had to emphasise with the drama of the city. We put together a mixture of lighting, and included dimming lights in the public areas, which is a really effective way to change the energy of a space. I would go as far to say that lighting can manipulate guests. It’s very subtle, but brands  use it as a tool to change your mindset. Clever lighting makes you feel like you belong in that space.

    HR: The work-from-home culture has really given birth to the ‘work from hotel’ movement. I have been speaking with clients about even designing ‘Zoom rooms’ where clients can make business calls from. This is where lighting and its positive wellbeing qualities comes into play.

    Lucy Vaughan: I think lighting and wellbeing has always gone hand-in-hand. I was speaking to someone recently who told me that pink has been an incredibly popular colour in their product, and I am guessing it’s because of the feel-good factor that pink radiates. Since hearing that, I have been researching more to explore that hue.

    AY: I’m not surprised because it is the most used Instagram filter!

    HK: Many of these decorative lighting products come from such a personal place, and yet they are so accessible to a commercial audience. How do you balance that?  

    DA: I see people like Lucy Vaughan as a contemporary artists, in a way. When you hear about the design narratives behind these design processes, you then discover a story or a memory that has been replicated and transformed into a product.

    Image caption: The roundtable, sheltered in the Vaughan showroom, captured interesting ideas from a range of interior designers. | Image credit: Vaughan

    Image caption: The roundtable, sheltered in the Vaughan showroom, captured interesting ideas from a range of interior designers. | Image credit: Vaughan

    Lucy, where does your inspiration come from when you design new collections?

    LV: I don’t know, it can literally come from anywhere. Here’s a great example. So, your readers can’t see but we have biscuits on the table, and I am really loving the shape of them – they are almost like flowers. If we blew it up it would make a really nice backlit to a bathroom wall light, which I would then make in an antique brass finish or nickel. Seriously, I am just visual and inspiration comes from literally everywhere. I also love making with nature, which grounds me.

    HK: With everything we are seeing around us today, Lucy, would you say that lighting is being considered as art? 

    LV: From my perspective, I am an artist – and that for me has always been a large part of the project. In my world, designing lighting, it’s all about layering, which is the same for any artist. I love making products that look good at every age. And it is true what they say: creative people are terrible at admin!

    HK: Is lighting always the starting block when working on any luxury interior design project?

    SB: A lot of our spaces have to work and evolve from breakfast right through to the end of the day, so lighting therefore informs other aspects of the design. We generally start with great lighting.

    We just finished The Maine in Hanover Square. We decided that the lower floor would feature the biggest chandelier that we could possibly make – a 3.5 metre crystal chandelier – and then the room started from there, because we wanted so desperately to capture that moment of old-world glamour of when theatre met cabaret.

    GM: I have just finished a design project that had to completely transform day to night from an art gallery to a dining room. We decided to do this by designing a 10-metre bronze beam that featured lights within it that drops down when the room transforms.

    HK: What are the major pitfalls to avoid when specifying lamps and freestanding lights? 

    GM: I think it’s a shame when you have a beautiful product but the manufacturers has not done anything to hide wires.

    DA: This isn’t a pitfall, but I would like to see more ‘collections’. As much as we love discussing and working with bespoke ideas, I think it’s nice also to browse through a collection.

    HK: In the latest collection, Lucy, there’s an emphasis on brushed brass. What makes this material so special?

    LV: It’s just such a lovely finish. It feels real and it is always changing – it’s designed to last!

    Vaughan is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Vaughan

    bathroom design in bright primary colours at East Quay pods

    Case study: thinking outside the pod with Schlüter Systems

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    Case study: thinking outside the pod with Schlüter Systems

    Set over multiple levels and containing five accommodation pods built amongst plenty of creative spaces, East Quay is a stunning building situated in Watchet, Somerset. The design concept pulled together some unique and thought-provoking design elements, a process assisted by the technical knowledge and product expertise of Schlüter Systems…

    bathroom design in bright primary colours at East Quay pods

    The East Quay project was commissioned by Somerset-based social enterprise Onion Collective and led by architects George Williams and Owen Hughes Pearce of PEARCE+Fægen. The duo designed the pod interiors, whilst Invisible Studio were the concept architects for the building and Mark Anstey of Ellis Williams Architects was the project architect. The initial idea put forward was one of collaboration, with George and Owen choosing to pick up sticks and move to Watchet, immersing themselves fully within the community. To assist with this unique approach, tile and stone protection experts Schlüter-Systems were readily available to offer their expertise and technical knowledge to help with the installation of some of their flagship products.

    East Quay Pod design seen from the outside

    Image credit: Schlüter Systems

    Due to the priceless artwork displayed on rotation within the creative spaces above and below the accommodation pods, a fully tanked waterproofing solution was high on the list of priorities. Pairing this with the innovative design elements required for each individual pod meant that floor build up also needed to be taken into consideration. This is where Schlüter stepped in to put together a specification for three of the pods, with East Midlands Ceramics Ltd supplying the Schlüter materials used.

    “A hugely beneficial part of the process was being able to discuss the specification with the Schlüter team, particularly during early design stages,” said Williams. “Not only did they provide invaluable support regarding best practice, but they also put us in touch with EMC who supplied many products we used throughout the pod wetrooms.”

    The theme of ‘Stories & Imagination’ runs deeply throughout Pod 2, with sketches outlining Watchet’s illustrious history adorning the walls. A DDA-compliant wetroom sits on the lower floor for full accessibility. Due to these requirements, Schlüter advised that a point drain would be most suitable and therefore suggested their Schlüter-KERDI-LINE point drain system as the perfect solution.

    Pod 4 focuses on ‘Playful Architecture’ with the designers seamlessly entwining a stunning living space with exciting tangible elements like a cargo net across the mezzanine for childlike enjoyment. Pod 5 explores the idea of ‘Participatory Art’ with an area showcasing how a space can be transformed with contributions from visiting artists. Both pods needed linear drains, with the architects choosing to install the low height version of shower tray Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER-LTS and its partnering product, the Schlüter-KERDI-LINE-G3 drain for each. This guaranteed entry level access within the bathroom areas.

    East Quay pod 4 with colourful tiled design

    Image credit: Schlüter Systems

    Reliable waterproofing was taken care of within the three pods with the help of uncoupling membrane Schlüter-DITRA-25. The multi-talented product offered many benefits to the project such as crack-bridging, waterproofing and load distribution.

    “The versatility of Schlüter’s products made using their full waterproofing system an easy decision to make. It helped us deliver the project to the specification and standard required,” added Williams.

    East Quay and its creative presence has given Watchet and surrounding areas a new lease of life, displaying just how vibrant and welcoming the town and community is. Pulling together unique and thought-provoking design elements with technical know-how was paramount in getting this project off the ground, and Schlüter are incredibly proud to have been part of it.

    Schlüter Systems is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    The Westin London City, designed by Dexter Moren Associates

    Dexter Moren Associates announces major re-brand

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Dexter Moren Associates announces major re-brand

    In a shocking twist that nobody saw coming, Dexter Moren Associates announced last night, during its 30th anniversary celebrations, that it is to re-brand itself as Studio Moren. Editor Hamish Kilburn was at the party, and here’s what he learned…

    The Westin London City, designed by Dexter Moren Associates

    Designers, clients, fellow members of the press and industry friends of Dexter Moren Associates gathered last night at the recently opened The Westin London City to celebrate 30 years of the company.

    Above anything else – and given the circumstances following a few years of serious disruption due to Covid-19 – it was an evening full of positivity, acknowledgment and aptly reflecting a sensitive progression into a new era of design and architecture. However, as well as looking back to realise how much the company had achieved, the evening also marked the next chapter, when the man who has led the company from its conception, Dexter Moren, took to the stage to offer his nod to what three decades of DMA has meant to him professionally and personally.

    Image caption: Dexter Moren Associates team celebrating at The Brit List Awards 2019

    Image caption: Dexter Moren Associates team celebrating at The Brit List Awards 2019

    Following a list of meaningful mentions of those – past and present, young and experienced  – who have shaped and are carving the studio into what it is respected as today, Moren made the surprise announcement that the London-based company will re-brand soon to become Studio Moren.

    “The big secret has been revealed,” he said simply to the audience. “In the next few months, Dexter Moren Associates will become Studio Moren.”

    Hotel Designs: The lobby inside Westin London City

    Image caption: The Westin London City, which is where the Dexter Moren Associates’ 30th anniversary party was held. | Image credit: Marriott International

    Although it’s not the first time the studio has changed its identity – the most recent evolution was when Dexter Moren ‘Architects’ became Dexter Moren ‘Associates’ in order to embrace architecture as well as design offerings – the new name is expected reflect a further evolution of the company as the wider industry acknowledges there being less emphasis on individual ownership of ideas and more of a focus on collaborative approaches to hotel design and hospitality solutions.

    The evening very much marked the end of one chapter – with a party that sheltered photobooths, balloon installations and a live art installation that everyone could add to. Above all, though, the event was about looking ahead and emphasising those who are continuing the legacy. One thing is certain, Studio Moren – with its immeasurable talent sheltered under its roof – is design practice to watch, and we at Hotel Designs look forward to following the team, as they develop, in the next 30 years.

    This is a breaking news story. Hotel Designs has more to follow…

    Main image credit: Marriott International/Dexter Moren Associates

    Urban grey flooring tiles in bathroom

    Hotel flooring ideas: ‘floored’ by functionality & style

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    Hotel flooring ideas: ‘floored’ by functionality & style

    Hot from making its debut at Milan Design Week last month, and giving perspective to this month’s special feature, RAK Ceramics explores different hotel flooring ideas, textures and materials…

    Urban grey flooring tiles in bathroom

    Practical, versatile and stylish hotel flooring ideas don’t get much better than porcelain tiles. Strong and durable, this is a material that is suited to all areas of a hotel, from lobby to guest bathrooms. 

    Porcelain tiles tick all the boxes from a practical perspective, but also from a style point too, being available in an array of sizes and in a wide range of colours and patterns to offer an extremely versatile flooring option.  

    The manufacturing process of porcelain, which uses a finer and denser clay combined with high temperature and high pressure, results in a material that is far stronger than other types of ceramic, which is what makes this a material that is highly suited for flooring. Areas such as washrooms and bathrooms can benefit in particular from the properties of porcelain, which because of its density is extremely resistant to humidity and water.  

    Style-wise, porcelain tiles are an extremely versatile flooring solution, due to the sheer variety of designs and colours available. Tiles can be printed or embossed in numerous ways and solid floor tiles can be mixed-and-matched in patterns and colours in any number of ways. They can be chosen to match or contrast with wall tiling and splashbacks for a cohesive look and can be chosen to replicate the look of many hardwoods and natural stones for the ultimate luxe look. 

    Nature-inspired tiles are very much on-trend and porcelain offers the perfect opportunity to bring this look into the home without compromising on function. Tiles with a subtle or a bold marble-effect pattern work well when teamed with materials such as wood, bringing nature indoors and creating a calming, timeless and high-end look that works well across rooms including the bathroom and the kitchen. Revised classy marble and granite inspired patterns displaying elegant veins used on kitchen floors, for example, create a sophisticated ambience that is the epitome of luxury and sophistication.  

    Solid, durable and extremely versatile, RAK Ceramics Curton (see main image) are stone-look porcelain tiles that make a highly attractive visual impact. Creating a welcoming atmosphere that suits a sophisticated environment and giving a sensation of wellness and relaxation, Curton is available in beige, taupe or grey. 

    Valley Stone Ambiance- Living Closeup

    Image caption: Valley Stone by RAK Ceramics. | Image credit: RAK Ceramics

    With Valley Stone, RAK Ceramics reinterprets the ancestral charm of stone and transforms it into a tile that is perfect for high traffic areas. Solid, durable and extremely versatile, the stone-look tiles have special features and highly attractive visual impact.  

    RAK Ceramics is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: RAK Ceramics

    Bulgari Resort Ranfushi set to open in the Maldives in 2025

    Bulgari Hotels & Resorts makes a move on the Maldives

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    Bulgari Hotels & Resorts makes a move on the Maldives

    Bulgari Hotels & Resorts has announced that an agreement has been signed for a new luxury resort in the Maldives. Bulgari Resort Ranfushi, slated to open in 2025, is set to be the 13th gem in the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection. Here’s what we know…

    Bulgari Resort Ranfushi set to open in the Maldives in 2025

    The Bulgari Resort Ranfushi, meaning Little Gold Island in Maldivian language, will be located in the Raa Atoll of the Maldives archipelago. Surrounded by pristine waters and framed by lush, landscaped gardens, the resort will spread over 20 hectares. The 54 key resort will include a Bulgari Villa on a separate exclusive island, 33 Beach Villas each with individual swimming pool, 20 Overwater Villas and a full range of luxury hotel facilities.

    “We are particularly proud to have secured such an extraordinary location for the new Bulgari Resort Ranfushi, as the Maldives are a key dreamy destination for our clients from all over the world,” said Jean-Christophe Babin CEO, Bulgari. “We are convinced that this new gem of hospitality addition will ensure once again the highest levels of quality and innovation to our international customers and we look forward to sharing with them the Bulgari values in hospitality at this new, very exclusive location.”

    Designed by Italian architectural ACPV Architects, Bulgari Resort Ranfushi will introduce to the Maldives the uncompromising contemporary style that characterises all the Bulgari Hotels. For all the hotels, the approach is the same: the design of the interiors is strongly rooted in the traditions of the place, and careful attention is paid to every detail in a tribute to absolute luxury.

    The Bulgari Resort Ranfushi will feature four distinctive gastronomic experiences: the renowned Italian Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, curated by the three Michelin starred Chef Niko Romito, the Chinese fine-dining Bao Li Xuan, twin of the two Michelin stars restaurant at Bulgari Hotel Shanghai, Hōseki, the Japanese concept already present at Bulgari Resort Dubai and the Italian beach food of La Spiaggia.

    The resort will also offer a Bulgari Bar, the Bulgari Spa with an adjacent fitness centre, yoga pavilion, and a private library. Additionally, the resort will also feature a highly curated Bulgari boutique and La Galleria, a concept store where guests can find a selection of top niche items from international designers.

    Integrating its statement luxury with social responsibility is key to the brand as Bulgari believes in innovating the present for a sustainable future through its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and giving back – to nature and to the community. With this underpinning the development, the resort will be incorporating the highest standards of environmental sustainability, including a new island made to host nesting bird population.

    Main image credit: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts

    Chart by Parkside

    A tile collection that knows no limits

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    A tile collection that knows no limits

    Chart is the tile collection exclusively available from Parkside Architectural Tiles that, according to the brand, knows no limits. And here’s why…

    Chart by Parkside

    With 19 colours, multiple formats, a selection of finishes and mosaic pieces, Chart is the tile collection for designers looking to explore the creative potential of tiled surfaces. Now available from Parkside, the collection can even be used outdoors, seamlessly connecting environments.  

    A porcelain bodied tile in a palette ranging from natural tones to bright, high-impact colours, Chart can be used in all kinds of places – everywhere from schools to offices, retail and hospitality spaces – bringing a smart and practical surface that can endure heavy and sustained commercial use. With natural, polished and Silktech (PTV 36+) finishes, the collection can also be used on floors and walls, bringing a highly coordinated look that can be smart and sophisticated or bold and colourful. 

    Highlights of the collection include three mosaics including Mosaico Tears and Mosaico Mix patterns that can be used to add design features, as well as four different square and rectangle options available as standard from stock. Special sizes of 20 x 120mm, 15 x 60mm and 10 x 60mm can also be made to request. 

    Parkside supports Chart with a full range of accessories, including compatible adhesives, profiles, membranes, movement joints and complementary grouts for a readily accessible and complete tiling solution. The collection is now exclusively available from Parkside. 

    > Since you’re here, why not read about Parkside’s zero-waste tile solution?

    Parkside is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Parkside

    roundtable discussion on blurring the boundaries in design on location at Table Place Chairs in London

    Panel discussion: Blurring the design lines in hospitality

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    Panel discussion: Blurring the design lines in hospitality

    It is not everyday that a Hotel Designs panel discussion event is, quite literally, done in-the-round – but there was clearly no better space to discuss the blurring of design boundaries than seated within the Table Place Chair ‘Circle of Life’ furniture piece to explore the need for more flexible hospitality design spaces (scroll down to watch the full video)…

    roundtable discussion on blurring the boundaries in design on location at Table Place Chairs in London

    Debate, discussion and challenging conventional approaches to design are always an integral part of a design event like Clerkenwell Design Week. With this in mind, Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, in association with Table Place Chairs, brought together a panel of creative minds from across the hospitality and design spectrum to discuss the design blurring of lines, the need for flexibility and also share thoughts on collaboration.

    On the panel:

    While there is no doubt that design boundaries have indeed blurred, the question of how to address the need for more flexible spaces creatively came under the reflected spotlight. It is not only the role of the designer but is something that needs to be addressed across all layers of hospitality – from the concept developed by the designers through to implementation by the managers and brand owners. Spaces can no longer be dealt with one-dimensionally as functions merge. With F&B and wellness clearly leading the pack when it comes to mega trends, and with clients and guests having increased design expectations, augmented hospitality becomes key.

    Watch the full panel discussion below:

    ”To bring people back we need to rethink our spaces and understand what people actually need and want from those spaces,” said Aran Rana, Head of Design at Accor in the Northern Europe region. “It is important, as designers, we are constantly looking at how to challenge those boundaries, how we can improve things and how we can do things differently,” added Tina Norden, Partner, Conran & Partners.

    Flowing through the whole discussion was of course, the F-word. ‘Flexibility’ has become the holy grail of hospitality design, as a hotel room is no longer just a place to sleep, an office is no longer simply a place to work – being able to provide well-designed multi-disciplinary space is now a necessity. “All designers are problem solvers,” added Nasim Koerting, Head of Design at The Office Group (TOG). “We want to use design thinking to solve the world’s problems.”

    Interestingly, the ‘blurring of boundaries’ has also resulted in a shift of thought more broadly and a greater democratisation of space within hospitality. As the demands on a well-designed space increase, those overlapping circles within the Venn diagram of hospitality would appear to become both more common and more convoluted. “When you start a job you need to cast the creative net quite wide,” said Ben Webb, Co-Founder, 3Stories. “Especially if you are working on a completely new concept, you need time to develop and research new ideas – this is a process designers need to go through.”

    With boundaries smudging not just between physical spaces, but also between brands, between lifestyle and luxury, designers, suppliers, it was suggested that brands need to work together to be able to deliver, with that the importance of keeping a balance between creativity and control within the arena of hospitality design specifically becomes key. Rana added an interesting point on this matter. “I don’t like to box certain designers in for certain brands,” he said. “Sometimes it is about bringing a new perspective in – bringing in a designer who usually works in F&B to deliver a bedroom design can introduce a new perspective,  which is important when discussing the blurring of boundaries and function.”

    And of course, no conversation on the changing dynamics in hospitality in 2022 would be complete without understanding how these spaces have emerged since the pandemic. “The assumption coming out of Covid was that there would be fundamental changes to the workspace,” said Webb. “While this is true, what is clear is that the need for private or personal space within that remains – just on a different scale within the more fluid working environment.”

    Koerting added: “For us at TOG, it is about designing a space with plenty of choice – so that when people come back in they feel that there is a space for them, that suits their mood and the function or tasks they need to do”

    With design requirements being about flexible and multi-functional spaces, is the potential flip side of this debate the risk of losing all purpose in the process of being asked to be too many things to too many people; is there a danger of the design core being diluted and ending up with something generic and accommodating rather than fit for purpose? The key to avoid this is to focus on the feel of a space while keeping functionality open – a tall order. The creative elements need to feel unique, but the function needs to be flexible.

    This conversation (watch the full panel discussion above) was exclusively sponsored by Table Place Chairs, and produced by CUBE.

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs

    contemporary open plan interior with flooring in entice by Atlas Concorde

    Product watch: Entice by Atlas Concorde – a tribute to Italian oak

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    Product watch: Entice by Atlas Concorde – a tribute to Italian oak

    Atlas Concorde presents Entice, a collection of porcelain tiles that evokes the essence of oak wood with extreme realism…

    contemporary open plan interior with flooring in entice by Atlas Concorde

    The Entice collection conveys a timeless beauty as it reinterprets Italian oak of the finest quality. Delicate nuances, slender veins, and natural colours make it one of the most widespread and versatile woods for interior design projects. The collection includes two design variants, allowing architects and designers to add spirit and character to their projects: Entice Natural, with knots and light tone-on-tone grouting expresses the most spontaneous and authentic traits of oak, while Entice Elegant has a more uniform grain that brings out the slender veins of this precious wood.

    Entice Natural is inspired by the natural beauty of oak wood. An earthy look with knots and grouting typical of untreated wood. The three-dimensionality of the surface is evident to the touch, recalling ancient planing techniques. In the Natural variant the surface conveys a pleasant tactile sensation achieved through the innovative Sensitech 1technology that combines superior slip resistance performance (R10b) with easy cleaning and a soft, delicate touch. In the Elegant version, thanks to the uniform texture that brings out the slender veins, Entice explores oak’s finest spirit. A distinguishing feature of the Elegant selection is the delicately reflective surface interrupted by opaque veins inspired by the technique of oiling natural wood, giving a luminous, extremely realistic look to the surface. Both design options are ideal for any setting, able to make rooms warm and welcoming without betraying its simple spirit.

    pool deck tiled in wood effect porcelain tiles

    Image credit: Atlas Concorde

    The collection comes in a palette of four natural tones, embracing the hues of honey and amber, cool browns with contemporary nuances, and the enveloping shades of warm grey and sand. Pale Oak is a warm straw yellow colour typical of oak, and is an enveloping colour that makes every room bright and natural. Copper Oak is a golden shade with orange-peach-hazelnut tones that make rooms warm and cosy, while Browned Oak has a medium-intensity burnished colour with highly trendy cool shades. Completing the range, Ash Oak is a warm light grey colour with delicate sand-coloured veins. Bright and contemporary, this shade adds light to rooms and amplifies the space, creating an ethereal, delicate appearance.

    The collection is available in a variety of finishes and specifications for both indoor and outdoor applications.

    Atlas Concorde is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Atlas Concorde

    Northern Lights designed bespoke celestial lighting for the Galaxy yacht

    Northern Lights creates galactic illumination aboard Galaxy Yacht

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    Northern Lights creates galactic illumination aboard Galaxy Yacht

    Luxury lighting designer and manufacturer Northern Lights was chosen by Njord, Bergman Design House to create a plethora of out-of-this-world lighting installations as part of a five month redesign aboard the 56m Benetti Galaxy superyacht…

    Northern Lights designed bespoke celestial lighting for the Galaxy yacht

    Under the inspired direction of Njord by Bergman Design House, the yacht interior has undergone a significant transformation, including cosmic design features to fit the unique galactic brief, with bespoke lighting by Northern Lights to underpin it all. The interior design brief called for entertainment-led social areas with cosmic-inspired accents, personal touches and eye-catching details. In just a short time, the yacht’s interior has been transformed into an ‘entertainment spaceship’.

    bespoke lighting in the saloon bar by Northern Lights on the Galaxy yacht

    Image credit: Jack Hardy

    The vessel features curated luxury on every level, including a private nightclub, multi-sensory saloon, meditation and wellness space, a cinema room and private music studio, a touch-and-go helipad, and a private party deck. The wallpaper is designed by Dylan Cole, concept art director of the Academy Award-winning film Avatar, to resemble a futuristic forest, while a DJ booth can be set up against a backdrop of backlit agate.

    Northern Lights have previously developed installations for the marine sector, having designed and manufactured an array of bespoke decorative lighting for the luxury cruise ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in recent years. However, this particular venture provided their design team with new challenges, allowing them to demonstrate their 35 years of design and manufacturing capabilities.

    “Northern Lights again responded well to our brief and realised the beautiful lighting designs with the same attention to detail and high quality fabrication and finishing we have come to expect. It is always a pleasure to work with them,” said Marie Soliman, Co-Founder Bergman Design House.

    bespoke chandelier by Northern Lights on the upper deck of Galaxy yacht

    Image credit: Jack Hardy

    The yacht’s stunning main saloon benefits from a diverse range of beautiful bespoke decorative lighting that have been carefully handcrafted and skillfully finished by the Northern Lights’ master artisans. Towards the rear of the room, where the sea views encompass one’s vision, a quartz chandelier haloes a marvellous round table surrounded by individual plush leather seats. The expertly crafted fitting comprises thirty-two individual old English brass drops that each hold small, medium and large quartz rocks that refract the light from the recessed lamps beautifully. The chandelier uses shake-proof washers to ensure that the vibration caused by the boat travelling does not compromise the fitting. It’s the combination of aesthetic and engineering considerations in the lighting design that made Northern Lights the natural choice for this project.

    Northern Lights designed and manufactured the bespoke brass chandelier over the round table onboard Galaxy

    Image credit: Jack Hardy

    The round table and other parts of the living areas are delicately enlightened by contemporary old English brass wall lights, with radiant LED strips within the fixtures that shine beautifully onto the walls behind them. In the grand lounge and bar area, numerous high-profile artistic installations bring an immediate sense of wealth and luxury to the room. Fixed to the marble bar is an exquisite patinated natural brass framework that houses seven brass ‘drums’, each complete with natural alabaster discs. The discs, when illuminated, show the alabaster’s truly exceptional form. This intricate framework ensures that the light travels to every corner of the room, maintaining thorough luminance throughout the area.

    “As one of the UK’s leading decorative lighting companies, Northern Lights keep as much of the manufacturing as possible under one roof in our UK factory for full control at every stage of the process,” explained Donna Gridley, Head of Creative, Northern Lights. “Blending engineering excellence, luxury materials & finishes and exquisite artisan techniques has allowed us to create some of the most iconic luxury bespoke lighting on a global scale, and this project is no exception.”

    focus lighting in the guestroom on the Galaxy super yacht

    Image credit: Jack Hardy

    The master bedroom uses a pair of entirely bespoke wall-fixed light old English brass and alabaster bedside pendants. Delicately turned white alabaster shades are amplified by interior puck lamps refracted by quartz smoked crystal. The celestially-inspired lights were carefully designed to match with the galactic-themed bedroom, which boasts a ceiling decorated with nebulas. The guest room takes a more traditional approach with sumptuous marble, wooden cladding, and mirrors reflecting stunning ocean views throughout the room. The bedsides are beautifully illuminated by two Iveston lamps from Northern Lights’ Signature Range. The Iveston table lamp has a unique shape that comprises an old English brass body atop a granite base with an English brass shade. Thanks to its multifunctional design, it lends itself perfectly to a variety of different interior schemes.

    Northern Lights is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Jack Hardy

    wooden bridge at Retreat East heading towards the Great Barn

    Retreat East – a sustainable rural escape

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    Retreat East – a sustainable rural escape

    In the era of the ‘staycation’, it is time to Retreat East, and discover this unique rural project combining luxury with family-friendly accommodation, all set around a 16th-century farmhouse with a restorative ethos at its heart…

    wooden bridge at Retreat East heading towards the Great Barn

    Retreat East, set on a former dairy farm amidst quiet, bucolic fields near the old Roman settlement of Coddenham, is the result of the vision and hard work of architect Dominic Richards. Richards a graduate of The Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture, has been coming to the Suffolk countryside for years as an antidote to urban stress. When a rundown farm close to his home came up for sale, he saw the potential to create an organic, sustainable retreat that would be both an asset to the local community and a pitstop for weary Londoners. Teaming up with an old friend, he bought the farm and set about turning his vision into a reality, restoring and reimagining the farm buildings as sustainably as possible. Solar panels, responsibly sourced wood, an onsite well for water and its own sewage plant ensure that the project impacts the environment as little as possible. The kitchen garden is organic and fertilised using composted food waste. Plus, a rewilding programme for the former agricultural land is underway.

    a view over the organic kitchen garden at Retreat East

    Image credit: Retreat East

    Retreat East is based around the original, timber-framed farmhouse which dates back to the 16th century and has four bedrooms – and a versatile range of 16 striking farm buildings and barns that can sleep between two and four guests. The barns are equipped with bathrooms, kitchens, wood burners and dining spaces, as well as large private outdoor terraces. All have country views over the meadows and fields and have a rustic chic design with wood panelling, soft linen fabrics and bespoke furniture along with Smeg, Miele and Nespresso appliances. Recent additions include luxury spa barns, The Nest and The Coop, both of which have grand outdoor roll-top baths on private decks and four-poster beds.

    four poster bed with orange and contrasting green details

    Image credit: Retreat East

    At the heart of Retreat East is the triple-height Great Barn. Here you’ll find sofas to lounge on and a centrepiece fireplace for winter, along with the bar and restaurant. Cocktails include French Martini made with pineapple, and a Rhubarb Sour; the inventive menu draws on local and homegrown produce for dishes such as roast lamb rump with asparagus and wild garlic ketchup, day boat fish with brown shrimp and samphire, superfood salad, garden-pea risotto and starters such as Wye Valley smoked salmon, white onion and apple soup.

    the barn at Retreat East with fireplace at the end of double volume traditional structure

    Image credit: Retreat East

    In another barn, set amid the peaceful rural landscape, the spa is small – with two treatment rooms – but has a holistic mindset and expert treatments are based on Traditional Five Elements, including vegan-friendly facials and Muscle Melt massages, along with reflexology.

    wooden seats in the sauna at Retreat East

    Image credit: Retreat East

    Hand in hand with its wellness ethos, one of Retreat East’s core values is to work harmoniously with the environment to leave as little carbon footprint as possible. Heating systems in the barns are set to ensure no heat is wasted, including The Great Barn which is powered by solar panels. At least 30% of the wood harvested for the barn stoves comes from fallen trees on site, while the water used on-site comes from the property’s own borehole which taps into the onsite well. In 2019 Retreat East installed its own sewage plant which ensures it gets treated in a sustainable manner before being converted back into clean water. All cleaning products and bathroom amenities are organic bio-based oils, and laundry is outsourced to an ecologically minded dry-cleaning company. The kitchen garden is one of Retreat East’s key features and provides organically grown fruit and vegetables that are served in The Great Barn and farm shop. All compostable food waste is placed in compost heaps and reinjected back into the soil at the right time, as well as grass and plant cuttings.

    farmhouse style rolltop bath in ensuite

    Image credit: Retreat East

    The Suffolk countryside is one of the UK’s loveliest landscapes, with ancient churches, chocolate-box villages, painterly fields and an unspoilt coastline. There are rewarding day trips to be had visiting archaeology landmark Sutton Hoo – recently spotted in Netflix film The Dig – and quaint villages such as Woodbridge, Aldeburgh and Snape Maltings. Families will enjoy the open play areas of Easton Farm Park, Framlingham Castle and Helmingham Hall Gardens, while Shrubland Hall, with its grounds designed by Humphrey Repton, is within walking distance.

    With the wellness, sustainability, and rural retreat boxes all well and truly ticked in this designer corner of the countryside, all that is left for you to do, is pack your bags and Retreat East!

    Main image credit: Retreat East

    luxury tent in Naviva Four Seasons from above

    First look at Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort in Mexico

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    First look at Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort in Mexico

    Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort located at Punta Mita, Mexico, on a private peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is the brand’s first adult-only luxury tented resort in the Americas – we flipped back the designer tent to take a closer look…

    luxury tent in Naviva Four Seasons from above

    Naviva, Punta Mita, Mexico, is slated to open in December 2022. Designed as a nature retreat featuring 15 luxury tents nestled amid 48 forested acres (19 hectares) on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the unrivalled and unconventional Naviva experience is focussed on creating an environment that fosters community, personal growth and knowledge enhancement.

    “Naviva is an ambitious new resort concept that offers highly individualised service and innovative design that brings guests closer to nature than ever before,” said Vince Parrotta, Four Seasons President, Hotel Operations – Americas West. “With the debut of this exceptionally personalised retreat, guests will interface one-on-one with knowledgeable guides during thoughtful experiences that embrace the culture and character of Mexico.”

    Naviva luxury tented camp with private swimming pool and deck

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    With only 15 luxury tents designed by Luxury Frontiers – all with private plunge pools – Naviva is one of the smallest Four Seasons resorts in the world. The resort’s transformative approach and certified guides come together to create a high-touch, yet unassuming adult-only experience inspired by biophilia, a love of life and living things.

    “Our location tucked in a cliffside forest creates the feeling of being disconnected in a faraway destination, when in reality, we’re only a short flight away from the US,” said Ronny Fernández, Resort Manager, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort. “Our untamed natural setting organically encourages guests to embark on their own personal journeys.”

    Naviva celebrates the intrinsic bond that humans have with nature through biophilic design – an architectural approach that connects people to their natural surroundings. Guests are immediately immersed in the outdoors upon arrival, meeting their guide on a cocoon-inspired bamboo bridge overlooking a deep forest ravine.

    tented bedroom opening onto deck immersed in nature at Naviva

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Guests will continue to experience direct connections to nature throughout their stay. Each stand-alone luxury tent features spacious indoor and outdoor areas that seamlessly blend together, allowing guests to take in the sun and smell the ocean breeze along with indirect connections to nature with textures and fabrics that mimic natural patterns found in the surrounding environment. Luxury Frontiers designed the spaces of each tent to engage humans’ natural desire to seek prospect, refuge, mystery and thrill with an open-air living room and separate bedroom flowing to a private plunge pool and expansive deck with a hammock and outdoor shower.

    Daily life at Naviva sets the stage for individual transformation as guests explore their passions and discover new ones with the heartfelt support of their guides. Unscripted Naviva experiences such as sampling small-batch Mexican coffees, stargazing and joining in sunset rituals, are among spontaneous activities for guests to pursue at the Resort.

    Guests can also enjoy Signature Naviva experiences that bring the character, heritage and expertise of local talent and tradition to the forefront, such as visiting award-winning local artist Jose Juan Esparza at his private home and studio, nocturnal forest bathing, sound therapy and breathwork.

    Deviating from traditional hotel wellness offerings, the resort offers a series of intimate spaces including two spa pods tucked away in the lush forest, a traditional Mexican temazcal or ‘house of heat’, an outdoor gym, a serene jungle oasis at the Alma Pool and a private 175 metre expanse of pristine Pacific beachfront – a calming place to practice yoga or mindfulness.

    Each area promotes human connection to nature by immersing guests in tangible and intangible aspects of the environment, such as a half-day retreat in one of the cocoon-like spa pods that were inspired by the seed of the local Ceiba tree and provide cocooned refuge, allowing for shifts in internal energy. All holistic rituals at Naviva harness the healing properties of indigenous ingredients, from regenerative reishi and hydrating snow mushrooms to natural gemstones and coloured clays found throughout Mexico.

    Guests are also given the opportunity to focus fully on their physical wellbeing. Workouts at Naviva include cliffside yoga sessions at Risco Terrace, scenic hiking and running trails, and strength training in the outdoor open-air gym overlooking the Pacific, where guests can incorporate existing formations such as boulders and trees, connecting to nature with every stretch and every breath.

    freestanding bath in luxury tented resort leading onto private deck

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Rustic luxury is brought to life overlooking the coastal seascapes of the Pacific at Copal, the heart of Naviva. More than simply a restaurant, the shared space is designed to evoke the feeling of being in a living room and kitchen of a private home, inviting guests to gather for games, reading, conversation, ideas, and music. Handmade games such as backgammon and a foosball table fashioned from reclaimed wood by Mexican artisans are available for playful competition.

    At Copal Cocina, guests can feel the live cooking energy of the open-air kitchen, which is at the epicentre of the space and features all natural open-fire cooking methods with traditional BBQ pits, wood-fire grill rotisseries and wood-fire ovens. Bountiful sea catches and seasonal produce are the inspiration and foundation of fresh daily offerings.

    On Mexico’s Pacific coast, within the Riviera Nayarit, the resort is located at the northern tip of Bahía de Banderas on the same peninsula as Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Naviva guests also receive full access to the adjacent Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, located just five minutes away.

    Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers

    Pullman opens its first hotel in Georgia

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    Pullman opens its first hotel in Georgia

    Located in the tallest building in Tbilisi, Pullman Hotels & Resorts, a premium international hotel brand from Accor, has announced the opening of Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers, the group’s fifth property in Georgia…

    Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers

    Centrally located and situated in the district of Vake, one of the largest residential areas in Tbilisi, the new Pullman Tblisi Axis Towers will provide guests with easy access to everything the city has to offer, including, parks, shopping, strolling avenues, embassies, cafés, bars and restaurants, an open-air museum and the city stadium. The combination of the location, along with the Axis Towers’ exceptional architecture and the hotel’s contemporary interior design will ensure that Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers is set to become a new point of attraction in the city.

    lobby in Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers_lobby with skeleton installation

    Image credit: Accor/Pullman

    Pullman blurs the boundaries between art and life: all Pullman hotels surround their guests with an inspiring atmosphere and impressive modern aesthetic from the moment they arrive. The interior design, created in collaboration with the Axis team of architects and French designer Christophe Pillet, preserves the unified style of the multifunctional building. Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers offers a truly unique setting where business meets pleasure, with a focus on providing guests with everything they need for efficient business trips and meetings, as well as all the facilities required for rest and entertainment.

    “Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers is one of our most ambitious and long awaited projects in Georgia, which in many ways represents Accor’s willingness to actively support the development of tourism and further strengthen its positioning in the country,” said Alexis Delaroff, COO of Accor New East Europe. “Tbilisi has great potential and we are confident that the development of the hotel industry in various segments will contribute to the constant growth in the number of leisure and business travellers. I have no doubt that the first Pullman, located in such an iconic building, will become one of the favourite hotels for visitors and residents of the city, thanks to its outstanding design and impeccable service, while ‘Dumas’ restaurant and Sky Bar ‘Weather Report’ offering panoramic views of the city will soon be included in the lists of must-see places in Tbilisi.”

    Dumas restaurant with panoramic city views in the Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers

    Image credit: Accor/Pullman

    The hotel features 220 stylish and comfortable guestrooms and suites spanning the building’s 19th to 35th floors. Decorated in shades of grey complimented by bright accents and loft style elements, each room offers panoramic windows and breathtaking views of the city. In addition, all rooms boast a contemporary and functional design and come with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a pillow menu, Bluetooth speaker as well as C.O. Bigelow amenities. Helping its guests stay on top of their game, Pullman offers complimentary in-room Fitness Kits. Available upon request to all guestrooms and suites, the kit contains fitness equipment allowing guests to exercise at their own pace in the privacy and comfort of their room.

    guestroom in the Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers decorated in shades of grey with panoramic city views

    Image credit: Accor/Pullman

    Like all Pullman hotels around the world, Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers offers guests an authentic F&B experience that is fresh and flavourful. The ‘Dumas’ open kitchen restaurant serves up French and Mediterranean cuisine transitioning its menus throughout the day to please the most discerning gourmet palate. The Sky Bar ‘Weather Report’ set on the 37th floor is to become one of the major attractions in the city, with a variety of exclusive signature cocktails, a diverse wine menu and exquisite tapas – all complimented by incredible panoramic views of the city. The Junction at Pullman stretches beyond being just a lobby: it is a cosmopolitan and picturesque space, a perfect place to work, play, create and connect.

    In addition, Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers boasts 2000 square metres of well-appointed and cleverly designed event space that is perfect for both business and social occasions. Seven meeting rooms, a magnificent ballroom and a spacious pre-function area with a terrace are complemented by tailored service, perfectly combined to maximize guests’ comfort and productivity.

    The Axis Towers Wellness Centre provides guests with a wide range of fitness and spa facilities to enjoy. The Wellness Centre features an all-weather, 25m heated pool with a retractable glass roof, two saunas, a steam room, boxing ring and a fully equipped fitness area.

    Main image credit: Accor/Pullman

    Magmafocus Focus Fireplaces in blue interior design scheme

    Product watch: statement fires for hotels

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    Product watch: statement fires for hotels

    For more than 50 years, FOCUS has been setting new standards when it comes to indoor and outdoor statement fires. We take a look at who hotel case studies that have been taken to the next design level thanks to the brand’s contemporary fireplaces…

    Magmafocus Focus Fireplaces in blue interior design scheme

    The Made In France label has enormous cachet around the world, it stands for original design and quality craftsmanship and this is what FOCUS has in buckets. Established more than 50 years ago, the brand is a byword for modernist fireplaces that have an unparalleled place in the heart of architects and interior designers.

    The FOCUS collection of more than 40 models includes glazed wood burners, gas and decorative fires. These fireplaces are available as indoor/outdoor models, ceiling or wall mounted and built-in. They look equally elegant in a broad range of hotel spaces from spas and retreats, poolside pavilions; to country houses and city hotels, and of course the perfect atmospheric fire to specify in ski chalets and lodges. Focus fires meet the highest regulations and standards and are DEFRA, Ecodesign and four-Stelle (Italy) approved. 

    Hotel Son Brull is a five-star boutique hotel in Pollença, Mallorca. This stunning honey-coloured property, formerly an 18th-century Jesuit monastery, was converted into a hotel in 2003 by the family who owns it. 

    Magmafocus-Hotel-Son Brull Photography ©Art Sanchez

    Image credit: Art Sanchez

    The charming blend of modernist design and historical heritage makes it a unique landmark in the Balearic Islands. Each elegant room is individual in style and looks out onto the beautiful natural surroundings. One of the stand-out features is the spa, with its sweeping views of the countryside and its Magmafocus, which offers a warm and inviting space for visitors to relax in on the loungers near the indoor pool.

    Los Enamorados is another hotel that has benefited from injecting style with FOCUS. In this charming boutique hotel on the Spanish island of Ibiza, the Gyrofocus suspended, pivoting fireplace is known as the escultura de calor (‘sculpture of heat’).

    The Los Enamorados hotel itself takes its name from the relationship between its owners, Rozemarijn de Witte and Pierre Travesier. The couple had the dream of opening an intimate, personal hotel where they could display their eclectic collection of furniture and decorative objects. They chose an old inn, conserving the original construction, while transforming the interior into a highly individual space. Each suite is different, with a unique blend of colours, interior design and unusual objects. 

    FOCUS is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: FOCUS

    portrait of Stephen Ewer CEO Bathroom Brands Group

    In conversation with: Stephen Ewer, CEO, Bathroom Brands Group

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    In conversation with: Stephen Ewer, CEO, Bathroom Brands Group

    With bathrooms continually taking centre stage when it comes to questions of design trends, we sat down with Stephen Ewer from the Bathroom Brands Group to discuss the brands within the group portfolio, looking at what makes them unique, and what they have in common…

    portrait of Stephen Ewer CEO Bathroom Brands Group

    Bathroom Brands Group is a UK based company which has spread its wings and developed into an international business. The Group develops and sources products under its portfolio of brands – with key brands being Crosswater, Burlington, Clearwater and Britton – giving a breadth of designs to appeal to a wide range of tastes and price points, for bathrooms with a classical and traditional style or for those with a sleek and modern feel.

    Hotel Designs: What one thing do all these brands/products have in common?  

    Stephen Ewer: At the core of each brand is design, quality, and performance. Renovating a bathroom is a big undertaking for any consumer, both financially and emotionally, so it’s important we provide all consumers with bathroom solutions they trust – a dynamic collection of core products that deliver longevity, innovation, and style.

    HD: Why is it important for each brand to have their own identity?  

    SE: Each brand in our portfolio has a unique offering, targeted to specific consumer profiles with a focus on design, performance, and budget. For continued success, it is essential each brand stands alone, with its own distinct identity within the marketplace.

    Crosswater is a premium contemporary bathroom brand that operates in most key bathroom categories. The unique brand offers an expertly curated and comprehensive range of quality bathroom products, that lead the way in innovation and performance. Burlington is the biggest and most successful traditional bathroom brand in the market. Quintessentially British, the heritage brand delivers traditional bathroom products inspired by eras of great design. The product range is extensive, reflecting four periods of history in bathroom design: Classic, Edwardian, Victorian, and Contemporary. Britton Bathrooms is a trend-led modern brand created for consumers navigating small bathrooms and more restrictive budgets. Loved by first-time buyers, the contemporary bathroom brand creates products that are both functional and fashion-forward. Finally, Clearwater is a premium bathroom brand offering an expertly curated selection of luxury baths and complementary basins, ranging from the conservative to the unconventional. Whether modern or traditional in design, Clearwater’s extravagant bathing solutions provide advanced thermal performance with style and comfort at the forefront, all built with longevity in mind.

    Although Crosswater, Burlington, Britton, and Clearwater have their own distinct identity, products from each brand can work homogenously with one another. This is hugely advantageous for the Group, as some brands still have gaps in their product offering. Ultimately, our future aim is to ensure each brand offers ‘total bathroom solutions’, so that consumers only crossover to another brand in the portfolio out of choice, not necessity.

    minimalist bathroom design with freestanding bath by Crosswater

    Image credit: Bathroom Brands Group / Crosswater

    HD: How does Bathroom Brands Group expect the wellness mega trend to evolve?

    SE: The wellness industry is growing rapidly and, with it, the trend for incorporating wellbeing into every aspect of our lives, homes included. The bathroom is taking centre stage in the interior wellness trend, with many consumers keen to achieve a spa-inspired aesthetic in their own bathroom space. As a result, products that promote self-care and serenity – whether through the use of colour, innovation, or design – are taking priority. To meet this growing consumer demand, we’re focused on designing products that embody wellness – from shower heads with varying jets and flows, to baths shaped to provide the most relaxing and indulgent soak. We ensure all product designs consider wellness from a usability point of view, for example, soft close furniture drawers, easy clean finishes, sensor taps, and innovative storage.

    marble and brass in a statement hotel bathroom design by Crosswater

    Image credit: Bathroom Brands Group / Crosswater

    HD: What are your plans for the group between now and 2030? 

    SE: Our focus for the future is continued growth in size, brand development, innovation, and design. We also aim to expand within the specification sector, working with architects and designers to help create interesting and engaging spaces. Expansion in commercial experiential spaces, such as hotels, resorts, and spas, is also key, as is targeted premium residential sectors. Growth in these areas will also extend out to international markets, with an initial aim to translate our successes into key European territories.

    HD: How is the company blurring the lines between luxury and lifestyle in the bathroom? 

    SE: In recent years, bathrooms have gone from a clinical space to a real showpiece within the home. Consumers still expect hard-wearing and high-performance products, however they are now tempted aesthetically, whether through striking silhouettes, luxury finishes, or on-trend tones. To ensure we deliver on these luxury demands, our brands now place a greater importance on style and interior trends. Using colour, innovative design, unrivalled performance, and premium materials, we enable consumers to indulge in their luxury desires whilst still ensuring their lifestyle needs are met.

    textured wooden surfaces in the bathroom

    Image credit: Bathroom Brands Group / Crosswater

    HD: When did you see consumers start to demand colour and texture in the bathroom? 

    SE: Over the last five years we have seen the rise in demand for both colour and texture within the bathroom.
    Coloured ceramics and furniture are well established in the market; however, we have seen a real uptake in colourful brassware finishes. Black had become one of the most popular brassware finishes in recent years, ahead of warmers tones, such a gold, brass, and bronze, that are also rising in popularity. In addition to taps and shower fittings, we are seeing demand for colour within other brassware products, ranging from shower enclosure fittings and flush plates to radiators and furniture handles.

    Modern Britton bathroom

    Image credit: Bathroom Brands Group

    Aside from colour, one of the biggest trends in bathroom design is texture. From wooden slat vanity units to knurling bathroom taps, we’ve introduced several products across the portfolio that feature three-dimensional texture to elevate bathroom design. Naturally occurring textures are also taking precedent, with stone, concrete, wood, and marble – whether real or faux – creating a unique focal point in any bathroom.

    HD: And finally, what is the company doing to be more conscious about the environment without taking the focus away from quality products? 

    SE: The quality and performance of our products is critical to our current brand standards; however, sustainability is now playing a big role in product design. To ensure performance and durability isn’t compromised, our focus is to adopt sustainable changes that also enhance our product offering. 3ONE6, for example, is a new brassware collection from Crosswater that utilises 316 stainless steel, a sustainable raw material that is 100% recyclable. It can be regenerated and reused time and time again without any reduction in quality. However, in addition to its sustainability credentials, 316 stainless steel also offers superior corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and durability.

    Crosswater is the headline partner for The Brit List Awards 2022, while Bathroom Brands is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Bathroom Brands Group

    view from above of Angsana Oceanview Residences by Banyan Tree group

    Banyan Tree unveils new branded residences in Phuket

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    Banyan Tree unveils new branded residences in Phuket

    With the rise of branded residences taking root, Banyan Tree Property Group has unveiled the new Angsana Oceanview Residences in a rollout of luxury branded real estate in the self-contained Laguna Phuket development…

    view from above of Angsana Oceanview Residences by Banyan Tree group

    With clear trends emerging in the hospitality and lifestyle market there is a visible desire to live dreams, seize the day and explore the world, with health, wellbeing, along with remote working all very much top of mind. Relocating to seek new business possibilities, personal growth or a new horizon for young families or early retirees are all factors that are driving attention to destinations such as Phuket in Thailand. A destination that has quickly re-emerged onto the global scene in many ways due to the Sandbox initiative which saw Phuket as the first place in Asia to reopen its borders to international travel. The branded residence concept responds to these trends, and the Angsana Oceanview Residences, a new addition to The Banyan Tree Group portfolio, provides an integrated lifestyle driven destination for those embracing a new flexible lifestyle.

    view from across the lake to Angsana Oceanview Residences

    Image credit: Banyan Tree Group

    The world has changed in many ways and with that it has adjusted our perspectives – and it is a change certainly being felt at Laguna Phuket, a 1,000-acre community built on old tin mining land – a feat in repurposing even before repurposing was the big development buzzword it is today. Over 30 years ago the founder of Banyan Tree Holdings, KP Ho, bought the land, cleared it and filled in the craters where tin was mined to create a series of stunning natural lagoons. Over the years the destination has morphed into an elegant enclave of hospitality and residences, where a total of seven hotels are located, surrounded by lagoons, three miles of beachfront, cycling paths, the new wellness concept The Veya by Banyan Tree, boutique shops, restaurants and beach clubs – even a recent floating bar addition “The Atoll” in the middle of one of the lagoons – and an 18-hole golf course. The area surrounding Laguna Phuket, Cherng Talay, has blossomed as a result – with freestanding restaurants, gourmet supermarkets, specialist wine outlets and a host of other fitness and arts activities.

    floating Atoll as an outdoor entertainment area to Angsana Oceanview Residence in Phuket

    Image credit: Banyan Tree Group

    “Creating an integrated community has always been at the heart of our brand DNA since our founding in 1983,” said Mr. Stuart Reading, Deputy CEO of Laguna Resorts & Hotels. “Our transformation from a former tin mine into the resort destination has been quite a journey. Now, we are giving our international clientele the opportunity to transform their lives. We are seeing increased demand from buyers who are looking for both primary and secondary homes in a relaxing setting where they can enjoy a premium lifestyle and complete peace-of-mind, supported by leading brands, spectacular scenery and there’s of course the beach with Bangtao Bay a sublime backdrop.”

    bedroom with view over infinity pool and the lagoon at Angsana Oceanview Residences

    Image credit: Banyan Tree Group

    Laguna Phuket has unveiled the Angsana Oceanview Residences a low-rise collection of apartments overlooking the Andaman Sea. Each unit features two bedrooms and stylish living areas opening out onto a private alfresco deck and infinity pool. With high-spec interiors all with natural light, panoramic views and fully connected with the latest technology, these residences are designed to be a great place to stay, play and be productive in paradise.

    Managed by Banyan Tree Group, Angsana Oceanview Residences benefit from the five-star facilities of Angsana Laguna Phuket and can be enjoyed throughout the year or added to the rental pool to rent if residents choose not to stay there. Angsana Oceanview Residences form part of  the portfolio of properties by Banyan Tree Group, which has won 20 awards, including six prestigious International Property Awards for its Laguna Phuket properties in the last three years, villas, condos and private residences across a range of segments.

    Main image credit: Banyan Tree Group

    A contemporary showroom

    Product watch: Onyx tile collection from Hyperion Tiles

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    Product watch: Onyx tile collection from Hyperion Tiles

    The new Onyx tile collection from Hyperion Tiles features layers of colour, mixed with SilkTech technology for anti-slip performance…

    A contemporary showroom

    Family-run, independent tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles has handpicked a ceramic design in five distinctive colourways to create the new Onyx Tiles collection. Each tile is made from ceramic and reflects the translucent qualities and unique characteristics you would find in the real thing – richly patterned, natural stone.

    This bathroom showcases the new Onyx Pink Tiles with black in the wet room to create a striking finish.

    Image caption: This bathroom showcases the new Onyx Pink Tiles with black in the wet room to create a striking finish. | Image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    “Our new onyx-effect tiles encompass depth of colour and an inner gleam coupled with SilkTech technology to ensure excellent anti-slip performance, while managing to retain this ceramic surface’s soft, silky feel,” explains Richard Skeoch, Director at Hyperion Tiles.

    The new Onyx Ivory Tiles add a chic finish, which helps to bounce more light around this kitchen.

    Image caption: The new Onyx Ivory Tiles add a chic finish, which helps to bounce more light around this kitchen. | Image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    The new tile collection has been designed for those who are looking to create the wow factor on interior walls and floors in a commercial or residential project. Designers can choose from a highly polished or matt finish, which gives you more versatility in every design. Hyperion Tiles is a leading supplier, which is renowned for our design-driven portfolio of ceramic, porcelain, stone and mosaic statement wall and floor tiles, and engineered wood flooring.

    > Since you’re here, why not read about indoor/outdoor surface design trends? 

    Hyperion Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    The Brit List Awards 2022

    The Brit List Awards 2022: applications now open!

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    The Brit List Awards 2022: applications now open!

    Free to apply, the world’s most accessible awards campaign in the hotel design industry, The Brit List Awards 2022, has commenced. There are nine individual awards up for grabs – for global designers, architects, hoteliers and brands alike – as well as the chance to feature in Hotel Designs’ annual publication that profiles the leading individuals in Britain who are shaping a new era of hotel design and hospitality… 

    The Brit List Awards 2022

    Following the show-stopping performance from last year’s award’s ceremony, when The Brit List Awards took over London’s famous cabaret venue, PROUD Embankment, London. – with indoor sparklers and a party that went well into the early hours of the morning –  the 2022 edition of The Brit List Awards has officially got underway as applications/nominations have opened!

    > Click here to apply/nominate for The Brit List Awards 2022 (the application process closes on August 19).

    In order to remain the world’s most accessible hotel design and hospitality awards campaign, The Brit List Awards has always been, and will remain, free to enter for all interior designers, architects, hoteliers and brands alike. Editor Hamish Kilburn explains why. “Put simply, by keeping the process free-of-charge, we have been able to unlock so many more interesting projects and people who may not shout the loudest, or have the marketing budget to amplify their talent, but certainly do deserve the recognition for their game-changing work,” he says. “It’s these details that have allowed The Brit List Awards to grow into what it is respected as today. Charging to apply would change the DNA of the awards, which we are not prepared to do.”

    This year’s individual categories are:

    After the application process closes, each category will be judged closely by this year’s panel, and the shortlisted finalists will be announced in September, ahead of the awards ceremony taking place on November 2.

    In addition to the individual awards up for grabs, the top 25 entries in the interior design, architecture and hospitality categories will be profiled in the prestigious The Brit List, Hotel Designs’ annual publication that references the top 75 most influential individuals in British design, architecture and hospitality.

    Hotel Designs’ national (and global) search to identify the true leaders operating in the hotel design and hospitality arena in Britain has kicked off. The awards, which has become a major campaign to support diversity and raw talent that stretches across the British design, architecture and hospitality landscape, is expected to be bigger than ever before – climaxing with a live awards ceremony that will take place on November 2 at PROUD Embankment.

    Meet this year’s sponsors: 

    Tickets for The Brit List Awards 2022 Award Ceremony will go on sale shortly. In the meantime, if you would like to discuss sponsorship packages, please contact Katy Phillips via email, or call 01992 374050.

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022

    ARTE-Wallcovering-Marqueterie-_Puzzle_72770_Roomshot_Print_HR-UPPR

    Product watch: Marqueterie by Arte

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    Product watch: Marqueterie by Arte

    Arte has launched Marqueterie, a new collection inspired by geometrics and woven craftsmanship…

    ARTE-Wallcovering-Marqueterie-_Puzzle_72770_Roomshot_Print_HR-UPPR

    Following hosting a roundtable on ‘a personal approach to surface design’, Arte has launched a new wallcovering collection, inspired by playful geometric patterns and considered craftsmanship.

    Red geometric wallcovering in living room

    Image credit: Arte

    The natural product sisal, a hardwearing fibre from the agave plant, forms the basis of the Marqueterie collection.

    The authentic woven pieces are cut and arranged by hand in diverse patterns. The traditional marquetery or inlay reveals striking geometric figures.

    Green geometric wallcovering in living room

    Image credit: Arte

    Both the varying direction of the weave and the colours create an unusual depth and texture to this fully hand-crafted wallcovering. Depending on the incidence of light and the viewing position, a subtle sheen becomes apparent adding a new dimension to these striking wallcoverings.

    Arte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Arte

    guestroom at Park Hyatt Johanesburg

    Park Hyatt to arrive in Johohannesburg

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    Park Hyatt to arrive in Johohannesburg

    After an extensive refurbishment, overseen by award-winning designer Yabu Pushelberg, the iconic Winston Hotel is expected to reopen as Park Hyatt Johannesburg…

    guestroom at Park Hyatt Johanesburg

    Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of the Millat Group for the Winston Hotel in Rosebank. This marks the re-introduction of the Park Hyatt brand to South Africa, signifying Hyatt’s focus on growing its luxury brands in the destinations that matter most to travellers, customers, and owners.

    “We are delighted to continue building on our relationship with the Millat Group and add Park Hyatt Johannesburg to Hyatt’s growing collection of luxury properties throughout the African continent,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, Regional Vice President Development Middle East Africa for Hyatt International. “Park Hyatt hotels are found in the world’s most premier destinations and this development in Rosebank demonstrates a commitment to catering to both domestic and international high-end travellers who are looking for an oasis of calm and refinement, highly attentive personal service and elevated experiences in an intimate environment, while still enjoying the vibrancy of Johannesburg.”

    The refurbishment of the hotel will be overseen by Yabu Pushelberg, the design team who have previously worked on hotels such as Park Hyatt New York, Park Hyatt Shenzhen, and Park Hyatt Bangkok, as well as some of the world’s leading luxury brands, including Bergdorf Goodman and LVMH. Yabu Pushelberg’s thoughtful and rigorous approach to design will revitalise the hotel while celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship of its locale. Highly curated interiors and contemporary architecture will combine indoor and outdoor elements, inviting guests to lose themselves in a romantic and layered experience rooted in the surrounding landscape.

    guestroom decorated in neutral tones and textures at the new Park Hyatt Winston in Johannesburg

    Image credit: Hyatt Hotels

    Once the hotel joins the Park Hyatt brand, it is expected to be popular with business and leisure guests alike, offering understated luxury and an elevated home away from home experience with highly personalized, intuitive, and fully engaged service; renowned art and design; a profound reverence for culture; and exceptional food and wine. The hotel’s highly convenient location in Rosebank is within walking distance of the area’s lively bars, popular restaurants, and notable galleries. Guests can enjoy easy access to Rosebank Gautrain Station, as well as thriving shopping and entertainment attractions, including The Zone and Rosebank Mall.

    All 30 guestrooms and suites will be fitted with king size beds, professionally equipped workstations, and en-suite bathrooms. The hotel’s restaurant will include a spacious dining room and an outdoor terrace for refined, al-fresco dining, overlooking its picturesque swimming pool. The hotel will also feature an atmospheric bar with an open-air courtyard, as well as a stylish multi-purpose event space for conferences and meetings, accommodating up to 60 guests.

    Once completed, the refurbishment will complement the world-class sophistication and understated elegance for which the Park Hyatt brand is known. Guests can expect personalised, considered experiences and high-end service that will exceed their expectations of a luxury stay in Johannesburg.

    “We are excited to work with Hyatt again. The plans for Park Hyatt Johannesburg represent an incredibly exciting addition to our hotel portfolio,” said Hamza Farooqui, the Millat Group’s CEO. “We have seen a considerable uptake in domestic and international travel, from both a leisure and a business travel perspective. Hyatt and Millat’s proven understanding of luxury travel will ensure that the renovated hotel offers a world-class product and service never before seen in South Africa.”

    This marks the fourth collaboration between Hyatt and the Millat Group in South Africa, joining Hyatt Regency Cape Town, Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton, and Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank.

    Hyatt’s portfolio in Africa consists of 13 hotels, including Hyatt Regency Johannesburg, Hyatt Regency Algiers Airport, Hyatt Regency Taghazout, Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay, Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro, Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa , Hyatt Regency Cairo West, and Park Hyatt Zanzibar.

    Main image credit: Hyatt Hotels

    serene corner with a private pool on the island of Paros

    Inside Cosme Paros – embracing authentic Greek hotel design

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    Inside Cosme Paros – embracing authentic Greek hotel design

    The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, has announced the opening of Cosme, a Luxury Collection Resort developed by Kanava Hotels & Resorts, on the Greek island of Paros…

    serene corner with a private pool on the island of Paros

    The idyllic island of Paros is home to serene landscapes, refined culture, rich culinary history, naturally sculpted whitewashed architecture, cobbled pathways and stretches of crystal-clear beaches.

    A few months ago, in conversation with Kalia Konstantinidou, who is the co-owner of Kanava Hotels & Resorts, plans for Cosme were high on the agenda. With a design to embrace the authentic Cycladic lifestyle and encouraging a carefree state of mind, Cosme has now opened its doors, and is able to make good on the promise by Konstantinidou to welcome global explorers an invigorating journey of experiences on the shores of the Aegean Sea, celebrating the joy of life in the charming town of Naoussa. Developed by Kanava Hotels & Resorts, Cosme embraces hoteliers Antonis Eliopoulos’ and Kalia Konstantinidou vision and ethos for understated luxury while elevating authentic, Greek hospitality.

    white and wicker in the dappled shade at Cosme, Paros, Greece

    Image credit: Marriott International / Kanava Hotels & Resorts

    “We strongly believe in creating authentic, timeless experiences for our guests, encouraging deeper connections between themselves and the destination, by embracing the culture, rituals and traditions as well as evoking a sense of calm,” said Konstantinidou, Co-Owner of Kanava Hotels & Resorts. “The time is right to celebrate life and feel free. This is the concept behind the creation of Cosme. Our location, architecture, services and people open up possibilities, allowing guests to express their individuality and choose how they connect, imagine, and enjoy. Every aspect of the hotel is designed to give guests the freedom to make the experience their own.”

    circular garden and fountain in the grounds of Cosme, Paros

    Image credit: Marriott International / Kanava Hotels & Resorts

    The property’s design, created by architecture and design studio ID Laboratorium, is characterised by the one-of-a-kind ‘Aegean Touch’ and elegantly blends rare elements from around the Mediterranean with bold Cycladic lines. Design details throughout reference the style and beauty of Paros. All buildings are clean-lined and made with local stone showcasing harmonious architectural compositions inspired by the island’s bright fishing villages and indigenous houses. Even the hotel’s half-moon pool is an ode to the destination, reflecting the shape of the bay in which Cosme stands. Designed as a natural extension of Naoussa, meandering pathways throughout the property create an intimate village-style feel, reminiscent of the town itself, encouraging guests to revel in chance encounters and serendipitous moments of discovery. The resort’s open-air entrance and stone pathway, decorated with a curated explosion of greenery, leads into a marble-floored reception and lobby area that references historical Cycladic buildings. The entrance is light-filled and brought to life with a mural by artist Christina Mandilari of Naked Summers as well as distinctive wallpapers and fabrics featuring handmade embroidery by Pierre Frey. The resort also features a private beach and beach club.

    private outdoor space at the guestrooms at Cosme

    Image credit: Marriott International / Kanava Hotels & Resorts

    The resort shelters an intimate 40 suites, each uniquely appointed and with select suites featuring private pools and views across the crystalline waters. All include custom-made furniture by renowned Spanish designer Jaime Hayon, paired with fabrics in warm shades of burgundy and red as well as classic designs with stripes in shades of blue, a colour synonymous with Greece. Spanning 60 square meters and with views of the Aegean Sea, the exclusive and lavish Cosmos Suite is one of the most luxurious accommodations on the island. The ultimate escape, its expansive terrace comes with a private pool, open-air dining area, sunbeds and views across to Cosme’s private beach.

    “The opening of Cosme, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paros this summer is an exciting development for Paros, for the Marriott International portfolio and for discerning travellers from around the world,” said Candice D’Cruz, Vice President of Marriott International Luxury Brands, EMEA. “As we move into an exciting season for the true resurgence of global travel, Cosme now sets a new international standard through creating a luxury experience that is both emotive and fulfilling.”

    view out to sea over the swimming pool at cosme Paros

    Image credit: Marriott International / Kanava Hotels & Resorts

    Remaining true to the island’s roots, Kalia Konstantinidou has personally crafted concepts that bring a true sense of individuality to the hotel. These include a culinary journey by celebrated Greek chef, Yiannis Kioroglou, who brings his passion for ‘Medite-Grecian’ cuisine to the hotel’s dining destinations, beachside Parostia and laidback Volta at the heart of the resort.

    Art is also an integral part of the guest experience with an eclectic mix of native multimedia Greek artists on display. Combining modern and classical approaches, these include Margarita Myrogianni’s abstract images of details and shadows from traditional handmade embroidery, which become an abstract place of reference for images such as fishermen’s nets, sea urchin shapes, nautical ropes and the light of the Cycladic islands. The potter Dimitris Spyros decorates various hidden corners of the hotel with his unusual forms that are inspired by the sculptural stones of the island’s landscape. Outdoors, ID Laboratorium selected the artist Terpsichore, who collaborated with the ceramicist Nikos Gagiatsos to create the faces of its famous lazy sailors, painted on pots.

    Located at the highest point in the resort and named after the Greek God of the Sun, Elios Spa pays tribute to the extraordinary setting in which it is nestled. Embracing the slow-paced Cycladic way of life, Elios Spa is a sanctuary for the senses where guests encouraged to rediscover harmony through holistic treatments using exclusively indigenous resources, pure extracts and innovative techniques. The carefully selected spa partner, KORRES, blends rare organic ingredients from Greece and the wider Mediterranean to create locally-inspired healing rituals, treatments and therapies that can be crafted to guests’ needs and are designed to stimulate and revitalise the body, soul and spirit.

    Main image credit: Marriott International/ Kanava Hotels & Resorts

    dramatic florals on the ceiling in the lobby at The Starling

    The Starling joins Curio Collection by Hilton

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    The Starling joins Curio Collection by Hilton

    In an exciting rebrand The Starling, the latest evolution of Atlanta’s Hotel Midtown, has been brought to life in conjunction with the property joining Curio Collection by Hilton. The Starling marks the brand’s second property in the Atlanta area and adds to Hilton’s roster of full-service Atlanta properties…

    dramatic florals on the ceiling in the lobby at The Starling

    Formerly known as the W Atlanta Midtown, the hotel’s new identity, under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand, pays homage to its home in ‘the city in the forest’, and takes inspiration from the starling bird that can be found in nearby Piedmont Park. Starlings are a highly social group of birds often seen in large gatherings swooping through the Georgia sky in intricately coordinated patterns symbolic of the dynamic community surrounding the hotel and the vibrant individuals who visit. Connecting to the energy and creativity of these birds, the property’s new identity not only includes a stylish new rebrand but will be complemented with a revamped line up of hotel programming. Additionally, the property will feature updates to both the hotel spa, rebranded as The Spa at The Starling, and to the distinctive lobby bar, to re-debut as the hotel’s newest food and beverage concept, Lantana.

    “We are thrilled to unveil our new name and identity,” said The Starling General Manager, Kathryn Day. “Atlanta is constantly growing and changing. Likewise, our history is layered and ever-changing. We aim to embody our city’s edge and energy, while infusing a bold sense of bespoke consideration to be a home for the larger Atlanta community and the next generation of travellers.”

    The Starling Lobby Lounge with plush green seating and gallery walls

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton / The Starling

    Lantana is named after a dazzling flower known for its brightly coloured blooms, a nod to the vibrancy of the lounge and its bold, floral design. The name also speaks to the garden of experiences guests can enjoy over cocktails and meals as guests and visitors alike will now be able to enjoy all-day full service from breakfast to dinner to late night drinks. Culinary offerings will be led by Executive Chef, Cole Pate. Prior to joining The Starling, Pate served as Sous Chef at the renowned Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. and later Executive Chef of local Atlanta favourites, The Southern Gentleman and Gypsy Kitchen. In addition to ample culinary offerings, guests are encouraged to indulge in a spa treatment of their choice, or in a full day of pampering at The Spa at The Starling. In the coming weeks, the spa will showcase a variety of packages to celebrate the hotel’s rebrand.

    outdoor space and terraces at the starling in Atlanta

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton / The Starling

    With the rebrand, The Starling will begin to introduce immersive programmes and experiences including ‘Night Shade Bingo at Lantana’ hosted by Drag Performer Taylor Alxndr as well as ‘Sweat.Swim.Spa’, a full-day package offering an opportunity for individuals to experience fitness classes curated by popular local instructors along with time at both the terrace pool and the spa.

    Pool Deck with loungers and cabanas at The Starling Atlanta

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton / The Starling

    Building on the hotel’s complete renovation in 2019, the new spirit of the hotel feels right at home with the textured and unique elements that make The Starling a signature experience in itself. From eclectic interior design to the electric atmosphere that runs through the walls, the property exudes spaces that reflect a welcoming and soulful personality. Hotel spaces feature floral ceiling print and framed birds that further connect to the city’s sprawling parks, gardens and meandering trails, representing Atlanta as a thriving metropolitan hub intertwined in greenery.

    king suite guestroom at The Starling

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton / The Starling

    Fitting to The Starling’s namesake as a symbol of community, the 466 guestroom property originally built in 1973 also features murals of local cultural figures and musicians. Sheltering 433 inviting guestrooms and 33 unique suites with sweeping city views, the Starling also offers 45,500 square feet of meeting space, including 9,400 square feet of ballroom space and a top-floor event space featuring panoramic views of the city. Public spaces also offer an expansive terrace pool, a bustling lobby lounge, as well as a spa and fitness centre.

    Main image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton / The Starling

    Camberwell bathroom furniture and fittings by Britton Bathrooms

    Product watch: Camberwell, Britton Bathroom’s new fashion-forward furniture

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    Product watch: Camberwell, Britton Bathroom’s new fashion-forward furniture

    Britton Bathrooms is expanding its product portfolio with the launch of Camberwell, a collection of furniture units designed for trend-led consumers navigating small bathrooms and more restrictive budgets…

    Camberwell bathroom furniture and fittings by Britton Bathrooms

    Ensuring harmonious design within the bathroom, Camberwell pairs beautifully with every Britton Bathrooms brassware collection, notably Hoxton and Greenwich. More impressively, the handle finishes match perfectly with all of the brand’s brassware collections, enabling complete design consistency.

    Camberwell by Britton Bathrooms in beige colourway in a neutral modern bathroom spa

    Image credit: Britton Bathrooms

    The range is available in three sizes, four matt-finish colours, including Warm Beige, Dusty Blue, Frosted White, and Earthy Green, and three handle finishes, including Brushed Brass, Chrome, and Matt Black. It partners with either a built-in Cast Marble Basin for a seamless aesthetic or a Carrara Marble Countertop for added luxury.

    Featuring soft-close double-drawers, with a full extension and under sink cut out, Camberwell provides ample, easy-to-access storage. The unit comes with a ten year guarantee and arrives fully assembled and ready to fit. It is produced from recycled materials and all edges use PU adhesive to make it more resistant to humidity and water.

    Britton Bathrooms is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Britton Bathrooms

    Roca takes the Mediterranean to Milan

    Roca takes the Mediterranean to Milan

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    Roca takes the Mediterranean to Milan

    The Roca immersive installation at Fuorisalone, designed by Cobalto Studio, was inspired by vernacular Mediterranean aesthetics and Roca’s new Ona collection…

    Roca takes the Mediterranean to Milan

    Roca took the Mediterranean to Milan with Influence, a large-scale architectural installation designed by Barcelona based Cobalto Studio. The installation explored the vernacular architecture of the Mediterranean, honouring its idiosyncrasies and exploring its relationship with contemporary artistic practices. Cobalto’s approach to design emphasises the importance of this culture and heritage in all their works, and Influence is no exception.

    “Roca’s first appearance at Salone marks a strategic milestone in the company’s long history,” said Marc Viardot, Roca Group Director of Marketing and Design. “When Salone turns Milan into the hub for global project business, we are showing to the architecture and design world the aspirational side of our brand. Influence epitomises the origins of Roca with a deep sensibility for materials and design.”

    Cobalto Studio took as a starting point the talaiots, Bronze Age megaliths found on the islands of Menorca and Majorca. Gabriel Escámez and his team explored the design of these enigmatic structures, finding in them a link to the needs of present: to seek an appreciation of the most elemental and essential.

    “Influence is a space for reflection where, through the senses, we can form an understanding of and connection to that which surrounds us,” said Gabriel Escámez, Cobalto Studio Founder.

    The design of the installation was about creating the sense of peace and natural wonder evoked by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. To achieve this, the installation made use of REDEXT, data related to waves and tides collected by a network of buoys off the Menorcan coast. Roca and Cobalto analysed that data, marking the peaks and troughs of the waves and translating them into the pulsating waves of golden light that illuminated Influence. Each wash of light and darkness that comes over the space mirrors the exact movements of a wave recorded by the REDEXT system, recalling the sensation of being submerged in the waters of the Mediterranean. Evoking the light of the sun, which nourishes the land, and the moon, which creates the tides, Escámez described the result as “immersion in the beating heart that resides in the depths of the Mare Nostrum”.

    Selected pieces from the Ona collection where included throughout the installation – the soft shapes and warm colours made the ideal complement to the naturalist and vernacular aesthetic of the installation. Like traditional Mediterranean architecture, Ona seeks to create spaces of wellness, purity and connection.

    Roca’s newest collection for the bathroom space, Ona combines innovative design and cutting-edge technology to achieve new standards of hygiene, comfort and sustainability.

    As part of the INTERNI Design Re-Generation event, which aims to generate new design proposals in which sustainability is the key to a new way of living, Influence made use of reusable materials and the notion of resource optimisation – making the most of available resources while generating the smallest environmental impact.

    Roca’s installation offered an opportunity for an open dialogue between philosophy, materiality and sustainability, enriched with a sensory experience. The result was an authentic, immersive installation that transported visitors to a Mediterranean oasis.

    Roca is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Roca

    guestroom designed by BLINK at the W Dubai - Mina Seyahi

    BLINK’s vision for the new W Dubai – Mina Seyahi

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    BLINK’s vision for the new W Dubai – Mina Seyahi

    BLINK Design Group has created a stunning modern bohemian vision inspired by traditional dhow boats, the romance of travel and the ancient arabic storytelling tradition of Al-Halqa for the new W Dubai – Mina Seyahi…

    guestroom designed by BLINK at the W Dubai - Mina Seyahi

    The global interior design group BLINK were taken on board to push the design boat out and set tongues wagging for the UAE’s latest W Hotel, located in the heart of Al Mina al Seyahi, the legendary ‘Port of Travellers’ district of Jumeirah Beach, home to the glittering Dubai International Marine Club and its 300-berth marina.

    The Mina Seyahi port dates back to ancient times when the area was a thriving hub of the copper trade, and the Al-Halqa storytellers would weave their yarns to circles of spellbound travellers. The graceful swooping shape of the traditional dhow boats that once thronged the harbour along with the stories and intrigue of the trading enclave became the inspiration for the design. BLINK’s canvas is a hotel ranging over 31 floors, with 291 guest rooms and 27 opulent suites; a spectacular marina-front lobby, infinity pool and lavish spa, four state of the art meeting rooms and a selection of the most cutting-edge dining concepts in Dubai. The result is a design entirely of its place, colourful, eclectic with a touch of retro; a place where ancient storytellers’ tales will be given new life through its guests.

    bar and pool on the terrace at W Dubai - Mina Seyahi

    Image credit: BLINK / W Dubai – Mina Seyahi

    “Dubai transformed quickly from an ancient outpost into an ultra-modern cosmopolitan city and one of the most famous travel destinations, for business or leisure. Despite this rapid modernisation, the thread of history is kept alive down the generations through the traditions of storytelling, one of the most sublime and respected art forms that runs through Arabian culture,” explained Clint Nagata, BLINK Founder and Creative Partner. “We drew deep inspiration from the timeless tradition of Al-Halqa, the storytellers’ circles as old as Arabian culture itself, where crowds would form around masters who would spin captivating yarns. It’s an art form that has been given World Heritage status in Morocco and still thrives for those who know where to look in the UAE.”

    restaurant design inspired by dhow shapes and traditional materials

    Image credit: BLINK / W Dubai – Mina Seyahi

    “The more we researched the history of Dubai, the generations of traders and storytellers coming together to build this shimmering city by the sea, the more excited we became, ” continued Nagata. “The ‘Port of Travellers’ was the overarching inspiration, so we set out from the ground up to imbue this hotel with the soul of storytelling and the spirit of the souk, a place for people to meet and share the stories of their travels, and a haven for modern day traders, wheelers and dealers.”

    The concept translated into guest rooms and suites laden with lavish touches and hints of intrigue, adventure and romance. The bed headboards are white leather, with ribs and shapes inspired by dhows, as well as fabrics with motifs drawn from local calligraphy and being playful with paper. Lights echo ancient lanterns in colours straight from the Arabian Nights. The suites have been envisioned as a place to gather with friends for predinner drinks and gossip, or for a casual meeting. The beds have a luxurious seating area, with a tilted minibar in brass and dark blue lacquer, a social space where drinks can be served and a perfect place for lazy grazing. The walk-in closets are enclosed with billowing curtains in a gradient of sunset colours, echoing the hues of the bay, as the design team play with the idea of the secrets behind the veil. The storytelling theme extends to the bathrooms via a calligraphy theme, with bold black and white colours to echo ink and paper. The bathroom has its own seating area, encouraging long bathing rituals, cocktails and conversation.

    sunset on the pool deck at W Dubai - Mina Seyahi designed by BLINK

    Image credit: BLINK / W Dubai – Mina Seyahi

    The hotel’s signature dining experience, Ginger Moon, has been created as an eclectic and bohemian space for travellers, traders and modern nomads to gather, featuring a spectacular split-level ocean deck connected to the sparkling waters of the bay, with a restaurant and pool bar overlooking The Palm Island. The storytelling theme continues into BAR-B, the uniquely exotic spa experience.

    Main image credit: BLINK / W Dubai – Mina Seyahi

    staurant design with feature lighting in The Slate Denver

    The Slate Denver has opened its doors

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    The Slate Denver has opened its doors

    Summer holidays may be beckoning, but The Slate Denver is educating guests year-round with a school-inspired hotel experience…

    staurant design with feature lighting in The Slate Denver

    Located at the former site of the historic Emily Griffith Opportunity School, The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, brings a new class of style and experience to the Mile High City. The four story hotel adds 251 upscale guestrooms, literal old school designed hallways, inspired meeting spaces, and a restaurant, bar and lounge to downtown Denver. The hotel is across the street from the Colorado Convention Centre, and minutes from Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens and other popular sites for locals and travellers alike.

    “It’s been exciting to oversee the revitalisation of this historic property, and we are honoured to have helped launch The Slate Hotel,” said Navin Dimond, founder, CEO and chairman of Stonebridge Companies. “Stonebridge has been part of the Denver community for more than 30 years now, and with the hotel’s opening, we pay tribute to the Mile High City’s past, present and future.”

    the study hall lounge area in The Slate Denver

    Image credit: Hilton International

    The foundation of The Slate Denver has a fascinating history. In 1916, education pioneer Emily Griffith set out to create a school of opportunities for people of all ages and races, founding the Emily Griffith Opportunity School, a place ‘for all those who wish to learn’, no matter their age or background. It became one of the first trade schools in the country, and in 1926, the school opened its first location in downtown Denver. As the school continued to expand, so did the building, with additions to the building constructed in 1947 and 1956. To honour Emily Griffith and the designated Denver landmark, The Slate Denver’s design is inspired by the property’s educational roots – from the typewriter artwork and original school staircases and hallways, to the school-themed meeting rooms and restaurant and bar.

    a school themed meeting room in the Slate Denver

    Image credit: Hilton International

    Under Chef Michael Poompan’s guidance, Teachers’ Lounge Food + Drink will offer a touch of modern elegance in a relaxed and comfortable historical setting. The menu will include local ingredients and a contemporary take on classic dishes, as well as the property’s signature apple-themed cocktail, The Emily. Teachers’ Lounge Food + Drink will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Slate Denver’s adjacent restaurant and retail block, Emily’s Alley, is Denver’s most anticipated new shopping, dining and gathering destination. It will host several seasonal activities, including music performances, artisan showcases, farmers’ markets and more. This unique outdoor space will allow guests to feel a sense of community and belonging among the bustling energy in the heart of downtown Denver.

    guestroom in The Slate Denver

    Image credit: Hilton International

    Located steps away from the Colorado Convention Centre, The Slate Denver is fast becoming downtown Denver’s newest meeting locale. With 4,500 square feet of meeting and event space, the hotel provides a real education into what the modern meeting can be. Meeting venues, such as Assembly, 1916 Boardroom, Library and Study Hall, have state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and high-speed Wi-Fi for both in-person and hybrid meetings. The Slate Denver also offers year-round outdoor patio seating and private salon space adjacent to Teachers’ Lounge Food + Drink.

    Main image credit: Hilton International

    modern light filled bathroom in neutral shades with Tara fittings by Dornbracht

    Product watch: Tara from Dornbracht

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    Product watch: Tara from Dornbracht

    Inspiring and stylistically confident, the Tara bathroom range from Dornbracht is an archetype with a lasting influence on fittings design – celebrating its 30th year with new finishes and variations, the range has lost none of its contemporary appeal…

    modern light filled bathroom in neutral shades with Tara fittings by Dornbracht

    The Tara range combines basic geometric shapes and timeless modernity – it is this design quality that makes it feel as if Tara has always been here, or equally, has only just been discovered. Inspired by the Bauhaus school, Dornbracht’s fitting has enjoyed a longevity as a result of its clear design personality. The clean, precise lines, the characteristic cross-handles, the slender, semi-circular spout – a minimalist yet elegant design that ensures understated luxury as it makes a statement that can stand on its own.

    a design classic - the chrome Tara tap by Dornbracht

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    Introduced in 1992 and undergoing a much-vaunted design refinement in 2008, the Tara series has kept re-inventing itself in a variety of new and different contexts ever since, and continues to add a classic or progressive appeal to bathroom architectures throughout the world. With a wide range of products and a choice of available finishes, Tara opens up innumerable options and design preferences. The series is now available in three new finishes: in a warm Dark Chrome, as well as in gloss or brushed variants of the light gold Champagne finish.

    The new edition of the lever variants is another special feature now offered for all washstand fittings. Tara’s perfectly balanced proportions, guided by the ideal of the ‘golden mean’, are retained, as is the 180° curve of the spout, that harmonises majestically with the control handle. The fitting is especially user-friendly as a single-lever mixer.

    Two new handle variants are also available, with matt black painted handles and textured handles in all the finishes. Touching and using them promises to be a tactile experience. Additional new products, such as the free-standing single-hole basin mixer, or the three-hole mixer with a flat spout, once again emphasize the impressive versatility of the Tara design, in a series of unique depth.

    freestanding tara pillar tap with handbasin

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    But there is one thing that will never change: the archetypal form of Tara, that is modern, style-defining and inspiring, at all times. To make sure that this is properly appreciated, Dornbracht has devised a new architectural bathroom range with the characteristic Tara signature. The concept translates the minimalist design of the fitting into an architectonic gesture. By consistently focusing on basic geometric shapes and making efficient use of space, the new Tara architecture puts the focus firmly on the here and now.

    The bathroom intentionally only contains essentials – a washstand and a rain shower, supplemented by a spacious bath and seating. Light lime plaster is used extensively. Its matt finish is warm to the touch and behaves differently, depending on how the light strikes it, bringing out the vibrancy of the material. Grooving on the floors and the washstand enhances the sensory experience, creating additional visual appeal. This is combined with wood and glass, as well as terracotta coloured textile notes.

    This reduction to the essentials creates an unassuming atmosphere of clarity, which is particularly highlighted by the use of the new Dark Chrome finish. By transferring the design principles of the series to the architecture and thinking ahead, the new bathroom – like Tara itself – is fully in keeping with the Dornbracht claim, of developing ‘Leading Designs for Architecture’.

    Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Dornbracht

    dark blue guestroom in The Other House

    Inside The Other House – soon to open in South Kensington

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    Inside The Other House – soon to open in South Kensington

    The Other House is opening the first of its new Residents’ Clubs, The Other House South Kensington. With interiors by Bergman Design House, this pioneering concept provides all its residents apartment-style living, club facilities and hotel services on tap – and no membership is required…

    dark blue guestroom in The Other House

    Launched in 2019, The Other House is tearing up the rule book and showcasing a new sector of Residents Clubs – think pied-à-terre meets private club, available for all residents to enjoy. It is cool, intriguing, bold and committed to sustainability. Whether it’s for a day or a year, when its first property opens this year, it will be a house for as long as guests are in town for.

    Ahead of its official opening, Editor Hamish Kilburn was on site last year to interview the owner, the designer and architect behind The Other House South Kensington – and is due to return in a month to be the first to capture the unveiling of its interiors:

    The Other House is as much an exciting, eclectic, boldly designed new destination for guests coming for just a few days, as it is a London bolt-hole for those who moved to the country during the pandemic or international visitors needing a place in London to call home. Offering ‘Club Flats’, a Private Club for residents and hotel services, it is the first of this type of accommodation that the UK has seen.

    teal blue in the club flat duplex in The Other House

    Image credit: The Other House

    Located on leafy Harrington Gardens, South Kensington, behind the impressive façade of 11 grand Victorian townhouses, the interior has been completely renovated and reconfigured. It now houses over 200 Club Flats, private meeting and dining rooms and exciting event spaces. Its Private Club for residents includes two bars, a screening room and extensive wellness and wellbeing spaces, including a vitality pool, state-of-the-art gym and a meditation hub. For a more local vibe, there is an all-day street café, The Other Kitchen, and a signature cocktail bar, The Owl and Monkey.

    Owl and Monkey bar in The Other House

    Image credit: The Other House

    “Working with heritage architecture brings its challenges and there have been unexpected discoveries as well as some delightful surprises, in many cases not uncovered until the strip-out process in the early stages,” said Naomi Heating, Co-owner and CEO at The Other House. “Restoring historic buildings is incredibly rewarding and is what will make our Residents’ Clubs individual, unique and embedded with history. Given my background, we are acquiring assets In the very heart of central London and generally in need of refurbishment and reorganisation. This enables us to make our vision a reality while minimising environmental impact and breathing new life into these dilapidated buildings.”

    The Other House has worked closely with the award-winning, London-based, Bergman Design House as their interior design partner. The inspiration for the interiors was derived from the local culture of South Kensington – a unique area brimming with art, design and tradition. The spirit of whimsy and English eccentricity was the starting point for the design – guided by beguiling gardens, interesting architecture, the language of arches and the nearby Gloucester Road tube station. This narrative is echoed throughout the entire building, connecting spaces, leading residents from one experience to the next. The result? A voyage of discovery, a world that is fantastical and flamboyant, but also relaxing and comforting in equal measure. All brought to life by the very best of British craftsmanship.

    dark burgundy and blue in the club flat in The Other House

    Image credit: The Other House

    The whimsical aesthetic begins on arrival, where visitors start on a journey through interconnecting spaces, revealing hidden depths, created through an artful interplay of wallpapers and fabrics from British textile and furniture houses, all punctuated by bold and unexpected touches. Throughout the entire space you will see a kaleidoscope of deep regency hues including deepest greens, inky blues, rich burgundies and gold.

    green and gold details in The Other Kitchen

    Image credit: The Other House

    The lobby is designed as a stunning and welcoming entrance for residents of The Other House rather than a traditional hotel reception dominated by guests and luggage being checked in and out. Deliberately not grand in size, it is fun, richly layered and opulent. The jaw-dropping 30ft botanical chandelier, designed and made by Cox London, stretches across the ceiling, geometric tiles adorn the floors and rectangular oxblood tiles cover the entrance to the gold-toned lifts.

    statement patterned flooring and outdoor living in the Atrium Bar in The Other House

    Image credit: The Other House

    Sustainability underpins every decision that is made at The Other House and to this end initiatives have been implemented from construction through to operations – with the aim of achieving the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ category, representing only the top ten per cent of buildings. From using materials with a low environmental impact to carrying out lifecycle assessments to inform selection – it is committed to sourcing products from verified environmentally friendly suppliers and supporting local artisans and craftsmanship. Furniture, fittings and fabrics throughout the Residents’ Club from the front of house to the Club Flats are from British design houses.

    It all adds up to a genuine retreat in the heart of London where an investment in eco-consciousness is just as seamlessly integrated as modern amenities and inspirational design. It is a destination for the wise owl who cares for the planet and the curious monkey who are looking for great experiences. Hence the name of the eponymous Owl and Monkey cocktail bar at the Other House. Which are you? To find out, you will just have to step into The Other House South Kensington as soon as it opens those designer doors.

    > While here, why not revisit Part 1 of Hotel Designs’ exclusive concept-to-completion series with The Other House where we tour the bare bones of the project through the eyes of the brand’s CEO, Naomi Heaton as well as design team, Bergman Design House and architecture firm Falconer Chester Hall.

    Main image credit: The Other House

    Alex Bauman-Lyons Head of Design edyn group

    In conversation with: Alex Bauman-Lyons, Head of Design at edyn

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    In conversation with: Alex Bauman-Lyons, Head of Design at edyn

    With Whitworth Locke having recently partnered with Hotel Designs for our Meet-Up North, we found time to chat to Head of Design Alex Bauman-Lyons to find out more about both the challenges and the opportunities of working for the edyn brand as it continues to challenge boundaries and shift the focus of lifestyle hospitality design…

    Alex Bauman-Lyons Head of Design edyn group

    MEET UP North 2022 took place after a two year break in the creative centre of Manchester, surrounded by the design and energy of the region. The day started with a panel discussion exploring design development in the North, exploring the North/South design divide (is there one or has design transcended those boundaries?), and ended on an energetic note of noisy networking. With Alex Bauman-Lyons in the house representing edyn on the panel, we spoke to him a little more about the design direction behind the brand.

    Hotel Designs: What were you doing before working for edyn?

    Alex Bauman-Lyons: I spent the early part of my career at Grimshaw Architects, working on huge infrastructure projects like London Bridge Station and Heathrow airport. In many ways it was as far from hospitality as you can get, but it gave me great experience solving complex design issues. After that I worked at Duggan Morris Architects (now Morris and Co) before moving to Buenos Aires for a few years, where I worked as a remote freelancer. I started collaborating a lot with Fran Hickman, working on some amazing projects such as NASAB in Dubai and the Chess Club in Mayfair. edyn became a key client of mine and they tempted me over to work for them full time!

    statement lighting over the table at Beckett Locke

    Image credit: Beckett Locke/ edyn

    HD: Where’s the most interesting creative district that edyn has a property in, and why?

    AB-L: We are opening a Locke hotel in Zurich next year, which I’m really excited about. The hotel is located in the Enge neighbourhood of the city, which is not only beautiful, but boasts an excellent selection of restaurants and bars, as well as amazing outdoor markets and festivals just a stone’s throw away in Landstrasse. The city has a great creative vibe, and I’m confident that Locke will fit in well with the city’s diverse and cosmopolitan community.

    HD: Can you describe the design DNA of Locke and Cove?

    AB-L: The beauty of Locke is that each property is completely different, but they are linked by an underlying design ethos. The design response is always a reaction to the locality, inspired by the city, the street or the site itself. The front of house spaces are designed for the local community, so it is important that the design is welcoming and inclusive. We push the boundaries at Locke, so inevitably each property will not be for everyone, but that’s okay. For us its proof that we are doing something bold and unique. Cove is a very different approach. Great design is still at the heart of the product, but the approach is more familiar and residential. It is less about a specific response to the location and more about evoking a sense of home. The FF&E and finishes are selected to reflect the way we furnish our homes – unrelated, yet complimentary pieces that are collected over time.

    dark green wall makes a statement backdrop to the communal space in Cove The Hague

    Image credit: Cove The Hague / edyn

    HD: You have an aggressive pipeline. What challenges/opportunities does that present?

    AB-L: We certainly do! We are incredibly lucky to have the opportunities we do, and I would never bemoan it. Our plan is to open in every major gateway city in Europe. It’s a pretty cool mandate – go and build Locke’s and Cove’s in all the best cities in Europe! As exciting as it is, of course it is challenging. My primary focus is to maintain the soul of our brands as we scale. With Locke in particular, we design each property in a unique way, we work with different designers, architects and artists from project to project, often in countries we have never worked in before. None of these things are particularly conducive to rapid scale so there are always temptations to do things more efficiently. Our job at edyn Development Studio is adopting efficiencies that do not compromise our ethos while rejecting those that do. If we succumb to the latter, we will go the way of so many brands who become mediocre and irrelevant as they grow.

    HD: Where are the design boundaries with the edyn portfolio?

    AB-L: We embolden our designers to be as adventurous as they can be, but of course there are parameters we have to work within. As a vertical platform, we develop, own and operate our properties. This gives us invaluable insight into how our spaces are used in the real world. That real-time feedback is so insightful and helps us to know what works and – critically – what doesn’t work! We accept that making mistakes is part of being a trailblazer, but we work closely with our designers to ensure the same mistakes are not repeated.

    bright yellow sofa in public area of Schwan Locke in Munich

    Image credit: Schwan Locke / edyn

    HD: How is the group breaking down perceptions of luxury/lifestyle hospitality?

    AB-L: With Locke, we have merged the extended-stay and lifestyle sectors. Taking its cue from the evolving and varied demands of the modern traveller, Locke blends the advantages and design of a lifestyle hotel with the space and flexibility of an apartment. Before Locke, these sectors were seen as being diametrically opposed. The extended-stay offer was bland and utilitarian whereas the lifestyle sector was cool but often at the expense of comfort and amenities. Of course, this divide didn’t make any sense. Why would someone travelling for several weeks be any less sensitive to the design quality? Why can’t you provide excellent amenities such as kitchens in your studio as well as adventurous design? Locke has demonstrated that you can take the best of both sectors to create something unique.

    HD: What does a typical day in your life look like?

    AB-L: Thanks to my two kids aged one and two, my day always begins at 5am, regardless of what I did the night before. Beyond that, there is no such thing as a typical day. We work across all stages of development and operations, so in a single day I can be working on a feasibility study for a potential acquisition, watching a designer pitch for a new scheme, attending a site visit, and meeting with a GM to review a trading asset. Being a European-wide platform, I do travel a lot which is a real privilege but also very tiring! At edyn, we are flexible work absolutists. With such chaotic diaries, we need to have full control over our working hours. It gives me the chance to pick my kids up from nursery and then work later in the evening if I need to, which I am very grateful for.

    Main image credit: edyn

    spa and pool at Six Senses Vana

    Six Senses Vana – a new ‘health & healing’ hotel to arrive in India

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    Six Senses Vana – a new ‘health & healing’ hotel to arrive in India

    Six Senses Vana, the latest addition to the Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas portfolio, is slated to open this autumn in the Himalayan foothills of India. From mantras to meditation, massages and activating the mula bandha, Vana will lead guests with a soft heart yet steely hand to a profound and purposeful transformation…

    spa and pool at Six Senses Vana

    Vana resort has, for many years, been a sanctuary for rebalancing, healing, and learning, based on its aspiration to help guests achieve the best spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual potential. It offers guests a journey of self-discovery and transformation, where everything is personalised, and traditional practices such as Ayurveda, yoga, and Tibetan Medicine are integrated alongside the latest complementary therapies into a daily routine, nudging guests gently along their path to vitality. Vana’s approach has always been authentic and soothing yet determined and effective – honouring and building on these foundations, Six Senses is excited to bring this much-loved and well-established wellness gem into its portfolio.

    Never shy of defying convention, Six Senses has built its success on its commitment to wellness, and the goal is to work with Vana’s team to weave in new experiences to the existing formula offered by the retreat and bring it to a broader global audience. The property is also a great addition for the brand in India, alongside Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan.

    “With its ancient healing traditions and spiritual practices, India has long been heralded as the ultimate wellness gateway and, in a gentle but intentional way, this plays to who we are too,” said Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses. “Vana comes to us with a strong philosophy and loyal Vanavasi clientele manifested by founder Veer Singh. The seed was sown in Veer’s mind through his deep interest in and respect for sustainable farming, traditional wisdom, and nature, which we will continue to nurture under the Six Senses brand. This marriage made in the Himalayas allows us to build on what exists with some of our signature experiences.”

    Vana means forest, and indeed it is tucked away amid organic kitchen and herb gardens in a sal-tree reserve within India’s lush and leafy Mussoorie region. Close to Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, and north of Dehradun on the approach to the Himalayas, this is a place to rediscover one’s own path.

    There is no one common objective that guests come to achieve, and the arrival consultation will continue to guide the entire journey with a wellness screening providing additional analysis and insights. Each guest’s uniqueness is fundamental to creating a personalised program with ancient practices, complementary therapies, and plenty of movement. Some wish to focus on natural healing, deepen their yoga practice, or address their weight holistically; others come for Panchakarma, or rest and relaxation.

    “Vana becoming Six Senses Vana is the most natural and logical progression for this precious and beautiful retreat,” said Veer Singh, Vana founder. “I am humbled by the care and sensitivity Six Senses has shown to protect and nurture everything good about Vana. I am excited to see how they will deepen and strengthen our current offering and complement it with signature experiences they have successfully tried and tested around the world. I see no reason why Six Senses Vana will not become what we set out to be when Vana first opened: the most iconic wellness retreat in the world.”

    From this autumn, guests will be able to try their hand at making their own spa products at the Alchemy Bar and enhance their recovery with a biohacking offering. Sleep With Six Senses will ensure guests dismantle old habits and reverse physical or mental exhaustion using smart tools and guidance to sleep soundly and wake up ready to embrace each day.

    In India, food has always been seen as an offering to the divine, and the retreat’s mindfully prepared menus match the Eat With Six Senses guiding principles of natural ingredients, local and sustainable, and less is more. The organic gardens are being extended so that ingredients can be influenced by the seasons and personal preferences while being themed to the location, contributing to the preservation and revival of local culture and traditions. The cuisine will therefore be grown in, not flown in, and indigenous and intentional.

    The bar will serve healthy drinks, shrubs, and tonics and become a gathering point to activate the power of the ‘we’ in wellness. Along with a lifestyle concept store for sustainable fashion and spa products, there will also be a Cinema Paradiso, courts for various ball games, and experiences that tap into the retreat’s location to encourage movement and reconnection with nature.

    There’s a healing power to art and music, and creative expression can be an emotional and somatic lifeline. Exhibitions, visiting artists, and performances will continue to be woven into the retreat’s programming. Whether guests come alone or with friends or family, they will leave having connected with a whole new Vana family.

    Sensitivity to ecology has played an intrinsic role in the resort’s thinking – creating, and maintaining harmony with the natural world. Energy, water, and waste are managed effectively in LEED Platinum certified buildings, and all textiles and solvents are sourced in compliance with sustainable standards. These principles are aligned to core values at Six Senses, communicated through the Earth Lab, where guests are encouraged to be the change they want to see during hands-on and light-hearted workshops. Regenerative travel experiences will offer guests a tangible connection to the local community and wildlife projects, infusing their Vana journey with purpose and positive impact.

    As a mindful oasis away from India’s trademark, intense colour, noise, and activity, the natural-toned rooms and suites, all with balconies or terraces, look over the sal forest or gardens and are comfortably appointed to evoke a sense of harmony.

    Main image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts

    exterior view from above of The Morrow Washington DC

    The Morrow announces debut in Washington D.C.

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    The Morrow announces debut in Washington D.C.

    Scheduled for Q3 2022, The Morrow, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton portfolio, is set to be Washington D.C.’s most highly anticipated new lifestyle hotel. Inspired by the vibrant heritage of the surrounding neighbourhood, it will feature guestrooms designed by Rottet Studio and public areas by INC Architecture…

    exterior view from above of The Morrow Washington DC

    Trammell Crow Company and MetLife Investment Management announced that The Morrow Washington DC, Curio Collection by Hilton is set to unveil in NoMa’s 3rd Street District later this year. Positioned at the nexus of three of Washington, D.C.’s most dynamic neighbourhoods, the hotel’s arrival will provide a new hub for the fast-growing creative community. The hotel will feature 203 guestrooms, 16,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and three food and beverage venues from Michelin-starred Chef Nicholas Stefanelli of well-known local hot spots Masseria, Philotimo and Officina.

    guestroom at The Morrow with seating and focussed lighting

    Image credit: The Morrow / Curio Collection by Hilton

    “We are incredibly excited to introduce The Morrow Washington DC this fall,” said Bill Webster, Director, Hotel Asset Management, MetLife Investment Management. “It is an honour to join the local community in welcoming travellers to experience our new hospitality offering. The Morrow, as its name implies, is about looking to the future and all possibilities that tomorrow brings. We have built the hotel upon this foundation to create an offering that is a source of energy and optimism.”

    contemporary design and a neutral palette in the bathroom at The Morrow

    Image credit: The Morrow / Curio Collection by Hilton

    Designed by Shalom Branes Associates, with guestrooms by Rottet Studio and common spaces and food and beverage outlets by INC Architecture, The Morrow Washington DC, Curio Collection by Hilton infuses the artful spirit of the location throughout the entire property. Located on the last site of Central Armature Works, a 100-year-old electrical manufacturing and repair business, the hotel is deeply rooted in Washington, D.C.’s history while representing a distinctly modern vision.

    light and airy design of the ballroom at The Morrow Wahington DC

    Image credit: The Morrow / Curio Collection by Hilton

    The design selections create a series of differentiated experiences from light and airy to dark and contemplative, eliciting distinct atmospheres related to how a guest moves throughout the hotel during the day and bringing elements of contrast to the hotel’s various activities, from lounging and working to dining and wellness. An uplifting experience is created upon arrival with a bright and airy lobby space featuring intimate seating areas. Above the lobby, the mezzanine features a state-of-the-art fitness centre and expansive meeting space. The second floor features a nearly 3,000-square-foot ballroom with multiple configuration options, an 834-square-foot meeting room, and access to a lushly landscaped outdoor terrace, where a gantry crane-inspired sculpture pays homage to the site’s industrial roots.

    roof terrace with sculptural industrial elements at The Morrow

    Image credit: The Morrow / Curio Collection by Hilton

    The hotel’s arrival brings new, sophisticated food and beverage venues operated by Michelin-starred Chef Nicholas Stefanelli to NoMa, including Le Clou, offering a modern take on the traditional French brasserie, Vesper, a moody and intimate cocktail lounge, and Upstairs at The Morrow, a rooftop lounge and bar with breathtaking views of the city. The pinnacle of the area’s bar offerings, Upstairs at The Morrow is wrapped by an expansive outdoor terrace and will bring guests unobstructed views of some of the city’s key sights. Located on the 11th floor, Vesper features live music, inspired cocktails, grand hors d’oeuvres, and caviar service. By day, the space offers a private backdrop for intimate business meetings and afternoon tea. Stefanelli and his team will also be responsible for all events, weddings and meeting spaces.

    Stefanelli’s deep roots in the area date back to his upbringing in nearby suburban Maryland, where strong influence from his Greek and Italian culinary heritage began to form his signature style, which he went on to hone in world-class kitchens from Roberto Donna’s Galileo, to Fabio Trabocchi’s Maestro and Fiamma, to Thomas Keller’s French Laundry. Stefanelli now brings world-class dining to The Morrow Washington DC, with menus featuring a refined blend of European influences within sophisticated, elegant spaces.

    The Morrow joins the Curio Collection by Hilton, a global portfolio of more than 115 hotels and resorts in nearly 30 countries focussing on offering guests authentic, curated experiences through distinctly local offerings.

    Main image credit: The Morrow / Curio Collection by Hilton

    Cunard's Queen Anne in profile sailing in twilight

    Unveiling Cunard’s Queen Anne – the next in a fine line

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    Unveiling Cunard’s Queen Anne – the next in a fine line

    Following the eagerly anticipated name reveal of Queen Anne earlier this year, Cunard now proudly introduces exciting details of the design – a collaboration from designers David Collins Studio, Richmond International and Sybille de Margerie, working with the Creative Director Adam D. Tihany to create an extraordinary and thoughtful, modern design approach…

    Cunard's Queen Anne in profile sailing in twilight

    Queen Anne has been created with an extraordinary new vision, striking a new chapter in Cunard’s story inspired by the brand’s remarkable past. The designers tasked with creating this vision have portfolios which include luxury hotels, spas, restaurants, and bars, as well as high end yachts, and private grand residences. For designers David Collins Studio and Sybille de Margerie, it is the first time taking their land-based expertise to the ship experience. The principal concept was founded on heritage, craftsmanship, storytelling, style and innovation. These five pillars ultimately became the design DNA for the ship, and accordingly, the engine of inspiration for the designers, working together in unison.

    “Just the way a world-renowned orchestra delivers a feeling, or takes you to a moment or an era,” explained Adam D. Tihany, Creative Director for Cunard. “Queen Anne’s aesthetic would do the same in harkening Cunard’s gilded age, but through the bold, onward lens of modernity.”

    interior design of grand suite on Cunard's Queen Anne

    Image credit: Cunard

    The design teams tapped into the Cunard archives, held at the University of Liverpool, sourcing a rich trove of historical documents and details on layout, materials, fabrics, patterns and textures. No stone was left unturned, from iconic poster advertisements, brochure covers and plans of grand spaces of Cunard’s early deco inspired ships, to deliver a ship concept that rivals the finest in hospitality experienced on shore.

    The design DNA was first brought to life through the iconic Cunard Queens Grand Suites. The Queens Grill Grand Suites offer guests their own private residences on board and deliver a new level of exclusivity, with each finish carefully curated in every room. Designed by David Collins Studio, they represent the epitome of luxury accommodation at sea with a dedicated dining room and adjacent butler’s pantry, walk-in wardrobes, marble finished bathrooms with views out to sea, a spacious bedroom and the largest balconies onboard.

    “I was daunted by the scale, and multitude of venues to begin with,” said Simon Rawlings, Creative Director at David Collins Studio, discussing the design brief. “But as we started to unravel the journey, craft the experiences, and hone the vision, it all became clear. We wanted to create something nostalgic yet contemporary, relaxed yet glamorous, new and exciting – all within the constraints of a ship.”

    The Princess Grill Suite on Queen Anne

    Image credit: Cunard

    The Princess Grill Suites, designed by Sybille de Margerie, are warm, inviting and surrounded in the softest materials and delicate textures for an intimate experience featuring a bespoke dressing table and bar area with patterned wall panel inspired by the flowing lines of Cunard’s past liners, sculpted ceiling panels and grand saloon carpets by textile designer, Corinne Hughes. While the Britannia balcony staterooms provide cosy sofa seating areas looking out to sea, and light, bright bathrooms with glass walk-in showers for a more relaxed, luxury experience.

    “We based the design on a sense of wonder, like a matchmaker at sea that introduces the past to its most alluring future,” explained designer Sybille de Margerie.

    Britannia Balcony Suite on Cunard's Queen Anne

    Image credit: Cunard

    A focal point for guests and the heart of the ship, the Grand Lobby, was designed to provide a show-stopping entrance, full of energy and light. Marking the transition from past to present, the area houses a contemporary metal mural sculpture that changes throughout the day by the lighting effect integrated within with an art deco leaning in homage to the ‘Golden Age’ of travel. The narrative is also keenly brought into play through the elevated entertainment spaces such as the vivid reimaging of the flagship Royal Court Theatre. The two-deck 825 seat space, designed by Richmond International, is inspired by the great sound halls of the world. All seating is of the utmost comfort and adorned in rich velvet providing each guest with a perfect view of the stage, where they may enjoy a wide variety of entertainment throughout the day and night. Each of the fifteen restaurants on board Queen Anne are distinctive where guests will enjoy a wide variety of cuisines from around the world. This is vividly reflected in the décor – from the strikingly grand Britannia Restaurant to the newly refined Golden Lion pub.

    A first in Cunard’s fleet, Queen Anne will also exclusively reveal a new wellness and beauty concept never seen before on a Cunard vessel featuring the widest selection of fitness, beauty, thermal and spa suite facilities with a contemporary, open and airy aesthetic.

    state of the art thermal suite on Queen Anne

    Image credit: Cunard

    A vital aspect to the overall blueprint is the colour palette which has been individually curated for every space to create a unique ambience in every setting. Bold new colours elevate the signature spaces and Queens Grill Suites, deep blues with flashes of golden yellow in the Britannia Staterooms have been chosen to reflect the sea and shimmer of sunlight and deep rich tones of red, amber and gold heighten the luxurious lounge feel of the Princess Grill Suites. For the Princess and Queens Grill restaurants, bright colours were chosen with elements of gold, to reinforce the luxurious but refined overall design aesthetic on board.

    “Anything tricky can date, anything too predictable can be tiresome and replicated, so keeping things fresh, unique and bold ensures the designs are timeless, and meet or exceed guest expectations,” said Rawlings, Creative Director, David Collins Studio.

    Another first for Cunard, the updated exterior of the ship will proudly sport the famous red funnel but also will debut a refined updated livery, with a finessed design of the iconic crest and introduction of an elegant new font inspired by the grand ocean liners of the past, to confidently present the name Queen Anne on the forward bow. Every Cunard ship is set to the highest interior design standard and Queen Anne epitomises this approach.  There are currently three Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria with Queen Anne, as the fourth, scheduled to be entering service in early 2024.

    Main image credit: Cunard

    white bathroom with black accessories from KEUCO Black Selection collection

    Product watch: introducing the Black Selection by KEUCO

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    Product watch: introducing the Black Selection by KEUCO

    A new collection of matt black products from KEUCO, designed to be both elegant and extravagant, creates a powerful statement in the bathroom…

    white bathroom with black accessories from KEUCO Black Selection collection

    KEUCO has a long tradition of collaborating with designers, and the new Back Selection range offers both fittings and accessories in a uniform black matt, including matching handles on mirror cabinets, providing the perfect finishing touch to a cohesive and cutting-edge bathroom design. The contrast of the matt black with light tones is particularly powerful and creates a perfectly staged setting in terms of interior design.

    minimalist white basin with tap and bathroom accessories in matt black from Black Selection collection by KEUCO

    Image credit: KEUCO

    The deep black, silk matt finish of KEUCO products bring a touch of luxury to the bathroom, and all are finished with a special lacquer coating. This not only makes them extremely durable and easy to clean, but the velvety matt surface is also tactile and pleasant to the touch.

    contemporary white bathroom with statement black fittings and shower by KEUCO

    Image credit: KEUCO

    The IXMO range of fittings is also available in the matt black colour palette – this enables design variety and planning freedom, not only in the shower, but in other areas of the bathroom. The unique feature provided by IXMO enables several functions to be grouped together in one area creating a clean, chic, minimalist appearance, as only a limited number of the fitting elements are required on the wall. In combination with the extensive range of black matt shower accessories, such as an overhead shower, a hand shower with matching hose, designer shower solutions can become a reality.

    white basin with black taps by KEUCO

    Image credit: KEUCO

    The design elements of IXMO in matt black continues through to the washbasin. Available in three styles: Flat, Soft or Pure, IXMO provides washbasin fittings to suit different living styles, either as single-lever mixers or wall-mounted fittings. Also in the range is a touch-free IXMO sensor fitting for the washbasin. The entire bathroom can be styled with black matt accents, as the fittings are also available to match the bidet.

    Accessories can add a special touch especially when it comes to bathroom design, and high-quality bathroom accessories are now part of a harmonious overall picture. The Royal Modular 2.0 mirror cabinet is available with a black matt finish, and with matt black elements from KEUCO’s PLAN and REVA collections complete the picture, whether it be the shower basket, cosmetic mirror, lotion dispenser or toilet paper holder.

    Design and function play a decisive role at KEUCO. The aim of perfectly crafted products is to combine aesthetic forms with sensible functionalities – a claim that is consistently considered right from the idea through to the implementation in all its ranges.

    KEUCO is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: KEUCO

    June Skopos fabric designs

    Product watch: Liana and Chanson fabric designs by Skopos

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    Product watch: Liana and Chanson fabric designs by Skopos

    In the brand celebrates its 50th anniversary, Skopos unveils two new collections this June…

    June Skopos fabric designs

    With echoes of the historic French Toile de Jouy style, Skopos’ hero design for June descends from the Liana Glade design, originally a feature of our Versailles collection (1988). Designs from Versailles were originally printed on-site in Yorkshire, using flatbed screen printing methods.

    Now named Liana, this design for June has been digitally separated, enabling inclusion of the fine detail from the original painting and bringing the hand-made quality back in.

    Curtain with Vase CHANSON LA24 JASPER

    Image credit: Skopos

    Liana brings a soft, colourful, impressionist pastoral landscape design into the Anniversary collection, tapping into the current aesthetic of pictorial, maximalist interiors.

    Our second design for June, Chanson, started out as ‘Song’, part of the Verse collection (from 2008). Verse came under the umbrella of the Jamasque  brand, printed originally on cotton, using flat-bed screen printing methods. Verse explored traditional and abstract floral designs with the support of a traditional stripe. The Jamasque label had a traditional bias, exploring historical themes, floral imagery, archive prints and weaves. Adapted for digital reproduction, Chanson provides a delicate tonal abstract floral design, which sits beautifully on our new Ashford basecloth.

    Skopos fabrics laid out

    Image credit: Skopos

    Designs for June are available on any of our standard print base-cloths and are currently being sampled on the Ashford linen-effect and Sonno blackout velvet cloths. Both designs are being offered in two colourways for immediate order.

    Skopos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Skopos

    Rosewood Xi'an to open in 2026

    Rosewood to arrive in Xi’an in 2026

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    Rosewood to arrive in Xi’an in 2026

    Rosewood continues its aggressive growth plans with the announcement to open an ‘ultra-luxury hotel’, Rosewood Xi’an, in 2026. The new hotel will occupy prime real estate within one of China’s most storied and attractive destinations. Here’s what we know…

    Rosewood Xi'an to open in 2026

    Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, has been on a roll over the last few years, announcing its arrival in new territories, including Spain, Saudi Arabia, Vienna, among others. The group continues its strategic global growth with the announcement of Rosewood Xi’an, an urban resort set to join the brand’s already robust portfolio of properties across China in 2026.

    Located east of Xi’an’s Qujiang District, the property will provide leisure and business travellers alike with an ultra-luxury home base located in close proximity to major arts, shopping and tourism attractions. Representative of the brand’s guiding A Sense of Place philosophy, wherein each Rosewood property reflects its destination’s storied history, rich culture and unique spirit, Rosewood Xi’an aims to fully immerse guests in this dynamic destination. Known as one of the world’s four ancient cities, Xi’an is the starting point of the historical Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Other notable cultural sites nearby include the Du Lin Relics Park, Xi’an Botanical Garden and Grand White Deer Plain.

    “We are pleased to continue our growth in China with the introduction of Rosewood Xi’an and remain steadfast in our commitment to expanding the Rosewood brand to the country’s most spectacular and culturally significant destinations,” said Sonia Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “This development highlights the brand’s dedication to offering guests the unique opportunity to genuinely connect with and celebrate local cultures and communities all over the world.”

    “We are so glad to partner with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to create a global, high-end lifestyle and aesthetic in Xi’an,” says Wuliang Li , chairman of Vanzhong Group. “Rosewood’s 40-year-long A  Sense of Place brand philosophy is a perfect fit with Vanzhong Group’s vision. Together, we will create a destination for amazing experiences of impeccable service and new-era luxury, as well as a special place for spiritual journeys of deep cultural connection.”

    The hotel will shelter a total of 180 rooms and suites in addition to four food and beverage outlets including a casual bistro, Chinese restaurant, specialty restaurant and a bar. The hotel will also offer the brand’s exclusive executive lounge, The Manor Club, as well as Asaya, Rosewood’s integrative well-being concept, which will feature eight treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness centre and a Rosewood Explorer’s club with a plethora of activities for children.

    Images of the hotel’s design and architecture are yet to be released. Rosewood Xi’an is the latest development announcement for the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts brand, adding to a strong pipeline of projects set to open in China in the coming years, including Rosewood Shenzhen (2025), Rosewood Chengdu (2026), Rosewood Hangzhou (2026) and Rosewood Shanghai (2028).

    Main image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    Unilin Clerkenwell

    “It’s in our nature” – a theme explored at Clerkenwell Design Week

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    “It’s in our nature” – a theme explored at Clerkenwell Design Week

    Under the theme ‘It’s in our nature’, UNILIN Panels explored the connection between nature and design in a packed programme of events for this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week, welcoming the architecture and design community to The Gallery Clerkenwell…

    Unilin Clerkenwell

    Clerkenwell Design Week 2022 – the international design festival that returned in May after its two-year hiatus – delivered a spectacular display of product launches, installations and talks. Getting in on the action was UNILIN Panels, which sheltered a host of panels and discussions inside its Clerkenwell base.

    With live talks from some of the industry’s brightest names hosted by the inimitable Grant Gibson of Material Matters, Kokedama making workshops, a day of Belgian themed street food and a closing party with free flowing hospitality and live DJ, UNILIN Panels certainly left its mark on this year’s fair.

    Revealing its new 2022 – 2026 decorative range and telling the story of its sustainable manufacturing processes including the use of 100 per cent recovered wood in its decorative surfaces, the Belgian panel powerhouse welcomed almost a thousand visitors over the three days. Spending time with architects and designers from practices of all shapes and sizes, it has now strengthened its status as the brand to watch.

    Charlotte Van Vlierberghe, brand manager for UNILIN Panels, says: “We are one of Europe’s biggest decorative surfaces manufacturers and we have worked tirelessly over the last years to build a UK distribution network ready for today’s architects and designers. We used Clerkenwell Design Week as a platform to showcase finishes such as our incredibly lifelike Master Oak and to discuss with the community how we can help them with decorative effects that prioritise authenticity, sustainability, quality and durability. We were happy to welcome so many people to The Gallery Clerkenwell and enjoyed the many conversations we had.”

    UNILIN Panels also used Clerkenwell Design Week as the launchpad for its Decorative Compact MDF, a readily available and budget-friendly alternative to compact HPL that excels in scratch and wear resistance. Available in different thicknesses and in more than 80 designs, this innovation is part of the 2022-2026 Collection, featuring 222 contemporary designs ready to bring big ideas to life in any commercial interior.

    UNILIN Panels is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: UNILIN Panels

    Exterior render of Art'otel London

    Introducing art’otel London Hoxton – opening in 2024

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    Introducing art’otel London Hoxton – opening in 2024

    Squire & Partners has been busy, working behind the scenes, to design the flagship London art’otel – a contemporary collection of hotels in Europe fusing architectural style with art-inspired interiors, along with creative studios/workshops, an arts hub, spa and cinema space. Here’s what we know, so far, about art’otel London Hoxton…

    Exterior render of Art'otel London

    Scheduled to open in early 2024, art’otel London Hoxton, designed by Squire & Partners, will occupy a prominent corner within the South Shoreditch Conservation Area, with designs responding to a precedent of bull-nose buildings which characterise the area. Based on a pure cylindrical form rising to 26 storeys, city views are maximised in all directions.

     

    Image credit: art’otel/Squire & Partners

    In addition to several floors of workspace, the hotel will comprise 340 guestrooms, a gym, spa and pool, art gallery, cinema, restaurants, bars and lounges.

    Through the design process, the cylindrical form of the building evolved into a fractured cogwheel form in plan, rising and adapting in response to its context and interior functions.

    Cross section of art'otel London

    Image credit: art’otel/Squire & Partners

    Each section of the cogwheel is extruded over two floors, separated by a horizontal aluminium shelf which allows each cog to read individually within the overall composition. Double-height floorplates are then rotated to give the illusion of a series of moving components.

    Within each cogwheel, twisting metal fins span from top to bottom in a variety of sizes. The reflective, elegant forms are positioned in syncopated rhythm around the tower, giving a depth of articulation to the façade.

    Render of entrance of Art'otel London

    Image credit: art’otel/Squire & Partners

    Framing the tower at first floor height, two large-scale original Banksy artworks which were part of the site are conserved and incorporated into the design.

    For a neighbourhood famed for its unconventional style, art’otel London Hoxton, with its unconventional design and architecture approach, is expected to be one of the area’s most significant openings in 2024. Between now and then, Hotel Designs will be following the project, from concept through to completion. 

    > Since you’re here, why not watch our exclusive video inside One Hundred Shoreditch? 

    Main image credit: art’otel/Squire & Partners

    Marimekko Cont Collection

    Design Helsinki to launch this August

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    Design Helsinki to launch this August

    This August sees the inaugural edition of a brand new design festival, Design Helsinki, set to become an annual fixture on the international design calendar – and Hotel Designs are a media partner…

    Marimekko Cont Collection

    Design Helsinki will run from August 24-25 in Finland’s capital city which this year celebrates ten years since it was named World Design Capital in 2012. Renowned for its functional and minimalistic Nordic architecture, the city boasts the largest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Northern Europe, making it a key destination for architecture aficionados while Finnish design has made its mark on a global scale thanks to the likes of iconic designer Alvar Aalto as well as household names including Artek and Marrimeko, not to mention the array of emerging talent.

    Carl Hansen dining table

    Image credit: Carl Hansen

    Marking a decade since Helsinki was named World Design Capital, the city will celebrate the occasion with a series of events and city-wide activities, with Design Helsinki, the capital’s first dedicated B2B contemporary design event, at the heart of the celebrations. Design Helsinki will seek to highlight the profound influence that Nordic design and its long held commitment to sustainability has on the architecture and design industries as well as providing a platform for international design professionals to meet with sought-after, world renowned brands. Additionally the show will work with two major partners in Finland – Habitare and the Alvar Aalto Foundation – to provide exciting and relevant content for visitors. Habitare and Design Helsinki will both feature in each other’s programmes. The creative director of Habitare, Laura Sarvilinna, will be interviewed as part of the Design Helsinki programme on “Regenerate”, while Design Helsinki will participate in Habitare’s programme as part of the theme ‘Blending Spaces’.

    Featuring an unmissable programme for design, Design Helsinki will take place in various locations in and around Helsinki, including an international pavilion in Kasarmitori, a topical Talks programme in the Design Museum, installations in Esplanadi park as well as within multiple resident design showrooms. The fair will also celebrate the area’s local design showrooms who will welcome architects, designers, dealers, retailers and more to experience the best of Nordic and Scandinavian design.

    Victo lighting design in dining room

    Image credit: Octola Private Wilderness. Rovaniemi, Finland

    Integral to the festival, the local showrooms that partner with Design Helsinki will provide a stimulating programme of topic-led events including talks, workshops, product launches and more. The vast range of showrooms dotted around the city-centre provide attendees an opportunity to explore some of the most inspiring commercial spaces that Helsinki has to offer with distinguished international brands like Carl Hansen, Norman Copenhagen and Kvadrat all taking part, alongside local sought-after names like Marimekko and Skanno. Participating showrooms will include high-end contract furniture brands, technical specialists and material manufacturers, each of which will contribute to a diverse range of activities, led by industry experts.

    A key feature at the event will be a specially constructed international design pavilion situated in Kasarmitori square in the Kaartinkaupunki district of Helsinki. Framed by stunning historic buildings, Kasarmitori has been chosen as the location for its architectural significance. Within the 1,650 m2

    pavilion, visitors will discover leading Scandinavian and international contract interiors brands with hundreds of products covering furniture, lighting, surfaces, architectural finishes and more.

    Brands already confirmed to take part include Aeris, Arktis, Eikund, Framery, Herman Miller, KT Interior, Martela, Lintex, naughtone, Vaarnii, Secto Design and many more.

    Design Helsinki logo

    Image credit: Design Helsinki

    Installations and talks programme

    In addition to partnering with showrooms and presenting international brands, Design Helsinki will present a series of specially commissioned installations, brand activations and a topical talks programme in partnership with Design Museum Helsinki.

    As part of the live programme, Design in Conversation promises in-depth dialogue with established and new design talent, industry leaders, journalists, and institutes, across a two-day programme of talks. Held within the former building of the Brobergska Samskolan high school in Kaarti, Design Museum will partner with the event to curate a comprehensive programme of free-to-attend sessions within their auditorium. A special exhibition by design studio FormaFantasma will also be in residence within the museum. Piia Lehtinen, Head of Collaboration & Marketing, Design Museum Helsinki, says: “We’re delighted to welcome a new international design event in Helsinki. The two-day talks program will be held at the Design Museum and will cover current topics and issues, as well as introducing both Finnish and international professionals to the audience. We are also delighted to include our main exhibition ‘Design for Everybody’ and our gallery exhibition by Milan based design studio Formafantasma to the talk’s audience. It’s exciting to kickstart the fall season with Design Helsinki!”

    Main image credit: Design Helsinki

    Tiled wall in modern bathroom

    Product watch: a tile Inspired by heritage at Royal Exchange Kingston

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    Product watch: a tile Inspired by heritage at Royal Exchange Kingston

    Wall and floor tiles from Parkside feature at Royal Exchange, Kingston, a luxury residential development by St George, part of Berkeley Group…

    Tiled wall in modern bathroom

    Parkside Acrux and Hexil mosaic tiles are being used throughout the bathrooms and en suites of homes at Royal Exchange, Kingston. This prestigious development sees a mix of high-specification homes with residents enjoying a 24-hour concierge, gym, screening room and meeting room. Across five main residential buildings, the development provides 320 apartments and homes in Kingston Upon Thames.

    Inspired by the architecture of the Grade II listed Old Post Office and Telephone Exchange buildings within the development, the design team at St George selected Hexil mosaics and developed a bespoke tile to create a link to the heritage of the site in new buildings. The stylish cross motif with a handmade feel is now part of the Parkside collection as Acrux, made with 39 per cent recycled content.

    “We wanted to make sure that the bathrooms and en suites referenced the original finishes of the Telephone Exchange building at the heart of Royal Exchange,” says Jane Bartlett, St George. “Struggling to find what we needed in a standard range, we developed a bespoke tile with Parkside, creating a bold motif and a hand-crafted quality that references heritage. We’re thrilled with the final look – it has just the right nod to heritage, while still maintaining the smart and contemporary feel wanted by our purchasers.”

    The design team paired the bespoke Acrux wall tile with Hexil, a mosaic available in two finishes, including 36+ PTV, which allowed it to be used as a floor tile throughout Royal Exchange. Purchasers can select from two colour combinations of Acrux and Helix when specifying their new home. A total of 12,000 metre-squared of tiles will be installed by specialist contractor Stone & Ceramic Ltd, with the entire project expected to be complete by March 2023.

    Thomas Hayden, Stone & Ceramic, explains: “The Royal Exchange site is large with phased developments, customer specifications and minimal on-site storage, so service is important to keeping things running well and ensure timely handovers. We’ve been able to rely on Parkside to provide us the service needed, delivering tiles on a ‘just in time’ basis so that we stay in line with the schedule.”

    Parkside is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Parkside

    Co-working space with exposed brick and botanical wallpaper

    Panel discussion: design development in the North

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    Panel discussion: design development in the North

    Hours before the party started at MEET UP North 2022, Hotel Designs gathered together leading designers at Whitworth Locke to explore design development in the North, and creativity outside the capital…

    Co-working space with exposed brick and botanical wallpaper

    On May 19, 2022, to highlight the theme for MEET UP North on ‘development in the North’, Editor Hamish Kilburn brought together three interior designers – all working on different style projects – to discuss creative design opportunities and the value of hotel development outside of the capital.

    On the panel:

    Whitworth Locke, Venue Partner for MEET UP North positioned in the heart of Manchester, provided the perfect backdrop for the discussion. With the intention to bust myths around the differences and similarities between development and design in the north and the south, the conversation, produced by CUBE, touched on creative boundaries, design within heritage buildings, taking risks and understanding target audiences when consciously developing brands and design schemes outside capital cities.

    While being able to give examples in their own work, the panel’s unique experiences together allowed us to identify trends and emerging opportunities to allow us to design tomorrow’s hospitality landscape, outside major cities, sensitively.

    Watch the full panel discussion here:

    Main image credit: Locke/edyn

    Tmatt Terracotta & Lignite 1 copy

    Product watch: Tmatt and Crystal collections by Transformad

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    Product watch: Tmatt and Crystal collections by Transformad

    Transformad’s ultra-stylish new surfacing ranges, Tmatt and Crystal, join Latham’s expansive collection of decors and finishes…

    Tmatt Terracotta & Lignite 1 copy

    James Latham Ltd, one of the UK’s leading independent distributors of decorative products and materials which recently launched its virtual showroom, has announced the addition of premium surfacing brand Transformad’s latest, high-tech surfacing ranges Tmatt and Crystal, to its collection.

    Responding to an increasingly popular design preference for visually striking, sensuous, tactile and hard-wearing surfaces, Tmatt is a silky-textured surface with an ultra-matt finish, while Crystal is notable for its high-gloss, highly durable finish.

    Modern living area with contemoproary kitchen and outdoor fishbowl garden

    Image credit: James Latham

    Manufactured using the highest-quality MDF core and the very latest in surfacing technology, Tmatt and Crystal embody high-performance meets style. They are resistant to scratching, abrasion, moisture, and heavy impact. Designed to be used in demanding interior environments, such as kitchens, bathrooms, walls, ceilings or even furniture, they can withstand heavy use whilst retaining their aesthetic appeal.

    “Transformad is one of the world’s most forward-thinking materials manufacturers, and these surfaces directly respond to a number of new design trends coming to the fore, particularly the desire to balance looks with longevity, and strength with sustainability,” commented Paul Morson, Group Melamine Product Manager. “We have a reputation for bringing the very latest premium, and innovative, architectural products onto the market. When we first saw Tmatt and Crystal, we instantly knew we wanted to be the first to offer UK specifiers unfettered access to these high-performance surfaces.”

    Modern living lounge area

    Image credit: James Latham

    Transformad’s Nicolás Villaverde added: “Working with partners whose initiatives align with our own is very important to us, and Latham’s dedication to innovative materials and sustainable design made them a natural choice to launch Tmatt and Crystal in the UK. We look forward to collaborating with them to promote these high-tech surfaces, distributing them without disruption to construction and design professionals nationwide.”

    Furthermore, the introduction of these two unique products, exclusive to Lathams in the UK, form part of the distributor’s wider Summer 2022 Decors Campaign, which will showcase its extensive stock range of over 1,400 brands, styles, textures and colours.

    Sensuousness on the surface

    Aesthetically, Tmatt is a new collection of lacquered supermatt surfaces, which achieves a delicate-looking surface that surpasses initial perceptions. Irresistible to the touch, it’s also completely smooth, with a silken texture.

    Produced in a range of on-trend colours, such as Smeraldo green, Terracotta red and a dark, inky Blue as well as subtler white, grey, beige and black, the Tmatt range embodies understated elegance with a signature softness and warmth. Warm woodgrains in Legno Fumè, Toscano and Elba have also been incorporated into the collection, responding to a growing 2022 trend for natural timber finishes.

    Vestidor Lignite & Baño Artico copy

    Image credit: James Latham

    The union of technology and nature

    Easy to work, Tmatt and Crystal are perfect for a wide variety of surfacing applications from kitchen doors to bathroom splashbacks, and even interior cladding and furnishing.

    Possessing superior performance qualities, both surfaces are manufactured using the latest material finishing technology to confound initial functionality expectations.

    Highly resistant to staining and scratching, properties across both ranges include: anti-fingerprint treatment, high durability and abrasion resistance. Tmatt even possesses the ability to thermal-heal surface micro-scratches to maintain a consistently flawless finish, day-in-day-out.

    Both surfaces are hygienic, safe and easy to maintain. Perfect for residential and commercial interiors, they are CARB2 certified, meeting the current emission standards set by CARB.

    Tmatt and Crystal are Lathams-exclusive in the UK, available in panel sizes of 2,850 x 1,220 x 18mm, as well as a wide variety of colours and tones to suit almost any design brief.

    James Latham is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: James Latham

    “Wallcoverings can be art,” says Newmor

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    “Wallcoverings can be art,” says Newmor

    Hospitality interior design plays a fundamental role in enhancing the guest experience – it is also vital in conveying the character and identity of the hotel brand. Newmor explains why surfaces should be considered as art…

    As one of the largest interior surface areas, wallcoverings play an essential role in creating the desired ambience; from the lobby areas, restaurants, bars, spas, conference facilities, guestrooms, and even the in-between spaces such as corridors.

    Here are just a few of the hospitality spaces Newmor has worked on, each with an individual atmosphere:



    Image caption: Serenity of South Lodge. | Image credit: South Lodge

    Image caption: Serenity of South Lodge. | Image credit: South Lodge

    Newmor Wallcoverings is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Image caption: Invigorating Platinum Mountain Hotel. | Image credit: Platinum Mountain Hotel

    Morocan style bathroom with large bath in centre

    Hadi Teherani: the bathroom is a “source of new energy”

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    Hadi Teherani: the bathroom is a “source of new energy”

    AXOR project DISTINCTIVE was born from Hadi Teherani’s vision to define his interpretation of a bathroom with personality…

    Morocan style bathroom with large bath in centre

    Hadi Teherani approaches his architecture and design projects holistically. Born in Teheran and raised in Hamburg he is a prolific and versatile designer and versatile designer whose works can be found in Germany and all over the world and which are regularly recognised with internationally renowned awards for their ecologically sound sustainability and holistic approach. Maybe that’s the reason why he is never out of ideas: he sees the process of creation as a reaction to what he sees, senses and feels.

    Teherani designs from personal perception and inspiration. This is also how the bathroom concept for the AXOR project DISTINCTIVE was born. When asked by the brand how he would define his very personal “bathroom with personality”, the architect answered with a design that reflects an individual idea of this space, derived from this self-image -  in its daily use, its design and its furnishing.

    Close up of matt black shower

    Image credit: Hansgrohe

    It is a space where I can retreat, throw off the stress, and come out reborn, Teherani explains. “I see the bathroom as a space where I can clean myself  –  in a metaphorical sense as well. Here is where I arm myself for the day. This space protects me, offers me security, but at the same time, it doesn’t restrict me but rather gives me a feeling of space and infinity.” And how can one single room fulfil these seemingly so contradictory and at the same time holistic demands? Also, here the solution lays for Teherani in the formulation of the question itself. “What do you need to feel safe and secure and at the same time free and liberated? Human beings have always built cocoons in which they feel protected and could find shelter  –  whether made of snow, earth, or stone. The primal form of housing if you like. Enveloping but not narrowing. And this is what I take up in my vision of a bathroom.”

    The designer’s concept features the form of a cupola placed in the centre of a house or a hotel suite. Openly laid out, the circular room is accessible from several sides; the four window openings and round arches facing each other are organised symmetrically. In the centre, the architect places an organically formed bathtub that takes up the layout and around which a spacious shower area and a generous, oval double washbasin are arranged. “This concept is inspired by the public baths in the Middle East”, Teherani says. These places usually cover an area of hundreds of square meters, formed out of several individual cupolas accommodating the reception area, the dressing rooms, the main bathroom, the fountains, and the toilet.

    Modern and contemporary bathroom

    Image credit: Hansgrohe

    And why does the architect choose this particular architectural style for his personal idea of a bathroom? “For me the cupola symbolises openness and secureness. The vastness comes from the high arched ceiling with a glass mosaic that stretches across the room like the sky. When you lay here in the bathtub placed in the center of the room you get the feeling of looking into the vastness of the starry sky”, he says. The semicircular openings lend additional generosity to the bathroom concept  – and make the space a place that allows encounters. Despite its generosity, this bathroom is also meant to be a place of retreat. “And where on the other side is it better to dive in as in an enveloping shape without corners and edges?” Teherani asks. This effect is amplified by the materiality: Light marble surfaces in the shower area and a dazzling, silver glass mirror mosaic that extends from the floor to the cupola provide the room visual and haptic consistency without sacrificing sensuality and warmth.

    AXOR Citterio E faucets, AXOR overhead and hand-held showers, as well as AXOR Universal Softsquare Accessories in Matt Black form a striking contrast. “For me, these products fulfil the role of a functional jewellery”, Teherani describes. “The faucets crown the bathroom concept with their timeless elegance and transport the water to the washbasin. The overhead shower is a recharging area for new energy, the bathtub faucet the water source at the bathtub.” And how can linear products, such as a towel holder, be included in a bathroom concept with rounded walls without right angels? “Here and there you have to work with little cuts into the walls and you have to plan the positioning accurately. The good thing about AXOR is that the brand offers so many individual product variants so that it’s always possible to find a solution.”

    Close up of bath being run

    Image credit: Hansgrohe

    In material, layout and furnishing, Teherani’s bathroom concept is an expression of individual experiences and personal preferences, holistic thinking and detailed planning  – all seamlessly combining modernity and history. “The passages offer the possibility to add more cupolas with a steam bath or an extra shower area and thereby extend the bathroom”, says the designer. “This concept is, so to speak, the basis with primary areas needed in a bathroom: washbasin, shower, bathtub. The design allows one to complete the bathroom according to personal ideas. Or to equip it with faucets and showers in special finishes. This type of individualisation is a further form of luxury.”

    Personalisation has emerged as one of the mega trends of our time. With globalisation advancing, creating a sense of sameness through standardised products and one-size-fits-all solutions, people everywhere seek more personal expressions of luxury, style and well-being. A widespread and rising sense of uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity has only accelerated the trend, especially in the home, creating a demand for spaces and objects that reflect one’s own personality. How can architects and interior designers better understand their clients’ personal evolving desires, developing distinctive and sustainable long-term solutions that give meaning and satisfaction for years to come? And how can their clients get to spaces designed for their very individual needs? These and other questions are explored in our new project DISTINCTIVE”, says Anke Sohn, Head of Global Brand Marketing AXOR.

    Hansgrohe is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    > Since you’re here, why not read about Hansgrohe’s path to climate neutrality?

    Main image credit: Hansgrohe

    Zencha collection from Duravit

    Zencha by Sebastian Herkner: a homage to mindfulness & craftsmanship

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    Zencha by Sebastian Herkner: a homage to mindfulness & craftsmanship

    The new ‘perfectly balanced’ bathroom collection, designed by Sebastian Herkner, is inspired by Japanese rituals and craftsmanship – it ‘flatters the senses’ with tactile surfaces…

    Zencha collection from Duravit

    Sebastian Herkner has unveiled the Zencha bathroom collection by Sebastian Herkner for Duravit. Inspired by traditional Japanese rituals and craftsmanship it combining as it does unusual above-counter basins with minimalistic furniture.

    The basins and bathtub are striking, they have a rounded shape that opens into a graceful, outward- curving edge. These dual-walled sanitary objects made from DuraCeram and DuraSolid are paired with modular, geometric bathroom furniture. The furniture is made from materials such as wood and a very tactile ribbed, textured glass, it provides plenty of storage space and is extremely pleasant to the touch. “I’ve always wanted to develop a bathroom series for Duravit,” said the designer from Offenbach. He can now take his place in the rollcall of renowned designers such as Philippe Starck and Cecilie Manz who have designed collections for this German manufacturer. 

    Striking & delicate: the design

    The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house and is increasingly becoming a place of retreat and ritual. With its balanced shapes, colours, and materials, Zencha appeals to all our senses. The inspiration for the design came from handmade ceramic teacups that the designer discovered in Japan. Their gentle, organic shapes are designed as cambered rectangles, bulbous at the bottom and taper upwards with an elegant curve. The materials used are appealing both visually and to the touch, with basins manufactured from DuraCeram. This material enables above-counter basins to be created with an extremely thin rim which are still robust and easy to care for. The bathtubs have a pleasantly warm feel and elegant matt aesthetic and are seamlessly manufactured from DuraSolid. 

    Zencha Collection by Duravit in modern bathroom

    Image credit: Duravit

    The straight lines of the furniture design creates an intriguing contrast to the organic sanitary objects; complementing the collection’s subtle material and colour concept. The outstanding design feature here is an elegant frame just six millimetres thick, creating a uniform shadow gap that lends the furniture a graceful and effortless feel. “You can only manufacture technically sophisticated solutions like this with consistent quality if, like Duravit, you have your own manufacturing facilities, corresponding expertise and high levels of craftsmanship,” said Herkner.

    Multi-faceted & functional: modular furniture elements

    The Zencha furniture collection is designed in a modular fashion and can be positioned in a variety of ways, as open shelves, or drawers with push-open and self-closing technology. Combined with the above-counter basin, they create a beautiful centrepiece in the bathroom. As a storage area for everyday (bathroom) items, they offer structure to the room and imbue a feeling of gentle calm. The carcass and frame of the furniture come with an easy-to-clean surface and anti-fingerprint effect and are available in the subtle colours White Super Matt, Taupe Super Matt, and Graphite Super Matt. The cabinet fronts add a playful element and are offered in a range of variants. While the options in Natural Oak and Oak Black produce a warm and tactile effect, white plate or black textured glass introduce a degree of sensual elegance into the bathroom.

    Zencha Collection by Duravit

    Image credit: Duravit

    Herkner has further designed a separate mirror that emulates the contour of the round basins. Its organic form is accentuated by an all-round LED strip, and the light is turned on and off via a sensor on the bottom edge of the mirror.

    Elegant above-counter basins

    The sanitary objects made from DuraCeram® consist of two differently shaped above-counter basins: a curved square measuring 420 x 420 mm and a rounded rectangle measuring 550 x 390 mm – with or without a tap panel – in White, White Satin Matt, Grey Satin Matt, and Anthracite Matt. The square variant of the above-counter basin with its ceramic cover is a particular talking point in the bathroom and is covered by Duravit’s lifetime warranty. It can be combined with toilets from a range of Duravit lines. 

    Bathtubs with a pool-like feeling

    The shape of the square version of the free-standing bathtub, made from DuraSolid® and measuring 1,250 x 1,250 mm, is drawn from the square above-counter basin. Bathers are invited to immerse themselves into the deep water, an experience reminiscent of a Japanese Onsen bath. The bathtub is available in two compact versions measuring 1600 x 850 mm and 1800 x 900 mm, optionally with the air whirl system integrated into the base for a gentle massage effect. 

    The Zencha collection combines delicate shapes with high-quality, sustainable materials such as PEFC-certified woods. It comes in a wide range of variants and its shapes, colours, materials, measurements, and equipment options can be individually configured for various interior design settings. Both the sanitary objects and the furniture are manufactured at Duravit’s production facilities in Hornberg and Schenkenzell in the Black Forest and are finished by hand. Surfaces and edges of the furniture are painstakingly sealed to be water-resistant and are impervious to splashes and high humidity. Optimum stability of the tall cabinets is ensured via 8mm-thick rear walls that are bonded in a milled groove. Sebastian Herkner, who spent over four years working on the project and made several site visits with his team, said: “Duravit represents tradition as well as expertise in the design and technical sectors.”

    Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Duravit