Changing spaces: the quiet design evolution of the workplace
With the lines between home, work and hospitality becoming increasingly blurred, we caught up with three companies supplying both the hospitality and workplace sectors to find out more about these changes and how they are affecting the products they offer…
Working in cafes with your morning cappucino has always been popular, but this trend has transcended into restaurants where people no longer just come to eat, but also work, meet and connect. Restaurants have responded by creating co-working opportunities during quieter times, for example between lunch and dinner. This evolution of workplaces has had a direct impact on products. Commercial furniture designers Table Place Chairs, report that banquette seating, originally made for the hospitality sector, is now designed with charging points as the cafe becomes the boardroom. Similarly, the Table Place Chairs WigWam table, originally a workspace product due to its collaborative nature and charging points, can now also be found in cafes and hotel lounges.
Hospitality public spaces have long been used by people to catch up on emails, but Table Place Chairs now believe they actively serving as co-working areas where, in some cases you can even find presentation zones to host a meeting. Hotel Brooklyn, Manchester with its clever use of screen and bleachers is a great example.
Image credit: Table Place Chairs
At the same time as hospitality spaces are adapting for work, we can see workplaces such as Co-Space, providing employees with places to relax and collaborate, as employees no longer look for lines of desks, but instead softer spaces like their own homes.
Wallcoverings are ideal for wayfinding and creating continuity between different areas of public spaces. Often these spaces also lend themselves to more dramatic designs and large-scale digitally printed designs to add drama and focal points. Newmor digital wallcoverings can be found in My Lounge, a laidback oasis located in London Gatwick Airport. The clever use of design scale, colours and effects, create a welcoming space contrasting with the sterile airport environment. Different designs and colour palettes separate formal and informal dining and seating options to ensure visitors feel at home. Zoned spaces allow travellers to relax or catch up with work.
Image credit: Newmor
With workplaces going through a huge transition with the growing focus on wellbeing, sanitation, and creating more of a home-from-home environment, Newmor have seen this mirrored in the design process. Wallcoverings can have a huge impact on the atmosphere of different spaces, creating calming break-out areas with biophilic surfaces, reception areas with feature designs and core branding, or inspiring meeting rooms with energising, colourful prints. All the time withstanding high traffic and the daily cleaning and maintenance expected in today’s climate. The social and study amenity space within The Toybox, a new-build, 15-storey student accommodation block in Birmingham is an ideal example of wallcoverings being used to differentiate spaces and zones within a multi-functional space.
Image credit: Newmor
Textile company ILIV has also felt the impact of the remote working model that has taken root, as people spend more time balancing their work and home life, only visiting their office spaces for group meetings, creative sessions and networking events. With this, there has been a shift in the dynamic from a focus on desk seating to the more informal break out and meeting areas. This in turn, has resulted in the interior design and architecture of these spaces adapting to modular seating solutions and brighter colour palettes to inspire and invite create conversations.
Image credit: ILIV
Interestingly this has impacted on fabric choices and trends and ILIV has seen a re-emergence of velvets in the workplace with designers often opting for a more plush and less overtly practical interior aesthetic. The Hampton Collection has recently been extended to a palette of fifty colours spanning architectural tones to brighter more saturated colour. The dual purpose velvet fabric has a brilliantly soft touch with a silken pile making it ideal for breakout areas and office seating in workplace environments.
Voiles are also seen to have more of a presence in workspaces as they have amazing acoustic qualities allowing sound to pass through them whilst being able to break up spaces without having the need to build walls. Sheers and voile weighted fabrics are also brilliant for softening interior concepts whilst allowing ample light into the space, promoting productivity.
As public spaces become increasingly multifunctional, with people choosing different places, from cafes to lobbies and libraries to restaurants, to click on their laptops and connect, design has had to follow suit. The freedom from stereotypical design formats is giving designers greater flexibility to experiment with different designs, patterns, colours and surfaces to create multi-functional spaces with interest and diversity.
Table Place Chairs and Newmor are 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.
Great Materials for Big Ideas – a Clerkenwell event
UNILIN Panels will launch its 2022-2026 decorative range supported by WGSN, the global authority on change forecasting, at an event at the Gallery Clerkenwell on Thursday April 28…
With more than 220 designs, including 67 brand-new looks, the UNILIN Panels 2022-2026 decorative range offers an extraordinary collection of surface finishes that can be used to bring big ideas to commercial interiors. Launching the collection to architects and designers at a special evening event on Thursday April 28, 2022 at the Gallery Clerkenwell, UNILIN Panels will reveal how its decorative surfaces are ready for today’s work and hospitality spaces in a specially curated WGSN presentation, 2023 Interiors Future Forecast.
Global authority on change forecasting, WGSN has more than 250 in-house trend experts and its forecasts power the most valuable global brands. For UNILIN Panels, WGSN has curated 2023 Interiors Future Forecast, which provides direction for the future of interiors bringing together analysis of consumer behaviour, materials finishes, patterns, colours and shapes across three key themes.
“New trends require new designs,” says product manager, Ann De Blanck. “The Great Materials for Big Ideas launch event at our London showroom will show just how our latest decorative range can let architects and designers respond to future trends, as WGSN reveal the three key themes predicted to influence interior designs in 2023 and beyond.”
Great Materials for Big Ideas will be a unique opportunity to understand how decorative surfaces, including the Master Oak, new melamine faced compact MDF and compact HPL, from UNILIN Panels can be used to bring the latest trends to commercial interiors, while providing a versatile finish that’s durable and easy to maintain.
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.
Case study: CTD Architectural Tiles goes INNSiDE Melia Hotel Newcastle
Located in the historic Quayside area of the city, the new Melia Hotel, designed by architects FaulknerBrowns to complement the industrial heritage of its surroundings, features tiles from CTD Architectural Tiles that combine natural aesthetics with enhanced durability…
Commercial tile supplier CTD Architectural Tiles has helped create a stunning first impression at the new INNSiDE by Melia Hotel, Newcastle’s latest hotel opening in the heart of the city. Tiles from the Realstone Rain range which has been inspired by the look and feel of English Limestone, were specified for use in the hotel’s main entrance area and staircase. To create a focal point, the floor design features the soft tones of the Almond coloured Realstone Rain tiles with the darker Greige tiles installed in strips across the width of the floor.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
The natural look of the interior design continues into the new Gino D’Acampo restaurant, where tiles from the wood-inspired Treverkever range have been used. Treverkever tiles are ideally suited for use in busy high traffic environments and on this project, have been specified in a stunning dark Musk colour option to provide an attractive contrast with the lighter coloured stone effect tiles of the main reception area. CTD Architectural Tiles also provided the high gloss Savoy Noir black tiles for the walls of the public washrooms and the durable, non-slip Kursaal Neutral tiles as a flooring solution.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
To complete the commercial tile package, CTD Architectural Tiles supplied white gloss Rectified Ceramic tiles to finish the walls of the en-suite bathrooms of each of the hotel’s 161 guestrooms. The tiling work was completed by Plunkett Tiling for main contractor Robertson Construction.
With far-reaching views of the River Tyne, the stylish new hotel has helped breathe new life into Newcastle’s Quayside and boasts a range of facilities including a fitness suite and conference rooms. As well as needing to complement the natural beauty of its surroundings, the specified tile package also had to meet the requirements of a busy city-centre hotel and so important considerations such as slip-resistance, durability and ease of maintenance were factored in at the outset with specialist advice provided by CTD Architectural Tiles’ specification team.
CTD Architectural Tiles is one of our recommended suppliers and regularly feature in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Product watch: KEUCO’s bright idea in the bathroom
STAGELINE is the new furniture collection from KEUCO, which an elegant series of illuminated furniture, that incorporates a vanity unit and three elegant additional storage units…
There’s a Shakespeare quote from As You Like It: “All the worlds a stage and men and women are merely players,” and yet this could also be the perfect description of a family bathroom. Introducing STAGELINE, the new furniture collection from KEUCO that is the ideal supporting act for the dramas, soliloquies, romance, and beauty scenes that take place with the bathroom as its backdrop.
STAGELINE is an elegant series of furniture, that incorporates a vanity unit and three elegant additional storage units. The unique aspect of this series is the illuminated open storage compartment, the leading light and key feature in both the vanity and tall unit. The shelf or ‘stage’ is illuminated by a warm LED light with 3,000 Kelvin, allowing consumers to creatively display decorative personal items, toiletries, whatever they feel works in this space.
Image credit: KEUCO
Image credit: KEUCO
The look is tonal, the glass front and body of the furniture are a single colour, in natural shades gently restrained, creating a warm environment. Monochrome also has its place in fact there are four shades to choose from white or cashmere glossy as well as Inox or Vulkanit satin. The glass fronts of the furniture bring an additional textural feature offering a highly glossed or velvety matt finish.
The STAGELINE series incorporates practical elements including an integrated power socket along with a USB and USB-C charging point. The attention to detail is key such as the softly curved, gently protruding glass front at the top of the units, which is not only decorative but practical acting as a handle.
The curves echo other elements in KEUCO portfolio such as the rounded PLAN ceramic washbasins which sit elegantly on top of the STAGELINE vanity units. These are available in six different widths, ensuring the stage can be set whatever the size of the bathroom. The vanity units have an option to add drawer partitions – four versions, providing different size options for personal or family use. There is an elegant dark inlay mat with a non-slip to help keep bottles and jars in place.
Depending on the size of the bathroom there are three additional STAGELINE pieces to choose from; this furniture is ideal for larger storage space requirements; the tall unit, single-door unit or the two-door centre unit. The tall unit is elegant with an illuminated shelf in the middle and all cabinets feature soft-close hinges and high-quality, easy-care glass shelves inside.
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.
With each design inspired by the characteristics of an extinct animal, Moooi and Arte have launched the Memento Moooi wallcovering collection in a striking range of textures and imagery to stimulate the senses and the imagination…
Referencing five kind and loving extinct animals, the collection is made up of six different wallcoverings, all made from equally original and unexpected materials. Memento Moooi is the third wall covering collection by Moooi in collaboration with Arte, and is scheduled for spring 2022. The collection reminds us to cherish each moment, make amazing memories, and celebrate life for as long as it lasts.
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
The collection comes in a range of different colours and is made with a variety of unusual materials: wood veneer, sisal, gold foil, pleated paper, and textile. Some designs in the collection narrate a story, and others stimulate your senses with imagery and textures. The result? Striking tactile designs that make an impact and breathe life and kindness into your home. The Memento Moooi collection is inspired by the sharing Mimic Moth, loving Dandelion Cranes, social Golden Tiger, fearless Pogo Goats, and peaceful Queen Cobras. A medley of extinct animals that lived and loved like there would be no tomorrow.
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
The Mimic Moth Wallcovering is a 3D wallcovering with a soft suede look, inspired by the Mimic Moth’s shape and habitat. The wallcovering’s design comprises embossed Mimic Moths surrounded by its favourite flowers.
The Queen Cobra Wallcovering is made from hand-woven sisal fibres, inspired by the Queen Cobra’s rhythmic curves and grassy habitat. The design comprises round overlapping shapes in a pattern with a hypnotic feel to it.
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
The Dandelion Cranes Wallcovering is made from pleated textile, inspired by the Cranes’ unique colouring and fanlike wings. The tactile design comprises overlapping textile pleats placed in a pattern that resembles feathered fans.
The Golden Tiger Wallcovering is made from laser cut wood veneer with gold foil. Golden Tigers couldn’t bear to be parted from their loved ones, so the wallcovering depicts this friendly extinct animal surrounded by his animal friends.
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
The Pogo Goat Wallcovering is a 3D wallcovering with a soft chenille fabric, inspired by the goat’s yearly migration. The intricate pattern has us guessing how ambitious the choreography of the dancing Pogo Goats really was.
And finally, the Memento Moooi Medley Wallcovering is a gathering of extinct animals known for their unique kindness and love for life. Each animal knew how to cherish each moment of their lives and lived to make beautiful memories. Depicted amidst the softest of fluffy clouds, they continue their celebration of life. Or is it the afterlife? The Memento Moooi Medley is digitally printed on soft touch textile.
Moooi and Arte are 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.
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh reveals ambitious expansion
Doubling in size and with reimagined design, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is ready to unveil its much anticipated expansion and transformation…
Located on a one kilometre stretch of private coastline, the Resort’s palm-filled gardens, mosaic-covered fountains and Arabian architecture are the perfect draw for travellers looking for a combination of mountains, desert and sea. Combined with one of the best house reefs in the region, five swimming pools, a highly acclaimed Spa, and an expertly run dive centre, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt has long been a Red Sea favourite.
The Resort’s 89 brand-new spacious guestrooms and suites, (starting at 75 square metres) can be found perched in intimate hideaways facing the Red Sea. The expanded accommodation ranges from one and two bedrooms, with a private pool option and large balconies and terraces that provide space to unwind with scenic vistas whilst soaking up the year-round sun. The guestrooms and suites provide modern interpretations of authentic Arabian design elements and Arabesque details that enhance the spaces, including arched windows and shades inspired by mashrabiya screens and are complemented by a colour palette inspired by Sharm El Sheikh’s golden sands and blue waters.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
For those looking for a more palatial escape, The Palace is a regal three-bedroom standalone beachfront residence designed to host royalty, international figures, and high-profile guests. Spread over 565 square metres of opulent indoor space, it is the largest signature suite in the Resort. With a private fitness room, spa treatment room, dressing room, office space and complete residential facilities, this escape offers the ultimate in Four Seasons sophistication. Lush gardens, a large terrace for entertaining with a dining table that seats eight, and two swimming pools just steps from the private beach create opportunities for outdoor living in a space that elevates seaside living to new levels.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
“We’re introducing a new era of seaside luxury to what has been one of Egypt’s most loved resorts ever since it opened its doors 20 years ago,” said Sam Ioannidis, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. “By doubling the property in size, we’ve created new accommodations, recreation facilities and restaurants while the legendary and exceptional Four Seasons service remains the same.”
The expansion of the resort has created a new dining destination, led by Executive Chef Sebastiano Spriveri, a 27-year Four Seasons veteran. Bringing flavours from around the world to Egypt’s Red Sea shorelines, Spriveri and the team take guests on a journey from Japan to Latin America, via the Middle East. “Our restaurants introduce world-class cuisine to Sharm El Sheikh, with the addition of four new concepts that have never been experienced here before,” said Spriveri.
In addition, the resort shelters nine new indoor and garden venues offering a stage for unforgettable events in extraordinary settings. The new beachfront Royal Palm Garden, surrounded by 3,000 swaying Royal Palm trees, with vistas of sky and sea and twinkling stars is a statement backdrop guaranteed to inspire.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The Resort’s house reef, located directly offshore from the beach, is the perfect introduction to the underwater wonders of the Red Sea, with its year-round warm waters, crystal-clear visibility and varied biodiversity.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
CitizenM is first hospitality brand to buy property in the metaverse
A few months ago, we predicted that it would only be a matter of time before companies and brands start launching ‘meta’ experiences. Well, citizenM has won the race the become the first hospitality company to buy property in the metaverse…
citizenM was launched with a purpose – to disrupt the traditional hotel industry, and to create a hotel for modern travellers, giving them everything they need and nothing they don’t with the strap line of ‘affordable luxury for the people’ guiding the brand. This ethos remains behind the citizenM move into the metaverse, and having spent the pandemic period focusing on building customer loyalty with the trial launch of subscription products, the brand is now focusing on building loyalty in the online world.
The group has acquired LAND in The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming virtual world and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, to begin building a hotel in the Metaverse. This signifies a new movement in hospitality, as citizenM will be the first ever hotel group to purchase LAND in The Sandbox which is a metaverse where users can create and monetize their own distinct worlds and game experiences on LANDs, which are non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that represent virtual real estate in The Sandbox.
As with all of its hotels, citizenM will bring art to the forefront by showcasing and selling future NFT collections that will be commissioned with growing talent in the digital art space. Once the LAND is purchased, citizenM aims to finance the build of a hotel in the virtual world through the sale of an exclusive collection of NFTs with real-world rewards (utilities) attached. Each of the 2000 NFTs will be priced equally, however purchasers will at random be assigned one of three levels: 1500 ‘regular’ citizens, 450 ‘special’ citizens and 50 ‘legendary’ citizens. The utilities will take the form of discounts, free drinks and more with the specifics of the rewards being determined by the level of NFT assigned to the purchaser. Straddling the gap between virtual and reality, the rewards will be redeemable at any of citizenM’s growing portfolio of hotels in the real world.
“We are thrilled to be the first hospitality company to build in the Metaverse,” said Robin Chadha,CMO of citizenM. “As a brand that has always pushed the boundaries and challenged traditional models, this new venture in The Sandbox fits not only with our brand strategy but also the commitment we have to the creative community and to our guests both online and in the real world. We’re excited to further explore opportunities in the Metaverse in the years to come.”
Once the virtual hotel – a location for avatars visiting The Sandbox to Work, Sleep & Play – is built, citizenM will collaborate with an additional roster of digital artists to create and sell NFTs that can be purchased in the digital space. Eventually, the brand plans to use these profits, as well as the incorporation of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), to fully finance a physical, real-life property where token holders will vote on the location. In line with the brand’s ethos, citizenM will ultimately build a hotel for the people, by the people.
Unidrain adds contemporary touch to vintage bathroom
With the aim to sensitively marry a contemporary style into a heritage bathroom, designers specified Unidrain’s black framed GlassLine shower screen when creating a new wellness space in a residential block…
Injecting modern style in heritage buildings requires a delicate approach and quality elements. Unidrain products were therefore key in creating a totally new wellness concept in an out-dated bathroom; the only one in the apartment; 12-square-metre and used every day by a family of four – it was in dire need of an upgrade.
The flooring, walls, toilet, and shower had to be stripped out and replaced, it needed a complete transformation encompassing a new colour palette through to designer drains. The family wanted something that felt luxurious and spa-like but with longevity too. Because it was an older, more traditional-style flat, they originally considered a more classic and nostalgic look, but ultimately, decided on a contemporary solution, prioritising exclusive materials and products that are as appropriate for a luxury hotel as they are for a home.
The finished bathroom has high tech solutions such as a programable shower toilet and an anti-fog mirror, but, the undisputed star of the room is the elegant shower screen, GlassLine by Unidrain. Preserving the natural light from the window was a key part of the renovation so the GlassLine shower screen was ideal. It allowed the light to flow through the room helping to create an open, airy atmosphere.
The GlassLine shower screen with a black frame is 10mm of clear tempered glass, available in three sizes: 800mm – 1000mm and a height of 2104mm, the shower screen can be mounted to the left or right and fits tile thicknesses up to 15mm for wall tiles and 20mm for floor tiles. It is installed discreetly and securely without any visible display of fixings, screws, fittings, or joins.
The screen is lowered into a shower base located under the bathroom flooring, before being attached to the wall, creating a secure, stable, and watertight showering space. The black frame sits against the wall covering any edges generating a smooth finish, and the unseen groove-in-the-floor-flange meant that the installation of the colour co-ordinating black line drain was both fast and efficient.
Image credit: Unidrain
Image credit: Unidrain
Colour was important for the overall look and style of the bathroom; the base tone was comprised of dark shades to induce a more luxurious feeling and add to the atmosphere, which combined well with the black frame of the GlassLine screen, However, as shown above a transparent version is available as black does not suit all bathrooms.
Enclosed in black powder-coated metal, the interior panel of each quality glass screen is treated with Cleantech nano-treatment, increasing hygiene standards, and ensuring it is extremely easy to clean and maintain a clear finish.
This colour co-ordination continued with accessories from Undrains Reframe collection including a shower shelf with magnetic wiper, towel hooks, toilet brush and toilet roll holder in black, creating perfect continuity.
Unidrain 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.
In true Hard Rock style the hotel is located in the centre of the Hungarian capital, on Nagymező Street, with theatres, restaurants and upscale shopping on the doorstep, and mere moments away from major city hotspots like Buda Castle along the Danube river, the world-famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths and the Opera House.
“After a string of successful hotel openings in Europe, from Amsterdam to Dublin to Madrid, we are excited to unveil Hard Rock Hotel Budapest this spring,” said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer at Hard Rock International. “Our first hotel in the Central European region will introduce our signature entertainment-infused hospitality, set against a new and unexpected backdrop.”
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
The hotel, with architecture by Hungarian Stúdió 100 Építészeti Kft. shelters 136 guestrooms and suites and two eateries and bars. The property blends an old Budapest facade enhanced with a sleek, new design. The historic part of the hotel is seamlessly connected to the newly-built section via interior glass hallways.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
Entering the lobby, guests will discover a social, welcoming space, filled with musical touches and bright pops of colour. A yellow grand piano contrasts against cerulean blue velvet sofas, all framed by an assortment of curated memorabilia. There are over 50 items of musical and entertainment history proudly showcased throughout the hotel including Hungarian legendary singer songwriter, Janos Brody’s leather jacket, a vibrant purple faux fur coat worn by Prince and black sequin dress worn by Beyoncé.
Designed to feel like a private residence, the interiors by Barcelona-based Lázaro Rosa-Violán Studio offer plush seating areas throughout the property complete with a warm fireplace in the lobby. The jewelled tones and tiles found throughout the hotel pay homage to the famous spas and thermal baths of Hungary, offering a local Budapest twist on the signature colourful experience at Hard Rock Hotels’ around the world.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
With music at the core of Hard Rock Hotels, guests will find melodic influences in every corner. Refined, warm woods, akin to those used to make guitars, can be found throughout, as well as metallic accents reflecting the chromatic shades of guitar strings. The Rock Star Suite is the crown jewel of the hotel, offering a private terrace complete with a Jacuzzi, space for private al fresco dining as well as a spacious indoor living area.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
The hotel is also home to the brand’s popular restaurant, Sessions, and lobby bar, Constant Grind. Sessions will serve a menu created by Chef Tamás Lipták with Hungarian specialties such as Goulash, along with dazzling cocktails by mixologist Zsolt Horváth, that use the finest Hungarian ingredients. Guests can also enjoy dining under the stars on Session’s open-air terrace with a background of live music. Constant Grind is open for all-day, casual dining, a pit-stop for a freshly brewed coffee and homemade pastry in the morning, or a colourful cocktail or craft beer at dusk. Hard Rock Hotel Budapest is also business-friendly, with a combination of stylish indoor and outdoor meeting areas. Roxy Budapest is a rooftop venue with indoor/outdoor spaces and can be booked for private events and celebrations with the city’s lights and iconic buildings as a backdrop.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
Remaining true to brand, signature Hard Rock amenities will bring a range of entertainment and music-inspired experiences to the city. These include a Body Rock Fitness Centre, Rock Shop, Sound of Your Stay and Rock Om, allowing guests to finetune their next trip to Budapest with curated playlists, in-room yoga or an electric guitar to unleash your inner rock star in the privacy of your own room.
Artist Felipe Pantone makes a mark with Poltrona Frau
Poltrona Frau celebrates its 110th Anniversary with a special collaboration with mark-making artist Felipe Pantone for a truly unique armchair reinvention…
Celebrating in true design style, historic design brand Poltrona Frau has chosen to partner with a contemporary mark-making artist on an exclusive limited edition collaboration. Argentine-Spanish artist Felipe Pantone has completely reinvented the Archibald armchair, one of the brand’s most iconic models, in the style of his boundary-pushing art.
Image credit: Potrona Frau
“An important purpose of this anniversary collaboration is to shift Poltrona Frau’s perspective towards the future,” said Nicola Coropulis, CEO Poltrona Frau. “Not only in terms of our first collaboration with an international artist of this nature — but also on the theme of environmental protection. The armchair is made with the innovative Impact Less leather that we have developed to further reduce the toll on the environment. We have created a leather that, in addition to prioritizing sustainability, which has always distinguished Pelle Frau, is now even more respectful of the planet in a unique limited edition armchair.”
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
Felipe Pantone, known for his frescoes, murals, paintings, and sculptures that blend an ‘analog past and a digitized future’, is the rare artist that can unify these two seemingly opposing forces, a sensibility that he has applied to a totally reinvented Archibald. The Archibald’s enigmatic form, first designed in 2009 by Jean-Marie Massaud, and Pantone’s hyper-modern artistic style, meet to create a radically new design object that marks a new chapter for the heritage brand.
“I had the opportunity to visit the Poltrona Frau Headquarters to see the Museum, the entire collection, and learn about the Brand’s history which is extensive and very impressive,” said Pantone discussing the collaboration. “We ended up choosing Archibald as the base for my work because of its minimal frame, but also the unique characteristics like the arms of the chair and the details on the backrest. The idea was to use a very minimal and iconic design and to juxtapose it against my graphics, which are very loud and very dynamic.”
Image credit: Poltona Frau
Using Poltrona Frau’s ColorSphere as inspiration, Pantone created a mesmerizing pattern that vibrates across Archibald’s leather surface, a gradient grid of reds, oranges, yellows, whites and blues resembling the cool and warm temperatures of a heat map. The base and slender metal legs of the chair are finished with Multicolor Natural Chrome, leaving a purplish-blue iridescent finish that shimmers under the light. The gradient pattern is printed directly onto the leather using the same type of production usually reserved for small luxury leather goods. This pioneering printed leather technique was developed thanks to Poltrona Frau’s traditional in-depth artisan leather-working knowledge that has kept the brand an industry leader for over a century.
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
The project makes use of Poltrona Frau’s new Impact Less leather, a result of the brand’s ongoing commitment to maximizing sustainability. Impact Less leather is chrome-free, uses less and cleaner water and further reduces the consumption of chemical components of Poltrona Frau’s already sustainable leather, itself a product of the circular economy.
“As they say, opposites attract,” said Leonardo Allasia, Poltrona Frau Global Marketing & Communications Director. “Collaborating with Felipe, whose philosophy of expression through colour as the essence of light, with light being the essence of life, allowed us to explore a theme that strongly resonates with our brand narrative. This project allows us to push the boundaries of how we communicate to an audience that appreciates truly unique, durable pieces that can be cherished as both a masterpiece of artistic expression and Italian craftsmanship as well as a functional solution for comfortable living meant to last generations.”
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
As a nod to Poltrona Frau’s 110th anniversary this year, only 110 pieces of Archibald Limited Edition will be made and available for purchase through e-commerce channels, flagship stores and select dealers worldwide following its digital launch in April. Each armchair will come with a custom-made clutch made of Pelle Frau Impact Less leather, a signed certificate of authenticity as well as a dedicated Pelle Frau leather cleaning kit. In addition, a hand-made miniature scale model of the armchair in leather will be available for purchase to give fans and followers of both Felipe Pantone and Poltrona Frau an opportunity to own a product of this special collaboration.
The Limited Edition armchair and the project can be explored online in April and during Milan’s 2022 Salone del Mobile design week June 7th-12th at Poltrona Frau’s via Manzoni flagship showroom where there will be a physical installation to showcase the brand’s entire 2022 True Evolution Collection, and a dedicated digital installation that will feature the work of Felipe Pantone. The Poltrona Frau Museum in Tolentino will also feature a dedicated display of the armchair coupled with a ‘larger-than-life’ murals created by the artist in celebration of the anniversary.
Poltrona Frau 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.
Full of striking visuals and architectural details, Häfele has launched its brand new architectural ironmongery brochure…
The specification arm of furniture, fixtures and fittings manufacturer and distributor Häfele UK, has produced the most detailed brochure of the company’s Projects 360˚ team to date. It displays a vast assortment of ironmongery items that have been carefully selected in partnership with manufacturers, architects, designers, developers and subcontractors from across the globe, to provide the industry with a comprehensive guide to the division’s product portfolio.
Image credit: Häfele
Image credit: Häfele
“The finishing touches of a building scheme should be as much a priority as the bricks and mortar,” said Paul Smith, head of specification sales at Häfele UK. “While the space develops, moving from concept to reality, having the support of an architectural ironmongery team ensures the finished solution stands out in a crowded marketplace.”
Häfele’s Projects 360˚ team, made up of over 20 Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, can specify, source and supply any product to suit the functionality and design of a building. This assures customers of the highest standards of modern specification, with a ‘cradle-to-grave’ approach to ensure design consistency across an entire build. As such, the brochure also defines the broad range of services offered to aid the planning, design and functionality of projects from start to finish, connecting architects, designers and contractors with the solutions to meet client requirements.
“Our new architectural ironmongery brochure showcases the comprehensive range of hardware we can specify, source and supply for application in projects across all market sectors,” said Smith. ” Stakeholders can clearly see the vast choice on offer in one place, so they can begin to shortlist options. From there, our qualified consultants will collaborate with customers to determine the best product to suit the functionality and design of the building.”
The new full-colour brochure offers striking visuals and details of the entire architectural hardware range available for specification through Häfele Projects 360֯. Each product entry comes complete with key features, material options and guarantee information, enabling users to identify ironmongery to suit any style or scope of building project.
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.
Is it bird’s nest or a hotel suite that BIG has just designed?
Already known for its imaginative accommodation in the Swedish forest, the Treehotel takes us on another flight of fantasy with its new Biosphere guestroom designed by Danish architecture studio BIG…
The Treehotel in Swedish Lapland, is known for its broad variety of innovative cabins, with each having a distinct identity that reacts differently with the forest, and each pushing design parameters in their own way. Working in close collaboration with Treehotel and Swedish ornithologist Ulf Öhman, the new BIG-designed hotel room Biosphere will bring 350 bird houses to the hotel. Suspended in the Harads pines, BIG’s experiential design is the eighth hotel room on the property, with the aim to enhance the surrounding biosphere through design.
Image credit: BIG
By designing a treetop guestroom with a façade of bird nests, the aim of Biosphere is to decrease the downward spiral of the bird population in the Swedish woods and instead strengthen the biosphere and natural habitat. It also takes discussion on immersive hotel experiences and sustainability to a whole new level.
Image credit: BIG
Image credit: BIG
Biosphere is accessed via a suspended bridge that slopes from the ground to the top of the trees. The interior of the 34 square metre guestroom incorporates rich dark interiors and organic materials inspired by the surrounding landscape, which further serve to reinforce the visitors’ gaze outwards and to focus on the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Image credit: BIG
The interior is simple and pragmatic, yet due to its alternating solid-open conceptual make-up, it allows for a range of experiences within a relatively small space. Visitors have access to a roof terrace – bringing guests even closer to the treetop canopies – that offers a 360-degree views of the forest. By varying the individual sizes of the bird nests and expanding them outwards, and based upon the bird type and frequency in the area, light is able to enter the interior space whilst maintaining the outwards views.
Image credit: BIG
Through wrapping the new hotel room so directly in an ecological habitat, guests are provided the opportunity to experience birdlife in close proximity and are invited into the epicentre of nature unfolding. Surrounded by subtle bird song, balanced by the exterior triple glazing façade, guests are provided with an intimate, immersive nature experience.
Crosswater has expanded its bestselling MPRO and Belgravia collections with a selection of sensor taps, a first for the British bathroom brand…
With touch-less operation becoming a key function in bathrooms and public spaces across the hospitality sector, it is key that designers have access to the technology along with design specifications. Crosswater’s new sensor taps combine expert functionality, award-winning design, and state-of-the-art infrared technology to create stylish taps that require no pushing, turning, or touching. With both MPRO and Belgravia Sensor taps, the infrared sensor is integrated within the spout. In addition to allowing a sleek and streamlined design, this position enable to sensor to detect hand movement swiftly, activating rapid functionality in less than a second.
Image credit: Crosswater
MPRO Sensor taps come in deck mounted or wall mounted designs and are available in four finishes – Brushes Stainless Steel, Brushed Brass, Chrome, and Matt Black. The Belgravia Sensor blends classic styling with cutting-edge technology to bring advanced touchless operation to traditional bathroom designs, and is available in three finishes; chrome, nickel, and unlacquered brass.
Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater
The touch-less operation significantly reduces the transmission of germs and bacteria, making the sensor tap a more hygienic alternative. The infrared sensing technology with customisable automatic shut-off time helps reduce water consumption in intensive use applications, an equally important consideration in all bathroom design. Along with the key benefits of hygiene and sustainability, the sensor taps are easy to maintain and reliable, both key elements to consider for bathrooms in the hospitality sector under so much pressure to perform.
Crosswater 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.
Drawing inspiration from the eloquence of Greek mythology’s muse Calliope, traditional architecture, and Mykonos’ vibrance, the Cali Mykonos vision is to create a sanctuary nurturing the connections among people, the surroundings, and the future…
Getting ready to make a substantial splash on arguably Greece’s most cosmopolitan island in the heart of the Cyclades, Othon Mourkakos and a talented team intimately connected to Greece, luxury hospitality, and sustainable design are debuting Cali Mykonos, a boutique luxury resort, in July.
“We wanted to create an escape where guests can experience life somewhere else, with the charm of culture and tradition, conscious of a sustainable future,” said Othon Mourkakos, Founder of Cali Mykonos. “Each decision, from materials to methods to team members, is made with this goal in mind. We look forward to welcoming guests into our home and sharing Cali’s Mykonian summer.”
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Each of the 40 suites and villas have a private pool and spacious terrace, descending from the mountain to the blue waters of Cali’s private beach. The resort’s expansive infinity pool, state-of-the-art gym, restaurant serving locally sourced food, pool bar, and bespoke experiences, such as yacht and luxury boat trips to nearby beaches or neighbouring islands, fashion a new way to experience Mykonos, with its charming marble streets, picturesque blue and white houses, iconic beaches and glamorous nightlife.
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Athens-based architectural firm, STFN Labs, has combined traditional Cycladic architecture with natural features of the landscape. Built using the stone from the initial excavation, each building is uniquely placed along the terrain, resulting in a symphony of structures frozen in dance. Calm, light, and neutral interiors create a continuation of nature, with sleek lines and an array of marbles, whilst flat rooftops are planted with local vegetation, flowers and herbs, insulating rooms and improving air quality. Luxury furnishings, handcrafted in Greece, are constructed from native woods and marbles, and mattresses are all-natural and sustainably made, Coco Mat.
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Cali Mykonos will shelter a variety of accommodations for all, from couples and friends to families and solo travellers. The premier two-level Villa Calliope, the closest villa to the sea, accommodates eight people with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, an expansive yard and terrace, and three private pools. The three-level Cali Villa, situated at the peak of the property, comprises five bedrooms and bathrooms, each with its own pool, a private elevator, and wrap-around terraces with panoramic 300 degree views.
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Helmed by Chef Lefteris Lazarou, culinary offerings promise to be exceptional, with the signature Mediterranean restaurant offering traditional Greek cuisine using locally sourced seafood and ingredients. Additionally, private dining can be enjoyed on guests’ terraces for a unique and intimate experience. Lazarou is considered one of the most influential chefs in the country, having prepared meals for political leaders, the Royal Family, and visitors from around the world. Lazarou’s preference for local and sustainable ingredients will reflect in his menus at Cali Mykonos.
Cali Mykonos offers an exclusive range of experiences and amenities, from the intimate gallery with works from established and emerging local artists to in-room rejuvenating treatments. Premier fitness services include a Pilates studio, guided sunrise salutations by the pool, and private yoga. Guests can also enjoy the expansive seawater infinity pool overlooking the sea, while immersing themselves in secluded moments on the busy island.
With a distinctive design narrative reflecting the building’s history while dialling into the rebellious spirit of Soho, Chateau Denmark has opened its doors…
Inspired by Denmark Street’s iconic history, Chateau Denmark mixes creative expression with fine architectural detail. The new and independent brand is set across 16 buildings – with 55 Session Rooms and Apartments – each featuring distinct design narratives reflecting each building’s history. With interiors from the award-winning Taylor Howes – and a captivating art collection curated by ARTIQ – the overall narrative imagines a time where punk rock and vintage gothic meet modern psychedelia with a timeless grandeur.
Image credit: Mel Yates
Operated by Carrie Wicks’ CAW Ventures, Chateau Denmark is inspired by the street where things were never done by half measures. This sentiment is present throughout the design intent, guest experience and attitude. Fluid and spirited, the Chateau’s highly skilled team will effortlessly glide from hosting affairs to facilitating the good times.
Session Rooms in The Now Building, accessed through Denmark Place are tiered in Superior, Luxury or Deluxe categories. Expect gold-trimmed, graffitied signature beds to full-blown psychedelia with bold colours and tactile rounded furnishings. The Deluxe rooms will also feature a ‘kitchenette maxibar’ — inviting Denmark Street’s culture of playfulness and hedonism.
Image credit: Mel Yates
Apartments are located in a collection of Grade II listed townhouses, a mews house and mansion buildings along Denmark Street. Starting from 35 square metres, expect grandeur through illustrative and evocative wallpaper with original timber beams, dark panelling along with a sculpted fireplace opposite the roll-top red-lined bathtub on a marble plinth. With a full size maxi-bar and concealed doorways leading to powder rooms along with paisley patterned headboards, the space is an adventure, with narrow nooks and restricted door heights, retaining each buildings’ heritage status. The largest apartments in the category follow a psychedelia design intent with open-plan layouts, with opulent wallpaper against a rounded orange velvet headboard, a peacock blue sofa and a stand-alone bathtub. Meanwhile, other apartments capture punk accents with an unmistakable raucous energy. Industrial finishes mix with decadent antique furniture, featuring ‘God Save The Queen’ motifs, while the walls are lined with heady artwork.
Image credit: Mel Yates
A number of the Chateau Denmark apartments are housed in some of the buildings that helped change the course of the British music scene multiple times over. Here the Stones recorded their first album, Bowie hung out with Vince Taylor along with Lou Reed plus Chrissie Hynde and Vivienne Westwood passed through. In addition, album sleeve artwork designers Hipgnosis were also located here and worked on Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Pink Floyd albums while one of the buildings was also home to musician hotspot La Giaconda.
Image credit: Mel Yates
The Signature Apartments are located across a number of the buildings, with the unique 51 square metres of ‘I Am Anarchy’, a duplex mews house situated behind No. 6 Denmark Street. In true punk spirit the apartment has been turned upside down with the living space upstairs, featuring Johnny Rotten’s storied caricatures of his fellow bandmates, the Sex Pistols – the mews house’s one time residents. Meanwhile, the Murphy bed and the dj ports make it ideal for forgetting all about sleep. Serving as the epitome of punk prowess and versatility, this apartment features gloss black furniture, tartan blinds and statement graffitied chairs. Set adjacent to Denmark Street, Flitcroft Street, features the Flitcroft Apartments, finished in a vintage gothic aesthetic for those looking for an experience larger than life and featuring a hand carved four poster bed, stand alone bathtub, grand stone fireplace and a balcony. These 93 square metre apartments overlook the St Giles-in-the-Fields Church and are a nod to the location’s poetic beauty.
Image credit: Mel Yates
A reimagined perspective on the traditional butler, or BTLR, means a team of proudly impassioned individuals ready to meet any rhythm. Insiders in every sense of the term their unique character sets them apart, allowing them to measure the mood and match it to the moment. With the intention of never replacing the guest experience, technology at Chateau Denmark brings frictionless service delivery along with unrivalled access. Chateau will also have the capabilities to host press interviews and junkets, for industry talent and producers, welcoming the next generation of the neighbourhood’s artistic industries.
Image credit: Mel Yates
The hotels’s art collection will platform the very best of London’s creative talent, opening guests’ imaginations to the multidimensional history and expressionism of the city’s art scene. Exhibiting a range of artists and creators, including Magnus Gjoen and Radek Husak, the contemporary collection will feature various mediums from paintings and photography to sculpture and illustrations — a trove of handpicked pieces.
The Now Building is the largest of Outernet London’s immersive spaces. Its north-facing public atrium features a 360-degree creative canvas, courtesy of immersive media screens — the largest LED screens anywhere in the world. In addition, The Now Building’s top floor will be home to independent restaurant group Tattu’s first London site. Inspired by traditional Chinese flavours and ingredients, Tattu will offer guests a sensory experience through a fusion of cooking, culinary display and luxury interiors. Additionally, throughout 2022, Denmark Street will see the arrival of Chateau Denmark’s lounge bar and basement club, along with a fitness and wellness space, shops, a recording studio and new venues where guests will have privileged access to view, party, or perform at one the three live spaces, ranging from 360–2,000 capacity.
From the Superior Session Rooms’ bold energy to the gothic drama of the Flitcroft Apartments, Chateau Denmark captures an old-world aesthetic that is undeniably bound with modern times and promises to deliver unprecedented connectivity, whether you’re staying for the night or for the year.
“A statement of style” – checking in to One Hundred Shoreditch
Editor Hamish Kilburn brought with him a video crew to review Shoreditch’s latest hotel arrival. Now open, One Hundred Shoreditch, designed by Jacu Strauss, Creative Director of Lore Group, aptly reflects a matured neighbourhood, with various nods to its unforgettable past (scroll down for full video review)…
Following much anticipation, One Hundred Shoreditch has opened its doors to rave reviews all-round. Lore Group’s second hotel in London, designed by its Creative Director, Jacu Strauss, is a coming-of-age story, to reflect how a culture and neighbourhood has grown-up in the last decade.
One Hundred Shoreditch takes over from what was the Ace Hotel London Shoreditch, which, when it opened in 2013, was among the cluster of hotels that became a new generation of luxury-lifestyle hospitality in East London.
Seven year’s later, though, when Ace Hotels bid farewell to London in 2020, Strauss, began planning his latest masterpiece. His concept for the new 258-key hotel was not to do a sharp 180-degrees turn on its existing style, but instead to use local craftsmen, women and the creative people within his own team to delicately give the building a new lease of life and meaning. “The true spirit of Shoreditch historically has been about welcoming new visitors and celebrating what they bring and leave behind,” Strauss told Hotel Designs. “I feel One Hundred Shoreditch is a hotel that welcomes a diverse crowd, and that to me is the essence of Shoreditch.”
To understand more about the hotel’s unique design narrative, I brought with me a video crew from CUBE to review the hotel, and while there be given a guided tour by Strauss.
As you can see, the new hotel, which has in just a few weeks become a cornerstone in the area, is all about contrasts. The lobby and lounge, which shelter a vibrant arrival experience, capture the energy of Shoreditch, but in a muted and sophisticated manner.
Image credit: Lore Group
The F&B areas, including Goddard and Gibbs, the new restaurant that has been ingeniously reinvented to put the dining experience at the heart of the hotel, have been opened up to street level.
Image credit: Lore Group
Meanwhile, the guestrooms and suites have been tweaked and designed to become tranquil spaces. “I opted for neutral base palettes and textures: white upholstery, natural tones, soft berber carpets, which is something you would expect in a great apartment, not a hotel and generous oversized bedding,” explained Strauss. To create texture and added layers, the rooms feature accents of colour and quirky furniture to cut through the neutrals, and a compelling art collection. “We have used custom tapestries with geometric patterns, and large hand painted artworks by myself and huge oversized white pottery vases, which I also designed.”
Image credit: Lore Group
In fact, all the artwork around the hotel was created in-house. The team are personally invested in each property they curate and there is an artisanal and sculptured touch in several pieces including the totems you have already seen; the tapestries; beaded blankets and tiles found in seed library. “Throughout the property we have used craft ware lamps and vases,” added Strauss. “Everything is very tactile, and we want you touch it and connect with it.” He even hand-painted the side plates and egg cups in Goddard and Gibbs.
Image credit: Lore Group
As I check out of One Hundred Shoreditch, I am impressed with how a hotel can, as well as sensitively reflect a destination’s tone, also subtly help to usher territories into new chapters. With statement hotels emerging in all pockets of London, it will be interesting to see if this approach to hotel design becomes one that is adopted further afield, and explored in new ways. One thing is certain: Strauss is a visionary, and I cannot wait to see what’s next from him and the team at Lore Group.
Located near Vilamoura in southern Portugal, Domes Lake Algarve is getting ready to open its doors. The launch marks Domes Resorts’ international expansion outside of Greece for the first time, as well as the group’s first year-round hotel…
Domes Resorts, part of the Ledra Hotels and Villas group, is amongst the fastest growing luxury hospitality groups in Greece, with a number of new projects in its pipeline. Partnering with HIP on Domes Lake Algarve in Portugal, the group aims to strengthen its presence in Europe, with the repositioning and rebranding of the hotel.
Image credit: Domes Lake Algarve
Comprising 192 guestrooms and suites, the hotel’s interiors are inspired by the surrounding eco-protected landscape. The fresh colours throughout the design, reflect the property’s gardens, pools and lake, which many of the rooms overlook. The hotel also features the hyper-luxury Haute Living Selection, providing a ‘hotel-within-a-hotel’ experience for travellers looking for space, privacy, and a deeper connection with calming nature and local activities.
Image credit: Domes Lake Algarve
With its own private saltwater lake and private access to Praia de Falesia beach, four sparkling swimming pools, all connected with a deck stretching across the gardens towards restaurants and observation pergolas, Domes Lake Algarve is a soothing setting for unwinding in the tranquil environment, as well as trying activities which make the most of its location such as clam and oyster picking, birdwatching, sailing, and wine tasting. For those also looking to soak up the local culture of Vilamoura, the hotel is a short distance on foot to the famous marina, the wetlands, Ria Formosa Natural Park, restaurants, beach clubs, and golf courses.
Image credit: Domes Lake Algarve
For the adults seeking some downtime, the award-winning Soma Spa combines ancient Greek methods and contemporary healing techniques, with results-orientated products from Elemis, as well as Godage Paris which utilises active natural ingredients for more tailored treatments.
Image credit: Domes Lake Algarve
the resort will be home to a selection of unique culinary options which uniquely fuse the Greek heritage of Domes Resorts with iconic Portuguese flavours true to the region’s traditional cuisine. Whether enjoying a cocktail on the lake, award-winning Neo-Greek seafood at Topos, or a 12-course tasting menu with fresh and seasonal produce at Makris On The Lake, with regional wine pairings, there are dishes to please every appetite.
CTD Architectural Tiles unveils its new tile collection
CTD Architectural Tiles has unveiled its new tile collection which has been carefully curated to include the latest on-trend designs and high-performance solutions from some of the world’s most innovative and established manufacturers…
From designer walls to feature flooring and beautiful exterior tiles, the 2022 collection from CTD features tiles from leading manufacturers such as Zyx, Harmony, Cevica and Marazzi. The latest collection encompasses brand new commercial tile solutions as well as updates to established ranges with an extended selection of colours, sizes and finishes.
Image credit: CTD Architecture Tiles
The new collection comprises a multitude of different commercial tile solutions such as Levels, a striking brick-format tile which has been inspired by the artisanal ceramics of the Mediterranean. These wall tiles each emulate six smaller mosaic tiles, with a matt background combined with a transparent glossy finish which can be used either horizontally or vertically to create dramatic feature walls.
Also included in the new collection is Sol, which combines a quality feel and stunning appearance with a vast array of patterns and styles. Evocative of a hand-painted tile and inspired by the natural world, the modern production methods that support this vintage style tile makes it a versatile solution for a variety of design schemes.
Image credit: CTD Architecture Tiles
Another striking new addition is Affrescati. The surface detailing is reminiscent of aged plaster and the appearance of traditional Italian tiles, so much so that one of the most eye-catching designs in the range features a sensual blue and gold star design which pays homage to the famous Scrovegni Chapel in Italy.
Image credit: CTD Architecture Tiles
Popular and established tile ranges have also been enhanced to offer new design options in terms of colour, style and size. The thick glazed, ultra-glossy brick size tiles within the Lume range are the perfect example, with six new colour options now available. This popular porcelain tile can be used inside, outside and even in pool tanks, with the striking variations in colour and patterns creating interesting light effects to add vibrancy to commercial design schemes.
CTD Architectural Tiles has responded directly to the needs of its customers working on variety of commercial projects by enhancing its current offering of wood-effect, porcelain and stone tiles, as well as sourcing the latest innovations for creating bespoke colour schemes, decorative surface designs and interiors which experiment with different lighting effects.
CTD Architectural 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.
Impressing the jury with the high design quality synonymous with the brand, two complete Duravit bathroom series, D-Neo and White Tulip, have been awarded this year’s Red Dot Award for Product Design…
The Red Dot Award for Product Design, which can trace its origins back to 1955, identifies each year’s best products. True to the motto ‘in search of good design and innovation’, a jury evaluated the products individually, and as originals. The expert committee only awards the internationally renowned quality seal to products with an impressively high design quality which satisfy stringent evaluation criteria. These include degree of innovation, functionality, formal quality, ergonomics, and durability. The Red Dot Award 2022 for Product Design has been awarded to the two complete bathroom series by Duravit, D-Neo and White Tulip and the accompanying faucets.
“All the products we entered in the competition won an award,” said Stephan Tahy, CEO Duravit AG, “which is testament to the outstanding design work of our teams.”
Image credit: Duravit
D-Neo, a complete bathroom range by Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly was first unveiled in March 2021. The range stands out as a result of its clear formal language, straight-lined and geometric forms. With an attractive entry-level price, new target groups can enjoy Duravit products. The design series as a whole and the faucets in particular have already won the German Design Award.
Image credit: Duravit
In fitting with the D-Neo design, the D-Neo faucet has a straight-lined and geometric design. The characteristically narrow, vertically positioned handle is standard throughout the entire range. Sustainability is key in this range, and on the D-Neo washbasin mixers with FreshStart, only cold-water flows in the central position to start with. Hot water is only added when the one deliberately moves the handle to the left. The energy-intensive production of hot water is limited to situations where it is actually needed.
Image credit : Duravit
Image credit: Duravit
With White Tulip, the French designer Philippe Starck has created a holistic bathroom collection. From bathtubs, washbasins and furniture, toilets and bidets, to matching mirrors and a complete collection of faucets, the exceptional form of all the components within the series echoes the organic silhouette of a tulip in bloom. The monolithic, free-standing ceramic washbasin is particularly eye-catching.The consistent design element on the faucets is again the tulip-shaped handle with a finely polished surface that reflects the form of the washbasins and bathtubs.
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.
Yoko Village – a remote work and residential community in Costa Rica
Slated to open early 2023, Yoko Village, aptly meaning ‘Sunshine Child’ is a remote work and residential community located in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, offering a balanced life between work, wellness and living…
Founder of the Yoko Village project, Liran Rosenfeld, is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record, who in 2018, after 3 years of scaling his company PassRight, began to experience extreme burnout. To reset, he travelled to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Once there, he noticed the difference in his health. He saw how eating well, sun, learning to surf, practicing yoga and meditation and slower pace in life made him more productive in his personal and professional life. Rosenfeld’s new found appreciation for the ‘Pura Vida’ life led him to create Yoko Village, an eco-community for like-minded individuals looking to nurture their lives as much as their life’s work.
“Yoko Village is centered around the well-being of its residents, while focusing on building a creative and productive coworking community,” said Rosenfeld. “We understand the business needs of remote workers, providing a perfectly balanced work and home environment.”
Image credit: Yoko Village
Putting down designer roots on 40 hectares in the hills of the Costa Rican jungle, minutes from sought after surf breaks and idyllic beaches, Yoko Village plans to gather an array of well-travelled community members who have traded city streets for breathtaking ocean views, spectacular sunsets, natural resources, and serenity. The diverse environment sets the stage for digital nomads, families and entrepreneurs to plant roots in paradise where they can prioritize wellness, have access to the outdoors, and celebrate culture, all while enjoying high standards of living and meeting the professional needs of remote work.
Image credit: Yoko Village
Designed by architect, Serrana Robledo, the plans place a high priority on thoughtful architecture taking care to work with, and support the natural environment. The founding team advocates for the environment and local preservation by spearheading a reforestation campaign and incorporating sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, the construction of minimally impactful structures and a zero-plastic policy.
Image credit: Yoko Village
Yoko Village plans include the construction of 40 two, three, and four bedroom villas with ensuite bathrooms, private decks, and access to on-site communal amenities such as a tech-enabled community coworking center, private office spaces, creative playgrounds, yoga deck, gym, pool, restaurant, edible walking trails, communal gardens and spiritual centre.
Image credit: Yoko Village
Yoko Village ownership offers the opportunity to purchase villas inspired by the nature and wildlife which surrounds it, in a secure international community. All common areas, co-working spaces, facilities, roads, and communal gardens, are maintained year-round by management. Residents also have the option of short-term rental management for their properties, allowing owners to subsidize their investment and support a remote live/work lifestyle.
Gold Bar at EDITION launches at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon
The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon, launches Gold Bar at EDITION, an intimate cocktail destination to stimulate the senses, inspired by the golden age of classic cocktails in pre-Prohibition America…
‘The Golden Age of Cocktails’ brought about some of mixology’s best inventions: The Martini, Daiquiri, and Manhattan were all created in this time, spanning from the 1860s through the Prohibition Era. The 87-seat Gold Bar at EDITION, inspired by the era and all that glitters, features a creative cocktail menu reimagining these timeless concoctions with modern techniques, incorporating Japanese spirits and select local ingredients.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
All black with deft flourishes of white and gold, inspired by the design of rare pieces of fine jewellery, Gold Bar at EDITION will feature blackened wood finishes inspired by Japanese yakisugi, a traditional method of charring cedar to preserve the wood. The venue will also feature gold accents, a black marble bar, and white barrel-vaulted five metre high ceilings. The intimate bar is finished with a focal fireplace made of Nero Marquina, which hangs a gold-leaf artwork by Guerin Swing. Gold Bar at EDITION will play a mix of low-tempo classic, jazz, soul, and R&B midweek selected by Gray V, with named DJs playing on Friday and Saturday nights.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
Curated by Director of Bars Hideyuki Saito, the menu focuses on classic cocktail categories, such as Punch, Sour, and Fizz, with a focus on local spirits and ingredients. The food menu will be created each season by a locally renowned chef, Chef Narukiyo, again highlighting the finest Japanese ingredients. Known for his celebrated downtown namesake, izakaya Narukiyo, serving homemade southern Japanese seasonal food, will be the first to curate the menu.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon represents a very delicate balancing act between the refined, elegant, simple and pure approach of Japan’s culture, style, and traditions and EDITION’s passion, emotion, sophistication, perpetual subversion of the status quo, and desire to break the rules to create something entirely new, something that has never been seen before. With the subversion of styles, this synergy of elegance and simplicity is present throughout the restaurant and bars at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon, and none more so than in Gold Bar at EDITION.
Having recently transported the tastes from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the urban setting of Park Lane London, we caught up with COMO London hotel’s General Manager, Javier Beneyto Benavides to find out a little more about the pop-up concept…
COMO Metropolitan London, with the winning combination of contemporary design and a vibrant Park Lane location was the perfect setting for a collaboration with the award winning team at COMO’s first Italian retreat, COMO Castello Del Nero. For a limited eight nights only, Executive Chef Giovanni Luca Di Pirro from the historic Tuscan estate, created an exclusive menu highlighting signature dishes from the restaurant, La Taverna. London diners were able to experience Chef Giovanni’s masterful techniques that pay homage to the culinary roots of Tuscany, without having to leave the comfort of the capital.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Hotel Designs: Tell us more about the menu takeover?
Javier Beneyto Benavides: We were very lucky to have Giovanni Luca Di Pirro, Executive Chef at our sister property, COMO Castello Del Nero, join us at COMO Metropolitan London to share the incredible flavours of Tuscany with our guests here in the city. The pop-up menu featured many Italian favourites, including ‘Tagliere del Castello’, a selection of Tuscan cold cuts, fine cheeses, honey and coccoli, homemade Pici (a hand-rolled and thicker version of spaghetti) with beef ragù, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and Pecorino cheese, Carnaroli risotto with pumpkin and truffle, and a selection of mouth-watering pizzas all crafted with the freshest seasonal ingredients which stay true to COMO’s farm-to-table philosophy. Dishes were accompanied by a hand-picked selection of Tuscan wines such as Tignanello Antinori, Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino or Italian cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Rossini, and Garibaldi for what was a truly immersive and complete experience.
We also hosted a pair of hands-on cooking classes, so that guests could experience and learn to master the art of making pasta with Chef Giovanni himself. Guests were able to savour a selection of Tuscan antipasti and a glass of wine, before the event finished off with Tiramisu and coffee.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
HD: Why Tuscany?
JBB: Tuscany is full of such incredible produce and we’re lucky to have a presence in the region through our sister property COMO Castello Del Nero, located just in the heart of the Chianti. COMO Castello del Nero have recently reopened, and with this takeover we wanted to give Londoners the chance to experience the menu and build an appetite ahead of the reopening. Italian food is familiar and incredibly popular in the UK – by having showcased the flavours and ingredients specific to Tuscany with a successful collaboration, it is something we now plan to replicate in the future with other partner chefs.
HD: What elements do both hotels share in common?
JBB: Both hotels have been individually curated to reflect their location through design, experiences and of course food and drink. When guests visit either property, the experience is entirely specific to the locale, so it’s fun to play with that concept by bringing a flavour of COMO Castello Del Nero to London.
Of course, all properties within the COMO Hotels and Resorts collection share a passion for wellbeing, whether that be through the COMO Shambhala wellness concept or the use of the freshest seasonal ingredients across F&B operations. Although none of the hotels are the same, their emphasis on responsible living and the memorable power of experiences remains consistent.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
HD: If the menu was reversed, what British dishes would be served up in Tuscany?
JBB: We would serve iconic British dishes such as the traditional Sunday Roast with the very best cuts of meat from the British Isles. We would also serve our own take on the classic Fish and Chips alongside any of the fresh fish, oysters, and scallops from the British coast. For dessert, my personal favourite the Sticky Toffee Pudding is a must.
HD: How did the campaign to transform the feel of COMO Metropolitan London?
JBB: The entire campaign was focused on bringing the warmth of the Tuscan countryside to cold London in the winter. We wanted to bring the flavours, atmosphere and hospitality of Tuscany to town, and I think we achieved that!
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
HD: What was your favourite dish on the pop-up menu?
JBB: My favourite dish on the menu was definitely the Spigola, a Mediterranean-style seabass with tomato emulsion and ricotta with cottage cheese. I am a big fan of seafood and this dish was so fresh and full of flavour while respecting the seabass.
This collaborative cross-over project between COMO’s personalised and immersive resorts adds an interesting new chapter to the brands F&B offerings. With COMO London already firmly placed on the London dining scene, sheltering one of the most innovative kitchens in the capital, it is exciting to see how boundaries can shift to create new and transitory experiences.
Case study: LEDS C4 creates a connected lighting scheme in LOOM
LEDS C4 has designed and developed an innovative and intuitive lighting installation for LOOM, a flexible work space in the heart of a creative district of Barcelona…
LOOM Barcelona is a flexible work space solution, based in the prestigious Torre Glòries, and located in the technological and creative district of Barcelona. The project covers a total of 2,500 square meteres, over three floors, and required project-specific lighting to differentiate the spaces. The LEDS C4 Smart Light for Office control, connectivity and digital services solutions has been applied to optimise maintenance, energy saving and efficient management of all the spaces.
Image credit: LEDS-C4
LOOM is about creating a workspace focused on people, optimising their performance and boosting their creativity. LED C4 was required to carry out the lighting project with this in mind, in addition to the supervision and monitoring of the work from start to finish.The project had a range of requirements, with the primary focus being able to adjust the artificial lighting depending on natural light conditions, and so avoid major contrasts with the 360-degree natural light entering the building in order to avoid fatigue and headaches, and reduce energy consumption.
Image credit: LEDS C4
It was necessary for the project to comply with the Workplace Standard EN12464 on lighting comfort and glare for the worker. In addition, the client needed to be able to control the activation of the lighting of the common areas or meeting rooms depending on occupancy, while being able to control and analyse the degree of occupancy of rental rooms to respond to customer demands.
In response to all of the requirements of the project, the LEDS C4 lighting project and consultancy unit designed a lighting staging focused on the building’s architecture and its people, using connected lighting systems that generate differentiated spaces, offering a high degree of comfort and design.
At the product level, a combination of linear and cylindrical architectural lighting was used, with decorative lighting options that add character and adapt to the needs of each space. Lighting products were differentiated according to the space and function, from formal directional lighting in meeting rooms, to more diffuse lighting in less formal settings.
Image credit: LEDS C4
Image credit: LEDS C4
Given the architecture of the Torre Glòries building, consisting of a double-glazed structure that ensures natural light all day, a sophisticated system was installed to control the use of sunlight and to adjust usage depending on occupancy, based on 150 Wireless D4i smart sensors, distributed over three floors and perfectly integrated into the lighting. As a result, the lighting is completely autonomous and is self-regulating depending on natural light and occupancy, with up to 85 per cent energy saving. In turn, the lighting can be customised with remote controls located in every room, with four default setups and fine-tuning buttons for every two work stations. Thanks to this flexibility, adaptation to each user is guaranteed and it brings a high added value to the installation, ensuring maximum productivity.
Connected lighting with LEDS C4 Smart Light for Office enables the project to be managed remotely, making it possible to monitor the installation, change the regulation profiles and visualise the lighting data through the DALI D4i platform. The installation’s key data points are the energy saving due to natural light and occupancy, the temperature of the spaces, as well as real-time reports of the state of the lighting and their flow maintenance, all through graphic panels and data records. The data is available locally and in the cloud, and can be used by third-party applications or APPs via API, or through a BMS system, to provide a number of functions such as customising the temperature and lighting of the rooms, or reserving the spaces online.
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.
Live roundtable: discussing the new era of luxury in hotel design
In an exclusive roundtable with Hotel Designs, in association with Gabriel Scott, leading interior designers and architects gathered to discuss materials, lighting and sustainability when exploring luxury hotel design in 2022 and beyond (scroll down for video)…
Like all things in hotel design and hospitality, luxury and what is considered high-end is a subjective matter. Arguably, making the topic and discussion around it more compelling, the boundaries between luxury and lifestyle have no-doubt been blurred in recent years, as hotels adapt to new demands from modern travellers.
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
With the aim to explore luxury deeper than surface level, Hotel Designs and Gabriel Scott joined forces recently to bring together leading designers and architects inside the luxury brand’s showroom in Mayfair to explore luxe design and hospitality in 2022 and beyond.
The exclusive discussion, which marked the brand’s 10th anniversary, started with the question (05:50 in the video above): what materials, colours and trends are dominating interior design at the moment? The response from James Dilley, Director, Jestico + While, set the scene. “There are two things focusing us at the moment,” he said. “One is the natural quality of materials, and the other being craftsmanship.”
Image credit/caption: Zuri Zanzibar, designed by Jestico + Whiles
With more hotels opening to shelter a more in-depth sense of craft, Sam Hall, Head of Global FF&E, believes that mass production in luxury could be a thing of the past, as clients want items that are personal to their brand. “Everything has become so much more readily available,” she said. “It’s about the craftsmanship that makes the quality of the natural materials appear.”
This led the conversation into an interesting talking point, and the topic of biophilic design was introduced. Interior designer Martin Hulburt, who recently completed, for the second time in his career, a renovation inside The Grove in Hertfordshire, believed that nature can be used as a powerful tool when creating luxury spaces in the future. “The first time we renovated the hotel, we threw out the concept of luxury because we wanted to create something different,” he said. “Recently, we just went into the project with an open mind. I have always preferred using unpolished wood over veneered-looking wood, or sackcloth over silk. In this case, we have mixed them all up together.”
Image credit: The Gove, Hertfordshire
Addressing the architects in the room, when the conversation went down the route of materials, the point was made for the need of a stronger relationship with interior designers and other contributors. At this point, Margarita Boulaki, Associate, Squire & Partners, brought up the need for collaborative approaches. “Materials and sustainability are combined in the design process,” she said. “We see natural materials in the architecture structure and it’s not uncommon these days for these elements to be exposed for interior designers to start their concepts from there. It’s a highly integrated process, from inside out.”
It would be remiss to have a discussion regarding luxury without bringing up lifestyle, which was the perfect cue for Rachel Hoolahan, Sustainability Co-Ordinator at Orms, which in 2019 completed its work on The Standard London. “When you come into a building like The Standard London, you have to be inspired by what you are inheriting,” she said. “For us, that was the facade. Our plan was to retain the original structure, which was at the time considered a negative contributor. After understanding why this was, we then decided to add a contemporary extension to the building. 1960s brutalist original concrete is not what people would consider luxury. The interior designers, though, were really inspired by this retro aesthetic, and worked with the building to pair soft furnishings, which created a warm and welcoming experience.”
Image credit: The Standard London
Naturally, the talk strayed into the territory of residential, and Rose Murray, Director, These White Walls, explained how more reference points from her residential clients are steering towards hotels. “You want a sense of escapism into your home,” she said. “And people tend to go to hotels when they want to get away and take inspiration from there. There is therefore a sense of bringing in rustic luxe and paired-back luxury in residential design, which becomes interesting because it is about slowing everything down. Design then easily becomes more about feeling over look.”
Moving into the process of design and specification, the panel started to explain how much more involved clients are in 2022 when it comes to design decisions, as Constantina Tsoutsikou, Founder, Studio LOST, explained: “When I designed The Royal Senses Resort, I found myself using honest materials and detailing them with a luxury mindset,” she said. “A lot of the time, clients can’t describe what they want with words, as it’s more of a feeling and ambiance they want to create. I think that’s what luxury means today, a comfortable home-from-home feeling that’s elevated. As an interior designer, the more trust I have, [from my clients] the more creative I can be.”
Image credit: The Royal Senses Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
Image credit: The Royal Senses Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
The debate around luxury continues, but as we leave the conversation to filter the talking points into further debates and discussions between other industry experts outside the Gabriel Scott showroom, it’s clear that among the designers, architects and clients, there is more empathy and open-minded attitudes towards challenging conventional approaches to the luxury hotel design and hospitality. The parameters, as far as I can see, are working within the boundaries of the hotel’s DNA to ensure that each decision made on the project has a meaning, which will ultimately add a new, innovative layer to the overall design and hospitality scheme.
Linda Boronkay designs Osborn House – a whimsical country retreat in Australia
Building on the rich legacy of the property, London based designer Linda Boronkay has teamed up with Mac Design Studio in Sydney to design a new luxury hotel in the NSW Southern Highlands…
Former Soho House Design Director, Linda Boronkay has collaborated with interior architect Alan McMahon to transform the original 1892 guesthouse, Osborn House, to suit a clientele accustomed to the comforts, conviviality and nuances of world-class boutique accommodation. With a design approach which balances emotional impact and aesthetics, the focus is on guests’ optimal comfort and stylish interiors.
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
Situated two hours from both Sydney and Canberra, the property has hosted holidaymakers since the 1890s, welcoming guests off the steam train when the picturesque railway village of Bundanoon first became a popular holiday destination. The boutique hotel which opened in February, features 15 super luxury suites and seven newly constructed free-standing luxury cabins, each with a fireplace and balcony bathtub. The property sits within established gardens above the village, with spectacular views to neighbouring Morton National Park.
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
By no means did the design duo want to create a replica, but rather an important nod to the past, with the interiors being an eccentric interpretation of this. They sought to curate a space that would offer guests a long-lasting experience.
“Just like a certain song or fragrance can have an incredible emotional impact on us, we believe design has the same power to evoke positive memories and feelings,” said Boronkay. “The combination of reclaimed materials paired with rich and tactile fabrics, curated objects from around Europe and personal touches in the different spaces will make you feel like you are being embraced by an interesting individual.”
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
One of the greatest attributes of Osborn House is the sheer diversity of the suites and accommodation. You could return to the hotel on multiple occasions and enjoy an entirely different experience by staying in a different suite. Both designers wanted to stay true to the original architecture of Osborn House, to reinstate something that was authentic.
“There was a fine balance of what to keep and what to add,” said Boronkay. “Ensuring we were stripping back the original building only to where it was absolutely necessary.”
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
The wellness facilities on offer acknowledge the property’s former life as health retreat with a 25 metre lap pool, a state-of-the-art spa with four treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, cool plunge and gym. Osborn House aims to build on the rich legacy of leisure, tapping into its affluent and quirky history and the privacy of its hilltop location to create instant escapism for guests.
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
All suites enjoy glorious garden and forest outlooks. There are multiple premium dining and drinking experiences, including an outdoor terrace restaurant, a formal dining room, Dinah’s, and a bar lounge, George’s. A soon-to-open cooking school and market garden will be located in the grounds.
Introducing the Cortina collection from Samuel & Sons
The patterns in the latest collection from Samuel & Sons have been inspired by luxury resorts in Northern Italy…
The Cortina collection from Samuel & Sons, is a sumptuous collection of opulent faux fur embroidered, applique borders and brush fringe. Inspired by some of the most sought-after resorts in the northern Italian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the curated collection features three border patterns and a coordinating, dense pile brush fringe.
The Cortina Faux Fur Applique Border, available in colour Sable, is contemporary in its aesthetic and in its composition. The three-inch border’s pattern is created through a series of multi directional, concentric pyramids. The pattern’s line work is rendered with faux leather applique, which sits above a dimensional faux fur ground. The juxtaposition of the faux fur and textured leather used in this construction yields something very sculptural and tactile.
With the Cortina Faux Fur Geometric Border, the design studio also used a textured faux leather and fur applique construction to illustrate a minimalist pattern of inverted half rectangles.
Cortina Faux Fur Embroidered Border employs a lofty faux fur ground on which a contemporary Greek key pattern is rendered using solid sections of embroidery. The dimensional sections of fur are accentuated by their contrast with the embroidered sections of the ground. It’s offered in three shades from pure Winter White to a warm Camel and deeply saturated Obsidian.
Cortina Faux Fur Fringe is a plush 1.5-inch faux fur brush fringe which blooms to 180 degrees and will infuse any interior with unparalleled luxury. It’s offered in four sumptuous shades including a pure Winter White to a warm Camel, rich Sable and deeply saturated Obsidian.
The Cortina Collection of borders and fringe is aesthetically sophisticated in its interpretation of the patterns, rich hues and the luxurious dimension that results from its nuanced constructions.
Samuel & Sons 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.
Colour-healing menu: checking in to Six Senses Douro Valley
We are only just scratching the surface of understanding sensory design’s role in fuelling the next chapter in hotel design and hospitality, as Editor Hamish Kilburn learns following a transformative nature- and colour-inspired visit to Six Senses Douro Valley…
For years, designers, architects and hospitality businesses have seen (and used) colour to create profound design schemes that challenge conventional approaches, inject purposeful sense of place and improve – even influence – the overall wellness experience in hotels around the globe.
In 2022, with design trends emerging left, right and centre, the impact contrasting tones can have on consumers is undisputed, but the science behind how and why different colours make us feel is a whole new conversation – one that, to even start to understand, required a collaborative effort. My journey to explore sensory design in hospitality took me to the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the oldest wine-producing region in the world.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Six Senses Douro Valley, set across 22 acres and surrounded by five hectares of forest, is a hotel that embodies its location, through aesthetic and service. Designed by New York-based Clodagh Design, with an intuitive design scheme that was both a nod to the past and a glance towards the future, the hotel first opened in 2015, and it has been reinventing itself ever since while helping to lead the luxury and wellbeing hospitality forward.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
The property shelters award-winning spa and wellness facilities, complete with 10 treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool with water jets – and has become renowned for its locally inspired therapies. For many reasons, including its stunning location, effortless style – not to mention its immeasurable dedication to sustainability with features such as an in-house Earth Lab and its own Alchemy Bar – it is the perfect setting to lead new, research-based holistic healing initiatives that connect the guests back to nature.
Its recent wellness and chromotherapy offering, though, takes even this forward-thinking hotel into unchartered waters. Having recently partnered with wellness and colour consultancy mycoocoon, as well as several sensory design, sound and meditation experts, Six Senses Douro Valley has experimented in using colour as a tool to help guests lower their heartbeat and ultimately recharge. As well as colour-healing technologies being used in and around the 2,200-square-metre spa, the hotel has also utilised the science of chromotherapy throughout the property, and has even created a new F&B concept in the process, which stimulates all senses.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
To understand the significance of this collaboration, one must first understand the hotel’s timeless design. The arrival experience sets a tranquil tone. After following a cobbled road down into the valley, the understated hotel emerges in between vineyards and perched on a hilltop overlooking the magnificent Douro River. The entrance is strong and majestic – think more ancient temple than luxury hotel.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
The lobby inside, which unconventionally sits on the top floor, shelters a minimalist look and feel and is paired with a design scheme that deliberately connects guests with nature with details, such as a large check-in desk with a wooden base and a balcony, framed by a glass door, that encourages guests to look over the forest and river.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
As you journey around – from public areas to guestrooms – the feeling of decompression is inescapable, as the glass lift submerges guests from vistas of the river to what feels like going underground. The wide corridors, with green-toned carpets and carved out feature walls, have subtle references to nature. At each end, design elements, such as hanging armchairs and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the river from a different perspective provide a welcome break-out space.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Meanwhile, the guestrooms and suites, large and blended into the original architecture of the property, feature pure lines and delicate lighting, and have been designed to evoke a sense of calm and stillness.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
A soft, earthy design scheme that includes a cohesive language between bedroom and bathroom, contributes to a serene atmosphere, complimented postcard-perfectly with unmatched views over vineyards and the River Douro from the terraces or from the numerous panoramic windows.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Shortly after checking in, it felt like an appropriate time to partake in my first colour wellness experience. I was invited to a private 20-minute-long meditation session, which was referred to as a ‘colour bath’, a light and sound video projection installation that creates a meditative space for the viewer.
The session started with a ‘colour test’, an interactive evaluation process that identified which colour the guest was feeling (ultramarine blue was my mood). “Colour is deeply personal and perceptual,” said Ari Peralta, the sensory designer for MyCoocoon. “Due to jet lag from travel and/or over/underexposure to any given colour can lead guests to experience sensory overload. That’s why we developed a simple test designed to discover users’ subconscious need of light.” Sure enough, in just a few taps on a tablet device, users can identify their colour mood and embrace a moment of stillness.
“Colour is this computation that our brains make that enables us to extract meaning from the world.” – Ari Peralta, Sensory Designer, Mycoocoon.
Once the immersive experience began, for the first time that day I was able to stop, fully disconnect, and release unwelcome tension to allow light and sound to guide me inwards. After just a few minutes, I felt my shoulders slacken as my body and mind embarked on the wellbeing journey. “Colour is this computation that our brains make that enables us to extract meaning from the world,” Peralta explained. “The fact that colour judgments are constrained because most humans have similar visual systems is what makes it possible for colour to be a useful metric in science.”
Did you know that…
Colours directly target the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) that functions and operates under involuntarily and subconscious control?
Colour can elicit memories and influence other senses, that go on to activate our emotional responses?
According to research, we are often deprived or overexposed to certain wavelengths (Colours)?
Specific Colour Combinations can induce specific psychological responses?
In addition to the meditation session, mycoocoon also installed a dome-like structure on the terrace, which became a popular ‘colour cloud’. Guests were able to, at their own leisure and after taking colour tests to make the experience that bit more personal, sit and unwind inside the cloud-like bubble with music curated by sound expert, Riccardo Tuis.
Image caption: The colour cloud was a space where guests could go to recharge and relax. | Image credit: mycoocoon
In the spa, meanwhile, the team adopted the technology, which was overall curated by Peralta, Valerie Corcias and Dominique Kelly, to offer personal treatments, with the aim to enhance the hotel’s already award-winning, innovative therapies. “We use specific combinations of colours to elicit different types of behavioural responses such as sleep, focus and creativity,” Peralta added. “Our software makes it easy for guests to meditate, and our algorithm learns guest preferences over time, creating a sensory profile that can personalise future wellness communications, room settings and suggested programmes.”
Image credit: mycoocoon
Image credit: mycoocoon
Although the overall experience was powerful, there was nothing quite like the ‘chromo experience menu’; a five-course meal that was designed to take guests on a sensory experience over dinner, with each course celebrating a different colour and energy.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
The brand, Six Senses Hotels & Resorts, is known for redefining luxury through its creative and sustainable approach to F&B. The non-pretentious, organic and locally sourced attitude that is sheltered in each of its hotels encourages guests to gather around an open kitchen and celebrate the flavours of local ingredients, paired with the world’s finest wines. Its reputation for impeccable hospitality is incontestable. So when mycoocoon suggested to add a new layer to this already perfectly balanced F&B concept, the team had to tread sensitively.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
The wellness experts worked painstakingly with chefs Marc Lores and Nuno Matos to develop a sensory dining concept that unconventionally emphasised the colours around the stunning Douro Valley property.
Image credit: mycoocoon
The team selected orange (representing creativity, joy and enthusiasm), green (translating to freedom, balance and nature), cyan (evoking communication, sharing and breathing), purple (reflecting spirituality) and yellow (radiating brightness and consciousness). Together, the courses was presented as a tasting menu, with corresponding wine pairings that enabled guests to enjoy the unique flavours, textures and sounds that cleverly enhanced the overall dining experience.
All around me, guests were interacting over colour and food; convoluting and sharing, together, and not just with each other. Conversations with the staff to understand the ingredients filled the room. “Our deep associations with each colour influence our taste, often creating a sense of synesthesia, which happens when our senses are literally mixed or confused,” explained Peralta. “Unlike other sensory experiences that are felt, Six Senses and mycoocoon’s colour menu presents a future of experiences led by transformative sensory design.”
What made the dining experience one that was uniquely special was not the fact that the meal was delicious and tantalised all senses, but more that the concept – born from enhancing wellness and wellbeing in hospitality – challenged the chefs and sommeliers to create a menu, paired with wine, that authentically represented the colour and its meaning, which unlocked the potential for the operational team to think outwardly when creating unparalleled moments for their guests.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
As my experience at Six Senses Douro Valley comes to an end, I feel as if I have only just started to digest the potential that the science-led technology that mycoocoon has amplified can have to enrich wellness experiences in the hospitality arena. Technology, to this extent, may not be appropriate for all hotels to harness. However, with the majority of lifestyle and luxury properties trying to enhance deeper and more intuitive connections with wellness, concepts such as chromotherapy could very well help to unlock a new chapter – one that is moving on from experience to now focus on transformation – in hotel design. Although the details may not yet be clear as to what that will look and ‘feel’ like, that era will be written with human behaviour – and guests’ innate wellbeing needs to connect with nature – in mind.
mycoocoon is a technology and wellness collective that leverages sensory science to support behavioural health. The team, which includes Valerie Corcias, Wellness Colour Expert; Mandy Jhamat, Meditation Coach; Riccardo Tuis, Music Composer; Daniel Kersh, Interactive Artist and Ari Peralta, Neuroscience & Sensory Designer have led more than 10,000 micro-interventions using colour memory to reduce negative inner chatter and reset users’ mood.
The Dylan Amsterdam joins The Leading Hotels of the World
The Dylan has joined The Leading Hotels of the World, a curated portfolio of luxury hotels united not by what makes them the same, but the details that make them different…
Located in the heart of the ‘nine-streets’ shopping area on the prestigious Keizersgracht canal, The Dylan is perfectly located in Amsterdam for exploring the city’s cultural and historic sites, as well as its vibrant gastronomic scene. The entrance to the hotel is discreet, through a stone arch, across a pretty courtyard with potted flowers and plants.
Image credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
“We are delighted to welcome The Dylan to The Leading Hotels of the World,” said Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President of Membership, The Leading Hotels of the World. “Located within the chic 9 Streets, this hotel will offer Leading’s curious travelers a new take on the ever-popular Dutch capital. The hotel’s historic roots, outstanding culinary scene, refined atmosphere, and personalized service make it a perfect addition to our exclusive collection of independent, luxury hotels – in a city our travelers adore.”
Image credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
The decor inside is contemporary and chic with features such as wood paneling and floors, leather furniture, velvet soft furnishings and wood beams throughout. There are only 40 bedrooms, each one with its own unique style, split into four main interior categories. There’s the ‘Loxura’ set, modelled on the copper colored Loxura butterfly, the ‘Loft’ bedrooms featuring the building’s original wooden beams, the ‘Amber’ rooms inspired by the precious stone, and finally, the ‘Serendipity’ rooms, decorated in warm shades of brown and grey with lashings of luxurious fabric. The entire design encapsulates the hotel’s style and spirit, marrying old-world charm with contemporary style.
Image credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
Image credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
The food offering at The Dylan is exceptional too, with the Brasserie OCCO delivering locally inspired, seasonal dishes in a chic and casual setting, whilst Michelin-starred Vinkeles, set in a former 18th Century bakery, caters to discerning gourmands with a delectable fusion of traditional and modern French cuisine. In the warmer months, guests can enjoy the hotel’s beautiful ‘Secluded Garden’ terrace, enjoying meals or drinks from Brasserie OCCO throughout the day. Wine enthusiasts will also delight in The Dylan’s High Wine experience – a playful spin on traditional High Tea.
Image credit: The Dylan, Amsterdam
In 1928, 38 independent hoteliers came together to create LHW, and the collection now has more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries. The Dylan Amsterdam, with its own distinctive and rich history, joins the carefully curated hotels, resorts, inns, chalets, villas, and safari camps that range from the snow-capped Alps of Europe to the African veldt.
Case study: Bette provides bath goals inside The Londoner
Billed as the world’s first super boutique hotel, The Londoner in Leicester Square features baths and shower trays from glazed titanium-steel specialist, Bette…
The much-anticipated debut of The Londoner, from one of the UK’s largest family-owned hotel groups, Edwardian Hotels London, marked the beginning of a rebirth for Leicester Square. The hotel has 350 rooms and suites, 16 storeys, six concept eateries, a unique members club-style private area, a wealth of meeting and event space, a cinema and an entire floor dedicated to wellness.
Designed in collaboration with world-renowned architectural designers, Yabu Pushelberg, The Londoner may be super in scale, but its boutique approach and commitment to hospitality offers an experience designed to make guests feel at home. Loft-inspired and open plan, the bedrooms have a calming colour palette and contemporary art on the walls.
Image credit: Bette
Bette has supplied The Londoner with three styles of stylish, durable and easy to clean glazed titanium-steel baths.
The majority of the bathrooms feature one of the brands most popular built-in shower baths, the BetteForm. It has a comfortable back rest at one end, for relaxing bathing, and steep sides at the other end, to provide maximum standing room when showering. The Londoner team chose BetteForm baths with one of the company’s most useful and unique optional features: BetteUpstand, a glazed titanium-steel upstand around the edge of the bath that can be created exactly where the customer requires it. Simply tiled over, it eliminates the need for silicone where the bath meets the wall, makes it easier to clean and ensures against leaks. The BetteForm baths were also supplied with a bespoke coloured grip, to match the brassware, and anti-slip to increase guest safety.
Image credit: Bette
Other bathrooms feature luxurious, freestanding BetteLux Oval Silhouette baths. Again made of glazed titanium-steel and featuring Bette’s anti-slip finish, these spacious two-seater baths have soft, flowing lines and a delicate edge. The third Bette bath at The Londoner is the BetteStarlet Flair Oval, a fitted, oval two-seater bath with a central outlet making it perfect for bathing for two. It has been under-mounted beneath natural stone and features an anti-slip finish. Bette also provided The Londoner with its BetteFloor glazed titanium-steel shower floors with almost invisible BetteAnti-Slip Pro finish.
As a brand-new build in the heart of London, The Londoner is employing pioneering methods of sustainable luxury and exceeds the BREEAM Excellent category in building environmental and sustainable performance. Fitting with the hotel’s sustainability focus, all Bette products are made from only natural materials and are fully recyclable.
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.
Inside André Fu Studio’s new sky-high cellar at Andaz Singapore
Taking on the design proposition of transporting a cellar 38 floors up into the sky, designer André Fu has created an elevated dining experience…
665°F has been one of the marquee restaurants in Andaz Singapore since the hotel opened in 2017. Designed by the Hong Kong-based André Fu Studio, the space features a lofty timber-lined ceiling anchored by a dramatic chandelier of globed lamps with flawless views of Singapore’s skyscrapers and the sea beyond.
Image credit: André Fu Studio
The restaurant, which seats just 30, is invariably filled to capacity; a happy problem now resolved by the addition of The Cellar, which is also designed by André Fu Studio. The narrow 1,300-square-foot space was, until recently, the engineering plant-room that adjoined 665°F’s principal dining room. Under the creative eye of André Fu, its potential has been fully unfolded in a remarkable modern take on the classic cellar that holds not just 400 bottles of premium Old and New World labels, but also seats 20 diners in the main dining hall and another eight in an adjoining private room.
Image credit: André Fu Studio
“Once all the machinery had been cleared out, our first impression was that its rectangular shape was reminiscent of a cellar,” recalls the studio’s founder and creative director, Fu. “But cellars are typically located below ground. So, the design proposition became this idea of bringing the cellar up 38 floors into the sky. What kind of cellar would this look and feel like?”
The answer is a dramatic sequence of spaces that begins unfurling from the first step into the mood-lit entrance. Burgundy-hued and timber-lined, The Cellar’s bijou foyer is anchored by a vaulted ceiling over a smoky mirrored corridor, a round reception table, cast-white metal pendant lamp, and a tufted Persian-inspired rug that’s a whimsical homage to the carpet shops of the hotel’s Kampong Glam neighbourhood.
Image credit: André Fu Studio
A triple-layered archway made of distressed brick is framed by black ironmongery, reassuringly solid timber doors, and teal blue velvet curtains that pull back to reveal The Cellar’s intimate but perfectly proportioned dining room speckled with low-slung kidney-bean-shaped sofas and ribbed-back chairs. Underfoot are rugged cuts of dark Italian Cadia Grigio marble and light castle-grey sandstone. Bookending the space are timber display cabinets sheathed with wire-meshed doors.
Image credit: André Fu Studio
The eye is drawn gently down the length of the room by an arched ceiling in rich hues of deep turquoise embedded with an elegant stretch of oak and copper ribs whose silhouette reminds you, appropriately at this height, of a bird’s outstretched wing. Copper shelves are framed by industrial rivets and the soft halo of light reflected through display wine bottles. Copper straps, timber mouldings, and a mirrored clerestory work together to create the concept of a cellar. The design is all about subtlety and detail at work with imagination.
“We were careful to not be thematic,” said Fu. “But rather to capture the spirit of the cellar, and which is why the ceilings, for example, are not literal interpretations of a vaulted ceiling. Instead, we have the gentle curvilinear arch of the oak and copper ribs in the main dining room.”
Image credit: André Fu Studio
At the far end of the room is the small private dining room with one wall lined by an abstract collage of semi-circled timber insets and mirrors, and the other opening dramatically outwards to an aerial view of IM Pei’s Gateway Towers.
For Fu, The Cellar is an unusual project born out of the need to create more space for an existing restaurant whilst infusing it with a distinct personality that, from a design perspective, also reads holistically.
Panel discussion: telling biophilic design narratives through textiles
London Design Week 2022 saw the launch of new brands and collections by Zimmer + Rohde. To celebrate the event, and new patterns, Editor Hamish Kilburn hosted an exclusive panel discussion with leading interior designers in the showroom for a hands-on conversation on all things textile…
Fabrics and textiles showcase trends in a very direct and tactile way. With this in mind, Hotel Designs in association with Zimmer + Rohde, used the opportunity of London Design Week’s live action to take a closer look at the weft, weaves, colours and patterns on show, and to discuss, with a panel of leading interior designers, how fabrics can be used to introduce notes of nature and biophilic design into our interior spaces.
Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
On the panel, in front of an exclusive audience at the Zimmer + Rohde showroom in Design Centre Chelsea Harbour were: Marie Soliman, Co-founder, Bergman Design House; Fiona Thompson, Principal, Richmond International; Jeremy Grove, Founder, Sibley Grove; Alan McVitty, Founder, M Studio London; Stefan Gabel, Creative Director, Zimmer + Rohde.
Stefan Gabel, Creative Director at Zimmer + Rohde, started the conversation, chaired by Editor Hamish Kilburn, by introducing the SS22 collections and brands that became the catalyst of the discussion, debate and deep exploration of biophilic design in fabric.
Questions of sustainability and connection to nature were clear throughout, from inspiration right through to the detailed design process. Focussing on the new Sketchbook Collection from Zimmer + Rohde, Coup de Soleil by Etamine and Garden Club by Travers, Gabel identified the touchpoints of each brand.“Talking about the influence of nature today, these new fabrics all explore nature in unique ways,” he said. “The Coup de Soleil collection by Etamine focusses on natural materials, such as linen and recycled wool addressing questions of sustainability throughout. The signature flower prints and designs are a part of this and reflect nature more directly, while for the plains it is about sourcing organic and locally produced fabrics.
“Garden Club by Travers connects us to a more cultivated nature, with its combination of warm colours and handcrafted production.” The presentation ended with the Sketchbook collection, which as described by Gabel, is all about “crafted design, intuitive working and the imperfection of the sketch, the handmade.”
Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Kilburn continued the discussion by explaining how fabrics can be a vehicle – a design tool – to take biophilic design beyond surface decoration and to dig deeper into the textures and colours of nature. “It can also be an opportunity to look more closely into questions around sustainability,” he said. “Discussing biophilic design should be about connecting all these points, while understanding that there is more than one method to make a connection or reference with nature and the natural world.”
With this in mind, the panel of designers were asked how fabrics can be used to deepen a design narrative and make that connection to the outdoors and nature. Responding to this question and kicking off the debate, Alan Mcvitty, Founder, M Studio London, discussed the role of fabrics and nature in the design process. “Fabrics form a large part of what we do in any interior, and it’s not uncommon for a scheme to be inspired by a particular fabric design,” he explained. “Within our designs, nature is usually a great source of inspiration.”
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Interior designers have a range of design tools that they access – whether it be colour, pattern, lighting or materials. Some may emphasise texture over colour, while for others, colour saturation is the signature. The process is, to an extent subjective. But what is clear is that through using fabric meaningfully, designers can authentically compliment, and add layers, to the overall design scheme. This gives emphasis to the feeling that they are trying to evoke. “Ultimately design is about what makes people feel good in a space and there is a whole range of tools designers use to do that,” said Fiona Thompson, Principal, Richmond International. “But fabric, texture and textiles are definitely key to creating an authentic biophilic design narrative.”
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Biophilic design is not something new – it has always been around in some shape or form and is something that has been an innate part of the design process long before it was a box to tick. However, it is undisputedly a design concept that is coming back into design briefs. The connection between nature and wellness is more widely understood as an essential component to how we respond to our environment. It is a concept that is most visible in textiles.
When looking at how to introduce biophilic notes and layers to interiors, the question was raised: is biophilic design about the end effect. Or do we need to look at how something is made to answer the question of whether the materials contribute to the biophilic concept? “We work on a concept of ‘holistic beauty’ in design,” explained Jeremy Grove, Founder, Sibley Grove. “Which means that a fabric is only beautiful if all aspects – from inspiration through to production through to final product – are ‘beautiful’ with the planet’s best interests at heart.”
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
These questions bring to the surface the issue of sustainability. What was clear from the discussion around the new collections, was a common thread that addressed concerns around conscious design. “Nature is not the only inspiration driving these innovations,” added Gabel. “Materials are just as important in this discussion, as is the production process,”
In the SS22 collections from the brands that are under Zimmer + Rohde, production and provenance is made clear. From the use of organic linen to distances covered by the different elements of production; everything has been considered. These conversations are happening more between supplier and designer, which in turn sparks the discussions between designer and client. “There is a mindshift across the board when it comes to questions of sustainability,” added McVitty. “As designers, it is important that we play our part in terms of the materials we specify and in the conversations we have with suppliers when looking for products that will benefit the planet as a whole”
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Longevity is another aspect of sustainable design. In this continuous loop of new designs and trends, re-imagining and refurbishment are an important part of interior design for the Hospitality sector. Using fabrics to refresh an interior space, can be the most cost-effective and least damaging way of creating a whole new look while maintaining the existing elements of the design. While the fabric may have a shorter design life, they can enable a designer to extend the relevance of a design. Longevity, circularity, these are all elements of the same sustainable conversation. “Looking at sustainability in the context of longevity can be difficult when it comes to fabrics” said Grove.” Replacing the fabrics is often an intrinsic part of how we work, as it can significantly increase the longevity of a project.”
Picking up on design trends and the idea of fabric as art outside the frame, like art, fabric design is subjective. While some designers have a signature palette, others might be more comfortable with pattern and texture. What seems to be key when looking at new fabric collections and trends is that there is in fact no hard and fast rule. Colour and pattern in hotel design is possibly a bit stronger now than it was a few years ago. Design in the hospitality arena has moved away from brand identity to individuality and personality. It is now about immersion and telling a story, and fabric has a vital role to play in that process and is one of the most visual contributions to that narrative. “People respond to how a design makes them feel not about what they see,” confirmed Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House. “Fabric is not always just part of the design, sometimes it can be the design, full stop.”
How you then use fabric to introduce nature in a design scheme will depend on where you are and what that nature is. From a desert to rainforest, there are many different nuances and textures that make introducing nature and biophilic design an open-ended palette. Nature can be invigorating, or it can be all about a spa-like serenity. It can be harsh; it can be comforting. All these different elements reference nature in opposing ways, and fabric is consistently an integral tool in any designer’s repertoire to strengthen these references. “Clients are looking for a design that is representative of where a project is based, its location, its climate,” said Thompson. “Whether colourful or neutral, fabrics contribute to that story.”
“A new collection needs to be able to surprise with new looks and new materials, even when inspiration has been taken from the past.” – Stefan Gabel, Creative Director, Zimmer + Rohde.
Ending the discussion on a forward-looking note, Kilburn asked Gabel to give us his insight on upcoming trends and inspirations in the textile world. “Right now, there is a lot of focus on rustic materials and textures, weaves and artisanal crafts,” he said. “Moving forward, it feels like there might be a shift back to shinier, perhaps more glamourous, surfaces such as taffeta, for example. But within that, a new collection needs to be able to surprise with new looks and new materials, even when inspiration has been taken from the past.”
While we immerse ourselves in the textures and colours available to us today, there is a wonderful sense of anticipation waiting to see what tomorrow’s points of inspiration are going to be – and indeed where they will emerge from. With conversations around sustainability and biophilic design getting louder, it will be interesting to see how these feed into new fabric collections and then design more broadly.
Zimmer + Rohde 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.
noa* – network of architecture – has transformed an ancient barrell-vaulted workshop in Bolzano, Italy, into a bistro named Bogen, which is poised between historical heritage and contemporary finesse…
Bolzano’s mercantile past echoes through the arcades of Via Portici,the city’s main axis, which has been a trading hub for Italian and German speaking merchants since the 13th century. Located in this ancient neighbourhood, with a winding external staircase and round-arched portals is the house that is the backdrop for noa*’s latest interior design project, Bogen.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
“The house has a fascinating past that goes back centuries and overflows with life and variety,” said Stefan Rier, noa* Founder and Lead Architect of the project. “With our intervention, we wanted Bolzano’s mercantile history to emerge clearly from these walls.”
The strong relationship with history was crucial in the definition of the project, both because the house is under monumental protection and because the design team wanted to emphasise to the fullest the original architecture of the arches to which the bistro itself pays homage, with the name ‘Bogen’ being German for arch.
On the exterior façade, the intervention consisted of a careful re-plastering in smoky white and an enlargement of the entrance arch. Here, a new tripartite black metal window follows the segmental arch and allows good natural lighting while providing an essential and timeless design.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
For the interior, the underlying idea was to emphasise the four arches, which on both sides rhythmically mark the almost 19-metre depth of the room. To do so the designers worked on both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. In the first case, the existing internal height difference was resolved with an oak platform at the entrance, while a grey-beige polished screed was chosen for the floor. In this way, there is no strong colour contrast with the walls, and the harmony of the shades enhances the whole space. On the other hand, the team has designed the lighting so that the spotlights gently emphasise the curves of the arches. Except for the two tables at the end of the room, there are no pendant lights, and any additional lighting is provided by floor lamps.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
The design brief from the client was to create a romantic bohemian atmosphere which included some personal touches from the owner in the form of signature floral compositions and installations. noa * took up these ideas and structured the design around a pivotal element; a welcoming seven-metre-long counter placed under a ceiling of flower baskets.
“The flower vault immediately became the highlight of the interior design,” explained Silvia Marzani, an interior designer at noa*. “The upturned baskets filled with dried flowers are a suggestive image that symbolises the transience but at the same time the beauty of life.”
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
The long table as a convivial and informal solution is a recurrent motif for noa*, and in this design, the counter is also a worktop on the right side, without any stools and housing technical and functional elements required in the space. Another interesting detail making this piece of furniture unique, is that each of the six legs are different, suggesting an improvised table that a family might have made for itself. A mirror covers the central base, making it disappear into the room. The top is a slab of Nacarado stone, chosen for its distinct veining and warm colour. Above the table, the owners personal creation of the large floral statement composition seems to quite literally pour from the ceiling.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
The shared space of the large counter contrasts with the intimacy of the small tables on the left side of the bistro, sheltered by the arches and overlooking the alley. The feeling of privacy is further accentuated in the first pair of arches, with seating built into the recesses and walls covered in fabric with an elegant floral print. The niche closing off the room is also designed in the same way. In a constant dialogue between past and present, noa* chose to alternate new seats in wood and fabric with newly lacquered vintage chairs.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
“We took care of every detail in this project and managed to create a consistent design with a strong contemporary character within a centuries-old structure,” added Marzani. “A step into Bolzano’s present and past at the same time.”
On a practical level, there are two service areas: the kitchen, which has been completely renovated and is located at the end of the room, and the toilets. These have been accommodated in a box, clad with perforated metal panels, on which the same floral motif of the arches has been printed. In this way the design combines the technical requirements of acoustics with the overall aesthetics.
Arte drops collection that will fire the imagination
This spring Arte is expanding its wallcovering collection Décors & Panoramiques with a collection of designs that will immerse the viewer in a series of enticing stories and intriguing fairy-tales…
The new designs in the Arte Décors & Panoramiques collection will transport you both geographically and imaginatively. With wallcoverings referencing locations from Tibet to Italy to the fiery lines of a Brazilian dance you can travel the world in seven designs. Alternatively, you can go on a journey of the imagination as mysterious fairy-like figures invite you into the panorama. The strength of these designs is not only in the surface patterns, but also in the materials that have been used, which include velvety soft silks, textured boucle fabrics and sophisticated linen effects.
Image credit: Arte
The hand-painted scenes of the ‘Panoramiques’ portfolio are all works-of-art made up of several panels that together form one panoramic whole. The designs in the ‘Décors’ part of the collection are lavish images that make a statement on the wall. All of these eye-catching designs are available by the linear metre, making it easy to apply and use in any room.
Image credit: Arte
Secret Silhouettes sets a dreamy scene, printed on a soft chenille. The effect is more like a painting than a wallcovering and the landscape appeals to the imagination. Mysterious feminine silhouettes turn around to look at the viewer while at the same time invite the viewer into the landscape.
Valle de Vińales is a colonially inspired landscape, based on an etching. The two-tone pattern uses thick jute and a fil-fil technique in which the fibres used are clearly visible. The vertical lines create a lifting effect on the wall. In a more colourful offering, Toile de Tibet features a colourful agricultural scene from the hillsides of Tibet, in which strength and craftsmanship combine to create purity and authenticity. This hand-painted decor is printed on horizontally woven paper look strips, creating a weathered effect.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Based on a colourful, tropical drawing with a vertical fil-a-fil technique, Flor Imaginaria is inspired by the Chinese lantern plant (Physalis). The pattern and use of colour are influenced by the technique and design of African wax fabrics and prints.
Mont Royal is a décor panel that conjures up an abstract forest on the wall. The tree trunks form straight vertical lines that contrast beautifully with the rounded shapes of the crowns. This tactile fairytale scene with a playful touch is made of soft velour.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Meanwhile, Terra Tropicana is an exuberant wallcovering which will immerse you in the rhythm of a fiery Brazilian dance. Demonstrating versatility, movement and a bond with nature, the soft sheen enhances the rhythmic feeling. The tropical decor has a visible paper structure which gives it a vintage touch.
Continuing the journey, Città di Castello is a light-hearted composition of a view of the Italian city of Città di Castello.The striking interplay of lines and colour palette create a three-dimensional effect. This design is finished in a soft textile fabric with a chenille look.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
The Décors & Panoramiques collection created by the Arte in-house designers continues the bold statement design tradition that has become the brand trademark. While championing innovative design, the company is also ensuring that it is on track with environmental concerns and is a certified CO2-neutral company.
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.
VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in April 2022
From transformed ranches in Napa Valley to cliff-hanging hotels on the Amalfi Coast, and properties setting new standards in hotel and hospitality, the hotels opening in April are to be ignored at your peril. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Welcome to spring, a time for rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth – and we are all about fresh starts given the current state of affairs. With each hotel opening, there is the opportunity for travel trends to emerge. From the research we have undertaken here on the editorial desk, despite the rise of technology, all trends are leading towards human-centric design and hospitality.
According to Forbes, there will be 77 hotels opening this season. In April alone, which feels like a turning point for the travel industry on a global scale, we have identified just a handful of the hotels that we believe will be making the most noise on the travel and hotel scene.
Umiltà 36 – Rome, Italy
Image credit: Umiltà 36
Set in the heart of Rome, the Umiltà 36 features just 29 guestrooms and suites and 18 apartments, which are all inspired by luxurious residences of the ’50s with an accent on architecture and design. Monumental marble staircase and opulent wide wooden doors compass the modern motives rooms and public spaces. Architecture and design curated by Caberlon Caroppi stands out for the atmosphere, enhanced with elegant tones of blue and graceful high ceilings. In addition to the hotel sheltering a contemporary retrò design, inspired by the Golden Age, it is equally rooted in the principles of edited simplicity, freshness and cultured refinement, creating a tailored and understated timelessness.
Stanly Ranch – Napa California, USA
Image credit: Auberge Resorts
Setting the scene in the Southern Napa Valley region, in an original working ranch, Stanly Ranch is set in more than 700 acres of vineyards and farmland. The hotel is driven by active and bold experiences while also making nods to the property’s past.
Designed to bring the outside in and to celebrate agrarian home life, the resort has been created with the comfort of home in mind. The resort features lounge seating areas, fire pits and outdoor showers, which make the 78 standalone cottages and suites feel intimate and personal.
The Standard Ibiza, Spain
Image credit: The Standard Hotels
Fronting the island’s main plaza, Vara de Rey, and only a stone’s throw away from the marina, The Standard Ibiza will be a year-round adult playground. Embracing what The Standard loves about the island’s bohemian history, the hotel is set in a stark-white building that forms the backdrop for a bright, eclectic décor and lush landscaping throughout the property. The hotel was originally conceived by acclaimed Spanish creator Lázaro Rosa-Violán, with interiors designed by The Standard’s in-house design team with participation from Oskar Kohnen. The design celebrates the resurgence of the energy that originally attracted so many to Ibiza and the rejuvenation of Flower Power with a chic new 60’s vibe that only The Standard can create, but all can enjoy, simple, yet immersive.
Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Image credit: Borgo Santandrea
Image credit: Borgo Santandrea
Dangled on a cliff edge (90 metres above the sea), Borgo Santandrea is the first major hotel opening in the Amalfi Coast since 2005, if our numbers are correct. And it doesn’t disappoint, with a uniquely personal, chic and inviting design scheme that feels distinctly residential. Overlooking historic fishing village of Conca dei Marini, the boutique hotel, which actually completed last year but due to the pandemic has waited until now for its anticipated grand opening, is the ‘passion project’ of two Italian families, drawing on several generations of hospitality experience.
The design has been curated to celebrate local artistry and craftsmanship of Italy’s Campania region. White Italian marble was selected from Puglia, Veneto and Tuscany for the interiors, along with artisanal details such as hand-blown Venetian glass lamps. No less than six Italian furniture manufacturers were specified throughout the hotel. A blue and white colour scheme is evident throughout the property, alongside 31 different types of geometric handmade and hand-painted tiles, which are inspired by regional traditions.
The Georgian, Coppa Club, England
Image credit: The Georgian, Coppa Club
Stirring up the Surrey hospitality scene in England, The Georgian, Coppa Club has been designed to cleverly reflect the building’s history and architectural element, whilst setting news trends in the leafy streets of Haslemere, near the idyllic Surrey Hills.
Interior design is the heart of the 13-key boutique property. Expect Georgian-inspired patterned floor and strong deep green of the Georgian panelling in the Entrance Bar, ‘Bonbon’ lanterns in the restaurant that create an atmospheric glow, a snug with terracotta floor tiles and panelling to match and an encaustic tiled fireplace in the cosy Bar Lounge.
YOTEL London Shoreditch, England
Image credit: YOTEL
Putting a clean emphasis on British development, YOTEL is opening its fifth hotel in the UK this April. The 161-key hotel, conveniently located in the heart of vibrant East London, on Cambridge Heath Road, already incorporates some of YOTEL’s minimalistic design features and facilities. As part of the conversion, the property will receive a light refurbishment to incorporate YOTEL’s signature design and technology features. Guests will be able to check-in in under a minute on self-service stations at Mission Control and will be able to use their mobile devices as SmartKeys.
Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain, Paris, France
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
Set across three traditional buildings, and brought to life by interior designer Didier Benderli, Pavillon Faubourg Sain-Germain is the latest opening from boutique group, Chevalier Paris, featuring just 47 individually appointed guestrooms and suites.
Interior designer Didier Benderli has reimagined the hotel with a contemporary flare that remains true to the quirks of the historic buildings. Each room features a unique design that complements the contemporary and sophisticated style of the spa, restaurant and public spaces. Solid oak herringbone parquet flooring creates a timeless aesthetic, while discretion and efficiency are prioritised with details such as in-room televisions concealed by decorative mirrors.
Mpala Jena Camp, Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe
Image credit: Great Plains
Mpala Jena Camp, Great Plains’ latest property that sits within the Zambezi National Park near Victoria Falls, is an intimate safari camp positioned along the beautiful tree-lined banks of the mighty Zambezi River. A haven that epitomises barefoot luxury in its most refined form, the architecture team of Craig Hayman and Hannah Charlton, with the assistance of interior designer Tracy Kelly combined the elements of the pristine location by using thatched roofs in the main areas and flowing canvas luxury tents for the bedrooms.
The camp is, by design, sensitive to the environment of the Zambezi National Park. This is achieved by using canvas and local thatch in its construction and ensuring all the camp’s electricity needs come from its solar farm.
Hotel La Tour, Milton Keynes, England
Image credit: Hotel La Tour
Hotel La Tour is finally gearing up to opening its doors. Conveniently located in the heart of Milton Keynes Central, the impressive mirror steel clad property, designed by PHP Architects, will feature 261 guestrooms, more than 1,000 square metres of flexible events space, a gym and a 14th floor restaurant and sky bar offering the highest viewpoint in the county. Hotel La Tour Milton Keynes will also boast a glass lift providing a unique visual experience of Campbell Park and beyond, as guests travel to the top floor. A 30m high, LED-lit stainless steel sun design circle, created to align with the sun on the longest day of the year, will dominate the east-facing façade whilst a large sculpture, entitled Cycloidal Form by the artist Keith McCarter, will be placed adjacent to the canopy entrance.
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LXR Hotels & Resorts, a collection of independent luxury properties by Hilton, has announced the signing for a breathtaking new resort which includes a signature island golf course on the private Al Nawras Island in Abu Dhabi…
LXR Hotels & Resorts is a collection of independent luxury properties within the Hilton portfolio, with each representing a unique location and offering a singular travel experience native to its place, history and tradition. Slated to open in 2023, Al Nawras Island will mark the brand’s entry into the UAE capital. Perfectly situated in one of Abu Dhabi’s most recreational yet tranquil areas and designed with elements inspired by the destination, the resort will offer an exclusive escape on a private, secluded island, while still providing seamless access for those who wish to explore the vibrant city and its cultural experiences.
The resort will shelter 80 elegantly designed beach and water villas as well as a 450 square-meter, two-bedroom Royal Villa, all surrounded by a state-of-the-art golf course. The property will also feature an array of exciting culinary offerings. From two signature restaurants embracing the stunning environment with al fresco dining areas, to two additional bars and a wellness-inspired café.
“We’re delighted to be bringing LXR Hotels & Resorts to Abu Dhabi with Al Nawras Island,” said Carlos Khneisser, vice president, development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “The UAE’s burgeoning capital has established itself as a global hub in recent years and has seen incredible development in terms of hospitality, sports and tourism. I believe Al Nawras Island will complement Abu Dhabi’s luxury hotel landscape perfectly and we look forward to guests experiencing this unique property.”
Al Nawras Island will place a strong emphasis on exploration, expression, and wellbeing. Among the property’s leisure and recreational facilities are an upscale gym, fitness studio, and three stunning swimming pools — one indoor and two outdoor, as well as tennis and paddle courts, a private marina, exclusive beach club, and elaborate spa. Additionally, children will have access to an engaging playground, dedicated swimming pool, splash pad and kid’s club.
“Abu Dhabi is a renowned luxury destination where visitors and local residents alike seek out exceptional moments and personalised service,” said Feisal Jaffer, global head, LXR Hotels & Resorts. “That’s precisely what our guests will experience at Al Nawras Island — a truly bespoke and exemplary resort, and one that we are proud to add to the growing global LXR collection.”
Al Nawras Island joins three LXR Hotels & Resorts properties already operating in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, as well as the recently announced Wadi Hanifah, LXR Hotels & Resorts at Diriyah Gate, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With interiors designed by Sundukovy Sisters S+S, Accor is transforming a well-known city landmark into The Emporium Plovdiv MGallery – a boutique hotel, which embraces the history of the building while inviting guests to be part of a more contemporary story…
The MGallery Hotel Collection by Accor selects and curates unique properties around the world to form a collection of boutique hotels, each with its own story and immersing guests in the history and culture of the location. The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery is located in the centre of the city, within walking distance of the sights and sounds which made Plovdiv Europe’s cultural capital of 2019. With interiors designed by Sundukovy Sisters S+S, one of the fastest growing and creative architectural studios in the hospitality industry and winners of Designers of the year 2018 title awarded by The Gold Key Awards, New York. The main goal was to preserve the building of the former department store – Evmolpia – a well-known landmark in Plovdiv city, by reviving the original features of the building and incorporating them into the hotel design and celebrating the local heritage.
Image credit: Accor
The hotel shelters 61 contemporary guestrooms including 12 suites, all of which offer the trademark variety of facilities and amenities to create a truly luxurious experience which is part of the MGallery brand. Celebrating the history of the location hasn’t stopped the brand from introducing innovative technologies to enhance the hotel experience for guests with its Smart Rooms concept. The Emporium’s smart rooms have a number of luxurious features that allow guests to manage individual scenarios according to their mood, by adjusting the light to set the ambience, open and close the curtains and control the audio-visual functions.
Image credit: Accor
Image credit: Accor
On the F&B front, both international travellers and local guests are invited to enjoy the only Moët & Chandon Champagne & Cocktail Bar in the country. There will also be a gourmet restaurant, Torro Premio where the focus is on blending the best local products and craft to deliver unparalleled interpretation of modern Bulgarian cuisine. Torro Grande, the trendiest restaurant and sushi bar in the city, will delight the senses of those who seek a vibrant setting for socializing.
Image credit: Accor
The spirit of luxury and indulgence is extended into the wellness offerings of this brand new MGallery hotel with both relaxationand fitness zones in place, helping guests keep the body and soul in balance. Extending the brand ethos to create captivating stories and make memorable moments last, The Emporium Plovdiv has trusted the exclusive French Shams Conseils Paris company to develop a tailor-made signature scent inspired by the destination. The hotel will also be the first property in the chain offering the luxury cosmetic amenities of the iconic French line Fragonard, a brand founded in 1926.
Image credit: Accor
With more than 100 properties now under the MGallery umbrella, each tells a unique story inspired by its own remarkable past or the destination it calls home. From bespoke design and sensorial mixology to well-being dedicated to everyday self-care, MGallery hotels focus on the travel experience.
Opening this week: a new boutique hotel by Chevalier Paris
Inspired by notable guests from the past and the vibrant Left Bank culture of the present, interior designer Didier Benderli offers a contemporary take on the quintessential Parisian experience at the new Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain…
Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain is situated in the central neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in the seventh arrondissement of the city’s vibrant and creative Left Bank. Primely positioned, the picturesque café-lined streets that surround the hotel were once the meeting places and inspiration for some of the world’s most cherished artistic and literary greats, including Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus and even Pablo Picasso.
Set across three traditional buildings and brought to life by interior designer Didier Benderli, the hotel is the latest opening from boutique group, Chevalier Paris, and features 47 individually appointed guestrooms and suites, a tranquil spa, a bar and new restaurant, Les Parisiens, by award-winning chef Thibault Sombardier.
Interior designer Didier Benderli has reimagined the hotel with a contemporary flare that remains true to the quirks of the historic buildings. Each room features a unique design that complements the contemporary and sophisticated style of the spa, restaurant and public spaces. Solid oak herringbone parquet flooring creates a timeless aesthetic, while discretion and efficiency are prioritised with details such as in-room televisions concealed by decorative mirrors. Guests will find their gaze directed toward the traditional style windows, which provide views over the Parisian rooftops for a real sense of immersion in the vibrant locale. En-suite bathrooms are tucked behind sliding wooden doors, with terrazzo flooring and marble wall panels decorated with geometric art-deco detailing to compliment the wood and brass fittings.
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
At the new restaurant, curved finishes combine with wooden accents to provide a warm and intimate feel, with leather and velvet benches, quartzite tables and expansive mirrors that reflect the liquid gold of the lacquered canvases adorning the walls. At The Bar, luxury and comfort are combined with plush sofas and armchairs in midnight blue and powder pink velvet, which contrast a bold bronze carpet. At the hotel’s centre, The Library acts as a passage to the various communal areas, with cosy nooks offering a secluded space for reading, relaxation and quiet contemplation. The walls and ceilings are wood panelled, thick rugs muffle footsteps and shelves are lined with immaculate copies of Gallimard foreign literature.
Set to make waves on Paris’ diverse culinary scene, the hotel’s signature restaurant, Les Parisiens, serves refined and original cuisine created by Chef Thibault Sombardier, inspired by the flavours of his childhood spent growing up between Burgundy and Beaujolais. Widely considered one of the city’s most exciting and diverse chefs, the restaurant marks a new chapter for Sombardier, who previously worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Antoine and won second place competing against the country’s finest culinary talent in the 2014 series of Top Chef. Menus expertly combine haute cuisine with a less inhibited style of cooking, showcasing a passion for locally sourced seasonal produce.
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
Amongst the neighbourhood’s esteemed visitors, Irish novelist James Joyce finished his seminal novel, Ulysses, while staying on the site of the new hotel over a century ago. Adjacent to the restaurant, the James Joyce Bar honours the iconic writer with a collection of signature cocktails inspired by his works and the heritage of the area. ‘Bloom Like a Geisha’ – a concoction of Sakura passionflower-infused rum, yuzu and vanilla – is named after Ulysses’ protagonist, Leopold Bloom, while ‘Suspended Garden’ is a nod to the Pont des Arts, which was originally conceived as a hanging garden, composed of gin, lemon yellow arugula shrub salt and grelot onion. In keeping with the lively neighbourhood scene, the bar is open throughout the day and into the night, spilling out onto the street-side terrace with a menu of fine wines, draft beer and small bites.
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
A wellness offering within the hotel comes in the form of the tranquil Spa des Prés, a zen and uncluttered space designed by Benderli to aid relaxation and the restoration of mind, body and soul. The spa features a meditation room, hammam, plunge pool with water jets, fitness room and two massage cabins, where an enticing menu of treatments includes the Couture Facial, a bespoke treatment for the face and décolleté which responds to the unique needs of the skin and ends with a calming scalp massage, and the Shopping Break treatment, combining a stimulating massage with foot reflexology to eliminate fatigue. The menu has been developed in partnership with CODAGE Paris and utilises the cosmetology brand’s diverse product range to ensure that treatments are fully tailored to match the unique needs of different skin types.
Dating back to 1642, the buildings which house Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain were originally built for Sieur Jean Tambonneau, the President of the Chambre des Comptes, and have since hosted a number of notable guests – in addition to James Joyce, who’s influence is clear throughout the hotel from the bar to the spacious James Joyce suite, the writer T.S Eliot also resided on the site in 1910. Following a complete refurbishment, the hotel remains true to its past and pays homage to the stories that have unfolded within its walls.
Main image credit: Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain
5 minutes with: Bertrand Lejoly, designer of Duravit D-Neo range
With two accolades from the prestigious German Design Award under his designer belt, we asked Bertrand Lejoly a few questions about the design process, D-Neo, and Duravit…
Having been Head of Product Design with the Belgian architecture studio Vincent Van Duysen, Bertrand Lejoly then started his own design studio in Antwerp in 2018.
Since then, he has been working with major brands on furniture, lighting, sanitary and tableware products. His collaboration with Duravit resulted in the D-Neo, designed as a complete bathroom range. Its excellent quality and intelligent design combined with an attractive entry-level price, has ensured both design recognition and commercial success. D-Neo has been created to outlast short-lived trends and was designed as the perfect companion for every day, every lifestyle, and every facet of life.
Image credit: Duravit
Hotel Designs: Starting with the awards, as the the holder of two certificates from the German Design Award 2022 for outstanding design – with an award as ‘winner’ for the D-Neo faucets along with a ‘special mention’ for the series as a whole, how does that feel?
BL: The awards are, of course, a huge honour for me. The German Design Award is one of our industry’s most important accolades. It’s not just recognition of the work we’ve already done, but even more so it’s an enormous motivation for me for the future.
HD: Design prizes are one thing, economic success and sales figures are something else. D-Neo has become an international bestseller within the Duravit range. Did you expect that a year ago?
BL: I have in fact received an overwhelming response to the collection from all sides. That makes me very proud. It’s really important to me to express a huge thank you and pass on my compliments to the Duravit team. Their great passion and drive have enabled the original idea to be realised as a successful series. This experience has really impressed me.
Image credit: Duravit
HD: What does this success mean for you personally and for your young design studio, for instance in terms of your profile?
BL: We are currently working on exciting new orders in the fields of furniture, outdoor, lighting, and tableware. The launch and success with the wide-ranging publicity around D-Neo have really helped draw attention to our design studio. That spurs us on and gives us an even greater impetus for the future.
HD: How can we envisage the design process in general terms? What are the key stages from the briefing through to finished series?
BL: What’s important for me is that both sides understand each other from the outset. That the client clearly identifies and communicates what they need and that the designer understands this briefing accordingly so they can interpret it for optimum results. Such collaborations usually last several years with many stages and key decisions, so the chemistry simply must be right.
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.
With the architectural restoration led by architects WOA, Gatsby Athens recently opened its well-designed doors in downtown Athens, bringing with it an elegant balance between old and new with a few surprises thrown into the mix…
Designed to convey a sense of timelessness rather than a decade-defining aesthetic, the hotel evokes the glamour of mid-1930 Athens, creating a fine balance between old and new. The architectural design by WOA is simple, elegant and eco-friendly, rooted in the emotional connection between people and buildings with a fundamental urge to create something truly unique.
Image Credit: Gatsby Athens
With the interiors designed by Michaelis Boyd, the hotel’s public spaces feature unique entertaining and social spaces to suit every mood, and offer an array of dining possibilities. Setting its sights on being Athens’s premium gathering place, the all-day restaurant is the main social hub of the hotel, while the rooftop garden offers a casual-cool vibe, welcoming hotel residents and guests to dine with stunning panoramic views and a glimpse of the Acropolis. Here, every aspect of an urban hotel has been re-imagined for the needs and desires of a new generation, and every thought given to enhancing a guest’s stay, for the best possible Athenian experience.
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
Celebrating culinary innovation and creative design, Gatsby Restaurant serves an all-day sharing style brunch menu and afternoon tea, urging guests to relax throughout the day. The Gatsby Bar, reminiscent of the Jazz Age which runs through the design, serves welcome caffeine and superfood-filled juices for those self-medicating sore heads. Cloud 9 on the roof has been created as the perfect place to enjoy the hotel’s signature Artemis Negroni. All F&B spaces make use of the freshest local produce that Greece has to offer.
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
In addition to the vibrant social and dining areas, the purity and simplicity of the guest rooms at Gatsby feel especially suited to Athens. All 33 guestrooms and suites have an art deco design, with signature pastel pink headboards, diamond tiled showers, golden wardrobes, velvet corner sofas, balconies and even a ‘surprise’ button for those who dare to press…
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
By understanding that a hotel is more than just a place to sleep, that it is a social hub, a meeting place, a site for relaxation, reflection, and hard-earned leisure time, Gatsby Athens has incorporated all of this into the design. All rooms provide state of the art technology, smart TVs or tablets, Alexa devices, king size beds, walk-in showers, in-room bathtubs, luxury natural linen along with artworks by both local and international artists. The Gatsby Party Suite is there for the more socially inclined who like late night revelry, while for those needing to recover, there is a 24-hour detox GYM with the latest fitness equipment.
Leaflike takes the lead with biophilic design initiatives
Not content with simply supplying the greenery to enhance biophilic inspired interiors, Leaflike has been digging deeper into sustainability and biophilic design on every level of their business to make sure that going green goes beyond the leaves and the mosses, but is integral to the makeup of the company from production to the pots to the final products…
At Leaflike it is all about keeping the balance between design and sustainability while taking the client on a journey from concept to reality, ensuring that every element of the brief is matched perfectly by design. Materials, colour, senses and wellness all play their part in bringing the project to life. The interior landscape experience with Leaflike starts with a site visit and samples and moves through to a final design concept illustrating the process and products which will enhance the space. Each plant and concept element are carefully selected to ensure the final creativity and design fit the brief.
“We believe you can have both creative design and sustainability, that complements the interior of your venue,” said Brandon Abernethie, Head of Design, Leaflike. “A key area of biophilic design includes planters and this is why we want to showcase the options available to customers, helping them get what they need from the concept, ultimately making biophilic design sustainable.”
Image credit: Leaflike
While the plants might be the heroes, the pots have been getting some Leaflike attention as well. Made from recycled plastics, repurposed goods and natural waste, the Leaflike range of sustainable planters are available to suit all spaces. Whether they are biodegradable, created with green energy or support the circular economy, there is a positive option for every space and design. Some of the planters have been made from products that have already served their purpose in life, such as old car bumpers, phones, keyboards, computers and vacuum cleaners, while others are made from natural waste like coconuts or dried banana leaves. Other interesting and innovative materials such as eco-friendly forest residue which includes dry leave, twigs and bark, and are biodegradable and recyclable, are also part of this range.
As part of the brands commitment to sustainable design, customers are encouraged to purchase sustainable products first. Building on this initiative, whether its live planting, preserved moss or a herb garden, Leaflike are committed to plant a tree for every sustainable element in your order. Several initiatives have been integrated at all levels to ensure that decisive steps are being made in the direction of becoming a carbon neutral company. One of these is the partnership with a project which plants mangroves, an effective and economic method of offsetting carbon emissions. Each mangrove tree removes approximately 0.3 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere over its growth life of approximately 25 years. To facilitate this process, Leaflike has partnered with ECOVADIS and have signed up to World Land Trust scheme, as all aspects of the business are factored in, from miles travelled to deliver services, to the production process of the plants and pots.
“We are excited and optimistic about what this means for our customers in terms of their sustainable journeys. We hope to be able to help them wherever we can and this is just the start,” said Steve Abernethie, Managing Director, Leaflike. “Our goal is to remain the hospitality specialist for biophilic design. It’s our commitment and responsibility to provide the best advice for the products. We are pleased to share our progress towards becoming a carbon neutral company.”
It is exciting to see a company and brand like Leaflike stepping up to the issue of sustainability and then integrating it into the structure of the company, the design process and final product. The impact on the environment is considered at every step, with the end result being a green and biophilic display that is giving back on every level from the delivery, to the pot, to the moss on the wall.
Since you’re here, why not listen to our latest podcast on sustainability in design, with Rachel Hoolahan, Sustainability Co-ordinator, Orms? See below:
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.
Case study: a nod to art deco inside The Shanghai EDITION bathrooms
Sleek lines, minimalist monochrome and a distinct nod to art deco elegance are sheltered inside the bathrooms of the Shanghai EDITION…
Bathroom brand Kohler was specified for the minimalist, monochrome bathrooms inside the stunning Shanghai EDITION hotel, which offers boutique sophistication at the intersection of Shanghai’s historic past and its energetic future.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
A new era of laidback luxury adorns each of the 145 guestrooms and this is punctuated in the warm and elegant bathrooms. Featuring floor to ceiling windows with views across Shanghai and the Bund from Kohler’s Evok bathtub, these bathrooms are exceptional masterclasses in understated elegance.
The freestanding Evok bath has been ergonomically designed to support the natural curves and angles of the body to make bathing comfortable and luxurious. The geometric lines and pared back design of Evok create a pared back look with these ergonomic elements masked by clever crafting to create clean, simple lines.
The design and engineering of the Evok bath makes it perfect for hotel use. Made from pure acrylic and aluminium hydroxide which prevents yellowing, it’s not just the style of this tub that will last the test of time.
In addition, the Veil wall hung toilet was chosen for its striking yet sleek seamlessness. Its rimless design means it’s even easier to clean and more hygienic than other products. In classic white, crafted from vitreous china, it’s a durable yet stylish item.
Image credit: Kohler
The luxurious, carrara marble tiling, matte black shower screen edging and smooth lines of the taps and shower fittings, nod to one half of the hotel’s art deco history, completing the overall look.
Kohler was specified by Ian Schrager/ Neri& Hu on behalf of Marriott International. The hotel is one of 11 EDITION properties by Ian Schrager worldwide, this is a brand to watch as it continues to arrive in new territories.
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.
Early bird tickets for MEET UP North now available
Catch them while you can… Early bird tickets for MEET UP North, Hotel Designs’ premium networking event which will take place in Manchester on May 19, are now on sale. But hurry as they are only available until April 10…
Development in the north will be the theme for Hotel Designs’ upcoming networking event, MEET UP North, which will take shelter inside Whitworth Locke on May 19.
When: May 19, 2022 Where: Whitworth Locke, Manchester Theme: ‘Development in the North’
Early bird tickets offer all who wish to attend the evening’s event significant discounts, with those who qualify as designers, architects, hoteliers and developers able to secure tickets for just £10 + VAT per person (rate after early bird promotion is £20 + VAT), and suppliers able to purchase tickets for just £99 + VAT per person (rate after early bird promotion is £150 + VAT).
MEET UP North is Hotel Designs’ premium networking event outside of London
MEET UP North will welcome designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers to Manchester on May 19
Ahead of the evening’s party ,which will start at 18:00 (BST), Hotel Designs will film a conversation between leading designers on ‘Design development in the north’, which will ultimately start a discussion about creativity, taking risks and understanding target audience when consciously developing brands and design schemes outside capital cities.
On the panel:
The video of the panel discussion will be published on Hotel Designs after the event so that the content is accessible to all. “Content is something that we pride ourselves on, and our decision to film this panel discussion ahead of the party is so that all of our readers can enjoy the meaningful conversation wherever they are in the world,” said Editor Hamish Kilburn. “It also means that the focus for the evening’s event can be to bridge the gap between designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers through conscious and authentic networking.”
Please note, there are limited tickets available for MEET UP North. Due to the demand for this event – and the venue’s capacity – we anticipate that tickets will sell out. To purchase tickets, click on either the supplier booking form tab or the Buyer booking form tab.*
*If you are a designer, architect, hotelier or developer, you qualify as a ‘buyer’. Anyone else wishing to attend the event will be required to purchase a ‘supplier’ ticket.
Marriott to open its first African safari lodge in 2023
Marriott International has signed an agreement with Baraka Lodges ltd. to enter the safari segment in Africa. JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is slated to open in 2023…
JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will open as Marriott International’s first safari lodge, which will be located within the Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife conservation and wilderness regions.
Overlooking the famed banks of the River Talek and on the edge of the reserve, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge’s prime location will offer a distinctively elevated camp from which to discover the Masai Mara National Reserve, its stunning vistas, abundant wildlife, and endless plains.
Image credit: Marriott International
Plans for the new-build lodge feature 20 private tents, including one presidential canvas-topped pavilion and two interconnecting canopied suites, ideal for families, each with a private terrace overlooking the river. Shared spaces will include a restaurant, lounge bar, spa, and a large outdoor terrace with fire pits that will play host to traditional Masai dance performances in the evening.The untamed landscape will offer guests the opportunity to observethe ‘Big Five’ that Masai Mara is home to: lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros and elephants. Between June and September, the reserve is also host to the annual great wildebeest migration, when more than 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania.
“As a brand rooted in mindfulness, we cannot think of a more perfect retreat for the mind, body, and soul than the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya,” said Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Brand Leader, JW Marriott, Marriott International. “JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will offer guests a luxurious backdrop to make once-in-a-lifetime memories as they connect with nature and wildlife as never before. We are thrilled that the JW Marriott brand will be welcoming adventure travellers, including families, to this breath-taking part of the world.”
“We’re delighted to collaborate with Marriott International to debut this stunning luxury lodge and their first Safari offering in the Masai Mara,” added Mr. Shivan Patel of Baraka Lodges LTD.
Conservation of the land and its inhabitants will be at the heart of JW Marriott Masai Mara. The safari lodge aims to employ up to 50 locals from the Masai community, and will offer robust learning opportunities for guests looking to immersive themselves in the destination.
“The signing of JW Masai Mara Lodge is a milestone in Marriott International’s growth in Africa as the company enters the luxury safari segment,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “This landmark project is in response to travellers’ growing desire for experiential offerings that enable them to build a deeper connection with their chosen destination. JW Marriott encourages guests to be mindful and present, which perfectly lends itself to meaningful safari holidays.”
A nod to the captivating surroundings, guests can expect an authentic sense of place through artful design and architecture. Sophisticated, interiors will be led by Kristina Zanic. The location and surrounding landscape will be reflected at every turn, creating harmony with the natural world and drawing inspiration from the elements: earth, wind, fire and water. Warm touches of neutrals and natural materials, will lend to a warm ambience, while an earthy tone colour palette promises to sit in harmony with the landscape, inviting guests to connect with nature and focus on their wellbeing.
Marriott International currently operates more than 120 properties in Africa across its portfolio. JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will join Marriott Bonvoy’s growing portfolio of 8,000 hotels globally.
Schlüter-Systems takes a look at the trend for matte black accessories in the bathroom; perfect for creating a modern aesthetic and feeling of luxury, and ideal for the hospitality industry and hotel guests…
Matte black accessories within a bathroom design create a striking finish. Whether the colour is paired with clean whites for a timeless look or combined with opulent marble, Schlüter-Systems have a selection of products that come in matte black for a coordinated design, including protective tile trims, storage shelves and shower drain grates. Whether you are planning a fully monochrome look, want to use black elements for a bold contrast or are choosing accents sparingly, below are some suggestions on how to use it within your bathroom design.
Image credit: Schlüter-Systems
You can’t go wrong when seeking out a neutral tone to pair black with. Whether using a base of warm neutral such as tan or beige, or cooler ones with hints of blue and green, this colour scheme can be switched up and different materials incorporated to make it truly unique. Black finishes sit nicely with wood effect tiles or beige colours that are popular in contemporary bathrooms. Alongside a neutral palette, black can also be used to create a minimalist look, one of the more desired trends in recent times.
Schlüter-Systems
The rich colour works well alongside bold patterns and bright, vibrant tones due to its muted nature. Whilst bright or textured areas of a bathroom can really make a statement, scaling it back with darker accessories can keep it from becoming too loud or overbearing – try adding matte black fixtures and finishes such as shelving, tile trims or even taps.
On the other end of the spectrum, and possibly one of the most popular choices for guest bathrooms in recent years is grey – it’s effortless and easy to implement into any design. A great way to elevate a grey bathroom is to add black finishes with the overall effect being smart and minimalist.
Image credit: Schlüter-Systems
Brass finishes have been around for what feels like forever, and it’s no surprise the trend has stood the test of time – it’s extremely versatile. More recently, brass comes with an ‘aged’ look, for the appearance of an antique addition to your bathroom. Brass lends itself to the vintage modern look which is sought after in many bathroom designs. Matte black works well alongside other brass finishes, both adding a sense of luxury and a timeless look.
Schlüter-Systems have a wide range of tile trims which can be used to complement the tile for a flowing finish or contrast it to create a striking and eye-catching look.
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.
More than 300 hotel design professionals attended MEET UP London on March 24, 2022. With the theme aimed to ‘inspire creativity’, the event sheltered soundscapes and colour experiences to explore sensory design’s role in hotel design. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
On March 24, more than 300 interior designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers attended MEET UP London, which took place inside the Minotti London showroom in Fitzrovia, London.
The networking event sheltered installations and concepts from wellness expert Ari Peralta and sound architect Tom Middleton, and took guests on a sensory journey immediately upon entry and well into the evening with soundscapes and immersive colour experiences.
Here are the official images from the night:
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: MEET UP London / Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: MEET UP London / Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: MEET UP London 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Sponsors and Partners:
Showcase Partner: Hamilton Litestat
Event Partner: Crosswater
Event Partner: Hypnos
Event Partner: Geberit
Event partner: Kit Miles
Exclusive Style Partner: Minotti London
Event Partner: Others
Official Videographer: CUBE
The next MEET UP networking event takes place in Manchester of May 19, and the theme will be ‘development in the North’.
With the maxim ‘In Touch with our Planet’, Hansgrohe is passionately committed to its social responsibility, so with this in mind, marked World Water Day by publishing an Interim Review of the brands forward looking Sustainability Strategy…
With transparency being as important as sustainability, the shower and tap manufacturer based in Germany’s Black Forest region, has already achieved some of its milestones in 2021, and as a result, all German sites are now climate-neutral in terms of direct emissions and energy consumption. At the beginning of the year, the international sites also switched to green electricity, making an annual savings of over 26,000 t CO2.
At the German plants, in Wasselonne, France, and in Shanghai, China, supplementary energy efficiency analyses have identified potential further savings of electricity, utilising block-type thermal power plants and photovoltaics, peak load and solar irradiation planning. In Shanghai, the heating system for the electroplating baths is already based on heat pump technology. All international production plants have also set their own sustainability targets for water, waste, and energy.
The net result is that by the end of 2022, all international sites will have switched to green power and achieve climate neutrality in terms of direct emissions and energy consumption. All site emissions are measured and made transparent for the entire Hansgrohe Group as part of the Corporate Carbon Footprint project. An Operational Sustainability Board headed by the Chief Operations Officer, Frank Semling, has also been installed across all international sites to identify and monitor sustainability potential.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
In addition, Hansgrohe expects all A-suppliers to sign a Green Company Agreement in the future – a commitment to comply with environmental management requirements. Research into alternative, more environmentally friendly materials for products is also in full swing. To this end, Hansgrohe is working intensively with its partner Materialscout.
Hansgrohe supports the 1.5-degree target of the Paris climate agreement, and feels strongly about following the formula of reduction before compensation.
Image caption: Steffen Erath, Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Hansgrohe | Image credit: Hansgrohe
“Our plan is to successively decarbonise the company,” said Steffen Erath, Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Hansgrohe. He is at the helm of a strategic initiative founded in 2020 that drives Hansgrohe’s green transformation a little further every day with innovative approaches and practical recommendations. “This process is costly and requires a lot of effort, but compensating for climate damage would probably cost us more.”
Another focus of Hansgrohe is on water. “Water is life and our passion,” said Hans Juergen Kalmbach, Hansgrohe CEO. “That is why we protect this valuable resource and consistently implement all measures necessary to achieve our ambitious sustainability goals.”
Today, Hansgrohe already has showerheads in its portfolio that use up to 60 per cent less water than conventional products – without compromising the showering experience. The entire product portfolio will be converted to water- and energy-saving products. In production, too, water is protected through closed water cycles in the individual manufacturing plants. In addition, research is being conducted into a vision of a completely climate-neutral bathroom.
A future orientation towards the principle of the circular economy also plays a major role in the company’s sustainability strategy. The idea behind this is to conserve natural resources by reprocessing resources that have been used once, and making them available again as production materials. The manufacturing plants are already melting down production rejects in order to use them again as raw materials.
Keeping to the essence of the logo ‘In Touch with our Planet’, Hansgrohe is passionately committed to its social responsibility, now and in the future: for water, for the climate, for the cycle. From now on, this attitude will be conveyed by a signet that Hansgrohe will use in its sustainability communications: a drop of water stylised as a fingerprint.
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.
Inside Minos Beach Art Hotel: Crete’s original design hotel
Sitting on the edge of Mirabello Bay in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Minos Beach Art Hotel is the island’s original luxury design hotel since its inception in the ’60s. Today it’s a chic, minimalist retreat celebrating Cretan art and design in relaxed surroundings…
The property, one of a trio in the bluegr Hotels & Resorts portfolio, has been designed to connect with nature within the spectacular natural setting of the bay. Accommodation is spread across 112 contemporary whitewashed bungalows and suites, and 14 spacious villas with private pools, all scattered within the aromatic gardens of this seafront property which stretches over two kilometres of the beautiful Cretan coastline.
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
The low-rise architecture creates a sense of privacy and serenity and echoes the architectural style of eastern Crete’s fishing villages. The hotel has become a cultural beacon for the local community with its valuable collection of contemporary art, containing seminal works by Greek and international artists on display throughout the hotel and its Sculpture Garden, an installation akin to an open-air art museum, with over 40 individual pieces of art in the grounds.
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
Three restaurants sheltered within the hotel offer Greek and Cretan cuisine, overseen by award-winning chef Giannis Baxevanis. ‘La Bouillabaisse’ serves creative Mediterranean dishes in a refined mezze format, and is the place for more formal fine dining. ‘Bacchus’ is the buffet restaurant with live cooking stations, and ‘Terpsis’ offers a wonderful Cretan menu in a laid-back al fresco setting. With a focus on farm to table cooking and in line with the hotel’s sustainable hospitality practices, much of the produce is sourced from trusted local suppliers in and around Agios Nicolaos, including the majority of the wines that come from excellent local vineyards and wineries.
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
A plethora of bars provide the perfect spot for every mood and occasion. ‘La Cave de la Bouillabaisse’ is the contemporary seafront wine bar serving Cretan, Greek and international wines alongside expertly paired nibbles, while ‘Pure Lounge Bar’ is the place for beachfront coffee, cocktails, soft drinks and chilled music. ‘Dionyssos Bar’ is the elegant, cocktail lounge bar with sandy lounge and bonfire, and the ‘Ibiscus Poolside Bar’ offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat. ‘Adeste’ is the traditional Cretan kafeneio, serving local mezze, raki, ouzo, and strong Greek coffee.
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
Guests can enjoy two private blue flag-awarded beaches, as well as a seafront palm-tree-fringed freshwater swimming pool. Other facilities include the Ananea wellness centre offering fully equipped gym, yoga classes, and the Aegeo Spa where treatments have been inspired by a voyage through Greece past and present. The hotel will also be host to a series of wellness retreats during the course of the year, inviting guests to re-energise, realign, or simply relax.
In preparation for the season ahead, the hotel has added to its offering with the addition of a modern and minimalist designed two-bedroom maisonette with private pool. The spacious, calming interiors, private pool and dazzling views of Mirabello Bay make this a wonderful retreat for families or friends, and includes two king bedrooms, lounge, two bathrooms and the spacious private outdoor area.
In conversation with: Jason Kenworthy, CEO at ILIV
With London Design Week behind us and summer optimistically in front of us we thought it was the perfect time to find out a little more about the fabric inspirations ILIV has in store for the seasons ahead…
ILIV is a family owned business based, appropriately, in Lancashire, a region known for its weaving and printing all things fabric. Over the past year the company has invested heavily in research to identify new markets and trends, and as a result have launched a number of new collections across all sectors. We caught up with CEO Jason Kenworthy with a few questions in hand covering subjects from sustainability to serenity.
HD: Can you tell us about your new collections for 2022 – the trends and inspiration behind them?
JK: Over the next couple of months, we will be introducing two brand new drapes into our plain drapes selection, one a herringbone weave and the second a simple two tone weave. We have some exciting launching on the horizon over the course of the year including an oriental- inspired print collection, boucle upholsteries and reworked colours of some of our favourite designs.
In our residential sector, we have four fantastic collections on the way, from an all-stripes collection to a Bauhaus inspired geometrics collection. Portland has a mix of timeless and signature stripes of varying scales, skilfully constructed using 100 per cent cotton. Woven in a range of heritage colours, the collection spans anchoring neutral shades to bolder accents.
Enchanted Garden celebrates the brilliance in botanical gardens from birds of paradise prints to architectural Yucca and palm fan leaves and co-ordinating, small-scale geometrics. The collection was inspired by a maximalist movement, depicting vintage archive style florals influenced by tropical flora and fauna.
Water Meadow on the other hand, takes a calmer approach to interiors with delicate hand-painted watercolour florals and landscape scenes portrayed through an array of soft boucle and digitally printed textures inspired by the beautiful British countryside.
Inspired by the world of art and the Bauhaus movement, Geometrica is an energetic and unique collection inspired by geometry, pattern and asymmetric design with an exciting and vibrant colour palette and more luxurious bases including embroideries and velvets.
Image credit: ILIV
HD: What are the top textile trends coming through that we can see both in interiors, and in your collections?
JK: With an emphasis on sustainability and protecting our planet, we are starting to see a lot of trends on the catwalk and in soft furnishings circling around nature from organic, dry textures to bodacious and bright florals, trees and plant designs. We’re also seeing a lot of richer colour palettes and art deco inspired designs with geometric and architectural shapes and curves which playfully reinvent trends we found in the sixties and seventies.
HD: Tell us a little more about ILIV. Where it all started and plans moving forward?
JK: We were originally founded in 1987 in Lancashire, England and we remain immensely proud of our Northern Textile Heritage. Today, SMD is a truly global business designing in Britain, manufacturing in Europe and the Far East and selling to over 50 countries worldwide. We travel extensively to find the very best ethically compliant mills. With offices in the UK and Far East we pursue a tireless drive to develop fabrics that are highly innovative, creative, technical, of the highest quality and most importantly great value.
Launched in 2013 the ILIV brand was created quite literally from the brands values to Inspire our customers, Lead the market, Involve our customers and bring great Value.
Through photography, creative sampling, co-ordination, an inspirational web site, our trend videos, versatile fabrics, and service with personality, our aim is always to present our products in a way that inspires creativity and confidence.
Our plan going forward is simple, it’s to continue to offer the world beautiful ILIV fabric collections for both our Contract and Residential partners, with the plan to offer them even more operational excellence, from growing our customer service team to launching our new online ordering platform for fabrics and made to measure curtains.
Image credit: ILIV
Image credit: ILIV
HD: There are a lot of conversations around sustainability at the moment – with the tone being around celebrating reuse over recycling. ILIV has a Sustainable Plains collection, but how else are you confronting concerns around sustainability?
JK: Sustainability is something that we have been building into our business strategically over the last 3 years, and we are still on our own journey to becoming a more sustainable business. An obvious first step was to be able to offer our customers a wider variety of sustainably lead fabrics, which we are now building into our day-to-day design process. We are also working closely with our suppliers to ensure that their manufacturing processes are having a reduced impact on the environment, an example of this is the introduction of waste water management systems and investment in renewable energy. ILIV are also in the process of going through our own carbon footprint audit, implementing new policies, measures and procedures to reduce our impact as a business on the environment.
HD: Another buzzword is biophilic design – do you have any designs and collections that are responding to the biophilic brief?
JK: Within the ILIV contract collections, we’ve recently launches two collections inspired by biophilic design which have taken varying approaches, from hand painted watercolour wild grasses to architectural geometrics and show-stopping tropical florals.
Inspired by serenity, the Serene collection has been designed to bring calmness and tranquility to interior design, a strong trend which has swept the nation during the global pandemic. Serene has a well-balanced mix of beautiful hand-painted watercolour florals and more commercial geometric patterns, designed with upholstery projects in mind.
Influenced by warmer climates, the Exotic Garden collection comprises six coordinating design from tropical origins. The collection ties in elements of the outdoors from leaf details to intricate exotic plants helping create a beautifully balanced space. This collection was launched shortly after the first UK lockdown and hit the ground running. I think we were all dreaming of those sunny getaways that we were deprived of!
HD: Other than durability, are there any other considerations and differences between a contract and a residential fabric – or is there more of a crossover developing between these design requirements?
JK: Depending on the space, there are many more technical variables to contend with in contract environments starting with flame retardancy but spanning durability, water-resistance, acoustic, antibacterial and even light-reflective values and colour fastness to light. Commercial environments are far more challenging with more stringent guidelines making It a more thought-through process for our designers. Many of our fabrics from our residential collections can be FR coated, giving more flexibility for designs to tie in more diversity into their schemes.
HD: With all the colours and textures on display across the ILIV collections, do you have a personal favourite?
JK: A hard question to answer as there’s so many amazing textures, colours and designs across the ILIV ranges and with every season launch, I find myself loving more! But one of my most recent favourites is the Kelso and Harlow collection which is made from 50 per cent British wool and is manufactured in the Yorkshire Dales. The fabrics have a soft melange effect and look fantastic in the bolder colours!
SMD Group is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Black Friday package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Product watch: UNILIN Panels launches a comprehensive new range
UNILIN Panels has launched its 2022-2026 decorative range, giving architects, designers and interior fabricators a choice of more than 200 decorative finishes available across a range of high-quality panels…
With 222 designs, including 67 brand-new looks, the latest UNILIN Panels decorative range offers an extraordinary collection of surface finishes that can be used to bring big ideas to commercial interiors. No matter whether the originality and authenticity of Master Oak or metallic, marble, stone, concrete, textile and solid colour effects; the 2022-2026 decorative range delivers a flawless finish that’s durable and easy to maintain.
“New trends require new designs,” said Ann De Blanck, Product Manager. “We’ve kept 128 designs from our previous collection and have added 94 new ones, including 27 refreshes of existing designs. With their new structure, the refreshed effects are now fully in-line with the trend for matt finishes. There are 67 brand new designs in the 2022-2026 collection, including Master Oak, a truly revolutionary oak effect. We also have a range of new textiles looks, focusing on fresh and soft colours.”
Not only have the designs been given an update, UNILIN has also developed new panels, making the range even more adaptable than before. For example, Fibralux core-coloured decorative MDF panels in various lacquer finishes bring a genuine and original interpretation of this often disguised material. The company has also engineered new melamine faced compact MDF for an easily workable alternative to compact HPL.
At the same time, a whole series of existing products have remained in the range: melamine faced panels, HPL, Clicwall, furniture panels and matching edge bands ensure the latest UNILIN Panels decorative range provides a solution to any interior surface application. Designs can now also be selected on special substrates including moisture-retardant, fire-retardant and antibacterial panels.
Combining the latest designs with enhanced function, the decorative range is not only evolving in terms of aesthetics, but also in terms of performance.
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.
Modieus: taking biophilic inspiration and making sustainable choices
Over the years, the team at Modieus has shared some amazing biophilic inspired designs, but this year they are also backing a world in which all people recognise the value of trees…
Hotel Designs first featured the Australian based carpet and rug company Modieus in 2021, when we reviewed their Embracing Nature trends forecast. The aim then was to inspire a deeper connection with nature, and consisted of four key themes: grounded, green utopia, textured layers and crafted. Since then, we’ve seen them build on the greenery trend with their new take on the Urban Street as part of their 2022 trend forecast.
“Our collective love for lush indoor environments will continue to bloom,” explained Leah Manwaring, Modieus design team. “Our innate connection to nature has seen the incorporation of biophilic elements within interior spaces, while outdoor spaces such as courtyards and balconies have become secondary living and working spaces.”
Image credit: Modieus
“As a world we have become aware of the vulnerability of our natural environment, said Xander Okhuizen, Founder of Modieus. “Like the rest of the world, in Australia we have seen the devastating impact of bush fires and floods on our natural environment. Throughout my career I have promoted quality products as a sustainable choice. Many of the carpets and rugs we supply are made from sustainable materials such as wool. But is that enough my kids ask?”
With this in mind Modieus is not only embracing biophilic design and all things green through design and production, but is also giving back by directly supporting the organisation Trillion Trees Australia through sales.
“I want Modieus to be a business that cares about future generations and the world we are leaving behind. So, I am delighted that Modieus has chosen to support the work of Trillion Trees Australia, by planting one tree for every 10m2 sold from March 2022.”
Image credit: Modieus
Trillion Trees is a Not-for-Profit tree planting organisation based in Western Australia. They have planted over 15 million trees, and Modieus are thrilled to support their mission to reach a trillion.
“And my kids,” Xander adds? “Well, they are delighted to see my generation echoing their concerns and doing something that is simple to understand and will have a positive impact on their world.”
With this commitment to the environment, it is reassuring to know that beautiful design and interiors goes a lot deeper than surface design, and can make a real difference.
Modieus 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.
MEET UP London, Hotel Designs’ Q2 networking event for designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers, takes place tomorrow at Minotti London. Today is the last day to purchase your tickets…
For the first time since 2019, MEET UP London is back tomorrow night, taking shelter inside Minotti London, to meaningfully bridge the gap between designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers. Much more than just another networking event, the theme for the event is ‘inspiring creativity’; to encourage and stimulate the industry to look beyond the conventional when influencing tomorrow’s hotel design and hospitality landscape.
Today is your last chance to purchase tickets for MEET UP London, which takes place tomorrow night at Minotti London’s Fitzrovia showroom.
More than 300 industry professionals will be taken on a sensory journey that will start immediately upon arrival. With the aim to demonstrate the power of sound, colour and smell, the event will feature two installations from sound architect Tom Middleton and wellness expert Ari Peralta.
How to attend:
Designers, architects, hoteliers and developers, click here to attend (tickets cost £20 + VAT). Meanwhile suppliers can click here to attend (tickets cost £150 + VAT) and the form takes less than two minutes to complete).
Editor Hamish Kilburn will return to host MEET UP London 2022
Image caption: MEET UP London 2019 was themed 30 Under 30
If you are attending MEET UP London tomorrow evening, doors open at 18:00 (BST). The dress code is spring semi-formal (with room for creativity). We strongly encourage all guests to take a rapid lateral flow Covid-19 test prior to arrival. If you have any queries ahead of the event, please email Hamish Kilburn or Katy Phillips.
Leaflike takes a look at where a moss wall fits into the conversation on sustainable design and natural materials…
With the current emphasis on incorporating plants and greenery into design, there are a lot of unanswered questions around what is both sustainable and effective. Have you ever wondered if a moss wall is living, or how it is maintained? Do you love a bit of moss but are concerned about cost? Leaflike has identified some of the commonly asked questions and concerns about a moss wall in the process of uncovering the misconceptions and sharing the benefits.
One of the most common questions is ‘are moss walls real’? The simple answer is yes, they are 100 per cent natural but no longer living.
“Moss walls are in essence an artistic design piece crafted using natural preserved moss applied to a panel or backing board used for decorative pieces in commercial and residential spaces,” explained Liam Abernethie, Client Relations, Leaflike. “What most people misunderstand about moss walls is that they are not living. They are in fact a real natural product but no longer in its living state because it has gone through a preservation process.”
Image credit: Leaflike
The moss walls created by Leaflike in the Oxfordshire design studio, are made entirely from natural moss. The moss comes from sustainable sources, farmed rather than simply harvested in the wild, and goes through a natural preservation process using specialist salts. This simple process of preserving the moss ensures that its natural state, texture and feel remain the same as if the moss were living out in the woodlands. But instead, this natural product remains in a preserved state and is no longer alive. Because of this process that preserved moss goes through using natural salts, it cannot be used in exterior spaces where it is exposed to the elements. However, the applications for using moss in interior spaces is endless, from walls, to ceilings, to roofs and even decorative table centres.
When it comes to questions around light and sunlight required by a moss wall, the moss doesn’t require sunlight, it should in fact be avoided. Direct sunlight in certain circumstances can change the colour of the moss over time. This makes moss an ideal product for darker spaces where living walls may not survive.
Furthermore, moss walls are a great way to create a low maintenance and hassle-free green environment using natural elements. They do not require any water from a plumbing or irrigation system to keep them looking fresh.
Another frequent question asked about a moss wall is in relation to cost. Here the answer is a little less straightforward, as cost can vary as much as the product itself. Moss walls can be created in so many ways and installed in so many spaces. All our moss walls are constructed using three types of moss: woodland moss (or flat moss), reindeer moss and bun moss. Due to their differences in application, these three types of moss do vary in price but there are some general guidelines. Woodland moss tends to be the most cost effective because it is applied in larger quantities and therefore requires less labour to carefully place and handcraft. Reindeer moss tends to be more expensive as it is applied in small clumps and requires more labour at installation. Bun moss, tends to be the most expensive moss of all because of its natural shape and the process it goes through to be preserved.
Typically, two or three of these mosses are combined to create the perfect designer feature wall. In addition, there are three main factors which need to be considered and that will affect the price of your moss wall; size, design and installation. Clearly, the larger the moss wall, the higher your price tag will be. Design is another element that needs to be factored into the cost as the Leaflike team puts their energy into creating the perfect design and working closely with your vision to bring it to life. Some designs are more complex than others, they are handcrafted and will involve increased expertise from the in-house moss wall creators. If you already have a team working on a design installation, you could choose to go for a supply only approach.
Having worked through some of the concerns, let’s turn to the benefits of installing a moss wall. Moss walls are versatile and can make a strong statement when used to incorporate biophilic elements into a design. Besides an aesthetic appeal, moss walls have several other benefits. They are low maintenance and are an excellent way to bring nature indoors without the hassle of ongoing maintenance. Because the moss used to construct this decorative piece is preserved and therefore does not grow, there is virtually no maintenance required to keep it looking fresh and healthy.
With concerns around the environment and sustainability, how do moss walls measure up? Constructed using 100 per cent natural product, together with low maintenance and longevity of life (moss walls will last as long as eight to ten years if it is installed in an area where it can’t be tampered with), these green statements provide the creativity of nature, and at the same time, combine the convenience of artificial plants with the benefits of live plants.
Aside from design and aesthetics, a moss wall can also be an effective acoustic solution, and as a green wall solution, can have an impact on cognition and productivity. The University of The Basque Country tested the acoustic properties of modular green walls. To do this, they used two different reverberation chambers, and found that, when compared to untreated walls, the green walls resulted in a ‘weighted sound reduction index’ of 15db and a weighted sound absorption coefficient of 0.40’. This study demonstrated that these walls show a similar or better acoustic absorption coefficient than other common building materials. Similarly, a study from the University of Twente, in collaboration with CBRE, discovered that plants have a quantifiable positive impact on cognition and productivity. During the study, participants were taken to a healthier work environment equipped with large plants. The outcome of the study proved to be remarkable; performance by the employees increased by up to 10 per cent simply through connecting them to nature using biophilia.
In a world where we need to learn to do more with less, moss walls shine their colours. They are an excellent addition to spaces where biophilic design is required but there is limited floor space for other elements. They are so versatile that they can be created to literally any shape or size and work wonders in small spaces or high-traffic areas that are prone to be damaged.
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.
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale arrives in Florida
Inspired by the city’s yachting heritage and beachfront location, architect Kobi Karp has brought clean contemporary lines and a curved silhouette to the all new Four Seasons on the Atlantic coast of South Florida…
Fort Lauderdale, also known as ‘the Venice of America’ with its network of beaches and boat canals, is a modern and tropical city that provides the perfect backdrop and inspiration for Four Seasons Hotels and Residences Fort Lauderdale, a modern reflection of the classic yacht club and coastal lifestyle. In the two-storey lobby, an eclectic mix of international travellers checking in, long-time locals stopping by for a drink, and families toting a picnic basket on their way to the beach intersect in a series of spaces created by Tara Bernerd & Partners. Here, the Riviera lifestyle marries with the freshness and elegance of mid-century modernist design – an atmosphere that resembles an era when frolicking in the sun first put Florida on the holiday map.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The hotel shelters 189 guestrooms and suites. With marine-inspired details throughout, from recessed ceilings and wraparound shelving to brass lamps and polished wood finishes, there’s a mid-century aesthetic that pairs classic pieces. The result is modern and airy, with a fresh take on classic themes that makes one immediately comfortable in every room, and every space.
The jewel in the crown is the Birch Oceanfront Terrace Suite, named for local legend Hugh Taylor Birch, who gifted miles of Fort Lauderdale beachfront for the enjoyment of all. With generous indoor and outdoor space which includes a fully furnished terrace with direct ocean views, it’s a great choice for friends travelling together, families on holiday or even couples who just want a bit more space to themselves.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
“Like a picture-perfect postcard, the newest Four Seasons in our growing global portfolio will create an unmatched luxury lifestyle experience – from design to service, and everything in between,” said Christian Clerc, Four Seasons President – Hotels and Resorts. “We are setting the stage to experience one of America’s most beloved seaside communities in an entirely new way. Working closely with Nadim Ashi of Fort Hospitality, our visionary owner partner of three additional Four Seasons hotels and residences, we are continuing to raise the bar for luxury hospitality along the South Florida coast.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Like the gleaming deck of a super yacht, the Ocean Sun Deck is home to two horizon-edge pools and the hotel’s signature dining experience, Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale, all fashioned by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. There’s a serene pool, and one more playful, fringed by lounge chairs and daybeds with sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean. Outdoor spaces are brought to life with tropical palms and greenery by Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design, framing the hotel’s ocean vistas while also creating a sense of privacy.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
With an oceanfront destination that sets the scene for memorable dining, Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale is where eastern Mediterranean meets coastal cuisine in an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and fun. Here, Restaurant Chef Brandon Salomon, a Long Island native most recently from the kitchen at Florie’s by Mauro Colagreco, presents flavour-rich small and large plates designed to create connections through food exploration by sharing spreads and mezzes, coastal seafood selections, wood-smoked meats and fish around the table.
Flowing down to the first level, Honey Fitz – the name bestowed to the presidential yacht by John F. Kennedy – continues seamlessly from the lobby as an inviting and relaxing space for gourmet coffee creations and colourful handcrafted pastries by Pastry Chef Christina Kaelberer by day. As the sun sets, natural wines, grower champagne and cocktails that renew American classics, along with accompaniments both savoury and sweet, are a prelude to the evening ahead. Hotel guests can also enjoy drinks and food poolside, or choose in-room dining. An additional restaurant concept overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard is anticipated to debut in autumn 2022.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Putting wellness and relaxation on the agenda, the Spa at Four Seasons is a sanctuary where holistic remedies meet modern innovations. Taking the inspiration of Fort Lauderdale’s ubiquitous waterways to new depths, the Spa Dream aqua bed by Lemi offers the opportunity to float on a warm water mattress enveloped in a glow of chromotherapy while enjoying one of the body treatments from “The Waves” menu, including scrubs, wraps and options that combine body and facial treatments. A full menu of facials incorporates results-forward techniques, technologies and products by Pietro Simone, QMS Medicosmetics, Tammy Fender, Sodashi, and JetPeel. A complete spa journey, guests can sample industry-leading skincare partners in the experiential boutique before relaxing in soothing lounges with salt-wall saunas, aroma steam rooms and ice fountains. A beautifully appointed full service salon is also available, along with the 24-hour, fully-equipped fitness centre with motivating ocean views.
Alongside the design led accommodation and F&B offerings, the new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale brings expertise, exceptional cuisine, and charismatic personality to all events. Meeting planners can also consider the benefits of sun-lit spaces offering inspiring ocean views along with an outdoor beachfront terrace, and plenty of ways for attendees to spend down time, just moments away from the city’s best shops, restaurants, marinas and entertainment.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Product watch: Skopos looks back on the iconic Ocean Collection
Celebrating 50 years of design and manufacture in contract textiles, Skopos looks back to 2001 and the eclectic stripes and ikat patterns of the Ocean Collection which are still making waves today…
Skopos continues to be inspired by past designs as it celebrates the 50 year milestone, and it was the Ocean Collection which brought the Ikat technique back to the forefront of fashion at the turn of the century, celebrating an age-old technique of patterning cloth, using techniques of tying or binding threads, which are subsequently dyed, prior to weaving. The practice required skill and precision, yet the result offered delicately organic and blurred patterning, beautiful in its imperfection. Patterning often seen in fashion and interiors, Ikat designs provided a watery, floaty feel.
Image credit: Skopos
A three-colour design, Pacific was produced using meticulous hand and digital separation techniques, to keep the feathered edges and retain a woven appearance. The design was originally printed onto cotton/ linen fabric using the flatbed printing machines in our factory in the early part of the millennium. As part of the anniversary celebration, Ocean Ikat is a modern evolution of the Pacific design. Using inspiration from the original artwork, the modern version takes the traditional Ikat motifs and amplifies the artisanal feel.
Atlantic Stripe has been inspired by the original design, Atlantic, from Ocean. An Ikat striped design, Atlantic was originally produced using flatbed production techniques and pigment inks. Emanating a traditional woven crafted stripe, the original artwork has been separated digitally to reveal the subtleties and fine details of the Ikat process. The modern digital printing process allows for more of the integrity of the artisan Ikat technique to remain, celebrating the original, hand-made process.
Ocean Ikat and Atlantic Stripe have been added to the 50th anniversary collection and are being sampled on the exquisite velvet Trevira base-cloth, Beau and Turin, linen-look, but will be available across the full base-cloth offered by Skopos. Both designs are being offered in two colourways for immediate order. For alternative colourways, in-line with minimum order requirements, the Skopos design team will be able to help.
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.
Product watch: Aplomb by Atlas Concorde balances texture and colour
Aplomb, a new collection by Atlas Concorde, comes in a perfect balance of soft, neutral colours combining the decorative versatility of wallpaper with the performance of porcelain tiles…
Thanks to its extensive understanding of production and design, Atlas Concorde has developed a collection that combines a contemporary style with a strong designer look that can add layers of elegant texture, pattern and depth to a space. At the core of the Aplomb collection are two textures; Minidots and Stripes. These textures use the apparent contrast of two key stylistic elements: the brilliant three-dimensionality of the material and the absolute simplicity of the graphic design consisting of microdots, which reveal unexpected variations only when seen close up, of subtle lines with delicate chiaroscuro shading.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
The final effect generates an element of surprise that adds an energy to the look of the product without undermining its formal perfection. Up close you can see the slight three-dimensionality of the graphics, delicately perceptible to the touch, and the variation of their visual effects as the light shifts. The base, opaque and impalpable, is the canvas behind the flowing textures and shifting light, delicately matte when viewed from the front, or gently shiny when struck by light at an angle.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
Aplomb’s tailored nature is fully expressed through the mixing and matching of the collection’s five colours. These colours range from the neutral, timeless shades of White and Cream, a perfect backdrop for the patterns and mosaics, to the calm contemporaneity of Canvas and the strength of the blue Denim, ideal for refined combinations with textile elements. Finally in a nod to biophilic trends, Lichen is a light green that blends seamlessly with wood colours to create an ambiance that evokes wellbeing and nature.
The range includes both floral and abstract motifs that you can mix with colours and textures for an effect that is always modern and personal. The inclusion of a selection of mosaics, transforms Aplomb into a truly creative atelier of options for contemporary interior designers.
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.
The Standard Ibiza to throw open its doors in April
The Standard Ibiza, situated in the heart of Ibiza’s Old Town, is one of the White Isle’s most anticipated openings and the newest addition to The Standard’s growing portfolio…
Fronting the island’s main plaza, Vara de Rey, and only a stone’s throw away from the marina, The Standard Ibiza will be a year-round adult playground. Embracing what The Standard loves about the island’s bohemian history, the hotel is set in a stark-white building that forms the backdrop for a bright, eclectic décor and lush landscaping throughout the property. The hotel was originally conceived by acclaimed Spanish creator Lázaro Rosa-Violán, with interiors designed by The Standard’s in-house design team with participation from Oskar Kohnen. The design celebrates the resurgence of the energy that originally attracted so many to Ibiza and the rejuvenation of Flower Power with a chic new 60’s vibe that only The Standard can create, but all can enjoy, simple, yet immersive.
Image credit: The Standard Hotels
“The Standard has always felt a strong connection to Ibiza, a shared appreciation for unabashed fun, the freedom to be who you are and the expectation of the unexpected,” said Amber Asher, newly appointed CEO of Standard International. “So this is an exciting day for us, marking one step closer to welcoming the first guests through our doors!”
Image credit: The Standard Hotels
The hotel’s 67 guestrooms and suites, as well as its restaurants will be open year-round. The street-level restaurant which spills out on to Vara de Ray serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It embraces local ingredients throughout its menu and will transform after hours to an intimate nightlife experience – an alternative to the busy club scene that Ibiza has become known for. The hotel will also have a separate building, Casa Privada, that will be available for groups friends. Equipped with its own private pool, bar, gym, lounge and 14 guestrooms, Casa Privada is a one-of-a-kind hideaway.
Image credit: The Standard Hotels
The hotel’s rooftop bar will feature a 15-meter swimming pool and panoramic views of the island. Nothing short of the celebrated rooftop destinations The Standard has made famous in LA, New York and London. After all, it is The Standard…in Ibiza, and things won’t close early. The restaurant and rooftop will stay open until the wee hours and dancing on tables is a definite possibility.
Combining the comfort benefits of natural cork with the classic looks of wood and stone, Vita Classic by Granorte has been updated to include new looks…
Combining the comfort benefits of natural cork with the classic looks of wood and stone, Vita Classic by Granorte has been updated to include new looks. Capturing the unique textures of natural wood and stone, Vita Classic uses state-of-the-art digital technology to print directly onto a layer of high-density cork, bringing the look of more conventional natural finishes but with the comfort, sustainability and performance of cork.
Granorte has updated Vita Classic with five new wood looks and a brand-new concrete design in five colours, bringing the collection up to an impressive 46 unique designs. In Sparkle, Silk, Essential, Crispy and Chill, Granorte introduces an elegant wood décor in five warming natural shades. Concrete Warm, Concrete Light, Concrete Grey, Concrete Dark and Concrete Cream bring the modern look of concrete. All designs come with an embossed finish and matt surface.
Each design is protected with Granorte’s WEARPLUS coating for scratch-resistance and protection from stains. Achieving Class 23 and Class 32 in accordance with EN ISO 1874, the floor can be used in both residential and commercial projects.
The multi-layer Vita Classic features a HDF core and cork underlay with integrated Microban protection that helps to improve sound performance and walking comfort. Available in Uniclic floating or glue-down specifications, Vita Classic by Granorte is a great way to introduce the benefits of cork into projects looking for a natural wood or stone floor finish.
Granorte 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.
Duravit aspires to be a climate-neutral business by 2045
Bathroom brand Duravit is “in the process of questioning old certainties and investing in finding and implementing new ways of achieving a sustainable future…”
The ceramic manufacturer and bathroom brand Duravit has embarked on an ambitious and far-reaching climate mission. The goal: to be an exclusively climate-neutral business around the world by 2045.
As a company Duravit has deep regional roots but is also a global player and feels a special sense of obligation to the concept of sustainability: “I believe that society as a whole shares responsibility when it comes to sustainability, for me that explicitly includes companies such as Duravit,” said Duravit CEO Stephan Tahy. The family- run company from the Black Forest, operates in more than 130 countries, aspires to use CO2 offsetting as little as possible.
Image credit: Duravit
The company is constantly seeking ways to reduce both its consumption of resources, raw materials, and its emissions as far as possible. As part of the comprehensive package of measures, the manufacturing facility in Hornberg already uses electricity generated exclusively from renewable energies. Solutions, some of which were developed in-house, continue to reduce energy and resource requirements in the production process, waste heat is reused consistently, and water is treated. PEFC-certified furniture production that adheres to principles of sustainable forestry as well as ‘local for locals’ production methods that ensure shorter transport routes are further key aspects of the portfolio of measures.
Because Duravit, a company with a rich history, wants to go even further, the management board has joined forces with a leading business consultancy in the sustainability arena to develop the capabilities to achieve climate neutrality. After all, there is much to commend ceramic from a sustainability perspective: the material is made from natural raw materials, is renowned for its particular robustness, and has been used for millennia.
Image credit: Duravit
Yet the challenges that the company faces are significant. Tahy is all too aware of this: “The heart of our operations – ceramic production – is a very energy-intensive business. And even though we have a long road ahead of us, we want to achieve our climate mission – not only for ourselves, but above all for future generations.” A disruptive transformation in ceramic production is needed if Duravit is to realise its ambitious climate objectives.
A key milestone for the company is to reduce CO2 by 20 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Duravit is determined to accomplish its mission. “We are in the process of questioning old certainties and investing in finding and implementing new ways of achieving a sustainable future,” underlined Tahy.
Image credit: Duravit
Image credit: Duravit
Potential measures are currently being reviewed and evaluated – including sourcing electricity from renewable energies around the world, combining oxygen and green hydrogen to reduce emissions, as well as powering electric kilns with green electricity. As Tahy explained: “At the present time, the move away from fossil fuels isn’t just an ecological concern, but also a conscious political decision. To quote the German Finance Minister: ‘Renewable energies free us from dependencies. Renewable energies are thus energies of freedom’”. Additionally, Duravit is assessing how it can increase its use of recycled materials and is commissioning studies on binding CO2 emissions locally – just a small part of the sustainability package that Duravit is constantly reviewing and expanding.
The climate mission is a component of Duravit’s overarching sustainability strategy, which is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside the measures relevant to climate change, the core of the strategy is made up of the action areas ‘water’, ‘resources’, and ‘people’. Duravit reviews the effectiveness of the measures initiated and adapts, expands, and enhances them wherever expedient. “It’s important that we exemplify a culture of learning in which mistakes can be made. And we are learning how to improve so we can achieve our goals. Teamwork is the key factor here,” said Tahy. The Duravit CEO has no doubts that ceramic – a sustainable material that has proved its worth over millennia – has a place in a climate-neutral future, too.
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.
Apartment Hotel ROOST puts down roots in Cleveland
The opening of ROOST Cleveland, a concept known for bridging boutique hotel with apartment style living, marks the first location outside of Philadelphia for the ROOST brand and the first high-design extended-stay hotel concept for the city of Cleveland…
ROOST Apartment Hotel, the high design extended stay concept from Method Co., the Philadelphia-based hospitality company, has officially opened the new ROOST Cleveland at the May Company building on historic Euclid Avenue in downtown. The newest ROOST shelters 62 beautifully designed loft-like apartments, unique public spaces, and custom guest amenities for travellers looking for both short and long-term accommodations in Cleveland. In partnership with Bedrock, a Cleveland and Detroit real estate developer, this will be the fourth ROOST to open from Method Co., who is doubling their portfolio with additional forthcoming ROOST locations opening in Tampa and Detroit later this year. The newest location introduces the brand’s signature studio, one and two-bedroom apartments to three floors within the May Company building, an adaptive restoration of the iconic department store built by world-renowned architect Daniel Burnham.
Image credit: ROOST / Matthew Williams
“We are thrilled to open ROOST Cleveland in the May Company building in the heart of downtown Cleveland,” said Randall Cook, CEO and Co-Founder of Method Co. “The ROOST units are stunning with the largest floor plans in our portfolio, oversized windows that flood the units with natural light and access to The May’s incredible amenities. There are very few downtown cities that have access to so many major cultural touchpoints in such close proximity, so we are incredibly excited for ROOST to be in the middle of it all.”
Image credit: ROOST / Matthew Williams
Designed and curated by Morris Adjmi Architects & Method Studios, Method Co.’s in-house design firm, all the ROOST Cleveland apartments are strikingly appointed with contemporary furnishings such as vintage Oushak rugs, functional custom workspaces, unique artwork from Lumas, coffee tables by Danish design house Gubi, and modern light fixtures by Original BTC, among other high-end design sources. ROOST Cleveland guests have access to the brand’s custom amenities, including an in-room artisanal coffee program with La Colombe, a high-end cocktail kit, and signature bike share program, in addition to The May’s amenities, including a three-story open-air atrium, panoramic rooftop terrace with gas grills and city views, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, private yoga studio, and a makerspace.
Image credit: ROOST / Matthew Williams
Acquired by Bedrock in 2017, the May Company building has anchored Cleveland’s Public Square for more than 100 years, when the department store opened in its namesake building in 1915 and where it operated until 1993. It remained primarily vacant until Bedrock commenced an extensive transformation of the property, seeking to restore its most definitive features such as the iconic pediment clock and terracotta façade. The May welcomed its first residents in August 2020.
“Partnering with ROOST to bring this highly-anticipated extended stay hotel concept to Cleveland has been an exciting opportunity to continue the momentum at The May,” said Andrew Leber, VP of Hospitality at Bedrock. “We look forward to welcoming guests for their short- or long-term stays, where they can experience the attention to detail, proximity to downtown Cleveland’s culture, arts and entertainment scene, and access to the many amenities at The May.”
Considered a leader in the high-design extended stay hotel movement, the ROOST brand currently operates three locations in Philadelphia, in addition to the new ROOST Cleveland. The brand’s significant expansion plans across the United States include a ROOST outpost at the Water Street development in Tampa this spring, while another 118 beautifully furnished apartments are coming later this year within Bedrock’s Book Tower, as part of the rehabilitation of one of Detroit’s most beloved architectural landmarks.
Hotel group Motel One has announced its expansion in the UK with the opening of a third ‘affordable luxury’ hotel in Manchester St Peters Square, bringing its UK portfolio up to eight…
After first opening its doors in Edinburgh in 2013, the hotel group Motel One, headquartered in Munich Germany, now have a total of 2,194 rooms accommodating guests looking for affordable luxury in the heart of some of the UK’s biggest cities. Each hotel is inspired by its local area, and the design of the new 228 guestroom Motel One Manchester-St. Peter’s Square is no different, with its expertly crafted literary theme. Taking its cue from the Manchester Central Library right on the doorstep, visitors carry on the literary journey as they step into the hotel with its portrait gallery of English authors, antique books integrated into the surface of the wall, the theme is finished off with book-shaped inspired furnishings including lamps and wallpaper.
Image credit: Motel One
The bar and lounge, with their large arches, abstract bookshelves, and room dividers with inset panes of stained glass, are inspired by the large windows of the Rylands Library. With muted colours and contrasting floral and leather elements, the design helps create both a relaxing and workable space for travellers. A focal point of the space is an In-es.artdesign lamp, which is lined with tea bags as a playful nod to the many cups of tea that will be enjoyed in the lounge.
Image credit: Motel One
“After a challenging two years for the industry it’s great to see many visitors at Motel One and we’re proud to be in a position to be opening another new hotel in the UK,” said Stefan Lenze, Co-CEO at Motel One. “Each of our hotels is inspired by the local area, and Motel One Manchester-St. Peter’s Square is no different. Our bar and lounge area is inspired by the 19th-century John Rylands Library. We look forward to inviting literary and design lovers to sit back and relax with a good book or enjoy a local gin tonic from our exclusive gin menu. We’ve worked with local designers where possible and would like to thank Property Alliance Group for their help to bring this exciting new hotel to life.”
Image credit: Motel One
Each Motel One hotel in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and London has a unique interior style, as the brand works with local designers, artists and furniture makers to bring bespoke and local creativity to each of its lounge areas. Motel One lounges are designed to create inspiring and functional spaces for leisure, relaxation and work, making them ideal spaces for travellers and those working on the go in need of some co-working space. Alongside the two other Manchester city centre hotels (Piccadilly and Royal Exchange), Motel One Manchester-St. Peter’s Square is the perfect base for exploring the city and its attractions, including the neo-Gothic Town Hall, Manchester Cathedral, and Chetham’s Library. After a busy day in the city, the new hotel welcomes you into the cosy, Manchester-inspired lounge for a cup of tea or locally-crafted spirit of your choice. The same attention to design and detail has been given to the 228 guestrooms, and each is equipped with a high-quality box-spring bed, rain dance shower and reclining leather armchair.
Image credit: Motel One
Unique yet recognisable décor can be found throughout each of the hotels so that each hotel visit is different, but with the same distinguishable quality. Not just for travellers, locals can enjoy Motel One’s stylish bars, where they can choose from an extensive range of spirits, specially selected wine and beer and, for gin-lovers, an exclusive menu of hand-picked gins focused on regional distilleries.
Samuel & Sons Custom Program encourages creativity
The Samuel & Sons’ Custom Program is an invaluable resource providing designers with creative options from a simple colour change through to an entirely new and unique design…
Since 1945, Samuel & Sons has focused solely on trimming as their area of expertise. Known globally for an extensive inventory, they have long been a coveted source for the finest quality trimmings such as tassels, borders, braids, fringes, tiebacks, piping and more. Offering diverse collections, with more than 15,000 trimmings, designs feature both traditional and innovative materials and construction, their designs are eagerly sought after by interior designers and architects alike.
Having forged close relationships with the finest mills throughout the world over the past several decades, Samuel & Sons are able to offer an incredibly versatile and flexible custom service. They have a vast breadth of experience working with designers on everything from a simple colour change, or modification of an existing trimming, to recreating historic or antique trims for restoration projects, through to collaborating with designers to create entirely new unique designs. The service has been developed with the designer at the forefront, with the aim of making the whole process simple and seamless.
Image credit: Samuel & Sons
“The beauty of this service is that it allows us to respond to the creative needs of our clients, with unique inspired designs, durable construction, low minimums, competitive pricing and fast lead times, really proving that specifying custom trim can be a joy,” said Michael Cohen MD of Samuel & Sons. “ It’s incredibly inspiring for us to work on the highly creative projects that come through our Hospitality Division and even more exciting to see our custom passementerie in situ within projects around the world.”
The Samuel & Sons’ Custom Program has been an invaluable resource for designers’ work with residential, hospitality and historical installations. Their extensive portfolio includes pieces for theatre and museum restorations, as well as new items for national institutions such as the White House, the Blair House and the Clinton Presidential Library, and some of the world’s most acclaimed hotels and casinos, including Four Seasons, St. Regis, Ritz Carlton, Rosewood, Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas and Macau, and MGM.
Continuing with the theme ‘inspiring creativity’ the Hotel Designs MEET UP London at the Minotti London showroom will be taking place on March 24. More information about this event can be found here.
FOCUS launches eco-performance glazed collections of fireplaces
With the launch of the new glazed versions of the Domofocus and the Ergofocus – two symbols of the brand – FOCUS is expanding its range of eco-efficient fireplaces…
A recent recipient of two prestigious Archiproducts Design Awards, the new Glazed Gyrofocus has been recognised in both the Finishes and Special Mention for Sustainability categories. FOCUS has for many years been dedicated to the transformation of its wood-burning fireplaces, with a triple objective of energy performance, eco-responsibility and all this without altering the original design. Now, Domofocus and Ergofocus join the glazed fire family.
The fireplace brand now presents three glazed Ecodesign models. The original designs of both Ergofocus and Domofocus also remain intact. The pure and ergonomic shape of the former and the development of the curves of the latter have been perfectly preserved as well as their 360-degree swivel action. As with the Gyrofocus, an ingenious sliding glass window offers a perfect view of the flames without risk of sparks flying.
Image credit: FOCUS
FOCUS is the only company in the sector to constrain the combustion chamber of its fireplaces to its design. This already difficult challenge has become much more complex with the ambition to close its fireplaces and provide them with real energy performance, making them eco-efficient. The organic shape of these iconic models were not initially suited to this dual technological problem.
FOCUS began a dedicated transformation of its industrial process 1o years ago, by creating an R&D department and investing more than six million euros into it. In order to further speed up and streamline the certification process, Focus has also equipped itself with a test bench identical to that used by the European laboratories that award Ecodesign approval.
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.
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa opens
The island getaway on the Arabian Peninsula marks the first property for luxury brand IHG Hotels & Resorts in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Here’s what we know…
Located on the sparkling shoreline of Hayat Island, the new five-star resort and spa by IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to bring the InterContinental life to the Arabian Peninsula by combining idyllic island style living with the warm hospitality of authentic Arabia. The resort’s design is inspired by the three original tribes of the emirate, the Desert, Mountains and Sea, and shelters 351 sea facing guestrooms, suites, and private pool villas, along with six dining outlets.
“InterContinental Hotels & Resorts have been pioneering luxury travel in new destinations for over 75 years and the undiscovered destination of Ras Al Khaimah couldn’t be more perfect for a new, best-in-class InterContinental resort,” said Haitham Mattar, Managing Director India, Middle East and Africa. “Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation has grown internationally and has put the Emirate on the world travel map. Its focus on heritage, cultural and adventure activities has a strong appeal to domestic and also international visitors. We look forward to welcoming guests to this exquisite property and offer a level of bespoke hospitality that is befitting of the region.”
Image credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts
From Classic Seaview Rooms to Family Villas, all the guestrooms face the sea, complete with discreet private balconies and terrace areas, offering breezy panoramas of blue hues. The private Pool Villas are a luxurious sanctuary, each equipped with their very own private pool, while the larger 150square metre villas offer a luxurious sleeping, living, dining and pool experience in an environment where the décor, furniture, and the latest technology create a relaxing environment for travellers and a home-away-from-home experience. The Presidential Suite is the largest of all accommodations, providing immediate access to the lapping waters just outside the door in a 200 square metre suite which perfectly captures the island aesthetic of the wider resort.
A dining destination in itself, the resort is also home to six all-new culinary outlets, offering an assortment of venues each with their own unique story. From Levant & Nar which delivers Levant influenced delicacies with a modern twist, through to NoHo, a trendy hangout inspired by the artistic streets of New York, there is something for everyone and every mood.
Image credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts
Whether you choose to while away the hours on the white sandy beach which overlooks the royal blue of the Arabian Gulf, or spend the warm, sunny days by the infinity pool, a variety of water sports are on offer as well as a curated activity programme that includes the Planet Trekkers and Teens Club facilities. Planet Trekkers provides a curated program to actively engage children and enhance their view on the world.
Complete with state-of-the-art equipment, the resort’s light flooded health club is the perfect place to get a workout in, complete with a separate fitness studio, outdoor tennis court, as well as saunas to relax in after a workout. The Spa InterContinental, scheduled to open in April, will provide an extensive range of anti-ageing and wellness treatments, along with modern remedies to melt away stress and enliven the senses, including a traditional Turkish Hammam.
From the dazzling coastal sands to the far-reaching desert-cloaked topography, the resort’s Concierge Programme – a dedicated hallmark of the InterContinental brand – is on hand with a wealth of knowledge about Ras Al Khaimah’s unique treasures and how to best explore them, curating individual experiences for every guest.
Poltrona Frau celebrates 100(+10) years of design evolution
This year, Italian leather atelier Poltrona Frau celebrates 110 years of craftsmanship, design, evolution and timeless style…
To commemorate the landmark event of turning 110, Poltrona Frau embarks on a series of ventures that touch upon some of the themes most important to the brand, showcasing its longstanding commitment to the harmonious balance between heritage and innovation.
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
One of the projects commissioned by Poltrona Frau to honour its 110th anniversary is an installation curated by Michele de Lucchi, which is to be unveiled in the Poltrona Frau Museum in Tolentino.
The brand will also introduce an extraordinary Limited Edition of the iconic Archibald armchair, reinterpreted by international artist Felipe Pantone, resulting in a product that typifies the very midpoint of history and transformation that has characterised Poltrona Frau for 110 years. Furthermore, the year 2022 will see the introduction of Poltrona Frau’s Pelle Frau Impact Less Leather, which is tanned with natural ingredients and without the use of chromium, for a reduced environmental impact, a symbol of Poltrona Frau’s strategic journey towards sustainability. Poltrona Frau is in fact committed to replacing the Pelle Frau® ColorSphere (CS) collection with this innovative leather by the end of 2022, with the aim of reducing Co2 emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.
Poltrona Frau’s 110th anniversary exemplifies the solidity of the Tolentino-based company, which was recognised by the Italian government as a Historic Brand of National Interest in 2021. A leader in high-end furniture and an ambassador of Italian excellence to the world, a culture of beauty and craftsmanship is at the very core of Poltrona Frau’s manifesto. “100+10 Years of True Evolution”, marks the slogan that celebrates this anniversary; highlighting a consistent and honest evolution rooted in heritage, design and sustainability as strategic development levers. Particularly over the last ten years, Poltrona-Frau has demonstrated its innovative vision through the completion of a wide range of activations, projects and collaborations; from the launch of its e-commerce platform, to the furnishing of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, in which it designed a total of 177 custom pieces for the cultural institution.
With this anniversary, Poltrona Frau lays the foundations for a future that looks towards experimentation with new aesthetic languages and sustainable production, but which all the while retains the culture of excellence that has made the brand what it is for 110 years.
Love them or hate them, these bathroom trends, identified by Villeroy & Boch, are ensuring that bathrooms are anything but conventional…
As we all know, for better or worse, trends often repeat themselves. From fashion to music, beauty to interior design, you can often spot the nods of appreciation toward times gone by.
However, there are few more striking examples of this, than with the evolution of bathroom design. From the reintroduction of complementary coloured suites, to contrasting flashes of colour, it’s easy to appreciate the stylish examples of history repeating itself in the very best ways.
Making a reappearance are many of the designs and colours which we associate with the 1970s. Villeroy & Boch has taken a stroll down memory lane, to look through their photo archives taken from catalogues from the 1970s to see which bathroom trends are making a comeback…
Below are three key bathroom trends that are making a comeback in 2022:
Avocado is back, or is it?
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
A slightly less garish take on the ‘avocado green’ bathrooms of the 1970s, softer accents of sage and olive are set to be huge in 2022. Balancing out the tone of the green with a more neutral colour palette helps to create a soothing place to relax and unwind. Villeroy & Boch’s Finion vanity unit in olive matt lacquer, paired with the Villeroy & Boch Artis washbasin in sage green is the perfect confirmation. The natural shades create an atmosphere of assurance and vitality in your bathroom, perfect for a moment’s peace.
Hello, yellow!
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
A bright yellow bathroom suite was all the rage in the 1970s. While a yellow toilet might be off the cards, if you are looking to add a touch of sunshine to your bathroom, a yellow feature wall paired with the perfectly formed Villeroy & Boch Artis washbasin in Indian summer gives a tasteful pop of colour. The bright shades of yellow will give your bathroom the positive vibes of a warm summer holiday all year around!
Primary with personality
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
A triadic colour scheme is making a comeback. This trend refers to rooms featuring three different shades from different sectors of the colour wheel. Historically, this may include bold shades such as cadmium yellow, post box red, and celeste blue. Today, we are more likely to see a muted scheme, with darker accents, a splash of vibrant colour and a more calming pastel shade to bring harmony to the space.
Villeroy & Boch 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.
Strength & beauty: Boost Collection by Atlas Concorde
The Boost Stone collection from Atlas Concorde features the strength of natural stone meets the concrete effect for a look with timeless appeal…
There’s an ancient natural limestone at the heart of Boost Stone, the new Atlas Concorde collection that interprets the material strength of that rock in an extremely contemporary key. The graphics of Argent Roc limestone are the common thread of an aesthetic study inspired by a rigorous, balanced style, which finds an echo of great charisma in the visual diversity of natural stone.
The new surface range interprets the beauty of stone: with its simple yet welcoming allure, it perfectly matches with the concrete look of the Boost and Boost Pro collections to decorate both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
Designed to adorn indoor and outdoor spaces with a contemporary appeal, Boost Stone allows for a great amount of stylistic and design versatility while conveying an extreme level of realism through the rendering of the stone’s natural details.
The vivid look of the stone is combined with a selection of colours, finishes, and decors designed to be matched with the concrete effect of Atlas Concorde’s Boost world, creating a new aesthetic code. Argent Roc natural limestone has a texture with a variety of details, with delicate granular inclusions embedded in the compact base marked by microgranules and thin veins.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
The variety of the colour range is a strong point of the collection: 10 highly contemporary colours explore neutral shades – from cool to warm. The varying shades reflect the natural tones of the Argent Roc stone: from the dark grey of the French Pyrenees to the warm inflections of Catalonia. The final harmony of each individual colour is the result of a careful balance of contrasts, a uniform sum of multicolour details.
To respond effectively to the most sought-after design needs, Boost Stone includes a wide range of formats for indoor and outdoor use. With its 10 colours, the collection represents the largest palette in Atlas Concorde’s XL 120×278 format. The latest development is the extra soft Matte finish, which offers an extremely pleasant touch while maintaining a high non-slip coefficient. It’s available in all the formats and is able to fully leverage the aesthetics of natural stone, bringing out its earthy character.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
The selection of decors is divided into four ranges for floors and walls, which interpret the key geometries of a look characterised by formal rigour and simplicity.
Hex Mosaic
Included in the Boost and Boost Pro collections, the Hex Mosaic introduces an avant-garde element to the aesthetic continuum of natural stone. The composition consists of hexagonal tiles and is available in all the colours of the range.
Mosaico Cube
Stone-effect and concrete-effect tiles are harmonious components of this decor. The 30×30 cm base module builds geometric progressions where variable colours and textures rhythmically coexist. Thanks to the particular look of this decor, you can choose between random laying or the construction of precise geometric patterns to create final results that are sure to make an impact.
Mosaico Brick 30×60
Available in all the colours of the range, the Brick Mosaic is offered in an original linear, geometric module capable of adding a new contemporary twist to the timeless strength of natural stone.
Mosaico 30×30
Ideal for use on floors and walls, the Mosaico 30×30 inspired by natural stone and composed of square tiles measuring 4.8×4.8 cm is a simple yet striking decor.
Available in all the colours of the range, the Brick Mosaic is offered in an original linear, geometric module capable of adding a new contemporary twist to the timeless strength of natural stone.
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.
Ingranaggio by Gessi takes mechanical precision into the bathroom
The new Ingranaggio collection by Gessi is about purity of design with strong linear shapes creating a series of elegant and refined products which are at the same time functional and versatile…
Seeing the bathroom as a space in which to re-energise, as well as place that needs to be functional and streamlined, the Ingranaggio Collection by Gessi is characterized by a slender body and a tubular lever that seems to lean as if suspended in a delicate balance. The design is based on mechanics, inspired by the function and proportions of balanced cogs in a watch, or a gear system that is both discreet and dynamic. A harmonious combination of rigorous attitude and Italian craftsmanship tradition, conceived for a new market increasingly looking for dynamism and versatility.
Image credit: Gessi
The collection, with its slim lines and delicate linear decoration, includes a variety of mixers, counters, wall fittings and accessories. The mixer is made of brass with treated surfaces, finishes and patterns that enhance the design creating an interesting alternative to the metal surfaces that we are used to seeing in the field of taps. Ingranaggio offers the possibility to create innovative looks by incorporating numerous modular and coordinated variables. The Ingranaggio shape is characterized by the thin tubular lines of the spout that bends at the end and intersects with the body, which is in turn interrupted by the cut of a low and integrated handle. The tubular lever is divided into two parts and embellished with a delicate linear decoration. The concept of linearity is emphasized by the extra-slim proportions of all the elements.
Gessi 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.
Morgan’s top nature-inspired furniture collections
Erin Johnson, Design Manager at Morgan, shares which furniture collections best exemplify a biophilic approach…
Biophilic design, which seeks to connect building occupants with the natural environment, is here to stay, with an emphasis is on sustainability and well-being. What better way to cultivate both than by connecting people to nature, no matter the space?
For Morgan, it starts with trees. The natural world drives so much of what we do, from our sustainability initiatives to many of its seating and table designs.
Below, Erin Johnson, Design Manager at Morgan, shares some of our top collections which draw inspiration from the great outdoors and can help bring some of that natural vitality inside.
Lugano
This collection reflects its namesake, Lake Lugano in Switzerland, in the way the chair’s seat and body float within the frame which cradles them. Designed to embody the idea of nurture and being nurtured, Lugano balances a crafted timber frame with soft, enveloping upholstered elements.
Image credit: Morgan
The collection features a signature lounge chair, small lounge chair and dining chair, offering options to introduce embracing comfort into both dining and more relaxed environments.
Designer Rock Galpin designed Lugano with reducing environmental impact in mind. The chairs are comprised of three separate elements, which can be individually replaced or updated, avoiding the need for a complete product replacement.]
Kaya
Moving south from the landlocked glacial lake, Kaya was inspired by the similarly named sacred forests along a vast stretch of the Kenyan Coast, reflecting the openness, honesty and purity of trees.
Image credit: Morgan
Image credit: Morgan
Comprising three lounge chairs and two dining chairs, the collection evokes an atmosphere of ‘komorebi’, the Japanese word for sunshine filtering through leaves, through an emphasis on space and light. Crafted timber frames create an airy aesthetic, complemented by a geometric back of small individual sections.
Sculpted, soft upholstery brings enveloping comfort to the strong timber frame for a feeling of relaxed luxury.
Comprising three lounge chairs and two dining chairs, Kaya delivers natural elegance for any project, from cosy reception or dining areas to spacious breakout areas and gallery spaces.
Rio
For those looking to incorporate modern and visually striking organic elements in their designs, Rio is a perfect fit. This collection of side and coffee tables and dining/meeting chairs stands out as Morgan’s first to include 3D printed components.
Image credit: Morgan
Designed in collaboration with studio Integrate, Rio features chair backs and table baskets constructed using a mathematical algorithm and printed in polyamide. The result is a sculptural, organic ‘lacework’.
A second generation of tables, launched in 2018, saw the addition of a more geometric and regular aesthetic with sharper angles, reminiscent of the way branches grow on trees.
Kyoto
Ideal for spacious environments, Kyoto is a system of intersecting benches inspired by Japanese gardens and bridges. The collection is available in 10 asymmetric, dual height configurations. Elegant, lengthy and minimalist, the seating brings to mind the towering bamboo of Arashiyama’s famous grove.
Image credit: Morgan
Table tops available in timber, glass or Carrara marble make this a functional and attractive solution for receptions, presentation areas and ad hoc meetings.
Last year saw the addition of seat pads to the collection, offering designers more versatility to incorporate the linear aesthetic by turning window sills, steps and other surface into seating areas.
Morgan 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.
Sneak peek: Little Beach House Brighton – Soho House by the seaside
Located on Madeira Drive with views out to sea, Little Beach House Brighton, opening later this month, will be Soho House’s third UK House…
Almost exactly one year ago we ran through the Soho House pipeline that included openings across continents from Rome to Texas. But this one, a little closer to home, somehow managed to slip under the Hotel Designs radar. Taking up a seaside residence in Brighton, the Little Beach House will embrace the sea views of its location with a design to reflect the vibrant Art Deco architecture of the neighbourhood.
Image credit: Soho House
“So many of our existing members live in Brighton, so it seemed like a natural step to open a local House in the city,” said Nick Jones, Founder and CEO of Soho House.“It is a brilliant place, full of progressive spirit that our members love.”
The glass-fronted House will feature a terrace with a pool and will be connected to the Soho Works building which will be launched later in the year. Little Beach House Brighton will include an events space on the ground floor, a Club space with a bar and House kitchen, a members only restaurant, and the Soho Works Loft which is an apartment style space with meeting and lounge areas.
With the brands ‘home away from home’ ethos having launched in London in 1995, Little Beach House Brighton will be the third UK based House outside of London, and the first coastal property. We can’t wait to see how the creative spirit of Brighton influences the shape of things to come in this seaside House.
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Goddard Littlefair unveils spa design for Raffles London
As the monumental transformation of the landmark OWO building continues, Raffles London at The OWO has announced the launch of a new destination spa and health club. Here’s what we know…
Slated to open next winter, the spa and health club, in partnership with world-leading beauty and wellness brand Guerlain alongside movement and nutrition experts PILLAR, will be the first exclusive Guerlain branded spa in the capital. With plans to offer a holistic well-being experience, with a focus on restorative wellness and active training, the Spa will be situated at the heart of the landmark Grade II listed former Old War Office on Whitehall. Designed by interior design studio Goddard Littlefair, the expansive wellness space spans four levels and will offer a personalised well-being experience. Exclusive to Raffles London there will be a signature treatment and wellness menu alongside a bespoke training, nutrition and recovery programme.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
“Guerlain is one of the most iconic high perfumery and high cosmetic houses in the world and we are excited to be partnering with Raffles London at The OWO to create our new flagship in the capital which is set to be a world-class spa,” said Véronique Courtois, CEO of Guerlain. “To introduce Guerlain to London for the first time will be a very special moment for us, especially in a space with such incredible heritage, countless stories and such a meaningful history.”
Open to guests at Raffles London, residents of The OWO Residences by Raffles, as well as spa members and day guests, the Guerlain Spa will form one of the key areas of this monumental building which comprises 120 guestrooms and suites, 85 unique branded residences and 11 destination restaurants and bars. The Spa will feature nine treatment rooms including a barber and salon, beauty treatment spaces, Guerlain boutique including High Perfumery collection as well as a separate VIP area and two couple suites. The active wellness spaces, driven by PILLAR, comprise an extensive gym and yoga studio, juice bar, striking 20 metre swimming pool complete with a vitality pool and steam and sauna rooms.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Movement specialists PILLAR will launch a members’ health club and oversee the training and health programming at Raffles London. Founded by elite performance coach Harry Jameson, PILLAR is one of the UK’s most recognised names in modern health, renowned for its unique approach to preventative health and personal optimisation. The expert team will offer a truly unique service that places equal emphasis on movement, recovery and nutrition. Dedicated programmes for members, delivered by expert trainers, will focus on strength and stress relief. In addition, therapists will offer a comprehensive range of recovery experiences with a tailored nutritional offering created by chef Joey O’Hare, available from the ground floor PILLAR Kitchen.
For those looking for complete seclusion, the Spa will feature two dedicated Wellness Suites. These elegantly designed rooms feature an open space for yoga as well as light training equipment. Guests will additionally be offered a comprehensive menu of treatments, which are offered in the comfort of these rooms, as well as private training and nutritional menus, allowing for a comfortable and intimate wellness experience.
“Serenity, harmony, relaxation, recovery and pleasure are the pursuits of well-being that fuel and rejuvenate luxury travellers globally,” said Emlyn Brown, Global Vice President – Well-Being at Accor. “They are the touchstones for wellness at Raffles Hotels & Resorts and immersed in every inch of the Guerlain Spa at Raffles London. With societal habits shifting and wellness taking on new and further-reaching meaning in a post-pandemic world, the desire and need for overall well-being and its positive effects cannot be understated. True luxury is not about what you do, but how you feel.”
The Guerlain Spa at Raffles London will answer the growing desire for wellness-led experiences and maintain Raffles Hotels & Resorts as one of the world’s leading brands in the well-being space.
Martin Goddard, Co-Founder or Goddard Littefair and Geoff Hull, Director at EPR Architects, are joining us on the speaker programme for Interior Design & Architecture Summit, which takes place on June 30. If you are designer or architect and want to attend FOC, please contact Alex King.
Naturalmat: combining sustainability with a good night’s sleep
Sustainability is not a new concept at Naturalmat, it is in fact in the bedrock of the business, but the brand continues to explore new strategies to reduce and recycle…
When Naturalmat first decided to make mattresses back in 1999, they couldn’t understand why the majority of mattresses were made using man-made synthetic materials that were neither biodegradable nor from a sustainable source. Starting from the premise that natural fibres were best, the company set out to make a mattress that contained just that – without any chemical additives whatsoever. Not only is the provenance of the product important, but packaging is also kept environmentally friendly as the brand continues to develop the range and improve the products, while remaining true to the guiding principles that started this sustainable journey.
Image credit: Naturalmat
All the ingredients that go into a Naturalmat product are 100 per cent natural and from a sustainable resource that is harvested according to Fair Trade principles. Where possible, local sources are used in an effort to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible. At the end of their life, all the materials are 100 per cent biodegradable or recyclable, so will return to nature as nature intended.
Having just published the first impact report, created to share the brand plans as it works towards new sustainability goals. We spoke to Naturalmat about the sustainability strategy moving forward.
“For us, sustainability isn’t just a fashionable bandwagon to jump on, it’s been at the heart of Naturalmat since the very beginning. But with ever more-urgent warnings coming from scientists about the state of our planet and the impacts of climate change and ecological decline, time is now running out. We must keep doing more to raise the bar in our industry.”
For Naturalmat this means being bolder than ever before. In 2021 the company worked with sustainability experts to establish what the biggest challenges and opportunities were, and asked stakeholders which sustainability issues were most important to them. The B Corp. application was submitted, and this process has already brought about significant changes.
With clear targets moving forward, there are five pillars to this sustainability strategy, and these are clearly and succinctly communicated in this infographic listing the aims, ideals and targets.
Image credit: Naturalmat
It is exciting seeing a brand like Naturalmat, which already ticks so many of the right boxes, not only dig deeper into sustainability but do so in a transparent document which not only creates some accountability, but hopefully will also encourage others to look at both process and production, and rise to the challenge of cleaner and more sustainable business practice.
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.
It’s ‘firsts’ all round on this project. W Hotels takes its distinctive energy to Portugal for the first time, while it marks the completion of design studio AB Concept‘s first full hotel and residences project in Europe. We took a closer look inside…
Located on the sun-drenched shores of the Algarve, where jagged cliffs merge with crystal clear waters, the new W Algarve shelters 134 guestrooms and 83 residences. With every inch of the property designed by AB Concept, the intriguing design scheme entwines the location’s striking natural scenery and rich Portuguese history with a sprinkle of the W brand’s signature style.
The destination’s mesmerising curved Benagil caves inspired the flowing design of the hotel’s interior spaces, while the colour palette of blues, aquamarines and turquoise nod to the azure sky and surrounding Atlantic Ocean. From fabrics and surfaces to tempting textures, each detail of the hotel is intentional. Guests will discover expertly curated art and spectacular lighting all telling the story of local traditions and heritage – from ceramics, mosaic and crochet to Moorish costume, fishing livelihoods and the destination’s surf culture.
“We love to create expressive designs for both experience and memory, creating both impactful first encounters and lasting impressions,” said Ed Ng of AB Concept. “We are delighted to be working with W Hotels Worldwide to bring our joint vision of W Algarve to life, combining the cultural nuances and local traditions of this beautiful region of Portugal with W Hotels’ inimitable flair for thoughtful, intriguing and imaginative design across its hotel and residences.”
Image credit: W Hotels
Guests arrive through an entryway inspired by an old local folklore tale featuring a fluid, curved feature wall adorned with infinity mirrors and Portuguese handmade ceramic plates made by Vista Alegre, a Portuguese porcelain craft company that has been in existence for almost 200 years. Designed in ethereal greens and blues and arranged in an abstract form, a mystical underwater feel is created the moment guests step through the doors.
The theme continues into the energetic W Lounge which features a mesmerising wave centrepiece installation made from glass panels, taking inspiration from Moorish jewellery and oceanic bubbles. With one side of the W Lounge opening out onto the terrace, the space is flooded with bright, natural light, creating an indoor-outdoor feel. The glamorous bar, decorated with custom-made Moorish-inspired tiles, features dramatic handblown glass lighting pendants all underscored by a 20 metre long onyx counter that extends from the interior bar to the exterior terrace.
Image credit: W Hotels
The guestrooms all embrace a clean maximalism. Opposites attract as natural hues and materials marry colour. Custom-made furnishings and intricate local touches are peppered throughout including filigree bedside lanterns, dramatic backlit headboards designed in a nod to nearby churches, mosaics made from authentic Algarve ceramic tiles, and a crochet pattern that adorns the glass panel separating the bathroom from the bedroom, reflecting onto the bedroom floor as the light shines through. All rooms offer balconies with stunning views across the gardens and the Atlantic coast.
The 10 WOW suites feature rooftop terraces with endless coastal views. The Extreme WOW suite takes inspiration from Moura Encantadas, the supernatural beings from Portuguese and Galician folklore. In true W style embracing individuality and authenticity, guests are immersed the moment they walk through the mirrored foyer. Outdoors, travellers can luxuriate on their private deck, complete with a dining table, lap pool and unparalleled sea views.
The WET Deck is the W brand’s signature take on the poolside scene, and offers guests a stylish space to soak up the sun. Laid back cabanas surround the curved edges of the cascading pools that mimic the coastline. In addition, the Market Kitchen restaurant has been created with a neighbourhood ambience, taking inspiration from local markets using traditional Calçada Portuguesa patterned pavements, Azulejos tiles and typical style windows. It will offer a relaxed, rustic feel through the timber flooring, floor-to-ceiling tiling detail and louvred, window doors which open out onto the bright fountain garden, flooding the space with light. A tiled communal table in the centre of the restaurant and counter seating will complete the convivial atmosphere created by this space.
Image credit: W Hotels
Sitting atop the hotel with panoramic views as far as the eye can see, Paper Moon, sister to the renowned Milanese restaurant, showcases a chic white interior and exterior, created with white timber and monochrome floors. Stylish and energetic, this is another seamless indoor-outdoor space; interiors are airy and light with windowed doors that open out onto an expansive terrace where guests can enjoy the peninsula’s breathtaking sights.
Moving from dining into wellness, the spacious AWAY Spa features six treatment rooms and a design scheme inspired by local fishing decks. The spa also incorporates a wet area with sauna, steam and jacuzzi and a covered outdoor relaxation area. The Beauty Bar – a relaxed, social space – is designed in pastel hues and incorporates the patterns of traditional Portuguese tiles, created in mosaic across the ceiling.
With the pressure on to create bathroom interiors that restore and inspire, the tiles of M+ provide an array of options that introduce natural tones, texture and pattern to any space and surface…
Taking tiles beyond being a simply practical surface in the bathroom, the collections and designs from M+ introduce different elements that take a much more tactile approach to the traditional tile. Tiles that will suit a range of projects and installations, styles and budgets. Tiles that will pull their weight when it comes to creating a design that transports the bathroom from the everyday to a multi-sensorial space.
Image credit: M+
The Loom collection adds a complex combination of patterns and textures which can work either on the wall or on the floor. The cotton-coloured tile tones in with the basin, keeping everything calm, clean and bright. This tile is through body porcelain and made up of modules of 14x70cm featuring numerous fake cuts to create the strong herringbone pattern, while being laden with texture influenced from embroideries and traditional lace making. There are two left hand patterns and two right hand patterns. For an optimum pattern, a staggered end to end fixing is recommended. The range, with an R-10 rating, comes in five earthy inspired tones; Hemp, Dust, Carbon, Cotton and Madder. It has an R-10 rating. The inherent pattern in this collection can be highlighted by the choice of grout.
Image credit: M+
The Quilt range invites designers to put their stamp on it, as the individual pieces can be used to create different patterns from the seemingly random to the more ordered approach. It is through body porcelain and available in three neutral base colours, Chalk, Mud and Clay and with a Smooth or Raw surface finish, rating is R-11. The pieces are singles, 9,4cm x 9,4cm with a contrasting-coloured segment or plain versions with a fake joint that can join the pieces together such as stitching, as the range was patchwork inspired.
Image credit: M+
Diamond, the sister range to Jointed is a meshed and geometrical design with repeated modules slotting together, resulting in something different and creative to be used in regular areas on the wall or as a panel to stand out as a piece of art. Jointed is a thin glass based tile, again on mesh and available in five different layouts created by scoring patterns into the chips and available in seven different colour choices.
Image credit: M+
And finally, in an atmospheric and dramatic design statement that will transport any bathroom design into an immersive spa experience, Sticks is a collection of through-body porcelain stoneware modules suitable for indoor and outdoor floor, wall coverings and pavings and immersion (swimming pools). This collection is made from slabs of pressed material cut into the various collection sizes, with different surface finishes, and is available in the moody hues of Plaster, Clay, Smoke and Coal.
M+ 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.
5 minutes with: artist Frances Bildner on inspiration & expression
We caught up with artist Frances Bildner, whose vital and colourful abstract works can be found in collections throughout Europe and America, and asked her what inspires her and her thoughts on the role art can play in hotel design…
Frances Bildner, the founder of Frances Bildner Expressive Arts, creates fine art for both public and private spaces, believing that art has transformative powers which not only enhances an environment but can also add a strong identity to any business. Her bespoke and vibrant artwork can create company ambience while drawing people into a space in an uplifting and positive manner.
Hotel Designs: A lot of your work is inspired by places. What places have inspired you recently?
Frances Bildner: Cuba has inspired me recently with its dusty beautiful buildings. It is a country full of colour. Truly inspirational. The Cuban people seem to place a great deal of emphasis on art and colour. Their Buildings are beautiful, old and slightly frayed which all adds to the atmosphere. The cars are old classics in pastel colours. Everywhere you look, from hotels to bars and architecture, it is immersed in colour and style. It is a place that really places emphasis on style and aesthetics. It is a real inspiration for any artist. Just to be a part of this kind of environment encourages creativity. In the words of author Rachel Weiss in her book To and from Utopia in New Cuban Art, “every Cuban is an artist and every home is an art gallery.”
Image credit: Frances Bildner
Image credit: Frances Bildner
HD: What makes your artwork so appealing for hotel designers?
FB: My paintings are bold, colourful and vital. They add a certain statement to the hotel walls and make people feel comfortable in the hotels. People don’t seem to want art that melts and disappears into walls anymore. Indifferent, wallpaper-like images that don’t say anything. My art does make a statement and compliments the lobbies and guestrooms in hotels. It adds warmth and life, and helps make the atmosphere congenial. It also helps unify the space to complete the atmosphere in the hotel. I believe that colourful vital art also promotes good business as hotel guests are affected by the environment and will tend to stay in a hotel with a warm colourful atmosphere more than in dull cold hotels where there is little emphasis on the interior.
HD: In your experience, what are the major pitfalls facing designers when specifying art?
FB: Sometimes designers are not open enough to artwork and are constrained by fashion and trends, especially when it comes to colour. They are also sometimes a little cautious, avoiding artwork that is bold and colourful. They don’t always like to take risks, and so avoid originality. They not only miss out on something unique and beautiful, but also seem to go back a few steps to safer images that are watered down and melt into the background.
HD: In a recent article, you mentioned art’s power over the January blues. Why is there such a emphasis on bold colours at the moment?
FB: Bold colours make one stop and look, and can banish the cold indifference brought on by January! January and February are months when people in cold climates tend to become more listless and at the same time we naturally try to get away to warmer climates where colour is abundant and the sun shines. By adding more colour in the shape of bold art to the hotel rooms and lobbies, design can help people forget, albeit it temporarily, those winter blues.
Image credit: Frances Bildner
HD: What’s your favourite period of art history?
FB: The German Expressionists with their emphasis on freedom and emotion with a move away from realism. This was in great contrast to movements that came before which focused on more accurate depictions of reality and nature. They used brilliant colour and painted according to inner feeling. They were reacting against the bourgeois culture of Germany at the time, and it was a very fertile and exciting time for the arts. I would have loved to have been part of this movement. Also the Abstract Expressionists and their action painting, so spontaneous and free. Primarily based in New York City, their art placed great emphasis on the expressive and emotional content.
For me these two movements represent the most exciting period in art history as both marked a freeing of restrictions that were around for artists before modern art.
HD: We’ve noticed a rise in art residencies in hotels recently, do you feel this is a good or bad thing for the art industry?
FB: I think it’s a good thing, as more people are taking notice of what artists can contribute. It enables the artist to become a part of the bigger picture, and inclusion and integration of this sort is, I believe, a good thing for the art industry. Artists in residence are becoming a growing trend amongst the most innovative hotels, the Ace Hotel New York is a good example where they host writers, photographers and painters. In The UK we have art hotels in Bristol and the London Edition for example has pieces by Jenny Holzer and Tracy Emin.
HD: We recently wrote about digital art, and its wellness benefits. Will traditional art ever be replaced by digital experiences?
FB: I hope not! Why does digital art have wellness benefits? Certainly, I don’t understand why digital art would ever provide more wellness benefits than traditional art. In my opinion, digital art or NFT’s can never be a substitute for an original painting or a good print from that original. How can owning a piece of something digitally replace owning an original which one can see and touch every day? I recently read an article about a man who had NFT’s and finally bought an original. He was so excited about owning an original painting! I hope traditional art is never replaced by digital art. We have been through many periods of ‘painting being dead’, but it has always bounced back. I believe it is here to stay – from the cave paintings in Lascaux to our modern art, painting is alive and well.
Frances Bildner Expressive Arts 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: Frances Bildner Expressive Arts
Latest bathroom products from GROHE have a natural rhythm
GROHE encourages the use of the bathroom as an oasis of calm by introducing elements of biophilic design through its premium product portfolio…
The benefits of biophilic design are boundless, and it is clear that inviting the outside in can have a resoundingly positive impact on our wellness, from improving air quality through to helping to reduce stress. As many of us have spent more time than ever indoors over the last few years and the importance of prioritising our wellbeing for both physical and mental health reasons is ever prominent, it’s understandable that creating biophilic spaces has become a growing trend. Focussing in on the bathroom, there are several ways of incorporating nature into the overall look and feel of the space. Introducing low maintenance greenery is an easy first step, be it devil’s ivy or a potted fern, for bringing an element of the outside into one of our most sacred of spaces.
Image credit: GROHE
Taking biophilic design beyond the greenery, GROHE has a range of products within its portfolio that contribute to design through innovation, such as the updated GROHE Allure range and the GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body spray. The GROHE Allure tap line offers minimalist design with its slim profile which partners with the brand’s state-of-the-art water technology to offer a unique, tactile experience. Through the floor-mounted taps and waterfall spouts for the bathtub and the GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body sprays offering Rain or Active Jet sprays, guests can immerse themselves in a bathing experience designed to feel just how nature intended.
Image credit: GROHE
With sustainability at the heart of every GROHE innovation, it’s no surprise that the new sprays enable eco-conscious water usage thanks to water and energy saving GROHE EcoJoy technology, allowing guests to enjoy a premium shower experience responsibly.
“At GROHE, we’re passionate about driving transformation when it comes to protecting our planet,” said Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA. “Elements which allow bathrooms to become even more harmonious through the use of biophilic design work hand in hand with our products which have been designed to encapsulate modern needs of a relaxing space while living more consciously. From massaging Rain sprays in our overhead showers to water free flowing, without even touching a button, through our infra-red taps, we’re here to celebrate all of the joys of water through our innovations.”
GROHE is no stranger to environmental considerations through its product portfolio, and how sustainability and design can work together based on the principles of biophilic design. Through further technology such as its ES (energy saving) innovations, taps can help prevent the needless use of hot water helping buildings to reduce their carbon footprint. ES taps offer only cold water in the mid-lever and cold mode position, eliminating the need to heat water unnecessarily, while precise hot water is accessible by moving the lever to the left.
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.
With so much being written about the positive effect of biophilic interiors, we caught up with three brands to see how they have incorporated biophilic design into their products…
The term biophilia was first coined by German-born American psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in the early 70s, to describe ‘the passionate love of life and of all that is alive’. Moving on to the early 80s, American biologist Edward O Wilson suggested that human relationship with nature and other life-forms was in part genetic. Whilst science has yet to identify a biophilic gene, we all appreciate our innate desire to connect with nature and the feeling of wellness that brings, which is why biophilia as a design tool is resonating so strongly across the board.
There are many ways beyond a pot plant to approach introducing biophilia into a design, from pattern to colour, materials to texture. It is a broad palette which presents designers with a range of options to introduce these notes of wellbeing into a product or design process. We spoke to three designers from different disciplines to explore a little beyond the surface of biophilic design.
Table Place Chairs is a true advocate of how furniture can provide a fantastic way to incorporate nature into your space. Wood is renowned for its acoustic properties, and it’s good to know that all the oak and beech products supplied by Table Place Chairs is FSC certified. Available in different natural stains without losing the detail of the natural grain, their ability to customise allows products to fit into all styles of biophilic design, everything from a light natural space to a darker toned interior.
Studies have shown that visual connections to nature in the workspace can improve employee’s cognitive functions. Table Place Chairs have many clever solutions to enhance this visual connection through furniture. Whether it is using natural wood finishes or grain enhancement on an oak framed chair or customising their Clover seating collection by adding elements such as rattan. As well as promoting FSC, Table Place Chairs use recycled timber as a sustainable alternative for table-tops.
Good biophilic design should encapsulate all elements of nature to create enduring, liveable spaces. So it’s refreshing to see architecture and interior design moving away from concrete jungles and heavy steel structures to incorporating more natural elements, from vibrant oasis walls to freshwater aquariums and air filtration systems. Textiles and soft furnishings play an important role in tying biophilic design schemes together through the use of natural colours, organic, dry textures and designs inspired by flora, fauna, and botanicals.
Image credit: ILIV
ILIV have recently launches two collections inspired by biophilic design which have taken varying approaches, from hand painted watercolour wild grasses to architectural geometrics and show-stopping tropical florals. Influenced by warmer climates, the Exotic Garden collection comprises six coordinating design from tropical origins. The collection ties in elements of the outdoors from leaf details to intricate exotic plants helping create a beautifully balanced space.
Image credit: ILIV
Inspired by serenity, the Serene collection has been designed to bring calmness and tranquillity to interior design, a strong trend which has swept the nation during the global pandemic. Feeling relaxed and at ease in our homes is something that many of us have strived for over the past few months and bringing that same tranquillity into the contract environment is key.
A recent study by Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health Sir Cary Cooper entitled ‘Biophilic Design in the Workplace’ surveyed 3,600 office workers across Europe and the Middle-East. The results showed how internal green space, natural light and foliage boost the mood, productivity and job satisfaction of employees while also reducing stress.
Image credit: Newmor
Wallcoverings are great way to combine colour and print to mimic the natural world – from the organic colours and textures of stone, wood, and botanicals, to print and patterns inspired by landscapes, fauna and flora. Using biophilic inspired designs for the spaces we live, work, and relax in can increase feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and serenity. It has also been shown to improve concentration, creativity, and productivity, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Image credit: Newmor
Newmor Wallcoverings provide interior designers with an ultimate choice of biophilic inspired patterns. From Leaves, a large scale skeletal leaf design to their wonderfully witty Banshee cacti pattern by The Patternistas, and the pure drama of Blooming Marvellous, a collection of large scale palms and florals. All designs can be printed onto vinyl wallcovering or window film, creating even more opportunities to incorporate biophilia in interiors today.
Table Place Chairs, ILIV, and Newmor Wallcoverings are all 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.
Design & architecture podcast: series 2 of DESIGN POD now live
Series two of Hotel Designs’ official design podcast, DESIGN POD, was sponsored by Minotti London. For the next eight weeks, we will be dropping new episodes that explore sustainability, luxury design, hotel development and furniture design…
In the first episode of the series, available to listen to on all major podcast platforms, Kilburn and Forde welcome Rachel Hoolahan, an architect and the sustainability co-ordinator at architecture firm Orms.
A pioneering example of someone who is putting forward innovative and honest initiatives that will encourage the industry – and the wider world – to work towards a circular economy, Hoolahan recently become the studio’s sustainability coordinator. She joins the podcast while the studio’s latest project to breath new life into the former Central St Martins Building in London – and has a few clever ways to convince clients to think more consciously.
Upcoming episodes, which will drop weekly over the next eight weeks, will include Tim Griffin (on design in hotel development), Hen’a Yadev (on unconventional materials in design), Guy Oliver (on modern design in heritage buildings), Jo Littlefair (on a new era of luxury design), Ed Murray (on sculptural and fluid architecture), Simon Kincaid (on flexibility in design and architecture) and GamFratesi (on the art of luxury furniture design.
Series two of DESIGN POD is sponsored by Minotti London. If you would like to sponsor future episodes, please email Katy Phillips.
Donut Fear – a new carpet collection from Moooi Carpets
Moooi Carpets’ colourful collaboration with artist Jae Yong Kim is sure to deliver a smile and a sugar-rush…
For Moooi, transforming a small ceramic design into a large 2D carpet is an interesting creative process. The interpretation of the design changes, so working with Jae Yong Kim to find the right designs was a fun challenge, with a very exciting outcome.
Jae Yong Kim loves donuts. Being an artist was his dream, and instead of eating them, he decided to use them as a canvas. In 2012, Kim put his first solo show of donuts on display. The exhibition ‘Lust for Donuts’ was a concept he was working on since 2010. Most of his work used to contain little colours due to colour-blindness. He used these donuts as a basis for making colour tests and ended up feeling comfortable with the results. The overwhelming response helped him to overcome his fear of using colours and revolutionised his donuts.
Image credit: Moooi / Jae Yong Kim
Kim made his Heart Donut thinking of ‘Color of my heart’ in year 2020. It is a heart shaped chrome donut with a multicoloured surface. Through this work, he attempted to express his wish to possess a heart filled with all different colours and happy inspirations. It felt like if he could have a colourful heart, he could then catch, absorb, and appreciate beautiful colors around his life.
The Spring Donut design is equally optimistic.”When Spring is just around the corner, I get so excited to see beautiful flowers blooming everywhere,” explains Kim.”Spring is precious for the natural colors and the quiet beauty. This marvelous season satisfies all senses in me. I tried to capture the flower, a symbol of Spring, on the donut, joyfully thinking how bright and sparkly the coming spring will be.”
Kim sees his work as a visual language that delivers smiles in a time where life isn’t always easy. The more challenges he faces, the brighter and shinier his work tends to be. It gives him strength and joy while creating it.
Seeing these bright and shiny designs transferred to the pile beneath our feet will definitely be bringing a smile to our faces.
Moooi Carpets 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.
With a design guided by the island’s singular aura and extraordinary landscape, Luxury Collection hotel Mystique is perfectly placed to encapsulate all that is special about Santorini…
With warm April temperatures beckoning, this Aegean utopia is the ideal escape for an Easter getaway, and owners Kalia and Antonis Eliopoulos of Kanava Hotels & Resorts are excited to welcome guests back to for the 2022 season. Linked by a network of cobbled pathways, Mystique Santorini’s 41 Suites and Villas, two swimming pools, Lure Restaurant by Olivier Campanha, rejuvenating Elios Spa, and state-of-the-art gym, all feature panoramic sea views across to the active volcano vista.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Designed by architect Mary Kavagia, the hotel embraces the cycladic style of its location while preserving the nature that envelops. All suites and villas are facing the sea with generous terraces that embrace the landscape. The interiors were carefully redesigned to bring more light in and create curves that give a sculpted feel. French designer Frank Lefebvre created custom-made furniture with natural materials, inspired by nature, and harnessing the elegance of simplicity.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
The hotel has taken on board the changing needs of the modern traveller, and Mystique’s ultra-luxury Suites and Villas are all sensitively designed to delight guests with the natural beauty of the Caldera cliffs with generous indoor and outdoor living space, along with all the outstanding services and amenities of the hotel. In keeping with the serenity of the property, and with the guests Wellness experience always a priority, Mystique is excited to continue its partnership with OPO, an immersive meditation programme. Guests can access bespoke and customisable sessions whilst they relax in this Greek haven.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Offering ultimate seclusion, self-care is taken to another level where guests are able to book an intimate candlelit dinner in the privacy of their own outdoor terrace. Other round-the-clock services are also available in-room, including organic treatments from the hotel’s Elios Spa. The Spa is also a destination in itself, offering a sanctuary for renewal and rejuvenation with an array of wellbeing experiences leaving guests feeling radiant and refreshed, and all within the confines of a beautifully designed space that is rooted in its location.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Further bolstering the hotel as the ultimate Santorini experience, Mystique’s restaurant Lure, is helmed by renowned French Chef Olivier Campanha, who joined the team in 2021 with experience leading Michelin-starred restaurants. The property’s new culinary program is characterised by locally and sustainably sourced produce that highlights the best of the region’s rich gastronomy. Campanha has created dishes that harmonise exceptional food with a healthy lifestyle, highlighting the very best local and seasonal ingredients with a contemporary twist on traditional Greek and Mediterranean flavours.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Meanwhile, in the Secret Wine Cave, guests can experience a unique wine tasting in Mystique’s 150-year-old wine cellar with the rarest indigenous wine selection in Oia. Other dining concepts include Charisma serving the freshest Greek-inspired cuisine in a truly memorable setting while Captain’s Lounge, which occupies the original site of a century-old mansion, caters for casual dining.
Eastwind Lake Placid set to open its scandi-inspired doors this spring
Eastwind Hotel & Bar are gearing up for the launch of its second property in Lake Placid, offering travellers a designer-curated outdoor escape with Scandinavian and postmodern inspired décor. We took a closer look…
Eastwind Lake Placid is a year-round, boutique retreat in the heart of the Adirondacks, ideal for elemental getaways and gatherings while still being only moments away from the bustling downtown. The design focusses on providing authentic connections to nature through 26 designer-curated accommodations including luxury cabins and one standalone two-bedroom residence with vintage Scandinavian design and postmodern inspiration.
Image credit: Eastwind / Lawrence Braun
“We wanted to create a cozy space where you can curl up after a day of hiking or skiing, and just relax.” — Bjorn Boyer, Eastwind Co-Founder
Previously a 1950s motor inn, the second Eastwind property from founders Bjorn Boyer, Julija Stoliarova, and Dan Cipriani, will offer easy access to one of the largest protected parklands in the United States. Occupying five buildings on land along the Chubb River, the hotel will feature an array of indoor and outdoor experiences geared at discerning design and outdoor enthusiasts. Amenities will include a pool, a vintage library, a spa, a communal fire pit, saunas, bike and skate rentals, along with weekly programming of live music, yoga and pilates classes.
Image credit: Eastwind / Lawrence Braun
Image credit: Eastwind / Lawrence Braun
Taking cues from its sister property in the Catskills, Eastwind Lake Placid will feature a refined food and beverage program which guests can enjoy across a variety of different formats from breakfast baskets to seasonal outdoor meals made on an open flame Argentinian grill. Scheduled to open later in the year, a former blacksmith shop turned bar and lounge will offer intimate eating and drinking experiences, which can be booked by individual guests or reserved exclusively for private dining.
Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden is perched by one of the oldest castles in Japan, and sits at the foot of rolling hills, with commanding views of the Kisco River…
For a brand like Hotel Indigo, which is used to arriving in new territories, location is everything. This is certainly the case with its latest property, Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden, which has become the brand’s third hotel to open in Japan.
Located in the Urakuen Garden together with Inuyama’s National Treasure, the Jo-An tea house, and perched by the timeless Kiso River and Inuyama Castle, the unique surrounds lend itself to an abundance of neighbourhood stories and memorable guest experiences.
Inuyama is a timeless city full of lively festival culture and cuisine. The Inuyama Castle is one of Japan’s oldest castles and sits at the foot of rolling hills with commanding views of the Kiso River, offering spectacular scenes throughout the Sakura season.
“Hotel Indigo is a powerful storyteller and we are constantly thinking of new and exciting ways to contribute to the area of Inuyama and the stories that we share to guests in Japan and abroad,” Tsukasa Yanagishima, General Manager of Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden. “We are very proud to be able to open the Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden, a place with such a wonderful history, culture, and human warmth. As part of the community, we will do our best to contribute to the development of Inuyama City and the neighbouring areas, and we thank the community for their support as we open this beautiful hotel.”
Image credit: IHG
The garden is the heart of the hotel, consisting of nine zones, including a mysterious walkway serving as a prologue to two National Treasures: the Jo-An tea house and Inuyama Castle. Its walkways evoke a sense of ‘time travel’, taking guests through contrasts of contemporary and vivid patterns, majestic landscapes and breathtaking views of Inuyama.
Just as no two neighbourhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are alike. Each is designed to uniquely reflect the local culture and history of the area. Inuyama bursts to life with 156 guestrooms inspired by the liveliness of the town, including large wall-art above the bedding with mountain motifs reminiscent of the sprawling hills, vistas and playful character of the region.
The neighbourhood motifs is continually referenced throughout the hotel, including in areas such as the restaurant and bars, which shelter a philosophy built on the richness of Inuyama flavours. Indigo Home Kitchen Yamateras reigns as the hotel’s signature restaurant and focuses on the traditional, nostalgic food culture of the region with seasonal produce and local specialties.
Stories of the neighbourhood are weaved through the dishes to the cocktails. For a whimsical escape into the town’s festival culture, the BAR Yoyama is a lively bar inspired by the 13 yama motifs (‘floats’) carrying karakuri mechanised dolls, a much-loved part of the Inuyama Festival. Calendrical screens also adorn the bar, a feature of the Jo-An tea house.
Hotel Indigo Urakuen Garden offers the ultimate in relaxation with the region’s only traditional onsen (hot spring): Inuyama Onsen Hakutei no Yu. The onsen is a stunning, both indoor and open-air natural hot spring, with clear alkaline properties to help purify the skin, and its tiles take inspiration from the Kiso River.
For inspired meetings and events, the Hibiki room is an energetic space where guests can experience the four seasons of Japan through floor to ceiling windows. Design cues have been captured to reflect the surrounds, with a combination of lanterns and wooden frames inspired by the Inuyama Festival on the ceiling, and patterns of the Kiso River’s ripples and glow through the carpet.
Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden is the third Hotel Indigo property to open in Japan, following from successful openings of Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora in January 2020, and Hotel Indigo Karuizawa in February 2022, and the first in the Tokai region.
Ideal Standard unveils Singular to streamline bathroom design
Ideal Standard has just launched Singular, a completely new approach to specification that aims to simplify the selection process while bringing together the company’s deep product knowledge, sector expertise and design services…
Ideal Standard Singular is a simple, flexible process which has been specifically developed to streamline bathroom design and simplify the selection process, while still inspiring creativity. It enables customers, architects, and designers to create tailored, holistic bathroom designs from a complete range of product categories, including brassware, ceramics, furniture, bathing, showering and accessories. This means customers only need a single supplier and one dedicated point of contact but will still have access to unlimited inspirational bathroom solutions from a complete range of product categories, including brassware, ceramics, furniture, bathing, showering and accessories.
“To me, Singular represents a toolkit, one which every designer can use to find components for the perfect bathroom,” said Roberto Palomba, chief design officer at Ideal Standard. “It allows you to combine products adapted across different models, finishes and sizes, to result in multiple solutions that all have their own identity. Singular is Ideal Standard’s definition of creativity, giving people choice in a way that simplifies the entire process.”
Image credit: Ideal Standard
Ideal Standard Singular is built on a thorough understanding of customer and sector needs, and showcases the company’s breadth of range, innovative product design and high-performance technologies, all of which combine to create solutions that make life easier for everyone. Whatever the bathroom type, design style or specific sector requirements, Singular offers everything to bring these concepts to life and to easily adjust them for a tailored result.
Whether customers are looking to create a shower room in the trend colour silk black, an elegant master bathroom using the timeless Linda-X collection, or a stand-out washroom centred around the iconic Tipo-Z washbasin, they can be confident that all products within the proposed solutions work together seamlessly, not just in terms of design but also performance.
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.
British contract furniture brand Morgan has introduced two new dining chairs, expanding on the relaxed luxury of its Kaya collection…
First launched as a trio of lounge chairs in 2019, Kaya embodies a beautiful contrast between the soft informality of simple, tailored upholstery and the clean geometry of a crafted timber frame. The dining chairs’ simplicity and smaller footprint offer interior designers further versatility in how they specify this timeless collection. Along with the small, large and high-back lounge chairs, the new additions mean there’s a chair suitable for every space and occasion.
Image credit: Morgan
“Kaya was so well received following its initial launch, we wanted to explore how we could imbue a dining chair with the same elements of strength and comfort,” said Erin Johnson, Morgan Design Manager. “We’re pleased with the result: a clean, classic profile with an inviting seat, perfect for a dining or meeting environment. Compared to the lounge chairs, these have minimal upholstery, making the timber the star of the show for an enduring, natural aesthetic.”
A range of options allows designers to tailor the dining chairs to realise their creative vision, starting with a choice of a slatted or cane backs. The frame can be specified in a variety of finishes, such as walnut, oak or ash, for a preferred aesthetic or to match other design elements. Finally, add a lively splash of colour, neutral sophistication or irresistible tactility through customised fitted upholstery.
Morgan 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.
HRC is back and putting industry trends in the spotlight
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is set to return to ExCeL London on March 21-23 with a showcase of the most important hospitality trends and exciting new products to emerge over the past two years…
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is the UK’s largest and most prestigious event for the hospitality and foodservice industry. The show welcomes a wide range of suppliers, from big brands to innovative start-ups, showcasing ground-breaking products in catering equipment, food, drink, technology, interior design and tabletop solutions. Making a grand return, this year, for the first time, HRC will take place alongside the International Food & Drink Event (IFE), IFE Manufacturing, London Produce Show and The Pub Show, bringing together a diverse audience of more than 35,000 food, drink & hospitality professionals along with over 2,000 suppliers.
“Since the last edition of HRC in March 2020 we’ve seen a huge amount of innovation and creativity in the world of hospitality and foodservice” said Event Manager Ronda Annesley. “This year’s event will be a not-to-be-missed reunion for the industry and a chance to discover all the trends, opportunities and products to grow your business in the years to come.”
Staffing challenges are top of the agenda in the world of hospitality and HRC 2022 is addressing the issue directly on the Vision Stage, designed by Harp Design and curated by EXP101. Alongside addressing a wide range of key industry issues, the event will also be showcasing high-end design solutions. Interior design has never been more important for welcoming customers back into hospitality, and HRC’s newly rebranded Design & Décor section reflects the importance of a strong brand and atmosphere in a hospitality or foodservice environment. The show’s Vision Stage will also welcome leading designers and architects such as Alon Baranowitz and Irene Kronenberg to discuss the very latest trends and challenges in this sector.
In HRC tradition the show will also be celebrating culinary excellence and will see the return of International Salon Culinaire for its 120th edition. This year’s competition has over 100 live and static challenges and displays, showcasing some of the UK’s best chefs. The first live edition of the competition since 2020 has introduced new categories including The Apprentice Challenge and Pub Chef of the Year.
The event will also welcome back The Staff Canteen Live, which will see 12 chefs, plus a chef they see as ‘one to watch’, recreate their favourite dishes and share their experience and insights with the live audience. HRC 2022 will take place alongside IFE, International Food & Drink Event, IFE Manufacturing and The London Produce Show, creating the UK’s biggest gathering of food, drink and hospitality professionals.
HRC takes place between March 21 – 23, 2022. Head over to the website to view the full seminar programme, and register to attend.
HOTEL de LEN: a hotel design story about sustainability
The newly renovated HOTEL de LEN has been designed as a tribute to both its location and to the natural element of wood. It is a story of well-being and sustainability that begins in the heart of the structure…
The new HOTEL de LEN has opened its doors after a major renovation of the historic Hotel Impero, located in the centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites. Spearheaded by architectural firm GRIS+DAINESE in Venice, the project put forward a proposal for a new structure in both form and concept, connected with the surrounding area and paying particular attention to the environment and wellbeing of people. The project is based on the principles of sustainability and pays homage to the Ampezzo heritage, offering a contemporary experience which is deeply rooted within the land and history of its location.
Image credit: HOTEL de LEN / Alessandro Amodio
The name, De LEN means ‘of wood’ in Latin, and underlines the attention throughout the design to the traditions of the territory while of course referring to the main element of the architectural structure. Inspired by nature and sourcing locally, wood is the hero of this design, both aesthetically and as a sustainable and renewable material which offers protection from unwanted noise, as well as atmospheric and electromagnetic pollution.
Image credit: HOTEL de LEN / Alessandro Amodio
Sheltering 22 guestrooms, the hotel is a combination of contemporary design and Alpine tradition.The simple lines and modern design are complemented by natural patina of the wood. Known for improving the quality of sleep, the bedrooms in particular are clad and decorated in the local pine, whose natural properties contribute to enhance the balance of body and mind. Another feature of the hotel is the spa on the top floor of the hotel, overlooking the mountains and valley,again heroing the local and sustainable materials in the design and construction.
Main image credit: HOTEL de LEN / Alessandro Amodio
Artist Daniel Arsham collaborates with Kohler 3D-printed sink
Kohler has collaborated with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham to create the Rock01, a 3D-printed sink inspired by technical innovation and craftsmanship…
The Kohler and Arsham Rock.01 is a limited edition 3D-printed sink, which debuted in a co-created space at Design Miami. As part of the debut in Kohler’s Design Miami space, New York based Arsham created a custom installation entitled ‘Stone Flow’, which featured a series of stone-like objects and forms to reflect the design process, inspired by organic forms found in nature.
Image credit: Kohler
Like much of Arsham’s work, Rock.01 is a homage to time. Comprised of 3D-printed vitreous china and hand-poured brass, the sink’s vessel blends modern-day technology with Kohler’s nearly 148-year manufacturing legacy into what can only be described as functional high art. The effects of time are reflected in the patina of the brass ‘rock’ and achieved through a forced coercion process.
Image credit: Kohler
The bathroom brand’s revolutionary method of 3D printing vitreous china is at the forefront of innovation in the industry, and the technology itself is what made it possible to produce the design which was too complex to make using traditional methods. Kohler’s exploration into 3D-printed vitreous china challenges the traditional conforms widely accepted within bathroom design, and welcomes the discussions of the future of the bathroom and its relationship with functional art.
Arsham’s collaboration with Kohler reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to the arts. Since 1873, Kohler’s mission has been to contribute to gracious living through the highest level of design, craftsmanship, and innovation.
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.
Villeroy & Boch on integrating form and function in the bathroom
Energising in the morning, relaxing in the evening, the washbasin plays a central role in our daily routine – Villeroy & Boch take us through some design considerations in the bathroom…
No other bathroom installation fulfils quite so many functions as the washbasin. This is where we carry out many of our daily hygiene routines, from brushing our teeth in the morning to getting ready for a party in the evening. But lighting, colour and organisation play a role here too. Cleverly organised furniture, smart illuminated mirrors and ceramics in individual shapes and colours can make the washbasin a favourite place, while still meeting all the functional requirements.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
When it comes to designing a washbasin area, we need to consider a few important questions: How many people will use it each day and what are their expectations? One collection that meets almost every requirement is Subway 3.0. This collection includes compact single sinks with sizes starting from 37cm, perfect for smaller single or guest bathrooms, while the large double washbasin, with its length of 1.3 metres, is spacious enough for two people to use and is a real multi-talent in a family bathroom. Deep basins and wide ledges ensure ease of use and make the range exceptionally functional. Coordinating vanity units in timeless single colours, soft natural shades, strong on-trend colours and warm wood looks create a homely feel and provide lots of storage space. With optional highlights such as lighting inside drawers that switches on automatically on opening, and LED floor lighting with an emotion feature for atmospheric light effects and orientation in the dark, the installation is as much about function as it is about making a design statement.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
For anyone on the hunt for an individual look in the bathroom, the washbasins from the Artis and the Loop & Friends collections are an ideal choice. Selected colours and shapes make the washbasin a favourite place that perfectly reflects the personality of its users. Whether with the new Artis shades of Indian Summer, Sage Green, Rust and Bordeaux or with cool matt colours from Loop & Friends: individual colours and shapes elevate the washbasin to a real style statement. Coordinating vanity units from the Legato collection with an optional LED light strip add yet another highlight. For those who like more daring looks, with its wide range of colours, Finion is the ideal sparring partner for Artis and creates surprising effects.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Having the right lighting for every occasion is key to a successful interior, and the bathroom is no exception. A coordinating mirror adds the finishing touch to the washbasin area. The challenge is to ensure it is just as multifunctional and ideal for both energising morning routines and relaxing moments in the evening. Smart LED illuminated mirrors which transition seamlessly between different brightness levels and colours meet every possible requirement. Functional and atmospheric light effects are controlled using an integrated touch sensor or optionally via the app or by voice command.
Villeroy & Boch 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 iconic St Regis brand is expected to open in London in 2023, bringing its glamourous spirit and timeless traditions to the heart of Mayfair…
Solidifying St. Regis’ position as a global leader in luxury, The St. Regis London is expected to welcome its first guests in 2023, bringing its trademark highly personalised guest experience to the corner of Bond Street and Conduit Street, and planning to blend the brand’s modern glamour with the best of British style and service. Marriott International announced it has signed a management agreement with Cola Holdings and The Westbury Hotel Limited to bring the storied St. Regis brand to the well-heeled area of Mayfair, London. This highly anticipated signing will bring the brand’s celebrated rituals and rich heritage to one of London’s most alluring neighbourhoods.
“This is a pivotal moment for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts as we bring this cherished brand to the United Kingdom. St. Regis offers an exquisite experience inspired by the exceptional private retreats of its founding family, the Astors, whose commitment to excellence, sophisticated style, and passion for innovation continue to define the guest experience today,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “We are delighted to bring the brand’s timeless legacy, cherished traditions and bespoke service to one of the finest addresses in London, and look forward to becoming the city’s most glamorous destination for locals and travellers alike.”
The St. Regis brand continues to expand its renowned global portfolio by adding this highly sought-after address in Mayfair. Plans call for an extensive £90 million redevelopment and transformation of the former Westbury Mayfair Hotel, with the addition of an eighth floor. The hotel, which is expected to open with 196 elegant guestrooms and suites, will be designed by Peter Newman-Earp of Morrison Design with interiors by Richmond International. Furthermore, the property is set to receive an extension to the rear of the hotel, creating enhanced public areas, along with renovations to the façade of the building and the drop-off area outside of the main entrance. Design plans include a signature restaurant, speakeasy jazz bar, fitness centre and spa.
The St. Regis London will honour the building’s heritage by retaining the iconic Polo Bar, originally designed for the Phipps family of America, avid polo players and creators of the Westbury Hotel in New York and London, and where guests will be able to enjoy a local twist on the Bloody Mary, St. Regis’ signature cocktail. The renovation will seamlessly blend high-design with the celebrated hallmarks of St. Regis Hotels, including exquisite experiences, avant-garde style, and anticipatory service.
“We are delighted to celebrate the signing of The St. Regis London with Cola Holdings and The Westbury Hotel Limited” said Paul Thomas, Vice President, International Hotel Development, Marriott International. “London is a highly sought-after market for luxury travellers and this landmark signing underscores our commitment to growing Marriott International’s dynamic portfolio in strategic destinations.”
Marriott International currently operates 16 properties under the St. Regis brand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The signing will further enhance the company’s luxury footprint across the region.
Designing contemporary luxury bathrooms inside Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen is sheltered inside an iconic architectural landmark in the Danish capital city. When designing a hotel that answered to the needs of modern travellers while also remaining sensitive to the building’s past, Universal Design Studio leaned towards the experts at AXOR when focusing on luxury bathrooms…
Housed in the former Danish Post and Telegraph office, which dates back to 1912, sits Villa Copenhagen, which Hotel Designsreviewed when it first opened in 2020. The 390-key hotel signals a ‘new social scene’ for the Danish capital, offering conscious, approachable luxury complemented by intuitive and personalised service. Incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into its overall strategy, the hotel takes full responsibility for its impact on the planet, which is why durable, water-conserving and beautiful AXOR products were chosen for the bathrooms.
Image credit: Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen was designed by London-based practice Universal Design Studio. The rooms are designed to offer a moment of escape and slowing down, a connection to the beauty of Copenhagen. Handcrafted Zellige tiles, an internal window of textured glass, and custom marble vanity units feature alongside AXOR fittings, finished in Chrome and Brushed Black Chrome, an exclusive AXOR FinishPlus surface: “We used the Montreux collection because we were looking for a product that had a heritage feeling, but was still contemporary, especially using the black chrome finish,” said Richard McConkey, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio.
Image credit: Villa Copenhagen
The presence of bespoke AXOR Montreux basin and bath taps in the hotel’s eight Shamballa suites deserves special mention. The suites, designed by Danish luxury brand Shamballa Jewels, convey an atmosphere of luxurious warmth, laid-back tranquility, and exciting contrast. In the bathrooms, the Shamballa team worked closely with AXOR Signature, the customisation service of AXOR, to create bejeweled handles—cast as double thunderbolts, the symbol of Shamballa—for the taps. The handles are inlaid with ruby and sapphire to represent hot and cold water; they express perfectly the AXOR commitment to individualisation and personal luxury. “AXOR were really open to approaching this almost unachievable and bespoke vision with both care and attentiveness,” Olga Krukovskaya, Architect, Shamballa Jewels, recalled. “It was extremely helpful to have the team from Germany helping us with the technical aspects, producing prototypes, and always with quality from the start. We have built good memories and strong relationships through the whole process of working with AXOR.”
All AXOR fixtures at Villa Copenhagen help the hotel achieve its high sustainability goals. AXOR even developed a special shower system design featuring its water-conserving EcoSmart technology. “In Scandinavia, there are, and rightly so, very tight water flow rate specifications that we needed to adhere to for the project,” added McConkey. “AXOR have been excellent in helping us meet those criteria.” Rather than compromising the guest experience, such resource-saving measures enhance the experience instead.
Indeed, that’s what conscious luxury is all about. Joyful, inclusive as well as sustainable. And Villa Copenhagen is a perfect match for the city with which it shares a name.
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.
Salt Hotels to open property in iconic Hollywood address
Just 35 all-suite keys will sheltered inside The Asher, Salt Hotels’ latest property, which will open in June 2022…
Arriving in Hollywood this June, The Aster is conceived to elevate the next generation of private members’ clubs. In addition, though, it will embody the warmth, welcome and sophistication of the world’s best luxury boutique hotels.
The club and hotel will deliver a space designed to activate each member’s mind and body, where they can work, play, and stay, surrounded by robust programming in the heart of Hollywood.
“When we began developing the concept for The Aster, we sought to create a new type of membership club,” said David Bowd, Founder & Chief Executive, “by establishing a modern hospitality-led space for individuals in Los Angeles with a diverse range of backgrounds and interests, each with one commonality – the desire to connect.”
Image credit: Salt Hotels
Design-led with personalised service, The Aster will offer members with unique indoor and outdoor amenities including a swimming pool, lounges, workspaces, bars, restaurants, a recording studio, a screening room, a cabaret lounge and a variety of spaces dedicated to health and wellness.
Additionally, 35 luxurious all-suite hotel rooms – each over 700sq.ft in size, with workspaces and lounges – will be available for members and visitors alike.
“As a result of the pandemic, we’ve noticed how the lines of work and play have blurred and there is an increased desire to live with flexibility and freedom,” added Kevin O’Shea, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer. “In creating The Aster we look forward to providing locals and travellers alike with meaningful spaces to meet, connect, work, dine and unwind, regardless of whether someone is a member or hotel guests.”
The adults-only members’ club and hotel, named after the native Aster flower which blooms in Los Angeles, will welcome a dynamic group of trailblazers and multihyphenates, all while transcending the stereotypical membership club. The Aster’s hybrid club-cum-hotel approach supports a diverse, ever-changing array of guests and experiences, free from any strictures.
The project is curated and executed under the creative, and attentive care of award winning Salt Hotels. The forthcoming launch will follow the hospitality brand’s most recent openings in 2021, Hotel Greystone (Miami Beach) and Hutton Brickyards (Kingston, New York), which will bring the brand’s portfolio to five unique properties, with The Aster presenting the first members’ club offering.
The property is situated in an impressive six-storey 29,000 square-metre building on the iconic Vine Street between Yucca Street and famed Hollywood Boulevard intersection. The space has been strategically placed at the very heart of Hollywood making it just a stone’s throw away from landmarks such as the Capitol Records building, Gower Studios and Netflix.
The Aster will welcome a fellowship of innovators, artists, and dynamos, providing unique spaces to bring work and ideas to life. A club where creative connections come naturally, members are invited to plug in or unplug, utilising the variety of unique spaces.
9 women inspiring a new wave of hotel design & architecture
To mark International Women’s Day, and to celebrate the hotel design community being ahead of other industries when it comes to equality and diversity, we have identified nine women who are unapologetically challenging conventional approaches to design, architecture and hospitality…
International Women’s Day is a day of both celebration and of challenge. And the call to action for 2022 is indeed all about challenging – and breaking – stereotypes. Here at Hotel Designs, we’re steering the conversations towards a more inclusive path on every level, and it is interesting to note that inclusivity, diversity and difference is in many ways what is driving the hotel design industry forward as hospitality models change and shift.
Flying the flag for International Women’s Day, we are highlighting the contributions of some of the standout women in the hospitality industry who have made their mark from moodboards to boardrooms with work that continues to ensure that women are both an integral and an inspirational part of the industry.
In the words of the legendary designer Ilse Crawford, “we need to honour our heroines because unless they are visible, we will not encourage the next generation of female designers.”
So in the spirit of honouring our heroines, here is our list of movers and shakers in the industry, whose work we feel is contributing to the spirit of #BreakTheBias.
Tina Norden, Partner, Conran and Partner and current Interior Designer of the Year
Tina Norden is a rare breed when it comes to hotel and hospitality design. Throughout the pandemic, Norden was a consistent and key voice in the industry, speaking as a leading interior designer and architect at various online events on topics such as emerging interior design trends, the impact of the pandemic on the hospitality industry, inclusive design, and quality craftsmanship. Throughout this year, the interior designer and architect continued to mentor more junior members of her team and generally kept the momentum going and the positive vibes electric all while working on and completing large-scale projects remotely. It was therefore only natural for the judges of The Brit List Awards 2021 to collectively award her the prestigious title of Interior Designer of the Year.
Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House
Image credit: Bergman Designs /Vigo Jansons
Anyone who works or has worked with Marie Soliman, will agree that the interior designer with 16 years’ experience under her belt is a creative breathe of fresh air. An avid visual artist as well as a designer, Soliman’s keen eye for the timeless and the well-crafted has guided her on journeys around the world to spearhead such globally recognized projects as BXR London, We11, The other House hotel in London, NOR hotel Norway, and Eagle Lodge in Botswana, among others. One of her latest project, Laowai, a concealed hospitality concept in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood, is her first North American venture, with another scheduled for completion later this year in New York City.
The designer’s vision stems from her belief in the vital spark of adventurous souls willing to take risks, and try and test new ideas in the service of creating fabulous and engaging experiences. Her goal is always to bring fresh ideas to the fore, while revelling in — not fearing — the chaos of creation.
Rachel Hoolahan, Architect, Orms
Image credit: Orms
Hoolahan is an architect at the London practice Orms, where, by taking on the role as Sustainability Co-ordinator, she has become a driving force in the process of change within the architectural industry and her work and research is impacting directly on design practice as we know it. Orms have always championed concepts of sustainability in the design process made visible in projects like The Standard in London. Working within this framework Hoolahan has been able to push the boundaries when it comes to sustainable development, looking at how to integrate it into the design process rather than being seen as an add-on. Key to her research is the importance of both access and collaboration, as sustainability in our built environment is not practice specific but needs to be taken on by the industry as a whole if there is to be a meaningful impact. In 2021 she was awarded the AJ100 Sustainability Champion Award for her work in not only putting the issue the design and architectural agenda, but, together with colleagues at Orms, finding ways of integrating it into design practice.
Image credit: BARANOWITZ + KRONENBERG / W Amsterdam
Irene Kronenburg is one half of the energy that makes up the iconic Baranowitz and Kronenberg team. As a designer she has always championed individuality and storytelling though her designs. Long before the hospitality and hotel design industry were talking about the ‘local narrative’ of a location, Kronenberg was using that as cornerstone to her creativity. She has never had a formulaic approach, and each project is unique and looked at with a fresh eye, bringing something new to the design table. A clear example of this approach is illustrated with the concepts the designer delivered for W Hotels both in Amsterdam and Ibiza – one brand, two very different voices. Her eclectic approach has led her to break design rules while creating new stories, with the one constant being the underlying design ethos that, “there is no formula…everything we do is made-to-measure and hand-stitched.”
Geraldine Dohogne, Founder, Beyond Design
Image credit: Beyond Design
Having been highly commended in the Interior Designer of the Year category for a second consecutive year, Dohogne’s design approach is clearly resonating. Having started her career in operations at Zannier Hotels, and despite not having any formal design training, it wasn’t long before her innate talent came to the fore and expressed itself in a range of projects. Her work shows a depth of design, an understanding of the importance of locale, and above all, a sensitivity to the environment in which a project is placed. She has more recently set up her own studio, Beyond Design, where she continues to be true to her design vision that is all about authenticity as she champions a thoughtful and carefully crafted approach to hospitality design.
Kalia Konstantinidou
Kanava Hotels & Resorts
With a background in PR, Konstantinidou has forged a strong brand identity for Kanava Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hotel and hospitality brand with its roots embedded in the Greek island of Santorini. With a strong sense of location and place Kanava continue to make inroads into the Greek luxury market, but importantly, in a way that takes a very considered approach to location and with an understanding and sensitivity to the local fabric. A champion of slow and mindful travel, she has encapsulated the cycladic way of life into the designs while taking on board the need to connect, to engage with communities, and to travel for a purpose. In her own words: “we create projects with the essence of being sustainable, sincere, and purposeful places for us and global travellers to live in, and we insist on creating awareness for a better kind of travel.”
Naomi Heaton, Founder, The Other House
Image credit: The Other House
As CEO of The Other House, Heaton has a background in private rentals which has clearly informed the concept that is being driven by the brand as it sets out to be both disruptive and innovative in the hospitality sector. The ethos behind The Other House started a groundbreaking shift in the model of hospitality that is slowly becoming more mainstream. Heaton looked critically at the whole concept of flexibility of space and duration of stay, and what followed was the blurring of boundaries between home, hotel, and membership club. The brand has also taken on the challenge of the technology/personal touch balance with a clear vision of how to integrate both into a very modern lifestyle experience. With the first hotel getting ready to open its London doors, we look forward to seeing Heaton continue to challenge hospitality conventions.
Interior Designer, Mary Katrantzou
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Greek fashion and textile designer Katrantzou has recently collaborated with Villeroy & Boch on the exciting VICTORIAN tile design project – showcasing the shifting sands in the design world where boundaries are there to be broken. Having been given the title ‘Queen of Print’ in the fashion industry, it was only a matter of time before she put paint to paper and took her design narrative onto an entirely different surface. On her website she describes her world as feminine, innovative, bold and artistic, all of which can be seen in the tile collection which combines strong graphic qualities with elements of nostalgia. As an image led designer her work highlights the potential of increasingly symbiotic relationships across the disciplines.
Sonia Cheng, CEO, Rosewood Hotels
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels and Resorts
Sonia Cheng is noteworthy for several reasons, not only is she CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group, which in itself has earned a reputation for its ‘A Sense of Place’ based narrative approach to hotel offering and design, but she did so just over ten years ago at the age of 30. Her vision has been central to the growth of the family brand, based on a clear understanding of what a millennial traveller is looking for in the realm of luxury experience, while making sure that the local history and culture of the location is central to every Rosewood property narrative. With an impressive catalogue of both reimagining legendary hotels and creating new ones, the company under her leadership has an ambitious pipeline taking it forward over the next decade which reads like a list of future travel hotspots.
While it is clear that the glass ceiling, albeit a well-designed one, is still in place in the hospitality industry, it is important to recognise the significant steps forward made by these women, along with so many others, towards a truly democratic and equal hospitality scene that is without bias.
Stephan Tahy has been CEO at Duravit for a little more than 18 months; he spoke to us about his expectations going in and his objectives going forward…
As a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms active in more than 130 countries worldwide, stepping into the CEO spotlight at Duravit is not a job for the fainthearted. After 18 months at the helm Stephen Tahy shares his insights and ideas, along with plans which include expansion and transformation as the company moves forward tackling the challenges of the day head on.
Hotel Designs: Since you’ve been CEO at Duravit, which of your expectations have been confirmed so far and which have turned out to be completely wrong?
Stephan Tahy: I’ve been positively surprised about how dynamic this company is. Even though, or as I now know, precisely because, our roots are in tradition and craftsmanship, we have great potential for the future. The employees are full of ideas and are very open-minded. To name just one example: alongside her regular work for Duravit, Franziska Wülker, Head of Research and Development, developed a space toilet and was awarded a prize by the US space agency NASA as the only individual among various American teams. The Lunar Loo functions both in a weightless environment and on the moon.
At first glance, our products are pure utility items. But anyone taking a closer look will discover how much more development this brand and this company engages in – in terms of its products, materials, and its people. As a company, Duravit represents design, craftsmanship, durability, and excellence.
Image credit: Duravit
HD: What are your objectives with Duravit and how do you want to achieve this?
ST: My objective is to lead Duravit into the future and to ensure its sustained success. To achieve that, we need to further expand into and conquer for example existing sales markets such as Europe, China, and the USA with their huge potential for growth. In that respect, I see this company as still being a strong brand with traditional products in ten years, products that continue to meet the highest standards in terms of quality and design and are installed by experts. For the future I can certainly also imagine add-ons such as smart services in sectors including health.
With the acquisition of the Bernstein brand and the ‘Bernstein bathroom shop’, we have satisfied the considerably higher demand for online shopping driven by the pandemic. Nonetheless, our anchor point within the two-brand strategy remains focused on classic sales via the Duravit brand with the unique expert advice from wholesalers and specialist retailers. After all, leading the company into the future means choosing bold yet sometimes also unconventional approaches, while at the same time preserving tried-and-tested models.
HD: What role does the workforce play in your ambitious plans?
ST: For me the employees are a clear focus. And they are undergoing huge transformations, especially in terms of hybrid working. My job is to enable them to realise their full potential, to show them a vision, and to accompany them on the journey into the future. The boundaries between work and leisure are blurring. Although this creates more flexibility for our employees, at the same time they are required to exercise individual responsibility to maintain a healthy balance. Conversely, our role as employers is to be more attentive and to offer employees greater support and encouragement.
Close communication with the employees in the production department is especially important to me. After all, this is where our products originate – the core of our brand. Whether I look at our traditional company HQ in Hornberg or our fully automated plant in China, it’s the people who make the difference with their expertise handed down over the decades and their passion.
To listen even more closely, we devised the ‘Have a word with…’ format in Germany and asked the employees to contact me directly with their questions and requests. I want to know where the pressure points are, and I want direct communication with our people.
Image credit: Duravit
HD: You want to be climate-neutral by 2045. Can you explain a bit more about this process?
ST: Sustainability is incredibly important to me. First because I believe our society needs to bear responsibility in this respect. And I don’t exclude our company from that. And second because sustainability – for young customers – is an elementary aspect of the purchasing decision. Thus, we’re working constantly to keep resource and raw-material consumption and emissions to a minimum, while remaining mindful of our social responsibility both globally and regionally: our production facility in Hornberg exclusively uses renewable energy. Today we already treat and reuse water from our production processes. Additionally, we advocate ‘local for locals production’ to minimise transport miles.
But that’s not enough for me! That’s why we’ve asked Porsche Consulting to help us out. We’re working together on a concrete sustainability strategy that will enable us to be a climate-neutral business by 2045. It’s a long road ahead because the production of our basic material – ceramic – is energy-intensive. This involves large-scale technological transitions. Further, we won’t rely solely on offsetting CO2 emissions. The challenges that we face in terms of sustainable production are therefore huge. But we want to achieve it anyway, not only for us, but above all for the next generations.
HD: As an experienced CEO what can you learn from young businesses and startups?
ST: We can take a lot of inspiration from startups, in particular in terms of new working models. At the same time, agility is becoming increasingly important, not only in IT companies. What matters for us is not to plan too far ahead, but rather just get on with it and then tweak things as need be. Cross-functional working has a lot of potential for us at Duravit, which is why we are already encouraging it through tailored measures and projects such as our sustainability strategy. In future we want to be less inhibited and bolder about blazing new trails more frequently, to be open to new ideas, to learn from one another, and work better together in teams. Of course, not everything about the startup mentality can be transposed wholesale on to a company like Duravit.
But it’s nonetheless always really inspiring. That’s why I’m also a member of the advisory committee of FrontNow, a startup that seeks trading partners for food-startups. This is an absolute win-win situation where the newcomers benefit from the experience of a range of industry leaders. Conversely, we get acquainted with state-of-the-art digital ways of working and above all meet a range of really interesting young entrepreneurs. In terms of what we talk about, it’s a bit of everything from general chat about subjects such as new working models through to concrete collaborations and the adoption of interesting technologies and products.
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.
Richard Ticehurst, brand expert at Crosswater, takes a look at emerging bathroom trends that are all about a stripped-back simplicity along with some spa-inspired indulgence…
Identifying the key trends shaping our bathrooms, from extreme minimalism, through to Japandi and spathrooms, the thread running through these hybrid terms seems to be about simplicity. Richard Ticehurst, a brand expert at Crosswater, walks us through the influences and inspirations, while looking at what each actually mean for hotel bathroom design and product innovation.
Extreme minimalism
Minimalist bathrooms have risen in popularity over recent years, however, now is the time to strip back to the very basics. Sleek and uncluttered, an extreme minimalist bathroom goes a step further than its predecessor; paring back contemporary bathroom ideas to their bare essentials. Placing emphasis on brassware, authentic finishes are essential with this trend, with colours such as chrome, brass, brushed nickel and carbon black creating a feature piece.
Image credit: Crosswater
Japandi
Move over Scandi, here comes Japandi! Renowned for its sophistication, clean lines and warmth, Scandinavian inspired design has been in vogue for the last few years. To evolve the trend, interiors have taken the very best of Scandi and integrated it with Japanese design. The result is Japandi – a contemporary bathroom idea that embraces richer colour palettes, sleek styling, and incredible functionality for newfound comfort and a sense of hygge in the home.
Image credit: Crosswater
Botanically green
Refreshing and revitalising, green botanicals are becoming a large feature of contemporary bathrooms. With more time spent outdoors, we’ve realised what we’ve been missing indoors, which is an abundance of nature – think potted plants, natural materials, and flamboyant botanical wallpapers.
Image credit: Crosswater
Spathroom
With more time being spent at home than ever before, the spa-inspired bathroom trend is growing rapidly. The key to creating an indulgent spa-inspired bathroom is minimalist design, low lighting, luxurious baths, and high-performance showers. As the home spa trend focuses heavily on mood, neutral colours, clean lines, and natural materials are also essential.
Image credit: Crosswater
Textures
One of the most significant new trends in bathroom design is texture. From impressive feature walls to intricate bathroom taps, texture can add depth to any bathroom design with tactile, three-dimensional detail. As we continue to bring the outside in, naturally occurring textures are on the top of everyone’s bathroom wish list, with stone, concrete, wood, and marble creating a unique focal point.
Crosswater 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.
In conversation with: Damla Turgut on nature-inspired surfaces
With so much noise being generated around sustainability and nature-inspired surfaces, we couldn’t help but notice Otto Tiles & Design’s latest collection, which is inspired by geometry. To find out more, we spoke to the brand’s Founder and Creative Director…
Otto Tiles & Design has just unveiled its encaustic cement tile collection for spring 2022. To understand more about what makes this range of products unique and meaningful – but also to find out how the last two years have inspired a new era in surface design – we caught up with Damla Turgut who is the Founder of and Creative Director at Otto Tiles & Design.
Hotel Designs: What can you tell us about the new collection that’s inspired by geometry and earth?
Dalma Turgut: As you know, the earth colours and tones have a calming nature, and since you may have noticed, we are addicted to stripes and geometry, and it was inevitable to affect our new collection. In fact, the theme and inspiration of the current and our previous collection was the serene beaches and crystal-clear waters that we missed and couldn’t go to due to the COVID situation. The last collection was dedicated to spring and summer. And our recent one to autumn and winter. All the vibrant colours of summer gave way to pastel and calming tones. We also tried something bolder in terms of colours and shapes in our new collection, and it seems this style will continue to influence our upcoming collections.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: What are the hottest tile trends at the moment?
DT: It is challenging to purify yourself from your personal preferences and answer this question. In design-wise, the boldness, different colours and geometry on the ascent. Also, personalisation is substantial and encaustic cement tiles give you a great playground when it comes to a bespoke design. The terrazzo tiles are spreading quite fast for hospitality design and large-scale residential and commercial projects. The new terrazzo trends are big chips, pretentious and distinctive bespoke designs.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: Tell us more about Otto Tiles, and how the company evolved into what it is today?
DT: Otto Tiles was founded in 2015 with almost zero capital but a colossal enthusiasm and heart. Since the beginning of Otto, we have always aimed to bring a contemporary touch to artisan and authentic tiles. It has been taken roughly four years to open our first showroom, and a few months later, the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns have arrived. But our exponential growth continued. We had a great two years. Currently, we are one of the largest independent tile companies in the UK, with a global customer base and suppliers around the world. Next year, we plan to open new branches in North America and the EU.
“We announced 2022 as ‘The year of Terrazzo’, and we are empowering our terrazzo range with bespoke and premium collections.” – Damla Turgut, Founder & Creative Director, Otto Tiles & Design.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: What tips do you have for designers who are thinking about specifying tiles to inject personality into a space?
DT: Simply be bold and get out of your comfort zone. It sounds quite an ordinary and cheap answer, but it’s true. There are dozens of different tiles on the market, but ultimately just a few of them makes a real difference. Encaustic cement tiles will be a perfect choice if you need a bespoke tile from scratch. You can easily create your design with various shapes and colour combinations. If hundreds of square meters are in question without compromising personal touch, terrazzo and marble mosaic tiles are unbeatable.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: What’s next for Otto Tiles – can you tell us about some of the new collections that will be launching this year?
DT: We are focusing on terrazzo and more Otto Signature tiles. We announced 2022 as ‘The year of Terrazzo’, and we are empowering our terrazzo range with bespoke and premium collections. We’ll announce new ranges with our exclusive Italian artisan producers. On the other hand, we will continue introducing our new encaustic cement tile collection, presenting Otto’s creative powerhouse and vision for design. The first upcoming collection will be the Spanish collection, primarily of floral design tiles with contemporary colours.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: One theme we love at Hotel Designs is art outside the frame. What creative ways can designers use tiles to create statement art pieces?
DT: Honestly, there are different ways to use almost all tiles in our range to serve this ultimate goal. The most common way is creating asymmetrical and unique patterns by combining other patterned tiles. You can use both walls and floors. However, you can even push limits and create some objects and furniture with them, such as tile tables.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
Otto Tiles & Design is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Black Friday package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
With hotel bathroom design steering away from convention and moving towards more personal spaces, Plumb It believes wellness spaces should move towards embracing nature…
When you think of a calming environment in the bathroom, you may automatically jump to images of spa-like rooms, flooded in ambient light, pale colours and a touch of greenery. While the average person spends more than 90 per cent of their time indoors, healthcare professionals, scientific researchers and architects alike have realised that there is an innate benefit in fostering a connection to nature for humans, even if it means creating this within your built environment.
Incorporating indoor plants is just one factor of this wide-ranging theory of design, which should also include light, the types and colours of materials used and even the shape of the products. Studies have found a stronger connection to nature can provide the human body a source of stress relief, boost in creativity and enhanced ability to focus, turning biophilic design into a sought-after trend. It’s a well-known fact that incorporating elements from nature into the built environment reduces stress, blood pressure levels and heart rate. However, this also increases productivity, creativity, and wellbeing. Where better to bring this idea to life than in the bathroom? After all, this is the room that we most often associate with relaxation, self-care, calm, and escape.
Here are five ways designers could considering bringing the outdoors in.
Amplify natural light
Whether it’s enlarging windows or adding skylights, more access to natural light is a proven method for improving your mood and boosting an overall sense of wellbeing. Natural light also has the power to completely transform rooms from a design perspective – enhancing the way we perceive colour and texture. Natural light is also dynamic, changing the tone of the room throughout the day and by season, creating a more connected, fluid experience from inside the home.
If natural light simply is not an option, then perhaps consider adding natural-light mimicking lightbulbs, which offer softer, colour spectrum-balanced light that has shown many of the same benefits for boosting mood and relieving depression. Using mirrors also a beautiful and natural way to reflect light.
Image credit: Unsplash / Jared Rice
Bring on the botanicals
Plants are nature’s healer and incorporating plenty of them into your bathroom may have far-reaching positive effects. Researchers in the mental health field are studying the positive affects natural environments have on psychological well-being. Greenery, whether wild or cultivated gardens, may offer relief from stress, depression, ADHD and may even increase intellectual performance, from creativity to productivity. If your hotel environment has proximity to natural landscapes, you may emphasise the view from your bathroom. If you have access to natural light, consider bringing the greenery indoors by adding houseplants.
Steam baths
From pouring water over heated rocks to produce steam in sweat lodges to taking advantage of the steam from volcanic hot springs, nearly every civilisation has a steam tradition. And it’s no wonder: the soothing and wellness-bolstering capabilities of this natural wonder from soothing irritated airways to skin care.
Image credit: Ashton and Bently
Incorporating this natural element into your bathroom routine is not only luxurious, but good for the environment, too. While it takes 100 gallons of water to fill a large jet-spa tub and 17 gallons just to take an eight-minute shower, 20-minutes of immersion in an aromatically infused steam bath requires only about 1.5 gallons of water. A good way to perform this bath time ritual is through the Ashton and Bentley Biome Range (BioLux 100 per cent recycled natural stone alternative).
Making scents in bathroom design
Another way to bring nature in is aromatherapy. Extracted from sources such as flowers, fruits or leaves, essential oils are thought to tap into the human nervous system through smell. Research is limited, but major medical institutions are investigating the power of plants and smell for reducing pain, relieving indigestion, and promoting better sleep. From electronic diffusers to roll-on oils, there are many ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your routine.
Let there be colour!
Bathroom brands such as Bette, Hansgrohe, +39 natural tiles and Bathroom Living have realised the value of colour in the bathroom. While sandy beige and sage greens are great biophilic colours, consider tapping into favourite landscapes, such as deep blue skies or the blush pink of a summer sunset, for your colour story.
To create your own colour palette, start with a landscape reference photo you love and collect other interior design images, materials and colour swatches that channel the same essence of your chosen photo. The resulting mood board, whether you make it physically or digitally, will make choosing décor easier and make the connection to nature both intentional and memorable. Do this through Accessories or natural products.
Bringing the natural world into the bathroom helps create a relaxing, healing space for respite from a busy life.
Plumb It 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.
Located quite literally in the heart of the Spanish capital, only a few steps from Kilometre Zero, which marks the geographical centre of the country, The Madrid EDITION is opening as a new destination at the epicentre of one of the world’s hottest cities…
Following the launch of The Barcelona EDITION in 2018, The Madrid EDITION, opening in preview phase in March 2022, is the city’s first luxury lifestyle urban resort. The hotel’s design – under the ever-watchful eye of Ian Schrager Company – is an unlikely combination of the refined elegance, purity and simplicity of British architect John Pawson and the artistry, spirit and originality of Paris-based François Champsaur. These two completely different and opposite approaches and attitudes juxtapose against each other yet successfully co-exist side by side making The Madrid EDITION a complete surprise and a totally unexpected result that is entirely unique.
“It’s about creating an original and new kind of gathering place for both locals and visitors alike.” – Ian Schrager, EDITION Hotels.
True to brand, the design embraces Schrager’s vision and ethos for an understated elegance while showcasing the innovative and elevated experience, ethos and exceptional luxury service that EDITION is known for with two restaurants, each helmed by a world-class, award-winning chef, three unique bar concepts, exciting nightlife and entertainment, a magnificent outdoor pool located on the rooftop with jawdropping views of Madrid’s cityscape, a wellness and spa facility, and a series of spectacular meeting and event spaces drenched in natural light.
“Madrid, for us, is a truly world-class capital,” said Ian Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique and lifestyle hotel concept, EDITION hotels, and PUBLIC hotels. “It’s just a beautiful city that marches to its own beat and goes its own way.”
The hotel will shelter 200 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, including multiple connecting units for groups of friends and families, as well as an exclusive selection of rooms with private terraces. This innovation and creativity, long associated with Ian Schrager, together with Marriott International’s reputation and operational expertise results in a distinct, original and unique offering that captures the essence of Madrid’s spirit, traditions and energy.
“This is not just a hotel. It’s much more than merely a place to sleep. It is a true hub of popular culture, entertainment and social interaction that is a microcosm of the best of Madrid and that perfectly captures the city’s spirit and essence,” said Schrager. “It’s about creating an original and new kind of gathering place for both locals and visitors alike.”
True to form, Schrager has worked his magic and pulled out all the stops with a meticulously crafted concept that brings a true sense of individuality to the hotel. It features recognised culinary concepts by chef partners Enrique Olvera, whose restaurant Pujol is one of the top ten World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Diego Muñoz, who led acclaimed restaurant Astrid Y Gaston in Lima to victory as the best Latin American restaurant in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Two world class great chefs like that in the same hotel is absolutely unprecedented. There is also a unique specialty cocktail bar, Lobby Bar, and a concept on the rooftop terrace that remains unrivalled in Spain.
The building itself, which sits on Plaza de la Descalzas with evocative views of a 16th-century royal monastery, is clean-lined and modern, embellished only by a decorative 18th-century baroque portal, designed by Spanish architect Pedro de Ribera, and which was salvaged from an adjacent building. From here, you can access the hotel’s signature restaurant, while its main entrance, around the corner, features an explosion of greenery and a seductive copper canopy that leads to a dark fired oak-lined space anchored by a spectacular sculptural spiral staircase that ribbons fluidly to the lobby on the upper ground floor above.
Image caption: The signature Shrager spiral staircase, seen here in the entrance to EDITION Dubai, will again be a feature in The Madrid EDITION. | Image credit: Marriott International / Natelee Cocks
As with all EDITION hotels, the lobby is the beating heart of the hotel while the great personalised service is its soul. Here, under an undulating ceiling, the Lobby Bar is a dynamic and sociable space offering a new kind of gathering place for the city’s most discerning residents and visitors, dressed in a mix of custom-made bespoke furnishings and pieces by well-known designers arranged in intimate seating groups. This includes Jean-Michel Frank sofas and armchairs, recycled bronze stools from Maison Intègre, rope-covered chairs by Christian Astuguevieille, and a shapely pool table which designer Emmanuel Levet Stenne sculpted from a single slab of white Bianco Neve matt marble. Behind the hand-crafted scalloped copper bar is a backlit caged bottle display and, as ever, there is a strong emphasis on warm, indirect lighting, which has been thoughtfully considered to give the room a warmth, softness and approachability while illuminating key pieces under direct spotlight.
Image caption: Warm backlit lighting as seen in the bar of EDITION New York will feature in the public spaces in EDITION Madrid. | Image credit: EDITION / Marriott International
On the lower ground floor, the entertainment venue is a cool after-dark spot which, when it opens later this year, will rival Madrid’s legendary nightlife in a glamorous setting defined by a gold polished plaster wall and a back-lit onyx bar with a leather base. The full-length red velvet curtain behind the stage has been embroidered with copper thread in a traditional Spanish pattern, while the black-fringed velvet chairs have been inspired by toreador’s hats. Also, on this floor is the fully-equipped gym and wellness facility, a cosy and intimate space clad in dark timber and embellished with antique baroque candelabras. There are five treatment rooms, one with a private steam suite, alongside a menu of treatments, including the signature mud bath, that use products from Spanish brand Natura Bissé.
Moving up to the fourth floor, the roof is the hotel’s sanctuary overlooking the hustle and bustle of the city. Here you will find Oroya, the restaurant helmed by Peruvian Chef Diego Muñoz. In a relaxed, convivial greenhouse-like setting framed by a blackened steel cage clad with climbing plants and coloured glass panels that cast bright patterns across the room, the restaurant serves a relaxed tapas menu with family-style sharing plates that tell the story of Peru’s cultural history with influences from Spain, Africa, Italy, China and Japan. These can be washed down with Pisco-led cocktails like the famous Pisco Sour and Capitan, or a glass of wine from a menu curated by sommelier Julio Barluenga.
Outside, against exhilarating city vistas, Oroya’s terrace is a seductive garden in the sky featuring a fireplace and a vine-covered pergola beneath which sits a bleached teak bar and rattan bar stools, alongside a long oak table, perfect for lazy lunches with friends and family. Also on the roof is Madrid’s biggest rooftop pool. A place to see and be seen, this is the spot to sip cocktails and snack on small bites from one of the 60 sunbeds while admiring quintessential views of Madrid’s red rooftops against the backdrop of the setting sun.
Also on the fourth floor, in a prime spot with west-facing sunset views, are two of the largest Penthouses in the capital. Both are arranged as duplexes with glorious views of architectural landmarks from the bedrooms on the upper floor, while the lower floor comprises the living area as well as a butler’s kitchen. The Madrid Penthouse, is a sprawling private sanctuary perched above the city’s rooftops with an unrivalled panoramic terrace and a private infinity outdoor pool surrounded by lush greenery.
Completing the hotel’s offering, is a series of flexible meeting and events spaces, all with natural light, latest technology, including a large light-filled two-storey ballroom, three studios with dividing walls for bespoke setups, a conference room and a breakout area designed to feel like a living room. Together with the brand’s legendary service, The Madrid EDITION is a dynamic extension to an ever-evolving city with a true zest for life already coursing through its picturesque streets.
Main image credit: EDITION Hotels / Marriott International
Editor Hamish Kilburn here to compile all of this week’s hottest hotel stories in one, easy-to-consume article – prepare for architecture goals, hotel openings and unconventional bathroom…
I heard recently from an economics strategist that the hospitality sector has been placed amongst the industries that will see the largest bounce-back from the Covid-19 pandemic. Well, following this week’s headlines that are full of hotel openings and new developments, I can see that statement coming true. In this week’s round-up of stories, we take a look inside Marriott’s 8,000th hotel, sneak a peek at Accor’s 2022 development pipeline and share with you a handful of interviews with true visionaries leading the hotel design scene forward.
So, let’s take a look at the top stories from the last few days.
Marriott International has reached a major global milestone with the opening of its 8,000th property – Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, a 12-storey, stylish retreat adjacent to Marriott International’s soon-to-open new global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
Still focussing on Q1 openings for 2022, writer Pauline Brettell takes a look at the hotels getting ready to throw down the welcome mat in March, and shares her standout choices from a Jedi-style Star Wars experience through to extreme sustainability in a project by the Sextantio group, with a few slightly more subtle stops inbetween.
Jonny Sin’s determination and undeniable eye for architecture and design led him to become a Director at ReardonSmith Architects. Following his name being printed, yet again, in The Brit List 2021 – and after winning a landmark project – Hotel Designs caught up with him to discuss projects, people and new opportunities.
The Outdoor collection from Gessi helps designers create a private wellness is dipped in nature, in the open air, without compromising on design and technology. The range, which celebrates quality outdoor bathrooms, amplifies special moments of wellbeing in close contact with the outdoor environment, to fully experience the sensations that only an outdoor space can provide.
With an impressive pipeline that covers more than 300 new destinations worldwide, Accor continues to take us on a journey of discovery with some of the most anticipated openings across the continents.
Robin Hutson, known as an innovative and passionate hotelier with more than 45 years’ experience in some of the world’s most famous hotels, was crowned Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2021. Hotel Designs travelled to the New Forest in the UK, where it all started for The PIG Hotels, to interview the hotelier.
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The newly opened Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, which shelters a locally infused design scheme, becomes the hotel group’s 8,000 hotel…
Marriott International has reached a major global milestone with the opening of its 8,000th property – Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, a 12-storey, stylish retreat adjacent to Marriott International’s soon-to-open new global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
The hotel opening signifies both a growth milestone for the company, as well as a remarkable chapter in the Marriott story, as the company celebrates its 95th year. Marriott’s first lodging property opened in 1957. It was a four-storey hotel, the Twin Bridges Marriott, in Arlington, Virginia.
Image credit: Marriott International
“From the nine-seat root beer stand that my grandparents started nearly 95 years ago in downtown Washington, to the milestone opening of our 8,000th property, we have been fortunate to call this area our home,” said David Marriott, Director and incoming Chairman, Marriott International Board of Directors. “Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ reflects the continued transformation of the Marriott Hotels brand, and we are thrilled to embark on a new era of inspired travel and design with the opening of this hotel.”
Marriott Bethesda Downtown, part of the Marriott Hotels brand – the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30 extraordinary brands – brings enriching, locally-influenced experiences to the global hospitality company’s home state. The hotel, owned by The Bernstein Companies and managed by Marriott International, is a gateway to the greater Washington, D.C. area and a destination in and of itself, featuring three innovative culinary concepts, including Bethesda’s first high-rise rooftop bar.
Exemplifying the group’s continued brand evolution, Marriott Bethesda Downtown sparks inspiration at every corner, with a modern, residential design and tailored solutions with locally-inspired accents. The hotel’s contemporary interiors illustrate a curated palette of materials inspired by the region’s natural attributes. Stone and tiles reminiscent of local Bethesda bluestone quarries greet guests at the hotel entrance leading to a grand staircase – the centerpiece of the glass-enclosed lobby brimming with natural light.
Image credit: Marriott International
Faceted mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows ripple throughout the hotel, infusing an abundance of natural light while also resembling reflections of the Potomac River.
Image credit: Marriott International
Image credit: Marriott International
Reimagined guest rooms and suites – with tailored, modern touches that inspire and nurture the needs of today’s traveler – feature multi-functional furniture, technology-enabled work surfaces with built-in universal adapters and UCS cords, and rose gold tinted mirrors. Hotel features include a spacious fitness centre with Peloton bikes, a second-floor library highlighting local authors, and a curated art collection from the region’s emerging talent that is showcased throughout guest rooms and public spaces. A large-scale mural by multi-media artist Liz Collins, known globally for her abstract patterns, is an exclusively commissioned highlight.
Constructed to be LEED Gold certified with custom and sustainable design, the hotel features five expansive rooftop green spaces growing select ingredients for hotel menus and is designed to reduce pollution, save energy, and manage storm water.
With almost 750-square-metre pre-function and event space, including a private outdoor terrace overlooking downtown Bethesda, the hotel fosters connection for meetings, corporate retreats and social events. Floor-to-ceiling windows infuse an abundance of natural light while abstract design details such as cherry blossom light fixtures and water-colour carpet illustrate the region’s most prominent characteristics. Meeting rooms – innovatively designed to adapt to a variety of formats, group sizes and social events – are named after destinations significant to the company’s history, such as ‘Twin Bridges’, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. Customisable catering options feature locally inspired food and beverage breakouts and seasonal banquet items.
Image credit: Marriott International/Melboure Marriott Hotel Docklands
All 8,000 hotels under the Marriott International umbrella can be found in under 30 leading brands, which span across 139 countries and territories.
In conversation with: Jonny Sin, Director, ReardonSmith Architects
Jonny Sin’s determination and undeniable eye for architecture and design led him to become a Director at ReardonSmith Architects. Following his name being printed, yet again, in The Brit List 2021 – and after winning a landmark project – Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with him to discuss projects, people and new opportunities…
Since joining the firm in 2011, JonnySin has led ReardonSmith Architects‘ hospitality team comfortably into a modern era. He was a key figure who transformed a Grade II listed art-deco style building into the luxury boutique hotel that we know of as The Beaumont Hotel.
Other projects include a 173-key hotel in Battersea, London; Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, the design of a 69-key urban lifestyle hotel in London’s Soho and The Chancery Rosewood project, which, when open, will be a new landmark to the Mayfair neighbourhood and the square will emerge as a vibrant hospitality and retail destination.
Image caption: A render of the entrance to what will be The Chancery Rosewood. | Image credit: David Chipperfield Architects
Most recently, it was unveiled that ReardonSmith Architects was to oversee the large-scale renovation of The Dorchester, which feels like an apt place to start…
Hamish Kilburn: Congratulations on landing the contract to work on The Dorchester. Can you give our readers any details on what we can expect?
Jonny Sin: Thank you, Hamish. As you know, The Dorchester has such a rich and illustrious history; it is world-renowned and is one of London’s greatest hotel gems, so there was never any intention to fundamentally change the experience it offers. Far from it, but what you can expect to see are refined and elegant interventions in some of the existing public spaces, a refreshed colour palette and sumptuous and glamorous new features. Words such as ‘Crystal Bar’ may give you an idea of our intentions. We are also enhancing the hotel’s street presence and, behind the scenes, there will be a significant upgrade of the services infrastructure.
Image caption: The elegant living room that captures a unique London skyline vista inside The Dorchester’s Terrace Penthouse. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
HK: From an architect’s perspective, what are the major challenges on the hotel design scene at the moment, and where are the opportunities?
JS: One of the major challenges we are facing within the industry is to do with lead-times. Product availability, and increased costs for materials which, consequently, is resulting in inflated prices. On a positive note, however, a hospitality survey that was undertaken in Q4 last year revealed that investors considered architecture and design to be a priority service over the next 12 months. This is very promising and certainly at ReardonSmith Architects, we have seen an increase in enquiries recently.
HK: How are current and predicted hospitality trends impacting the way you design public areas?
JS: Hotels are no longer seen as places that solely offer accommodation. Their public areas are fast becoming some of the most sought-after destinations for dining, drinking, and socialising. This trend has been ongoing for quite some time, and I am sure it will continue to grow well into the future. What we aim to do when designing public spaces is create areas that surprise and provide guests with unique experiences. Engagement with the local community is also key. Presently, with the uncertainty surrounding international and business travel, to have public areas that attract local people is essential, as they create a stable form of revenue when occupancy levels are depressed.
“When you play with the best, your game improves dramatically.” – Jonny Sin, Director, ReardonSmith Architects.
Image caption: A render of Broadwick Soho for which ReardonSmith gained planning consent. | Image credit: HayesDavidson
HK: Tell us a bit more about you. When did you decide you wanted to become an architect, and what were the major milestones along the journey to where you are now?
JS: My father was a massive influence on my career choice. Looking back, he was rather biased about the profession being an architect himself, and I looked up to him. He also managed to convince my brother to study architecture so you can only imagine what it was like around the dinner table! Meanwhile, at high school I excelled in art and graphics, so there was no doubt in my mind the direction I was going to head in.
Major milestones in my career include running my first project in Auckland. Having ownership of something is so important – your mindset changes as it requires you to step back and consider how to deliver the project in its entirety. The completion of the Beaumont Hotel in London in 2014 was also a major milestone; working closely with artist Sir Antony Gormley was truly a unique and fulfilling experience.
Other great milestones would have to include my Directorship at ReardonSmith – the added responsibility and the opportunity to take on a leadership role has been incredible – and my current project as The Dorchester. On reflection, there have been so many great moments, but what is most memorable are the talented people I have met and worked alongside – they have all contributed in some way to my professional development.
HK: Once again, you were profiled in The Brit List 2022 as one of the UK’s leading and influential architects. Why is Britain a melting pot of talent in design and architecture?
JS: Well to put it crudely, it’s much like sport. When you play with the best, your game improves dramatically. When the bar is set high, you aspire to go higher. There is a lot of healthy competition within the industry, and I believe this is a key factor in making Britain a world leader in architecture and design.
HK: What advice would you give to young architects and designers in 2022?
JS: Request to do a project from start to finish, and soak everything in. Also, offer to do the difficult tasks – in that way, you never stop learning whatever level you are. Another important piece of advice is to build relationships with people you come into contact with. A huge part of our job is talking and meeting with people. You need to find ways to work collaboratively with a wide range of people and together find solutions to challenging problems as they arise.
Image cation: The Savoy Hotel was refurbishment by ReardonSmith Architects in 2010. | Image credit: Fairmont Hotels
QUICK-FIRE ROUND:
HK: What’s the last item to show up in your transactions? JS: My morning oat flat white. Yes, I’m one of those annoying people that drink oat milk!
HK: What’s your go-to magazine for inspiration? JS: Dezeen is great as it captures a wide range of design-based content but, to be honest, a lot of inspiration comes from visiting hotels (locally and abroad) when travelling. Instagram is also such a great tool to find creative content.
HK: Where in the world would you love to design a hotel? JS: I would love to design a luxury hotel in my native New Zealand. Somewhere in the South Island, a building integrated seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and with 360-degree views.
HK: What defines the term luxury to you? JS: Luxury is attention to detail and creating the best possible guest experience. In a deluxe hotel, that means a combination of service, facilities, cuisine, and quality design in both back and front-of-house areas.
HK: Name a piece of hotel tech that is overrated… JS: Self-check in.
HK: Alive or dead, which architect/designer would instantly say yes to collaborating with? JS: I.M. Pei. I’ve seen him interviewed several times, and he comes across as someone you could spend hours and hours talking with. How he uses geometry and light to influence his works is so inspiring.
HK: What has been your most challenge project to date?
JS: Each project has its varying challenges, especially when dealing with an existing building, but I would say technically, the most challenging was Gormley’s ROOM, the 10-metre high, 30 tonne sculpture perched on The Beaumont Hotel at second floor level. The construction methods were unique, and the precision was to the millimetre. The sculpture was prefabricated off-site and made into 12 different segments due to its size and weight. The steel shell was made in Nottingham and the fit-out was done in Leicester. We also had to find solutions that sat outside of the building regulations for the stairs Antony wanted; to do this, a partial life-size mock-up was constructed. Our access consultant had to demonstrate compliance by negotiating the handrail and steps in front of the Approved Inspector. It was great fun!
Image caption: Jonny Sin’s most challenging project, ROOM inside The Beaumont Hotel in London. | Image credit: Anthony Weller – Archimage
HK: What is the best way for an architect to encourage their client to think more consciously around ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) when working on a project?
JS: Clients have to look at their return on investment. This means that architects wishing to successfully implement sustainable principles, need to present the facts together with an assessment of both the short and long-term benefits. In most circumstances, the long-term benefits will outweigh the short. Sadly, however, all decisions have a commercial impact especially with existing buildings where the infrastructure is already in place, so it may not always be the result you desire. On the other hand, you don’t need permission to source materials and products that are locally accessible, naturally sourced, and less energy-intensive to produce!
HK: How is ReardonSmith Architects remaining sensitive to its heritage while designing spaces that are suitable for tomorrow’s modern travellers?
JS: The studio’s heritage is that we have always designed from the inside out, with guest expectations and operational requirements thoroughly considered. As trends change, our principles ultimately remain the same. Tomorrow’s modern traveller will be about convenience, flexible working, wellness, and inclusive high-quality experiences. Providing new types of spaces that cater to these expectations and not only accommodate the more traditional guest is how we appeal to the modern traveller. An example of this is a rooftop bar, a simple yet effective addition that creates a vibrant and attractive atmosphere. Also, with wellbeing so highly sought after, it is becoming much more commonplace for our clients to ask us to explore the expansion and enhancement of their existing spa facilities and consider in-room offerings such as steam rooms within bathrooms for their guests. The delivery of high-quality design is essential, but it is equally important for the hotel to sell a lifestyle that their target demographic desires and is intrigued by.
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