Personality in Luxury
The one element that threads together the design of your home is your personality.
Personality is our essential character, a collection of characteristics that reveal our story.
When you enter a room, the projection of this interpretation is immediately felt. Simply put…personality is the energetic pizzaz of the room.
But in luxury, how is personality expressed? Before we can speak about this relationships, we nee to examine what luxury really means.
Callender Howorth designed a custom glass globe chandelier for their recent residential transformation project of a neo-Georgian country home in Buckinghamshire.
If you were to ask Franca Sozzani, the director of Vogue and iconic expert in luxury in fashion, she defines it in her recent blog post as, “Luxury is research, the chance to experience new routes, to find new and not predictable or already seen solutions. Experimentations are luxury.”
Perhaps it is the aspect of freedom that plays on our sensibilities of luxury.
The luxury of creating something that is not tethered to any boundary or restriction in its creation be it simple or complex. The freedom of a complete expression that is special and unique. The freedom of personality.
Callender Howorth blended a touch of Indian influence in their Heath Drive Hampstead project in honour of their clients heritage.
Just because something is symbolically “rich” does not necessarily mean its luxury. And vice versa.
Sozzani poignantly asserts “Because today luxury involves exclusiveness, nearly uniqueness, and not because it is addressed to few people, because it’s special instead.”
And we completely agree with this perspective.. Luxury is special.
The intention, sensitivity, commitment and dedication to creating something so unique and special is luxury.
So when we think about personality in relation to luxury, we can deduce that personality is the inherent dimension of its uniqueness. It is the essence from which the creation is based on. And the luxury resides in how perfectly that essence is revealed.
From Georgia O’kkeefe’s Ghost Ranch in New Mexico
If you think of a luxury adobe home in New Mexico, Georgia Okeefe naturally comes to mind. The space is focused on the uplifting serenity of the spaces reflecting the natural beauty and spiritual energy of wellness embedded in this red rock region.
A luxury based on the essence of how the native Americans lived with organic earthen walls and flat roofs with vigas (round roof beams) for more than 1,000 years. The personality of an ancient and revered culture for its natural simplicity.
As we spend more time at home these days, its important to take a glance at our own homes to see what our personal space is conveying about ourselves.
Does it reflect our own uniqueness? Our passions? Our essence? Our heritage?
Because honouring our personality is the one luxury we can all afford.
Outdoor Havens at Home
Summer is here with a call to enjoy the delights of our gardens and terraces.
The decadent laze of lounging, immersed in your favourite book as you read in the cool shade, and the freeing pleasure of al fresco dining nestled in your own private oasis.
A restful haven at home.
We like to think of these areas as private sanctuaries as we fit out these exterior living lounges and dining areas worthy of a five star hotel experience.
The idea of an ambiance in nature at home where you can fully relax and unwind without having to go anywhere is attractively easy.
We up-level pool houses in handsome style, pleasurably furnished and equipped with open air living rooms, large dining areas, with features like outdoor fireplace lounges, outdoor showers, and sophisticated outdoor grill kitchens.
Soft and breezy we design these areas to maximise the flow of fresh air while still keeping the spaces open to take in the surrounding greenery and garden views.
Hybrid outdoor features like indoor plant beds and skylights thread together the exterior and interior living environments with the essence of nature.
Whether it is subdued refined lines for contemporary chic ambiances, or the exotic notions of Moroccan patterns that emit the tranquility of a riad, we design areas to awaken the senses of wanderlust right at home.
We place careful attention on tile textures and finishes we select that are made for outdoor use, and choose patterns to elicit depth and the mood of each outdoor area.
Outdoor living is all about comfort.
We like to select pieces such as laid back oversized armchairs, large sunken sofas with lots of cushions that are custom made with the newest weatherproof fabrics that are water resistant and fade proof. The one consistent element throughout is of course the greenery.
We like to incorporate natural materials and elements to evoke that liberating sense of escape.
Callender Howorth villa project in Paros, Greece
Breezy shades of light stream in through the pergola that keeps the temperatures cool and comfortable. This exterior lounge area designed by Callender Howorth in a luxury villa in Paros reflects the quintessential outdoor lifestyle renown to the beautiful islands of Greece.
If you are looking to create your own outdoor haven at home, Callender Howorth can design sublime exteriors that encompass all the joys of a splendid summer at home.
Email us at info@callenderhowoth.com
Bold and Beautiful Statements
A signature. A statement. A mood. A celebration.
Confidently expressed in its visual appeal, bold interior design is one aspect of design that is genuinely intriguing because of its inherent willingness to push beyond creative boundaries challenging the norm of the status quo.
For some designers, bold interior design is a gamble without a tried and true guarantee. It is a risky play, but when done right, the payoff can be hugely satisfying. A creative work that is ultimately unique with an agency of profound expression.
As the American poet Robert Frost succinctly stated, “Freedom lies in being bold.”
So the question is how bold do you want to go?
Bold and the Beautiful
In Callender Howorth’s Country House renovation project for a listed manor in Kent, deep indigo and parakeet green were combined offset with a bright white doorway trim warmed by the wooden herringbone floor.
Country House project by Callender Howorth
The play of contrasting colours offset with subtle accents give balance to the bold tones of the rooms.
The alluring contrast sparks your curiosity and naturally leads you towards the next room.. another milieu of colour to contemplate.
A gentle grasp of English tradition without being too weighted yet rightfully bold in character.
Bold Contempo
Bold in contemporary design is a different play all together.
Whether its bold monochrome, statement furniture pieces, art or rugs, the focal point is boldly clear.
For our Boltons renovation project, a pair of black velvet high back armchairs were selected to give this eclectic sitting area an elegant feel offset by the natural organic colours of the living room.
The ambiance of the sitting area becomes predominant with an air of regality without the distraction of other pieces. A proper place to have a lovely conversation.
The perfect the place to sit and unwind after another busy day in London.
Bold Lighting
Regents Park House project by Callender Howorth
A powerful approach to bold design is to incorporate bold lighting.
Powerful lighting design is an ultimate way of creating a bold wow factor.
Callender Howorth chose a bold lighting design for this spectacular renovation project in Primrose Hill…Regents Park House.
It was a brilliant way to fill the room with customised colour while the neutral and light tones of the interior brought it all together.
This James Bond type of unexpected home in Primrose certainly achieved the wow factor we were after!
Bold Moves
Then there’s really really bold. No holding back now!
This kind of spectacular bold assumes a unique embodied experience. The interior design experience of this nature is one where the visual phenomenon is so strong you become enraptured by the visual grandeur.
You have a visceral feeling that you are a part of it just by being in the space.
When thinking about your next renovation or interior design project, a key question to ask is What personal statement do you want your interior to reflect?
Normally, it is a version of ourselves in the lifestyle and context we desire, but for some, its an opportunity to realise a bolder expression of their personality.
Do you dare to be bold?
Working with Light
Light influences how we feel in a space and the way we perceive our visual environment.
The aesthetic nature of light is what affects our moods and behaviours. As one of the pillars of the design plan, successful lighting schemes effortlessly enhance the perception of the space and the concept of the room. It is at the core of all of our interior design projects at Callender Howorth.
Nuanced juxtapositions of light and shadow direct our focal point in the room to naturally guide our eyes on the illuminated areas. The combination of texture and depth is what subtly conveys its interest and atmosphere.
To illustrate the delicate nuance in the art of lighting design, we look to one of our most epic projects, Regents Park House.
LARGE OPEN LIVING SPACES
An unusual project spanning 3 Mews houses near Regents Park with a retractable roof and a swimming pool that floats above the living room where you can also dive into it from your master bedroom. The integrated smart technology for this home was that of a James Bond movie.
With a large living area, the space is naturally light and bright, but it was essential to get the lighting right for such a big open space. We worked with our lighting designer to create a warm atmosphere in the space while also taking in the incredible architecture of the space especially with all the glass element throughout this home.
Callender Howorth Project Regents Park House
Callender Howorth’s lighting designer Mike Kazer explains the lighting challenge for this stunning project.
“At the Regents Park project we were faced with quite a common problem, open plan living. How do you create atmosphere and intimacy within such a large, open space?
We did this through using a lighting control system, to set scenes and levels for each given zone in the multi-use space as well as using lighting features that linked the space without drawing too much attention.
We set scenes which focused the light around the specific area the client would be using at that moment. If they were relaxing, the main warmth for the lighting would be focused around the living area, however there would still be some soft accent within the kitchen and study. Meaning we are not left with dark corners and allowing us to highlight the beautiful architectural features Callender Howorth designed into the scheme.
SIMPLICITY IN TREND
While lighting comes in all forms and functions, the integration of it into the design is always done in alignment with the client’s experience and the other aspects of the interior design plan such as the furniture, artwork, textiles, floors and walls, and colours and patterns.
Callender Howorth Project Regents Park House
Attuned to the lighting industry over the years, Callender Howorth lighting designer Mike Kazer has seen many trends come and go, but as technology advances so do the options for design.
“Lighting styles are ever changing, this is the same for all elements of the build. Technology is ever evolving and the smart home is now pretty much available at a consumer level. However, one style we are seeing come through all of this evolution in technology is ‘simplicity’.
Lighting control is still in the background, to allow us as designers to create scenes and set levels but on the front end, the interaction the client has with this lighting, is not a complicated keypad or touch screen, but a beautifully crafted light switch. This simple feel and soft touch then runs through the lighting scheme from start to finish.”
ESSENCE OF A SPACE
As with all of our interior design projects, the personality of the client and their lifestyle is the baseline of the design brief.
Functionality, atmosphere, wellbeing and mood come together multidimensionally through interior architecture, furniture, decorative pieces, finishings and of course the lighting.
London Lightworks
For Mike Kazer, its about the use of the space and the desired experience of the client within that space.
“As a lighting designer we have many considerations to make when designing a scheme, whether it be the spaces’ geometry, specific furniture layouts, client requirements or maybe even the buildings constraints. However there is always one element we have to consider no matter what the restraints. What will the space be used for and what reaction or mood are we looking to provoke in this area.
For example, if we are designing a living room, we wish to create a space that can have a multi purpose. It may be used for reading, relaxing or entertaining to name just a few outcomes. Our lighting placement, layering and levels need to be designed to offer a bright light for reading, a soft warm light for relaxing and an exciting, impactful scene for entertaining. If our design does not achieve this then it has failed.
As a lighting designer, the most important aspect for consideration before designing any scheme whether it be for a single room or an entire estate, is the space’s use and the reaction we wish the client to have or experience when interacting within that space.”
Callender Howorth Project Regents Park House
What we appreciated about Regents House Park project was that such an ambitious project revealed a vision of design that is effortless and intimate yet stunning…an unexpected ultra-contemporary oasis in Primrose Hill.
As in all our design and renovation projects, maximising natural light and lighting design are integrated into all of our design plans and 3D renderings so that our clients can get an accurate sense of the feeling in every room.
HARMONY & BALANCE
For one of the UK’s top lighting product designer George Singer, the beauty lies in the harmony and balance.
We worked with George on our Swiss Chalet project where he designed this iconic chandelier for the dining area.
Callender Howorth Project Swiss Chalet, Lighting by George Singer
“The beauty. All my life I have been fascinated by beauty and the notion of taste. I don’t use ‘decoration’ in my pieces. Fore me, the materials and form must be in perfect harmony. I don’t force the material into an uncomfortable curve or shape because I almost consider this as patronising the material. The aesthetic of a piece is only beautiful if the form and the materials are in perfect balance and harmony.”
Singers approach to design stems from the the relationship between himself and the client.
George Singer
“The first thing that’s vita for me is to become close with the client, be it an interior designer, architect, developer or a private client. Establish a professional friendship so we can both talk freely and openly in a way we both express our needs and creativity.
After this initial informal relationship is established can we then discuss the requirements of the design and try to get an idea of the budget early on so we’re both singing from the same hymn sheet. I will then carry out some sketches and mood boards and offer the client a presentation based on a brief. Then, in an ideal world, they buy into me and my ideas and I will go away for a month and create a design that far exceeds their expectations. I try and do this as quickly as possible because these days, speed is key.”
A tall order indeed to create a design that exceeds expectations. So the question that first comes to mind is what makes a piece exceptional?
For George it was his grand installation of Zephyr for the Fairmont Hotel in Scotland.
Installation of Zephyr by George Singer, Fairmont Hotel St.Andrews, Scotland
“The best piece I have created is Zephyr-a 60 meter long, hand made lighting installation for the Fairmont Hotel in St. Andrew’s, Scotland. The design was carried out using some smart computer code writing by some artists based in Berlin. They created an App for us to position twenty-thousand steel disks in unique positions. The result was a dynamic, exciting, unique and beautiful piece. I am extremely proud of it and delighted I was able to incorporate a cutting edge technology to make it truly organic.
But the most remarkable project I’m working on is a personal project called the Golden Sun Project. Check it out on Instagram. It’s going to take me years to complete but it will be unique, extremely powerful, and above all, exceptionally beautiful and meaningful. It’s a piece for climate change awareness-a cause very close to my heart. I want this project to last forever and inspire millions of people for many years to come.”
BRIGHT IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME
Here are several of Callender Howorth’s favourite lighting pieces to brighten and inspire your next renovation project.
Callender Howorth works with some of the best lighting suppliers in the world and lighting design is a part of every design plan we create. Do not hesitate to contact us for you next interior design project.
Contact us at info@callenderhoworth.com.
The Clean Living Consciousness
Detox, green, wellbeing, vegan, yoga and mindfulness have become synonymous with the overarching category of clean living.
As this trending lifestyle concept is rapidly growing, the world is certainly giving plenty of compelling reasons to adopt a more conscious based lifestyle centered around the concept of wellbeing.
So what exactly does Clean Living Consciousness really mean?
When we are conscious, we are aware and present in the current moment. When we are practicing clean living, we are intentionally adapting daily habits and behaviours that are geared to the optimal health of our body, mind and soul.
So what does this actually look like?
Our Inner Home…the wellbeing of our mind.
Adopting a daily meditation practice or dedicating an amount of time each day to get still and quiet the mind.
The benefit is twofold.
Firstly, when we quiet our minds, its serves to recharge our energy. A 15 minute mediation can actually give you ore energy than a 1 hour nap. The second benefit is the ability to reconnect with our inner being.
By quieting the noise in our minds we create the space to receive the messages from the deepest part of ourselves…our soul. This soul centered space is our Inner Home and the safest place we can turn to in any situation. The conscious choices we make from this state of being are decisions based on clarity rather than confusion from an emotional reaction.
Nourishing our Bodies
When we speak of Clean Living, a clean diet is what usually comes to mind. A clean diet is definitely part of clean living, but there is more to it.
The way we eat, the way we prepare food, the way we feel as we eat our food and the way we buy our food.
Using fresh ingredients, preparing or choosing freshly prepared meals while avoiding processed foods, fast food and sugar. Drinking plenty of water instead of soft drinks and limiting the amount of alcohol consumption.
When buying food, choosing locally grown (if possible) organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and responsibly raised eggs, fish and meat (if non-vegan). Incorporating responsible buying instead of panic buying or hoarding.
Exercising our bodies also nourishes our bodies. Whether you are running, doing yoga/pilates, or HIIT fitness classes, the circulation of oxygen is nourishing your body as well as strengthening your muscles including your heart while ridding the body of stress. Exercise raises our endorphins and dopamine hormone levels which raise the levels of our mental energy and boost positive moods.
Our Outer Home…the wellbeing of our personal living space.
Our personal living environments reflect the state of our inner home. Cluttered homes reflect cluttered minds. When you’re living space is untidy, cluttered and unorganised, it directly affects your state of being and mood.
Belsize Lane Project by Callender Howorth
By implementing a strategy of sorting out the clutter, ‘one cupboard at a time’, you will be absolutely amazed at how good you will feel. Small decluttering steps lead to big steps in wellbeing.
Our living environments are our refuge from the outside world and provide us with a sense of safety and wellbeing. Our homes are our personal source of inspiration and reflect our individual personalities.
City Penthouse Project by Callender Howorth
Touch upon all the senses.
Incorporating favourite decorative pieces, emotive calming scented candles, lighting, comfortable furniture, art, freshly cut flowers and plants, linens, textiles and colours all come together to create the landscape and feeling of your Home.
Regardless the size of your home, whether a small studio flat or individual house, this is the place where you live, sleep, eat, and for many of us, work. Live/work spaces are a current trend that we can expect to see more of as we have recently experienced with the global pandemic of the coronavirus.
Staying in is the new Going Out!
Our Soul Space…the wellbeing of our consciousness
Our deepest connection to ourselves and the collective universe.
When we tend to our soul space like a garden and give our attention to how we feel and deep dive to why we feel the way we do, we are creating an alignment within ourselves that impacts those around us as well as to the energy of the universe. From that perspective we are able to give meaning and purpose to our lives.
Regardless of your spiritual path or religious beliefs, we are a community of people living on this planet and the energy we give to each other directly affects the energy of the universe. It is for these reasons that as humans we create physical change and transformation of the planet.
People like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela who just by their steadfast values, selfless actions and unbound energy created phenomenal changes in our world. Their connection to the greater good is what fueled their passion that drove their actions thus changing the lives of millions including future generations. A legacy of new consciousness.
With climate change, differing geopolitical landscapes and current global health concerns, a Clean Living Consciousness is a way of keeping us grounded and healthy as we move into unchartered waters in the sea of uncertainty of the next phase of our humanity.
Maison et Objet : Trends for 2020
Just after the announcement of Pantone Classic Blue 19-4052 as 2020’s colour of the year, we were curious to explore the newest musings at Maison et Objet in Paris. What we were most after was the tangible feeling of design influence as we begin a new decade.
What we found was the sentiment of returning to deep seated values, a collective statement that as we move forward we are doing so with a newfound agency for appreciation of nature, wellbeing, responsibility and authenticity.
A similar feeling as if you just came back from an exotic transformational retreat. Reconnected.
True Blue
A safe approach, timeless yet smart.
Classic Blue never fails as accent pieces or for suggestively setting the mood. Whether an elegantly understated vase or velvety banquette, this true blue is always lovely to work with and always catches the eye when subtly appointed.
Bert Frank
Staying Neutral and Natural
Certainly a reflection of today’s regeneration movement, we are seeing more eco-friendly pieces and materials.
More sobriety in living areas without compromising luxury. Mineral shaped lamp bases or suspension lighting, a wink to the emitting energy found in nature.
Natural luxury is steadily moving towards becoming the new luxury….sublime and responsibly sincere. Lots of bamboo weaves everywhere.
HKliving
Curved and classy
The soft and intimate influence of curved pieces from sofas, seating, lighting, and sideboards reveal the desire for more connection and conversation.
The soothing feeling of cocooning the space as our own sanctuary from a world gone mad.
Cozy and curved by Dooq.
Greys and Greens
Elegant grey, versatile for any space lends its presence subdued yet stable can be paired endlessly.
Like the colours of beach pebbles in different shades, grey reminds of its natural and neutral imprint and considering the organic theme of wellbeing throughout the show, it mirrors a stable source of strength.
FOREVER
Green Vitality
Like the vital energy as if you have just walked through the forest, the deep greens are noticed in accessories, prints, sofas, seating, plates, and wall colours.
Breathing the vitality of life into spaces more than just with indoor plants. We can all use more of that!
@boliacom
Made by hand
A soulful calling for handcrafted unique pieces, speaking originality and authenticity.
This is one trend that is truly reflecting the appreciation for our unique talents and gifts. One unlike no other.
Beautiful work by Villari
We were delighted with this year’s Maison et Objet and are always enthusiastic attending these industry exhibitions that are at the forefront of design.
We look forward to attending Milan and Stockholm later this year so that we can continuously share new ideas and concepts with our clients. Watch this space!
5 Minutes Well Spent: Discover Dream Kitchen Designs
Kitchens are a fundamental part of home interior design. Not only are they a place to prepare meals, but they are also places to gather family and friends together. Kitchens are utilitarian spaces used for everything from cooking sumptuous dinners to providing venues to catch up on gossip while having a cup of tea with friends. Their design reflects the homeowner’s taste and lifestyle and creates an ambience that fits that of the whole property. The construction and style of the kitchen plays an important part in determining a home’s resale value and should not be overlooked.
As experienced Central London and Hyde Park interior designers, Callender Howorth has a lot of experience designing kitchens. We’ve selected some of our favourite styles and designs.
Modular Kitchens
Modular kitchens are an off-the-shelf solution for many homes. Sometimes known as semi-custom kitchens, a modular design enables an architect or homeowner to piece together their own plan. Modular kitchen designs are perfect for optimising storage space by using diversified materials to create an easily adjustable package.
Although the units are prefabricated, they can be of a very high standard and incorporate durable materials such as stainless steel, cherry wood, oak and marble. Every aspect of the kitchen, from the height of the countertops to the inclusion of islands is customisable. Individual components can be replaced if necessary while leaving the rest of your kitchen intact. Our Hyde Park designers filled a client’s Knightsbridge Penthouse kitchen with space-saving storage to maximise the limited space in this chic city apartment.
Rustic Kitchens
Farmhouse style kitchens offer a bucolic atmosphere and warm ambience. Using heavy woods such as oak give the kitchens an old-world appeal, and can be combined with trendy appliances to keep the kitchen in the modern age. Alternatively, you can install an Aga stove and place a pile of logs in a corner for a cottage effect.
Rustic touches such as beams or old-fashioned tiles really add to the rural vibe, while furniture or chandeliers with wrought iron components, woven baskets and a gingham tablecloth can make all the difference. Our Nice Apartment project has a modern white kitchen but its open layout, original stone wall and ceiling beams give it a semi-rustic feel.
Sleek and Modern
Modern kitchens give a glossy feel with symmetrical lines and minimal clutter. From ergonomic islands to hidden storage, modern kitchen designs are cutting edge, yet inviting. Our Essex Mansion project involved the design of a stunning contemporary kitchen that fitted the client’s brief of having a modern space, perfect for entertaining. The result was a beautiful kitchen with floor-to-ceiling closed storage, multiple wall ovens and an island with futuristic breakfast bar stools. We used a neutral palette of white and charcoal with a splash of green and marble, stone and solid wood materials.
All White
White doesn’t mean boring! White kitchens are pure and clean and their appearance can easily be adapted with bright kitchen towels, colourful appliances, a patterned fruit bowl, or any other accessory you choose. White kitchens are best when they are kept simple, otherwise they can start to look a bit too “busy” or cheap. Integrated appliances create a seamless look, and natural lighting completes the picture.
Callender Howorth created an all-white kitchen for our City Penthouse project in Shoreditch. The owner was interested in New York loft style apartment and we contrasted the exposed brickwork of the main living space with a dazzling white kitchen. We added full-length light beige coloured cupboards and stools to create contrast with the white countertop and cupboards taking up the kitchen’s main wall and the small, low island.
If you are interested in Callender Howorth designing the kitchen of your dreams, please contact us.
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