Before and After: Renovation Proves to be Smart Investment

The property market has always proved itself a relatively sound place to invest one’s money, and it is hard to find a property market that is safer than that of the French Riviera. The exquisite lifestyle, dream-like surroundings and plethora of beautiful period properties makes it perfect for those looking for a holiday home as well as savvy real estate investors seeking real estate niches. However, to find a niche, one has to be able to see it.

It is true that there is an infinite amount of sublime apartments and luxury homes on the Côte d’Azur, but to spot a property with true investment potential one has to open one’s eyes a little wider and have a little, or sometimes a lot, of imagination.

Mark Howorth discusses his Nice apartment. Video credit: Matthew Miles

London interior designer, Mark Howorth, of luxury interior design company, is a renowned designer of bespoke living spaces in the United Kingdom and the French Riviera. He is also the successful renovator of a traditional Nicois-style apartment just off Garibaldi square in Nice. It was his vision that encouraged a couple of other innovative restauranteurs to invest and the result is a buzzing neighbourhood complete with brasserie, restaurants and a centrally located apartment just a stone’s throw from it all.

Many believe that interior design is at its best when it enhances the original features of a property to make it feel as if hardly any change has taken place at all. It’s about bringing out the character of an environment, without overpowering its intended style. This is a view that is indeed shared by Howorth who aims to make spaces that are light, comfortable and enhance the lives of those that live in them.

“Creating comfortable and exciting homes on the Côte d’Azur is really satisfying as many places have stunning original features.  Stone walls, vintage fireplaces, Frescos and Nicois tile are abundant and enable me to really work on the character of the space. By adding excellent lighting, modern finishes and eclectic furniture the results can be stunning.

I did this renovation on Rue Bonaparte last year.  The apartment had not been renovated in over 40 years and it looked very tired and was subdivided into small rooms. I opened up the main living space to create one large open plan living / kitchen and dining area – a perfect place to entertain.  I also completely remodelled the bedroom and bathroom areas to create two bedroom suites with en suite shower and bathrooms.

Purchase price: €420,000 

Renovation: €80,000 

Final market value: €670,000 

I hope that you will agree that the before and after photographs say it all…”

– Mark Howorth

Bedroom before

Bedroom after

Fireplace before

Fireplace after

Kitchen before

Kitchen after

Living room before

Living room after

While renovating or restoring property is not a new way to invest, a holistically integrated approach to renovating is a new approach. When interior design is considered as part of the process, the return on investment can be nothing short of staggering. All you have to do, is have the courage and imagination to open your eyes.

For assistance with your interior design project, contact Mark and his team at Callender Howorth.

Interior Design vs. Interior Architecture

From a recently renovated luxury loft to an elegantly styled office, the projects of an interior professional often elicit admiration, with a great real revolving around their remarkable “interior design” or “interior architecture”. These terms, often used interchangeably, do go hand in hand. However, there is a distinction, and this gives us reason to pause and reflect on the subtleties.

As a multi-disciplinary luxury interior design company, we know that the two have a symbiotic relationship. One way of thinking of it is via the analogy of a body and the clothes it is wearing. If one does not match the other, the results are poor.

Interior Architecture

Interior architecture represents the foundations of the building. Based on the science of functionality and ergonomics, its primary raison d’être is to make the flow of a space as dynamic and amenable as possible. Beyond structural performance markers such as thermal efficiency, interior architecture also takes into consideration factors such as a location’s geographic/cultural characteristics – including climate – and building’s exposure to natural daylight.

The interior architect evaluates a space for its intended function: what is its role? What is the logical workflow there? And does it integrate seamlessly into the building’s overall architecture and design? A dining room, for example, has different requirements from the nursery, and a doctor’s office with multiple consultation rooms needs another layout than a fashion designer’s open-plan studio.

This all comes into play, and the interior architect designs the space with those necessities in mind. In the process, however, he or she will always consider the desired effects and the countless ways in which a designer can perfect the frame.

Interior Design

Once the interior architect has created the canvas, the interior designer comes in and paints on it, metaphorically speaking. Here we have the artist who knows how to enhance all aspects of the interior architect’s planning by complementing it with carefully selected stylistic elements. He or she incorporates lighting, fabrics, wall treatments, floors, and furniture to translate architectural vision and features into everyday comfort and an environment that pleases and engages the senses.

Interior design brings out the best features of a home or workspace by giving it an overall personality, which reflects that of its occupants. The best interior designers understand how to make a room shine, what colours best capture natural lights, and how architectural details are showcased most advantageously. A well-placed piece of bespoke artwork, a precious rug, or a rich fabric can turn into the dramatic focal point of a room, just like subtle, well-coordinated illumination creates moods and atmosphere through the interplay of light and shadow. Interior designers master that craft to perfection.

Although professionals tend to specialise in one or the other field, depending on whether they are more drawn toward the technical or artistic aspects, they intrinsically know that a thorough understanding of the other discipline is needed to master their own. Communication from the early stages on is key.

The unity of interior architecture and interior design embody the confluence of science and art, which requires a great measure of skill, experience and passion – the kind of passion that distinguishes the work of Callender Howorth in each project that we undertake.

For more information on how to transform your interiors, or to discuss your project with an experienced design professional, please contact Mark and his team at Callender Howorth.

100% Design in Review

Making a suitably stylish return for its 26th year, the 21st September 2016 saw the return of 100% Design, the longest running – and biggest – design trade event in the UK.

Video credit: Mike Smithski

With a reputation for showcasing the latest talents in interiors, design and architecture, the team from Callender Howorth was in attendance, keen to make a note of the trends emerging from both new and established names exhibiting at the show – and interior designers in London, of course. This year’s theme was ‘Experience’, calling upon designers to explore the way in which design can guide, and ultimately improve, the way in which we live our lives.

As is the case with every year before it, 100% Design commissioned a series of installations to be displayed across the exhibition floor, with each aiming to challenge existing boundaries in design and encourage animated, intelligent discussions about concepts, and new material capabilities.

One such installation is the high profile main auditorium – often referred to as the ‘intellectual heart of the show’, intended to call to the imagination of all who visit. This year London-based architect Miska Miller-Lovegrove brought her keen eye and extensive experience to the project, resulting in a space inspired by Vescom, with the auditorium ‘stretched and stitched at angles’, creating – and we quote – a ‘translucent acoustic nest’.

Colour and fabrics were indeed key this year, with the immediate entrance taking visitors along ‘The Design Path’, a carpeted walkway that revealed the full variety of colours and textures available in the Hakwood range. OLED lighting illuminated much of the exhibition space, with Ron Arad’s OLED light artwork serving to highlight the perfect blend that can exist between state-of-the-art lighting technology and artistry.

Meanwhile the Materials Cloud bar, designed by Studio Glowacka with specialist fabricators 2MZ, was a big talking point at the show. Taking its lead from the modular construction toys that were popular in the 1970s, this installation interlocked new shapes and structures, ultimately forming in geometric orbs of interlocking plywood hexagons, coming to rest above the bar’s surface.

The Materials Cloud bar was intended as a social space, as was the famous Central Bar – the latter boasting legendary status within the UK design industry. Here, it is said you can literally feel at the centre of the design industry, with the bar home to much networking and collaboration year after year. 2016 saw its design team inject a series of colour scales, adding drama to the central space, defining the area and providing shelter from the hustle and bustle below.

Whilst established creatives hatch new ideas, new artists themselves are also emerging, with this year seeing the launch of Design London, a new showcase within the field of interiors. Discovering new talent is what this exhibition is all about, with each year providing a platform to a wide range of up-and-coming talent. From Mairi Helena, an interior surface pattern printer company based in Edinburgh, whose luxurious designs rework elements of her photographic portfolio of Scotland, to Lux’Ellence, a high-end metal furniture creator from Villedieu Les Poeles, the ancient Normandy town famous for its ornamental brassware in France, this new talent is at the heart of the 100% Design exhibition – and future of the industry itself.

Offering an innovative approach to luxury interior design, Callender Howorth finds inspiration in design events like 100% Design. To discuss your interior design project, contact Callender Howorth. Our team of experienced professionals are on hand to assist with your property’s transformation.

A Sub-Zero Trend: Cryotherapy in the Home

Invented in Japan in 1978, cryotherapy has long been lauded as an alternative treatment for everything from rheumatoid arthritis to aches, pains and joint problems. More than just a medical remedy, cryotherapy is quickly becoming the latest in-home trend, with personal cryotherapy chambers being installed in an increasing number of homes. But how exactly does it work? And why is it gaining popularity with interior design companies as a desirable home installation?

What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy involves exposing your body to extremely dry, cold air for periods of two to four minutes and there are two recognised methods for doing so – liquid nitrogen and refrigeration. The process lowers the skin temperature by 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit over a period of two to three minutes. The cold skin then sends messages to the brain, triggering it to release anti-inflammatory molecules, as well as endorphins which encourage healing.

The Latest Luxury Trend

Although cryotherapy chambers were once only found in science labs and surgeries, they are becoming increasingly popular within luxury homes. This is partly due to advancements in technology, which means that the chambers have been reduced to roughly the size of a shower cubicle, so space is no longer a barrier. An increased interest in healthy living has also inflated the demand for personal, in-home cryotherapy chambers.

Increasing Popularity

Interior designers in London especially are beginning to incorporate these freeze chambers into interior designs, with spa rooms typifying the most indulgent of luxurious design. But it is not just the UK that has taken an interest in the treatment; In fact, the chambers are the latest craze to sweep the Middle East too, and are particularly popular in the UAE where they’re seen as a great way to rejuvenate the body in the sweltering heat.

Celebrity Supporters

The trend’s increasing popularity has also been spurred on by stories of sports stars and celebrities using the chambers as a way to improve their recovery time after an extreme workout. English Premier League winners, Leicester City football club, used them to fantastic effect on their way to an unprecedented and unpredictable title win last season, and even global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo is rumoured to have one in his home. Outside of football, athletes such as Mo Farah, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James also have the chambers in their homes, as do actresses Demi Moore, Jessica Alba and Jennifer Aniston. With this sort of endorsement, it’s not hard to understand why they’re taking off.

Evidence seems to be proving that cryotherapy can genuinely be good for you. For that reason, we’re unlikely to see it going away any time soon. In fact, with so many celebrity proponents, cryotherapy is likely to become a staple fixture in luxury homes in the not too distant future. Contact Callender Howorth to discuss the installation of your private spa.

Supplier of the Month: Crownwell Basements

At Callender Howorth, we strive to help our clients make the most of their homes, leaving no stone unturned in the quest to invigorate an interior design project. In fact, when it comes to bringing a home to life, we believe in starting from the bottom up: enter Crownwell Basements, a valued supplier of Callender Howorth.

About Crownwell Basements

Crownwell Basements is a specialist design and build contractor – one that boasts over 20 years of experience in taking what appears to be ‘dead space’ and transforming it into a high-end, luxury extension to your living space.

Experts at fulfilling a basement’s potential, Crownwell look at their clients’ lifestyles and listen closely to their needs before suggesting ideas. It could be a wine cellar for the amateur sommelier, a home spa or gym for the busy executive, a study that provides peace and quiet, or a games room for all the family. The possibilities and ideas from Crownwell Basements are endless. It’s all about thinking outside of the box.

Jacob Puddy, Managing Director, elaborates:

“People tend to be put off by the idea of a dark and dank room, but with modern decor, good insulation and ambient lighting, the basement can become just as warm and inviting as any other room in the house. Even the smallest room can be made to look spacious and designers employ plenty of tricks to make tiny rooms look airy and elegant.”

What They Offer

From architectural drawings to planning consent, structure reports, heritage statements and listed building consent, the team at Crownwell Basements are on the case from conception to completion. They even offer specialist basement design services that include methodology statements, hydro-geology reporting and flood risk assessments.

It’s practical things like this that can make all the difference. Styling an area is one thing, but it is senseless to install a gym in the basement of a home if the floors can’t absorb the vibrations of a treadmill, and it’s not a good idea to store books and art in a basement if the temperature isn’t conducive to their long-term conservation.

That’s not to say creativity isn’t their strong suit too. From repurposing old items, such as baskets and metal cabinets, for storage, to carefully arranging pieces of art, ergonomic furniture and specifically placed, high-quality lighting, Crownwell Basements excel when it comes to the finishing touches.

Collaborations

At Callender Howorth, we pride ourselves on only collaborating with the best of the best. Recent years have seen a surge in popularity of basement renovations, especially in London, with the best UK interior design companies helping to maximise a limited space.

With Crownwell Basements, however, experience long supersedes this current mood for digging. This is a company where extensive knowledge and an innate sense of artistic requirement offer a winning combination – an expert skill set that most definitely runs deep.

Collaborating on many projects with Crownwell Basements, we have transformed many houses by installing basement spaces for the families to enjoy. Does your house have the potential to gain a floor? Contact the friendly team at Callender Howorth to start your home’s transformation.

The London Design Festival 2016

September welcomes the London Design Festival 2016 – one of the world’s most important events in the design industry. Held between 17th and 25th September, the festival will comprise almost 400 individual events. At Callender Howorth, we’re always on the search for interior design inspiration; shows like these are invaluable ways for us to gauge the ever-changing climate of UK interior design.

Decorex International

When? 18th – 21st September.

Where? Syon Park, London.

Opening the London Design Festival, Decorex International treats visitors to a celebrated, vast interior design event in the grounds of the majestic Syon House. Combining a mixture of emerging talent and established international design brands, Decorex will welcome over 400 exhibitors over the course of the four day event. As well as talks from some of the most respected names in the design industry, visitors will be treated to a range of interactive exhibitions that will explore the history of design, as well as the future. There will also be a champagne bar and various food options.

London Design Fair

When? 22nd – 25th September.

Where? Old Truman Brewery, London.

One of the central attractions of the London Design Festival, The London Design Fair attracts exhibitors and industry professionals from all over the world. Spanning four days in London’s creative centre – the East End – The London Design Fair exhibits the latest in interior design, from furniture to lighting, seating, materials and everything in between. Almost 500 exhibitors are expected to attend in 2016, ensuring an extensive representation of designers, buyers, manufacturers, press, galleries and international labels. Expect to join a swarm of 25,000 design enthusiasts at this must-visit event. There are 25 hours of scheduled talks and workshops. This is one of London’s largest design events.

Focus/16 

When? 18th – 23rd September.

Where? Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, London.

The Focus/16 trade show brings together the very best of luxury interior design as part of an exciting six-day show in the exclusive Chelsea Harbour area of London. Over 120 exhibitions and 600 international brands will fill the Design Centre – the largest space of its kind in Europe – with an array of intriguing design curiosities, from concept furniture to innovative lighting. The free event will attract those with a penchant for luxurious design, as well as international press, and will push the boundaries of home decor.

Designjunction

When? 22nd – 25th September.

Where? King’s Cross, London.

One of the flagship events of the London Design Festival, Designjunction will welcome guests from a new location in 2016 – King’s Cross, one of the emerging hubs for design in London. The world-renowned event, which also ran in New York and Milan this year, receives approximately 25,000 visitors each year and exhibits the work of 200 exhibitors. The Designjunction event will comprise four different exhibition spaces: Cubitt House, The Canopy, Granary Square and The Crossing – each of which brings a different feature of artistic interior design to the event, including collaborations with Argent, King’s Cross Development and they University of the Arts.

100% Design

When? 21st – 24th September.

Where? Olympia, London.

Held at London’s Olympia – an iconic venue within the capital – 100% Design is an award-winning show that is described as the ‘commercial cornerstone’ of the London Design Festival. The event offers all industry professionals, as well as uninvolved guests, the opportunity to admire the latest in interior design and source directly for upcoming projects, if required. Over 25,000 visitors pass through the doors each year, and 2016’s edition – the 22nd to date – is set to be the biggest yet. This event is the largest design trade show in the UK.

Please contact Callender Howorth should you wish to discuss your interior design project.

How to Blend Vintage and Modern in Your Home

Our interior design services provide the opportunity to enjoy your home every day, whether having your family over for a feast, watching a film with friends or throwing an elegant soiree. One way that we do this for clients is by blending chic modern design with vintage class. We can create not just a home but a collection of pieces that are personalised for your family; various talking points that include the treasures you found on your travels, items of sentimental value, and unusual features that convey a sense of your personality.

Exchange Building

The great thing about interior design is that you can marry vintage and modern together to characterise an aesthetic that characterises you.

Mix contrasting shapes, styles, colours, materials and patterns to achieve your desired mix.

Exchange Building

Achieving a fine blend of modern and vintage furniture is a work of art and can turn your home into a stylish space in which to entertain. Such an interesting blend of styles can make the room visually interesting and inviting.

One could draw inspiration from our Nice Apartment project, which fashions a large, bold, modern chandelier as the focal point of a room. To achieve a desired style, we utilised softer vintage lamps to underpin the elegance and balance of the room’s design.

Nice Apartment

Theres no need to stick to one era when designing; pay testament to your eccentricities and tastes. Assemble a space over time to find only the best items, don’t order from the pages of a catalogue.

If you don’t want to be too bold you could source interesting works of art to create a strong look. Buying a vintage painting and displaying it in a modern frame perfectly blends vintage and modern, evoking sophistication and style. Alternatively, hang a modern work in a vintage frame – or place it on a vintage table, as in the Exchange Building project – to create a gallery wall that attracts your guests’ attention.

The most exciting and inspirational rooms combine different colours and textures to emphasise both the old and new and to generate the feeling of stylish effortlessness. The Cordy House project was recently completed by our designers and blends different styles from varying eras. The team scoured the world for the perfect items; a vintage table that was sourced from the Eiffel Tower in Paris is a particular highlight!

Islington Townhouse

Nice Penthouse

If you’re struggling to pull elements together, give us a call and book an appointment.

Supplier of the Month: Lighting.London

Our interior design services are predicated on the belief that only the best is good enough; exceeding the expectations of our clients comes as standard. In order to provide such a high quality service, we partner with the most experienced specialists in the industry, from builders to art consultants, and everything in between. in July, we would like to introduce Lighting.London as our featured partner of the month.

Lighting.London Ltd is an award winning lighting consultancy established over 20 years with a mandate to provide the architectural, interior design and construction industry with a progressive, productive and professional lighting design service. The practice has grown year on year and now employs 8 lighting design consultants and project managers in its offices in Mayfair, London. We have an abundance of experience in working globally on major projects in super prime residential, hotel, bar and restaurant sectors.

Lighting.London will provide you with a tried and tested, exemplary service consisting of a complete lighting design, product specification and supply, offered by our experienced in house consultants. The wealth of knowledge we have gleaned over the last 20 years gives you a consultancy and product supply tailored to a client’s specific commercial needs and requirements. We fully acknowledge that a visually stimulating, aesthetically-pleasing lighting design is important in the presentation of a luxury residence. We also fully understand the commercial importance of the correct product specification and supply at the appropriate price.

The members of the Lighting.London team come with a variety of backgrounds and skill sets, all sharing one principle goal: to promote the use of light as an invaluable, crucial design medium, creating visually stimulating, aesthetically-pleasing, considered and well-received lighting schemes. Employees include formally trained lighting professionals, interior, product and theatre designers, as well as electrical engineers. We believe that an eclectic mix of backgrounds provides us with a unique, interactive skill set giving us the ability to work closely and effectively with the client’s project design team members. Our consummate understanding of the requirements of the client is a key aspect of any design process and is fully developed within our practice to great effect.

Director of Lighting.London, Mike Kazer, commented: “Our role is not just in delivering the creative design documentation, but also to consult the client and the team about all aspects related to lighting that may be relevant and benefit the project. In many cases these benefits are also linked with design roles of other team members and, where required, we are prepared to take a lead in realising the objectives for the good of the project.”

To find out more information about our interior design projects – including our collaborations with Lighting.London – or to discuss your design project, please contact Callender Howorth. Our team of dedicated professionals will be more than happy to help.

Walk In Wardrobes: How To Get Them Right

Have you always wanted a walk in wardrobe? A space that is beautifully designed with you in mind? A dedicated area that will house all your clothes and accessories? Installing a walk in wardrobe beings many benefits to your home and can transform your lifestyle. As a team, we ensure that our design projects use space as effectively as possible, and that they are tailored to your needs and your desires. There are certain decisions to make, along with the help of your interior stylist, when planning your walk in wardrobe: (more…)

Clerkenwell Design Week 2016

Once again the Clerkenwell Design Week was incredible, justifying its claim to be the UK’s most popular independent design festival. It gets larger and better every year – 35,414 visitors attended in 2015, but it seems that 2016 attracted even more visitors. Visitors and exhibitors convene from all over the world to exchange inspiration and witness the latest design trends. Running between 24th and 26th May, the exhibition displayed the best in design from furniture to cars, and an array of other products. Many, many brands showcased their latest designs at the Clerkenwell Design Week 2016, which comprised showroom events, exhibitions, live talks, workshops and installations. Our interior design services are enhanced by the inspiring things we see, and hear, at events like this. Here are a few of our favourite finds:

KUFCakes, ornamental cake sculptures by all round-creative Kia Utzon-Frank.

Giles Miller Studio. Made using British Ceramic Tiles transfixing waves with identical small-square tiles. The effect is mesmerising.

Geometric ‘Gemma’ sofa range by Daniel Libeskind. This feature sofa perfects the contemporary look of this room, showcasing the best of experimental design.

‘The Church’ – a collaboration between Tom Dixon and Andrew Baughen. The unusual lighting makes this room truly unique.

Tom Dixons product in a 17th century church. We love the contrast between the traditional and the modern.

Yenchenyawen design studio’s ‘Landscape of Oxidation’, exploring the different results of copper patination and iron oxidation of jesmonite, inspired by the Japanese pottery restoration technique of ‘kintsugi,’ using gold to mend them together and create a new style.

The diverse talents on show at the Clerkenwell Design Week 2016 was nothing short of breathtaking. This pays homage to the city of London as being one of the design capitals of the world.

As interior designers in London, our services need to be dynamic and adaptable. Viewing the latest interior architectural trends enables us to stay imaginative with our work. Please contact our dedicated team to discuss the design possibilities for your residential or commercial space.