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.
Storing Fine Wine: We Interview Paul from Wine by Design
In the ever-evolving world of interior architecture it is important to be versatile in your approach; maximising the potential of your space is best achieved by being inventive. Catering for a client’s needs and exceeding expectations are two of our most important aims that we bear in mind whenever we undertake a project. While luxury interior design in London is often impeded by space constraints, certain features, or whole rooms, can be added on to existing space to increase the value and style of your home. When we were approached to completely renovate a spacious Kensington House, our imaginative and dynamic approach to design enabled us to integrate an array of stylish features, one of which was a sophisticated wine cellar. Fast becoming staples of luxury properties, wine cellars represent the ultimate in luxury living. We see wine cellars as a chic addition that can improve the charm of any home.
We spoke to Paul van Maaren from Wine by Design, a trusted partner of Callender Howorth, to find out more about the advantages of storing fine wine. Discover the benefits of converting your basement into a sophisticated wine cellar:
Why Store wine?
The reality is that nine out of ten bottles of wine bought are probably consumed within days of purchase. Perhaps the percentage is 95 out of 100. Nothing wrong with that. Most wines are designed to be enjoyed within a year or two of the vintage.
Which wines age well?
The principal international red grape varieties which age successfully are cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah/
The ageing process in the bottle
Red grapes for keeping wines, with the exception of pinot noir, have naturally high concentration of phenols; anthocyanins (the colouring matter found just under the grapes’ skins) and tannins(the mouth puckering dry ingredient found also in skins and pips and the wood in which wine is aged.)
These ingredients help keep the wine fresh, but during ageing tannins gradually soften (they ‘polymerise’ or form larger chemical entities) and the colour changes from bluish red via ruby, mahogany to finally becoming pale and brown.
More importantly, during the process the primary aromas of fresh fruit develop more complicated and persistent secondary and tertiary aromas. The bouquet and flavour of fine mature wine have many nuances and layers of complexity that make it worth the wait.
When is the right time to drink?
This depends on the original quality of the wine (the potential of the vineyard); the vintage (lighter years mature more quickly); the storage (a dark place and a steady coolish temperature of 13ºC or so help; see below); and even the size of the bottle (half bottles age faster than full bottles or magnums).
The right age depends too on personal taste, whether you prefer the accent to be on primary fruit or you look for the added complexity that comes with age. Taking the above into consideration, some wines can age effortless for 60 years plus whilst other peak at 5-20 years.
Why wait?
As with other good things in life, pleasure may be enhanced by taking a little trouble and savouring the moment in advance. Discussing, selecting, anticipating a bottle before you drink it can simply be a sensible way of making the most of your purchase. It is part of the magic and fun. Quite simply, good wine that its designed to age gets better the older it gets.
The best way to age wine
The best way to age wine is in temperature and humidity controlled cellars.
If you are interested in installing a wine cellar to improve your home, contact our friendly team. We will assist you in all aspects of interior design.
Supplier of the Month: LBConstruct
In order to deliver bespoke projects of the highest standards, we have been working closely with a range of distinguished partners here at Callender Howorth. From builders to art consultants, and everything in between, our contacts bring the best in construction, design and production to our projects, perfectly complementing the refined interior design services for both commercial and residential properties that we at Callender Howorth already offer.
Valued partners of Callender Howorth, the committed team at LBConstruct specialise in bespoke craftsmanship and joinery for both residential and commercial interiors. The company produces bespoke furniture, tailored wardrobes, kitchen units and bathrooms for both professional and domestic settings. The company is based in Bethnal Green and, according to Louis Baker of LBConstruct, being “a small cabinet makers and joinery company enables [them] to deliver a very personal service.”
Among recent projects, LBConstruct were essential in the transformation of the Belsize Park penthouse apartment, located within a redbrick mansion block in an exclusive area of London. We worked closely with the team to honour the building’s original charm, while adding a sophisticated portrayal of modern interior design. The tired apartment was converted into a timeless space with the careful placement of LBConstruct’s polished and contemporary furnishings.
Showcasing the latest in contemporary London interior design, Regents Park House is a conversion of three former mews houses. Positioned alongside an inviting cobbled court, the slick modern door hints towards the modern interiors of the upscale home. LBConstruct worked closely with Callender Howorth to create a design that is unique in its aesthetic, channeling modern methods of design and production for innovative results. LBConstruct’s crafted furnishings are illuminated by the custom gull windows and floating swimming pool that spans the length of the building.
The exclusive Kensington House, a family home located within the Boltons, had not been renovated in 30 years until Callender Howorth and LBConstruct set about bringing the space’s potential to life. The high end furnishings were crafted using organic and natural themes in order to contribute to the homes overall relaxed atmosphere. The children’s bedrooms feature crafted elevated beds with the added feature of a slide, allowing for a quick dash to the large sociable spaces of the Kensington House. This project best demonstrates the adaptable manner with which LBConstruct approaches a task.
The Flamingo International Offices in London exemplify LBConstruct’s ability to transfer their skills into a commercial environment. The property was recently brought up to date in terms of design, with this creative interior design. Through the close partnership with us at Callender Howorth, LBConstruct furnished the space using modern interior design techniques. Bold colours were utilised with the added touch of modern pop art in order to emphasise Flamingo International’s forward-thinking approach. The ambience of the brainstorming areas allow for colleagues to relax in areas which incubate creative thinking.
Through our joint effort with LBConstruct, we carefully placed modern fixtures to create a space that was both sophisticated and creative.
Please contact Callender Howorth to find out more information on how our partnership with LBConstruct can benefit your interior design.
Reflecting on Salone del Mobile 2016 in Milan
The biggest names in furniture design descended upon Milan for the 54th Salone Internazionale del Mobile. The annual Milan Furniture Fair showcases the latest innovations in international furniture and design from the very best luxury interior designers. The event took place on 12th-17th April 2016 and encompassed everything from lighting to specialist home furnishings. This year, Salone del Mobile celebrated the biennial Eurocucina exhibition with 120 international brands who displayed their quality kitchen products spread out over 23,000 square metres. It also dedicated time to emerging talent under the age of 35-years-old who exhibited their work at the 19th edition of Satellite, a popular secondary exhibit.
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The week-long event is really the place to be for interior architects and design enthusiasts. From offsite events and installations to product presentations and launches, Salone del Mobile does not disappoint. We’ve selected a few of our favorite pieces that were exhibited at the 2016 trade fair.
1.The Shoe Tree – Beatrix Ong and Samuel Chan
Wallpaper* magazine’s ‘Handmade’ exhibition is always one of the fair’s highlights. This year, British shoe designer Beatrix Ong MBE and Samuel Chan, founder of the artisan collective Joined and Jointed, collaborated to bring the ‘Shoe Tree’ to Milan. It’s a moveable and flexible tower of American black walnut shoeboxes which tackles the problem of shoe storage in an aesthetically pleasing way. The Shoe Tree comprise 15 shoe boxes that rise upwards with each box containing a small window so you can glimpse the shoes inside. Samuel Chan commented that “Boxes are intriguing; they hold surprises and invite discovery. They are also useful…Beatrix wanted to express this combination of intrigue and utility.”
2. “Reality or Illusion?” – Foscarini
Lighting brand Foscarini are always innovative and stylish and this year they brought more food for thought to the Salone del Mobile. Enlisting designer/architect Ferruccio Laviani to experiment with size and scale in a graphic world, the team created colourful illusions aided by oversized Foscarini lamps. It was a real ‘Alice in Wonderland’ experience.
3. The Butler – David Chipperfield
Another interesting design from the Wallpaper* Handmade section was David Chipperfield Architects contribution to this year’s theme of ‘Travel’. It was designed to deal with the reality of unpacking in hotels. David Chipperfield described his inspiration: “Most hotels have badly designed wardrobes and cupboards. They are not well organised and unpacking your suitcase is not enjoyable. The idea of Butler was to design a ‘dressing table’ that makes unpacking in a hotel room a joy.” His team collaborated with furniture-makers e15 and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) to use American willow in creating the bespoke piece of furniture that makes unpacking enjoyable and convenient.
4. Run Tables – Emeco
In these space-deprived and community-oriented times, people often share the same surfaces for different activities. With this in mind, London studio Industrial Facility created an aluminium and ash table, bench and shelf system for American brand Emeco. The design was based on communal space, and Industrial Facility’s co-founder Sam Hecht described his inspiration, “The way we use tables is changing; we could be having a conversation or a meal and someone could be sat next to us working on their laptop, and we wouldn’t feel it’s weird.” The collection comprises a shelving unit, a table and a bench, which feature plank-like surfaces available in either anodised aluminium or three types of wood.
This year’s Salone del Mobile was one of the most successful yet and there was plenty of inspiration available to interior architects and designers. Contact Callender Howorth to discuss your interior design requirements.
Images courtesy of Salone Milano.
Biggest Kitchen Colour Trends of 2023
In the realm of interior design, few spaces hold as much significance as the kitchen. Beyond its utilitarian function, the kitchen serves as a hub of connection and a focal point within any home. For those who embrace the essence of refined living, the kitchen must exude opulence and modernity, boasting avant-garde design and an impeccable colour palette.
At Callender Howorth, our design philosophy is rooted in the creation of spaces that are not just innovative but also elegantly distinctive. Our expertise extends to crafting kitchens that serve as the architectural heart of a home. Whether you possess a vision of your own or seek the insights of seasoned experts, our team of luxury interior designers possesses the acumen to fulfil your kitchen aspirations. Presented below are a handful of the most current colour trends in kitchen design.
The Beauty of Muted Colours
A prevailing trend in home design that captures attention is the application of muted colours across flooring surfaces. Our Luxury Penthouse project in the charming city of Nice perfectly illustrates this approach. Within the realm of this culinary haven, we made a deliberate choice to embrace rich, dark wooden tones for the floor, a decision that amplifies the room’s innate sophistication. In the kitchen, we opted for rich, dark wooden tones on the floor, a choice that enhances the room’s sophisticated appeal. By incorporating textures like dark oak, granite, and various shades of grey, our designs infuse a natural, authentic touch into the space.
The comforting embrace of these natural elements holds particular significance in today’s complex times. As homes become sanctuaries, offering respite from the outside world, the appeal of materials like wood becomes all the more evident. Wood’s timeless presence in design brings a sense of tranquillity that resonates deeply within us. Its simple elegance envelops spaces in a reassuring calmness.
Embracing Minimalism
The zenith of luxury kitchens resides in the harmonious marriage of functionality and aesthetics. The Mayfair Mews House Project serves as a testament to this ideology, where we meticulously intertwined design and functionality to craft a truly remarkable culinary space. Within its confines, a minimalist canvas unfolded, exuding an air of openness and sophistication. In our pursuit of minimalism, we embraced a palette of soft hues and pristine whites—a design approach that resonates within this culinary haven. Here, the absence of clutter and excessive ornamentation allows the kitchen’s inherent elegance to shine through.
The surge of streamlined kitchens is ushering in a new era of popularity, guided by the “less is more” mantra. This minimalist philosophy crafts a serene haven adorned with clean lines and uncluttered spaces. Achieving this contemporary allure is refreshingly uncomplicated—prioritising practicality is the key. The magic lies in handpicking high-quality materials and elements that champion functionality and bold aesthetics, embodying the very spirit of minimalism.
Black & White Contrast
The timeless allure of juxtaposing black and white unfurls an aura of enduring sophistication within the kitchen. Masterfully harmonising these two tones not only imparts a contemporary edge but also sets the stage for vibrant bursts of colour. As the walls, cabinets, surfaces, and flooring are enveloped in this classic embrace, the finer nuances of the kitchen’s design are accentuated. The Belsize Park Penthouse Project serves as a testament to our adeptness in orchestrating this harmonious interplay.
Image copyright Nicholas Yarsley (Wizzwam ltd).
A Gentle Touch of Colour
Sometimes, a delicate infusion of colour is all that’s needed to invigorate your kitchen space. Introducing muted shades to expansive worktops and islands can imbue the area with personality and character. This artful approach draws attention to focal points of colour, creating a captivating visual dynamic. For an added touch of individuality, consider infusing small hints of colour into fixtures like lighting and decorations. In the elegant design of the Essex Mansion Project‘s kitchen, muted greys coexist in gentle harmony with vibrant accents of green, a juxtaposition that exudes sophistication.
Timeless Cabinet Colours for Lasting Elegance
When deliberating over the hues for enduring kitchen components—such as cabinets, countertops, and wall paint—opting for neutral shades is a decision that echoes through time. The allure of natural colour palettes stems from their intrinsic versatility and timelessness. These shades transcend the fleeting fads of fashion, ensuring your choices remain eternally relevant. This also presents a prudent choice if you ever decide to place your residence on the market, as neutral tones resonate universally, appealing to potential buyers with diverse tastes.
If the prospect of injecting a splash of colour entices you, yet you shy away from the permanence of vibrant accent walls or audacious pink cabinetry, consider the potential of neutral walls, cupboards, and work surfaces. This blank canvas beckons for experimentation with vibrant accessories and art pieces, serving as a backdrop that evolves with the ever-changing winds of fashion and your personal inclinations. Alternatively, you may find the subtle allure of an unembellished neutral palette, left as it is, to be a tranquil and elegant statement in itself.
The Kitchen Trends Shaping 2023
As we tread into the landscape of 2023, a plethora of kitchen trends emerges, each carrying its unique charm. Among these, wood flooring stands out as a trend to wholeheartedly embrace. Picture wood-effect porcelain tiles, meticulously arranged in a herringbone pattern—these hold immense appeal, particularly for open-plan kitchen extensions that bask in an abundance of natural light.
The infusion of these tiles brings forth a tangible sense of warmth and texture, creating an intimate connection with the space. The beauty lies in their resilience to the sun’s embrace, ensuring they retain their lustre even as they gracefully weather the elements. In addition, their ease of maintenance further solidifies their standing as an exquisite choice for a kitchen that is both inviting and practical—a balance sought after by discerning homeowners in the contemporary era.
Elevate Your Kitchen with Our Expertise
For a kitchen that embodies style, modernity, and creativity, turn to our team of luxury interior designers. With their artistic prowess, they can orchestrate a transformation that resonates with your vision, crafting a culinary haven that’s both functional and aesthetically inspiring. Through a blend of innovative design and impeccable execution, we elevate the kitchen to a realm of exquisite elegance, where every element is meticulously curated to speak the language of understated luxury. Let us accompany you on the journey toward crafting a space that is the embodiment of refined living.
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