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.
Luxury Book Shelves: An Underrated Feature for the Home
Bookshelves are one of the most versatile and attractive features in any home. They are often seen as a practical piece of furniture, which they certainly are, but there is so much more to them than just a place to store books. They can become the luxurious focal point of any room or they can be a subtle feature that blends in with the rest of the decor and colour scheme. They come in a variety of sizes, depths and shapes and can even be used as room dividers or walls. We’ve selected a few of our projects to demonstrate the power of bookshelves in luxury interior design.
Subtle Bookshelves
Callender Howorth’s interior renovation of the Exchange Building City Penthouse didn’t skimp on bookshelves; we fitted them as if they were already part of the construction. The project involved the complete renovation of spacious penthouse apartment in the trendy Shoreditch area of London. The client wanted to create a home that replicated the “New York loft” vibe so we emphasised the large spaces, high ceilings and natural light.
Subtle floor-to-ceiling bookshelves were fitted in the bedrooms blending perfectly with the white colour scheme. They actually became a part of the wall next to the head of the bed on either side and form perfect squares of space to be utilised with books, magazines, ornaments and other decorative features.
Meanwhile, in the living room, the same effect was employed but this time horizontally rather than vertically. We fitted a long yet narrow in breadth two-shelf white bookshelf that ran the length of the windows above it. Again, the shelf is white and seamlessly blends with its background; it is complemented by other neutral and white coloured furniture and walls.
Bold Bookshelves
Our Belsize Park interior design project prominently features bookcases in the living room and dining area. We transformed a dilapidated Victorian house into a dream home for our clients who wanted an eclectic look with Indian influences that would reflect their style and heritage. In fact, a rich brown bookcase was used as a focal point in the living room and takes up a whole wall.
The main bookcase was supplemented by a large bookshelf to create a wall above some discreet storage cupboards in the adjoining dining area and used in a very minimalist way with just one vase despite the presence of five shelves. When combined with an opulent chandelier above a dining table, the effect was a perfect contrast of empty space and detail so that the space feels harmonious, refined and uncluttered.
Similarly, our Nice Apartment project in France included fantastic full-length shelves that took up most of the wall. Framed by floor-to-ceiling cupboards on either side in the same dazzling white as the ceiling and one of the walls to emphasise a feeling of space and light that makes the ceiling seem higher than it actually is. The shelves were very sparingly populated, and the books were actually left elsewhere piled on a dresser to convey an eclectic effect.
If you would like the help of an interior design consultant to advise you on how luxurious bookcases and other items of furniture can transform your home, please contact Callender Howorth.
Top Drawer 2017 Review
Top Drawer, Olympia, London. Photo credit: Top Drawer Twitter
The Top Drawer Trade Show takes place twice a year at Olympia – London’s most beautiful exhibition venue. Top Drawer’s 2017 Spring Show took place on 15-17th January and showcased beautiful, design-led and innovative products from both established and new exhibitors. The event includes six categories to view including Home, Gift, Craft, Food, Fashion and ‘Spotted’ (new talent). Products like home decorations, storage, stationery and travel accessories take centre stage at the three-day trade fair. It attracts London interior designers who find inspiration in the fantastic array of products being launched, sold and displayed. And this year’s exhibition didn’t disappoint, so we’ve selected some of our favourite displays.
Home
Obviously, home is our favourite section. From interior accessories to furniture and lighting, Top Drawer finds the best exhibitors to display an exceptional array of international brands and must-have pieces. We’ve long enjoyed the work of Above & Beyond’s striking minimalist and monochrome designs, particularly their ‘Between the Lines’ cushion. It’s made from 100% cotton and comes with a range of different coloured backs. Their range currently includes plates, tea towels, cushions, pillow cases and prints. Bob Crooks: First Glass also caught our eye. The company specialises in handmade decorative and functional glassware, from scent bottles to large scale bespoke pieces including lighting and mirrors.
Bob Crooks: First Glass. Photo credit: Top Drawer/ Bob Crooks
Cult British interiors brand Mini Moderns celebrate their 10th anniversary this year with a home fragrance and travel wash bag collection. The Festival of Lights Scented Candle Collection celebrates four of Mini Moderns’ classic print designs (full of clean lines and retro patterns) with a set of heaven-scented candles. We also love Hill House Design’s beautiful handmade lampshades that vary in size from small bedside lamps to oversized central pendants. Some of Home’s other exclusive exhibitors include Design Letters & Friends, Lauren Dickinson Clarke, Claribel London, Skagerak and Bluebellgray.
This ‘Abstract Print Grey & Ivory Placemat’ is an example of Claribel London’s beautiful homeware products. Photo credit: Claribel London/Top Drawer
Food Emporium
The popular Food Emporium made a return to the show and this time it was bigger than ever. More than 80 artisans and producers sold ‘giftable’ food products, from sweet treats like iced biscuits to condiments and seasonal treats. Ross & Ross Food brought along their home curing kits and BBQ condiments and Ace Tea London displayed a selection of their 100% natural teas that can be enjoyed hot, iced or mixed in cocktails. Other exhibitors included Anglesey Sea Salt, Hawkshead Relish Company, Makers & Merchants and Hasslacher’s Hot Chocolate.
Sample Ace Tea London’s flavourful teas with great taste and stunning aesthetics. Photo credit: Ace Tea London/ Top Drawer
Spotted at Top Drawer
‘Spotted’ at Top Drawer celebrates new British talent and has helped over 40 businesses make their trade show debut. This is the section to come to if you’re interested in discovering future design stars. Some highlights include Kent-based Denys & Fielding’s bright, bold deckchairs, with matching indoor/outdoor cushions and accessories for the garden or even your balcony.
Relax outside with a stylish Denys & Fielding Classic Deckchair. Photo credit: Denys & Fielding/Top Drawer
Continuing the country lifestyle theme, Tally Ho Interiors use British materials and motifs to create fabulous fabrics, lampshades and cushions. Fortunately, there is an abundance of talent in the UK and it can be scoped out at Top Drawer’s Spotted where modernist homewares harmoniously share exhibition space with filigree jewellery and handmade candles.
Callender Howorth strives to keep up with current trends in design since we never know what amazing new trend or idea will influence us to produce truly unique interior design projects.
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.
Crownwell Basements: 5 Cool Basement Conversions Ideas
Basements are often underused an
d neglected spaces, yet it doesn’t have to be this way! The cellar is one of the most diverse parts of a home and can be used for anything from a children’s playroom to a home office or gym. If your basement is used merely for storage with little thought for aesthetics or design, then it is not fulfilling its potential. Those who are lucky enough to have a basement have an unlimited range of options and the only limitation is their imaginations.
As interior designers in London, we at Callender Howorth regularly turn basements into enviable spaces. Keen to explore the unlimited possibilities for subterranean space, we turned to one of our clients for some expert advice. Crownwell Basements is a specialist design and build contractor, which focuses on high-end basement conversions from planning to delivery. Crownwell Basements’ managing director, Jake Puddy, has over 20 years experience in delivering bespoke residential schemes and is an expert in renovating basements. Jake outlined some of his ideas about how you can best utilise your basement, and, as you can probably guess, there is something to suit all personalities and requirements. We hope the ideas below inspire you to get creative with your basement space.
1. Utility & Storage
Let’s deal with practicalities first. The washing machine and laundry area is commonly relocated into a new basement along with the central heating system. This allows better use of the upstairs house and can keep things quieter in your main living area. The additional storage space means travel luggage and rarely used items such as (skis, suitcases, camping gear, etc) can be safely stored away. The basement is also a good place to keep a safe or gun cabinet. When the temperatures outside are soaring, the basement remains cool; so it’s a great place to store wine. Aside from being a wine cellar, you can also build a bar to escape the unbearable heat and enjoy a cool drink.
2. Family/Media/Games room
The primary driver for the new basement is increased living space for family and friends. The space is typically used for a wide screen TV/homeCinema, gaming and music and if it’s big enough, then ping pong tables and pool tables are installed. Repurposing old items such as baskets and metal cabinets for storage adds a unique touch, plus shelves can be fitted to store books, computer games and board games. Art can add a touch of colour to the walls and putting up a vintage dartboard makes a creative and fun way to pin up notes and photos as well as it’s original function as a game. It can be as relaxed as you like — some
people fill the space with comfy beanbags and cushions and others prefer more classic armchairs and sofas. With enough attention to detail, soon the basement will become the place where everyone wants to hang out.
3. Wellness Area/Spa/Gym
Jake says his company has been getting an increasing number of requests for wet areas and steam room/saunas to be built into the new space. His team has built fully equipped gymnasiums and swimming pools with counter currents and underwater running machines so anything is possible — at the very least they would typically install a new guest bathroom or shower. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much space or too much inconvenient plumbing and rewiring to set up a home gym and the cool temperatures make basements a natural choice. However, it takes careful planning to optimise the space and ensure adequate sound-proofing, but usually basements have concrete floors that absorb the vibrations made by treadmills and other exercise machines.
4. Study/Home Office/Library
This is a very common use of the new space and it’s perfect for all ages. In addition to providing a study space for teenagers at exam time, a great option for working from home and a quiet place to read, it’s also a great place to keep archives. The constant temperature makes basements ideal for storing book and art collections. A quiet sanctuary away from all the distractions of home life is perfect for people who find it hard to concentrate with the TV blaring and little ones fighting for your attention. Using the basement as a clearly defined workspace is sure to up your productivity levels. By adding some ergonomic furniture, uplifting decor and high-quality lighting
you’ll feel comfortable enough to concentrate on your work or studies.
5. Guest Bedroom/Playroom
When the family or guests come to stay, an extra bedroom in the basement is a very welcome addition to the house. 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. Also, having a play space for toddlers and stay-over space for the nanny can really help young families in a busy household. Kids will love having their own space to explore and mingle in. Features like a chalkboard wall or rugs will make playtime both fun and educational whilst keeping the rest of the house clean and tidy.
Please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team should you wish to discuss your basement 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.
The Latest Colour Trends in Kitchen Design
For any house, few rooms are as important as a kitchen. More than just a place to cook, it’s a meeting point and focal area of the entire home. For any respectable home owner, the kitchen needs to look luxurious and contemporary, with cutting-edge design and the perfect colour palette. Here at Collender Howorth, our designs are unique, innovative and stylish; we regularly create kitchens that are a central feature of a home’s interior architecture. Whether you have a design in mind or want an expert’s opinions, our luxury interior designers know exactly what your kitchen needs. Here are just a few of the latest colour trends in kitchen design.
Muted Colours
One of the most in-vogue trends in home design is to use muted colours across floors. In the Luxury Penthouse project, which was recently undertaken by our team in Nice, we used dark wooden tones for the kitchen floor, which accentuates the other features of the room. By favouring deeper textures, such as dark oaks, granite and other natural shades of grey, these designs add a natural feel to the environment.
Minimalism
The very best luxury kitchens make fantastic use of design to optimise both the functionality and look of a space; this is especially the case with minimalist kitchens, which integrate functionality into design to create something truly astonishing. In the Mayfair Mews House Project, we created a minimalist kitchen with an open feel. Minimalist designs benefit from pale colours or white, which is the tact we adopted here. The kitchen feels clean, stylish and contemporary when it’s not cluttered with objects and colours.
Black & White Contrast
By sharply contrasting black and white tones, the kitchen is imbued with a classic feeling of sophistication. Balancing the tones is a fundamental way to create a modern look, especially when infused with splashes of colour. Utilise a black and white design on the walls, cupboards, surfaces and floor, to emphasise the smaller features of the kitchen. We achieved a successful balance at the Belsize Park Penthouse Project.
Image copyright Nicholas Yarsley (Wizzwam ltd).
A Touch of Colour
A subtle suggestion of colour is all it takes to bring your kitchen to life. If you want personality and character, use muted shades for the large worktops and islands, drawing attention to colourful focal points. Small hints of colour can be added to additional fixtures, such as the lighting and decorations, to add just the right amount of personal charm. In the kitchen design at the Essex Mansion Project, we used muted greys to gently complement, rather than juxtapose, colourful highlights of green.
Speak to our luxury interior designers to transform your kitchen into something stylish, modern and creative.
Supplier of the Month: SLS Builders
At Callender Howorth we take great pride in working with the best partners available for each project we take on. Knowing how to put together the right team to bring a property to life is a skill in itself and something that takes all the experience and expert knowledge of our staff. Specialist high-end refurbishment firm, SLS Builders Limited, has proved to be a valuable asset to our luxury interior designers in recent projects.
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