Europe’s largest dedicated kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms exhibition kbb Birmingham, will be returning from 6-9th March 2022. Taking place at the NEC, kbb Birmingham will feature over 300 exhibitors across 26 different product categories, featuring the very latest innovations and cutting-edge design trends in the KBB sector for 2022.
kbb Birmingham will feature an unrivalled selection of Europe’s most established and prestigious brands, well known to the interior design community and all conveniently housed under one roof. Confirmed exhibitors include Quooker, Capel, Electrolux, Davroc and Caesarstone, as well as a number of up-and-coming brands within the sector. Many exhibitors will be offering visitors a first look at their new product launches and sharing the very best in KBB industry trends and award-winning designs. To view the latest list of exhibitors, visit the kbb Birmingham website.
kbb Birmingham Sales Director Jon Johnston comments;
“We are looking forward to reuniting the industry for 4 days of unrivalled networking and specifying. For many of our exhibitors this will be the first opportunity they’ve had to showcase their latest products and services, following an unprecedented 2 years. kbb Birmingham offers an unbeatable opportunity for the interior design community to meet in-person with valued partners, colleagues and suppliers – we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
Commitment to Safety
Informa Markets, the organisers of kbb Birmingham, have introduced Informa AllSecure, a series of best practice guidelines and industry standards for all event teams to adopt post Covid-19. As a result, there are 2 key differences that exhibitors and visitors will notice when attending kbb Birmingham:
• All aisles have been widened to 4m across the show floor to allow for easier density management and physical distancing, should this be recommended by local government at the time of the show.
• Physical visitor and exhibitor badges will be replaced by digital badges that can be accessed on any smart phone. All visitors will be encouraged to register online rather than registering when they arrive at the event.
Kbb Birmingham Sales Director Jon Johnston continues;
“Our Informa AllSecure guidelines ensure enhanced health and safety standards. Whether they are exhibitors, visitors, speakers or sponsors, we want all our customers to come to kbb Birmingham to connect, learn and do business, safely and with confidence.”
The AllSecure best practice standards raise the bar on delivering safe, hygienic, productive and high-quality organised event experiences. This new standard is now being adopted by key stakeholders in the events industry worldwide and will continue to be updated as new ideas emerge. More information on the 10 key principles that make up the AllSecure policy can be found on the kbb website here.
Product Innovations
During the four-day event, the kbb Innovation Awards 2022, in partnership with Blum, will also be taking place. The awards honour the best and most innovative ideas in the KBB industry, recognising the most creative and ground-breaking solutions. Entries for the Innovation Awards will be accepted until 14th January 2022, when their panel of judges will create a shortlist of forward-thinking designs to put forward. Visitors will be able to see the shortlisted products at the show to get an essential preview of some of the most cutting-edge product design from the KBB sector. Details around submissions and entry requirements can be found on the kbb Birmingham website.
For more information on kbb Birmingham 2022, please visit www.kbb.co.uk
The design industry will once again be able to meet in person and be updated on the latest surface materials and designs when the Surface Design Show returns to the Business Design Centre from 8-10 February 2022.
Over 120 exhibitors will be exhibiting, including 35 new talents at the UK’s leading event for architects and designers. Many of the exhibitors will bring to the show a range of new product launches, inspired by the show’s theme ‘Sense of Place’ with the goal of putting humanity and the planets wellbeing at the heart of all decision making.
Surface Matter will be displaying its sweet material pop up shop stand. The stand is inspired by Surface matter’s material studio in London Fields which is described by architects and designers as a ‘sweet shop for materials’.
Hosting debates, panels, trend forecasts and insights into the latest surface design innovations, the Main Stage is at the heart of the Show. There will be 16 presentations on the Main Stage during the 2 ½ days of the Show. The Opening Night debate highlights a younger generation of architects and designers and is entitled Climate Change and Future Proofing. New to Surface Design Show is a series of Legends Live interviews where an industry personality meets and chats with their ‘legend’.
One of the highly anticipated and unique parts of the show is the New Talent section. Supporting new talent is a key focus for Surface Design Show. This year over 30 participants, will display a range of sophisticated and innovative designs, from textile designs featuring augmented reality to 3d tiles of eco resin and waste materials. Many of the participants this year also show a recurring focus of using natural materials and dyes.
New Talent is curated by Trendease International and held in Partnership with Canon UK.
Each year visitors also look forward to Surface Spotlight Live, a focal point of inspiration for designers to touch and compare the very latest material prototypes. Surface Spotlight Live will highlight the Show’s ‘Sense of Place’ theme and will be curated again by trend and colour expert Sally Angharad and held in Partnership with CD (UK).
2022 will be the 10th anniversary of the Surface Design Awards which is therefore fitting that it received a record number of entries.
All the finalists, including the new Architectural Photography Award, will be featured on a display stand with Surface Design Show.
Could you name and describe the area where the house is located?
A penthouse in the middle of an African city surrounded by sea … Luanda. Luanda is a city of many cultures, with people who are natives are as well as may others who seek a life that only African can give. It is an intense city where human warmth and joy fill us with everything that is beautiful. We love working in Africa!
Could you describe the layout? (size in square meters, open plan, number of bedrooms, bathroom etc.)
It is about 500m² over two floors. 2 living rooms (one of which is also a dedicated TV area), a dining room, a guest bathroom, an office, a kitchen, and dining area and four ensuite bedrooms. The exterior spaces, including the pool and the balconies that surround the apartment, have an absolutely breathtaking view.
Were there any special requests from the homeowners, and if so, how did you answer to the requests in the final design?
In this case, we knew the clients well as we had done several projects for the family already. So we knew we could design and get creative … !
What was the inspiration behind the project?
The location itself, its colors and natural diversity were the starting point. The origins are always a great inspiration, in Africa, even more so.
What type of materials did you decide to use in this project, and why?
For this apartment we worked with everything from pure linen to ancient African cloths even to fish skin. We wanted local animals to have a presence, with the cheetah in an especially prominent place, but also the ostrich, their eggs … everything reminds us of the special location we are in.
How would you define the style of this home?
We feel that this house fits into a modern eclectic style.
What type of colors did you decide to use in this house, and why?
In terms of color palette, the inspiration lies in olive, gold, silver, copper, all mixed with timeless white. It is these tones that create the atmosphere.
What was the biggest challenge you faced?
The biggest challenge was undoubtedly setting up the project, due to local logistical difficulties. Projects abroad bring some extra challenges, but give us great pleasure to accomplish.
• What do you like the most about this project? Doing a project in a country we love so much. Angola!
The apartment and its three-sided terrace sail like a yacht above the rooftops of Vienna.
An exciting interplay of luxurious materials and simple forms is the common thread running through the interior of this penthouse. The design is inspired by the location and characteristics of the approximately 165 m2 living area and 380 m2 terrace area, including an outdoor sauna, whirlpool, and infinity pool. Located on the 9th and 10th floors of a new building, the apartment and its three-sided terrace sail like a yacht above the rooftops of Vienna, and thus also a little aloof.
Many of the custom-made wooden fixtures are perceived as floating – from the dressing room and bedroom with en-suite bathroom, to the boudoir with a luxurious dressing table. Plenty of storage space and many a hidden door have been invisibly built into the wall using laminated walnut. The earthy wood elements form a clear contrast to the floors: shiny bright and large-format porcelain stoneware (with a marble look) in the representation rooms, and high-pile velour in the private rooms. These materials offer subtle nods to the 70s, with backlit mirrors.
The spacious eat-in kitchen also has a ship-like appearance. Behind white high-gloss fronts, its dark walnut interior has been intricately designed, down to the smallest detail.
The central element of the living room is the bioethanol fireplace. Slightly elevated, set in a light marble base, it is backed by a large-format, dark porcelain stoneware wall with a marble look, which, in addition to the flames, also reflects the material aesthetics of classical modernism. The base is also the first step of the metal staircase to the upper floor, whose filigree strut railing takes on a supporting role and makes the structure appear weightless.
Once again, this project was about distilling a coherent whole from the clients’ many ideas; focusing their vision and guiding them in their decision-making process.
Technical sheet
Location: Vienna, Austria
Area of project: 165 m2 living area and 380 m2 terrace area (1.800 sq.ft./4.100sq.ft. )
Project Team: Harald Hatschenberger, Sophie Kessler
Working closely with established interior designers dkinteriors, Diana Blanchard and Anastasia Antonova Design, Detail Lighting specified the lighting for this impressive South Kensington residential property. Elevating the ambience of each and every room – from the bathroom suites and an open-plan kitchen to an atrium and walk-in wine cellar, Detail Lighting provided technical back-up and developed bespoke lighting solutions that were strongly guided by the client’s likes and dislikes.
Incorporating numerous special finishes and modifications to standard products to ensure the lighting effect was just right, Detail Lighting carefully worked to pair suitable products with the function of each space.
In the beautifully designed contemporary kitchen, where the lighting was especially important to create a bright environment with no shadows, the Corona Pro product was installed alongside discreet undercabinet LED strips to deliver an impeccably lit space. A best-selling product in Detail Lighting’s expansive portfolio, Corona Pro was used throughout the property in various wattages depending on the ceiling height, whilst bespoke finishes and colours were provided to complement the interior scheme and paints used.
Statement wall finishes meant carefully positioned and planned lighting was required to minimise the impact of the light products themselves, meaning the eye is drawn to the décor and detailing of the interior. A perfect example of this intelligently planned lighting, a hidden LED was integrated into the staircase to accentuate the handrail, accompanied by trimless cu-blok lights on each step acting as discreet orientation lighting.
Illuminating the walk-in wardrobe and dressing area, linear LEDs were carefully added to joinery and combined with over-head lighting to create a functional and appealing lighting scheme.
Careful consideration was required for this project to ensure a seamless lighting and controls package, to achieve this Detail Lighting worked closely with the AV integration firm and conducted various testing to ensure that the dimming and scene setting would work perfectly and achieve the client’s desired aesthetic.
Established in 2000, Detail Lighting offers beautiful, functional lighting design that separates projects from the ordinary.
Supplying the commercial, hospitality and residential sector, Detail Lighting combines unparalleled expertise with a comprehensive portfolio of stylish, technical and well-designed products to deliver the very best in LED lighting solutions.
Multi-functional and open-plan kitchens are now one of the top design requests among Drew Forsyth & Co customers. As we’ve all been getting used to spending more time at home over the last 18 months or so, the way we use our kitchen and living spaces has also adapted, with this trend set to develop further into 2022.
“We’re predicting a big rise in broken-plan living in 2022, as homeowners seek to create multi-functional spaces with added privacy,” explains George Forsyth, MD of Drew Forsyth & Co.
“A lot of projects now ask for an open-plan layout, perhaps merging the living room by knocking the adjacent wall down, and incorporating seating areas and large islands. And now we are seeing a definite shift from open-plan to broken-plan too. This is a likely result of working from home more and the completely open-plan layout now allowing for cosy or quiet areas.
“The good news is that it’s possible to have the best of both worlds, by being clever with the use of space and zoning areas to allow for a greater sense of privacy, while retaining the best elements of open-plan, including light, space and flow.”
Here are five ways to make a broken-plan kitchen and living space work in your home:
Use freestanding shelving units or seating areas to act as a natural division between cooking and dining.
Make use of glass to create a partition without blocking sightlines.
Incorporate varying floor and ceiling heights to create a split-level layout.
Use an island or peninsula as a multi-functional way to zone while creating extra storage and worktop space for work, rest and play.
Create a social space, with a dedicated seating area that can be used for mealtimes, as well as working from home and the kids’ homework.
Drew Forsyth furniture is bespoke, with prices starting from around £30,000 for a complete kitchen. For more design ideas see www.drewforsyth.co.uk or call 01422 842206.
Appointed by the owners during the construction of an elegant 6-bedroom home in Sevenoaks, Kent, Andrew Henry Interiors set out to create a home with distinct living spaces for relaxing, socialising, studying and playing. Incorporating their existing Asian influenced furniture and art and the philosophy of traditional Feng Shui, the client wanted to weave their cultural background and heritage into their home. The interior design, therefore, spotlights these existing pieces, whilst complimenting the arts and craft style of this brand new, lavish home. The property showcases LUXE, Andrew Henry Interiors’ elegant, high-end, bespoke service.
Jessica Robins Senior interior designer at Andrew Henry Interiors, comments “We’ve created a space that would make a lasting impression on visitors whilst providing a comfortable, practical home for everyday living. Surprise and dramatic contrast define each space and create a journey of discovery throughout the property and the richness of our designs are also influenced by the property’s historic surroundings. Situated within the exclusive Wildernesse Estate, with a former stately home dating back to 1705 as its centrepiece, we wanted to ensure that this stunning new property also complimented the setting and surroundings.
Bar/Games Room
The design team focused on creating an unforgettable social space in this room, choosing an alternative style that would stand out from the rest of the house.
Transporting the family and their guests from day-to-day life to a spectacular destination, a bespoke bar designed by the lead designer and pink and royal blue booth seating placed against a backdrop of floral wallpaper adding tones of green, ensure eccentric flair. Green velvet bar stools tie in with the wallpaper and a pink oversized neon light adorns this wall space, ensuring plenty of wow factor. Eight individual ceiling pendant lights on brass fittings drop down over the bar, creating evening light that replicates the ambience of a cosmopolitan venue.
Entrance Hall
Designed to make a stunning first impression, the entrance hall features neutral colours and bespoke pieces to create a bold statement. White marble flooring with a striking black border, designed by Andrew Henry Interiors, frames the space and a multi pendant mesh steel feature light by designer Arturo Alvarez adds further interest and grandeur to the entrance. The stairs and balustrades were stained to match the wood flooring throughout the house and hand painted silk wallpaper was sourced from China, subtly introducing visitors to the oriental references that run through the home.
Formal Living Room
Working with the artwork, coffee table and sideboard supplied by the client, the design team created a sophisticated space for entertaining in this formal living room. Classic style and opulence colour this space with beautiful textured Arte wallpaper used on all the walls and a neutral colour scheme that brings the bright artwork above the fireplace to life. Matching, symmetrical luxurious rugs create further comfort and statement lights have been placed above them, introducing textured glass and brushed gold to the area.
Informal Dining Room
As an everyday space used regularly by the family, it was essential that this room was functional and hard-wearing, whilst remaining connected to the rest of the home. Creating a sense of calm and warmth in contrast to the grandness of the more formal spaces in the property, the design team sourced a high-end, mid-century light that ties in with the clients existing chairs and sideboard and an oversized mirror was placed for Feng Shui reasons, inviting energy into the space and reflecting light from the patio area outside.
Formal Dining Room
The ambitious design team focused on creating a formal dining space with an oriental twist. The beautiful walnut herringbone flooring, which was selected to run through the whole of the downstairs, is softened in this room by a luxurious light grey rug which rests under an inclusive oval dining table. A fluted antique brass chandelier creates a dramatic effect over this social space. Hand painted silk wallpaper sourced from China creates a stunning backdrop and feature wall and compliments the traditional floor lamp supplied by the family. A burst of colour in the luxury silk curtains adds further texture and ties the space together.
Family Room
This informal living space was designed with an oversized matt olive velvet sofa taking centre stage. Combined with a bespoke Julian Chichester media cabinet and anthracite bifold doors, this is the perfect space for the family to relax in. The client’s own artwork adds colour and quirk to the playful interior.
Kitchen
The design team worked with high-end specialist kitchen company Stoneham to create a luxurious kitchen that is practical but also beautiful, with a stunning, harmonious result. Selecting a veined white marble work top and dark stoned hue kitchen cabinets, the kitchen was elevated to a space to make cooking and socialising a joy. Andrew Henry accessorised the room with striking maroon Juvi beetle counter chairs with matt black legs.
Master Bedroom
Andrew Henry Interiors selected a soothing colour palette here, introducing a scattering of warm maroon in rich textures. Again, this room has a subtle oriental influence projected by existing furniture, which has been combined with modern pieces to work with the style of the house, creating a cohesive scheme that resonates with the rest of the property. Delicate Arte wall panels with a distinct oriental pattern add a feminine dimension to the space and a striking bespoke canopied bed is paired with beautiful Visual Comfort lamps. Bespoke apex shutters which can be controlled from the bed were installed to manage daylight and the bed canopy feature ensures Feng Shui rules have been considered, as well as adding sophisticated comfort to the space.
Guest Bedroom (bedroom 4)
The aim in the guest bedroom was to create an impactful space with a rich, deep colourway. The walls and wardrobes are painted in Farrow and Ball Preference Red, adding dramatic contrast to the white walls and fabric curtains. A luxurious bespoke headboard with wenge border provides further opulence and a nod to the arts and crafts architecture of the house.
Teenage Daughter’s Bedroom
Andrew Henry Interiors created a playful room here using the occupant’s favourite colour; blue. Using a mix of pattern, colour and texture to form a more grown-up space to take her into her later teens, the room is a fun and eclectic space that will transition alongside her. The upholstered bed is from Loaf and bespoke shutters were supplied by Andrew Henry Interiors and can be controlled from the bed.
Teenage son’s bedroom
The client’s son chose the wall colour here, which is Farrow and Ball De Nimes, and the space was then styled around his preference. Again, the designers wanted to create a space that was fun and would age well with the client’s needs. An oval rattan headboard, geometric fabrics and stylised bedside lamps were also introduced to make the space memorable.
Adult Study
Situated on the ground floor, this study prioritises practical work space and neat storage. Bespoke his and hers desks and joinery maximise the area and the striking herringbone floor and brass accents elevate the space.
Home Cinema
Designed by home cinema experts Sevenoaks Sound and Vision, Andrew Henry Interiors specified and supplied the bespoke black-out curtains in matt maroon velvet made with acoustic cloth and selected the shade of the chairs to go with rest the home.
To ensure the home abided by Feng Shui rules, the Andrew Henry Interiors team familiarised themselves with the practice and applied these learnings to their designs. Integral to this approach, mirrors and headboards were thoughtfully placed to safeguard and support the owners.
Andrew Henry concludes: “It was important to us to not only design the interiors, but to design the living experience of this home, so our approach went beyond aesthetics to incorporate practical considerations. We’ve created the ultimate balance of luxury and functionality, whilst embracing owner’s personal style and history. Maroons and greens compliment the family’s oriental heritage and we were mindful of creating a family home of longevity rather than a show home.”www.andrewhenry.co.uk
The team behind Design London, Clerkenwell Design Week, Design Joburg, OnOffice and ICON magazine have recently launched BSPOKE 365 – a year-round digital platform for architects and designers to connect with sought-after furniture, lighting, surfaces and contract interiors brands. BSPOKE 365 will be the industry leading networking, product sourcing, education and talks platform. Following on from the success of the BSPOKE series of meet the buyer/networking events which welcomed over 10,000 pre-qualified buyers online, BSPOKE 365 brings together a highly targeted audience with influential brands and designers.
BSPOKE 365 kicked off with five days of captivating talks and unmissable content from the likes of Yinka Ilori, Eley Kishimoto, Lee Broom, Henry Holland, Adam Nathaniel Furman, Marianne Shillingford and more. Users can discover an array of internationally renowned brands and source the latest contemporary design products for upcoming projects. The platform boasts an impressive line-up of brands including FLOS, Kohler, Ideal Standard, Artemide, Natuzzi, Penta and more.
A team of curators will deliver an editorial programme that cannot be found elsewhere, inspiring architects and designers as well as providing essential education. Listen in on BSPOKE Conversations from leading designers and rising stars of the design world, covering a range of topics, plus future trends and current movements within design, architecture and the wider creative industries.
From exclusive industry parties to striking installations, topical talks to the latest products and everything in-between – the platform will preview the best upcoming fairs in the design calendar including IMM Cologne, Stockholm Furniture Fair, Salone del Mobile, ICFF New York, Clerkenwell Design Week, Design London, Design Helsinki, Cersaie Bologna and Downtown Design Dubai.
Register now and gain access to exclusive product launches, a plethora of curated talks with industry influencers and associations, RIBA accredited CPD’s and previews of global design fairs – all in one place.
From a comforting and cosy family meal to a Friday night dinner party with friends, the winter and festive months are all about entertaining. Starting with the dining table, it’s the foundation of any well-designed dining room. It’s functional but it also provides an attractive focal point and helps to ground the room. You can either create impact and make a bold statement by choosing a more contemporary design or go more luxurious with a marble-top option – either option will add a superior and welcoming finish to any interior.
For those who love entertaining, an extendable dining table makes for a versatile option as it will allow you to easily seat more guests without compromising on style. This can then be complemented by introducing a lovely table bench or plush seating. It’s important to make sure your dining chairs not only look the part but feel comfortable too. For spaces that require kitchen-diner configurations, select a bar stool that will perfectly offset your cabinetry – this is a great opportunity to create visual contrast whilst adding an insta-worthy finishing touch to the space.
You can also take your dining room to the next level with a coloured chair design – this will add a hint of playfulness and will help to inject personality into the space. Choose from bold pink colours to rich blues in either a faux leather or velvet fabric, the design possibilities are truly endless. To finalise your dining room for winter entertaining, you can add in hints of luxury by accessorising the space with rugs, ambient lighting or high-quality dinnerware for the ultimate in modern living. You can also make mealtimes more memorable with unique glassware or pretty champagne, tumbler and wine glasses. Across the dwell range we have a superior choice of dining room furniture designs that will add the perfect finishing touch to any space.
Style It is impossible to assign it to any one specific style as it contains everything from art deco to urban style.
We experimented with colours playing with the dark floor in combination with a yellow sofa and a bright painting on the ground floor. We created a very unusual staircase with an amazing chandelier and designer banisters which can be classed as the centrepiece of this house. Our designers expressed themselves in various ways, especially with the use of dark coloured metals which were used as a base for this project. The first floor features a burgundy/cherry coloured flooring leading to the granddaughter’s room which is designed in green colours.
Next to it is the youngest son’s room which looks like a separate loft style apartment with concrete panels on the walls, an amazing photo of New Yok city and industrial wall lights made to exclusive designer drawings. Then there is a master bedroom where her dressing room and bathroom are silver and white with elements of blue and his dressing room and bathroom are brown and beige and resembles in style small houses along the seaside.
Living area Every space is thoughtfully designed to every last detail and reflects the idea at the heart of the project that the bedrooms are not just different rooms but also reflect the personality, interests and tastes of each family member. All this may give the impression of total incompatibility but it is not the case as these completely different spaces together create one atmosphere united by specific elements.
Client & Brief The clients are a large family who wanted to create a home that would be their main place of residence. The client’s most important request was to create comfortable spaces suitable for the whole family to spend time together. The other requirements were the sports area, spa and wine cellar.
Design tricks This can be identified as the main design technique – all the spaces are created with different moods, colours and styles but they all seamlessly join together. Dark metal is the main decorative element. It is used throughout the whole project and is the main feature.
Wine Cellar Confirming with the owner’s preference to not build a basement in the house we organised a space on the ground level next to the kitchen. The interiors are divided with a transparent floor made of tempered glass. The textured blued metal on the stairs highlights the graphic black floor and walls. The lack of direct light in the space creates a magical atmosphere of an ancient wine cellar. We were very attentive to the temperature and humidity controls as one of the most critical considerations in every wine-cellar design.
Spa & Sport area The second floor comprises the spa and a gym that features a large sports equipment area as well as table tennis and yoga spaces. Despite its separateness, it also had to be integrated with the house therefore we decided to finish it in Swiss-style. We designed a bespoke hydro massage bath, hammam, spa zone and recreational area. All the spaces are quite cosy and family friendly.
Location: Moscow Size: 700 sq m Photographer: Mikhail Loskutov @loskutoff
