Kia Designs Blog

Adding a twist to an everyday item

Charlie Sunda — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:08:01 +0000

Interior Design is not always necessarily about the pieces of furniture that are always on show. Of course, items such as sofas, coffee tables and sideboards make or break a room but it is the smaller touches that can really take a Design to the next level. Imagine the following scenario: you have had an old friend around to admire your new home and, after dinner, you are ready to uncork an old scotch or bourbon. In the midst of this distinguished guest lavishing praise upon your new abode they stop in their tracks as they watch you pour the whiskey into a couple of tin camping mugs. As you can imagine, their overall feeling for your living space has been somewhat dampened

In order to avoid such a scenario why not consider offering up your spirit of choice in a container that matches the brilliance of your home – perhaps something like this -

The thing about Design is that it must be effortless and, if it is effortless, there will be a natural continuity within your home. This does not just relate to furniture but also to the items that lurk within your furniture. A product like this will serve to enhance the table that it sits on and will inevitably draw attention from all who view it:

Find them here!

Adding a twist to an everyday item is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

Colour Inspiration – Creating a design scheme

Kia Sunda — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:43:01 +0000

I was stumbling through the mass of the internet when this picture instantly captured my imagination for a room design, here are a few of my picks to create this feeling in the home.

50e8f523e8e30e0fda3bcb7baaeb668c_l.jpg (JPEG Image, 1024 × 682 pixels).

The chandelier is described by the makers as “A revolution in crystal chandelier design, the Geometrix collection from Schonbek offers glamour, radiance and color second to none. This chandelier is comprised of lily-cut Strass crystal crafted in Austria by Swarovski. Each highly refractive crystal is cut and polished to perfect optical clarity. Paired with six halogen fixtures, this showpiece offers incomparable shimmer.“ It certainly does have a fantastic radiance and the refracted light would be ery similar to the light coming through the arch – basically it’s perfect.

The sofa is classic and has the softness that the picture has, you feel like you want to curl up in to it and the colour works beautifully to set off the bright purples and lilacs – not every piece has to jump off the page at you (but the cushions on it will add some vibrancy) The sofa will also work perfect opposite these stunning chairs! These side tables certainly do jump off the page at you, there colour is bright and the pattern has nature spread all over it named the ‘Celestial Cloud stool’ is is actually inspired by Asian ink paintings. The coffee table is made from Bone Veneer, it adds another gorgeous texture that is subtle but also works as a gorgeous centre piece. The main pattern is added through the beautiful wallpaper that perfectly picks up not only the subtle changes of colours in our inspiration but also the type of flower (that was a real masterstroke!) and the mirror brings in the structure that is beautifully holding the arch in place from our inspiration – that bit of rustic against some of the other smooth textures will make this really shine. One of my favourite pairings in this scheme however is the side tables with the lamps – so many textures and quite different styles but they will work in perfect harmony.

1.Chandelier 2. Sofa 3. Stools 4. Coffee table 5.Wallpaper 6. Mirror 7.Lamps 8. Cushion 9. Side table 10. Chair

Colour Inspiration – Creating a design scheme is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

A more light hearted, but still incredibly funky, chandelier!

Charlie Sunda — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:53:32 +0000

I am always impressed with daring Design and this certainly fits the bill! Yes, it is incredibly tongue-in-cheek but it is so ‘out there’ that it defies criticism! Obviously a piece like this requires a high ceiling, but placed above a kitchen table (certainly not a formal dining table!) this would be a feature piece that would divide opinion but certainly raise a few smiles!

Credit: Freshome

A more light hearted, but still incredibly funky, chandelier! is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

Inspirational Libraries

Kia Sunda — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:14:46 +0000

As a luxury interior designer we are often asked to design more than your standard living room, this is very close to my heart because in my opinion, every room in the home is important – no room should be denied a beautiful design from the down stairs cloak room to the boot room! Every room should be designed to make the most of the space and to draw all the rooms together. Below are some of the most beautiful libraries we have come across, a public library for me has never been a place that I have thought of as particularly well designed – these however have changed all that and long may it continue!

Selexyz Dominicanen |In Maastricht

DTAC Headquarters Library | Hassell Architects

Livraria Da Villa | Isay Weinfield

The Free University of Berlin Library | Norman Foster Partners

via Weekly Roundup: Libraries |.

Inspirational Libraries is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

On the search for… Over mantle mirrors

Kia Sunda — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:12:05 +0000

We are currently working on a project that has the most amazing colour scheme, it is bright and bold and was actually inspired by the clients favourite eye-shadows!

We are now looking for the perfect mirror to sit above a very traditional Victorian fireplace, here are a few of our options.

Source: jazzitupinteriors.co.uk via Kia on Pinterest

Source: talismanlondon.com via Kia on Pinterest

Source: beautifulmodernthing.com via Kia on Pinterest

Source: chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk via Kia on Pinterest

For me I think the bottom one is perfect, is almost exactly matches one of the fabrics that we are using on the storage ottoman!

On the search for… Over mantle mirrors is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

This settles it: you can literally pimp-up anything!

Charlie Sunda — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:56:07 +0000

Just in case some of our readers have some spare cash that is burning a hole in their pocket I have a suggestion … In all seriousness though this piece of modern art, I believe, symbolises the fact any item around the home can potentially inspire and become a feature piece. A home should create talking points and, although I do not necessarily suggest creating your own version of this broom, it is worth considering that anything can inspire and that artistic endeavour requires one to think outside of the box!

Credit: Freshome

This settles it: you can literally pimp-up anything! is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

Sneak Peak at a Traditional Modern Interior

Kia Sunda — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:43:01 +0000

First of February already, wow how the time flies when you have lots of different projects to work on! January was a great month for us, it has seen us finishing off some great projects and starting some new ones. One of my favourite projects from last year has had a few sneak peaks, first we had a look at some of the items to create a traditional and modern design (bit of an oxymoron but it works) and then we were searching for a bench to finish off the hallway (we don’t usually do after thoughts like this but it worked out really well). So now here are a few of the best detail shots from the gorgeous open plan lounge.

It was really important with this project to keep the detailing very traditional whilst going for more modern fabrics, the cushions have all been piped and the detailing on the arm of the chair below is very traditional and works perfectly in a soft brushed cotton.

For me these poufs are simply amazing, the pop of colour is fantastic and it works to bring out the gorgeous pops of blue in the bespoke carpet that was made especially for these clients – It really is the centre piece of the room that draws everything together!

Also the newly finished floor simply shines in this area of the room!

Sneak Peak at a Traditional Modern Interior is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

Where should we be? Surface Design Show Islington

Kia Sunda — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:50 +0000

So this is a nice easy one for me, with Islington beign my home I really don’t have to travel very far. However, this is a fantastic show to go to as it is very condensed – for me this is great, I am not one of those people who goes walking around shows for hours and hours on end. I am in and out – I know what I like if I see it I go on the stand, get a brochure, have a chat about samples, timelines, prices and then move on. This way I don’t end up with:

1. A whole bunch of beautifully put together brochures from companies that I am never going to use and will eventually end up in the recycling bin

2. Glassy eyes from trying to see too much, I only see the things that are relevant to me and my clients.

For these reason Surface is fantastic, it is basically all about surfaces (give away in the name, right?) So there are natural stone companies, tiles, metals, coatings – all of which can be used for flooring, cladding, ceilings, and wall coverings.

This year things to look out for are, the trend wall by Mix. We don’t tend to stick to ‘trends’ in our designs however it is always great to see what is out there as the availability of products in certain colours is definitely affected by the trends.

I am looking forward to finding some new suppliers, and catching up with some old ones. Surface Design Show is on from the 7th to the 9th of February at the Business Design Centre Islington.

Where should we be? Surface Design Show Islington is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

The 23.2 House by Omer Arbel

Kia Sunda — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:33 +0000

I just love the architecture of The 23.2 House by Omer Arbel built near Vancouver in Canada the use of glass is really innovative.

I have to say thought, I think that garden would drive me crazy… I’m a fan of spots but that would probably give me a headache!

via The 23.2 House by Omer Arbel » CONTEMPORIST.

The 23.2 House by Omer Arbel is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

On the search for… Turquoise Lamps

Kia Sunda — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:40:04 +0000

Turquoise Lamp With Shade. from Graham and Green £135.00

Another option is: Searchlight Lighting Oshka Azure Blue Table Lamp £34.32

Source: very.co.uk via Kia on Pinterest

There is also this absolute bargain option from Very, it is only £11!

Which one’s your favourite?

On the search for… Turquoise Lamps is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

Paints of 2011

Kia Sunda — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:50 +0000

For me design isn’t about the “in” colours of the moment, it is more about the colours that suit our clients needs and personality. Interior Design is extremely individual and no two clients are ever the same, in fact there are very few projects that we have ever specified the same products for. With this is mind it can be very difficult sometimes to look at themes in design, however we always like to stay abreast of what will be available for our projects every year. Part of our research includes looking in to paints, so we were very happy to pop along to the launch of Crown Paints colours for 2012. What first caught my eye however was their most popular colours of 2011, as we can see there are a large selection of neutrals but I personally love the blues and greys in the bottom right of the colour board.

Next month we will be previewing some of the “big colours” of 2012 from Crowns 2012 colour preview as there were certainly some “interesting” selections, not necessarily my type of thing but I am very much looking forward to their autumn collection as I feel that some of those colours will be much more suitable for our clients! )They were much more chalky colours whereas the spring/summer colours were very bright, some verging on the luminous)

Do I spot Pantone’s selection for colour of the year in the image above?

These are definitley some of my favourite colours from their most popular collection. Which ones are your favourites? Answers on a postcard..

Paints of 2011 is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

A bathroom doesn’t have to look like a bathroom

Charlie Sunda — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:04:52 +0000

In many of our recent bathroom designs we have tried to veer away from creating bathrooms which follow the conventional ideals of what a bathroom should be. Instead we try to see the bathroom as another opportunity to be innovative (albeit with certain items being very necessary!) and creative. Bathrooms can often feel very cold and unwelcoming because of the harshness of the materials used – in order to combat this we try to use wallpaper and wall-coverings, as well as less clinical mirrors and lighting.

People are often afraid to be innovative in bathrooms because of the fear that the condensation in the room will ruin any soft furnishings/delicate pieces. This is a valid concern but many items are more hardy than one might imagine and there are some items that can withstand condensation.

I love the bathroom below because it is inviting and relaxed meaning that the bathroom need not be seen as a place of obligation but more one of opulence. Stay tuned to our newsletter in coming months in order to see some of the less conventional bathrooms that we have been creating for our clients!

Credit: Freshome

A bathroom doesn’t have to look like a bathroom is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

Where should we be? Toronto International Design Festival

Kia Sunda — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:50:40 +0000

Are we ready to stack up some air miles? Our previous two design shows have been Europe based, just a short train journey or flight away (hey you could have even spent 2 days in Cologne then jumped on a train down to Paris! How fantastic would that have been?! Daydreaming aside we are now off to the very icy Toronto for one of North America’s largest international design festivals. Starting on the 24th of January (today!) and going on till the 30th there is a whole host of events across the city.

I love there description of the festival “Expand your mind and delve into things design-related at the Toronto International Design Festival produced by the Interior Design Show and presented by Rado and Audi. From January 24th to 30th, venues around the city will host contemporary design events celebrating local and international design. This inspiring festival will feature lively debates and discussions, exhibits, symposiums and fairs.”

My favourite is definitely The Gladstone Hotel’s Annual Alternative Design Event – it sounds fantastic sounds fantastic! It is comprised of room installations and public space projects that literally take over the Gladstone Gallery and other public spaces of the hotel, I just love the inventive use of space.

Come up to my room

Where should we be? Toronto International Design Festival is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

Uneven Architecture

Kia Sunda — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:29:54 +0000

There is something really interesting about the shapes and tones of this home in Barcelona. Designed by Spanish studio RTA-office and is a spectacular two-storey residence located in the Catalan capital. I love this use of the glass to help bring the outside in.

Thrilling Two-Storey Home of Uneven Architectural Volumes in Barcelona | Freshome.

Uneven Architecture is a post from: Kia Designs Blog

On the search for…a hallway bench

Kia Sunda — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:15:16 +0000

Today the search continues for amazingly gorgeous luxury interior design products. Today we are looking for a bench for a beautiful hallway for a project (remember our traditional and modern look post - well its for that project) that is very almost finished in Putney. This bench needs to be something special as it will be the fist touch down point for all guests and two very energetic young boys so it needs to be stylish yet robust. Here are a few of the options we came up with, personally I don’t think we can trump the first one!

Source: frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk via Kia on Pinterest

I love this raw hide bench as it is both beautiful, unique and will be able to handle a little rough and tumble – hides are great for that!

Source: sweetpeaandwillow.com via Kia on Pinterest

This options is also gorgeous but I don’t think it will hold up as well in the wear and tear department.

Source: thesleeproom.com via Kia on Pinterest

Another option was to pop a little more storage in but I just don’t think it will wear very well (I can see it’s first encounter with a pair of muddy boots and it is not good!) plus I think design wise it is a little too boxy for the space.

Which one would you pick?

On the search for…a hallway bench is a post from: Kia Designs Blog