KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021
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Small spaces, big ideas!
Zoe Perks of Beautiful Rooms By Zoe’s under the stairs Cocktail Bar was named as the overall winner of the Under The Stairs competition, at the recent Grand Designs Live.
The panel of expert judges including Kevin McCloud; Jenny Gibbs, principle of the KLC School of Design; Kunle Barker, property expert, journalist and TV presenter; and Harriet Forde, president of the British Institute of Interior Design.
Harriet Forde said: “Zoe’s design was both aspirational, executed well with a very on trend colour palette and overall was an excellent use of space,” while Jenny Gibbs commented that:
“It wasn’t just the high impact of Zoe’s room but particularly the degree of ingenuity and level of detail that really made this room stand out. All the designs in one way or another responded to the world we are living in at the moment, focusing on health and wellbeing, or had an element of escapism to them; also encompassing the current topic of environmental concerns. It was a difficult, in fact, an almost impossible task for us to choose a winner as each design was so well considered and original.”
Playing on the secrecy and decadence of an old-fashioned speakeasy, this maximalist room embraces the glitz and glamour of the 1920s. Gold accents contrast glamorously with deep greens and art deco patterns to create a space that embodies luxury in a typically unglamorous place, to be revealed when the mood strikes. www.beautifulroomsbyzoe.co.uk
Under The Stairs is a series of eight installations, using often-overlooked storage spaces and each imagined by a different interior designer. Focusing on the growth in the use of unconventional spaces to expand the home, this competition invited eight innovative interior stylists to bring their ideas to life at Grand Designs Live; producing a celebration of unique, individual spaces in the home. From bold colours to fabulous textures, these small spaces aren’t afraid of making a statement and are sure to provide plenty of small space inspiration to every visitor.
The other finalists on display were:
Highly Commended - Johanna Davies – www.johannadavies.co.uk
This discreet desk space allows the homeowner to plan weekends with friends while making sure their tech is charged and everything is ready for the next day in the office. The bike storage (fixed part way up the staircase, outside the space) allows safe storage of a bike indoors, while not taking up valuable floor space. All finishes and accessories are sustainable, low in VOC and made from natural materials where possible, making for a timeless, chic room, that adds so much more than an office space to the home.
Highly Commended – Pritpal Chana – www.pcarchitects.co.uk
This under the stairs gym is an incredible use of space! Allowing homeowners to keep fit at home, with the sleek integration of equipment and retractable storage, this design optimises space without compromising on style and quality. An energising colour palette combined with a contemporary industrial feel to the space make this gym appealing and stylish.
Amanda Dawn Clothier – www.quartersinteriors.com
Embracing the more ‘traditional’ use of an under-the-stairs space, Amanda presents a luxe area to store and display beautifully designed shoes, colourful umbrellas and handy keys. Using a warm and inviting colour palette contrasted against plush unique furnishings, this deisgn is the perfect marriage between function and style.
Nicola Ash – www.loveallthingsquriky.com
Nicola, founder of Loveallthingsquirky is an advocate of pattern, colour and boldness, all of which show through in her wellbeing-focused under the stairs submission, encouraging everyone to take some time out, even just for five minutes, to read, meditate or collect our thoughts. Deep calming blue, bright happy mustard and splashes of natural greenery make for a cocooning and comforting space.
Helen Crouch – www.conceptandcompletion.co.uk
Natural green accents combined with artistic plant-inspired artworks and wall-paper give this baby room a truly relaxing atmosphere. Complete with a canopied hanging day bed, along with a baby bathing and changing area, this room creates a sanctuary. The colour palette of gold, neutrals, soft green and bright yellow create an adaptable area for all by night when the baby is in bed.
Samantha Theakstone – www.samanthajanedecor.co.uk
This indoor den has been designed with Gin in mind! Homeowners can grow the perfect garnish for their G&T, with their own botanical garden, which creates a fun, natural and soothing space in the home. The interior furnishings create a natural feel, with textures including rattan, rope and wood, combined with darker metals to provide an edge. Colours echoing a scandi-inspired palette of soft greys contrast beautifully with green accents from the plant life within.
Lynsey Hoskin – www.ashevilleinteriordesign.com
This beautiful space is inspired by a night at the movies and demonstrates a fun but indulgent use of the space, providing a really unique feature to any home. Striking silver walls contrast with plush soft pink furnishings and fun neon accents, alongside gold accessories to create a luxe feel to the room, perfect for total relaxation.
Grand Designs Live will return to London’s ExCeL from 2nd – 10th May 2020
26th October 2019