A powder room is where you can push yourself out of your creative comfort zone. It’s where you can be adventurous with colour, texture and materials. You can afford to indulge in the space, as the scale is smaller. There is an element of surprise for your guests. More often than not there is little natural light, so we at BIID tend to push the design darker, more moody rather than trying to create a brighter space that will never be light.
Below we feature a selection of our powder rooms.
A rug brings a space together, it adds warmth and another layer of texture. What do we need to consider? Answer – size – our rule of thumb would usually be to sit all of your furniture on the rug. However, you do need to consider cost, circulation, door opening and to to look at each space individually. Increase pile thickness to add texture. A rug is a great piece that can enable you to bring all your colours together. Pattern – large or small? How much of the pattern do you see and where from? Material? Wool, silk, mohair, linen, the list continues. Maintenance and possible sun damage. Here are some of BIID’s favourite designs and suppliers that distribute internationally:
What do we want when choosing a sofa? What do we need to consider? Answer – Comfort, number of seats, scale, back, seat and arm height, legs, feet or plinth, colour, texture, maintenance and how it will sit in the space.
The depth of this piece is perfect for the family to crash out and watch a movie on.
Simple, classic proportions. Interest is added with a custom plinth to compliement the joinery and the subtle use of two different colourways in the same fabric. The brief was ‘white sofas’ but the darker seat and back cushions made it more practical for the family.
The stitching detail is in keeping with the crafted approach carried throughout the interior refurbishment.
It has the aesthetic low lines and the versatility to have a high back. Make the sofa a focal point with a clash of pattern and colour.
This stylish sofa seats four comfortably in the formal living room, with integrated side tables and elegant legs which create a lighter feel in a smaller space.
A contemporary feel is created by the juxaposition between the high ceiling and low sofa. Constructed with foam, rather than feather, there is no constant fluffing up, it retains a smart appearance so is perfect low maintenance for family life.
The kitchen, often the hub of a home, can host a number of activities, from the obvious food preparation to eating throughout the day. There is also homework at the kitchen table, home admin, charging of devices and not forgetting a glass of wine with a friend.
It is important to consider how the room sits with other areas in the house and garden, to ensure there is some continuity with the rest of the interior, and also to take influence from the architecture.
What is on your ‘wish list’? Who uses the kitchen? How do you cook? How many do you cook for? What is your ideal height for worktops and cupboards? It’s all very personal and practical.
At BIID we start with our client’s brief, usually taken in their existing kitchen to ensure we don’t forget anything. We ask the client to provide some images to reflect their style and materials they like. We provide a check-list of all the appliances, unit options and finishes available. It is just as important to establish what you don’t want, as what you do.
Finally, we recommend that you jot down on our plans and elevations what’s going on and where, right down to the washing-up liquid and tea-towels, to ensure everything fits. Everything is all carefully considered and detailed.
At the beginning of 2016 Batchelor Isherwood Design is working on some exciting projects and is able to share a few shots. Work includes a complete refurbishment of a federation home, styling a home after completing a client’s build and detailing the interior finishes through to furnishings on a family home with Jorge Hrdina Architects.
Every project is carried out by either Karen Batchelor or Pip Isherwood, from the initial meeting, the design detail, through to completion. As your home is such a personal, private place, it is essential we build a trusting and friendly rapport.
Pip and I started our careers in the creative field because we had a passion for drawing and, from a very young age, we always had a pencil in our hands. We have been established for 20 years and, in that time, the drawing boards have moved out of the office and the MACs have moved in; we are able to show our clients 3D walk-throughs and update-drawings quicker, but with pencils still in our hands!
As we continue to move forward we thought it time to start a blog, as it is yet another tool that enables us to share our inspiration with you, the work in progress and the detail.
We would like to use this opportunity to thank our clients, our colleagues both in and out of the office and our suppliers for their support.