The Ikon - Church Road Barnes

Last week saw the roof wetting soirée  of one of the first projects I embarked on as the independent entity of Catherine White Interiors.  From concept sketches three years ago, we are now almost finished!  Just a few finishing touches to go in along with the furniture and then we are done.  

The house is spread out over four entire floors of the prominent property overlooking Barnes Pond in South West London.  Two reception rooms (including an open plan kitchen and bar) a generous master suite with a steam room, along with a cinema room, maid's quarters, and two guest suites, and a study.

The planning concept behind the house was to keep the private spaces (suites and study) clearly separate from the more public spaces.  The client enjoys cooking and spending time with friends, so it made sense to create entertaining spaces that really work.  The two reception rooms are stacked one on-top of each other, so we opened up the floor to connect them and create one big party area.  This opens up onto a large deck and then one further.  No shortage of space, which was well used as he had 160 guests!

There is a clear circulation path through the property, with the stairs and lift in the same area allowing easy navigation of the large property.

The strongest design elements are the feature stair which is made of slate and steel and the void which exemplifies the minimalist ethos of the project, with it's fuss-free steel, glass and lighting elements.  The bar is made of Slate and Zinc and was a big hit with the guests, it's curvilinear shape contrasting with the rest of the property.

We kept the materials palate very minimal, only using steel, slate, glass, plaster and gorgeous large format timber in the main spaces.

A massive team effort, with a fantastic result!  

Slate and Steel Treads Cantilevered from the Structural Wall

Glass Ballustrade with Steel Wrap

Void connecting the two main entertaining spaces

Slate and Zinc Bar

Proving to be a great entertaining space

New lift for ease of circulation internally

Excited designer!  Great seeing my dreams come to life!

Team and Suppliers:

Project Manager : Avis Appleton and Associates

Contractor: M & J Development

Lighting Designer: Light IQ

Kitchen: Extreme Kitchens

Flooring: Texfield

The Serpentine Pavilion

I popped along to the Serpentine Gallery this week to look at the new Summer Pavilion.  Designed by Smiljan Radic, the Folly looks like a large chrysalis on top of some rocks.  I'm not too sure that was the look he was going for, but the texture of the fibreglass structure really comes into it's own when you are inside.  He was representing papier mache, and it definitely gave that effect.

Sharp LED lights with a "rubberised" diffuser snaked through the space, and distinctive cuts in the structure allowed views through to the surrounding park.  A stark contrast to the Serpentine Gallery itself, it had an air of "the space ship has landed". 

Probably not my favourite pavilion thus far on the outside, I loved the space on the inside.

The Serpentine Gallery

Paphos - Mosaics

I have been lucky enough to go to Paphos recently to do some research for a resort I am working on there.  

I've always been interested in archaeology, and the mosaics in Paphos  did not disappoint!  Gorgeous patterns which look so fresh and modern, they wouldn't seen out of place in a contemporary interior, yet were made thousands of years ago.  

And here are a few shots around the gorgeous resort I am working on, so excited to be working with such a beautiful location! 

Azia Resort