Category: Home & Kitchen

This townhouse in Los Angeles by US firm Olson Kundig is outfitted by furniture brand ATRA with “the best that Mexico has to offer”.

The Garden House, which sits between West Hollywood and Beverley Hills, was designed as one of eight single-family homes that form the Rosewood Houses development.

Each of the two-storey residences was designed by Olson Kundig with a unique look and layout while retaining a cohesive language across the set.

For this particular house, which is decorated for a fictional future client, Mexico City-based design studio and furniture brand ATRA used many of its own products to create an environment that complements the architecture.

“We wanted to sublime the minimalist architecture and the simplicity of the volumes by keeping the home versatile – imagining that the owner could be a young family as well as a Hollywood actor or a tech entrepreneur and that the design should not only fit but inspire all the above,” said the ATRA team.

From the street, the house presents as austere – comprising dark cladding materials and emphasised horizontally by an extended flat roofline and porch cover.

The building is entered into a double-height space from the side, effectively splitting the plan into north and south areas.

A staircase with open risers and glass balustrades rises up through the central void, its transparency allowing views from one side of the house to the other.

The living room to the north is anchored by a large bronze feature that frames a fireplace, while ATRA’s Egge velvet sofa and pair of armchairs face one another across a low stone coffee table.

On the other side of the staircase is the dining room, where the brand’s sculptural Pebble dining table sits below a branch-like chandelier by Isabel Moncada, and beside a highly textured artwork by Julio Rizhi.

“We curated the best that Mexico has to offer to enhance this house with unexpected artworks and thoughtful designs,” said Gabriella Kuti, ATRA’s lead designer.

Earth-toned furniture and textured finishes are used prominently throughout the ground floor, including a volcanic stone desk in the study and warm wood cabinetry in the kitchen.

A slightly different colour palette was employed upstairs, where grey sheen walls and burgundy-hued chairs are found in the primary bedroom.

“Some unusual warm and vibrant colors were introduced like a happy accident,” said ATRA.

Works by international artists in the home include a wall piece by Ghanaian artist Serge Attukwei Clottey made from a patchwork of yellow gallon containers, and bold-striped paintings by French artist Edouard Ng.

Tucked out of view at the back of the property, a small outdoor patio features a square plunge pool and sculptures by Pablo Arellano.

The eventual owners of the house will also have access to the amenities of the adjacent residential tower 8899 Beverly, including a pool, a covered dining area and gardens, an indoor fitness centre and a yoga studio.

ATRA also provided furniture and decor for a show apartment in New York’s One Wall Street designed by FrenchCalifornia, and launched its Nerthus-Sofa modular system in 2020.

The company was founded by Alexander Díaz Andersson, who is also its creative director and works across furniture, sculpture, interiors and hospitality projects.

The photography is by Michael Clifford and Nils Timm.

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This is the last opportunity to be featured in the Dezeen Events Guide for London Design Festival 2023, which highlights the key events taking place in the UK’s capital city in September.

The guide includes a range of exhibitions, installations, talks, workshops, open showrooms, product launches, pop-up shops and design fairs taking place across London.

This year’s edition of London Design Festival takes place from 16 to 24 September 2023, with the 21st edition spanning across 13 districts in the city.

Dezeen Events Guide‘s live digital guide showcases events that explore a variety of design mediums, including architecture, biodesign, furniture, lighting, interior accessories, fashion and materials and textiles design.

Last chance to get listed in Dezeen’s digital guide to London Design Festival

Get in touch with the Dezeen Events Guide team at [email protected] to book in your listing or to discuss a wider partnership with Dezeen. There are three types of listings:

Standard listing: for only £100, we can include the event name, date and location details plus a website link. These listings will also feature up to 50 words of text about the event. Standard listings are included at the discretion of the Dezeen Events Guide team.

Enhanced listing: for £150, you will receive all of the above plus an image at the top of the listing’s page and an image in the listing preview on the London Design Festival festival guide page. These listings will also feature up to 100 words of text about the event.

Featured listing: for £300, your listing will feature everything as part of an enhanced listing plus inclusion in the featured events carousel and social media posts on our @dezeenguide channels. This includes one post per channel: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and up to 150 words of text about the event. This text can include commercial information such as ticket prices and offers, and can feature additional links to website pages such as ticket sales, newsletter signups etc.

About Dezeen Events Guide

Dezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year. The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks.

Inclusion in the guide is free for basic listings, with events selected at Dezeen’s discretion. Organisers can get standard, enhanced or featured listings for their events, including images, additional text and links, by paying a modest fee.

In addition, events can ensure inclusion by partnering with Dezeen. For more details on inclusion in Dezeen Events Guide and media partnerships with Dezeen, email [email protected].

The illustration is by Justyna Green.

Timber ceilings and a fireplace clad in mahogany tiles feature in this London house, which its owners have renovated to honour the dwelling’s mid-century roots and nod to the colour palette of Stanley Kubrick films.

Located in north London’s Stanmore, Zero House belongs to recording artists Ben Garrett and Rae Morris, whose former home in Primrose Hill is the Dezeen Award-winning Canyon House designed by Studio Hagen Hall.

Unlike their previous dwelling, Garrett and Morris updated Zero House themselves but adopted the same mid-century palette when creating its interiors.

“The house was built between 1959 and 1961 by a Hungarian architect,” said Garrett, who explained that the original design was informed by Californian Case Study Houses such as Charles and Ray Eames’s 1949 home and design studio.

“It’s a great example of a number of imaginative mid-century domestic houses dotted around metro-land,” he told Dezeen. “Our main aim was to freshen it up relatively in keeping with the time but not to feel like we were living in a total time capsule.”

The pair maintained the matchbox timber ceilings that run throughout the two-storey home, which were stained with a dark reddish tone alongside stained wooden doors.

Slim mahogany tiles clad the floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the living room, which features the same micro-cement flooring found at Canyon House and opens out onto a lush garden.

Garrett and Morris also maintained the home’s many exposed brick walls and inserted geometric timber shelving that displays eclectic ornaments including amorphous vases and a colourful set of nesting dolls.

Reeded 1970s-style glass was used to form various windows including a rectilinear opening in the kitchen that illuminates minimal timber cabinetry topped with grainy surfaces.

The pair transferred the tubular Marcel Breuer chairs and Tulip dining table by Eero Saarinen from their former home, as well as the same “heinous digital artwork” that decorated their previous living space.

Upstairs, a moody mahogany carpet darkens the main bedroom, which features the same timber wall and ceiling panels as the communal areas.

“There’s a lot of dark reds and browns in the house,” said Garrett.

“We leaned into the horror film slash Kubrick feel of the upstairs and made a few more austere choices this time,” he added, referencing the late filmmaker, whose credits include the 1980 supernatural horror movie The Shining.

Coffee-hued cork was chosen to clad the exterior of the bathtub and the surrounding walls while another walk-in shower interrupts the dark wooden theme with bright orange tiles and deep white basins.

Zero House also holds a timber-panelled recording studio, which is located in a separate low-slung volume at the end of the garden and can be reached via a few stepping stones.

Garrett and Morris left the structure of the property largely untouched. Instead, the duo chose to focus on dressing its mid-century interior.

“We didn’t have to be clever with this house as the space is abundant and the flow and design were incredibly well thought out in the early 60s,” he said. “So it was more of a cosmetic thing.”

Other recent mid-century renovation projects saw Design Theory update a coastal home in Perth from the 1960s while Woods + Dangaran added a koi pond among other elements to a Los Angeles dwelling built by architect Craig Ellwood during the same decade.

The photography is by Mariell Lind Hansen.

New York studio GRT Architects has designed a light and airy Italian restaurant and adjacent cocktail bar at the base of Thomas Heatherwick’s Lantern House in Manhattan.

The new dining and drinking destinations face the corner of West 18th Street and 10th Avenue through the distinctive bay windows of the building, which straddles the popular High Line park in Chelsea.

The 3,000-square-foot (278 square metres), 90-cover Cucina Alba offers a full brunch and dinner menu, while Alba Accanto is half the size and serves cocktails and bites next door.

Both are operated by Prince Street Hospitality, whose partner Cobi Levy collaborated with GRT Architects on the interiors of both spaces.

“Cucina Alba and Alba Accanto are two distinct yet complementary spaces that instantly transport guests to Italy, capturing the polish of the north with the brightness of the south,” said the group.

Cucina Alba is designed to embody a “vacation Italian” aesthetic, evoked by light terrazzo floors, tubular metal Knoll Cesca chairs, and pale oak millwork.

Alternating yellow and white fabric panels were draped overhead, forming a parachute-esque ceiling that matches the striped awnings over the entrances.

Thin metal chains hung from red railings act as space dividers, defining and partially enclosing a section of the dining area.

High-gloss, oxblood-coloured tables nestle into semicircular booths or line up along the bench that follows the windows.

At the other end of the L-shaped space, the open-air kitchen is denoted by a colourful mural by artist Alex Proba that covers the end wall and part of the ceiling.

In the bay windows, an assortment of plants and random paraphernalia – from inflatables to plastic lemons and disco balls – are visible to passersby, while outdoor seating along 10th Avenue is offered under scallop-edged parasols that continue the white and yellow theme.

Next door, Alba Accanto has a similar “Italian holiday bar” aesthetic, but with a slightly moodier ambience for evenings.

The bar counter is built from stacks of pale stone that form striations across the front, while the top and the bar back are made from continuous expanses of a single stone type.

Arched niches behind the bar emanate a golden glow, and display glassware and liquor bottles alongside figurative sculptural vases that were custom-made in Italy.

The ceiling is covered in fabric that features thin ticking stripes, from which brass chandeliers with pale blue glass globes are suspended.

At the back is a private dining room that can be booked for large parties of up to 45 guests, and the table configuration can be adapted depending on the event.

Built-in bench seating wraps the perimeter, and patterned wallpaper and matching curtains are reflected in the glossy ceiling.

In both spaces, works by renowned artists including Alex Katz and Ethan Cook were sourced with the help of art advisor Elizabeth Margulies, and hand-painted tableware from Puglia adds an authentic touch.

“The design of Alba Accanto is exuberant and maximalist in style, utilizing bright colors to reflect the vibrance of Italian coastal cities like Positano,” said Levy, “while the design of Cucina Alba is polished, contemporary, and warmly inviting with wood accents, embodying the soul of Milan.”

“We wanted to capture the distinct atmosphere of each city, and with Accanto, we achieved that same sense of vitality but with a maximalist approach,” he added.

GRT Architects has completed the interiors for two other Italian restaurants in New York City: the Michelin-starred Don Angie in the West Village, and the recently opened Bad Roman at Columbus Circle.

Founded by Tal Schori and Rustam-Marc Mehta in 2014, the studio has amassed a portfolio that extends from Brooklyn townhouse renovations to ground-up builds in the Hudson Valley.

The photography is by Peter Murdock.

Marble countertop costs between $2,000 and $5,000, with most homeowners paying around $3,000. This stone is a popular countertop choice for its elegance and durability. With many types and finishes, marble’s price can vary. Let’s explore the specifics of each type and the cost factors to make a more informed decision.

Marble Countertop Costs by Type

Marble is a metamorphic stone. It comes in different colors, patterns, veining and thickness.

Calacatta

This marble is from the Italian region Carrara. Calacatta has a bold white background with dark golden veins. One of the most expensive options, averaging at $180 per square foot.

Carrara

Homeowners use Carrara for countertops. Its characteristic colors are a whitish, bluish-gray background and light gray veining, making it perfect for the kitchen and bathroom. This marble usually comes in 2 to 3 inches thick slabs; its average price is $40 per square foot.

Cultured

As a manufactured marble, Cultured marble can match any home decor style and colors, making it very attractive for homeowners. It averages $65 per square foot.

Danby

Danby marble has a white to off-white background and dark gray veins. It has a distinctive luxurious and elevated look often used on floors. It averages about $80 per square foot.

Makrana

Many kitchens have Makrana countertops because of their density and affordability. It comes from India. Makrana has a creamy white background with light gray veins. It has an average price of $12 per square foot.

Pink

From Turkey, pink marble has unique rose and golden tones with red veins. It’s usually pre-ordered because it’s not so popular. It averages between $25 to $30 per square foot.

Statuario

Statuario is a luxurious material for modern kitchen countertops. This marble has a white background and gray and gold veins. The average is $50 per square foot.

Travertine

Travertine is also known as black marble. It has a range of gray and brown background colors. It’s used for countertops because of its durability and distinctive look. It averages $75 per square foot.

Marble Countertop Cost Breakdown

Here are some factors that determine the cost of marble countertops.

Marble Slab Size and Thickness

The most affordable countertops have slabs that are 3mm thick. Homeowners looking for a more luxurious appearance opt for a thicker stone of 5mm. There are standard counters between these two measures. Likewise, the size of the slab will also affect the price. The wider the slab, the more expensive the marble will be, as this is used to maintain vein patterns.

Edge Design

Square and eased edges are countertops finishes. They can affect the price of the marble installation. They have an average cost between $10 and $12 per linear foot. There are more expensive ones. Double bevel, Dupont square, and Cole Smith finishes can run between $36 and $40 per linear foot.

Grading

The average cost of the marble for a countertop will depend on its grading. The grading scale ranges from A to D:

• A Grading. This marble has subtle colors and few veins. It has minor flaws, isn’t chipped or wasn’t damaged during transport. This is the most expensive marble.
• B Grading. This marble can contain minor and overlooked flaws. The slab may appear cracked.
• C Grading. This marble has greater flaws and appears a lot more chipping.
• D Grading. This marble has chips and some flaws. This type has brighter colors and darker veins. It’s the cheapest option.

Finish

The type of finish can also add to the final cost of marble countertops:

• Honed finish. A honed finish can cost between $10 and $20 per square foot. Most marble types can handle a honed finish. It gives the countertop a smooth, matte finish. It also gives the countertop a slight sheen, showing more wear and marks than a rough-honed finish.
• Leathered finish. The average cost of leather finish ranges from $20 to $30. Here, the fabricator rotates a diamond-tipped brush over the surface. This attains the uneven texture of this finish. The leather finish does not have a reflective surface. Not all marble types are strong enough to have it.
• Caressed finish. Caressed finishing can cost between $30 and $35. In caressed finishing, they polish the highest part of the marble. The finished result has a slight shine besides the texture of the leathering. This is one of the most exclusive finishes because not all fabricators provide it.

Labor

Labor costs are usually between $35 and $45 per hour. Projects take around 10 hours. The average pay is around $350 to $450 for the service. This price doesn’t include the cost of materials.

Additional Costs to Consider

Some other factors can affect the total cost of marble countertops.

Removal and Disposal of Old Countertops

The average removal and disposal of old countertops cost between $100 and $350. The price of removing old countertops will depend on their size and the company’s fees for this job.

Additional Treatments and Repairs

Some countertops need repairs to give the marble stone a refreshed look. Depending on how damaged or chipped the marble is, professionals can charge up to $600. This often involves paying additional hourly fees for the labor of $75 per extra hour. There can also be extra costs for the chemical treatment of the marble.

Maintenance

Marble is a porous stone and requires detailed maintenance to prevent stains. The best first step for its maintenance is sealing and treatment. Once treated, clean the surface with a mild cleanser and a soft cloth. It’s recommended to wipe dark-colored liquids immediately to prevent staining. To maintain a marble countertop, avoid using rough or abrasive materials. It’s preferable to use a pH-neutral cleaner formulated for marble.

Additional Installations

Extra installations can increase the cost by an average of $600. These include designing the layout, installing backsplashes, and additional details to match the countertops to the rest of the kitchen design.

Are Marble Countertops Worth It?

The allure of marble countertops is undeniable. With many types, finishes, and price points, homeowners can choose a marble that fits their aesthetic preferences and budget.

While the initial investment can be substantial, the longevity and elegance of marble make it a worthy addition to any home. It’s essential to factor in the upfront costs, long-term maintenance, and potential additional expenses.

By understanding the full spectrum of costs and considerations, homeowners can make an informed decision that will enhance the beauty and value of their homes for years to come.

Interior designer Little Wing Lee has joined Dezeen Awards 2023 as a judge. Here, she selects five projects that best reflect her work.

Lee’s interior design practice Studio & Projects creates spaces and products for cultural, commercial and residential clients, taking a “narrative approach to design”

“My designs are always informed by context, location and function,” Lee told Dezeen. “I always think about the project’s story and connect that to the design decisions I make.”

Lee is also the founder of Black Folks in Design, an organisation which raises awareness and promotes the culture and importance of Black designers. She was named the first winner of the Female Design Council and NicoleHollis Grant recognising women of colour-led interior design firms located in the US.

“The grant was an investment in my talent and skill and helped me sustain my momentum to build and invest in future projects,” said Lee.

Lee is currently working on a collection with Mexican rug brand Odabashian and the launch of a new lighting collection as well as several museum and restaurant projects.

Lee among Dezeen Awards 2023 judges

Dezeen Awards 2023, in partnership with Bentley Motors, is closed for entries. The longlists will be published on Dezeen in two weeks.

Other judges joining Lee this year include architects Jason Long and Zhu Pei, interior designers Diana Radomysler, Colin King and Martin Brudnizki, and designers Yves Béhar, Ineke Hans and Lani Adeoye.

Read on to find Lee’s views on the five projects that best represent her work:

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National Black Theatre

“National Black Theatre is a unique project as it combines public, performance, and residential spaces.

“It is a historic major capital redevelopment project that will transform the current property into a 21st-century destination for Black culture through theatre.

“This project will anchor and recapitalise the institution with a 250-seat flexible temple space and a 99-seat studio theatre.

“As part of the same project, the developer Ray is also working on National Black Theatre Way, a building on 2033 5th Ave which will house residential, event and retail spaces.”

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OKRA for Odabashian

“OKRA was the first design by Studio & Projects from our upcoming rug collection with manufacturer Odabashian.

“The collection will be carried by Verso with additional designs exhibited this summer in their Bridgehampton gallery.”

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Ace Hotel Toronto

“Ace Hotel Toronto opened in July 2022 and is the brand’s first location in Canada.

“The 123-room hotel was designed by revered Toronto firm Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, led by Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe, in collaboration with Atelier Ace with me as the Atelier Ace/Ace Hotel Group present design director.”

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Black Folks in Design

“Black Folks in Design (BFiD) is a network that connects Black designers within and across disciplines to support each other and share professional opportunities.

“We help people understand the excellence, contributions and importance of black designers to create economic and portfolio-building opportunities for Black designers.”

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National Museum of African American History and Culture exhibitions

“The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture.

“The museum helps all Americans see how their story, their history, and culture are shaped and informed by global influences. It explores what it means to be an American and shares how values like resiliency, optimism and spirituality are reflected in African American history and culture.”

Dezeen Awards 2023

Dezeen Awards celebrates the world’s best architecture, interiors and design. Now in its sixth year, it has become the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The annual awards are in partnership with Bentley Motors, as part of a wider collaboration that will see the brand work with Dezeen to support and inspire the next generation of design talent.

The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets ranges between $2,000 to $6,500. This average considers professional labor hours and materials. There’s also an average of $200 and $774 for DIY projects. Painting your kitchen cabinets is a quick way to improve your kitchen’s look.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Paint Kitchen Cabinets

The total price of painting kitchen cabinets ranges widely because of kitchen space, cabinet state and the quality of the materials. Here’s a breakdown of how much it costs to paint kitchen cabinets.

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Paint Type and Quality

While the average price of a gallon of cabinet paint is around $20 and $100, the ultimate cost will depend on the type of paint you select. Remember that a single gallon covers 350 to 400 square feet of cabinets.

Depending on the type of wood and the color you select, you may need two or more coats for the job, which increases the final cost of painting kitchen cabinets. If the wood is more resistant to absorbing the paint and you have a light color, it may take several coats to finish the painting.

• Latex/Acrylic Paint: Water-resistant, breathable and easy to clean. It averages $20 to $60 per gallon.
• Alkyd Paint: Water-and-stain resistant, durable and ideal for high-moisture rooms. It averages $25 to $70 per gallon.
• Spray-Painting: Spray painting gives a smooth finish and covers narrow crevices and detailed woodwork. It averages $40 to $100 per linear foot.

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Surface Area and Cabinet Design

Different companies and painters have a variety of ways of budgeting their work. They can measure the cabinets by the following measures:

• Per square foot – $3 to $15
• Per linear foot – $30 to $70
• Per door – $70 to $125
• Per drawer – $30 to$110
• Per cabinet – $120 to $190

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Kitchen Size

Your kitchen layout is a variable to consider for the price of painting your kitchen cabinets. If the design is intricate, with many corners and cabinets with different depths, the labor hours price will increase. If you have a large kitchen, also expect a higher price.

• For a small kitchen (70 square feet or less) – $1,000 to $3,500
• For an average kitchen (100 square feet) – $2,000 to $6,500
• For a large kitchen (over 200 square feet) – $5,000 and $10,000

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Condition of Cabinets

Peeling paint, dirty surfaces, and cracked wood impede the painting of the cabinet. If the kitchen cabinets have damages that need to be repaired before painting, these repairs can cost between $120 and $600.

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Labor and Materials

Depending on the cost of living in your area, the price of professional labor hours will vary. The average price of a professional painter’s labor is around $20 to $100 per hour.

The estimated time to finish a project is around 10 to 20 hours. Again, this will depend on the size and layout of your kitchen and the state of the cabinets. Other services like repairing the cabinets and finishing them elevate the overall price.

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Other Costs to Consider

Besides labor and material costs, other services can increase the final price of painting kitchen cabinets.

Site Preparation

Before starting painting, all kitchen and hardware surfaces need to be covered. This will prevent unwanted paint stains on hardwood floors, countertops, sinks, appliances, or vents.

Removing Doors and Drawers

Since painting the drawers and their doors when in place can be difficult, removing them is part of the process. This assures better sanding and a more careful painting. Clean the cabinets and remove drawers and doors yourself to lower labor costs.

Removing Appliances

Another way of getting a better painting is by removing your appliances from the kitchen. If your kitchen has a complex layout, removing appliances like the dishwasher, the oven, or the fridge may be necessary. This can add up to two or more days of painting and increase the labor hours of the painters and, by that, the final cost.

Refinishing vs. Repainting

The average price of kitchen cabinet painting of $2,000 – $6,500 already includes the labor of stripping old paint or stain and sanding the cabinets if needed. So, higher prices for repainting over painting new wood cabinets.

Cabinet refinishing includes replacing doors and drawer fronts, stripping old paint and staining the cabinets. This service has an average price of $1,500 to $4,500.

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Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

The DIY painting of kitchen cabinets averages between $200 to $600, including paint and supplies. Painting the cabinets yourself has advantages, like saving money from the labor hours of professionals. You can remove the cabinets and appliances and prepare the space. However, it may take longer, and you’re prone to make mistakes or have an accident.

When hiring a professional, the overall cost is higher. But they’ll provide their experience of working with wood cabinets, making repairs and safely taking them off and on again. You will pay for paint but not for materials like brushes, rollers, drop cloths or sanding materials.

The kitchen is one of the rooms with more traffic, and cabinets resent the constant food residue, heat, grease and water. Painting them is one of the quick and affordable ways to give your kitchen cabinets a facelift. Also, if you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, the cabinetry is one of the first places to start.

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FAQs

Is it cheaper to paint or replace kitchen cabinets?

Painting your kitchen cabinets is considerably cheaper than replacing the whole cabinetry. The average price of painting your kitchen cabinets is around $2,000 to $6,500, while the total cabinet replacement cost is $4,500 and $15,000. Painting and replacing will depend on the state of your cabinets. You may need a replacement if they’re old, dinged, dented, or scratched.

Is painting kitchen cabinets a good investment?

Yes, painting kitchen cabinets is one of the most affordable ways to give them a new look and add value to your home. You can paint your kitchen a new look without paying the total remodel cost (around $25,000).

Is professional cabinet painting worth it? Or is it better to DIY?

DIY is an option if you want to pay less for painting kitchen cabinets. Keep in mind it requires complex and detailed work and free time. If you don’t have the skills, or maybe your kitchen is large or has a complex layout, consider hiring professionals for $20 to $100 per hour.

A wavy canopy emerges like a fountain from this pop-up cognac bar inside Selfridges in London, designed by local designer Yinka Ilori to mimic the glistening waters of the Charente river in France’s Cognac region.

The bar belongs to cognac brand Courvoisier and was designed to capture its hometown of Jarnac and the surrounding region, where cognac brandy is made using white grapes from one of six designated “crus” or areas.

Ilori wanted to bring this bucolic setting to London’s Selfridges department store, using it to inform the colours and patterns featured throughout the space.

“I aimed to capture the essence of Jarnac – the warmth of the sun, the rippling of water, the beautiful wildflowers and the natural beauty in the surroundings,” he told Dezeen.

“The design pays homage to the magic and nature of Jarnac, creating a space that embodies its spirit.”

The town’s location on the Charente river is the most prominent influence, seen across the pale-blue floors, the sinuous rippling pattern on the walls and, most importantly, in the bar itself.

Here, a circular counter was topped with a wavy blue canopy that seems to pour out of a central pillar, with the same pattern continuing down onto the base.

“I wanted people to feel like they were surrounded by water, with it flowing both above and below them, creating a sense of immersion and tranquillity,” Ilori said.

“The design of the canopy aims to reference the effortless flow of water, making visitors feel as though they are in the midst of a serene river.”

The bar’s scalloped countertop picks up on the sinuous shape of the waves but provides a colourful contrast thanks to its lacquered red finish.

Another reoccurring feature throughout the space is a cartoonish flower shape that nods to Jarnac’s wildflower fields and is found across drinks stands and upholstered benches in the seating area.

To create a visual connection between the blue waves and the buttercup-coloured flowers, Ilori incorporated a sunset gradient that fades from yellow to soft lilac and envelops several cylindrical display stands as well as the base of the bar.

“I was struck by the gradients in the sky in Jarnac and wanted to capture this unique visual,” Ilori said.

These three repeated motifs, spanning earth, sky and water, also feature in the limited-edition bottle design that Ilori created for Courvoisier’s Very Superior Old Pale (VSOP) cognac.

The bottles are available in four different ombre colours and displayed throughout the bar, which will stay open for three weeks until 11 September.

The project forms part of Ilori’s ongoing collaboration with Courvoisier as the brand’s “ambassador of joy”.

Last year, the designer created an immersive dining for Courvoisier in New York, designed to transport diners into a surrealist interpretation of Jarnac.

Ilori’s colourful work is often considered as part of the New London Fabulous movement and includes a colourful skate park in Lille and The Colour Palace pavilion at the London Festival of Architecture.

Entering the “Empty Nesters” phase of your life can cause whirlwind of emotions and be the very definition of bittersweet. 

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