West London Family Home

As the arrival of the new CMID blog draws near, we pause to reflect on designers that are of particular appeal one way or another.   We are drawn to the residential works of the Charles Mellersh Design Studio for its enduring commitment to simplicity without draining rooms of warmth and comfort.  This is evident in an older post looking at previous Charles Mellersh work - see here  - as it is with this more recent West London effort, as seen above and below.  Though each interior is site specific and styled in different ways, both are undeniably warm and layered with eye-catching visuals that do not burden the limited space.  It's a good balancing act and effective interior design can often be reduced to finding balance. 

Interesting sidebar:  Charles Mellersh started his design career as a journalist and stylist, including a stint as an interiors editor with the influential magazine, Wallpaper*.  This would have provided ample opportunity to hone his style and, perhaps, approach his own design work with a practiced critical eye for what works for the broader  readership/audience.  And indeed, the rooms below have a certain unifying appeal to them that could cut across various demographics: male/female, family home/professional couple without kids etc.  It's both versatile and smart politics!

Words by Craig Greaves and photographs via Charles Mellersh Design Studio

Fritz Hansen Milan Showroom Updated

While we are working hard to put the final touches on the new CMID blog behind the scenes, it has been instructive to look at old postings and wonder about the progress or changes that may have been made over time.  Measuring change is, we think, an important exercise in interior design as a means to draw inspiration from established style or assessing your own ideas against new and innovative thinking. It keeps you sharp.

Consider the contrast between the Republic of Fritz Hansen Milan Showroom circa 2013, which you can see here and its showroom at the Salone del Mobile 2015, the world's most important furniture fair in Milan, as shown.  The shift in style and presentation is quite stark. The contrast is illustrative as to how Fritz Hansen aims to promote ideas as to how to use its products by having settings that is, perhaps, easier for customers to visualise, and indeed understand. The warmer, more homely stage that stylist Christine Rudolph has designed for last year's Salone enables Fritz Hansen products - old and new -  to better perform in a way that highlights quality and, importantly, practical application. 

Whereas the 2013 presentation was rather clinical in its form, the slightly dishevelled look of the 2015 incarnation speaks more about the design practicality of the products without detracting their style worth.

Let's be honest, the lived-in look of the presentation will be familiar to many and, we think, helps better explain the products.

The value of natural light cannot be underestimated in showcasing interior products. The 2015 presentation uses it with great effect, bringing the room to life.

The bikes, the books, the casually placed throw rugs are key supporting  players to the main attraction of the presentation.  The warmth and personality they add it each room only brings out the presence of the Fritz Hansen products.

This could have been a somewhat sterile view were not for the shoes, which softens the visual in a nice way.

An unmade bed - good heavens! And yet, it forms a critical centrepiece to showcase the surrounding products.

CMID does a lot of kitchen work and we admire this one for its simplicity, efficiency, and openness.  Intriguing splash back I might add. The colour palette is striking and works really well in promoting the kitchen's role as a inviting focal point in any household.

Words by Craig Greaves.

Photographs via Fritz Hansen FB page.

Best of CMID - Scandinavian Style

Apartments in a former Chocolate Factory (2015)

There’s a good reason why the CMID blog has been dormant of late.  We have been busy focusing our efforts on developing a newly crafted blog, with a re-launch planned for the end of February.

Remaining true to your essential style while constantly keeping your work fresh are key elements that work in tandem to deliver effective and successful interior design.  The new CMID blog aims to reflect this thinking.

In the interim, and to possibly to keep your whistle whet, here's a retrospective of the CMID blog’s most popular postings.  If you are a regular reader, it might not escape your attention that Charlotte admires Scandinavian style and this is reflected in the popularity of related posts.  She is drawn to its modernity, natural functionality, and often-unobstructed simplicity of interiors and exteriors. 

Click the link provided below the images to see more of each posting.  And, look out for the CMID blog version 2.0 in February. 

Isolated Cabin in Norway (2014)

Stunning Modern Apartments in Stockholm (2015)

Stylish Swedish Apartment 2012

Ett Hem Stockholm  (2012) and More of Ett Hem Stockholm (2013)

Design Museum Denmark (2011)

Modern and Traditional Swedish Summer House (2013)

Republic of Fritz Hansen Showroom in Milan (2013)

Scandinavian Inspired Home in Melbourne (2014)

Scandi Styling in the Hamptons (2012)

Michel, Helsinki (2015)

Words by Craig Greaves. 

Martinborough Mini Trip

And a happy New Year to everyone! We hope that a joyful festive season was had by all.

We recently visited the Wairarapa region to attend the wedding of our friends, Hamish and Alice.  Roughly an hour from central Wellington, the region is well equipped for a relaxing weekend sojourn.  Beautiful rolling hills frame a landscape which shares vineyards, olive groves, farmland, and a number of hamlets and towns.  The region invites good weather during the summer period, and on this count it did not let us down during our brief stay.

Bucolic beauty among the hills close to the town of Martinborough.

The wedding reception was held at the Brackenridge Country Retreat, which is but a short drive from Martinborough.  It hosts a function centre, a spa retreat, and a number cottages and studios within its expansive grounds.  This view is sweeping south to some cottages and the hills beyond

We stayed in one in one of these nicely appointed and restful studios.

Bridal transport posing in front of the function centre.

The function centre, which housed the reception, opened to a lush and inviting lawn.  Forgive me, but as Charlotte comes from an architectural family I feel duty bound to borrow oft-used industry lexicon that this design allowed for 'good indoor-outdoor flow.' 

We have always wanted to call into the award-winning Clareville Bakery, just outside of Carterton township.  And we did just that the morning after the wedding.  The Bakery resides in one of the oldest buildings in the region, as the above photo reveals.  Great interior details includes rolling pin-shaped door handles and AGEE jar pendant lights.

En route home we purchased some roadside summer fruit. An almost ritual practice on such journeys.

Words by Craig Greaves and photographs by Charlotte Minty.