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.