The Client Brief

The building itself is architecturally quite stunning but the main characteristic was the amazing sea views. The building is shaped like the bow of a ship to take full advantage of the view stretching from Bournemouth pier to Poole bay incorporating Brownsea Island and Old Harry Rocks.

The clients gave me a very open brief. They wanted to be wowed by something they hadn’t seen before! The apartment was not the main residence but was going to be used frequently for entertaining.

The Designer's Challenge

by Andrew Rizza, Design Director, Dream Design

Spatial Design

Due to the limited space I wanted to facilitate a dual use for the kitchen area. By dividing the kitchen into an inner area containing the cooking appliances and outer area forming the preparation space, I was able to create a sociable bar/club feel when the inner kitchen was concealed behind the feature sliding doors.

My biggest challenge was in convincing the clients to embrace the inner and outer kitchen concept. Mrs. W had the feeling that she was going to be shut in the inner kitchen cooking dinner while Mr. W was enjoying his gin and tonic at the bar! Eventually Mr. W promised to never shut the doors while Mrs. W was inside - unless she burnt the toast!

Ambience

I chose colours and materials associated with glamorous clubs/restaurants – chocolate brown high gloss mixed with American black walnut and cream stone. The floor to ceiling obscure glass doors mask the inner kitchen but when open disappear within the paneled walnut walls to reveal a fully functional ergonomically zoned kitchen. When closed the bar comes into it’s own incorporating wine store, fridge/freezer with ice compartment, boiling water tap and coffee machine. The sweeping glass top with cream leather bar stools completes the ambience.  

The majority of the cabinetry was high gloss laminate from SieMatic with bespoke elements from Andrew James to give originality to the scheme. American walnut wall panels with concealed LED lighting and SieMatic cabinets in the dining/lounge area flanked a large circular mirror, which reflected the sea view for anyone perched on the bar stools.

Products Available From Dream Design

Cabinetry SieMatic & Andrew James

Work Surfaces Cream Engineered Stone

Bar Top Colour Backed Glass

Mosaic Tiles Bisazza

Appliances Miele

Bar Stools Ronald Schmitt

Dining Table & Chairs Rolf Benz

Sofa Rolf Benz

Rug Rolf Benz

Mirror Galotti & Radice