Monthly Montage: The “Wow” Factor
The Design Team at Scarlet Opus are constantly receiving submissions from Designers wanting their Products to be reviewed or showcased on the blog and over the past 6 months we’ve been sent some seriously fabulous work. After some consideration (and discussion with Victoria!) I finally have the focus for today’s posting: über cool design for bars and chill out lounges.
First up some of my favourite spaces …
You’ll remember back in November 2009 my review of the Cavalli Club in Dubai’s Fairmont Hotel, well last month saw the opening of The Chameleon Club in Tecom’s Byblos Hotel by the same Interior Designer, Italo Rota.
All images sourced from Gary McGovern’s Flickr portfolio
The $6.2m venue has over 65,000 LED bulbs incorporated into the design with the light continuously changing with the music – the inspiration behind the concept, Rota says he was inspired by the idea and significance of changing colour. We’ve spoken for several seasons now about the importance of changeant qualities in surface effect finishes, fabrics, and materials and as we move forward into 2013 we’ll begin to see a new visual language being created by contemporary Light Artists. The Chameleon Club is a wonderful example of how light and intense bolts of colour can be used to create a super dynamic, electric mood. (In January we’ll be launching a new Member’s area on the blog which will give subscriber’s exclusive access to trend information – such as this A/W 12/13 trend Virtual Reality, colour palette’s, international show reviews etc. Look out for news of the launch to be sure you’re always on top of the trends.)
Another favourite, although at the opposite end of the Design spectrum, yet still fabulously on-trend, is Plums at the Ritz Carlton in Bahrain. We’ve long been lovers of Jake Phipps’ work and here we see his quirky style put to great effect by Interior Designer, Ammar Bashier.
Now, whether you’re a fan or not, there’s no denying that the ice bar concept is just cool and Paris have one of the world’s best. The boutique Kube Hotel has a modern retro feel with white walls, hot pink accents, and glowing glass cubes, but the highlight? The Ice Kube Bar with its cool, urban aesthetic.
Image Credit: Laurent Pons
Again we see these super-charged, electric colours being used to create an edgy sophistication. A cover charge buys you entrance, a winter parka, gloves, and unlimited vodka – LOVING IT!
Something else I love … a good shisha lounge (TIP: next time you’re in Dubai be sure to check out ALMAZ by MOMO in Harvey Nichols at MOE). Many an evening was spent on London’s Edgware Road during my university days and since moving to Dubai (and getting engaged to a very Lebanese, Lebanese man!) chilling out with a delicious Moroccan tea and a grape shisha pipe is definitely on my list of favourite pastimes. So, when Victoria sent me Airdiem’s luxury Narghile press kit you can imagine my excitement. How much cooler, how much more enjoyable to smoke your shisha from any one of these sleek and contemporary designs:
Left to right: Noble by Meduse Design; N by Nedda El Asmar with Swarovski elements for Airdiem; Pink by theUNIT_3.0; Disco Pipe by Hicham Lahlou for Airdiem; Cascada by Meduse Design; Pure by Nedda El Asmar for Airdiem
How many times have you been to a really great bar, beautifully styled and then you sat down and suddenly didn’t feel quite so chic. With Autoban designing wonderful lounge pods like the Nest (one of Victoria’s favourites) for De La Espada and bespoke furniture designers,Hyde House, creating contemporary and unique pieces such as their James Bond bar stools and f a b u l o u s 55 Max chairs featuring Hollywood darlings such as Audrey Hepburn, there need never be another boring bar stool or velvet lounger situation again!
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For me however, the key to creating an interior drama is all in the lighting. Huge statement pieces such as Beau McClellan’s awe-inspiring Nomad chandelier, great clusters of smaller bulbs like QisDESIGN’s Coral Balls, unique formations as in Carlotta de Bevilacqua’s Copernico suspension piece, intimately lit alcoves or huge spaces filled with electric light, it really doesn’t matter so long as the mood is created and the statement is made.
We’re always happy to hear from our readers so let us know of any truly great night spots you’ve been to recently by leaving a comment at the top of this posting or dropping us a line at designteam@scarletopus.com
And if you read Victoria’s piece for The National last month on Yarn Bombing be sure to check back next Monday when she’ll be posting more in-depth coverage of the latest form of street art: knit graffitti!
We look forward to seeing you then lovely readers!
