Inspiration Archives - Page 2 of 2

The Art of Accessorising

Posted on August 24, 2016November 10, 2019 by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

When it comes to choosing accessories for the home, it can be a harder task than you think. With mirrors, art, cushions and decorative objects to think of, it’s important to remember that less is more. Be selective and chose pieces that you feel are unique to you and your home. Even in kitchens and bathrooms, accessories can bring a space to life.

Artwork

Making a space your own and showcasing your personality, style and interests is important. Art is a great place to start as this is so subjective and individual. Neptune offer a great range of wall art to suit any interior from beautiful black and white cityscapes for the more modern home, to whimsical illustrations that will bring a vintage feel to your home and look wonderful in country style kitchens. Whether you’re showcasing an art collection or a favourite family snapshot, a photo gallery wall is a great way to create a focal point using frames of varying sizes and styles.

Flowers/Foliage

Flowers and foliage are often overlooked when thinking of accessorising your home; however they can transform a space and work particularly well in kitchens and bathrooms. The addition of greenery automatically injects colour, texture and scent into a room and with so many options to choose from, there will always be something to suit your style. A full bouquet of floral blooms on the kitchen table is perfect for creating a focal point in the room however if fresh flowers aren’t practical, Neptune offer some outstanding faux flowers. For smaller spaces such as a bathroom or cloakroom, a collection of succulents or a single orchid works perfectly.

Vases & Pots

Another consideration when choosing flowers and plants is the style of pot or vase you choose. Accessorising a room with vases is simple and elegant, and is an easy way to bring interesting patterns, colour, texture and unique shapes into the home. Whether it’s modern and sleek or vintage and delicate, it is just as important as the flowers themselves.

Mirrors

Mirrors are another accessory that can transform a room. In a small bathroom, a mirror can make a big difference, creating both light and space. Opting for one in a decorative frame such as this Neptune Buckingham Mirror means you can add an extra bit of personality to your bathroom and with 35 different paint options to choose from there is something for every colour scheme.

It is these important finishing touches that not only add personality to your home but also bring colour and texture which all come together to complete the look of your home.

The Beauty of a Freestanding Bath

Posted on August 3, 2016November 7, 2019 by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

Nothing shouts luxurious bathroom like a freestanding bathtub, giving the impression of opulence and luxury, drawing you into the indulgent experience bathing can offer. Therefore when designing a bathroom, a beautiful freestanding bath is normally top of our clients’ wish list. Whether contemporary or traditional, there are many different types to fit any scheme.

Designed to take centre stage, positioning is key. In larger bathrooms, a freestanding bath looks best when placed in the centre of the room or at an angle, sitting away from the wall. The surrounding free space will draw the eye towards it, creating a sense of grandeur. Above, we also used small spot lights in the floor to illuminate this tub from below adding to its opulence.

It’s often thought that you need a big spacious bathroom to house a freestanding bath however they can also look stunning in smaller bathrooms too. Less is more in small spaces and a simple design with sleek lines will produce an elegant space that oozes tranquillity. We used this philosophy in the bathroom design above, specifying the Austin Harmony bath with its simple, sleek shape alongside matching sanitary ware.

Keeping the rest of the bathroom fuss free is also important in order for the bath to take centre stage. Here we ran the same tile across both the walls and floors to create a sleek, streamlined space and allow this Victoria & Albert Mozzano bath to stand out.

A freestanding bath also offers the best bathing experience. With the variety of designs today, from a classic vintage roll-top to the Victoria & Albert Cabrits, contoured to fit the body, freestanding baths are designed with plenty of room for the ultimate luxury soak.

Opening up the Outdoors

Posted on July 27, 2016November 7, 2019 by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

When summer arrives, nothing is more appealing than dining al-fresco. Having a kitchen that allows you to open up and extend your living space to the outside is the perfect way to achieve a seamless, open-plan, open-air dining experience. The key to creating a kitchen and dining space that feels connected with the garden is through the use of glass. Flooding the room with natural light through the use of large windows or doors allows inside and out to flow.

Bi-folding doors offer the biggest connection to the outside and will make your kitchen feel much larger and open. It’ often thought that you need a large space for bi-folding doors, however when used in smaller kitchens, such as the one we designed _above, the effect can be just as exceptional, transforming what could be a small kitchen into a beautiful space that opens out onto the garden beyond.

In more contemporary homes such as this London project, a modern glass conservatory will achieve the same affect. Here, we designed the kitchen and dining spaces to fit around this beautiful glass structure which bathes the space in natural light alongside offering panoramic views of the sky and garden.

If doors into the garden aren’t an option, adding skylights can also create a beautifully light space as can be seen in our project above. Combined with a bright white colour scheme and bold pops of colour from plants and flowers, we created a light-filled summery space.

To complete your connection to the outdoors, choose natural colours and materials that will blend seamlessly with the outside and with a minimal use of furniture, the garden view beyond will become the main focus.

Creating a Spa-like Sanctuary in your Bathroom

Posted on July 20, 2016May 12, 2020 by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

We are now seeing the bathroom become one of the most important rooms in the house as people look for escapism from the hectic pace of modern day life. The desire for a retreat within the comfort of your own home has seen us creating more and more spa-like bathrooms which take inspiration from some of the most luxurious spas.

Creating an experience is key to achieving a spa-like feel, stimulating all the senses in order for complete relaxation. Visually, natural tones and materials such as stone and marble enhance the connection with nature, a key element in many spas. The sleek aesthetic of natural stones lend themselves beautifully to bathrooms and when ran across all walls and floors it creates a smooth, continuous effect that will not only make the bathroom appear bigger but luxurious too.

Similarly texture has also become important, with textured walls offering a distinct design element. Here we used Villeroy & Boch textured Bernina tiles to create a feature wall and frame the stunning Villeroy & Boch La Belle bath.

Nothing sets a more indulgent tone than a freestanding bath. Baths themselves are now becoming more of a statement piece of furniture in their own right with super sculptural baths making stunning centrepieces. Here, this Clearwater Nebbia natural stone bath acts as a focal point in the room, proving to be as much a decorative centrepiece as a functional bathroom fixture. From a super sculptural contemporary bath to a traditional roll top, any style will set the tone for relaxation.

Showers have also moved on, becoming increasingly focused on wellness. Again, inspired by nature, large rain showers create the feeling of showering in the open air. Combined with floor-to-ceiling glass screens, showers are no longer confined to a corner of the bathroom but open to become a key feature within the space.

Through blending luxurious materials, a soothing palette, state of the art appliances and carefully chosen lighting, all your senses will be engaged and a spa-like experience in your own home can be easily achieved.