Communication, creativity, people, fun and effective working practices are at the heart of the designLSM philosophy and, based in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, the practice is particularly noted for providing total design solutions, and has been sought out by clients facing interior and architectural challenges for over 20 years
Working throughout the length and breadth of the UK, with work also having been undertaken in Europe and Middle East, designLSM is active on projects of varying sizes, budgets, diversity and complexity; from corporate to leisure, hospitality to retail and office to residential, with its record of success within restaurants and hotels being renowned.
Recent successfully completed projects have included the lobby, lounge and bar at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel, which enjoys one of London`s most enviable locations, in the heart of the West End in Covent Garden.
Phase one of the project which opened in early April involved Good Godfrey’s, the patisserie bar, and the hotel lobby which were redesigned to generate a more fluid operation between the two spaces and thus create more atmosphere. The bar had to make a statement, drawing the attention of both hotel guests and passing custom. This has been created by installing an illuminated marble, chrome and granite bar with up-scaled lighting, giving a bold visual declaration. Furniture is more ‘lounge’ in style to encourage guests to linger. A palette of warm grey, gold and burgundy has been adopted to produce a sensation of warmth and opulence.
designLSM also had a brief to rejuvenate the existing lobby and lounge which was very minimalist, offering no sense of ‘arrival’ for guests. In order to provide a ‘warmer’ welcome, designLSM fashioned a new level of detail by putting in large glistening chandeliers, feature wallpaper, detailed mouldings to the ceilings and heavy theatrical drapes to the walls, with antique mirrors hanging in front to give back the feeling of drama that the Waldorf was originally renowned for. Furniture follows through from the bar to merge the spaces, providing guests with a choice of seating and dining or drinking options. This second phase of the project will be built in the coming weeks.
Appealing to Local Residents
At the Eighty-Six Bar & Restaurant, designLSM’s brief was to craft a venue that appealed to its local Fulham and Chelsea residents for different occasions. The interior had to incorporate an informal and stylish bar to the ground floor level, with a restaurant to the perimeter mezzanine, allowing visual interaction between the two spaces. The finished look and feel of the space is one of quality and discreet glamour.
Additional space was created for the front of house section by removing the existing large island bar and relocating it to the left hand side of the room. The ground floor has long charcoal velvet Chesterfields with a backdrop of black lacquered random sized panels and a beautifully finished mirror-polished steel bar as a centrepiece.
Floors are a combination of dark woods, mosaics, and a central featured inset rug. The mezzanine level has a slightly more casual feel with a backdrop of glamorous gold panels cladding the walls. The playful use of angled gilt mirrors gives the impression of a high ceiling and creates different perspectives around the room.
Award Winning Design
Galvin La Chapelle at Galvin St Botolph’s was the Tatler Award Winner for ‘Best Restaurant of 2010’ and Restaurant & Bar Design Awards ‘Best Independent Restaurant’ and ‘Overall Winner’.
The overall design ethos and challenge for this project was to construct a sympathetically composed and unpretentious interior that would enhance the beauty of the existing structure and complement its detailing at every level. The site is a converted Grade II 19th Century Foundation School for Girls with a cathedral-like interior. The sheer size of the space in La Chapelle, 30
metres in height, provides breathtaking visual vistas across the restaurant. The Café De Luxe, which houses the iconic Great Eastern Bar, provides a more laid-back dining experience. Galvin St Botolphs provides three offers: La Chapelle in the main dining hall, Café De Luxe, an all day offer, and the connecting Aperativo Bar.
Whatever the scope and nature of the project, clients of designLSM find a team spirit characterised by energy and drive, together with the experience and confidence that means it can successfully balance nonconformist thinking with tried and tested methodologies. To find out more visit www.designlsm.com.
