What is Bespoke?
Bespoke Interior Design – a topic that can fill entire books, and the approach behind every blocHaus project. But it can also be an elusive concept and something that’s difficult to fully define. There are always a few questions that go with the idea of bespoke design: What is bespoke? What does it mean for a space to be bespoke? And what does it take to create bespoke spaces?
On the surface, bespoke is typically used as a synonym for customized. Customization may be part of the process, but there’s more to creating bespoke spaces than just adapting existing items or ideas for the task at hand.
So what does it mean for design to be bespoke rather than simply custom?
Bespoke interior design is tailor-made and individual to each client - no two projects are alike! This starts with a strong story or concept focused on the identity of the client and their brand. From there, unique ideas and concept-specific details are used to create individualized design solutions.
Unique oyster-inspired gilded artwork was used as a focal point at Dixie & 1952 1/2 Liquorette | design by blocHaus
Individually-curated art groupings created a unique experience for each seating alcove at Dixie & 1952 1/2 Liquorette | design by blocHaus
Lighting solutions were tailored to each specific area at Dixie & 1952 1/2 Liquorette | design by blocHaus
This is the approach we take for every project at blocHaus – we tailor each project to our client, creating designs specific to their individual needs and brand vision. This is done throughout the design process, starting from the initial concept and planning. We then carry these personalized design solutions into to fully-custom fixtures, furnishings, and details.
We love knowing that our projects are as unique as our clients and their brands - having the opportunity to create bespoke interior design inspires us, and it allows us to push our creative boundaries on every project!
Telling the story of the sea, the unique shape of Portsmith’s bar was designed as an abstract interpretation of a whale | design by blocHaus
How does bespoke design inspire you?
Photo-Inspired Palettes
@Tiago Murano
Inspiration can come from anything - ideas, stories, objects, even an interesting phrase. As designers working in a visual medium, we’re often inspired by things that are visual and a source of almost constant inspiration for us are images.
Today, we’re taking a look at several amazing photographs and the palettes they inspired - take a look below to see how these beautiful images can be the catalyst for wonderful design concepts!
@Gian Reto Tarnutz
@Muhammed Kara
@Lermakovas
What photos are inspiring you?
Best of Brass Applications
Brass is not a new material; in fact, it’s been “trending” for years now, appearing across residential, commercial, and hospitality design. But the fact that brass has grown so popular doesn’t mean that it’s been overdone or that it’s on its way out - brass is an elegant, timeless, and warm material. It pairs well with tons of other materials like wood, stone, and glass, and is very malleable and ideal for casting.
We often use brass in our own blocHaus projects to add sophistication and warmth, and we love seeing it used in other products and spaces as well - take a look below to see some of our favorite brass applications!
FIXTURES
DETAILS
FOCAL POINTS
@Architecture + Information
What are some of your favorite brass applications?
Trend Watch: Botanical & Organic Design
Vista Cafe | @Karv One Design
On average, people tend to spend 90% of their time indoors. And as the world becomes ever more urbanized and the built environment more expansive, natural areas and green spaces have grown more scarce. But despite these changes to our world, humans still have a deep connection to nature, and are inherently attracted to it.
Today we’re looking at a design trend inspired by these facts. Botanical and organic-inspired design are not new concepts, but their popularity has grown dramatically as the natural environment shrinks and every green space becomes more precious. Moreover, this trend has a beautiful and sophisticated aesthetic that helps to create timeless spaces - take a look below at some of our favorite projects and products inspired by botanical and organic design!
PROJECTS
Le Klay Restaurant | @Julien Colombier
Hverdagen Restaurant | @Vermland
The London Project | @Yam Jam Interior Design
Bayerischer Hof Hotel | @Jouin Manku
Vista Cafe | @Karv One Design
PRODUCTS
How are botanical and organic designs inspiring you?
LAB | Logo Applications
Branding is an important part of any commercial space; from the moment you walk in, a business’s interior should reflect the company’s ethos, aesthetic, attitude, and personality, giving you a tangible introduction to what the brand is all about!
We frequently use interior design to help support these efforts, and love collaborating with clients to ensure all design elements in the space (down to the smallest details) work with their brand vision. But sometimes, the space calls for more than visual reinforcement of the company brand through materials, lighting, or FF&E selections. Often, there are spaces that need a more direct implementation of the brand and when that happens, it provides an opportunity for us to explore creative logo applications!
It all starts with a full exploration of the brand - initial concepts, sketches, and a complete understanding of the visual identity are all vitally important parts of the process! Sometimes a logo can be applied throughout a project to reinforce the brand in subtle ways. At Rise on Chauncey, we were able to incorporate the project logo as part of the wall signage, in furniture, and even on outdoor lawn games.
We had an opportunity to fully explore the concept behind Sparrow Coffee when working through the project’s logo design and branding. Everything from feature art walls, signage, and packaging were part of the logo applications utilized in this project, allowing us to reinforce the brand concept in a very unique and tangible way!
Even the simplest elements from a logo can become part of the interior and reinforce the brand! At Portsmith, we not only incorporated the logo into a custom bar design and floor mosaic, but also integrated the isometric line patterns from logo into a beautiful wood & mirror feature wall.
Of course, there are lots of creative ways to include a logo in a design. But sometimes the simplest applications are the best - a focal area featuring the logo can be a great addition to the design, as well as a way to reinforce the brand!
What creative logo applications are inspiring you lately?
Sustainability | Carpet
As a major contributor to commercial production and waste cycles, the design and construction industry is focusing ever more on sustainability in new projects. It’s an incredibly important factor, and as designers, we love companies that make it easier for us to specify environmentally-conscious products and take part in sustainability programs.
Carpet is a big industry, and it’s installed into millions of new spaces each year. With that in mind, carpet companies can make a major environmental impact based on what materials they use, how they produce their products, and what sustainability efforts they choose to make. We love companies that take eco-consciousness seriously, so today we’re looking at sustainability in the carpet industry - take a look below to see some amazing companies and their products!
We love companies and products that are committed to reducing or eliminating post-consumer waste, and Shaw is doing just that! The company introduced the first Cradle to Cradle (C2C) flooring product more than 20 years ago, and continues to offer C2C products today. Moreover, their Re[TURN] Reclamation Program has allowed Shaw to reclaim and recycle almost 1 billion pounds of carpet since 2006, much of which has been reused in the production of new flooring products!
Mannington not only creates beautiful carpets, but the company produces them using less energy and resources! They are committed to reducing their environmental footprint, and were one of the original 50 Save Energy Now Leaders (now know as the Better Plants initiative). Mannington has 3.3 acres of solar arrays and has reduced energy intensity by 17% since 2007 - all while doubling their manufacturing sites!
Some of our favorite flooring is from EF Contract, and we love their commitment to reclamation! Their R4 Program was started in 2007, and focuses on the ideas of Return, Reuse, Recycle, & Reduce. Each year more than 60,000 pounds of waste are diverted from landfills through this program!
What sustainable carpets are you loving right now?
Luxury Minimalism in Hotels
Minimalism can be found in every type of design. Whether it’s residential, corporate, retail, hospitality, or even healthcare, minimalist design concepts can produce beautiful, timeless, and elegant results.
One word that doesn’t usually come to mind when thinking about minimal design is luxury; in fact, it’s easy to think that these concepts would be at odds with one another. But that doesn’t have to be the case! Fusing luxurious elements with minimalist design creates unique juxtapositions - simple and opulent, stark and soft, brutalist and glamorous.
Luxury minimalism has a classic and timeless appeal, and can be a wonderful look for hospitality spaces - hotels in particular. We’re constantly inspired by this aesthetic and love how much variety it offers! Take a look below at some of our favorite luxury minimalist design ideas for hotels!
LOBBY, LOUNGE, & RECEPTION
@Mechanismo
GUEST ROOMS
@Universal Design Studio
ELEVATORS & CORRIDORS
@Atelier Cho Thompson
What are your favorite ways to blend luxury and minimalism?
Sustainability | Interior Greenery
Image | PressRender
Sustainability has long been an important topic within the design industry and its significance continues to grow as part of the larger topic of wellbeing. This can be seen in the popularity of biophilic design, which incorporates nature into the built environment, creating restorative and connective spaces. There are many ways to incorporate concepts of sustainability and biophilic design into interiors. This includes using natural light, views of nature, natural textures, and of course, adding plants into a space!
Interior gardens and greenery have many health and wellness benefits! Live plants release additional oxygen, naturally purify the air, help reduce stress levels, and can brighten up a space. Take a look below to see some of our favorite ways to use greenery in interior design!
LIVING STRUCTURES + SUSPENDED GREENERY
Integrating plants into architectural wall structures or shelves adds a new texture and color to vertical design elements. Suspending greenery overhead adds drama, creating an unexpected but beautiful focal point!
LIVE WALLS
Live walls are one of the most popular ways to turn interior spaces into living gardens! And design options for green walls are virtually endless - the ability to mix plant types, create interesting patterns, and install plants in unique shapes makes this one of the most versatile ways to add greenery to an indoor space!
BRIGHT + COLORFUL INTERIOR GREENERY
Interior gardens can also set the tone for a space. As a natural and organic element, adding indoor plants is one of the easiest ways to make a space feel bright, vibrant, and colorful!
DARK + MOODY INTERIOR GARDENS
Interior greenery is also versatile - it’s not only able to make spaces brighter or more colorful, but can also fit perfectly with a dark and moody atmosphere. Adding plants can add depth and ambiance, making a space feel cozy, intimate, and intriguing.
What are some of your favorite ways to use greenery indoors?
What Metal is Right for You?
Brass may seem like an obvious trend since we are seeing it everywhere; hotels, restaurants, homes, retail… but brass isn’t a new thing. Just because it is “in” now, doesn’t mean that it’s going out. Brass is the new normal in metal finishes. It used to be hard to find modern hardware and finishes in a timeless brass finish, but now its a standard you can find in plumbing fixtures, cabinetry hardware, door hardware, millwork, etc.
To guide you towards the finish thats best for your project, please see our breakdown below!
@apogeelounge design by blocHaus
BRASS
Pros: Adds warmth, feels classy and sophisticated. Comes in several finishes. Easily mixed with other materials. Looks like gold, but its less costly. Strong and resistant to corrosion. Very malleable - ideal for casting
Cons: Can patina with age.
Design by Crosby Studios
COPPER
Pros: Adds warmth, and element of playfulness. Strong and resistant to heat. Malleable.
Cons: Will patina with age and can be perceptible to corrosion. Challenging to mix with other materials.
Design by Shea McGee Designs
NICKEL
Pros: Comes in a polished and satin finish. Adds a transitional aesthetic. Warmer than polished chrome. Classic, doesn’t go out of style.
Cons: More expensive than chrome and stainless steel. Requires periodic maintenance.
@sparrowcoffee design by blocHaus
BLACK
Pros: Contemporary, matches everything. Adds contrast to millwork and doors.
Cons: Can be cold, dark. Depending on the material, the finish can be scratched off if not used correctly.
BENJAMIN MOORE 2021 COLOR OF THE YEAR
BM Aegean Teal 2136-40 (top left)
Benjamin Moore announced their color of the year and it is Aegean Teal 2136-40. It is a really beautiful muted teal with just a hint of green. Instead of telling you to use it, I am going to let these inspiration boards do the talking!
