Making An Entrance. Just as first impressions count when you enter a room full of people, so do the first impressions count as you enter a house or the entrance to a commercial building.  Colour, texture and symmetry all play a role in setting a scene for how a visitor perceives the space they are entering.  It also sets the tone for expectations for the other rooms and spaces within that property. It’s no surprise that the more care and consideration is given to the entrance hall the better received a property generally is.  It can also give an innate sense of style and aesthetic direction. The history of the hall is a complex one which encompasses variations based on geographical location, wealth and timeline but in summary, the hall in Europe has transitioned from a central room where residents would eat, work and sleep to a corridor or space through which more...

Porto, or ‘Oporto’ is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the Iberian Peninsula’s major urban areas. Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1996 due to its rich history and plethora of outstanding historic buildings and monuments, it went on to be declared the European Culture Capital in 2001 spurning the construction of a new major concert hall space and exponential growth in the arts.  Since that period tourism has grown considerably in the area becoming one of the fastest growing destinations in Europe.  Such growth has led to an associated expansion in construction to meet demand for more residential and commercial spaces. So, when  Atelier KV were tasked with scoping out a design for furnishing an apartment in arguably one of the prime locations overlooking the Douro River, within the heart of Porto, we couldn’t wait to develop something special. Porto – located along the Douro River estuary Our...

Travel has always been an integral source of inspiration to the world of design.  Light, colour and the natural world take on a multitude of different tones, shapes, forms and textures from continent to continent and country to country.  From the cool delicate hues of the northern hemisphere to the rich sandy palette of southern Africa – taking a journey to new destinations immediately enriches the toolbox and imagination of a designer.  Layer the natural world with the myriad of cultural influences unique to a country, region or individual town and the toolbox becomes exponential. So why are those influences so important to translate into our everyday spaces? After all, why would we not wish to be surrounded by elements that are familiar to us and native to our locality?  Whilst reassurance can be inspired by familiarity so the exotic and less familiar can imbue us with a spirit of adventure:...

The bedroom as we know it today has evolved from a somewhat tumultuous and fascinating history that, through previous centuries, has also mirrored the social behaviour and day-to-day lives of the community.  In medieval times there was no concept of privacy with large groups of people living, working and sleeping in the ‘great hall’ of a house.  Only the lord and lady of the house lived in the upper floor – known as ‘the chamber’ but this was by no means private as it also accommodated family, friends and servants as well as business activities.  Through Tudor and Stuart times, the bedroom continued to be a place of enormous importance and a huge amount of money was spent crafting and designing the bed, which was also taken away when travelling.  Often a third of a family’s wealth was spent on the bed which was passed down through generations.   The Georgian...

“Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions” mused the iconic artist Pablo Picasso.  Nothing it seems could be truer today as the Kassavello team consider Pantone’s selection for ‘Colour of the Year 2021’. This year the colour authority has chosen not one but two colours for the title – only the second time in 22 years that they have chosen to do so.  ‘Ultimate Grey’ (Pantone 17-5104) and ‘Illuminating yellow’ (Pantone 13-0647).  Following a tumultuous year with a global pandemic Pantone describe the balance of this duo as: ‘A marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.’ Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute goes on to say: ‘The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock-solid but at the same time warming and optimistic,...

There is no doubt that 2020 has brought some of the greatest changes to our lives, the likes of which haven’t been seen for decades.  The emotional, psychological, cultural, and economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has been far-reaching and spanned regions, countries, continents, and almost every corner of the globe.  However, far from wholly negative consequences, energy, creativity, and human resilience have risen tall.  No more so has this been true than within the world of interiors, particularly the way in which professionals and consumers are reimaging design within the home. The close of the year always brings with it a plethora of industry predictions for the forthcoming months but this year the trends and vogues of aesthetic and practical preferences seem to hold an even greater poignancy as people reflect on how important a sanctuary their home really has become.  With that in mind, we have uncovered some...

Christmas time is all about lights and colours, giving your space some special festive sparkle.  Just as the streets are decorated, your home also deserves special attention, creating the right mood for the winter holidays. In Christmas home design, colour is crucial when it comes to creating the right decor set for your taste. Choose your favourite colour scheme and be creative this season!   Black and White: the eternal anchoring neutrals   No matter how many colour schemes there are to choose from, we just can’t get enough of the good old black and white as anchoring neutrals in home design. In fact,  this colour scheme is so balanced that it fits perfectly even with Christmas decorations – who needs colours when you have millions of possibilities in black and white?   Gold and Greige: the right amount of sophistication   Classic Christmas home design gives that special sophisticated touch to your living room if you choose the right colour scheme....

Christmas home decor plays an important role during the Holiday season, especially if you have children. That’s why we should be creative during the Christmas period to inspire our home and the kids too.  This is one of the best times of the year to let our imagination flow and be innovative with our home decor.  That’s why we searched for the best Holiday inspirations for you to enjoy and make your children smile!   An original advent calendar Christmas is just not Christmas without an advent calendar. This year, make your own and add some creativity to your Christmas home decor. This is one of the sweetest we found and seems easy to make. Want to give it a try? A creative Christmas tree Your Christmas tree doesn’t necessarily need to be a traditional one. Actually, you can make an original tree for your Christmas home decor out of almost anything. Paint it with chalk on...

The holiday season is almost upon us, bringing once again the beautiful Christmas home decor that transforms our homes into cozy winter retreats. As well as beautiful Christmas ornaments, we can use elegant furniture pieces to create the right winter mood according to our tastes. That’s why today we bring you five different styles for your Christmas decor so that you can start preparing your home for the holiday season!   Sophisticated Christmas If sophistication is your cup of tea, start transforming your home according to your style. Furniture with classic designs, bright colors, and a touch of gold will bring something special to your Christmas home decor this year. After all gold will always be a timeless Christmas color. Our suggested furniture piece The beautiful Lune Table will make your Christmas living room shine this year. Made with gold limed oak, light bronze, and leather, this unique table will bring sophistication and elegance to your golden set.   Mid-century...

From the earliest documented chairs in ancient Egypt through to iconic designs such as the 17th century Wainscot, the 18th century Fauteuil and early American Chippendales, no other item of furniture has been invested in with more care, design and craftsmanship than the dining chair. Swaying between practicality of form and in latter years, style over substance, the evolution of artisan techniques means that today neither comfort or exquisite design need to be compromised when selecting a chair. Here at Kassavello we thrive on selecting the very best dining chairs for our curated collection of branded furniture....