design et al are delighted to announce that Bergman & Mar has been shortlisted for City Space (Apartment/Penthouse) Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2019.
Bergman & Mar was commissioned to design a two-bedroom pied-à-terre for a professional couple who divide their time between London and the home counties. The brief was to create a timeless, uncomplicated space that reflected the client’s personality. It was also to be functional and convenient for a family life. Bergman & Mar agreed that the apartment should be calm and contemporary with a mature desaturated colour palette, and with the aim to create a space that connects with the nature.
The pared-back colour palette is key to this peaceful project. It allows your eyes to relax after a day out in the busy, over-stimulating city. The colours help to amplify the sense of space and light in the apartment and where colours or materials do speak more loudly in this space, they are allowed to take centre-stage. Bergman & Mar have thoughtfully selected simple pieces with varying materials and textures. The effect is an inclination to touch – even looking at the photographs makes you want to reach out and feel the wool cushions, rattan-backed chairs, and velvet finishes. The correct balance of these materials is important to achieve a feeling of calm.
Bergman & Mar pay special attention to curating works from small individual and emerging makers. Kristina Dam’s mission is to make art and interiors merge, giving a sculptural effect to her side table that we have used in the second bedroom. The designers asked Coral & Hive to produce a bespoke rug for this project – they create hand-woven rugs on traditional looms. Bergman & Mar also carefully curated art from artists across the world with different disciplines. Louis Nel produced oil paintings of moody sea landscapes, Kitty Hackney’s Icelandic photography, and Liza Giles abstract prints.
The development at Lillie Square boasts distinct contemporary architecture and a luscious garden square designed by Andy Sturgeon, a multi award-winning landscape designer. Aiming to create a space that connects with this nearby nature, the designers used eye-catching forest green upholstery paired with terracotta shades and colourful, patterned Liberty fabrics. Natural tones and materials in the apartment mirror the outdoors.