Alexander James Interiors have been shortlisted for the Living Space – U.K. award in the International Design & Architecture Awards 2014.

Their project, Shamwari is a refurbished 5 bedroom house in the heart of Surrey designed and furnished for opulent living and entertaining.

The design brief was to create a luxurious home with a palette of warm, rich colours and textures. Lighting was paramount in this property with several options to create mood lighting including recessed lighting in the cornicing. A crystal chandelier hanging in the entrance hall cascades down over two floors and sparkles through the glass and metal balustrade.

The formal entertaining room has polished plaster walls, in three colours including a soft shimmering gold. A warming hue is created in the room by the glimmering effect of the light bouncing off the walls.  The round TV room with high ceilings has curved sofas around the perimeter with a ‘two halves’ movable ottoman in the middle that adds flexibility to the furniture layout for casual entertaining.

The dining area is separated from the TV Room by an elaborate bespoke fretwork panel, that has been painted to create the illusion of metal.  A specially commissioned antique mirror reflects daylight from the adjacent window, flooding the space with light during the day and discreet lighting around the edge of the mirror creates a soft glow in the evening.

A large chandelier sits over the wenge dining table with its strong sculptural base and high backed leather clad dining chairs for dinner parties.