International Inspiration

01.03.22

UK-based Bernard Interiors has an international reputation in the design world so its no surprise they were commissioned to design and project manage the redevelopment of a luxury second home on the exclusive Golden Mile for a private client. Jen Bernard, founder and MD, tells Abode2 a little about the project

Talk us through the design brief

The focus of the brief was to create a light and comfortable family residence with a contemporary European feel, that also encouraged relaxation and had space for hosting informal family and social gatherings. We have worked closely with the client for many years and understood their vision for a luxurious, colourful and inviting space where the design for outdoor living is as important as the interior.

Functional open plan spaces are highly desirable in Marbella - how did you approach creating this one?

Making the most of the villa’s coastal location was paramount for the client, so the three main ground floor areas - living, dining and kitchen - were combined and now connect to the outside terrace with views across the gardens to the sea.

In your opinion, was there a standout element of the project?

We loved every inch of it, the way in which everything flows seamlessly makes for a calm, comfortable luxury retreat. The terrace is multi-functional and works exceptionally well as an open plan social space for lounging or dining. A combination of comfortable seating surrounds a bespoke coffee table where family and friends can socialise with drinks or watch tv. The screen is concealed in a bespoke kitchen unit with a motorised lift. The outdoor kitchen houses everything needed including a fridge, freezer and storage for crockery and glassware.

How do you work find working internationally?

Delivering a project abroad without a doubt brings a certain set of challenges; there can sometimes be language issues, and there’s more likelihood that a project team is working together for the first time. It’s therefore important to pay attention to building relationships and ensuring communication lines are clear, which after all is best practice for all projects, wherever they are. It’s imperative to communicate the design effectively through clear drawings and instructions as it’s not always possible to be on site. Being appointed at an early stage on this project gave us the opportunity to liaise with the Spanish based project manager on M&E, room layout and hard finishes from the outset. We’ve got excellent processes and procedures in place and our experienced logistics and operations team ensure that wherever our project is located, delivery and installation are efficient and responsive.