Meet Scenesmith, the team behind Hide’s interior architecture and design
When pulling the Hide team together, we sought like-minded companies to collaborate with; those that share our drive to create something special, homes that are conscious of their impact on the environment, both locally and globally. At Scenesmith we found Sophie and Chloe, designers that not only shared our vision, but pushed its limitations even further.
Here we talk to Founder Sophie Smith about the project and Scenesmith’s standpoint on sustainable design
A number of the suppliers and products Scenesmith chose for the Hide apartments and show home come from businesses that are outstanding in their efforts to reduce their negative effects on the environment. Sophie told us, “At Hide, the farm and park connect us to the fundamental workings of nature. Within a city, in such an urban environment, they act as an oasis where we’re reminded of that connection in a very immersive way.”
“As a studio, i think we should be generally respectful of all things – each other and the environment – in all the decisions we make. We should always consider the impact we have, be it positive or negative.” With this in mind, Scenesmith selected a 100% natural rubber flooring by Nora Solutions, a carbon neutral product that requires no sealant or top coat.
“It’s definitely a risk laying a floor that’s rarely seen in residential developments. But, I feel, presenting new options, options that are founded on longevity rather than trend, is vital. Nora’s openness to pull a design from their archives and to change the colourway to our exact requirements meant that using a natural rubber floor was achievable and aspirational for Artform.”
Lozi Designs, our kitchen and wardrobe supplier, and Altrock Surfaces, the terrazzo makers, are both local to Hide – one being a few doors down on Hackney Road, the other in Leytonstone. “Both Lozi and Altrock, whilst creating beautiful products, have focused on the issue of waste. Lozi spend time meticulously planning each plywood panel to make sure the wasted pieces from each cut are practically non-existent. And where they do exist, Soroush [Lozi’s Founder] designs new products such as their £9.99 collection of rulers and coasters, and their sawdust and bio-resin surfaces. Altrock uses the waste left over from the natural stone industry – incredible marble off cuts and marble dust that would otherwise be discarded.”
Scenesmith’s show home at Hide continues to weave a sustainable thread
“Show homes by their nature are problematic: they’re for show and not for living. New furniture is purchased and if nobody takes it afterwards it goes to waste. And tight budgets mean that items are often not sourced in a sustainable way. So we as a studio have tried to negate those two elements. Firstly, we design the show apartments so that they feel lived in, with a charm and authenticity which ensures the items are always bought by the resident when the apartment is sold.
Secondly, we rationalise by building great relationships with vintage and antique furniture suppliers so that we can offer clients an affordable alternative with its own story. Another method of making apartment-dressing affordable is by way of appropriation – re-imagining furniture. We’re happy to redefine what you consider as typical, to find new solutions that you can’t buy off the shelf.
At Hide, we’ve fashioned a coffee table from reclaimed East London chimney pots. We’ve also created sculptural pieces using cored sections of pre-cast concrete – a by-product of the construction process.”
When discussing recycled products, Sophie told us that they’re becoming much more readily available. “We’ve sourced candles made entirely from recycled church candle wax. We’ve upholstered the sofa, armchairs, daybed and master headboard with a combination of recycled wool, recycled plastic and linen. And our bookshelf is made from recycled newspaper, an experimental piece from Studio Woojai.”
“For us, the concept of sustainability changes from project to project – it’s all about the choices we make. Being open minded, in a constant state of change, allows us to evolve with the growing environmental debate.”
Visit Scenesmith at Scenesmith.com and take a look at Hide by clicking here. For more information regarding pricing and viewings, please click here.