Robert Kolenik of Kolenik Eco Chic Design was given carte blanche by the homeowners of a residence located in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and the resulting interior spaces feature a style that he is passionate about – Eco chic luxury with a touch of glamour. The combinations of warm and cold materials, statement lighting and comfortable furnishings showcase how lux glam can be cozy and comfortable all at the same time. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a meal or snuggle up on a couch next to this double-sided fireplace?
Even the foyer is rich in detail and elegance with the supersized plank parquet pattern on the pale wood flooring, the softly textured walls and the multi paneled entry door. In fact all the doors within the residence are works of art, each with their own special feature look.
The doors to the kitchen feature faux leather panels with inlaid handles on one wall while another pair of kitchen doors boasts glass panels surrounded by steel mullions and roller sliders along the bottom.
The kitchen itself has some pretty incredible features, none more so then the cantilevered bar with its illuminated pure white onyx tabletop and lichee tree trunk base. Framing out this incredible centre piece within the self contained kitchen is a ceiling island glowing with ambient lighting from the recesses around its base.
For special occasions, the homeowners can turn on their choice of colour lighting via the Maretti Lighting system. I love the fact that for this photo shoot they chose to feature the 2014 colour of the year, Radiant Orchard” as the LED colour of choice.
All the electronics within the residence can be accessed from strategically place panels such as the panel positioned on the end wall to the kitchen’s wall of cabinerts. Automated by Bits & Bytes, the panels acces the bar and cinema Kharma Sound System located in the basement as well as the Water Pump devices that control the rainwater system.
The self contained kitchen has no work surfaces around its perimeter, choosing instead to feature full height storage or appliance centres and leaving all the counter space to the centre island. The size of the kitchen is such that this leaves plenty of prep and cooking space for multiple chefs to work their magic at the same time with the benefit of not having their backs to each other. Adding punch to the bright white and espresso surrounds are feature moments such as the whimsical “Dream” floor lamp located next to the glass paneled doors.
Dream is a whimsical design replicating stacked river rocks being pushed by the water current in such a way that any moment they will topple over. Adding to the whimsy of the story is the purposefully reverse angle to the lampshade. It’s a stunning piece and showcases the creative ability of Robert Kolenik as this is one of his own designs.
While the gooseneck faucet does not share the same storyline as Dream, it repeats the visual through its own profile creating a connectivity of faucet to lamp that is subtle but profound.
The second pair of kitchen doors – and the more glam of the two sets – leads out the social zone. At 36″W each, the doors can be pulled back for a large 6′ opening making it easy for the chef of the home to present special dishes whether appetizers, main courses or deserts. The exposed track keeps the doors out of a pocket situation, allowing them to slide along the exposed wall so that their visceral detail can always be seen and appreciated as the works of art that they are. These doors designed by Kolenik himself and belonging to his Bo’dor collection, are definitely not meant to be hidden away.
The textural excitement within the Bo’dor doors is only one of the many exciting moments within the social zone. From the living edge trunk slab coffee tables to the supersized glam light fixture the room is filled with eye candy and yet the space is as comfortable as can be thanks to the custom made “Proud” couch by Kolenik. The couch commands the room with its 6.5m or 21ft length and offers a soft and cozy contrast to the jet black tiles used on the fireplace surround and the smoky glass balustrade used on the stairwell and rail system..
The stairwell is its own work of art with its open riser and pale wood treads contrasted against the dusky grey walls and smoky glass balustrade with stainless steel suspension rod caps. These details on their own are special but the added detail of inlayed lighting on the wall every 2nd tread is a sparkling moment of glam that ties the wall the sparkling sheen of the stainless steel caps on the balustrade.
The carefully though out use of lighting within the Rotterdam residence is partly what makes the final result so spectacular. Even the choice of desk lamps is carefully thought out to create vignettes of balance, rhythm and harmony. Without the scale and geometry of this red shaded lamp, the electronic display panel might be too predominant but instead it is barely noticeable next to the angular lines of the bulbous lamp base and the glowing rose hue of the shade.
The vignette of the lamp and electronic panel could easily be part of any side table grouping within a living room, but Kolenik actually created this vignette for the Master Bedroom bedside tables, showing that even in a private zone, attention to detail is of paramount importance to him Lucky for the homeowners that Kolenig feels this way because the ensuite installation is a visually crafted work of art with nothing left to chance.
With each moment carefully planned out, the tub was chosen before the design of the wall that flanks it. Robert Kolenik then chose to replicate the curve of the spa tub in the curvature of the wall and locating a shelf niche centred on the plumbing that is centred on the tub. This easily overlooked piece of artistry takes careful and precise planning and while most would think the mosaics make the vignette, I myself am simply gobsmacked over the architectural element.
The vanities are located opposite the tub and keep their profiles clean and simple so from a distance they do not compete with the mosaic wall miracle behind the spa tub. That said, up close and personal the vanities boast highly grained black onyx counter tops that morph into the sink wells themselves. Adding to the drama of the onyx is the waterfall faucet. Simply stunning.
While almost all the doors within the Rotterdam residence are their own feature moments, within the walk-in closet the wall of door panels are kept sleek and simple so as not to distract from the purpose of the space – choosing an outfit. In this locale it is the clothing and accessories that are the focal point. The restraint of design presented in this space is just another example of how Kolenik knows how and what to feature for the utmost functionality within a sleek and stylish abode. Having said that, he also makes sure that each detail is important and even here, the minimalist door panels are fitted with flush fish leather handles.
Kolenik Eco Chic Design
