Dollar Bay Show Apartment: An Interview with Suna Interior Design

Hi Gabriella. Are there any overarching themes that informed the show apartment’s design?

The apartment embodies a luxurious, aspirational lifestyle with high-end designer furniture and carefully curated accessories. I wanted to reflect the dynamic quality of the surrounding architecture in the linear, geometric aspects of some of the furniture and in the intricate patterns of feature wallpaper and bespoke panelling. At the same time, I wanted the interior to offer some contrast with the hard lines and materials of the exterior landscape – in the soft curves of the Italian designer armchairs (MAD by Marcel Wanders for Poliform), the Matthew Hilton dining table and the delicate woven textures of the dining chairs (Marcel Wanders), for example.

What was your inspiration for this design route?

Mount Anvil is always receptive to bold schemes with personality, effortless elegance and sophistication. This project ticks all those boxes. Context is always my starting point - the interior needs to have a direct relationship and a common language with its setting. The stunning dockside location and iconic buildings, within the wider context of London cosmopolitan living, provided me with all the inspiration I needed.
The Winter Gardens’ spectacular views and concept of indoor/outdoor living provided an opportunity to do something very exciting and different. Tropical plants, lush printed fabric and layered hand-printed runners introduced a relaxed, bohemian note to the crisp surroundings and designer furniture.

In terms of particular designers or eras inspiring this scheme, there is craftsmanship, clean lines and functionality reminiscent of the Bauhaus movement, but this is tempered with elements of the warm and whimsical from contemporary design genius Marcel Wanders and Italian design house Porada.

Which notable colours and textures did you use and why?

The palette takes the seductive, warm berry colours of Dollar Bay’s marketing material, the steely greys and blues of the exterior landscape, inky indigo and splashes of cool, contemporary metallics. Luxurious, tactile fabrics with handcrafted details add sumptuous warmth and character. Perhaps the most striking fabric is the Hermes Jardin D’Osier, used to upholster the seating in the Winter Garden. The pattern and colour invoke a serene tropical paradise whilst drawing visual parallels with the vertical towers beyond the glass.

The apartment’s colours and textures mirror the ever-changing interplay of light across the South Dock and Dollar Bay’s rippled glass façade, the chrome and steel of nearby architecture and the immersive warmth and appeal of the development.
 

Who did you have in mind as your target audience when you were designing the interiors?

Thanks to its outstanding location overlooking Canary Wharf, the purchaser profile was predominantly corporate and city professionals and investors. The scheme therefore needed to have masculine appeal, whilst incorporating softer feminine touches.
 

Which key features appeal to this demographic?

The concept of metropolitan designer living that is reflected throughout: luxurious, refined and functional. The standout element for me is the ‘gentleman’s dressing room’, leading from bedroom two to the en-suite. I wanted to feature some extra storage here without obstructing the amazing views from two aspects, and sourced two amazing American-designed pieces by David Rockwell – the ‘valet’, a tubular metal and cognac leather stand with coordinating bench - which perfectly fitted the bill.

How will the design stand the test of time?

Certain furniture pieces, such as the bespoke cabinet in the living room, the dining table and classic drawer units/desk in bedroom three, have a timeless quality. Bedroom two particularly (including the dressing room) with its sleek, classic contemporary aesthetic and beautiful, durable materials, will only get better as the patina of age sets in.

The Penthouses at Dollar Bay, which offer a unique, spiralling sense of scale set high above London, are available now. Only a small number apartments remain, and are ready to move into now. Call our sales team on 020 3553 7234 or register your interest online to book your viewing of our impeccably finished show apartment. For more details of all available apartments at Dollar Bay visit the apartment finder now.