Sara Cosgrove, the Head of Interior Design at world-famous landmark department store Harrods in Knightsbridge London, will participate in the Design Talks Seminar at the prominent INDEX International Design Exhibition on 26th September taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Sara, who is the creative force behind The Studio at Harrods - the third-floor exclusive, luxury interior design service which is a veritable feast for the eyes of all design enthusiasts - will impart her considerable international expertise, knowledge and foresight into interior design when she speaks at the seminar on the topic of 'Emerging Global Trends in Interior Design'. Exploring the ways to create a modern luxury interior and signature global look whilst exploring 3 main mega trends emerging to make interior design themes more global, the session will encapsulate such key points as: global trends emerging in interior design style, the sharing of design ideas through travel and technology, the importance of layered textures and finishes, the use of current trends to deliver a luxury feel. Sara will also make references to themed interiors which remain popular amongst clients such as the eclectic yet luxurious Moroccan inspired interior style and how this is increasingly being reflected in Western Culture, highlighting the globalisation of key themes.
The Design Talks Seminar will be the stage upon which Sara will showcase The Studio's newly restyled and re-launched image, marked with a new exclusive interiors collection. To highlight this transition, The Studio has given its client suites a complete makeover for 2012, with stunning interior concepts showcasing the latest designs and product exclusives from Baccarat, Smania and Rubelli Donghia. Further, the suites feature pieces by the leading Middle Eastern artist Zaha Hadid, who Sara admires for her phenomenal approach to architecture and art.
Sara has worked closely with each of the brands to create individual room sets for client consultations, allowing a glimpse into just what can be achieved by the talented and creative group of design professionals gathered from around the world. The new look suites combine layers of unexpected textures, colours and refined finishes. Highlights include Client Suite One, which features a contemporary desk from Smania, finished in sleek, matte Tobacco, and complemented by elegant, contemporary dining chairs in butter-soft leather, which blend seamlessly with the soft metallic wallpaper and silver-grey textured carpet.
In commenting on The Studio's participation in the event and seminar topic, Sara Cosgrove says: "I am delighted to be speaking at Index this year on the topic of 'Emerging Global Trends in Interior Design', reflecting the demographic of the audience - a global, internationally travelled and cultured audience with a keen interest in design and interiors, much like our clients at The Studio.
The Middle Eastern interior design industry is continuously growing and developing, and in many cases trailblazing the design scene with new trends and design nuances. For instance, I particularly like the work of Lesley and Kamelia Zaal at Al-Barari, Dubai, for their use of eclectic interiors within lush gardens. The global influences in the Middle East are profound and have resulted in tremendous change in design preferences, with ostentatious, ornate and highly decorative styles giving way to more contemporary, simplistic and clean design features. Furthermore, many of our Middle Eastern clients also request we incorporate trends and influences from both traditional and modern culture and design, thus the amalgam of styles is key."
With a wealth of design experience to her name, Sara is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. She went on to pursue a diploma in Fashion Design which led to a prestigious internship with legendary design house John Rocha. It was this experience that ignited Sara's true passion for interior and architectural design, and her career since graduating has been nothing short of exemplary, as honoured by the 2011 Gibbs Alumni Award she received from KLC as well as being inducted to the House and Garden top 100 Leading Designers List. Sara has worked in senior positions for several leading brands, including Helen Green Design, and Candy & Candy - where she oversaw the design brief for the One Hyde Park project, billed as the world's most expensive, luxury residential property - before joining Harrods as part of its senior home team.
Having started with a team of no more than 5 people, The Studio has flourished under Sara's creative guidance, now professing a distinguished presence on the world's luxury design stage and boasting a staff of nearly 30 talented individuals. Having noted an exponential growth in the globalisation of interior design themes and trends, and its impact internationally and within the GCC region, The Studio regularly witnesses regional tastes giving way to designs that are more universal in appeal, to suit the international lifestyle of their clients. Accordingly, with its ability to create unique bespoke interiors as well as offer internal access to an enviable directory of specialist external suppliers and craftsmen, The Studio is now the epitome of luxury for a majority of Harrods' discerning clients, dispersed across four continents.
From its humble beginnings as a grocer and tea merchant in 1834, to the Terracotta Palace filled with luxury merchandise, Harrods has long been synonymous with ultra-luxury, sophistication and elegance. From food to furniture and fashion, this world-famous landmark department store is known to service all tastes and desires, and its remarkable interior design service is just another step towards enabling clients to take the luxurious Harrods experience home.
Sara Cosgrove will be in Dubai from 26th September to the 28th September, 2012. To arrange a meeting with Sara and/or to attend her Design Talk Seminar, please contact Sterling Media on +44 207 801 0077 or email natasha@sterlingmedia.co.uk.
For further information on The Studio, visit www.thestudioatharrods.com
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Sara Cosgrove will be speaking at INDEX on 26th September 2012 from 12.45pm to 13.45pm, Dubai time.
FACTS: GCC Interior Design Industry
The interior design industry in the GCC region is buoyant and active. UAE remains the GCC's largest interiors market, with forecast spend in interior contracting and fit-out across residential, commercial, hospitality and retail segments totalling $3.73 billion for 2012, up 62 per cent on 2011 figures. UAE's dominance in the market is followed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait and it's spend on interior contracting and fit-outs elements of construction projects is ahead of the UAE's international counterparts in the US, Europe and Japan, with the hotel and hospitality sector being the largest segment spender. Source: GCC Real Estate Overview - quarterly overview (Ventures Middle East, May 2011).
About The Studio
The Studio at Harrods is a premium-quality bespoke service which helps clients realise their interior dreams, with luxury products sourced from the store and through an enviable directory of specialist
external suppliers and craftsmen. With a hand-picked team of passionate interior and architectural designers, all housed within a specially commissioned design studio, The Studio continues to evolve, delivering innovative original interior design. Having picked up the highly-acclaimed Alumni Award from KLC in 2011, Head of Interior Design Sara Cosgrove plans to put The Studio firmly on the interior design map. She says: "At The Studio the design philosophy is quite simply to realise every client's vision by creating something exquisite and enduring." The Studio has recently completed a portfolio of dynamic projects with new design briefs to add to the diverse mix of projects for 2012. These include a Surrey family mansion brimming with detail; a country cottage in Kent combining old and new in a delightfully vibrant colour scheme with quirky character and natural materials; and a contemporary five-bedroom apartment in Paris, with luxury qualities including mirror panelled walls and doors, beautiful bespoke furniture, a spiral staircase with a woven leather handrail and a majestic water-feature wall. Other upcoming projects at varying stages of completion include a gorgeous barn conversion in the Cotswolds, with a design brief to create 'a little bit of LA in the English countryside'; a glamorous four-bedroom apartment in Holland Park with custom-fitted joinery and five-star quality bathrooms; and a modern family home in North London.
About Harrods
At the forefront of luxury retail, Harrods offers the finest merchandise from its iconic Knightsbridge store. Unashamed grandeur, unrivalled choice and customised personal services attract loyal customers and international visitors. The Harrods ethos that 'anything is possible' applies to all facets of the company. From its humble beginnings as a grocer and tea merchant in 1834, the renowned retailer seeks to continuously surpass the desires and expectations of its customers, while offering an unprecedented shopping experience. From haute couture to pet accessories, the finest luxury merchandise is showcased in the lavish setting of the Knightsbridge store across seven floors and 330 departments. There are over 28 eateries to satisfy every taste, and a selection of premier services from By Appointment Personal Shopping to Harrods Bank and Gold Bullion. The Brompton Road store truly has it all.
© Press Release 2012
