Fusion by Design specialises in providing interior design services for the leisure and hospitality industry and has been in operation since 1998.
The firm employs a team of 13 interior designers and has undertaken work for many leading UK businesses including Spirit Pub Company, Young & Co’s Brewery PLC, Pizza Express, Stonegate Pub Company, Tesco and Mitchells and Butlers.
The firm has recently been recognised in the 2014 Northern Design Awards as the Best Commercial Interior Design Practice. Paula Jepmond -Senior, Design Director of the company commented:
“Winning this award is a huge recognition of our hard work and dedication. We are very proud to have won, especially considering the high level of competition within the category.”
Fusion by Design has managed to establish a respected reputation in the design world by working with industry heavyweights. Fusion by Design recently undertook a full renovation of what was formerly Bar Censa, in Leeds on behalf of clients Spirit Pub Company.
The venue has been entirely revamped and renamed as The Griffin and officially opened its doors in October 2014. The site lies within the ground floor of the former Griffin Hotel in Leeds City centre. The building was originally built in 1872 as a luxury hotel and was given grade II listed status in 1975.
The venue was refurbished as a Taylor Walker branded establishment and will be the first Taylor Walker venue outside of London.
Paula commented:
“The site had undergone extensive refurbishment over the years meaning many of the original details and ornamentation had been removed. However we were not deterred, from the offset we decided the design should showcase the space with the reintroduction of traditional details alongside contemporary ones.
“The client wanted a design which catered for all tastes and age groups which would fit with the idea of merging the traditional and the modern. Our inspiration was the vast numbers of classic Taylor Walkers in London, as we wanted to create the spirit of the London brand.”
The venue incorporates antique mirrors, classic deep buttoned fixed seating with brass detailing, mixes of hard and soft floor finishes. The seating styles are mixed throughout with poseur heights sitting alongside comfortable wing back style armchairs.
The onsite team did encounter challenges; the main design challenge was trying to create a modern twist to appeal to a younger clientele whilst maintaining links to the buildings history. With this in mind, an easily accessible but almost separate space was created within the rear cavernous space of the site. This space was transformed into a vaulted seating area with a London tube station vibe.
Fusion by Design has also worked with Youngs & Co’s Brewery PLC renovating their Dog & Fox Pub, in Wimbledon, into 17 stunning boutique style bedrooms. The new facilities were unveiled in May 2014 as part of an ongoing hotel development programme.
The bedrooms are located in what was previously the staff accommodation. The renovation has seen the former staff spaces transformed into comfortably sized guestrooms with en-suites, alongside several feature rooms, some of which contain luxury roll-top baths.
Fusion by Design received the brief from the client to deliver a boutique hotel fitting to the location and the pub on the ground floor. Paula added:
“We did our research and as the hotel is located on a prominent corner of Wimbledon village the concept of the hotel centres on the line; ‘Urban Fox Hunt’. The ethos combines and brings together the country and urban aesthetic that reflects the location so well.
“To deliver our ‘Urban Fox Hunt’ concept we looked to combining classic tweeds and tartan fabrics and using a contemporary colour palette to provide a modern edge to this historic building. Classic furniture pieces are utilised but upholstered in contemporary tailored fabrics to provide a modern twist. The focus of all of the rooms is the generous Hypnos beds and bespoke Tartan covered feature headboards.”
The team at Fusion by Design pride themselves on being able to deliver a creative mix of design styles to the variety of clients they have in their portfolio. Whether it is a traditional pub feel, a 50’s styled diner, or a new boutique hotel Fusion are able to rise to the challenge.
Paula added:
“We approach each project in an individual way looking to develop and deliver highly innovative schemes that challenge perceptions, whilst providing great places to eat, drink and stay.
“At Fusion by Design we plan to maintain our work with our trusted and established clients whilst looking at expanding and meeting new clients with equally exciting new ventures. We hope to develop further brands and interior spaces and further progress our highly creative talents. We have recently been invited to pitch for a new 5 star hotel in the City of London, which we hope will aid us in expanding our client base within the hospitality industry.”
