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As a general rule, if you can get people waxing lyrical about the bathrooms, it’s fair to say that your interior design scheme has made an impression. And, clad in black marble, with unending views of the skyline and koi fish adorning the walls and ceilings, the whimsical bathrooms at the Capital Club Bahrain are the talk of the town.
They round off a project that promotes luxury in all its different guises. The company behind the interiors, Design Worldwide Partnership (DWP) was brought on board to create a facility that was extremely high-end but still radiated a comfortable, homely feel.
“The brief was to create a club with a residential feel, to meet the demands of those from the top echelons of business, finance and government, who are powering the city’s growth and turning Bahrain into the international business hub of the Middle East,” said Kristina Zanic, founding partner, DWP.
The 1,500m² facility is set over two floors, and encompasses a bar, two dining rooms, private meeting facilities, a lounge and a library. DWP wanted to create a series of highly individual spaces that promoted a strong sense of character. “It was critical to give people variety so the club didn’t feel the same in all the various rooms,” Zanic said. “The client, Russell Matcham, executive director of Signature Clubs International, was open to this idea, so we have rooms that are very light and luxurious, and others that are dark and intense. There is personality in each of the areas.”
In the lounge, shades of cream and taupe dominate, with splashes of aquamarine and burnt orange for contrast. The Members Bar, meanwhile, is highly intimate. Ceilings and walls are clad in a dark walnut finish and enhanced with tan leathers. The bar is clad in a whisky coloured onyx, and low seating is mixed with high stools to break up the space.
The library is home to a more traditional design style. Art sourced from Thailand and the US is coupled with rugs from Istanbul to create a cosy retreat. “The library is very eclectic and I guess it’s more my style,” said Zanic. “The art also makes a statement as there is a blend of modern and classical touches, with contemporary classical furniture. I think the eclectic direction of the design is very inviting,” she added.
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The Signature Grill Dining is brimming with dark wood and black textured leather panels that line the walls. The ceiling is part smoked bronze mirror and part tan-coloured suede fabric. The carpet is jet black, with a curved pattern to give it a softer edge. Booths are lined in red leather and a velvet curtain detail.
The design comes to a climax in the Anan and Jade rooms. The Jade room is shaped by an overridingly Chinese design language. “In the Jade room we used shades of green and gave this a very oriental and Chinese feel. Beautiful green onyx was used for the floors and table tops, and there are rich carpets in chocolate brown with Chinese patterns in a deep green shade, which were all custom-designed,” Zanic said.
“Silk green curtains were specified, as well as Chinese lattice screens, to give the room an overall oriental touch. We decorated the room with amber candle holders and Jade pieces. There was also a special Chinese seating area with antique furniture which was all in a rich dark timber. The intensity of the room is perfect and it gives a true sense of luxury,” she continued.
The Anan room promotes a far more regional feel. In stark contrast to its Asian-inspired counterpart, the Arabic themed space is almost entirely decked out in shades of taupe and off-white. Mashrabiya-patterned stone wall panels divide the space and are brought into focus by light fittings from Istanbul.
“I also spent time going to Damascus and designed several pieces of mother of pearl furniture, which really helped to create a feeling of authenticity. The ceiling is an interesting series of triangular shapes in a 3D effect,” Zanic said.
“Shades of off-white and chocolate brown simply gave the room a serene contrast. The views are also very special and I always say that the inspiration of the room was to feel like you were a part of Bahrain, as you simply blend in with the city and its architecture.”
The only challenge was sourcing the necessary materials to create such sumptuousness, Zanic maintained. “Getting the materials was a challenge as these were all imported.
“Working with the contractor to achieve the quality and details was a task in itself. I guess with perseverance we got through it. Not everything comes out how you expect it and sometimes you have to compromise – but overall we achieved a new standard for Bahrain in terms of design.”
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