Indooroopilly Golf Club gets a makeover
Constructed in the 1980s, the Indooroopilly Golf Club’s main clubhouse and function centre in Brisbane’s leafy western suburbs was long overdue for a makeover and the decision was made to bring in a team of Brisbane’s best interior designers to project-manage the job. Carpet specialists from Artistic Flooring were part of that team.
As part of the refurbishment Artistic Flooring delivered new carpeting for three seminar rooms, two large function spaces as well as the club’s upper and lower foyers.
“It’s exactly what we were hoping for and we’re getting some really great feedback,” is how Stephanie Carmichael from Indooroopilly Golf Club replied when asked what she thought of Artistic Flooring’s work.
“We wanted our new interior design in the function areas to make a bold statement and Artistic Flooring certainly delivered that in spades, with an eye-catching green tropical landscape underfoot” Stephanie said of the design.
When it came to the entrance foyers, the club was looking to set a different tone to the function areas – something more relaxed and understated, while still exuding confidence and a sense of arrival.
“We went through a few design ideas for the foyers but in the end Artistic Flooring offered to create a whole new custom carpet design, just for us,” Stephanie said, “And we couldn’t be happier with the result.”
The end product was a more subtle design; a softer fern-like motif that retains the green colour-scape of the function areas as well as the botanical theme.
Stephanie said working with Artistic Flooring made the process of creating a custom designed flooring scheme that much easier.
“They were fantastic to work with,” Stephanie said, “They dealt with all queries and concerns promptly and they were always happy to take our calls and answer any questions.
Managing Director of Artistic Flooring, David Williams said his team jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the re-visioning of one of Brisbane’s most iconic golf clubs.
“Clubs are our true area of speciality and it’s what we love to do the most,” David said, “Working on such a high profile club in it’s beautiful landscaped location was a real treat for us. The club is known as one of the best wedding venues in Brisbane and it’s nice to think that our carpets will be a part of so many happy celebrations for many years to come.”
Preserving the past at Brisbane Racing Club
When we were asked to design and supply custom carpeting for Brisbane Racing Club’s 3-year-long refurbishment, our team jumped at the opportunity.
Facilities at the club’s two main racetracks, Eagle Farm and Doomben, were long in need of a makeover and we relished the opportunity to give the club the five star design treatment.
In the words of David Williams, Managing Director of Artistic Flooring: “The Brisbane Racing Club is one of the largest and most prestigious clubs of its kind in the country and we wanted to make sure they looked the part.”
Artistic Flooring were commissioned to supply custom-designed Axminster carpets for over a dozen public and private rooms at the twin racecourses including the prestigious Moreton Dining Room, the Derby Bar, corporate suites at Doomben, the Kentucky Bar, Hall of Fame and Doomben’s Champion Bar.
Stacey Stojcevski was the lead designer and manager of the project, and personally designed many of the carpets that made it on to the floor.
“The client felt very strongly that they could only use Axminister carpet,” Stacey said, “Their venues experience a huge volume of foot traffic every weekend so their carpets must be very hard-wearing. Only quality Axminster can give you this high durability while still feeling luxurious.”
Stacey said the client was passionate about the refurbishment and wanted carpets that had that heaviness; that feeling of richness and quality, underfoot.
“They insisted on Axminster and they’re now very glad that they did,” Stacey said, “They were blown away by how sharply defined and vibrant the patterns were on the carpet. You can only get that with quality Axminster.”
While the Brisbane Racing Club itself is relatively young, just 8 years old, it was born from the merger of two far older clubs, the Queensland Turf Club (established in the 1860s) and the Brisbane Turf Club (established in the 1930s). The proud history of these two predecessors would greatly inform design direction of the refurbishment.
“Our brief was to keep it classic,” Stacey said, “They’ve been racing at Eagle Farm since 1865, and the course is heritage-listed, so we understood completely their desire to pay homage to the history of place.”
When they pulled up the joinery on the floor of the Derby Bar, workers made a fascinating discovery. The original carpet was still underneath. And thanks to protection afforded by the joinery the carpet still retained its original vibrant colours.
“We were all quite amazed by this – it was like a secret time capsule had been lying under the floor all these years and nobody knew,” Stacey said, “It presented us with an exceptionally rare opportunity to recreate the past.”
A sample of the old carpet under the floorboards was sent to Artistic Flooring with a query as to whether a replica could be made. The answer was a resounding yes.
“Our team studied the colours and patterns of the old carpet and were able to recreate it faithfully using new materials,” David said, “It is beautiful work that is quite special because it has a lot of meaning for the club.”
Respect for heritage would also play a part in many of the other rooms, as illustrated by an opulent and very arresting carpet created for the historical Ascot Bar.
“Drinks are still served from behind the original bar, which is a very striking black and gold,” Stacey said, “We enhanced that original design feature with a carpet pattern of equally striking black and gold. The effect is quite stunning.”
Artistic Flooring’s good relationship with Brisbane Racing Club continues with work recently completed on the Virginia room and other public areas.
For more information on any of the articles or products in this newsletter or to find out how we can help your next project stand out contact david@artisticflooring.com.au
Artistic Flooring lays solid foundation for Rydges award-winning refurbishment
When Rydges South Bank threw open its doors to reveal their $30million refurbishment in June of last year, the work of Artistic Flooring was one of the first things the gathered crowd saw.
Our custom-designed Axminster carpets now grace the impressive lobby of the world-class hotel, along with hallways, foyers, and luxurious guest suites. Our work also now features in one of Brisbane’s finest degustation restaurants, Bacchus, on the hotel’s Podium level.
Callum Kennedy, General Manager of Rydges South Bank, said their aim was to create a feeling of refinery and opulence from the first moment you entered the hotel.
“We wanted flooring that was unique to us and created a real sense of arrival,” Mr Kennedy said, “Artistic Flooring created for us a series of bespoke carpets that are distinctly ours.”
For the team managing the Rydges refurbishment, three years in the making, there was never any question about the kind of flooring they would use.
“We were always going to opt for Axminister carpet,” Mr Kennedy said. “You can feel the quality underfoot; you can’t replicate that plush wool feeling with a cheaper product. And a good Axminister also guarantees longevity which is important to us.”
Mays Jajo from the multi-award winning architectural firm, KannFinch was the Lead Interior Designer on the project and worked closely with the team from Artistic Flooring to create stunning floor designs in each of the zones.
“Artistic Flooring was wonderful to work with,” Ms Jajo said, “Their execution of our creative vision was great. What they produced was exactly what we, and the client, had in mind.
“The carpet design in the common areas was very geometric, but in the suites we felt that it needed to be softened, so we developed a design much like a free-hand brush stroke – very organic and relaxed but with a rich, luxurious feel.”
Ms Jajo said the decision to go with a ‘brush-stoke’ design was a subtle nod to the precinct where Rydges is situated – just a short stroll to major art galleries, design schools, museums and major performing arts venues.
“We chose the plum as our hero colour for its richness and sophistication. There’s something very regal about that shade,” she said. “It’s opulent hue can also be found in carefully selected elements around the room, such as soft furnishings, so that the design flows through the whole space.”
Despite winning the Queensland Hotel Association’s Award for Best Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel/Resort in 2016, Ms Jajo said the Rydges refurbishment project was not without its challenges.
“We had a few technical challenges to begin with, but the amazing results we achieved, thanks to the help of Artistic Flooring, were well worth the extra effort.”
Mr Kennedy echoed Ms Jajo’s sentiments.
“Our experience working with Artistic Flooring has been flawless,” Mr Kennedy said. “It was a long, involved processed, however they were very patient and the outcome was outstanding.”
“The end result was exactly what we had envisaged from the start of the design process.”
Artistic Flooring specialises in custom Axminster carpets. View more of their beautiful work here.
For more information on any of the articles or products in this newsletter or to find out how we can help your next project stand out contact david@artisticflooring.com.au.
