While we are constantly bombarded by freshly-coined terms that define emerging trends and concepts, we are often ignorant of their meaning and content. “Designer villa” might sound luxurious and somewhat sophisticated, but what does it actually mean?
Design-led developments are at the core of Bright philosophy, aimed at creating free-flowing living spaces that improve one’s quality of life. As Jason Harris, Bright’s Creative Director, says: “design is a concept, not a set of drawings. The true beauty of a design is as much in how it works and feels as in how it looks. Design is holistic, and I use the word in its strict sense: it involves feelings of wellbeing as well as pure aesthetics. If design doesn’t work in a functional way, it’s simply not good.”
So, what elevates a normal luxury villa into a “designer villa”?
1. Design starts on the inside
The concept is holistic, and all design starts with the interiors. Function and furniture come first, it’s never an afterthought. After initial sketches on paper, designs are transformed into 3D renders by a team of visual artists and put through as many changes as needed. Because of state-of-the-art space optimization, designer villas feel bigger than huge mansions: they have no columns, no wasted space in hallways and corridors, and no walls where one would normally expect to find them.
Moreover, this makes it possible for them to be homes with open lines of communication between each space. This means that a family can enjoy being together while being involved in different activities, and the idea of a quiet home office that doesn’t feel detached from the rest of the house is totally possible.
2. Plot positioning and views
A designer villa is not just plopped on to any available plot of land. Its creators carefully consider plot elevation and orientation, general location, seasonal changes in natural lighting and lifestyle nuances of the local area. In a development that consists of several designer villas, the generosity of the individual plots and the carefully thought-out orientation of each villa ensures complete privacy.
All rooms in a designer villa are designed to take advantage of the available views. Where possible, a kitchen would enjoy the morning sun and the stove will be facing the view, and windows are placed strategically to allow the light to flood into each space during different times of the day. The bedrooms are given just as much attention. With glass walls that provide more than 180-degree views, integrated office areas and sitting zones, they are masterfully converted from traditional resting spaces into self-contained luxury suites, where you wouldn’t mind spending the entire day!
3. Furniture designed for the space
Creators of a designer villa never need to compromise on style, size, or materials. The choice of furniture in a designer villa is a perfect mix of top designer pieces and custom-made elements that fit the requirements of the property.
In Bright villas, for example, UDesign create the outstanding bespoke furniture – like state-of-the-art dining tables, exceptional wine cabinets and kitchens with both stylish looks and exceptional functionality. Top design brands complement this custom designed furniture with carefully selected pieces from Tom Dixon, Viccarbe, Henge, Brabbu, Edra, Catellan Italia, Minotii and many others.
4. Art plays a big role
Subtle but irreplaceable, art is found everywhere – in the form of sculptures, wallpaper, lighting, and even the choice of plants and their pots. While pieces of art can often be seen as purely decorative, in a designer villa they are used to bring together adjacent spaces, introduce a focal point, inspire reflection, or to invite one to take a stroll around the property.
5. Little big details
Although the overall design concept is of prime importance, details, however small they might be, are just as vital in a designer villa. Like showers with built-in spaces for your bathroom goodies, kitchen surfaces that charge your iPhone, unnoticeable but ample storage spaces, glass walls that slide away, and many other seemingly minor design elements that, in fact, change your life.
6. Bringing the outside inside
Buying a house is often a lifestyle choice, not just a location one. Whether it’s a holiday home or a permanent base, a designer villa is built taking into account the characteristics of the local climate, maximizing the opportunity of leading an outdoor lifestyle if the home happens to be somewhere warm. It makes extensive use of walls that slide away at the touch of a button and favours open plan solutions. Whether it’s a quiet reading spot where you can dip your feet in the pool, a sitting area where one can observe the spectacular views as well as watch TV, a designer villa creates balance and harmony between the villa and its surroundings – and you often don’t have to choose between being outside or inside!
So far this year, Bright has launched two developments, Villa Alcuzcuz and Vista Lago Residences, and both are design-led, with visually stunning environments that improve one’s quality of life. In that sense, a designer villa by Bright is much more than top brands, luxury finishes and impressive architectural solutions. It is a space created to live slowly and tastefully, even if you can only do that for a few minutes each day. A designer villa will help you make most of those minutes, whether it’s with a stunning sunset view at the end of a long work day, or with a freshly picked orange from your kitchen garden. As the CEO of Bright Michael Rodziewicz says, “home is a lot more than bricks and cement. It’s an experience.”
For information on Bright’s designer villas, follow the link below or talk directly with the Sales Manager Andrew Lee on +34 682 105 002
Vista Lago Residences – 18 designer villas overlooking the Marbella coastline
