Unbounded Possibilities – Fantales Living Area by Laminex and YSG
Revealing the unbounded possibilities of Laminex laminate, the Fantales House sees YSG craft not only a kitchen but also a living space and study area, pushing the boundaries of the material beyond residential kitchen designs. Drawing on a range of Laminex finishes and colours, the Fantales House finds functional and aesthetic delight in rich tonality, textures and forms.
For the collaboration with Laminex – entitled Fantales for its joyful retro-inspired palette, reminiscent of the classic chocolate-covered caramel lolly – YSG sought to explore the application of Laminex laminate within interiors. “I really loved the idea of working with Laminex because it’s a product that’s used in typically one way, and our studio loves to do things a little bit differently. So, for us, it was the opportunity to express what our studio could deliver for interiors,” reflects YSG Principal Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem.
“I really loved the idea of working with Laminex because it’s a product that’s used in typically one way, and our studio loves to do things a little bit differently. So, for us, it was the opportunity to express what our studio could deliver for interiors,” reflects YSG Principal Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem.
Though the kitchen undoubtedly sets the scene, with a luscious palette, unexpected details and an emphasis on framing devices, a living and study space provided the scope to extend these ideals further. “We looked to more of a tonal palette in the kitchen, comprised of two very close tonal terracotta-clay colours, which took over that kitchen experience. Then, [we] moved to a slightly lighter palette as you progress to the living area and study, with mixed colours – bright pops of reds and blues – as a bit of a surprise,” says Yasmine.
The living space and study, she explains, were approached as a “room within a room within another room, so it really feels like a home.” An accentuated ‘portal’ threshold frames the transition from the kitchen into the living space, creating a moment of connection and also separation. Laminex has been applied across almost every surface throughout both spaces, from joinery to handles, shelves to loose furniture, even a custom sliding screen. “What this project really homed in on was the ability to sculpt spaces in Laminex,” Yasmine says.
Laminex has been applied across almost every surface throughout both spaces, from joinery to handles, shelves to loose furniture, even a custom sliding screen.
Generous curves abound throughout all Fantales House. “We worked closely with the Laminex team to push boundaries of what could be done with cold forming to create curves,” Yasmine recalls. Large bullnose shelves provide an opportunity display art, books and objects in the living space; the bullnose curve then recurs to create an in-built desk, hidden by a sliding screen. In an unusual application, this screen has also been crafted from Laminex laminate, with curved uprights that provide a gentle visual rhythm. A small, curved handle detail draws the eye to the joinery, which opens to reveal a vibrant interior, while a strikingly chunky curved coffee table also crafted from Laminex laminate is the focal point of the space.
Form, texture and colour go hand-in-hand here. The unexpected dash of Laminex Pillarbox to the tower cabinet adds a momentary flash of colour, which then emphasises the curved form. The diagonal application of the Laminex Danish Walnut and a striped detail of contrasting Laminex Milkwood to this same joinery brings in an element of abstraction that lends texture and depth. Then, on the coffee table, Tasmanian oak veneer unites is combined with a contrasting strip of Laminex Pillarbox followed by deep Laminex Kalamata to the top, which creates an inlay effect that highlights the contrast between the curved and flat surfaces.
“We worked closely with the Laminex team to push boundaries of what could be done with cold forming to create curves,” Yasmine recalls.
Exploring the potential of Laminex laminate to its fullest, the Fantales House highlights the possibilities of working with a single material across a range of applications, down to the finest details. YSG has embraced all such opportunities and proven that Laminex laminate is by no means limited to the kitchen, but rather is a versatile and innovative material with a wide array of uses throughout the home.
