Having meticulously curated the exquisitely-designed Staford Hotel, as well as numerous high-profile celebrity-chef restaurants, including those belonging to Jason Atherton and Michel Roux Jr, not to mention winning a SBID International Design Award for his work on the Lansdowne Private Members Club, Dale Atkinson, founder of Rosendale Design, has always had an eye for detail.

Starting out at the Bartlett School of Architecture, followed by a stint in Milan, it was in Italy that Atkinson’s career really took off after being approached by Foster and Partners. “Much of the knowledge and skills that I learned during that time are still employed today,” says Atkinson, who founded his company in 2014. “It is so close to my heart and I’m enormously proud of what we achieved together. I know it sounds cliché, but I have always set myself goals, then when I achieve them, I set new ones to continue to strive and improve myself. It also helps when you love what you do.”

Looking back, Atkinson has always had a passion for design. “When I was younger, I would rearrange my room into different configurations as I liked that it felt like a new space,” he recalls. “Then, when my parents commissioned a house, they allowed me to design my room, which was great fun.”

Inside the home of a luxury fashion executive that Atkinson designed

Atkinson has just completed a full home overhaul for a famous fashion executive. He can’t say too much about the owner, although he’s not shy on spilling the design details. “The client owns some original sketches by Alexander McQueen. They were special, so we had them framed.” He also selected Farrow and Ball paints to craft “unique atmospheres” in each room. The entrance hall, in Yard Blue, “exudes elegance”, welcoming guests with “tranquillity and sophistication”. For the cinema room, he selected the cosy Farrow and Ball Eating Room Red, while the reception room, adorned in the timeless tone of Ammonite (read grey), creates a serene retreat. The open kitchen, also in Ammonite, “blends practicality with quiet luxury.”

Atkinson has a passion for arches in spaces, having used them in several restaurants he’s designed, including Norma in Charlotte Street and Mallow, Canary Wharf. “Because we are predominantly used to seeing right-angled openings, arched ones tend to add visual interest. Arches are very versatile, and one can have a bit of fun with them. Playing with the materiality of the threshold can be quite interesting.” 

Norma

Atkinson also particularly loves the unique challenges and creative opportunities that come with designing restaurants, and is currently working on three new eateries for Jason Atherton. “Each restaurant project offers the chance to create distinct atmospheres and experiences that align with the chef’s vision and the restaurant’s brand,” he says. The newest Savile Row flagship from Jason Atherton, Row on 5, is spread over two floors in a brand-new building, with the open kitchen putting Jason and the team at the forefront of the action. “[The lighting from Occhio] will be very interactive and feature changing schemes that can be adjusted by the diners themselves. The wine displays and cellars will also be a key feature, with approximately 4,000 bottles. There will also be a hidden dining table adjacent to the kitchen that is accessed through a secret door.”

The next is Sael, a new brasserie in the former Aquavit site in London’s St James’ Market. Serving “affordable, no-holds-barred cooking”, it celebrates all things British without “the shackles of traditional fine dining”. Its kitchen will be led by Dale Bainbridge, who is currently executive chef at the Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social in Mayfair. The concept will be focused on British seasons (Sael means ‘seasons’ in old English). “Art will be a central theme here, with several artworks by prominent artists on display,” says Atkinson. “The walls are in stained oak and boast a double height dining room with impressive chandeliers. The bar upstairs will be lively and warm in tone and will feature an impressive record display.”

Mallow. Images: Hayley Kelsing Photography

Meanwhile, Three Darlings, on Pavilion Road will be a relaxed all-day dining experience. “Lighter tones will be employed here,” explains Atkinson. “The sunken terrace will also be a lovely space to immerse oneself in, an oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle.” 

For Atkinson, designing a restaurant differs from a home in terms of scale and function. While restaurants require a focus on operational efficiency, customer flow, and the diner’s first impression, designing a home is all about comfort and personal style​. “When designing restaurants, considerations include the overall concept, target demographic, functional aspects like kitchen layout and flow, and creating an engaging atmosphere through design. The focus is on creating a memorable dining experience that aligns with the restaurant’s brand and the chef’s vision.”

Inside the home of a luxury fashion executive that Atkinson designed

Atkinson says there are always specific things to consider when designing or decorating your home or business space. “Really think about what the room is being used for. So often people add ideas for the sake of realising that idea, but it doesn’t sit well with its function. Always think about the lighting. Both daylight and electrical light affect rooms in different ways, which can give a space a very dynamic feel as the day slips into night. Layering the lighting can create visual interest.”

However, Atkinson concedes that he tries not to take a “dogmatic approach” when it comes to his projects. “By challenging ‘rules’ or people’s expectations we tend to realise some of our best work,” he says. “I love it when designers come to me and say ‘I have an odd idea’. It usually means an exciting conversation is about to happen.”

Visit rosendaledesign.com

Read more: Raising the roof: How Dalrymple Studio transformed a Cotswold barn into a chic party pad