www.indesignmagazine.co.uk in.Design magazine
Look busy! Office furniture focus
A week in the life of Lee Birchall
AUGUST 2013
Come outside with exterior lighting
What’s trending in kitchen worktops?
AUGUST 2013 www.indesignmagazine.co.uk
indesign JUNE 2013_indesign apr 13 04/05/2013 12:09 Page 1
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in.Design : 03
Welcome to the August issue of in.Design magazine!
There’s a lot of news this month from the BiiD following their conference at the stunning London HQ of RiBA, including honorary fellowships and a great ‘after-show’ party. it was lovely to meet up with so many BiiD members in such a relaxed atmosphere.
gearing up for the september show-fest we have previews of 100% Design and Decorex, with a lot more news of all the shows on our website. Our up-coming september issue is a show special, with 100% Design show director William Knight being the subject of Week in the Life, so make sure you pack it before you set off!
This month’s Week in the Life is Lee Birchall who has played a part in the transformation of central Manchester in to an über-chic and world-class residential area.
We’ve a business focus this month, with a look at the latest trends in office furniture (the image on p36 has inspired me to sort out my office!) – and in in.Brief steve McCarthy talks us through a project to refresh a conference centre.
Worktops come under scrutiny in in.Vogue where we talk to some of the experts to see what’s being specified in kitchens (i love the recycled glass on p58), and in.Vogue’s Outdoor Lighting feature offers an illuminating(!) look at the best ways to enjoy the longer evenings – i’m determined to sit outside!
Hope you have a great month.
Juliet Davies editor editor@indesignmagazine.co.uk
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in.Side : 05 Editor Juliet davies – 07906 441 889 editor@indesignmagazine.co.uk Publication Manager Jamie Watkins – 01795 509111 jamie@indesignmagazine.co.uk Fax: 01795 591065 Account Managers Sean elliott – 01795 509111 sean@indesignmagazine.co.uk Kaisa Annast – 01795 509111 kaisa@indesignmagazine.co.uk Chief Executive John denning – jdenning@cimltd.co.uk Studio Manager Paula Smith – paula@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509107
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in.Side
Design and Production Grant Waters – grant@cimltd.co.uk James Taylor – james@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509108 Credit Facilities Manager Vickie Crawford – vickie@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509103 Fax: 01795 591065 © 2013 • CiM Online Limited, The Goods Shed, Jubilee Way, Whitstable Road, Faversham, Kent Me13 8Gd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical or physical – without prior permission and written consent from the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be type written. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. in the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to CiM Online Limited. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.
Front CovEr iMAgE: Wall System from Poliform shown in matt lacquer black www.poliformuk.com (see p28)
06
in.Show
exciting new exhibitors announced for 100% design
08
in.Show
decorex moves to its new home for 2013!
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in.BiiD
Biid Conference pronounced great success
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in.BiiD
iris dunbar is presented with the Biid’s Merit Award at their AGM
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in.BiiD
Summer Party at Fritz Hansen rounds off the Biid’s conference
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in.His Life
A week in the life of Lee Birchall
28
in.vogue
Love work more, with this great office furniture!
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in.Brief
Steve McCarthy meets the brief at conference hotel Woodland Grange
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in.vogue
extend the day with fantastic outdoor lighting schemes
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in.vogue
dream topping; the best in kitchen worktops
06 : in.SHOW
100% Design Promotes ‘Emerging Brands’ The UK’s largest design show continues to expand its offer with a Super Design Market selling design accessories and a large-scale installation exploring the future of 3D Print in the home
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ith its 20,000m2 of floorspace divided into five sections – Interiors, Office, Kitchen & Bathroom, Eco Design & Build, and International Pavilions – 100% Design retains a strong sense of focus and relevance to each sector of the industry. Along the central boulevards which navigate the show, the Emerging Brands part of the show provides a platform for design companies that have been in operation for five years or less; showcasing new products and ideas for interior and product design. This year’s rising stars include a mix of Scandinavian simplicity and English charm from Hanna Francis, with a collection of delicate wood lampshades with subtle perforated patterns that cast beautiful displays of light within a space. Hungarian KAZA Concrete launches new collections of surface and floor tiles made from refined concrete processed into different finishes. Lorna Syson previews her new collection, Warwick, with home furnishings and accessories in a new print inspired by Lorna’s childhood village in Warwickshire, with colours and shapes interpreted in an abstract geometric print. Based in Scotland, Moody Monday’s Indonesian designer Eliza Kesuma launches Secret Music, hand printed
wallpaper and fabrics inspired by music and dance. Niche London launches the Arvo coffee tables by Graham Tulett; geometric and versatile, the table is visually unique with the twisted square shelf. Carlos Ortega Design showcases the Gap stackable indoor and outdoor chair, with all wood components made using CNC technology. Portuguese joinery company WeWood will show the new Gaveta desk, designed to improve home/office space; the firm specialises in raw material hardwood and creates pieces working with local design
and manufacturers. Buckinghamshire New University will also display a selection of work supporting third-year students as they begin their professional career as designers. These and many more emerging designers will be showcased at 100% Design, alongside larger names such as Magis, Bulthaup Giulio Cappellini, and the British Institute of Interior Design. Register now at www.100percentdesign. co.uk
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08 : in.SHOW
A New Home For Decorex A new prestigious location for Decorex International (22nd to 25th September 2013), the UK’s luxury design and interiors show, provides a fresh and exciting change this year!
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oving to the historic grounds of Perks Field & The Orangery, Kensington Palace, Decorex will once more provide visitors with an opportunity to source new products, in one location, from among some of the most prominent names in the design world to new talent exhibiting at the show for the first time. Leading interior designer Kit Kemp has been invited to design the main entrance, with this year’s ‘Silk Route’ theme as her inspiration. A striking champagne bar will take centre stage, with Martin Brudnizki Design Studio capturing the excitement of the build phase of a project in its rawest state. Over 300 exhibitors will be launching inspiring and innovative new products across a wide array of disciplines, including furniture, carpets, flooring, lighting, and bathrooms, alongside fabrics and wallpapers. GoodWeave UK will present a bold and colourful collection of rugs designed by competition winner Charlotte Wildsmith, a student from De Montford University. iWOODESIGN will introduce a luxury set of wooden home accessories, whilst Rebecca Scott will showcase some striking new
The Orangery, this year’s Decorex venue products which include a glass Crystal Bakehouse River Stone table lamp. Serip offer a selection of delicate designs inspired by nature, and Harlequin London, specialists in luxury tableware, decorative accessories and lighting will be showcasing new products by some of the most prominent names in the industry, including St Louis’ Les Endiable brightly coloured glasses, Christofle’s new flatwear and Venini’s new Doge hand-blown glass chandelier.
For full details and ticket information, please visit www.decorex.com
promotion : 09
A Guarantee From Deanswood! The interpretation of an interior designer’s plans and our attention to detail in everything we do affords us the confidence in guaranteeing our work, including delivery and installation
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ast on site – first in service” is a term of which we are justifiably proud. of course, without the team’s strict adherence to our Didii Control System, which is an in-house computerized quality assurance system (details can be downloaded from the website), Deanswood would not be in a position to make the guarantee. in addition, we have very high eaves, extra large workrooms and blind-making equipment all in-house. these facilities mean that we never have to outsource our work to other providers – we manufacture and keep control of the all-important finishing touches. in keeping with our continuing search for improvements we are pleased to announce additional aspects of the Deanswood service; a new website, new swatches service, new office staff, new samples folder, new laser easuring tools and yet still the same excellent service – all guaranteed.
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And, one more thing – why not allow Deanswood interiors to impress you by involving us in a future project – you’ll not regret it – guaranteed!
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10 : in.BIID
Art And Science Collide At Successful BIID Conference The British Institute of Interior Design’s (BIID) annual conference, ‘Design Invention: Art and Science Collide’ (RIBA, London, Thursday 27th June), proved a tremendous success, attracting an audience of more than 220 delegates from across the design world
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he conference featured a high level programme of presentations and debate and included an enthralling face-to-face interview with the iconic designer and BIID Honorary Fellow, Thomas Heatherwick, CBE. Focussing on the collision between art and science, ‘Design Invention’ explored the impact of this new dynamic on the world of interior design. As part of the programme, Thomas Heatherwick took centre stage in a fascinating interview session with conference host and voice of design, Aidan Walker. Thomas shared his design philosophy with the audience and explained how his studio blended creativity with new materials and technologies to shape genuinely innovative design solutions, such as the UK Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo 2010 and the New Bus for London. Among the other design experts taking part in the conference programme, Jason Bruges provided an insight into the ideas behind the innovative and engaging spaces his studio produces which blew the “digital socks off the audience” according to one
Thomas Heatherwick delegate. Later, globally renowned interior designer, Ab Rogers talked about interior interventions that not only improved function but provoked emotional responses and encouraged changes in behaviour.
In earlier presentations, the design academic Penny Sparke looked at the impact of science on modern design whilst Arup’s Josef Hargrave discussed how buildings, interior spaces and lifestyles would be
12 : in.BIID
architect Eugene Soler for his interactive installation, Final Bloom, and our event media partners. We’re already looking forward, and have begun the planning for an equally successful conference next year.”
Jason Bruges transformed by technology in the future, complete with plants that tweet us when they need watering. Meantime, an expert panel featuring Daniel Charny, Deyan Sudjic, Sue Timney, and Aidan Walker discussed the role of craft today and its relationship to science and technology. The conference also featured the presentation of this year’s BIID Honorary Fellowships which saw Sir James Dyson, Angela Brady, Deyan Sudjic and Thomas Heatherwick recognised for their exceptional contributions to design.
“The Design Invention conference proved to be an amazing day; engaging, inspiring and, at times, fundamentally challenging many of the audience’s design pre-conceptions,” said Sue Timney, BIID President. “The presentations were universally wellreceived, and we would like to thank all our speakers for their contributions to the day. We were especially delighted to hear Thomas Heatherwick talk about his creative process and the refreshing approach his studio takes in meeting the client’s brief.” She added, “On behalf of the BIID, we would also like to thank our event sponsors,
Sponsors of the BIID Conference were the leading global bathroom brand Roca, designer furniture store Heal’s, and the top provider of control and automation systems for the home and commercial environment, Crestron. The sponsors collaborated with Australian installation artist Eugene Soler on a participative installation, Final Bloom, which questioned the individual’s role and responsibility in art and its sacred relationship to nature. The one-day installation, which beautifully highlighted the collision between art and science, was created exclusively for the BIID Conference. Media partners for the event were in.Design, Interior Design Today, and industry exhibition 100% Design, the largest and most prestigious single-site design event in the UK. More details can be seen at www.biid.org.uk
14 : in.BIID
BIID Announces Merit Award Winner At AGM As part of its AGM at RIBA’s London HQ, the BIID revealed that Director of the Interior Design School in London and Past BIID President Iris Dunbar is the worthy recipient of its prestigious Merit Award
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ris received the award for her outstanding contribution to the interior design sector over many years. A pioneer of Interior Design in its modern form, Iris studied Interiors within the School of Architecture at Dundee University and set up The Interior Design School in 1991. Throughout her career as a practitioner and educator, she has promoted the interior design profession, inspiring clients and designers to create an interior environment that lifts our spirits. She is a Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design (20082010), and in her role as board director of The International Federation of Interior Architects and Designers, Iris is involved with worldwide interior issues.
“Iris is a fantastic supporter of our organisation, both in the UK and on the international stage,” said BIID President Sue Timney. “She has also served the Institute as a very successful President and is currently an Executive Board Member with the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers. This award is in recognition of her tremendous contribution to the profession and I am honoured to present her with this award.” Also as part of the AGM, Katy Graham, Director of London-based practice, interiorbeing, was awarded the BIID CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Award for her achievement in earning the most points out of all BIID members in the calendar year. Katy Graham accumulated 92 CPD points, therefore winning the BIID CPD Award for 2013. In addition to attending lectures and seminars, Katy recently gained an MSc with distinction in Construction Project Management from the University of Westminster. As part of her course she won the RICS London Student award for achieving the highest marks of any London university student studying within the field of architecture and the built environment and she also won the CIOB International
Iris Dunbar presented with the BIID’s Merit Award by Sue Timney Research and Innovation award for her dissertation. The AGM provided BIID members with the chance to learn about the institute’s progress over the past twelve months, and join in conversation with the committee about the future plans for the Institute. For more information on the BIID, please visit www.biid.org.uk
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16 : in.BIID
BIID Enjoys Summer Party Courtesy Of Fritz Hansen More than 200 guests attended this year’s annual BIID summer party held on Thursday 27th June at the Republic of Fritz Hansen showroom in London, enjoying an evening of networking, champagne, good food and designer dancing
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et right in the heart of the Fitrovia design district, the Fritz Hansen showroom was the perfect location, providing a great opportunity for BIID members to take a close look at the classic pieces on display. Guests were able to meet and talk in a relaxed, informal setting, savour the high quality Scandinavian canapés on offer throughout the evening, and then party to a lively set from Fritz Hansen’s party DJ. “It was a great party held at a super venue,” said Joy Curniffe, BIID Membership Manager. “The turnout at the showroom exceeded our expectations and it was lovely to see so many designers and industry colleagues. We would like to thank Fritz Hansen for hosting another fantastic summer party.” At the party, guests were also invited to take part in a prize draw giving them an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes including an Arne Jacobsen armchair, Series 7 with a 3207 lacquered black finish donated by Fritz Hansen, a BIID Interior Design Job Book and the BIID Concise Agreement for Interior Design Services. Founded in 1872 by Fritz Hansen, the
Relaxing after a busy conference! company has grown from one workshop in Copenhagen to showrooms all over the world, from the UK to Dubai. The UK store is run in partnership with Scandinavian design emporium Skandium and is located right in the heart of the Fitzrovia design district. More details can be found at www.biid. org.uk
18 : in.HIS LIFE
A Week In The Life Of Lee Birchall
Lee Birchall is an Architectural / Interior Designer whose 20 years of experience embrace numerous commercial and domestic projects. He has designed and delivered just about every kind of building you can imagine, ranging in project value of ÂŁ20k to ÂŁ35m. In 2006, Lee established his leading architecture and interior design practice, DV8 Designs
in.HIS LIFE : 19
The Shalimar has an opulent feel Monday I arrive at our head office in Birchwood Park, Warrington, a little bit earlier on a Monday in order to plan my day and prioritise what needs to be done. Once everyone arrives we have a team meeting to discuss projects in hand and new ideas. As a practice we are very design led and aim to achieve exquisitely detailed projects of the highest standards by employing simplicity and sensitivity; we thrive on being able to understand the client’s operational needs. We also enjoy the creative use of using different building materials, both interior and exterior, and the relationship between building and context.
Tuesday A full day in Manchester that starts with a meeting in the heart of Deansgate to get a final sign-off for one of our most recent projects. We were appointed to assist in the interior design and fit-out of the communal areas and the 14 boutique apartments set within a delightful period conversion now known as Manera. This stylish scheme offers truly individual apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms, with the highest specification and contemporary look. We were given a generous budget for this project and as it was in the heart of the city centre, we could really go for it in terms of
the overall design, as they tend to be a bit more high spec and a bit ‘sexy’. One of my favourite elements of the Manera was the atrium in the middle – when you walk into the lobby space, you really get a feeling of natural light and I hope we were able to emphasis that with added design elements. I also visit Per Tutti Italian, which is a brand new restaurant chain that we worked on in Liverpool Road, just across from Manchester’s iconic Hilton hotel. We assisted in the transformation of the vacant retail premises, turning them into a stylish flagship restaurant.
20 : in.HIS LIFE The overall look uses a lot of quality materials. Although it’s very much all white inside in terms of the walls, we have used a lot of walnut on the bar and Backlighting Marblo, which instantly enhances its feel.
Shimmer screens and beading gives The Shalimar a contemporary vibe
We also used granite surfaces on the counters and a lot of mirrors in the basement to get some reflections from the upper floors of the building; another noticeable feature was Royal Mosa tiles on the floor. Per Tutti’s overall aim was to offer an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria, which with the assistance of a very experienced Italian chef they have certainly achieved! Wednesday Head to London for a day of meetings. Earlier this year we opened an office in Chiswick as we’re working with an increasing number of clients in and around the London area – especially in the restaurant and hotel sector. In fact, we recently spent a total of eight months working alongside Gullivers to help create a modern and contemporary feel within their lodge-themed hotel near Warrington. Their overall project involvement included the interior design and space planning of the main reception and bar restaurant area. We also assisted Gullivers’ in-house design team in designing the 50 bedrooms, which comprise of family rooms, doubles and twins and also six uniquely themed suites. The project was so well received that we have been asked to look at another hotel for the group in the Southern region. Thursday My senior designer Laura and I meet with a prospective client to discuss the roll out
High spec kitchens complete the Manera apartments
18–22/09/2013
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22 : in.HIS LIFE
Wool and tartan materials make the Jolly Thresher ‘touchy feely’ of a major food and drinks brand. We’ve just finished a six-figure-sum refurbishment of the Shalimar Bar, Restaurant and Lounge in Wilmslow, which includes an expansion to the popular Indian eatery that has now significantly increased its 150 seating capacity. The overall feel has also been enhanced to give it a more contemporary vibe, complete with new ceilings, floors, fixtures and fittings. These included using amber tones throughout, installing shimmer screens, variations of beading and colour change lights, which gave the Shalimar an opulent feel and helped to change the mood of the venue. To add a striking yet natural element to the venue, we used a couple of stone walls that the customer would see instantly as they walked in.
It was the second outlet within the chain that we had worked on, having recently transformed the popular Shalimar Restaurant in Upper Mill. We’re delighted to have worked on this, as we know that these design changes have dramatically enhanced the business. Not only does it extend Shalimar’s offering, but it also attracts an increasing number of passing customers from within the area, which has a reputation for its noticeably high footfall. Friday Head to Liverpool for the day as I have been asked to come and look at a new boutique hotel that is about to launch. Having worked in the industry for so long, I’ve been involved in designing just about every possible project you could imagine, so it’s good to be able to give others my opinion and share my thoughts on their projects.
My thoughts were that the overall feel was slightly cold as there were extremely high ceilings partnered with a design that was quite regimented. I believe the company involved needed to use an external designer’s talents more and utilise their experience and skills. There are still several weeks until the venue opens so I’m sure that these changes will be made. Sometimes people think they can do the interior design themselves in-house and save money, but you always need a professional on hand who will take a step back and give you a fresh perception. I’m really passionate about the blend of function designed exquisitely with the target audience in mind – in fact, that’s the DV8 philosophy!
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24 : in.HIS LIFE Saturday I go with my wife to a launch event in Lymm, Cheshire; the Jolly Thresher is a lively restaurant and pub that we redesigned. It has everything you could ask for from excellent service, the finest quality products and a wonderful picturesque location. As part of our plans, we built an extension that now leads out to an impressive outside garden space, where customers could enjoy a day time culture as well as a night time one. It gives an exciting new dimension to the pub, creating a spectacular dining environment, perfect for hosting any special event. The Jolly Thresher boasts a lot of oak on the walls to create interest and to give a certain amount of quality to the establishment. There are also several uses of fabrics such as wool and tartan materials to make the whole place ‘touchy feely’. It is in a rural location so it had to feel like that too. Outside, what was an old bowling green is now a fantastic garden space for all of the family to enjoy. We landscaped the gardens, sourced high quality furniture, and planted an array of different flowers and trees.
The atrium, one of Lee’s favourite elements of the Manera
In the warmer months, a set of fully retractable doors help to create the ideal inside/outside space. After months of work, it’s great to finally see people enjoying it. Sunday Usually my Sundays are filled with taking my son to rugby in the morning and then on to Warrington Wolves, a rugby league club based in Warrington, in the afternoon. I also try and catch up on some DIY and also spend some time doing some drawings for an extension that I am currently working on for my own house.
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26 : Promotion
Pulse: For When A Chair Is More Than A Chair... With companies like Google leading the way, the breakout area has become synonymous with high achieving, creative businesses. But how do manufacturers meet the challenge of creating furniture that delivers the 3Fs – functionality, form and flexibility?
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here is little doubt that breakout areas benefit both employees and employers. Providing an oasis away from the desk allows employees to recharge and relax, ultimately becoming more productive. A well designed breakout area, however, provides more than simply a coffee lounge. it can encourage social interaction, strengthening employee relationships and increasing communication; function as an informal meeting area; offer a ‘touchdown’ point for mobile workers or provide an alternative workspace for more focussed tasks. With clients demanding more from their space and money, and work activities becoming more task driven than individual driven, furniture design, alongside interior design, has a pivotal role to play. Seating solutions need to allow for a flexible space that can be transformed quickly and easily from a quiet ‘touchdown’ space for a mobile worker, to an informal meeting space for a brainstorming session, to a bustling, sociable break room. As well as defining the space, furniture also needs to define the ‘feel’ of a room, look stylish, be comfortable and create a feeling of wellbeing.
the growing evidence about the benefits and challenges of breakout areas has influenced the creation of Pulse Design’s breakout and soft seating collection. Featuring sofas, armchairs and loose furniture, each product range can be utilised for a variety of tasks to support group, oneto-one and informal working. the Wave chair, for example, offers a relaxed, stylish seating option with its wide seat and back making it ideal for both curling up in with
a coffee or for sitting with a laptop but also functions around a table as an informal meeting chair. other ranges incorporate technological capability to facilitate mobile working and all products have stylish, contemporary design to enhance aesthetic appeal to both employees and visitors.
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28 : in.VOGUE
Working It Out The lines between office and home are becoming blurred – either we are working from home offices, or are expecting the same level of style at work as we do at home! Juliet Davies talks to the specialists...
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hether you’re designing small cubicles or spacious office suites, business furniture has never had so much expected of it. Ergonomic design, robust materials, practicality – all against a backdrop of changing fashions and corporate image! Chill out zones are being incorporated into many designs, and the importance of reflection and time to allow creativity to surface is being recognised. Likewise, private chat/conference areas are becoming utilised as being far more productive than simply leaning against a colleague’s desk and expecting the same level of concentration when everyone else can listen in! in.Design has been speaking to several of the designers and manufacturers who are ensuring our working days are as productive as possible. Six months ago Dave Bissett from DSB Furniture Ltd decided to create a range of desking to be manufactured in conjunction
DSB’s Omega bench with Caledonian Furniture Manufacturing Ltd based in Cumbernauld just outside of Glasgow. Having worked in the industry for more than 23 years, Dave set up the company to create a well made, affordable range of desking products to sell to his dealer contacts within the Scottish market place in conjunction with Caledonian Manufacturing. “I wanted to create a range that would cover the needs of 80 – 90% of what most dealers’ customers would require, so the obligatory bench desk is in there along with a beam range and a more general range of products I have called Gamma,” claimed Dave.
In terms of an evolving market, Dave considers there will be more colour choices, less complexity in build time, better design, and quicker lead times. Devon-based Karris Ltd. are continually looking for new trends in office design, which are often driven by external factors including changing technology, staff demographics and influences from other business sectors. “In the past ten years, the open plan office culture has presented opportunities to design ad hoc meeting spaces, breakout areas
in.VOGUE : 29
and occasional seating into our layouts,” said Peter Morgan of Karris. “The result is a more interactive, often brighter and more interesting working environment. We are noticing an emerging trend towards neutral base colours, with vibrant accent colours to brighten things up. In recent installations, white and light oak wood finishes have been combined with bold fabrics including green, blue and turquoise tones.” Companies are also leaning more heavily towards colourful graphics as part of their refurbishment process.
Karris go interactive!
30 : in.VOGUE
UniteSE Spacestation from KI “We certainly feel that open plan offices are here to stay,” continued Peter, “but with mobile ways of working becoming more widespread, the inclusion of appealing workspace away from the traditionally defined desk area is key to successful office design.” Growing awareness of the importance of a comfortable working position means that it’s becoming increasingly possible to adjust furniture to an individual’s requirements. “Bench solutions for desking remain a default standard as businesses continue
to maximise their floor space,” claimed David Venables, Sales Director at KI. “There are pockets of increased demand for height adjustable and sit stand solutions. Workstations, which are connected at 90 degrees to central storage spine configurations, are becoming increasingly promoted by design firms and a growing number of workstation manufacturers are introducing this option into their portfolios.” Screening and storage with acoustic properties are being sought as are smaller acoustic third space breakout spaces for privacy solutions adjacent to the bench.
Additionally, paper filing storage now appears to be declining rapidly – perhaps we are finally seeing the ‘paperless’ office manifest itself? “With personal storage solutions remaining in high demand, organisations are increasingly seeking keyless solutions,” said David. “Swipe card and smartphone locking which suit building entry systems and lockers looks like it will become commercially available in the next 12 months. The fashion for white metalwork and surface finishes appear to be waning and black understructures, darker MFC
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32 : in.VOGUE veneer finishes and bright fabrics in screening are becoming popular.” Allyson Lupton is the Merchandise Manager for Office Depot’s Furniture and Interiors team. “Heritage, block colours and monochrome are just some of the latest fashions hot off the catwalk,” she said. “For many businesses, ensuring their office environment also follows popular trends is as important as staying abreast of the latest fashions and can help communicate brand values. After all, conveying the right outward image is vital, especially during tough economic times. Equally as important is the creation of an environment that inspires individuals to be more productive.” A key trend for Spring/Summer 2013 is the use of block colours to convey a bold, vivid image. “This is a style that can be easily incorporated into a working environment due to the high-impact impression it gives,” Allyson added. “A workspace that is current in terms of style can help assure customers, for example, of a forward thinking attitude in business. After all, staying ahead of the game applies as much to business as it does in fashion.” Another retailer noticing summer trends is Ikea. “This summer we’re seeing trends in mix and match office furniture and personalisation,” said Clotilde Passalacqua, Interior Design Manager for Ikea UK and Ireland. “With Ikea’s wide range of table tops and desk legs you can personalise easily and affordably. Our new Peppe desk legs add curve appeal to contrasting straight, white desktops creating a very unique office
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34 : in.VOGUE
Fabulous meeting room by Scott Brownrigg look. You can then complement your creation with matching Ekby shelves and brackets, fitting together perfectly, both in style and function.” Home offices now often have relaxed seating alongside the formal office chair as relaxed reading and calm environments are paramount to productivity in our busy working world. “More and more we find our clients wish to enhance and elevate their working spaces,” claimed Bronwen Harris, general manager of Poliform UK. “Gone are the austere filing cabinets and closed cupboards. Solid doors are replaced by glass doors in smoked
and coloured finishes. Storage of files are integrated next to objects collected or treasured books.” Bronwen considers that function should be discussed first and design secondary. “There is no point in designing a beautiful piece of furniture if it does not meet a client’s end requirements to hold A4 files or collection of large photography books!” Mixing it up creates a great look for the modern office, it offers the best of both traditional and contemporary. Scott Brownrigg Interior Design is currently seeing that there is a real lean towards
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Storage solutions from Poliform the eclectic look – using the juxtaposition of ‘the old and the new’ to create spaces that are made up of a combination of different styles. The ‘In-between Spaces’ (ie. collaboration zones) within many commercial design schemes are becoming a lot more domestic and luxurious, in an effort to create a more ‘homely’ feeling – in essence ‘a home away from home’. “Designers are incorporating accessories and details within the original design concept to style and ‘dress’ a space in the same way
you would a movie set or a hotel room,” said Scott Brownrigg Interior Design’s Anna Breheny. “Right down to the very last detail, thus resulting in a blurring of the boundaries between the commercial, hospitality, residential and leisure design sectors. A project we recently completed for a global management company on the Strand, together with the entrance lounge, bar and meeting rooms of the ‘Citizen M’ hotel in Southwark, are both great examples of this style of design!”
So, gone are the days – or at least they should be – when upon entering an office you’d be faced with a bank of grey desks and partitioning, or a jumble of ill-considered chaos. There has never been a better choice of office furnishings available, making it easier than ever to project the image you want to your clients and other visitors. Personality or corporate values should be able to be reflected in the necessary desk, seating and storage solutions; these should be a positive enhancement to the working day.
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38 : in.BRIEF
Conference Call Set in 16 acres of Warwickshire countryside, Woodland Grange is a residential conference centre dedicated to meetings, conferences, team building, training and corporate events. Steven McCarthy, managing director of McCarthys, describes the challenges of this refurbishment brief arent group EEF Venues has recently made a £1 million investment in upgrading bedrooms at Woodland Grange, and public spaces at its Westminster venue, Broadway House.
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to ‘refresh’ the remainder which had been refurbished two years ago. The business conference venue had upgraded public areas throughout the original Victorian building at the same time but the majority of the bedrooms were looking tired and dated.
EEF Venues first approached McCarthys in December 2012 to refurbish 75 of its 114 en-suite bedrooms at Woodland Grange and
The brief was to create a high quality, contemporary scheme for the bedrooms and en-suite facilities that would reflect the
Woodland Grange sits in 16 acres of Warwickshire countryside
venue’s overall four star standards. One of only 17 venues in the UK to have achieved AIM Gold – the meeting and conference industry’s ultimate kite mark of quality – Woodland Grange’s contemporary facilities include 27 meeting rooms, a 200-cover restaurant, a bar and an internet café. The venue has complementary, superfast
Steven McCarthy, managing director of McCarthys
in.BRIEF : 39
A key issue was to ensure brief housekeeping time internet access, state-of-the-art technology, a fitness room, sauna and Jacuzzi, yet the majority of the bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms were ten years out of date! Working to a tight budget and a challenging time-frame across six phases, a key issue for McCarthys was to ensure low maintenance for the venue’s team of housekeepers, while creating a fresh and modern look which would appeal to a primarily business clientbase. “Our client was very clear that the
bathrooms would be key to the success of the project,” said Steven McCarthy. “The brief emphasised three essential requirements – they had to be low maintenance, visually impressive and durable.
designed-in easy access for maintenance. Although the budget was tight, we ran it up to its absolute limit in terms of quality because everything has to stand the test of time.”
“Cleaning turnaround time is a big issue for any residential venue so, for example, our client requested that we use wall-hung WCs so that housekeepers could easily mop under them. We procured sanitary ware, fittings and wall tiles from Porcelanosa. From a plumbing perspective, we kept the original layout the same to save on labour costs and
The project had a long lead-in period, starting in December last year when McCarthys were awarded the contract. “Timing and scheduling of the works was critical. We had to plan our works during quieter periods so that we didn’t have a detrimental impact on the business.
40 : in.BRIEF
The ‘demo room’ at Woodland Grange This is an extremely busy venue, with delegates arriving every day. By closely co-ordinating with our client, we agreed six phases, with each phase taking four weeks and covering one wing of the building at a time so we were able to take one wing of the building over completely. It worked out that we were upgrading 12 to 15 bedrooms simultaneously during each phase”.
the different trades on-site. “We had to work within tight spaces and within a very tight time-frame,” he explained. “Man management of the contractors and trades was interesting, to say the least! We had up to 20 people working on the rooms at any one time, including flooring contractors, plumbers, tilers, electricians, general builders, decorators and carpet fitters.”
According to Steven, the most challenging aspect of the project was co-ordinating
The first phase was the most challenging but on completion, it gave McCarthys an
opportunity to meet any issues head-on. “We had a small window of opportunity before the start of the second phase to assess the quality of the finish,” noted Steven. “By scrutinising every detail, we quickly resolved the snag list and came to an ‘agreed perception’ with our contractors of what the quality of the finish should be. They all fully accepted this so they moved into the second phase knowing exactly what our expectations were. By resolving
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42 : in.BRIEF any issues quickly on the completion of phase one, the quality of the finish dramatically improved.” For Steven McCarthy, this aspect of the project gave him the greatest satisfaction. “Creating a process and then following it with the same impeccable attention to
detail and thought was very satisfying,” he said. “We established a matrix for checking quality and the contractors were fully supportive and enthusiastic. You could see the pride they took in their work and this resulted in a very high standard of finish and time efficiencies as people knew exactly what was expected of them and got on with it. I suppose you could say that we all got
into the rhythm of the project.” As the venue is primarily targeted to a business audience, McCarthys chose a muted, natural colour palette for the bedrooms, many of which over-look the rolling Warwickshire landscape. “After a busy day at a conference or training session, delegates just want to go back
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44 : in.BRIEF to their room and relax, so we opted for earthy, calm tones,” explained Steven. “Had it been a boutique hotel, we would have taken a very different approach but we clearly focussed on the venue’s client-base to meet the brief accurately. An important element of the brief was to ensure it wouldn’t date too quickly, and of course, durability was essential.” McCarthys worked closely with commercial
carpet manufacturers DESSO, to have a bespoke carpet designed and made for Woodland Grange. After seeing five design variants, the client and McCarthys made their choice. “The bedroom walls, flooring and curtains all work in harmony to provide a relaxing environment for delegates,” said Steven. “What is interesting is that our client then had the creative freedom to choose
bed linen, throws and soft furnishings to add a vibrant splash of colour to suit the mood and location of different rooms. For instance, some have a splash of green, and others a purple accent, to create individual personality.” Earlier in the project, before the works commenced, Mc Carthys created a fully fitted-out ‘Demo Room’ to help the client visualise how the new bedrooms would look.
The natural colour palette for the bedrooms reflects the location
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A business-like yet relaxing bedroom “I think the moment when I saw my client’s reaction to the room has to be the most enjoyable part of this project,” said Steven. “Every step, from seeing the initial concepts come together to getting them to the final design stage, culminated in seeing the excited reaction of the client and his team at Woodland Grange.
“We also received very positive feedback from the first guests to use the new rooms and our client has subsequently reported increased bookings since using the refurbished rooms as a marketing tool for the venue. That has to be the ultimate vote of confidence in the design concept and a tangible reflection of how the brief was met. “Working closely with the client at Woodland
Grange was an absolute pleasure. We never felt that we were working for him, but with him; it was a real partnership at every stage and communication was open at all times, which is key to the success of a complex project such as this.”
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onathan Charles Fine Furniture design and manufacture the highest-quality European antique replicas as well as our own unique transitional designs, which are distributed to the best shops and interior designers throughout north America, U.K. and Europe, russia, China and the middle east. What makes us different is our meticulous
attention-to-detail and pursuit of high-quality construction, we work with artisans who display a large range of skills, employing age-old techniques. our passion for detail is reflected in our in-house brass foundry, where we manufacture our own hardware so that when we design a new piece of furniture we can also design one-of-a-kind pulls, hinges, locks and even keys for that piece.
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many of our inspirations come from antiques that Jonathan discovers on his travels. Sometimes, we will reproduce them as accurately as possible, while at other times we will take a detail that we like and design a completely new piece of furniture around that feature. often, we will start the design process from scratch. We gather inspiration from a variety of sources – be it a classic wallpaper design, nature, classic antiques, a rare object, or jewellery. We never design to the limitations of our factory, and have actually expanded our factory as we have developed new skills in advanced marquetry, bronze casting, hand
carving and much more. the interior designer is a key part of the Jonathan Charles success story; we understand the demands that these companies face and are able to help and support in many ways, for instance our website is created to allow interior designers
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50 : in.VOGUE
Light Hearted An effective outdoor lighting scheme should combine illumination with inspiration! Juliet Davies asks “what’s trending?”
Lighting enhances texture: The Lighting Design Studio
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John Cullen’s colour changing RGB Slinky IP67
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hen it comes to lighting gardens LED products have really come into their own over recent years. Products have become smaller, and their relatively low power consumption has been great for saving energy and therefore reducing electricity bills. However it’s the extra long lamp life of LED technology (circa 50,000 hours) that has been the most noticeable benefit. It means that garden lighting schemes require very low maintenance, they are almost ‘install and forget’ as you don’t have to worry about constantly changing light bulbs. “Having lighting in your garden is important but it’s always worth remembering that a small amount of light goes a very long way outside, so fittings should be used sparingly
and intelligently to build up layers,” said Luke Locke-Wheaton of The Lighting Design Studio. “Lighting is important to indicate pathways and steps, but also useful for enhancing the many interesting textures in a garden and creating a focus – whether that’s a beautiful stone wall, a tree, a water feature, a sculpture – having a focus draws the eye and, when you’re indoors, helps prevent windows from turning into giant mirrors at night.”
52 : in.VOGUE Coloured or colour-changing light can be fun and a playful way of creating a focus in your garden. “However,” added Luke, “you need to be very careful when using colour, too much will almost certainly overwhelm a space and can begin to look garish!” Alexandra Fry, Associate at John Cullen Lighting, agrees that LEDs have made a big difference to garden lighting schemes. “The improvement of LEDs over the past few years has created a really energy efficient alternative to halogen. It is now possible to light a whole garden for less energy than a 60w light bulb!” she explained. “Gardens are frequently becoming extensions of the home in terms of use and design so it is worth keeping some consistency for a cohesive look. Linear LED lighting has become very popular in internal areas and these now have external IP rated versions which can be used outside.”
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Mirrors create a sense of space: Light IQ People view gardens as great entertaining spaces so they lend themselves well to the introduction of colour, especially when around water. Alexandra added “John Cullen’s colour changing RGB Slinky IP67 is a perfect solution for under lighting a floating bench or water rill. These can be combined with 1w LED Kew spotlights and Hampton floodlights, which have a fantastic warm colour similar to halogen, to light up smaller shrubs and plant pots for the perfect low energy scheme.”
“Pure, elegant and natural is the over-riding trend for this summer,” said Sam Hansen, Riverdale’s Head of Styling & Design. “The summer is bursting with romance, and Riverdale gives it that rugged edge. Linen, cotton, stoneware, wood and glass are the materials that appear to be strong for 2013 and the popular colours are natural, white and soft pastels. Riverdale’s most sought after designs are the new stoneware lanterns in white with shutter effect and in soft pink with romantic floral pattern that give off a playful, almost enchanted light.
Put several of them together and you’re in the middle of a fairy tale!” If you don’t have lanterns, combine several candles on one tray. This will also create a simply magical and romantic atmosphere. “The popularity of make-over programmes has raised homeowners sights on what can be achieved in terms of a truly glitzy, celebrity-style appearance even in relatively modest gardens,” claimed Arianna Rawlinson, General Manager
56 : in.VOGUE for Outdoor LEDs. “With power costs increasing and global warming a growing concern, LED lighting is the perfect solution – typically using between 10% and 80% less energy than alternative technologies, yet remaining exceptionally energy efficient and inexpensive to run.” “Outdoor LEDs and Marshalls joined forces to create a range of affordable landscape lighting products including spike, driveway and patio lighting solutions, as well as additional feature lighting products to spotlight statues, signage, pools and other structures. Since bringing these products to market, we have seen a great demand from people not only looking for colourful and atmospheric lighting solutions, but also for safety and added security,” Arianna added, “and our Livinglites were installed in a DJ’s garden and programmed to flash different colours for when he throws parties!” Reflective surfaces are a lovely addition to a garden, and can enhance the lighting scheme. “Mirrors have been used for many years in gardens to create a sense of openness and space, and this idea has been extended with the use of light,” described Rebecca Weir, Design Director with Light IQ. “In one recent project the mirror of a London roof garden was backlit using a soft blue LED lighting strip emulating the beautiful effect of dusk and creating an ethereal other-worldly feel. This was then strengthened as the frame of the mirror was uplit creating a stronger focal point to this magical effect.” Jonathan Hey, Managing Director of Westbury Garden Rooms thinks that illumination should be used to make a connection between inside and outside.
Party on! Livinglites from Outdoor LEDs “Our clients appreciate that by carefully designing exterior lighting we can create the effect of complete integration of the inside and outside space,” he claimed. “We will illuminate accents and corners of the building with subtle up-lighters from surrounding flower beds, whilst using vertical light to elongate upright lines, emphasising the crisp joinery edges with shadow, giving depth and creating drama.” In the garden, Jonathan recommends using path and step lights along brickwork, beds and patios to create a connection that leads between the elements. “Pick out overhanging foliage in trees with directional spotlights or floods for large trees,” he said, “whilst illuminating medium and low foliage with hooded spiked pole lights that focus on a horizontal plane.”
The overall effect is not bright illumination but delicately balanced ambient light, designed to evoke the sense of relaxing in a softly lit sitting room. On warm evenings, exterior illumination can make the outside feel comfortable and welcoming – add an open flame or patio heater and this is a space that can be used all year round.
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Focus SB Keeps Lansdowne House Plugged In! Lansdowne House lies to the southwest of Berkeley Square in central London, and was designed by Robert Adam as a private house. Since 1935, it has been the home of the Lansdowne Club
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ocus SB have added some beautiful finishing touches to this stunning interior. Designed with minute architectural details and lavish furnishings, the property stands as a sleek building, which excites the senses. the stylish Lansdowne House features both soft and stone related design elements with mushroom velvet art-deco style seating, fur blankets, marble floor and white plastered walls, a breathing open fire, and sharp angles. Created with simple design elements, the minimalist interior features satin chrome finished Focus SB electrical face-plates, which add an extra defined edge, glitz, shine and shimmer, to the remotely lit interior. these electrical plates sit flat on the wall while the satin finish gives the plates a subtle silk-like appearance. A black wall, against which the plates are laid, juxtaposes their satin shine and provides a striking impression to the electrical sockets.
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58 : in.VOGUE
Granite Transformations’ Dream Green worktop in recycled glass
in.VOGUE : 59
Standing The Heat! Kitchen worktops are among the hardest-working items in a home, needing to both make and withstand an impact...
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rom value laminates through to solid woods and marble, the range of materials available for this finishing touch is fantastic! Whether co-ordinating or contrasting with the units, worktops can add a real ‘wow’ to a kitchen. Paul McDowell is the managing director of MCD Marketing for DuPont Corian in the UK. “Key trends in worktops include either curves or geometric angles, multi-function surfaces with pull-out, pop-up and hideaway features, integrated technology and cantilevered surfaces, spacious seamlessly
integrated sinks… plus the on-going popularity of all tones of grey and veined mineral aesthetic. “Customised design is key,” Paul added, “and homeowners and developers are increasingly willing to invest wisely in durable, high-spec materials and trustworthy brands that have been proven to add genuine value.” Jane Stewart, Design Director of Mowlem & Co, loves working with truly versatile, quality materials, “those that I know are going to last the lifetime of the design and
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60 : in.VOGUE
Emperadoro from Caesarstone bring real pleasure to whoever is living with it,” she said. “A surface shouldn’t just look good, it should be reliable and easy to care for too. Certain rare stones can bring a unique beauty to an upscale design, but for a hard working surface in a busy family kitchen, modern materials such as Corian and the composite quartz stones are hard to beat.” “Quartz is well established now, but even so, as a material, it continues to show considerable growth,” agreed Chris Pepper of Caesarstone. “Of course, exact composition is down to the manufacturer and brand, but as a worktop type, there can be no doubt that retailers working within
the mid to high end of the market are great proponents of quartz for its flexural strength, high resistance to staining and scratching, and vast versatility. “Within the quartz market, there are some very striking neutrals emerging,” stated Chris. “Blacks and variations on whites will always have their place and look unquestionably timeless. However, alongside them, we’re seeing some very stylish, subtle colour palettes of creams, greys and browns that work exceptionally well with both natural woods and chalkier paints.” Eva Hoernisch is the Design Manager Europe with the Formica Group.
“Surface textures are a stylish way to create depth and dimension when designing the dream kitchen,” stated Eva. “Current trends favour low-gloss textures for a subtle but dramatic statement. Distressed and rustic textures have also become more popular.” After many years of all-white and neutral schemes, colour has returned to interior design. “Today, in the kitchen sector, colour is more than just an accent; it is now mixed in with other materials like wood and metal for dramatic effect,” Eva added. “Colour schemes combine warm neutrals with highlights in brighter tones. These are especially used for accessory products such as splashbacks. Focus colour themes
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62 : in.VOGUE are inspired by the tropical seas; from turquoises to jade, to deep blues and Caribbean green for that pop of colour. Pastels in all shades and neon, especially yellow and pink, have taken stage to bring life to that previously neutral kitchen without a complete overhaul of the space.” Minimal was yesterday – today everything is possible, it‘s a happy mix-and-match of patterns, colour, materials, styles, shapes and proportions. “The current trends in kitchens are focused on functional and timeless qualities,” observed Martin Saxby, Country Manager with LG Hausys, manufacturer of thermoformable natural stone acrylic HIMACS. “The vast majority of consumers want their kitchens to be timeless in design to ensure longevity and ease of use. Gone are the bold colours in worktops and appliances and instead we are seeing more muted natural colours that have a classic overtone. This I believe is being lead by the economic
Formica Axiom situation. People with wealth do not want to be seen as being crass and all consumers want to ensure their investment in a new kitchen will be a good, long term benefit to enhance their property value.”
Composite worktops are available in a huge range of textures and finishes, including those which resemble natural materials such as granite or timber, whilst also being extremely durable, creating a truly individual design that is also highly practical. “Worktops have a very big influence on the overall appearance of a kitchen and can be used to create a real impact in the contemporary and classic kitchen alike,” said Marco Cioffi, managing director of Okite UK. “Composite worktops in particular offer designers the opportunity to incorporate some of the latest trends into any style of kitchen, such as the introduction of curves for a more rounded look and built-up edges which give the illusion of a much thicker profile.”
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A call for translucent surfaces that enable light to fill the room has also been noted by Marco. “Such surfaces prevent island units in the open plan kitchen from becoming
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Cosentino’s Silestone Blanco Zeus obstacles that stop the room’s natural flow,” he said, “and instead turn them into stunning focal points.” Nicola Toledo, Cosentino’s Commercial Sales Manager, is seeing that neutral shades are currently the most popular colour choice for worktops, with their Silestone Blanco Zeus leading the way. “These neutral tones are being mixed with woods to add warmth to a kitchen design,” Nicola observed. “Grey is increasing in popularity, and customers are also starting to experiment more with marble-effect worktops especially in the more neutral colour palettes, to bring individuality to their kitchen. The Silestone by Cosentino Nebula range lends itself to this look, with colours Lyra and Lagoon proving most popular this year. Six new colours have recently been added to the range as Cosentino expect this trend to grow
Effecto Roccio from Okite over the coming years.” On-line businesses are seeing their market change with far more options for the customer, who is now looking for the same online convenience in terms of larger value and more complicated home purchases. “Until very recently it wasn’t possible to order bespoke made-to-fit worktops online in the UK, although German customers had been able to do this for years,” said Bernd Radaschitz, the founder of Made To Fit. “Some manufacturers have now invested in mass-production factory machinery and techniques normally only used for trade which means that UK consumers can design and order one-off pieces of the highest manufacturing quality at incredible value with easy-to-use planning tools to lay your worktop out to exact requirements; size,
shape, cut-outs and tap holes. We had a recent online order for a range of worktops that a company is actually going to use as desks. They even colour coded each set of desks for different areas to match the colours of their logo!” And worktops are not only considered when fitting a whole new kitchen – often simply replacing the worktops brings a new life and new identity to an existing kitchen. “With the kitchen now the social hub of the house, it is becoming a focal point for more vibrant colours and styles,” said Danny Hanlon, Chief Operating Officer of Granite Transformations. “The hottest trend is remodelling, which involves retaining the familiar layout, but refacing the existing worktops and replacing old cabinet doors and drawer fronts. This means less
Steam free mirrors and warm floors with demista™ and Cosyfloor™ Tired of peering through a steamed up mirror when applying makeup, styling hair or shaving? There is no need to wipe clear, or open windows wide on a frosty morning, when you install a self-adhesive demista™ pad behind the mirror. Simply wire into the lighting system or use a separate switch to ensure a clear view in the steamiest of bathrooms. Why step out of a warm bath, or shower, on to a cold floor when you can have the luxury of Cosyfloor™ under floor comfort heating. The system is safe to use in wet areas, ideal for bathrooms, wet rooms, kitchens, and other areas where water may be spilt. Tel: 01932 866 600 Email:sales@demista.co.uk Web: www.demista.co.uk
66 : in.VOGUE disruption and outlay than a new fitted kitchen and you are likely to recoup most of the remodelling costs if you’re planning to sell. “With remodelling, you could indulge in the big new trend for vibrant colours. You could choose bold primaries like red, orange and emerald green for worktops,
reflecting a more upbeat way of living, then add decorative splashbacks for an extra zing. Extend composite granite, quartz and recycled glass work surfaces to the underside of wall units or ceiling height for a luxurious finish or go for glass mosaic tiles for sparkling elegance.”
in popularity. “Choose from recycled glass worktops made from used beer, wine and mineral water bottles, or composite granite and quartz surfaces containing natural stone salvaged from quarrying sites,” concluded Danny. “All these will give a distinctive and luxurious feel to a refaced kitchen.”
And eco-friendly materials continue to gain
Bespoke worktop from Made To Fit
Bespoke glazing solutions for architects and specifiers. Suitable for any commercial or residential application – give your client exactly what they want … in glass!
Putting art into architecture www.objectsinglass.com
Tel: 01279 418643
68 : in.Product
Antron Carpet Fibre: A World Of Inspiration
Polyrey Proves Beauty Can Be Skin Deep At 100% Design
Invista is set to launch a reference book, the World of Antron®, that will provide inspiration to specifiers and designers by showcasing an array of projects around the globe that use Antron® carpet fibre as a vital ingredient. to be published as an easy-to-access fully interactive digital book on Antron® websites worldwide, the World of Antron® will be regularly updated with images and details of the latest projects, and in-depth interviews with designers. 0845 450 6434 enquires@antronfibres.co.uk
Visitors to 100% design will have the opportunity to view the brand new collection 2017 from leading laminate surfacing manufacturer Polyrey, at stand E120. collection 2017 is at the cutting edge of design with its large variety of laminate decors including everything from glossy brights through to wood-inspired grains, mineral styles and stunning digital patterns. consisting of HPL, compact Grade Laminate, and melamine-faced boards collection 2017 is ideal for an array of commercial interiors, including desks, washroom cubicles and wall panelling. 01923 202 700 polyrey.uk@polyrey.com www.polyrey.com
Steelcase Make A Great Gesture! Steelcase have launched Gesture, a new seating experience, designed in response to the company’s latest research about changing postures in the workplace. the chair is the result of a global study, conducted in 11 countries and observing over 2000 people in a wide range of environments and postures. It identified nine new postures that are a direct result of using small, mobile technology such as smartphones, tablets and laptops and new workplace behaviours. Gesture chair’s three key interfaces – the core interface, upper limb interface, and seat interface - support these new postures. “We love our technology, it’s become a ubiquitous extension of ourselves,” said Mark Spragg, VP for Steelcase Northern Europe, speaking at the launch event at the design Museum in London. “But the way technology impacts our bodies as we work has been largely ignored. Gesture, we’re pleased to say, is truly a first. the first chair designed to support our interactions with today’s technologies. the first chair for the way we work now and in the future.”
gsapra@steelcase.com www.steelcase.com
15 Fountain Court, Great Witley, Worcester WR6 6HW Call us on 01299 870 700 or email on info@cmeimports.co.uk
www.illuminatedpots.co.uk
70 : in.Product
Ted Todd Introduce New Masterpiece Range Masterpiece is a stunning range of ‘furniture for your floor’, inspired by the master craftsmen who complete their final masterpiece as their greatest piece of work and proof of competence. Produced from the finest materials the Masterpiece range is suitable for use on both floors and walls. With patterns ranging from contemporary abstract designs to the more traditional, all of which are available in a range of colour options, this range is truly like having a work of art in your project. 01925 283 000 www.commercial.tedtodd.co.uk
Roman Put A Gloss On Infinity Leading uK shower manufacturer roman have launched a new Gloss finish option for their roman Stone Solid Surface Shower trays, available now on their popular Infinity Shower trays, as well as selected footprints from their orbital tray range. originally launched in a fashionable Matt finish, the new option presents a different design perspective. Infinity trays are designed to give a simulated wetroom look, with their ultra-low 40mm profile; available in five rectangular sizes, and a 900 x 900mm quadrant. 0845 050 7611 brochures@roman-showers.com www.roman-showers.com
Parapan® Is The Perfect Partner For Landau’s V-Line Exotic Veneer Range Parapan® is the ultimate material for contemporary kitchens. this high quality, high gloss acrylic has a mirror like reflective finish and can be cut to any size. Here (top right) grain matched matt Satin Walnut, part of the V-line range, has been mixed with high gloss Alpine White Parapan® representing the pinnacle of modern living, and with its subtle clean lines provides the ultimate high end kitchen solution. Parapan® makes the perfect partner for Landau’s V-Line exotic veneer range, available in a choice of sixteen veneers. Here (bottom right) matt Zebrano has been teamed with high gloss Alpine White and Aubergine Parapan® adding a splash of colour to this modern kitchen solution. 01482 440680 sales@landau.uk.com www.landauparapan.co.uk
in.ProDucT : 71
Astro’s Asini Brings Glamour To The Bathroom
www.signboxshop.co.uk
Leading British designer, manufacturer and exporter of contemporary lighting Astro has recently been given the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise and International Trade 2013. Astro offers a huge range of IP44 rated products, as well as an innovative range of lighting for modern living, including LED designs. Their talented in-house designers’ new collection for 2013 includes the Asini, a chandelier-style bathroom ceiling light with shimmering glass droplets arranged in three tiers from a circular chrome base, with a glass surround. 01279 427 001 sales@astrolighting.co.uk www.astrolighting.co.uk
PERFORMANCE CEILINGS More scope for i nnovati on
THERMATEX® ACOUSTIC RANGE ABSORPTION, INSULATION AND REFLECTION - ALL IN ONE CEILING The AMF THERMATEX® Acoustic Range offers a totally new concept for suspended ceiling systems. One face pattern for a spectrum of sound absorption values Acoustics combined with fire protection Tile options from low to high absorption A combination of acoustic properties in one suspended ceiling Attenuation figures from 28 dB to 44 dB Building material class A2-s1,d0 as per EN 13501-1
Knauf AMF Ceilings Ltd. Thames House, 6 Church Street, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 3NJ Phone 020 8892 3216, Fax 020 8892 6866, E-mail: info@knaufamf.co.uk, http://www.amfceilings.co.uk MADE IN GERMANY
24.06.13 10:36
72 : Promotion
Objects In Glass Launch Lustaglass Following considerable research and development on a wide variety of pigments, resins and finishes, Objects in Glass have launched Lustaglass, a truly unique range of glass tiles and panels
L
ustaglass can be made to any size, and finished in a wide range of metal finishes, from old copper to the bright glitter of gold; from a subtly rippled antique brass, to a full ruffled silver available, depending on the depth of texture chosen.
Designed by Objects in Glass’ Curtis White, Lustaglass is suitable for walls in bars or restaurants wanting a wow factor, to add verve to bathrooms, and can also be used as a kitchen splashback to give a design some zest! Only in their third year of trading, for a young company Objects in Glass punch well above their weight, with an enviable client base they have established in a relatively short time, and a variety of prestigious projects in their portfolio. Objects in Glass, with their creative technical ability, enthusiasm and a very apparent passion for their work are attracting a lot of interest, from high end architects and designers to the discerning private buyer.
01279 418 643 oliver@objectsinglass.com www.objectsinglass.com
Calling all hospitality designers: Bar magazine is offering all inDesign readers the chance to promote their products and services to our readership. Bar magazine is the UK’s monthly trade publication for premium bars, clubs and pubs. It offers inspiration, guidance and contacts for owners and operators to develop their business and fulfil a venue’s potential. As well as case studies on new and refurbished venues, the magazine covers all aspects of creating and running a successful bar from planning and design to installation and branding. We are offering competitive advertising rates across our multimedia platform, including print, web, smartphone and tablet, when quoting reference “inDesign Online”. To find out more about these rates, please contact our experienced sales team for further information on 01795 509109 or bar@cimltd.co.uk.
74 : Promotion
London Launch For Laguna Rugs Laguna Rugs, producers of high quality hand knotted rugs, have recently launched their business on Gloucester Road in South Kensington, delivering a fully bespoke service to contract and residential clients
W
ith a range of contemporary designs, Laguna Rugs offers predesigned collections, and a completely bespoke service to meet client requirements. The collection combines carefully sourced materials from Nepal including the highest quality wools, silks, and other luxurious yarns, which are hand knotted into intricate designs. Each have their own unique look and characteristics, which give clients a far greater choice of designs without compromising on quality. Laguna’s in-house designers can create a design for any scheme, whilst always being sensitive to a client’s vision. Designs can be big or small; whichever is required for a given brief. With a selection of in-house rugs available to choose from, consumers can either choose an existing design or develop a bespoke option for their particular vision or interior scheme.
The rugs at Laguna begin their delicate process out in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet, where sheep are reared for their lanolin-rich wool. Himalayan sheep have the best durable wool in the world; it is luxuriously soft and soaks up colour
beautifully. Once the wool is sheared it is transported to a river where the bales are washed by hand, then left to naturally dry on the banks. The wool is then transported to skilled carders and spinners who make the wool into yarn, ready for the colour dying process. Once dyed, they are hung out to dry naturally. They are then hand-spun into balls, so weaving and knotting can begin - this part of the process is probably the most time consuming. The time scale on making up the rug can vary, depending on the size, the amount of knots per square inch, and different colours within the design.
Once the hand-knotting is completed, the rug is cut away from the loom, thoroughly washed by hand, and left to dry in the sunshine. This process also contributes to the overall quality and finish of the rug. Laguna Rugs are ideal for clients who are looking for high quality durable pieces that sit elegantly across both residential and commercial projects.
020 7373 7471 info@lagunarugs.com www.lagunarugs.com
AXIOM RANGE ®
LIVE THE DREAM
EVERYONE HAS A DREAM KITCHEN Axiom® by Formica Group recently launched its stunning range of worktops, upstands and splashbacks. Featuring unique designs, partnered with premium surface finishes, Axiom® worktops and accessories allow dream kitchens to become a reality.
Axiom® Sample Hotline:
0800 376 2976 (UK) 1800 939 266 (ROI) www.axiomworktops.com
by FORMICA GROUP
Formica, the Formica anvil device and Axiom are registered trademarks of The Diller Corporation. © 2013 The Diller Corporation. A Fletcher Building Company
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