INTERIORS AND INTERIOR DESIGN - The latest trends

INTRODUCING SHOPKIT’S RANGE OF RECEPTION SCREENS: SECURITY AND COVID-19 PROTECTION

If you’re looking for virus blocking screens to improve hygiene in your office or reception area designs, Shopkit’s range of high quality reception screens are the perfect choice to block virus particles including Covid-19 and keep your receptionists or other staff safe.

Designed for use in all types of offices and reception areas, including doctors and dentists surgeries,

Shopkit's glass reception screens can be specified as new or even retro-fitted to existing areas.

The screens are manufactured from 8mm thick toughed glass PAR panels, with 27mm diameter posts, which can be specified to either mild steel powder coated to any RAL colour, or stain polish stainless steel.

The panels can be fixed either to counter or 100mm off counter, and can include CNC polished notches or cut outs for access. The panels can be fixed to the desk either from the top or the underside.

Reception screens can be specified to be either in a straight line on a reception desk, U-shaped or to fit around a curved desk. If the screens are to be fixed to the desk only, a maximum panel height of 900mm is required for stability, but Shopkit can also fix posts from desk to ceiling allowing for higher panels.

Shopkit can offer a full start to finish service, including a site survey and installation; or they can simply supply panels to your specification or drawings. All of their products are manufactured at their UK factory and design studio.

Get in touch with one of the team at Shopkit if you would like any more information or to discuss project requirements. www.shopkit.com

DRU INTRODUCES DYNAMIC NEW FLAME EFFECTS FOR ITS VIRTUO ELECTRIC FIRES

he DRU Virtuo is an innovative, realistic electric fire with a unique, projected 3D flame picture and a design and build quality that is the equal of its award-winning gas fires. It is available in front-facing, 2-sided and 3-sided models that are installed into false chimneybreasts or other architectural features around the home to create complete, contemporary fireplaces. The Virtuo is controlled by an exclusive DRU app that can change the height and density of the flames and regulate the energy consumption. In addition, DRU has now introduced four new flame patterns for even more variety and consumer enjoyment. T

Gentle creates a lively and warm wood fire effect, Magic generates unusual, coloured flames for people that want something different, Graceful produces an intense and vibrant flame experience and Elegant is a quieter and more relaxing option.

All the new flame patterns are based on real-life log fires, underpinned by authentic glowing embers and accompanied by the sounds of real, crackling wood for a complete fireplace experience. The Virtuo electric fire delivers a cosy 2 KW heat output or it can be run as a purely decorative fire. There are no ribbons to twist or spindles to squeak and it is energy efficient with low running costs.

The Ceraglass interior intensifies the depth of the flame effects and installation is very easy, as it only requires a standard domestic power supply. The new flame updates are available immediately for existing Virtuo owners and can be demonstrated by all current DRU approved Virtuo dealers.

DRU is also inviting applications for new Virtuo electric fire dealers in selected post codes throughout the UK. www.drufire.com

PIONEERING ACOUSTILAY SETS THE QUALITY STANDARD FOR SOUNDPROOFING FLOORS

RADIATORS - FIT FOR THE FUTURE....

More than 25 years after Acoustilay was launched, the premium, UKmade, acoustic flooring system for floors continues to set the standard for product quality, ease of installation and sound reduction potential. Manufactured by acoustic experts, Sound Reduction Systems, the Acoustilay range of products can be laid under a wide variety of floor finishes, including carpets, laminates, solid wood, vinyl and even tiled floors.

Available in four different grades, including the new Acoustilay Tilemat product, it remains the most specified soundproofing treatment of its kind due its quality, versatility and the wealth of technical and acoustic data behind it. While all Acoustilay products provide excellent impact noise performance resulting from footsteps, dropped items and moving furniture, the heavier grades of Acoustilay 8 and 15 are also able to reduce airborne noise transmission such as television, music and speech.

Acoustilay can be used to meet the requirements of Part E of the Building Regulations, ‘resistance to the passage of sound’, in both new build and conversion projects. An animated installation guide can be viewed on the Sound Reduction Systems website, where all fitting instructions can also be found Acoustilay is 100% sourced and manufactured in the UK using recyclable content. It is supplied in 1200mm x 1200mm sheets, in thicknesses of 10mm, 12mm and 15mm to suit a variety of soundproofing objectives. www.soundreduction.co.uk

Leading radiator manufacturer Stelrad has made huge strides to future proof its radiator products to meet the specific requirements of the new, lower temperature heating systems that are becoming the norm as heat pumps prove to be the leading option to replace traditional fossil fuel driven – gas, oil and LPG - heating systems that will be banned by the Government in all new build developments and homes from 2025 and it is anticipated will be banned in replacement heating systems in existing properties shortly after that date.

Stelrad has developed and enlarged its series of K3 radiators – three panels and three fins on a radiator footprint that is scarcely larger than a traditional K2 design. It now offers K3 radiators in three stunning designs.

Today’s modern radiators come in a selection of styles that make them a part of the décor in a room rather than simply a metal heating appliance to share heat in a room. And with the arrival of vertical radiators, the larger size radiators low temperature heating systems need can fit neatly into areas of the room where they take up much less in the way of a radiator footprint than traditional horizontal radiators do, which in the past tended to be sited under a window. www.stelrad.com

BLUE SKY THINKING TRANSFORMS DISUSED BARN

Blue Sky Barn is a fascinating conversion of a disused barn into a four-bedroom family home. Situated on a farm in England’s Norfolk, architects 31/44 have used form and materials to preserve the memory of the original agricultural structure in order to create a stunning new residential and leisure environment with enhanced levels of comfort and refinement. The house presents a quiet façade of corrugated metal walls and roof with vertical larch louvres.

It is characterised by a calm restrained exterior and playful interior volumes, created on two floors within the 450sqm footprint of the original barn. The interior design fulfils the wish of the owners to preserve the original raw and cavernous character while avoiding overtly domestic finishes. With such a large spacious interior, including a 15m long swimming pool, the architects needed to find a solution for reverberating sound and acoustic dampening.

As a result, Troldtekt’s wood wool panelling has been used throughout the living and pool areas to combat and soften elevated noise levels. Troldtekt is a perfect choice for this kind of application. Consequently, Troldtekt Fine panels were specified for their sustainable characteristics coupled with superior acoustics to provide a comfortable interior environment.

Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and recently attaining Gold certification, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings.

In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and lowcost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades, from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. www.troldtekt.co.uk