Design Inspired

2012-02-01T20:20:00.001Z

February is the month for Valentines: Bunches of red roses, cards with delightful messages and gifts decorated with red ribbons. Love is in the air!

So with a warm heart my thoughts turn to how we use red in interior design – it’s a daunting colour, one which makes a very bold statement but let’s not be afraid.

Red can have positive and negative connotations so it must be applied appropriately. Whilst exciting and strong on the one hand, it can appear aggressive and defiant. It is a colour often utilized to inspire – a good colour to spark the imagination and encourage conversation. And it is a colour full of passion. If your blood pressure can stand it a red bedroom is overtly sexy and extravagant (perhaps even decadent).

Red is a valuable colour to consider if you have a property that is difficult or expensive to heat. Most houses built in the 1960s and earlier were constructed without insulation and many still have single glazed windows. Unless the property has been upgraded with retro-fit lagging and double glazing interiors will suffer cold spots. It has been scientifically proven that if you decorate a room in shades of red you will feel warmer in it than if you used a cool colour like blue. As a result you will probably turn the thermostat down, which could save you money!

Number 15 by Steve-h

Seen in the design of ‘For Sale’ signs, warning posters and of course, traffic lights, the colour red really gets noticed. Use it to work for you in the home –draw attention to something beautiful: A red cushion tempts you towards a comfortable armchair, a collection of red ornaments catches your eye, and you are charmed by a red front door.

When teamed with white in a decorative scheme red is crisp and bright, clean and modern. When teamed with black or grey it is less intense and can create a more mysterious and subtle decorative scheme. Alternatively red works well with blue and yellow forming a balanced scheme that relies on the three primary colours to provide a comfortable yet interesting design. This combination often works well in children’s bedrooms. Red’s complement is green and when these two colours go head to head you can achieve drama and excitement – try them in equal proportion combined with neutrals.

Crimson, cherry or pillar box red? Moving from the warmer orangey hues through to the cooler raspberries, you will need to carefully choose the right ones for your scheme.

So, whether it is a message of love or an expression of your warm and dynamic personality, I encourage you to be confident and communicate with red!

Some more pictures from Interiors UK 2012

2012-01-30T11:58:00.000Z

A calming entrance to one of the Halls at the NEC, Birmingham. Pastel pink and warm neutrals make a tempting display. Yummy, where are the sugared almonds?

A revolving sun lounger - cosy, expensive and altogether OTT.
How many could we squeeze in with vodka and tonic?

Black and white will always make a statement. Graceful and sexy, elegant and modern, any one of these pieces would add glamour to a room.

Touchy, feely, I had my hands all over this! It is a cushion made with miniature silk fabric 'pillows'. Gor - geous!

I asked this beautiful lady if I could take her picture.
She was looking after this stand and I didn't notice her until she moved!
Interior Design tip: Use camouflage to hide things.

Elegant patchwork chairs.
'Is what we see eco conscious design and manufacturing (patchwork is traditionally a form of recycling), or is this a fashion trend with just a nod to sustainability?'

Future trends - warm and comforting, 'Ember'. Textiles and textures express the feeling, and create an atmosphere.

A selection of old brushes - curiously beautiful. An example of how we can display collections at home.

For more tips and advice on how to make your interiors better and more beautiful come along to a one day workshop. Two dates coming up in Cambridgeshire are Friday 13 April and Sunday 15 April 2012. Book now to reserve your place: £35.00 per workshop. Email me at ycid@yasminchopin.com

Interiors UK 2012 NEC – A designer’s treat

2012-01-27T09:11:00.000Z

Entrance to one of the Halls

Spending the day trekking around 5 Halls at the NEC, Birmingham, was time well spent. Not only did I see some really great products but I also had the opportunity to listen to a couple of useful seminars, one on Eco Design by Oliver Heath and another on Social Networking by Warren Knight.

Designersblock

This trade show attracts different types of visitor from magazine publishers to retail owners, from interior designers to manufacturers. And the most hip place to visit was ‘Designersblock’ where innovation is encouraged and new designers can showcase their work. Design students from the University of Birmingham ‘manned’ stands and for budding retail designers there was a chance to pitch ideas on merchandising in the Mary Portas/House of Fraser retail area.

My Lady's Chamber by LLB

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen designed two roomsets, which were hidden gems amongst the bright lights of the show. He totally enclosed the spaces creating a fairytale atmosphere so you felt you were entering a forbidden space.

I came away with some new ideas to move my business forwards and inspired by some of the gorgeous furniture, fabrics, fixtures and fittings I spotted.

Interior Design ONE DAY workshops

2012-01-17T17:24:00.001Z

Image 1

Who are the workshops for?

These workshops are aimed at anyone who is interested in knowing more about interior design. If you enjoy reading home decorating magazines or watching property programmes on TV, you will enjoy learning some of the tricks of the trade.

Image 2

What will we cover?

In Workshop 1 we will cover five of the ten key concepts – these are the fundamental building blocks of design and can be applied to any decorating scheme, or renovation work. We will look at how scale, geometry, light, proportion and balance can be used in design.

In Workshop 2 we will cover colour, shape, texture, rhythm and emphasis.

You can attend one workshop or both – they will be equally interesting and both will offer theory and an opportunity to put what you have learned into practice.

Image 3

How will I benefit?

A better understanding of how things work in a design scheme will help you make decisions in the future and will save you time and money. If you can put together a design plan with confidence you will only buy what you know will work, whether it’s paint, a piece of furniture or a floor covering. There are so many products available in the High Street and on-line, everyone needs a bit of help selecting the right colours and materials. You will approach your next decorating project in a completely new way and enjoy it all the more.

Image 4

When and where?

Workshop 1 is on Friday 13 April 2012, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm.

Workshop 2 is on Sunday 15 April 2012, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm.

At the Mandeville Hall, Thrapston Road, Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire, PE28 0HW (via the A1 if you are travelling North/South, or via the A14 East/West). http://www.cambridgeshire.net/organisation/mandeville-hall/9743.aspx

Image 5

How much does it cost?

The workshops are £35 per person. If you attend both it is just £60 per person. Refreshments are provided but please bring a packed lunch.

Also bring with you some coloured pencils, a ruler, pen and HB pencil, a notebook, scissors and a few old ‘housey’ magazines. All other materials will be provided.

How do I book?

Contact me, Yasmin Chopin, by email ycid@yasminchopin.com or phone 07831 231 664 to check if a place is available.

The images above are all items in my home. Can you guess what they are?

Colour of the Year 2012: Pantone Tangerine Tango

2012-01-05T21:39:00.000Z

Are you a follower of fashion?

Colour experts, Pantone, annually draw our attention to a single hue announcing it as the ‘Colour of the Year’. So it was with great excitement and anticipation we awaited the announcement....the colour to look out for in 2012 is Tangerine! Specifically it is Pantone colour 17-1463, Tangerine Tango.

Already present on the catwalk followers of fashion will see it in the Spring collections and it will appear in merchandise ranging from cosmetics to house wares.

image reference Pantone

Colour trends are enormously influential and whilst most of us are aware that the clothing industry survives on the public desire to be fashionable the impact on interior design and decoration is not so obvious. But did you ever wonder why, when you go shopping for new wallpaper or even a washing up bowl, the same colours appear in all the shops? So this year look out for tangerine, a colour full of joy and sunshine.

In the UK we spend a lot of our waking hours indoors so the colours we decorate our homes with should be chosen with care. Emotional and physiological effects are apparent from the warm feeling we get from reds and pinks to the iciness of sky blues and whites so think about the effect you want to achieve before picking the colours.

Tangerine is a fiery colour and if you love the calm of neutrals you might find it a bit too much. Why not try just a little here and there to create a spark? It also works well with its complementary colour blue when applied in equal proportion so look out for patterns that contain both colours. Creating a feeling of energy and balanced tension tangerine and blue can be very exciting and reminiscent of Mediterranean holidays.

For a more relaxing atmosphere experiment with colours adjacent on the colour wheel, such as warm yellows and reddish oranges, to mix with tangerine. This graduation of colour is restful rather than overly stimulating yet still uplifting and warm.

If you are decorating this year and want to be right ‘on trend’ you will find tangerine accessories, wallpapers and fabrics in the stores but if you really want to be a follower of fashion remember there will be another colour to chase in 2013!

Making the most of your space - Evening classes at Kimbolton and Swavesey

2011-11-12T08:21:00.004Z

I am running a new 5 week course at Kimbolton Mandeville Hall on Monday 9 January 2012 called 'Making the most of your space'. From 7- 9 pm on Monday evenings for five consecutive weeks learn new tricks and techniques for making the best use of space. For most people our home is our biggest investment so no matter how large or small your property is space will always be limited. With fewer families moving home and more people down-sizing, getting the best out of every inch (or centimetre!) is paramount.

Designed for anyone who has an interest in home making and decorating this course will get you buzzing with ideas. It is not about spending unnecessary money, it is about investing what money is available wisely.
So if you want to have some fun, get out of the house on a gloomy evening for a few hours of creativity and 'me' time - join us in Kimbolton in the New Year.

Book your place now by contacting me on 07831 231 664 or email me for further information. The fee is £49.00 per person for the 5 week course.

I also teach these classes at Swavesey Village College on Tuesday evenings - contact Laura Baylis to book - 01954 230373.

Recommendations:-
"I love concept boards – a very good way to channel creativity! I appreciate the amount of prep work you do and the thought you have put into a structured but varied course. Very interesting and well delivered."
Caroline Burstall

"Thank you for the inspiration: I feel that what I have learnt is exactly what I needed to inspire me with our new house. I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and will highly recommend it to friends and colleagues."

Gemma Adamante

"Thank you for a great interior design course - have learnt loads of new things."

Tracy Norman

Ten Tips for Festive Dining Rooms

2011-11-09T20:34:00.000Z

Are you hosting a meal for friends and family this Christmas? Here are ten tips to make your dining room sparkle for the festive season:-

If you are re-decorating consider using oranges, reds and pinks in your colour scheme. These are good colours to create a warm atmosphere in rooms where you eat and drink.
A central display on the table will act as a focal point. It needs to be high enough to make an impact but low enough so your guests can see each other comfortably across the table.
An interior design trick is to place something out of context in a room as a surprise element. Find something you love from another room in the house and use this in your table display.
Make every guest feel special with a place name. Get the scissors and glue out and be creative! Tie the name tag to a wine glass or a napkin ring with some pretty ribbon or string.
The best place to display family photographs is in the dining room because this is where you celebrate together. Group your photos and make a feature of them on the wall or on the sideboard.
A large mirror on the wall not only doubles the space visually but also makes the party seem twice as large.
Candles are a firm favourite at Christmas time but keep the scented variety for other rooms in the house. Let the aromas of the food and wine work their magic without competition.
Achieve a sense of extravagance by layering tablecloths on the table. Overlap them however you like but let each one have a piece of the limelight. You can use little cloths on top – sometimes they are the prettiest!
Check the view from each seat – does every guest have something beautifully festive to look at?
Finally, have a trial run at setting the scene – don’t leave it till Christmas morning – you will be too rushed to enjoy it.

Be creative, have some fun and above all plan ahead.

Trend concept boards

2011-10-07T16:51:00.005+01:00

Interior Design Classes this term have covered the development of new trends. Trends are set in motion 3 or 4 years in advance of them hitting the high streets, from market research through to publishing for the trade and then manufacture for the high street. My student groups have been putting their own colour palettes together to develop their own individual trend concept. They have enjoyed the process, feeling liberated to explore different colours and producing a brand new palette.

Lorna wanted her palette to express luxury and extravagance.

Kimberley's palette of very soft colours put her in the mood for an ethereal concept.

This concept board is by Jo, using berry reds and greens, complimentary colours on the colour wheel.

Natasha's concept is hot and spicey!

Casilda called her palette 'Trout' long before she found these images to portray it.

Classes are currently taking place at Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton and Swavesey College, Cambridge. If you have a minimum of 6 people interested in running a day workshop - let me know - and I will arrange to run one for you.

Design a Room competition - The Winning Entry

2011-07-12T11:14:00.000+01:00

The Corn Exchange, St Ives, celebrated its first birthday on 25 June 2011 after a major refurbishment and I ran a design competition. Everyone got stuck in and, with a selection of wallpapers, images of furniture and paint colours, they spent the whole day designing. The conversation centred on design, decision-making and decoration and I was thrilled that the Mayor, Martin Collier, also enjoyed participating. With £25 worth of Marks and Spencers vouchers on offer there really was a competitive spirit. The stand was busy all day from 10.00 am till 4.30 pm with a continuous stream of budding designers - a really fun thing to do!! I took pictures of each design and I asked the public for their views on the top six.

The winning entry is entitled 'Kingfisher' designed by Cameron Pollock. At 13 he was the youngest competitor of the day. He attends the The Kings (The Cathedral) School in Peterborough and says, "When I am older I would like to be an architect and design 'Grand Design' style buildings and interiors. I would like my designs to be original, modern with lots of glass and light."

In just a few minutes Cameron pulled together an exciting combination. A dramatic wallpaper with a blue and white pattern on a black background sets the scene. It is complemented by paint colours 'Kingfisher' and 'Cold White' from the Designers Guild range. Cameron then added some furniture images and when he placed the black and white chair on the board his design came alive!

'Kingfisher' by Cameron Pollock

These entries were also in the top six; Congratulations to Mark Conquest who came second and to Julie Conquest who came third.

'Reflective Ideas' by Sue Spencer Briggs

'Comfort' by Carole Pollock

'Country Gent' by Jim Burt

'Summertime' by Julie Conquest

'No dusting required' by Mark Conquest

Thanks to the Paint & Paper Emporium for lending me their Designers Guild paint chips. http://www.paintandpaperemporium.com

http://www.designersguild.com

http://www.thecornexchange.org.uk

Top Ten Interior Design Tips

2011-06-02T16:58:00.001+01:00

1. When matching fabric, paint and wallpaper choose everything else before the paint - thousands of paint colours make it easy.

2. Designing for a small space? Black is useful as it blurs the edges suggesting infinity. Use it in recesses.

3. If hanging a number of pictures in a room consider lining them up either along the bottom edge or along the top edge for a smart finish.

4. Ceilings 2.3m or lower? Swop pendent lights for recessed fittings, use floor and table lamps for atmosphere.

5. Mirrors are not the only items you can use to bounce light around a room - stainless steel surfaces, silver spheres, metallic wallpaper and gloss paint.

6. Colours 'pop' when put against black. Use black frames, black fabric, black paint to provide a solid backdrop and watch your colours glow!
7. High gloss kitchen units are easy to clean but do show up finger marks. The shiny reflective surfaces add contrast to matt surfaces such as wood and porcelain tiles.
8. Use big rugs - they add a feeling of warmth, alter the room acoustics, 'grounds and groups' the furniture.
9. If you want to give the impression of large windows hang your curtains right across the wall and only draw back to the window edge.

10. Visually extend the space with sheet mirror but remember to remove the skirting board and cornice to give full effect to the illusion.

Follow me on Twitter for more design tips....

How to make a bedroom look cool for a two year old boy!

2011-05-06T13:21:00.000+01:00

Problem: Old fashioned flowery wallpaper above and below dark wooden dado. Dark wooden picture rail, skirting boards, door and window frame. Low budget.
Good points: A bit of decent blue carpet, south facing window. Got some paint left over from previous house.
Solution: Paint the whole room in Little Greene's 'Shirting' (a lovely soft white) - using the washable product (Ultimatt) below dado. Then paint random vertical stripes between dado and picture rail with the left over paint.

Looks fab doesn't it?

New logo for Huntingdon Business Women

2011-04-06T11:41:00.001+01:00

I did a quickie logo design for Huntingdon Business Women - a group we have set up through LinkedIn. We are going to have some fun and help each other with personal and professional development. As well as networking for new business leads we will be supporting a local charity: Cambridgeshire Wood Green Animal Shelter, where we will hold our meetings. Contact me if you wish to join us!

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/index.html

Interior Design class participants are stars!

2011-04-05T15:27:00.001+01:00

Evening classes ran in St Ives and Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire, and participants designed a lounge this term. It was a challenging brief, working with me as their client! Everyone had to understand how I use my lounge in order to come up with a workable design that would fit my needs and those of my family. Then they had a free reign to put together a floorplan and decorative scheme that would be pleasing with one proviso, they had to include a painting by my favourite artsit, David Denby, in the design. Here is some of their work, which went on display at the end of term.

The champagne went to Derrick Spencer Briggs for his lovely presentation and neat drawing. This was Derrick's first term.

There is a great deal of talent in the group and everyone worked very hard to do well. Over 12 weeks with sessions running for 2 hours a week, a total of 24 hours input and class time, it's amazing what can be achieved. What a productive group!

Rebecca's illustration board demonstrates a restrained palette and neatly complements her drawings and concept board. Rebecca completed her second term having carried off the champagne last term!

Caroline is in her second term and her board is complex and clear, containing all the information for her design in one place. Her concept was followed through with panache.

Tracy designed a window seat and her sample board is a layered delight with a colourful splash of terracotta orange! This was Tracy's first term.

Julie created a charming concept full of detail with a touch of glamour. Her first attempt at a concept board and what a success!

Vanessa approached the challenge with trepidation and succeeded with gusto. She has created a balanced room set in her illustration board and even designed a wall unit to accommodate the TV!

For more on David Denby go to the Fine Art Society http://www.fascontemporary.com/

Wine and dine in Cambridge

2011-04-05T14:33:00.000+01:00

I rather like the simplicity as well as the fun that this chandelier provides. It is situated in the entrance hall to the Hotel du Vin in Cambridge.

There are some lovely wall murals in one of the private dining rooms too. Drink and be merry!

Design Project: Garden office

2011-03-07T08:09:00.000Z

The site for this client’s new garden office, which is a neat rectangular shape, is tucked away at the end of the plot. Measuring 3200mm x 6000mm it is a good size and will have windows looking out over established planting to the south and west. Two design problems to overcome are 1) excessive solar gain and glare and 2) the client requires a considerable amount of storage. Solutions may include a small veranda to shield the sun possibly with external shutters and bespoke storage using the vertical space as much as possible. All this on a very tight budget and services have to be brought in – electricity and WIFI.

My first decision is whether to go for a prefabricated garden office and fit out the interior to meet the client’s needs or to design from scratch and use a local builder for a bespoke size and shape. Cost is a major factor in this decision. Let’s get to the drawing board!!

Interior Design concepts

2011-02-27T16:44:00.001Z

The concept, or idea, for an interior design comes early on and once established it acts as a guide through all the decision-making to come. It’s a bit like a shopping list that helps you through the maze of shelves in a supermarket and gets you to the checkout with exactly what you wanted in your basket.

I work with a concept board which visually brings together my ideas onto one page and this becomes a constant reminder of the atmosphere I wish to create. I keep coming back to the concept board throughout the design process – and this keeps me on track helping me to produce a consistent and appropriate design that meets the clients’ needs and wishes. I have developed a photo bank as a resource for my concept work and share a few with you now so you can see what I mean.

Bright, clean, airy, refreshing

Cool, still, relaxed, contented

Tranquil, calm, quiet, peaceful

Warm, friendly, convivial, welcoming

Arty, creative, original, individual

Fun, amusing, uncomplicated, easy

Organised, structured, professional, efficient

Bold, self-assured, interesting, unusual

Consistent, amusing, established, mature

And here is a concept board using photos in my photo bank. Commercial client: A fast food restaurant portraying health and fitness.

Interior Design Course

2011-02-03T20:58:00.001Z

Interior Design is an interesting and wide subject covering much more than just decoration. The evening classes I run, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, are for anyone interested in home making and design in general. They are great fun and current students range in age from 16 to 60 who have diverse backgrounds and different experience of art and design. They all enjoy the design challenges set during the course, and learn to appreciate how design affects our lives. New term bookings are being taken now!
Monday evenings (7 - 9 pm) in Kimbolton Mandeville Hall
Tuesday evenings (7 - 9 pm) in St Ives Corn Exchange
Call to find out more and reserve your place!

Daily Mail Ideal Home Book Blog 2

2010-12-16T20:33:00.001Z

This is the second of my blogs on The Daily Mail Ideal Home book 1949 - 50. The book’s contents are listed under four headings: House and Garden, Furnishing, Management and Leisure Hours. An article which is very relevant to me at the moment because my daughter and her family have just moved – this week in fact – is one headed ‘Removals without Pain’. Illustrated with drawings, it encourages homeowners to just leave it all to the removal company and recommends sitting in the garden and reading a book.

Clearly an experienced ‘mover’ the author, Roger Smithells, gives good advice, “...consider getting rid of at least half your possessions before the move.” He describes ditching 50% of your worldly goods as a “refreshing experience which will greatly simplify your move.” I am sure his advice is as good now as it was 50 years ago!

I was alarmed, however, by some of the items on the ‘to do’ list. “Check the voltage of your new electricity supply and the sizes of the electric plugs in the house so that any necessary changes can be made to your electrical apparatus.” I hadn’t realised that because there was a multitude of electrical supply companies in the UK at that time the voltage could be different in each area. I find that after the Second World War the electricity supply was nationalised and around the time of this book’s publication the national grid and all the power stations transferred to the British Electrical Authority, which later became the Central Electricity Generating Board. However, it wasn’t only electrics that called for excellent DIY skills, “Begin to take down curtains, light fittings and gas fixtures wherever possible ...”, and once done “.....all gas outlets should be plugged.” We would now look upon tampering with gas fittings as dangerous and not to be tackled by untrained members of the public.

And here is a final remark regarding a job that required no training at all but which is equally important when moving. “Arrange for a charwoman or handyman to be at your home with brooms, pails and other apparatus sufficient for cleaning up after the vans have left.” My father said that ‘in those days that was all the work some women could get’. It makes me feel very glad to be alive in these times!

We may not be employing charwomen any longer but we still need the excellent services of good removal companies to help us get all our belongings to a new home. And as Roger Smithells says, “Don’t fuss. Don’t interfere. Don’t try to teach the men their job”. Hmmm!

Apartment TO LET - NOW TAKEN!

2010-12-13T13:12:00.003Z

Eathorpe Park near Royal Leamington Spa,Warwickshire

Two bedroom apartment in this gorgeous Victorian country house conversion, near Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Available to let from January 2011 this property has spectacular views across open countryside. High ceilings, oak floors, deep skirting boards and bay windows - all of the first floor you can see in this photo and more - includes large kitchen diner, double aspect lounge, double aspect ensuite master bedroom, second good sized single bedroom (or small double) and bathroom. Two parking spaces, visitor parking and 3 acres of grounds, the apartment is a dream space with lots of light. It's my old pad! Love it but happy to let it! Contact me, yasmin@yasminchopin.com, if you want to know more.

http://www.primelocation.com/uk-property-to-rent/details/id/assra112604/

Pantone Colour of the Year 2011 Honeysuckle 18-2120

2010-12-13T12:24:00.003Z

This is the colour for 2011

Pink custard and a blushing bride, this is the colour of summer. Full blown roses, old fashioned tea cups and a candlewick bedspread. Comforting, sweet and warm - just what we need for a tough year ahead.

Concept boards, sample boards and exercises

2010-12-08T17:58:00.003Z

The end of term and we put on a show - and awarded a prize too! Congratulations to the whole class for putting up such lovely work over the ten weeks, some of which you can see below. An evening class provides two hours a week input and exercise time but everyone has enthusiastically done more in their own time. There is a lot of creativity in Kimbolton on a Monday night and team members have really enjoyed finding and developing their own style.

My thanks to Susan Lawton, Key Light Image Consultancy, for being our guest speaker on the evening.

What is interior design?

2010-11-28T16:17:00.000Z

A1 major road route to Edinburgh, Scotland

Having to explain exactly what Interior Design is has led me to explore other’s interpretations. I found an interesting form of words in the Edinburgh College of Art’s (eca’s) 2010 prospectus for Interior Design students. A bit ‘arty’, but I like it. Here it is:-

‘Interiors are measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days and months. We set up the room for dinner, and in a matter of hours it is nothing more than a stained tablecloth and a vase of wilted flowers. To design an interior is to imagine an unstable and ephemeral future.

Rather than make solid objects, Interiors students at eca conjure fragmentary visions. Models, sketches, drawings, writing and light flickering in a darkened room are not the thing itself. Rather, they point the way to an empty space that does not yet, and may never exist.’

This is a good starting point for a lively debate. Something for a long car journey perhaps?

UPDATE! Choosing Paint Colours

2010-11-11T13:38:00.000Z

Congratulations to Roz and Terry Mannock on the opening of their new shop in Upminster!

As an Interior Designer I help clients choose colours for their room schemes and with several thousand paint colours to choose from a little help is often welcomed. A colour consultation may take no more than 2 hours.

By brushing out paints onto 16 cm square boards Roz Mannock, of the Paint & Paper Emporium in Cambridge, makes it easier to match colours with fabrics or wallpaper. Little Greene is by far the most popular paint sold at this shop closely followed by Paint and Paper Library. Roz is seen here painting out several hundred more colour boards for her new shop, opening soon in Upminster. "We are very excited about this addition to the business", Roz says, "and we look forward to meeting many new customers in the Upminster area. We have colour boards for the Farrow & Ball colours, Little Greene, Paint & Paper Library, and Designers Guild.

The Paint & Paper Emporium, Cambridge, specializes in paints, wallpapers, fabrics and window dressings

Daily Mail Ideal Home Book: Blog 1

2010-11-11T13:29:00.001Z

Queen Elizabeth and King George VI were on the throne when the Daily Mail Ideal Home Book 1949-50 was published. Their Majesties feature strongly in the publication alluding to a sense of glamour beneath which there is firm stability. Demonstrating the public's interest in the day to day lives of the Royal family there is a lengthy article on the Royal residences entitled, ‘Their Majesties are at home’, which describes the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park along with Sandringham, Balmoral Castle and Windsor Castle. Appearing also in twelve full colour plates there are reproductions from original paintings of the Royal children of England including Edward VI, Queen Elizabeth I, James I and George III.

With the end of World War II in 1945 public opinion could now be swayed towards a consumer future and uplifted as a result. The editor comments, ‘The utility decade is ended. With the lessening of restriction and control, British enterprise....comes into its own once more.’ Today we tend to overlook the ease with which we can obtain products and materials forgetting just how much more difficult it was just 60 years ago. In an article called, ‘The house for your money’, I learn that ‘bricks are now unrationed but timber is still severely limited in quantity and permitted uses.’ I also note that new regulations have come into force, such as the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act and the Ministry of Health sets controls on the size and price of a house. Seemingly, for a period after the war, you were only able to build a house with a maximum floor area of 1,000sq ft.

Creative architects, proudly displaying their RIBA credentials, produce some sample floor plans for the ideal home. They offer ideas on open plan living citing the benefits and disadvantages of this over more conventional, functionally organised, room plans. I really enjoyed reading about the utility room which is described as being, ‘especially useful ‘. It has to be explained to the uneducated reader, that a utility room is ‘...for home laundry, cooking the hen food and other steamy, smelly jobs. It may well have the hot-water boiler placed in it. It can be quite small, but should have a sink, washing machine or copper and boiling ring.’ I was thinking of knocking my utility room and kitchen into one – maybe I should think again!

Interior Design analysis for a bedroom

2010-09-28T13:33:00.001+01:00

How often have you looked at interiors pictures in magazines and books and thought, 'I like this!', or 'I don't like this'? It is worthwhile sometimes just stopping and really thinking about why you do or don't like a particular scene. Analysing the detail helps us find our own style so we understand how to create designs that reflect our own preferences.
The image below is a photograph taken by Gilles De Chabaneix and appears in 'The Way we Live', an excellent source book for designers produced by Stafford Cliff. This is my analysis of the design of this yellow bedroom...
The scene evokes calm with its soft palette of warm yellow, neutral cream and taupe. The proportions are domestic although the ceiling is high. The cream painted frame of the arched recess forms a visual bed head and moves the eye upwards but as it travels along the curve at the top the eye is brought back down again which negates any feeling of extreme loftiness. The recess is painted the same hue as the rest of the room minimising the impact of the alcove.

Symmetry balances the scene and creates order. This has been achieved by placing the bed in the centre of the alcove with matching bedside drawer units on either side. These units provide necessary storage space but it is a pity they obstruct the arch frame - slightly narrower furniture would have retained the integrity of the arch which is the key architectural feature of the room.
The space on top of the drawer units is kept for personal effects; bedside lights, books and other paraphernalia creating a contrasting but quiet disorder. Since this is contained in the one area it is acceptable on the eye and shows a keen understanding of the failings of human nature - we cannot be tidy all the time!
Paintings are placed on the wall at a convenient angle for viewing in an asymmetrical pattern. The use of different sized frames made from a range of materials adds interest to the room. This gives the effect of an art gallery and the atmosphere is contemplative. The bottom part of the picture frame is used to horizontally align the pictures. This neat linear presentation breaks up the expanse of the walls arresting the eye and thus reducing the apparent height of the room.
The diagonal pattern on the wooden floor is reproduced in the design of the chair bringing together the structural and decorative elements of the room. The chair is placed in a rather strange position possibly obstructing passage yet it makes a strong statement.
There is a comfortable simplicity in the materials used. The decorative elements (paintings, books, bed covering etc) are all essential and have a purpose and there is no ostentation or showiness about the design. There are no mirrors which suggest there is a dressing room elsewhere in the building. The lack of a padded headboard or plump cushions piled up on the bed rules out luxury in favour of utility.
The two-tone bed cover visually divides the bed into two - suggesting that two people share the room.

Improved acoustics for dining hall

2010-08-03T21:10:00.001+01:00

Me checking the integrating sound level meter in my gorgeous orange ear defenders

Here I am working in Cambridge with Stephen Grundy, an acoustics consultant (the Noise Advisory Service). I contribute my interior design skills to help aesthetically to the technical solutions he specifies for clients. In this project we needed to improve the acoustics in this lovely dining hall because when people are eating it gets uncomfortably noisy. This is a common problem in many restaurants and large dining rooms. Stephen always finds an answer and is well known for providing a cost effective solution to noise problems whether they are large or small.

Colour on the shop floor

2010-07-20T11:07:00.000+01:00

I was invited to write a guest blog for Rachel Perls who has a site called Hue. Rachel is a colour consultant based in the USA and is a keen blogger. She has recently delivered a new baby girl and wanted to keep her blog live and active while she spent a few months getting to know the new arrival.
Rachel invited a small band of like minded bloggers to write a piece each - mine is about colour used in retail.
This is my guest blog:-

I am an Honours graduate with a degree in the History of Art and Architecture. I undertook post-graduate study in Interior Design and Decoration and gained my Diploma with the Inchbald School of Design, London. I work with domestic and commercial customers in the UK mainly in and around the cities of Cambridge and London. I am fascinated by design in general but particularly interested in colour and how design can help a business communicate with its customers.

In this blog I want to show you two examples of how colour is used in the retail environment. An important element in interior design colour can affect, or be affected by, the light and shadow in a space, and the shapes, textures and patterns surrounding it. Get it right in the commercial environment and colour can prompt customers to buy.

Casas Hogar, Spain

In Casas Hogar, a housewares store in

Valencia

Spain

, the items displayed on the shelves are in colour groups rather than functional groups. So if it’s an orange cutlery tray you are after, you go to where the orange items are displayed. But here you will also find everything else the store sells - if it comes in orange. This is more than mere colour blocking - it shouts louder and further. What does it say to the customer? I think it celebrates colour in a joyful and fun way.

It shows how the retailer takes great care in merchandising its products. And by bringing diverse items together under one colour banner it offers a range of goods in one place, another take on one-stop shopping, providing many opportunities for impulse purchases. It says to the customer, ‘we care about your time, we know you like to match things in your room scheme, we know you like orange, so we will save you time searching for other things in your favourite colour, here they are! And we love orange too!’

The Ollie & Nic store in London sells handbags and other accessories and is another example of how colour is used to sell. This time we see a mixture of colour, which in itself is not very different. But this store is using a variety of coloured patterned wallpaper backgrounds on which to display the goods! This is a very brave use of colour which exudes confidence. This says, ‘we love our store, we are sure you will love the store just as much as the product, and we want you to feel at home’. So this experience is reinforced with a fireplace mantelpiece and retro domestic furniture used as display cabinets which makes you feel like you are in a friend’s lounge. You could spend quite a bit of time in here! I wanted to stay in this store for a while and just enjoy the atmosphere and the warm relaxed feeling of being surrounded by gorgeous pastel. Womb-like maybe?

Ollie & Nic, London

Prize winning graduate

2010-07-15T08:11:00.005+01:00

Modern Interior Designers do not have to be trained and qualified to practise. Many achieve a high level of skill through experience and continuous learning. Three years ago I decided I would work towards a Diploma in Interior Design & Decoration. I chose to do this with the Inchbald School in London as their reputation for excellence is world renowned. Through their online course I was able to continue working full time whilst I studied which presented a wonderful opportunity to explore new ideas, make new friends and develop new skills. Yesterday I picked up my Diploma (with Merit) at the graduation ceremony at Cadogan Hall (home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), London. Additionally I was awarded a prize for achievement. A very proud moment for me! Thank you Inchbald!

photo taken by @shutteritch

New Kitchen for Cookery School

2010-07-08T17:22:00.001+01:00

These photos demonstrate work in progress at the new site for the Cambridge Cookery School which I visited today and which is being prepared for opening later this year.

The kitchen is designed to be flexible and accommodate a maximum of 36 cooks with all the equipment banked against each wall. The central area of the 925 sq ft space is left free to accommodate 6 moveable work stations which can be wheeled away to turn it into a demonstration kitchen.

The colour scheme is neutral: black and white create a dramatic backdrop and contrasting clean lines. The softer tones of nougat and caramel fill in to provide a comfortable and stylish space suitable for a range of activities.

The cooking wall

The washing up wall

The demonstration kitchen wall

Outdoor space is available for alfresco dining too!

Tine Roche, the school’s owner, aims to teach young adults how to cook healthily for themselves instead of relying on takeaways. Tine already has a growing clientele varying from corporates to individuals and offers team building events as well as teaching different cookery styles to small groups.
www.cambridgecookeryschool.com

Tine says, "This project is taking shape entirely thanks to a 3-way co-operation between me, local company Cambridge Kitchens (who are building and endorsing the kitchen) and Neff (who have been so generous)."

I will be following Tine’s progress during the next few months.

Designing for sustainability

2010-06-21T16:26:00.002+01:00

I researched sustainable materials and building methods for a recent paper project. I added a third storey to a two storey building and considered all 'green' aspects from using environmentally friendly materials through to the generation of power. In this example I decided on a ground source heat pump to supplement the mains electricity and I chose composting toilets for the family bathrooms. The living accommodation is on the top floor, making the most of the views and natural light. The business end, which includes the composter, boiler and utility area (with laundry shoot) is on the ground floor.

I concluded that architectural and interior design work is now fairly easy to do when sustainability is a priority due to the massive amount of information available regarding material sources, manufacturing methods and energy usage.
Aesthetics and functionality need not be compromised by 'going green'.

Company Colours

2010-06-04T22:43:00.007+01:00

Are you using the right ones for your business?

Colour has a clear role to play in promoting our businesses. Some companies have been bold enough to use a predominant single colour rather than two, three or many colours in their logo.

A single colour suggests clarity of thought, and promotion to a particular target market along with confidence in the product or service. The choice of colour, as well as the design, provides explanation and clarification of the company’s vision and objectives.

Take time to pause and consider the colour you use in your logo, website, catalogues, products and presentations. What messages are your ‘company colours’ sending?

ORANGE is lively, friendly and confident. It is good for companies that represent communities. Highly visible, this colour attracts attention and has links with religion and rallying calls to action. In the US and Canada orange has associations with engineering. As a stimulant colour orange is ideal for restaurants.

Being derived from the gemstone, TURQUOISE is a colour that represents well being and harmony as it has been used throughout history to protect its wearers. For high risk and healing industries this inspires confidence. It is also related to constancy and will engender trust; good for the legal profession.

RED is brash and grabs the attention so it signposts well for sales promotions. It is sexy but also sinful and even murderous. In some parts of Africa it has deathly connotations. Red is a colour used to represent communism. There is no tact with this colour so use it carefully!

BLUE is serious, upmarket and cool. Blue sharpens the mind and is relaxing. It can be a depressing colour so if your business is linked with sadness in any way it may be better to avoid it. This is the colour of uniformity, conformity and precision. It is a masculine colour.

PINK a feminine colour, denotes love and romance. It can have a physically calming effect so use it if you need to reduce aggression. Great for women’s clothing businesses as it is a good background colour. It can also make you crave sugar, so if you sell sweets, cakes and pastries this is the colour for you!

YELLOW is bright and clear, creative and cheerful. An ideal colour to attract attention and for mental stimulation. A ‘perky’ colour it is useful for businesses with high energy content. It can have negative connotations of irresponsibility for journalism so it’s probably best avoided in this industry.

PURPLE relates to wealth and power, strength and passion. It is a pure, antiseptic colour and evokes artistic and spiritual feelings. Lavender is often linked with the gay scene as it is a mixture of pink and blue. Ideal for the arts and drama as well as some of the medical professions.

A balanced and easy to look at colour, GREEN is warm and playful. Good for technological products as it makes them appear more user-friendly. However lime green, the most visible colour in the spectrum, is known to induce nausea so despite its zingy freshness avoid it in transport or food related industries.

Neutrals tend to need other colours to work best.

WHITE is a virginal or ‘new’ neutral. It can impart a sense of luxury and space. It is also perceived as hygienic. Cool and icy it could represent businesses working in low temperatures, large areas, volumes or expanses. It has to be printed with a contrasting background colour to work its magic though.

A refuge safe colour and the best and easiest neutral, GREY is elegant, smart, cool and sophisticated. Grey can be all things to all people and therefore possibly not direct or strong enough on its own and lacking in impact. It is a really good foil for other colours.

BROWN is masculine, rich and warm. A comfortable neutral of low intensity. One of nature’s own neutrals, brown is good for earth related industries. Whilst it is an honest colour it is also seen as boring. For single colour use it may not give the impact needed and better combined with other colours.

BLACK, in direct contrast to white, is aggressive, dominating and edgy but it can be mysterious too. This is valuable for secretive or disciplined professions but it is to be used wisely. Its restraining, religious and grave effect may be too negative for many businesses.

The effect of colour on our emotions and responses transcends all design disciplines, from logos to interiors and from product design to clothing. Colours have a profound effect on the people around us.

Susan Lawton, image consultant, comments, "High contrast colours worn as clothing can convey messages of authority, even intimidation - picture a group of court lawyers wearing their black gowns and white wigs ... Anybody wanting to appear approachable, friendly or be seen as a team player would be better to wear muted colours that blend together."

www.keylightimage.co.uk

Add floorspace with basements

2010-03-25T11:04:00.002Z

Turning a damp or even wet basement, into habitable space may seem like an impossibility but the technical expertise now available means it is a worthwhile and reliable investment in your property. The potential for adding floor area is considerable, not only through using an existing basement or cellar space but also by digging deeper and further out from under the property itself as long as you keep within your own boundaries.

A number of methods are used to keep water out of underground spaces and expert advice will be needed to assess the best in the circumstances. A cementitious system might be advised, which works using chemical additives and multiple render coatings to create a waterproof layer. This can be applied internally or externally and in extremely wet conditions but needs a solid substrate on which to bond. Another method is to use a cavity drain system. The difference with this technique is that it controls moisture by effectively taking it away from the property. A membrane is applied internally and then a new wall is built on which to apply a decorative finish. The resulting cavity channels any moisture to a sump and pump system. The advantage of this system is that it can be installed even if the original fabric of the building is in a poor state.

If you would like a design that incorporates underground space contact me for further advice.

Briefs and cases

2010-03-22T23:31:00.000Z

This paper project centred around the needs of a 14 year old boy and how to best utilize the space in an alcove in his bedroom. My design is based on the concept of a metal briefcase, which has the characteristics I wanted to portray: strength, masculinity and a sense of fun. The fitted unit includes desk space and storage.

Branding for the high street

2010-03-22T22:45:00.000Z

A brand name is like a trademark and branding creates expectations by making promises. Retail design must develop and reinforce the brand in line with the company’s strategy. Monsoon has a strong brand image and it successfully replicates it at different sites. Note that the font and background colours, as well as the kerning, are different from one store to another nevertheless we easily recognise this retailer.

Retail welcome at Boulangerie

2010-03-22T22:25:00.000Z

The architectural design of a store window plays a large part in getting the message across and can heavily influence sales. The store frontage of Paul’s patisserie, situated in the King’s Road, London, is a good example of how customers can be enticed in. This attractive corner unit makes the most of its position using a curved apron at ground level in front of the door clearly signalling the entry point. The design also sits well in its surroundings. Note how the street bollard and the decorative scheme of the frontage co-ordinate!

Curves are repeated in the window signage providing cohesion. A design that offers repetition is comforting and reassuring. The soft lines work well as this is not a cutting edge product, after all bread and cakes appeal to the softer side of human nature.
Are we in France? No. Can everyone speak French? No. However there is no doubt about what is being sold. A purchase in this store is not about satisfying one of our basic needs, it is more about buying into a lifestyle and it says a lot about you too…

You are well educated and understand French
You are wealthy and well travelled and can reminisce about your trips to Paris
Your cosmopolitan approach to food shopping is recognised and confirmed
You are chic because you can identify with the French way of life
You have a good grasp of international cuisine because you know these are superior bakery products

Attractive smells wafting onto the pavement through the open door are hard to resist. Even if you hadn’t seen the store you can’t help but notice it when you catch the aroma! Here you can take a step out of reality and pretend to be in another country and another capital city!

Design tips for exhibition stands

2010-03-22T22:04:00.000Z

For many companies the opportunity to take a stand at an exhibition is an exciting prospect. It takes energy and enthusiasm to put a stand together and it’s a costly exercise that can either be a great success or a dismal failure. The first question you should think hard about is. ‘How will you judge its success?’

Here are some tips that will help ensure your efforts are not wasted:-
Bagging your space: The best place in an exhibition is usually two or three rows in from the entrance, and in the middle. Avoid stand space around the perimeter and avoid spaces near the conveniences and restaurants as visitors will have other things on their mind!
Building the stand: However you do it, it must be obvious what you sell. How about building your stand using your product? Could it provide walls or a floor covering? A bit of creative flair and ingenuity here will gain approval. If you are creating an entry point to your stand make sure it is placed on the long side rather than the short side of a rectangular stand. Make it easy to access by keeping it wide and don’t block it.

Colour choice: You will want to set off the product against a background colour scheme – think of white, not black as this can be dull and boring unless you spend a lot of money on clever lighting. White stands out well, especially from a distance. If you worry that the stand may look cold, think about bringing in some nature by strategic placing of plants.
Visibility: Look at your stand from a distance, as well as close to. Check what visitors see when they move towards your stand. Can they see your company name? (Is this the same name as listed in the exhibition catalogue? If not, you will confuse visitors.) If there are crowds, what important information would they block? What can be seen at wheelchair level? Can you get some extra height on the stand so visitors can find you from a distance?
Movement: If you can have something working or demonstrating a product you will attract more visitors. It catches the eye and gives a reason to stay at the stand for longer. Movement can be introduced even with a static design. These sails are really uplifting!

Screens: If you can show some video, maybe use a PowerPoint presentation, keep it short and snappy and you won't need to have the volume up. At a busy exhibition visitors will only look for a few seconds and if the exhibition is noisy they won’t be able to hear the narrative anyway. Your message has to be clear and concise so make it clear visually rather than relying on sound.
What to show and what to hide: Place a leaflet dispenser near the walkway and keep it replenished and tidy. Have your stocks hidden away and never have rubbish visible on the stand. Make sure your design includes somewhere to hide staff coats, bags and empty boxes too! Ask your staff to eat and drink away from the stand. Would you interrupt someone tucking into a sandwich?
Prizes: If you are collecting business cards, chose a prize for the cardholder not the company. People always like some bubbly!

Sails space

2010-03-22T21:38:00.000Z

This was a newly built shopping centre near Valencia, Spain, when I first saw it in 2004. Since then it has gained in popularity with more and more retail spaces being rented and now it is a hub of activity.

MN4 is a good example of a new build complex that provides a shopping experience. It is a shopping and leisure destination throughout the day and well into the night.

It includes

restaurants, a variety of shops, a bowling alley and a cinema over 3 floors above ground with parking below ground. There are public toilets (which include disabled toilets and baby changing facilities) on each floor. All floors are accessible by lift or a by a choice of staircases. The facilities are accessed from the central space where there are changing exhibits on show.

The centre is boldly decorated with yellow and orange being the dominant colours - the colours of the Spanish flag. The styling is particularly attractive for the younger generation and the circular floor plan makes the centre feel safe. It is not massive but an ideal size to leave young teenagers without supervision. Since everything faces towards and overlooks the centre of the space the possibility for ‘trouble’ is reduced.

Plentiful shade is provided by the many flying canopies that mimic kites, which confers a sense of freedom and fun.

Purple feathers and powder blue leather

2010-03-22T20:30:00.000Z

This 'cool and sophisticated' design for an exhibition stand, based on the idea of a commercial reception space, has a curved glass wall of water as the backdrop. The water changes colour from lilac through blue to white. This is a showcase for iconic design. The retro lounge chairs upholstered in powder blue leather are by Harvey Probber and the sinuous plastic dark blue desk chair is by Verner Panton. I love the gorgeous fabric, which adds glamour. It is hand made with feathers and sequins.

Love birds

2010-03-22T19:46:00.000Z

This welcoming, warm colourful palette consists of a variety of textures. Velvet upholstery is complemented by silk window dressing. Active stripes reflect the busy atmosphere of a hotel lobby whilst images of birds remind us that this is a pleasant place to stop for a while. Reinforcing this idea the lambrequin, shown in the simple sketch, is reminiscent of a birdcage.

From Muck to Magic

2010-03-22T19:33:00.000Z

This collection of farm buildings presented a fabulous development opportunity. I designed the interior space and supervised the build which started with a very large drill! Water was found 170ft down and now supplies limitless drinking water. Added to this a sewerage and drainage system was installed, which means no water rates are ever going to be paid at Eddie's Barn!

The farm buildings form a U-shape and the courtyard faces South. An idyllic setting amongst the green fields of Warwickshire.

I commissioned HB Architects, Rugby, to draw up the plans. http://www.hb-architects.co.uk/. The ground floor provides open plan living as well as a bedroom and leisure area. The first floor provides more bedroom accommodation.

The archway was kept and a bridge inserted at first floor level with a glazed wall overlooking the courtyard.
Whichever way you look at it, these barns are just gorgeous!

Increase footfall in your store

2010-03-22T17:56:00.000Z

Sometimes referred to as Retail Theatre the idea of providing a customer experience is not new but it is something that should be continually refreshed and reinvented. Think about what entertains your customers while they are in the store – the Apple shop is a good example. You can see how customers, young and old, are enthralled by the opportunity to play with the product. This store in Cambridge is a destination in its own right!

You might say that because Apple has such a high profile they have it easy but the theory applies to almost any product or service that sells on the high street. Yes, let the customer, touch it, pick it up, try it on, but is there a way to make it a really memorable experience? Can you keep customers in the store just that little bit longer? Design your interior so that it provides an entertainment space.

Here are some ideas:-

Sell books? Create a book signing area.

Sell make up? Set up a make up chair & mirror and showcase your talent as a make up artist.

Sell sports equipment? Offer a pro class in-store. Perhaps you could feature a different sport each month – make sure the floor has the look of a gym.

Sell fancy goods? Have a student dress up in a costume. Place the student in the window to attract attention. A ‘live’ window display for a day could even hit the headlines.

Café, bars and restaurants – if you don’t already prepare food with panache in front of the customer, think about how your restaurant is laid out. Could you focus attention on the cooking? Then how about 5 minute demonstrations to customers?

Sell stationery? Set aside a wall near the writing implements and get customers to sign their name on it. Check it regularly and remove anything that might offend.

Sell flowers? Arrange the store layout so that you set aside space, ideally viewable from the street, to run short classes for flowers in season.

Sell furniture or fabrics? Invite an interior designer to run a design clinic in-store. A crowd of people in the store will attract others to come in to see what’s going on.

Refitted your store? Get a celebrity to open it. (The Mayor is always keen to help local businesses.) And promote the designer too.

Set up a projection unit on a wall so that you can present images of stock or items that come in different colours or show how your product might be used in different situations. (A digital photo frame will do the same in a small space.)

London seasons

2010-03-22T17:47:00.000Z

The four seasons are represented here in London. St Pancras Station with its statue of Sir John Betjamin is followed by two typical street scenes, one in summer and one in autumn. Finally winter on the Thames at a pier on the Southbank - it was freezing cold...

Baby blues?

2010-03-22T17:45:00.000Z

What colour to decorate the nursery in is one decision to make when expecting a new arrival, along with many others. New parents have so much to think about that choosing a decorative scheme may seem overwhelming. On top of this the baby’s new room probably had a previous role to play in the home so it means re-configuring the space.

One would assume that if you know the sex of the baby in advance it would facilitate decorating decisions, and the obvious - blue for boy and pink for girl – springs to mind. However, if you don’t know the sex in advance or if you seek to be less conventional yellow might be a consideration, but wait – did you know…

Yellow - This sunny and welcoming colour is good for social spaces but it can potentially be over-stimulating for bedrooms with the result that babies may cry more in yellow rooms.
Whereas…
Pink – Pink is a calm and loving colour and especially good in bedrooms. It is considered soothing, so soothing in fact that it is sometimes used in police cells for its tranquilizing effect!
Blue - Blue can be a calming colour and is considered to be relaxing for the nervous system. It appears that it is good for the mind, so why not take a chance and encourage intelligence!

We decided to hedge our bets and go for a variety of colours for this nursery!

Living by the river

2010-03-22T17:32:00.000Z

This unusual apartment overlooks the River Thames, London. It is an exercise in spatial planning and it tested the most dedicated design students! After much deliberation I decided to insert a floor in one of the 'wings' to give the 'client' a luxury bedroom suite with superb views, even from the bed. The 'wow' factor is achieved in the lounge and small library which benefit from the soaring double height space. Two work studios link the wings. The complex architecture made this proposal a challenging one.

Showstopping Hair Salon

2010-03-22T16:24:00.000Z

Inspiration for this company's name came from a runway show by Alexander McQueen. The concept board describes a design that is slightly over the top and baroque. The black and white logo with metallic gold hair is therefore bold, confident and sexy.

Here are some slides, extracted from the client slideshow, of this paper project:-

Thanks to Martyn Maxey (www.martynmaxey.co.uk), who gave me time at his salon in Mayfair, London, whilst I undertook market research for this project.

Curtains Drawn

2010-03-22T15:51:00.000Z

From curtains and blinds to linings and poles, soft furnishings are comforting and cosy especially when its cold outside.

Suppliers such as Cambridge Interiors http://www.cambridge-interiors.co.uk/ provide a comprehensive service and sell fabric, make up curtains, and fit. (The fabric featured in this photo is from Harlequin and is called Kashani.)

To achieve the best results you need to consider more than colour and pattern...
Function: Thermal properties (lining and inter-lining) and mechanisms for opening and closing.
Aesthetics: Framing (pelmets and lambrequins), trimming (passementerie) and hanging.

City clean

2010-03-22T15:37:00.000Z

Reflecting the urban landscape that surrounds a tiny apartment I use neutrals in this paper project, principally greys and white, to provide a smart washroom and separate wetroom. A splash of 'exciting' red raises the temperature.

Toasting logo design

2010-03-22T15:05:00.000Z

Communicating the business message is often part of the corporate interior designer's brief. This name and logo is for a fictional Cafe Bar located in the East of England near to a Cathedral. The flowing text mimics the wine as it swirls around the glass. The image portrays the Cafe Bar as a sophisticated destination that offers a tranquil setting and quality menu.

Elysium - In Greek mythology, the abode of the blessed; hence the Elysian Fields, the Paradise or Happy Land in Greek poetry. Elysian is a word meaning happy and delightful.

Going green through metamorphosis

2010-03-22T08:52:00.000Z

Aschenputtel is a charity find chest of drawers, battered and chipped, painted in patchy off white gloss with drips that were definitely not inspired by Jackson Pollock. Contrast the exterior with the interior where art, function and magic mix to provide a really useful piece of storage furniture.

My research into sustainable living finds me seeking out beautifully made furniture with strong green credentials. You cannot get much greener than this piece, which was sourced from Emmaus, a charity that helps the homeless. Once the two designers got the piece into their studio they set forth to make this ugly, ordinary item into something rather special. Owen Gildersleeve and Thomas Forsyth collaborated on this project which was presented at Designers Block, Interiors 2010, NEC Birmingham, UK in January.

Whilst retaining the integrity of the original piece, they reformed the drawer spaces so that the four openings each had new identities. The top drawer now opens with a lift up lid, the innards lined with a patchwork of recycled neckties. The second drawer opens on a side hinge to reveal two crafted quarter circle wooden compartments that swing out for access offering a darker, more mysterious recess. The third drawer is brighter and more joyful. It opens conventionally and the base of the interior is colourfully lined with paper petals kept clean and safe beneath a protective clear layer of glass. And finally the fourth drawer detaches completely to reveal a set of legs that fold out to produce a useful coffee table!

The idea of revamping an old piece of furniture is not new but we would normally aim to make it look better than it was before and if we go to the trouble of bringing new life to the interior we would do the same for the exterior. Aschenputtel's designers resisted the temptation to make this unattractive item of furniture attractive, which makes it difficult to place in an interior scheme for a client. However the philosophy behind this creative, one-off exploration is to be congratulated.
Designers have been busy revamping furniture in a slightly different fashion by using new, perfectly usable pieces but this time demonstrating a new creative use or look. Their creations are exhibited in a competition set up by Dwell with the tag line, ‘Pimp my Sofa’. http://tinyurl.com/ylgtc4e. Innovative decorative applications abound but my favourite is the console table from Natalie Carroll. I wouldn’t hesitate to include this item in an interior design for a client.

There were a few manufacturers at Interiors 2010 that marketed their ethical credentials but not as many as I would have expected. Two companies stood out for me. The first is Ecofurn, a company that makes quality wooden furniture, sourced from managed forests. They work in partnership with Tree Aid, a registered charity that supports villagers in Africa and through helping villagers to manage and run their own businesses they can then support their families. The villagers are educated to have a better understanding of trees and forest planting regimes which ensures a positive long term future. The second is a Portuguese company that markets itself with the phrase ‘design with nature’. Cerne Industria de Mobiliario SA designs and manufactures very elegant and streamlined wooden furniture that suits a contemporary setting perfectly. Cerne sources its wood from managed European forests.

In austere times furniture renovation demonstrates the positive virtues of benevolence, frugality, artistry and invention as well as contributing to the ethical concept of sustainability.
http://www.emmaus.org.uk/
http://owengildersleeve.blogspot.com/
http://www.thomasforsyth.co.uk/
http://www.ecofurn.co.uk/
http://www.cerne.com/