With the growing interest in "reen" property renovation, innovative London designers now give their clients the option to use sustainable building materials in their projects. Reclaimed, salvaged and refurbished products are gaining popularity as London homeowners look for ways to minimise waste and protect the environment. From solid hardwood flooring to tiles, doors, fireplaces and cobblestones, reclaimed materials are taking on new life in contemporary home remodeling. Unlike some of the cheap, mass-produced materials that are used in property renovation these days, these reclaimed materials were made to last. Bring a touch of the past to your modern house or flat with sturdy materials that have stood the test of time.
The historic character of reclaimed materials gives them a timeless appeal in a residential or commercial property. Solid oak beams and floor planks, when properly cared for, can last for generations. Reclaimed granite slabs, stone cobbles and stone walling materials bring a sense of strength and permanence to your contemporary London dwelling. Using quality salvage materials in your property renovation will create a look that's entirely unique, whilst giving you a sense of satisfaction about reusing fine building products that might otherwise have been destroyed.
Reclaimed pine, oak or maple timber is often used in sustainable property renovation to bring the colour and texture of solid wood to a home. A London designer with specialised experience in green property renovation can advise you on how to use these materials to their best advantage in your remodeling project. Wooden beams, planks, doors and gates can be integrated into your home as structural supports, flooring or room dividers. Using reclaimed timber in your building projects requires the help of a professional who can select wooden materials that have few signs of damage from moisture, fire or insects. Salvaged timber, brick and stone do not have the flawless perfection of modern engineered products; however, the character of these materials and their proven durability make them priceless additions to your property renovation.
Stone flags and cobbles can be used in interior property renovation or in landscaping projects to bring nostalgic charm to your designs. Juxtapose reclaimed stone flags with contemporary furnishings and window treatments to blend the enduring character of the past with the styles of the present. In your living room, bedroom or library, a salvaged cast-iron fireplace or radiator adds an inviting detail. Even if you don't use these impeccably crafted household items for heating, cast-iron fixtures can enhance your decor and serve as striking conversation pieces.
An experienced designer with knowledge of the salvage and reclamation market can source reclaimed or refurbished materials that suit your property renovation. Stone corbels, slate tiles, steel gates and wooden staircases are available through reclamation dealers, salvage yards or demolition sites. If you're searching for a very specific product, a reclamation dealer who knows the local market can locate it for you. There are also a number of reliable traders online who can ship products from all over the world. Incorporating reclaimed materials in your property renovation isn't always the cheapest approach to remodeling, but the beauty and character of salvaged granite, mahogany or iron will make this investment worthwhile.
London based Property Renovation Company - Global Interior Design
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Selecting the Perfect Shower
In London 's fast-paced climate, many of us don't have time for a long, drawn-out bath before jumping into the daily fray. With new state-of-the-art showers, you needn't sacrifice luxury for convenience. These days some homeowners are going so far as to replace their bathtubs with a spacious shower cabin, steam shower unit or shower pod. Review the latest options with a London bathroom designer to find a shower that's soothing enough to make you forget your old tub.
To find a shower that's efficient as well as luxurious, it's important to select a model that will accommodate your plumbing. A knowledgeable bathroom designer can help you choose a shower that suits your application. Electric showers, which heat water as it's drawn from the water supply and store the hot water separately, are appropriate for shower rooms, enclosures or cabins. However, many homes use water that is heated by a boiler on demand. Mixer valve showers blend hot and cold water, so that the water emerges at a safe, comfortable temperature. Before you fall in love with a shower system that's incompatible with your plumbing, discuss the practical details with an experienced bathroom designer.
In many urban bathrooms, square footage is at a premium, and you don't have space for a roomy, free-standing tub. A bathroom designer can help you select a shower unit that's ideal for smaller spaces. Convenient water-sealed shower pods utilise space efficiently, leaving room for your vanity and fixtures. A shower pod is an enclosed unit that can fit neatly into a corner of the tiniest bathroom. The pod comes complete with a water-tight door, shower jets, pipes and fittings. The dimensions of the pod can be customised to suit your specifications. For a medium-sized bathroom, a bathroom designer might recommend a larger, enclosed shower cabin with a square, oval or semi-circle shape.
If space isn't a concern, work with a professional bathroom designer to make the most of your square footage with a luxury shower room. A shower room can be full or partially enclosed to provide comfort and privacy. Add accessories like massage jets, a steam generator, ambient lighting and a shower bench to turn a utilitarian shower into a personal spa. To provide adequate airflow and prevent mildew growth, your bathroom designer might recommend an extractor fan in addition to windows, ceiling fans and other sources of ventilation.
As you design your shower, discuss tiling options with your bathroom designer to find materials that complement your decor. Ceramic and porcelain wall tiles are a classic, economical choice. Ceramic tiles are available in a wide spectrum of colours, patterns and textures to suit any bathroom. If you prefer the beauty and permanence of natural stone but you're on a limited budget, consider adding a touch of opulence with a genuine marble shower tray. Engineered stone is an aesthetically pleasing alternative to natural granite, marble or travertine. If you're concerned about using sustainable materials in your shower design, explore the possibilities of reclaimed or refurbished tiles. Reclamation dealers offer a variety of salvaged materials that can be repurposed in contemporary bathroom designs. Work with a London bathroom designer to create a shower that's ecologically friendly, efficient and inviting.
London based Bathroom Designer Company - Global Interior Design
To find a shower that's efficient as well as luxurious, it's important to select a model that will accommodate your plumbing. A knowledgeable bathroom designer can help you choose a shower that suits your application. Electric showers, which heat water as it's drawn from the water supply and store the hot water separately, are appropriate for shower rooms, enclosures or cabins. However, many homes use water that is heated by a boiler on demand. Mixer valve showers blend hot and cold water, so that the water emerges at a safe, comfortable temperature. Before you fall in love with a shower system that's incompatible with your plumbing, discuss the practical details with an experienced bathroom designer.
In many urban bathrooms, square footage is at a premium, and you don't have space for a roomy, free-standing tub. A bathroom designer can help you select a shower unit that's ideal for smaller spaces. Convenient water-sealed shower pods utilise space efficiently, leaving room for your vanity and fixtures. A shower pod is an enclosed unit that can fit neatly into a corner of the tiniest bathroom. The pod comes complete with a water-tight door, shower jets, pipes and fittings. The dimensions of the pod can be customised to suit your specifications. For a medium-sized bathroom, a bathroom designer might recommend a larger, enclosed shower cabin with a square, oval or semi-circle shape.
If space isn't a concern, work with a professional bathroom designer to make the most of your square footage with a luxury shower room. A shower room can be full or partially enclosed to provide comfort and privacy. Add accessories like massage jets, a steam generator, ambient lighting and a shower bench to turn a utilitarian shower into a personal spa. To provide adequate airflow and prevent mildew growth, your bathroom designer might recommend an extractor fan in addition to windows, ceiling fans and other sources of ventilation.
As you design your shower, discuss tiling options with your bathroom designer to find materials that complement your decor. Ceramic and porcelain wall tiles are a classic, economical choice. Ceramic tiles are available in a wide spectrum of colours, patterns and textures to suit any bathroom. If you prefer the beauty and permanence of natural stone but you're on a limited budget, consider adding a touch of opulence with a genuine marble shower tray. Engineered stone is an aesthetically pleasing alternative to natural granite, marble or travertine. If you're concerned about using sustainable materials in your shower design, explore the possibilities of reclaimed or refurbished tiles. Reclamation dealers offer a variety of salvaged materials that can be repurposed in contemporary bathroom designs. Work with a London bathroom designer to create a shower that's ecologically friendly, efficient and inviting.
London based Bathroom Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Designing the Ideal Lighting Scheme
When creating a space that's both practical and aesthetically appealing, lighting is a top concern for every bathroom designer. Lighting sets the tone for your decor by creating an atmosphere that reflects your interior design goals. Whether you're striving for dramatic, theatrical lighting or trying to create a sense of serenity and calm, an experienced bathroom designer can help you design a scheme that reflects your vision. A seasoned bathroom designer combines natural and artificial lighting from multiple sources to make this area as functional as it is inviting.
Practical considerations are as important as aesthetics when it comes to illuminating a bathroom. The presence of water can create an electrical hazard if lightbulbs or wiring are exposed. A professional bathroom designer understands the risks involved with installing bathroom lighting. If there is a possibility of accidental submersion or contact with water, light fixtures must be designed to prevent these hazards. A bathroom designer may recommend recessed or enclosed lighting in showers or over bathtubs rather than pendant light fixtures that leave bulbs open to water. Task lights surrounding bathroom mirrors needn't be enclosed unless there is a danger of contact with spray from the sink. Electrical safety is of particular importance in a family bathroom, where small children might touch exposed bulbs or outlets with wet hands.
A seasoned bathroom designer knows how important it is to devise a lighting scheme that's flattering as well as practical. The task lights that surround a medicine cabinet or vanity mirror should provide adequate visibility without casting the face in shadow or discolouring the skin with a harsh, fluorescent glow. A single, overhead ceiling light is rarely sufficient for shaving, applying make-up or styling hair. A bathroom designer places lights strategically around a mirror to illuminate the face from above or from the side. When installed around task mirrors, recessed light fixtures may create dark, unflattering shadows. Linear track lights or a set of wall sconces, on the other hand, will surround the face with an appealing glow. A bathroom designer will often favour a warmer light source over cool lighting, as warm light is more flattering to most complexions.
Using natural lighting in a bathroom can be a challenge, as the need for illumination must be weighed against the need for privacy. A glass brick window may be the perfect compromise, admitting filtered sunshine into your shower cabin or bath without exposing you to the prying eyes of neighbours. An elegant clerestory window or a discreet skylight will allow daylight to stream from overhead, protecting the bathroom's occupants from view. A bathroom designer can recommend efficient strategies for utilising daylight to create an atmosphere of natural simplicity. After dark, you can enjoy a soothing bath with ambient underwater lighting. A dimmer switch on ceiling and wall lamps allows you to adjust the light to suit your mood. In a busy London household, expertly designed lighting can turn a bathroom into a restful sanctuary away from the chaos of urban life. Consult a London bathroom designer to create a multi-layered lighting scheme that strikes a balance between functionality and beauty.
London based Bathroom Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Practical considerations are as important as aesthetics when it comes to illuminating a bathroom. The presence of water can create an electrical hazard if lightbulbs or wiring are exposed. A professional bathroom designer understands the risks involved with installing bathroom lighting. If there is a possibility of accidental submersion or contact with water, light fixtures must be designed to prevent these hazards. A bathroom designer may recommend recessed or enclosed lighting in showers or over bathtubs rather than pendant light fixtures that leave bulbs open to water. Task lights surrounding bathroom mirrors needn't be enclosed unless there is a danger of contact with spray from the sink. Electrical safety is of particular importance in a family bathroom, where small children might touch exposed bulbs or outlets with wet hands.
A seasoned bathroom designer knows how important it is to devise a lighting scheme that's flattering as well as practical. The task lights that surround a medicine cabinet or vanity mirror should provide adequate visibility without casting the face in shadow or discolouring the skin with a harsh, fluorescent glow. A single, overhead ceiling light is rarely sufficient for shaving, applying make-up or styling hair. A bathroom designer places lights strategically around a mirror to illuminate the face from above or from the side. When installed around task mirrors, recessed light fixtures may create dark, unflattering shadows. Linear track lights or a set of wall sconces, on the other hand, will surround the face with an appealing glow. A bathroom designer will often favour a warmer light source over cool lighting, as warm light is more flattering to most complexions.
Using natural lighting in a bathroom can be a challenge, as the need for illumination must be weighed against the need for privacy. A glass brick window may be the perfect compromise, admitting filtered sunshine into your shower cabin or bath without exposing you to the prying eyes of neighbours. An elegant clerestory window or a discreet skylight will allow daylight to stream from overhead, protecting the bathroom's occupants from view. A bathroom designer can recommend efficient strategies for utilising daylight to create an atmosphere of natural simplicity. After dark, you can enjoy a soothing bath with ambient underwater lighting. A dimmer switch on ceiling and wall lamps allows you to adjust the light to suit your mood. In a busy London household, expertly designed lighting can turn a bathroom into a restful sanctuary away from the chaos of urban life. Consult a London bathroom designer to create a multi-layered lighting scheme that strikes a balance between functionality and beauty.
London based Bathroom Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Is a Kitchen Designer Right For Me?
Are you an up-and-coming chef? Enjoy trying new recipes? Own several cookbooks? Like to experiment in the kitchen? Maybe you aren't especially fond of cooking and baking, but how about eating? Do you feel like there's nothing better than settling in for an evening with a fresh batch of cookies and a glass of cold milk?
Nothing ruins the experience of cooking or of eating a delicious meal like spending your time in an unsightly, disorganized, and out-of-style kitchen. If your kitchen appliances are worn and rusted, your table is out of date and too small, your kitchen chairs are wobbly or you can't tell what the original color of your linoleum was because of all the stains, it might be time to call a kitchen designer.
Hiring an interior design expert does not, by any means, mean that you are not stylish or that you are unable to create a pleasant atmosphere for your home. A kitchen designer simply offers a fresh perspective in what works in your current kitchen and what doesn't. A kitchen designer can take a look at your current kitchen and help you figure out what items and designs can stay, what should go, and what can be modified to create an even better, more comfortable area for you to spend time in.
Sometimes new kitchen items can be costly. New appliances can be especially pricey, so if you're on a budget, a kitchen designer can be even more essential. A kitchen designer not only can help you redesign your kitchen to become a room you actually look forward to spending time in, but can also help you get discounts and good deals from local home improvement and home decor stores. Whether your kitchen needs wallpaper, fresh paint, new carpet, new tiles, or upgraded appliances, a kitchen designer can help you figure out how much everything will cost, how to reduce your costs, and how to get everything organized and ordered. Sometimes even finding the perfect wallpaper and ordering it can be a hassle, but a kitchen designer can handle this for you or, if you prefer to do some of the legwork yourself, help you figure out who to call to get started.
Remember, above all, that a kitchen designer is your friend. He or she wants to help you make your home a comfortable, relaxing place. If your home is cluttered or disorganized, a kitchen designer will offer helpful advice for removing unneeded and unused items and organizing and rearranging regularly used items in ways that make sense and that are practical for the space that you have. You'll be amazed at how quickly your kitchen becomes a more efficient workspace with a bit of simple rearranging or a few helpful organizational tools.
If you have very specific tastes, remember to let your interior design specialist know this right away. He or she will be able to focus on a specific theme or idea you want your kitchen to reflect. If you aren't exactly sure what you want - don't worry. A kitchen design specialist will help you make decisions to create the best kitchen possible.
London based Kitchen Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Nothing ruins the experience of cooking or of eating a delicious meal like spending your time in an unsightly, disorganized, and out-of-style kitchen. If your kitchen appliances are worn and rusted, your table is out of date and too small, your kitchen chairs are wobbly or you can't tell what the original color of your linoleum was because of all the stains, it might be time to call a kitchen designer.
Hiring an interior design expert does not, by any means, mean that you are not stylish or that you are unable to create a pleasant atmosphere for your home. A kitchen designer simply offers a fresh perspective in what works in your current kitchen and what doesn't. A kitchen designer can take a look at your current kitchen and help you figure out what items and designs can stay, what should go, and what can be modified to create an even better, more comfortable area for you to spend time in.
Sometimes new kitchen items can be costly. New appliances can be especially pricey, so if you're on a budget, a kitchen designer can be even more essential. A kitchen designer not only can help you redesign your kitchen to become a room you actually look forward to spending time in, but can also help you get discounts and good deals from local home improvement and home decor stores. Whether your kitchen needs wallpaper, fresh paint, new carpet, new tiles, or upgraded appliances, a kitchen designer can help you figure out how much everything will cost, how to reduce your costs, and how to get everything organized and ordered. Sometimes even finding the perfect wallpaper and ordering it can be a hassle, but a kitchen designer can handle this for you or, if you prefer to do some of the legwork yourself, help you figure out who to call to get started.
Remember, above all, that a kitchen designer is your friend. He or she wants to help you make your home a comfortable, relaxing place. If your home is cluttered or disorganized, a kitchen designer will offer helpful advice for removing unneeded and unused items and organizing and rearranging regularly used items in ways that make sense and that are practical for the space that you have. You'll be amazed at how quickly your kitchen becomes a more efficient workspace with a bit of simple rearranging or a few helpful organizational tools.
If you have very specific tastes, remember to let your interior design specialist know this right away. He or she will be able to focus on a specific theme or idea you want your kitchen to reflect. If you aren't exactly sure what you want - don't worry. A kitchen design specialist will help you make decisions to create the best kitchen possible.
London based Kitchen Designer Company - Global Interior Design
The Value of a Kitchen Designer
Your home's kitchen is a personal, important place. Most homeowners spend time in their kitchen every day. Maybe you use your kitchen simply for a quick breakfast or a relaxing area to read the newspaper, or perhaps your kitchen is a more frequently visited room. Maybe you're a personal chef, have a large family, or enjoy having your friends over for regular meals. Whatever your personal situation may be, it's important to decorate your family's kitchen in a way that is not only aesthetically pleasing and practical, but that is also comfortable and that reflects your personality and style.
Many homeowners have never considered the importance or value of a kitchen designer, but the truth is that a kitchen designer can transform an ordinary, dull, impractical kitchen into the most beautiful room of your home. Regardless of your current budget or home size, a kitchen designer can turn your kitchen into a place you'll be happy to spend time in.
Before you contact a kitchen designer, take a few moments to examine your kitchen. Are there certain areas you just can't stand? Maybe your kitchen counters are a strange color, your cabinets are in odd positions, or you don't like the center island in your room. Walk through your kitchen. Sit down. Have a cup of tea or just spend a few minutes looking around your room and thinking about the aspects that you enjoy and the aspects that you do not. Jot down your thoughts on a piece of paper so you can share it with your kitchen designer. Your kitchen designer can certainly guide you through the process of creating a dream kitchen, but having a few notes will help you make sure that you don't accidentally skip or overlook the "essentials" when it comes to creating the kitchen you've always wanted.
Your kitchen designer will likely want to spend some time in your kitchen with you. The two of you will discuss the themes, styles, and decor choices that you currently have implemented in your kitchen and the possible ideas you have to change your kitchen. Your kitchen designer will make suggestions, offer helpful tips, and will show you examples of things you can do in the kitchen.
Remember that a kitchen designer can help you with both the large and small details of your kitchen. In addition to helping you choose wallpaper, borders, paint colors, linoleum, carpeting, laminate flooring, and even pictures, your personal designer can also assist you with rearranging your cupboards, appliances, and furniture. If you have a small budget, make sure that you discuss this with your kitchen designer for the optimum experience. Your designer will know how you can make the most of your budget and will be able to offer tips for redecorating your surroundings and even your current furniture in order to create a more comfortable, relaxed, and stylish kitchen.
If you feel uncomfortable or awkward about hiring a designer for your kitchen, rest assured that many people hire interior designers for any and all rooms in their homes. Interior designers simply offer an alternate, more understanding opinion and may bring fresh and interesting perspectives to better organize and design your home for your personal comfort and pleasure.
London based Kitchen Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Many homeowners have never considered the importance or value of a kitchen designer, but the truth is that a kitchen designer can transform an ordinary, dull, impractical kitchen into the most beautiful room of your home. Regardless of your current budget or home size, a kitchen designer can turn your kitchen into a place you'll be happy to spend time in.
Before you contact a kitchen designer, take a few moments to examine your kitchen. Are there certain areas you just can't stand? Maybe your kitchen counters are a strange color, your cabinets are in odd positions, or you don't like the center island in your room. Walk through your kitchen. Sit down. Have a cup of tea or just spend a few minutes looking around your room and thinking about the aspects that you enjoy and the aspects that you do not. Jot down your thoughts on a piece of paper so you can share it with your kitchen designer. Your kitchen designer can certainly guide you through the process of creating a dream kitchen, but having a few notes will help you make sure that you don't accidentally skip or overlook the "essentials" when it comes to creating the kitchen you've always wanted.
Your kitchen designer will likely want to spend some time in your kitchen with you. The two of you will discuss the themes, styles, and decor choices that you currently have implemented in your kitchen and the possible ideas you have to change your kitchen. Your kitchen designer will make suggestions, offer helpful tips, and will show you examples of things you can do in the kitchen.
Remember that a kitchen designer can help you with both the large and small details of your kitchen. In addition to helping you choose wallpaper, borders, paint colors, linoleum, carpeting, laminate flooring, and even pictures, your personal designer can also assist you with rearranging your cupboards, appliances, and furniture. If you have a small budget, make sure that you discuss this with your kitchen designer for the optimum experience. Your designer will know how you can make the most of your budget and will be able to offer tips for redecorating your surroundings and even your current furniture in order to create a more comfortable, relaxed, and stylish kitchen.
If you feel uncomfortable or awkward about hiring a designer for your kitchen, rest assured that many people hire interior designers for any and all rooms in their homes. Interior designers simply offer an alternate, more understanding opinion and may bring fresh and interesting perspectives to better organize and design your home for your personal comfort and pleasure.
London based Kitchen Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Finding a Good Interior Designer
Finding a good interior designer is just as critical to the success of a property renovation project as the quality of the tradesman that complete the various construction works. Should you decide to work with one, the interior designer would provide a great deal of experience in space planning and product knowledge to your renovation.
At this stage you might be wondering how to go about finding a good interior designer. The best way is always through friends or referrals. Speak to your friends and neighbours to see if any of them have employed an interior designer recently, and ask if they would recommend using the company. Alternatively, since many companies now have web presence, an online search should bring up a variety of interior designers in your area. Many will offer a no obligation consultation to discuss your needs and visions for your project; this is a great way to decide which designer you feel most comfortable with - you should be looking for a designer that has a lot of experience and would guide you through the various processes instead of telling you what to do. This way, you ensure the end result is personalised to your requirements.
Other methods of finding a designer include visiting model homes in the area and obtaining referrals, or asking for suggestions from local building companies. In addition, many furniture retailers provide interior design referrals.
Several interior designers should be interviewed before making your final decision. Make certain you ask for information of their recent projects, and check which trade organisations they are affiliated with. It is important to develop a good relationship with whoever you choose to help with your property renovation as this will make it easier to articulate your needs and desires for your project. A great way of discussing your style with the designer is to find photographs of furniture and installations that appeal to you.
It is important to understand that a good interior designer will have a lot of experience in product specifications and space planning, and it is always beneficial to listen to every suggestion they make and then form your own opinion on the matter. In the end, it is important to feel like both you and the designer are working toward a common goal, which should feature your satisfaction at the top of the list.
Ideally, the interior design company you choose should have many years experience working with builders, distributers, and other product suppliers. This should both ensure that your renovation is completed to a high standard and that you benefit from the trade prices offered by all major distributers to those in the construction industry. The interior designer should be able to take you to showrooms and fabric stores when necessary, and to share with you their experience in products, fabrics, appliances, furniture, and other equipment.
Choosing the right interior design consultant will ensure that you will love the results of your home improvement project for many years to come. In addition, should you move house, your renovation should be reflected in a much increased home sale price.
London based Interior Designer Company - Global Interior Design
At this stage you might be wondering how to go about finding a good interior designer. The best way is always through friends or referrals. Speak to your friends and neighbours to see if any of them have employed an interior designer recently, and ask if they would recommend using the company. Alternatively, since many companies now have web presence, an online search should bring up a variety of interior designers in your area. Many will offer a no obligation consultation to discuss your needs and visions for your project; this is a great way to decide which designer you feel most comfortable with - you should be looking for a designer that has a lot of experience and would guide you through the various processes instead of telling you what to do. This way, you ensure the end result is personalised to your requirements.
Other methods of finding a designer include visiting model homes in the area and obtaining referrals, or asking for suggestions from local building companies. In addition, many furniture retailers provide interior design referrals.
Several interior designers should be interviewed before making your final decision. Make certain you ask for information of their recent projects, and check which trade organisations they are affiliated with. It is important to develop a good relationship with whoever you choose to help with your property renovation as this will make it easier to articulate your needs and desires for your project. A great way of discussing your style with the designer is to find photographs of furniture and installations that appeal to you.
It is important to understand that a good interior designer will have a lot of experience in product specifications and space planning, and it is always beneficial to listen to every suggestion they make and then form your own opinion on the matter. In the end, it is important to feel like both you and the designer are working toward a common goal, which should feature your satisfaction at the top of the list.
Ideally, the interior design company you choose should have many years experience working with builders, distributers, and other product suppliers. This should both ensure that your renovation is completed to a high standard and that you benefit from the trade prices offered by all major distributers to those in the construction industry. The interior designer should be able to take you to showrooms and fabric stores when necessary, and to share with you their experience in products, fabrics, appliances, furniture, and other equipment.
Choosing the right interior design consultant will ensure that you will love the results of your home improvement project for many years to come. In addition, should you move house, your renovation should be reflected in a much increased home sale price.
London based Interior Designer Company - Global Interior Design
What Does an Interior Designer Actually Do?
Your home should be a haven. At the end of the day, after hours of business meetings or arguing with coworkers, fighting traffic and dealing with spilled coffee, you should be able to come home to a place that is relaxing, comforting, and your very own.
Unfortunately, many homes aren't quite this perfect space. Maybe your home has a clutter problem. Maybe your furniture doesn't match or your wallpaper is outdated. Perhaps your home's biggest problem is the unsightly carpet or the piles of untouched moving boxes in the basement. Whatever the problem may be with your home, an interior designer can help you move from "unhappy" to "overjoyed."
When you hire an interior designer, you don't have to know exactly what you want. It's her job to help you figure that out. Maybe you just want your home to be more spacious, but can't afford costly additions to your home. An interior designer can examine your home and offer suggestions for creating a more visually appealing space. For example, did you know that dark colors can make a room look smaller? An interior designer can offer simple, inexpensive suggestions, such as painting your room a lighter color or implementing a filing or organization system for your items to create a less cluttered appearance.
An interior designer can work in any room of your home or can help you redesign your entire home. Whether you simply want help redoing an upstairs guest bathroom or your sights are a little more dramatic - such as redesigning your home into a country western theme - your interior designer can help you get there are painlessly and easily as possible.
In addition to offering information and suggestions for redecorating your home, an interior designer can actually help you get the job done. Interior decorators know the best places to get supplies, paint, wallpaper, furniture, and appliances. Your interior designer will also be able to help you book the best local plumber or painter if you don't want to do the work yourself.
When you have your first meeting with an interior decorator, remember that she's trying to get everything sorted and figure out exactly what you want - even if you don't know yet what that is. She might take pictures or measurements or ask you a series of questions about the way you feel about your room. Be open, honest, and up front with your interior professional to get the most out of the experience. If she suggests something that you aren't sure about or that you don't like, don't be afraid to speak up. It's your house. You have the say. Ask for an alternate suggestion or say, "I'm not sure about that. Let me think on it." Also remember to talk about your budget at the first meeting. If you have unlimited resources, your interior designer will be able to offer you a larger variety of choices. Don't be turned off at the idea of hiring an interior designer if you have a slim budget, however, as an interior decorator can make your home look absolutely amazing with a few simple changes that aren't terribly expensive at all.
London based Interior Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Unfortunately, many homes aren't quite this perfect space. Maybe your home has a clutter problem. Maybe your furniture doesn't match or your wallpaper is outdated. Perhaps your home's biggest problem is the unsightly carpet or the piles of untouched moving boxes in the basement. Whatever the problem may be with your home, an interior designer can help you move from "unhappy" to "overjoyed."
When you hire an interior designer, you don't have to know exactly what you want. It's her job to help you figure that out. Maybe you just want your home to be more spacious, but can't afford costly additions to your home. An interior designer can examine your home and offer suggestions for creating a more visually appealing space. For example, did you know that dark colors can make a room look smaller? An interior designer can offer simple, inexpensive suggestions, such as painting your room a lighter color or implementing a filing or organization system for your items to create a less cluttered appearance.
An interior designer can work in any room of your home or can help you redesign your entire home. Whether you simply want help redoing an upstairs guest bathroom or your sights are a little more dramatic - such as redesigning your home into a country western theme - your interior designer can help you get there are painlessly and easily as possible.
In addition to offering information and suggestions for redecorating your home, an interior designer can actually help you get the job done. Interior decorators know the best places to get supplies, paint, wallpaper, furniture, and appliances. Your interior designer will also be able to help you book the best local plumber or painter if you don't want to do the work yourself.
When you have your first meeting with an interior decorator, remember that she's trying to get everything sorted and figure out exactly what you want - even if you don't know yet what that is. She might take pictures or measurements or ask you a series of questions about the way you feel about your room. Be open, honest, and up front with your interior professional to get the most out of the experience. If she suggests something that you aren't sure about or that you don't like, don't be afraid to speak up. It's your house. You have the say. Ask for an alternate suggestion or say, "I'm not sure about that. Let me think on it." Also remember to talk about your budget at the first meeting. If you have unlimited resources, your interior designer will be able to offer you a larger variety of choices. Don't be turned off at the idea of hiring an interior designer if you have a slim budget, however, as an interior decorator can make your home look absolutely amazing with a few simple changes that aren't terribly expensive at all.
London based Interior Designer Company - Global Interior Design
The Beauty of Minimalist Interiors
Minimalist interior design has a timeless appeal for many of London 's homeowners. The simplicity of interiors inspired by a Japanese aesthetic often attracts busy professionals who are searching for a refuge from the chaos of urban activity. An interior designer with a passion for minimalist design can help you transform your living room, bedroom, kitchen or bathroom into a serene, uncluttered space that invites contemplation and relaxation. Minimalism isn't merely a school of design; it's a way of life that reflects a desire for simplicity and calm.
Each London interior designer may approach minimalism from a slightly different slant, but most interiors share certain features in common. A minimalist room is dominated by large areas of open space, with a few carefully selected, streamlined pieces of furniture. An interior designer balances open space with spare furnishings and ornaments to create a setting that's conducive to quiet contemplation. A modern minimalist interior might feature furniture in bold, angular shapes, with gleaming chrome accents and black or ivory upholstery. A minimalist room based on Japanese design principles might be decorated in soft, neutral colours, like eggshell, taupe or sand, with wooden accents and uncarpeted floors. Natural objects, such as river stones or dried grasses, might be the only ornaments that an interior designer chooses for a minimalist living room or bedroom. This simple tradition often draws from the colours and textures of nature, favouring wood, stone and natural fibre over the synthetic materials that are used in most modern homes.
Many homeowners love the serenity of a minimalist bathroom. With bamboo or stone flooring, a simple free-standing tub, a stone water sculpture, a display of beeswax candles and a set of shoji screens for privacy, you can create a quiet sanctuary away from the fast pace of city life. The clean lines and muted colours of a minimalist bathroom can ease the spirit after a hectic day. For a touch of soothing luxury, indulge in a bath with spa jets to massage away your tension. The visual restraint and spare aesthetic of minimalism can be applied to a room of any size. With advice from a professional interior designer, you can turn a large or small bathroom into a personal sanctuary.
If you're drawn to minimalist spaces but you're uncertain how to create a decor that's both spare and elegant, consult a knowledgeable London interior designer. Decluttering your home could be one of the first steps that an interior designer will recommend. Minimalism requires a removal of all but the essential objects in a room. The process of eliminating the furniture and bric-a-brac that you don't really need or want can be liberating. Your interior designer will recommend efficient storage solutions to house the items you want to keep, so your room isn't encumbered by necessities that could be stored out of sight. Once the clutter has been removed, you and your interior designer can create a space where you can relax and clear your mind after a hard day at work. Explore the potential of minimalism by reviewing the portfolios of London designers who specialise in this calming aesthetic.
London based Interior Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Each London interior designer may approach minimalism from a slightly different slant, but most interiors share certain features in common. A minimalist room is dominated by large areas of open space, with a few carefully selected, streamlined pieces of furniture. An interior designer balances open space with spare furnishings and ornaments to create a setting that's conducive to quiet contemplation. A modern minimalist interior might feature furniture in bold, angular shapes, with gleaming chrome accents and black or ivory upholstery. A minimalist room based on Japanese design principles might be decorated in soft, neutral colours, like eggshell, taupe or sand, with wooden accents and uncarpeted floors. Natural objects, such as river stones or dried grasses, might be the only ornaments that an interior designer chooses for a minimalist living room or bedroom. This simple tradition often draws from the colours and textures of nature, favouring wood, stone and natural fibre over the synthetic materials that are used in most modern homes.
Many homeowners love the serenity of a minimalist bathroom. With bamboo or stone flooring, a simple free-standing tub, a stone water sculpture, a display of beeswax candles and a set of shoji screens for privacy, you can create a quiet sanctuary away from the fast pace of city life. The clean lines and muted colours of a minimalist bathroom can ease the spirit after a hectic day. For a touch of soothing luxury, indulge in a bath with spa jets to massage away your tension. The visual restraint and spare aesthetic of minimalism can be applied to a room of any size. With advice from a professional interior designer, you can turn a large or small bathroom into a personal sanctuary.
If you're drawn to minimalist spaces but you're uncertain how to create a decor that's both spare and elegant, consult a knowledgeable London interior designer. Decluttering your home could be one of the first steps that an interior designer will recommend. Minimalism requires a removal of all but the essential objects in a room. The process of eliminating the furniture and bric-a-brac that you don't really need or want can be liberating. Your interior designer will recommend efficient storage solutions to house the items you want to keep, so your room isn't encumbered by necessities that could be stored out of sight. Once the clutter has been removed, you and your interior designer can create a space where you can relax and clear your mind after a hard day at work. Explore the potential of minimalism by reviewing the portfolios of London designers who specialise in this calming aesthetic.
London based Interior Designer Company - Global Interior Design
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Interior Designer - How an Interior Design Company Really Works
A Philosophy of Service
We think of our London interior design company's services as being a "considered purchase" for luxury-orientated homeowners worldwide. In my opinion, the number one priority for any interior design company should be "understanding the client's needs". At Global Interior Design in London, we use a specialised and proprietary matrix process to achieve optimal results for each and every project - our goal is to outfit "luxury homes of the world" and we think long and hard about how to customise our service offerings to meet the unique needs of every client with an effort level of 100% or more!
Hello World, It's Me London
When I started my London-based interior design company, Global Interior Design, I always knew that we would end up catering to clients all across the world. From the very beginning, I have understood that value that international clients will derive from the designer flair of our professional London team. Today, as we move towards serving every corner of the globe, we have a tight quality control process through which all of our designs are approved to the highest quality and finalised with oversight from our interior design company's head office in central London. Whether a client is requesting "cool luxury" or "warm luxury" styles, we guarantee a no-fuss and hassle-free service - whether we are sourcing cabinetry and panelling from the Cotswolds or antique furniture with gold leaf detailing from Paris!
Eco-Friendly Interior Design
We must learn to use energy more efficiently, and for most people there is no better way to do that than to start right at home. Several years ago, our London-based interior design company started to focus on so-called "green design" for our most discerning and future-thinking high-end clients. Since then, we have supported countless homeowners and office redevelopers both in London and worldwide through their efforts to maximise energy efficiency. This spirit of innovation truly reflects the essence of how an interior design company should work - showcasing a collaborative relationship with our clients, and uncovering new ways to customise our designs to help build a better reality for our environment and for future generations.
Unique Value Comes From Experience
A great interior design company can only be built on experience. With every new project come new learnings and fresh perspectives. One of the questions asked most often by clients of our London-based interior design company is "what should I spend extra on to beautify this design?" This question can only be answered effectively by a highly experienced interior design company. As with so many things in interior design, it is all about the end client. We might encourage a family to spend a bit extra on a high-end living room entertainment system. By contrast, we might recommend that a wealthy single businessperson with a showcase luxury home spend extra on a wonderful set of antique furniture items from Italy.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
We think of our London interior design company's services as being a "considered purchase" for luxury-orientated homeowners worldwide. In my opinion, the number one priority for any interior design company should be "understanding the client's needs". At Global Interior Design in London, we use a specialised and proprietary matrix process to achieve optimal results for each and every project - our goal is to outfit "luxury homes of the world" and we think long and hard about how to customise our service offerings to meet the unique needs of every client with an effort level of 100% or more!
Hello World, It's Me London
When I started my London-based interior design company, Global Interior Design, I always knew that we would end up catering to clients all across the world. From the very beginning, I have understood that value that international clients will derive from the designer flair of our professional London team. Today, as we move towards serving every corner of the globe, we have a tight quality control process through which all of our designs are approved to the highest quality and finalised with oversight from our interior design company's head office in central London. Whether a client is requesting "cool luxury" or "warm luxury" styles, we guarantee a no-fuss and hassle-free service - whether we are sourcing cabinetry and panelling from the Cotswolds or antique furniture with gold leaf detailing from Paris!
Eco-Friendly Interior Design
We must learn to use energy more efficiently, and for most people there is no better way to do that than to start right at home. Several years ago, our London-based interior design company started to focus on so-called "green design" for our most discerning and future-thinking high-end clients. Since then, we have supported countless homeowners and office redevelopers both in London and worldwide through their efforts to maximise energy efficiency. This spirit of innovation truly reflects the essence of how an interior design company should work - showcasing a collaborative relationship with our clients, and uncovering new ways to customise our designs to help build a better reality for our environment and for future generations.
Unique Value Comes From Experience
A great interior design company can only be built on experience. With every new project come new learnings and fresh perspectives. One of the questions asked most often by clients of our London-based interior design company is "what should I spend extra on to beautify this design?" This question can only be answered effectively by a highly experienced interior design company. As with so many things in interior design, it is all about the end client. We might encourage a family to spend a bit extra on a high-end living room entertainment system. By contrast, we might recommend that a wealthy single businessperson with a showcase luxury home spend extra on a wonderful set of antique furniture items from Italy.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior Designer - In Love With Design! London’s No-Fuss Interior Design Company - Foliage and Functionality
In this last article (part three in my series "In Love With Design!") we continue with our commentary on the magnificent redesign of the Peugeot family's Kenya Lamu residence, as envisioned and implemented by the prestigious Modola interior design company.
The foliage and vegetation is simply adorable, with clusters of mangrove (a swamplike plant) that climb up out of the earth and envelop palm fronds and an array of white and yellow desert flowers, which look a little like the yellow buttercups that one often sees in London's royal parks. The Modola interior design company installed the pool in an el evated position, fully 10 metres above the beachfront below. The poolside pergola is where the Peugeots and their closest friends assemble for informal lunches and light dinners prior to the evening's entertainment.
London's best-apportioned residences are often characterised by the traditional English conservatory. The equivalent in Kenyan culture is an architectural feature known as the baraza - a snug, sheltered outdoor private space that is covered with a thatched roof and features beautiful outdoor-safe upholstered couches and recliners. The Modola interior design company installed multiple of these units. One can snack on treats or enjoy social time with friends in these nice little spaces while luxuriating in the refreshing sea breezes. The cushions and throws help the Peugeot family to rest and relax while enjoying a meal or afternoon tea. Accessories have been installed by the Modola interior design company to evoke memories of the beach next door - shells, pebbles, rounded beach rocks, and precious gems adorn the foot of each seating area.
In the poolside pergola, one note of dashing colour reflects the overall philosophy of this interior design company's work in beautiful Kenya . The intense red tablecloth contrasts with the green tint of the dishware and orange highlights in the glasses. In London , such colours may risk feeling overbearing - but on the island of Lamu , with its gorgeous blue skies and rich gold colours of the beach, intense relaxation is the net effect. As the founder of a London-based interior design company myself, I commend the Modola team for their amazing work on what must surely be one of the world's top luxury homes!
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior Designer
The foliage and vegetation is simply adorable, with clusters of mangrove (a swamplike plant) that climb up out of the earth and envelop palm fronds and an array of white and yellow desert flowers, which look a little like the yellow buttercups that one often sees in London's royal parks. The Modola interior design company installed the pool in an el evated position, fully 10 metres above the beachfront below. The poolside pergola is where the Peugeots and their closest friends assemble for informal lunches and light dinners prior to the evening's entertainment.
London's best-apportioned residences are often characterised by the traditional English conservatory. The equivalent in Kenyan culture is an architectural feature known as the baraza - a snug, sheltered outdoor private space that is covered with a thatched roof and features beautiful outdoor-safe upholstered couches and recliners. The Modola interior design company installed multiple of these units. One can snack on treats or enjoy social time with friends in these nice little spaces while luxuriating in the refreshing sea breezes. The cushions and throws help the Peugeot family to rest and relax while enjoying a meal or afternoon tea. Accessories have been installed by the Modola interior design company to evoke memories of the beach next door - shells, pebbles, rounded beach rocks, and precious gems adorn the foot of each seating area.
In the poolside pergola, one note of dashing colour reflects the overall philosophy of this interior design company's work in beautiful Kenya . The intense red tablecloth contrasts with the green tint of the dishware and orange highlights in the glasses. In London , such colours may risk feeling overbearing - but on the island of Lamu , with its gorgeous blue skies and rich gold colours of the beach, intense relaxation is the net effect. As the founder of a London-based interior design company myself, I commend the Modola team for their amazing work on what must surely be one of the world's top luxury homes!
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior Designer
Interior Designer - In Love With Design! London’s No-Fuss Interior Design Company - The Social Scene
The true core of the residence is the kitchen, and this is where the Modola Interior Design Company decided to place a new door that opens directly onto the village green for easy business or social access! As with many grander London residences, all of the seating/entertainment areas are upstairs. The house features a beautiful social zone where the Peugeots can luxuriate with family and guests from London or Paris in one of two crescent-shaped seating areas. The Modola interior design company elected to install opulent couches that are covered in enchantingly bright coloured pillows, placed around a fabulous extended oak table from a local artisanal interior design company.
On the same upper level, Claudio's interior design company installed a narrow railing-guarded balcony to enhance the feeling of connectedness with the rest of the village. The Peugeot family loves to stand out here at night to enjoy the still air and chat with neighbours - for me this is refreshingly different from most London residences which tend to be so much more secluded!
The Modola interior design company subcontracted a star garden/landscaping design team to further enhance the social functions of the residence. The London-based garden interior design company Hobson & Co. created two enchanting walled-in "secret gardens" that create fresh, shady relaxation spaces - amply secluded from the everyday hubbub of village life. A waterfall and a sophisticated palm jungle surrounding a private seating area make for a simply breathtaking effect. For a touch of Mediterranean class, the interior design company installed a pool and a delightful pergola adjacent to it. The swimming pool is almost a perfect triangle, but the Modola interior design company chose an unusual shape that reminds the viewer of the famed London Eye ferris wheel on the South Bank. Just steps beyond is the ocean itself, and the aquamarine pool water looks simply fabulous alongside the deeper blue of the water beyond.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
On the same upper level, Claudio's interior design company installed a narrow railing-guarded balcony to enhance the feeling of connectedness with the rest of the village. The Peugeot family loves to stand out here at night to enjoy the still air and chat with neighbours - for me this is refreshingly different from most London residences which tend to be so much more secluded!
The Modola interior design company subcontracted a star garden/landscaping design team to further enhance the social functions of the residence. The London-based garden interior design company Hobson & Co. created two enchanting walled-in "secret gardens" that create fresh, shady relaxation spaces - amply secluded from the everyday hubbub of village life. A waterfall and a sophisticated palm jungle surrounding a private seating area make for a simply breathtaking effect. For a touch of Mediterranean class, the interior design company installed a pool and a delightful pergola adjacent to it. The swimming pool is almost a perfect triangle, but the Modola interior design company chose an unusual shape that reminds the viewer of the famed London Eye ferris wheel on the South Bank. Just steps beyond is the ocean itself, and the aquamarine pool water looks simply fabulous alongside the deeper blue of the water beyond.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior Designer - In Love With Design! London’s No-Fuss Interior Design Company - Introduction
Recently I was reading an article about the celebrated London/Italy/Africa-based interior design company Claudio Modola & Co., and their amazing efforts to renovate a breathtaking residence on the island of Lamu, off the coast of Kenya, owned by famed French automobile magnate and fashionista Domitilla Peugeot. It's been a few years since I last visited Kenya on behalf of my interior design company, so I know first-hand that one of the most astonishing things about this fabulous country is the vibrancy of its diverse people-groups. Indeed, I have quite a number of Kenyan friends who live here in London, and they are truly some of the most friendly and beautiful people in the world.
Lamu is an interesting place, and certainly one where you wouldn't expect to find interior design companies around every corner. It's not a conventional tourist destination like London - there are few cars, no public transport options, and plenty of donkeys and power failures. Hence the need for Italy's famous interior design company E. Claudio Modola & Co. to assist Domitilla Peugeot and her famous husband. The couple craved an escape from the bustle of Paris and London, and a true relaxation space in which to luxuriate while on holidays. The goal for Claudio's interior design company was to embrace the Swahili architectural language by including indoor balconies - what a concept! - to echo the traditional street-corner Kenyan village hut. Furthermore, his interior design company was asked to incorporate a crescent moon motif as a core thematic element in the design - as I know from my Kenyan friends in London, this idiom is commonly used to signify good luck in the local culture.
As for furniture, Claudio's interior design company strove for authenticity by selecting a range of beautiful artisan-made pieces from local Swahili designers. Charming hand-crafted wooden beds are a centrepiece of every bedroom, while the Modola team selected rich purple cotton daythrows to offset the bright white cotton sheets from London and the deep blues of the ocean, which are constantly visible from many of the residence's windows. The interior design company recognised that focusing on the upper levels would be key - not just for the gorgeous views, but also to benefit from the constant flow of sea breezes that can make all the difference between a delightful dinner/music soiree and a stiflingly hot evening indoors.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Lamu is an interesting place, and certainly one where you wouldn't expect to find interior design companies around every corner. It's not a conventional tourist destination like London - there are few cars, no public transport options, and plenty of donkeys and power failures. Hence the need for Italy's famous interior design company E. Claudio Modola & Co. to assist Domitilla Peugeot and her famous husband. The couple craved an escape from the bustle of Paris and London, and a true relaxation space in which to luxuriate while on holidays. The goal for Claudio's interior design company was to embrace the Swahili architectural language by including indoor balconies - what a concept! - to echo the traditional street-corner Kenyan village hut. Furthermore, his interior design company was asked to incorporate a crescent moon motif as a core thematic element in the design - as I know from my Kenyan friends in London, this idiom is commonly used to signify good luck in the local culture.
As for furniture, Claudio's interior design company strove for authenticity by selecting a range of beautiful artisan-made pieces from local Swahili designers. Charming hand-crafted wooden beds are a centrepiece of every bedroom, while the Modola team selected rich purple cotton daythrows to offset the bright white cotton sheets from London and the deep blues of the ocean, which are constantly visible from many of the residence's windows. The interior design company recognised that focusing on the upper levels would be key - not just for the gorgeous views, but also to benefit from the constant flow of sea breezes that can make all the difference between a delightful dinner/music soiree and a stiflingly hot evening indoors.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior Designer - Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios
Today's rising stars of London's executive jetset desire the highest quality in design that allows them to luxuriate and recharge following an intense day in the boardroom. On many occasions, our in-house bathroom design teamhas had to go for gold to meet the latest demands for spa-style extravagance and high-tech luxury. One of the most often-requested features is an outdoor swimming pool, which our high-end London clients will request for either a garden or a stunning cityview roof terrace, or even for the upper deck of a prized houseboat. Join me in this series of blogs as I explain how we achieve amazing results!
Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part II
When invited to create an outdoor swimming pool, our bathroom design team will normally rely on ocean-inspired colours and textures that evoke the core mindset of fresh aqua harmony. Often, this means plenty of deep navy or indigo illumination, perhaps with underwater fibre optics that throw a burst of light onto the surface and create a stunning glow in the fresh London nighttime air. Our team of clever bathroom designerswill use all their indoor-inspired talent for this outdoor scenario, incorporating easy-clean tiling, luxurious side-decks, and a bespoke blend of lighting fixtures that is both eye-catching and safety-aware.
Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part III
Some outdoor pools in London are only intended for seasonal usage, thanks to our occasionally inclement weather in autumn and winter. For this purpose, our London bathroom design team may encourage clients to select lighting hardware that slides seamlessly into the tilework, creating a flush surface that can be more easily drained and that is more robust to frost during the off-season. We love to use cross-throw illumination patterns that artfully link high-intensity and more shadowy areas to build the sense of mystique and majesty.
Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part IV
High-efficiency halogen illuminators are readily available from London lighting wholesalers, and these - together with fibre optic lights - are normally sold in slimline packages that can be embedded into pool walls or floors. As a professional London bathroom designer, I will routinely encourage clients to explore more dynamic colour ecosystems. For example, I love the concept of a wireless colour pad that can be installed next to the illuminator junction. Clients can use a remote control device to choose the desired colour any time, and our bathroom design team can also incorporate an "auto-cycle" option, which dynamically shifts through the entire spectrum of hues over the course of an evening.
Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part V
This is the final blog posting in my series on outdoor swimming pool design, from the perspective of our London-based bathroom designconsultancy. Pools can be great places to enjoy a fabulous summer garden party or enchanting soiree. It is important to include ample privacy-aware changing facilities for guests, together with dry zones and wet zones to avoid slip hazards and ensure compliance with all relevant safety regulations. Our bathroom designers will also try to make the pool accessible to the elderly or those who are less mobile, perhaps by incorporating an easy-lower deck option and a shallower zone with warm bubble jets where older guests can relax in comfort and gaze out over the London skyline.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part II
When invited to create an outdoor swimming pool, our bathroom design team will normally rely on ocean-inspired colours and textures that evoke the core mindset of fresh aqua harmony. Often, this means plenty of deep navy or indigo illumination, perhaps with underwater fibre optics that throw a burst of light onto the surface and create a stunning glow in the fresh London nighttime air. Our team of clever bathroom designerswill use all their indoor-inspired talent for this outdoor scenario, incorporating easy-clean tiling, luxurious side-decks, and a bespoke blend of lighting fixtures that is both eye-catching and safety-aware.
Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part III
Some outdoor pools in London are only intended for seasonal usage, thanks to our occasionally inclement weather in autumn and winter. For this purpose, our London bathroom design team may encourage clients to select lighting hardware that slides seamlessly into the tilework, creating a flush surface that can be more easily drained and that is more robust to frost during the off-season. We love to use cross-throw illumination patterns that artfully link high-intensity and more shadowy areas to build the sense of mystique and majesty.
Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part IV
High-efficiency halogen illuminators are readily available from London lighting wholesalers, and these - together with fibre optic lights - are normally sold in slimline packages that can be embedded into pool walls or floors. As a professional London bathroom designer, I will routinely encourage clients to explore more dynamic colour ecosystems. For example, I love the concept of a wireless colour pad that can be installed next to the illuminator junction. Clients can use a remote control device to choose the desired colour any time, and our bathroom design team can also incorporate an "auto-cycle" option, which dynamically shifts through the entire spectrum of hues over the course of an evening.
Splashing About: Swimming Pool Design in London - from Global Interior Design, the No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part V
This is the final blog posting in my series on outdoor swimming pool design, from the perspective of our London-based bathroom designconsultancy. Pools can be great places to enjoy a fabulous summer garden party or enchanting soiree. It is important to include ample privacy-aware changing facilities for guests, together with dry zones and wet zones to avoid slip hazards and ensure compliance with all relevant safety regulations. Our bathroom designers will also try to make the pool accessible to the elderly or those who are less mobile, perhaps by incorporating an easy-lower deck option and a shallower zone with warm bubble jets where older guests can relax in comfort and gaze out over the London skyline.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior Designer - Making an Impact: Thoughts on Historical Influences, from the Desk of London's No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios
No matter your age or mood, you almost certainly love to luxuriate under a hot shower jet, or perhaps in a home whirlpool tub to which you can add your favourite rejuvenating lotions and aromatic cleansers? London's top bathroom design teams understand that sophisticated residences demand opulent and sumptuous spa-like bathroom designs. But all too many Londoners are totally in the dark when it comes to the history of bathroom design! In this short series of blog postings I'd like to tell you all about how and why bathroom designs came to be the way they are today.
Making an Impact: Thoughts on Historical Influences, from the Desk of London's No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part II
If you ask a young child to imagine a bathroom, they will begin to tell you about the smooth, cold whiteness of porcelain and plastic, and the crisp, clean feel of sanitised tiles. Astonishingly, these bathroom design elements became commonplace only in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s. And it wasn't until the thirties that bathroom designers were finally introduced to new accessories and ornamentation from London's up-and-coming bathroom hardware factories. London's bathroom design mavens eagerly incorporated these new items, using them to great effect to build flair and sophistication for their most discerning clients.
Making an Impact: Thoughts on Historical Influences, from the Desk of London's No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part III
From the 1920s onwards, things just got better and better for London's bathroom designer communities. Forward-thinking design stars started to encourage clients to choose luxury vanity units with built-in lighting, they created bespoke cabinetry for favourite aromatherapy oils or household medications, and they began to incorporate spa-like elements such as mud, shell and hot-stone treatment zones. London's bathroom designindustry had come alive with creativity and dynamism in a way that would change the interior design community forever.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Making an Impact: Thoughts on Historical Influences, from the Desk of London's No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part II
If you ask a young child to imagine a bathroom, they will begin to tell you about the smooth, cold whiteness of porcelain and plastic, and the crisp, clean feel of sanitised tiles. Astonishingly, these bathroom design elements became commonplace only in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s. And it wasn't until the thirties that bathroom designers were finally introduced to new accessories and ornamentation from London's up-and-coming bathroom hardware factories. London's bathroom design mavens eagerly incorporated these new items, using them to great effect to build flair and sophistication for their most discerning clients.
Making an Impact: Thoughts on Historical Influences, from the Desk of London's No-Fuss Bathroom Design Studios - Part III
From the 1920s onwards, things just got better and better for London's bathroom designer communities. Forward-thinking design stars started to encourage clients to choose luxury vanity units with built-in lighting, they created bespoke cabinetry for favourite aromatherapy oils or household medications, and they began to incorporate spa-like elements such as mud, shell and hot-stone treatment zones. London's bathroom designindustry had come alive with creativity and dynamism in a way that would change the interior design community forever.
Interior Designer - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
A London Interior Designer Reflects on Magical Garden Designs - Steps and Stones
When interior designers say the words "garden design", they are crossing an invisible boundary - from interior to exterior. Historically, interior designers have focused exclusively on what lies within the home. But today some of London's most prestigious interior design teams are starting to apply their wealth of knowledge and experience to garden schemes. The resulting whole-estate approach means that top interior designers can now offer homeowners full-service comprehensive expertise that covers every possible need. London is a splendid city in which to work as an interior designer who also focuses on gardens because it is so easy to find fabulous garden furniture, plantings and exterior illuminators from the many outstanding garden centres and wholesalers across the home counties.
If there are walls on either side of a set of steps, you may hear your interior designer start to talk of a "brick-light". The name comes from the fact that its size and shape are precisely the same as a brick! This clever little illuminator can be set back into the wall to provide a general wash of light across the steps. Some prestigious London hotels will use this approach, but it can also be effective for private homes, provided your interior designer specifies a special louvre cover that focuses the light downwards. Some clients crave extra drama - in such circumstances, your interior designer may choose to incorporate directional spotlights, set into the wall to chase the light down. For even more atmosphere, especially in Central London where street lights may be bright, directional spotlights can be set into the wall to light each step individually. Your interior designer may turn to fibre optics - their tiny pretty fixtures are ideal for this type of application. If you have only a few stone steps, it may be best to conceal a lengthy low-voltage strip under the front trim of the steps to provide a continuous downward wash of light. This works well only if the light source is well-hidden; otherwise the effect will be too glittery and glamourous and your interior designer might as well be designing a London hotel!
Well that brings to an end my series titled "Welcome to my Designer Garden! A London Interior Designer Reflects on Magical Garden Designs". Thank you so much for reading.
London Renovation Company - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design and renovation services.
If there are walls on either side of a set of steps, you may hear your interior designer start to talk of a "brick-light". The name comes from the fact that its size and shape are precisely the same as a brick! This clever little illuminator can be set back into the wall to provide a general wash of light across the steps. Some prestigious London hotels will use this approach, but it can also be effective for private homes, provided your interior designer specifies a special louvre cover that focuses the light downwards. Some clients crave extra drama - in such circumstances, your interior designer may choose to incorporate directional spotlights, set into the wall to chase the light down. For even more atmosphere, especially in Central London where street lights may be bright, directional spotlights can be set into the wall to light each step individually. Your interior designer may turn to fibre optics - their tiny pretty fixtures are ideal for this type of application. If you have only a few stone steps, it may be best to conceal a lengthy low-voltage strip under the front trim of the steps to provide a continuous downward wash of light. This works well only if the light source is well-hidden; otherwise the effect will be too glittery and glamourous and your interior designer might as well be designing a London hotel!
Well that brings to an end my series titled "Welcome to my Designer Garden! A London Interior Designer Reflects on Magical Garden Designs". Thank you so much for reading.
London Renovation Company - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design and renovation services.
A London Interior Designer Reflects on Magical Garden Designs - Pathways
When interior designers say the words "garden design", they are crossing an invisible boundary - from interior to exterior. Historically, interior designers have focused exclusively on what lies within the home. But today some of London's most prestigious interior design teams are starting to apply their wealth of knowledge and experience to garden schemes. The resulting whole-estate approach means that top interior designers can now offer homeowners full-service comprehensive expertise that covers every possible need. London is a splendid city in which to work as an interior designer who also focuses on gardens because it is so easy to find fabulous garden furniture, plantings and exterior illuminators from the many outstanding garden centres and wholesalers across the home counties.
London's top interior designers know that garden paths should always be a key part of an overall garden scheme - and this requires cleverly thought-out lighting design! Paths must always be lit for practical reasons - safety and easy access are critical, whether from house to garden or from one part of the garden to another. But interior designers love to use their designer flair, and fortunately for our clients we can make even this type of lighting just as pretty as in other zones of the garden. Sometimes reflected light from illuminated features, such as outdoor urns or statues, may be sufficient to brighten up a pathway at nighttime, but more normally your interior designer will draw out a map of where the ground changes levels (safety first!). Extra illumination may be necessary here, particularly for when elderly relatives come to visit. Some London Interior Designers love to recommend pretty little indicator lights that incorporate LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which are perfect when used to show the route of a path on a dark night or when installed underneath a balustrade.
Let me explain just a little more about LEDs. These clever little lights are often used in digital watches and pocket calculators, where they offer the ultimate in low-heat illumination. Some interior designers love to create patterns within paving stones by replacing a tile detail with an LED! Thanks to their long-life bulbs, LEDs can also be an attractive alternative to fibre optics. Interior designers love to design with LEDs because there is no remote light box to conceal - only a small transformer. Practical even for the most compact London urban gardens!
With the third and final article in this series titled "Welcome to my Designer Garden! A London Interior Designer Reflects on Magical Garden Designs", I will focus on how to illuminate garden steps and stonework.
London Renovation Company - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design and renovation services.
London's top interior designers know that garden paths should always be a key part of an overall garden scheme - and this requires cleverly thought-out lighting design! Paths must always be lit for practical reasons - safety and easy access are critical, whether from house to garden or from one part of the garden to another. But interior designers love to use their designer flair, and fortunately for our clients we can make even this type of lighting just as pretty as in other zones of the garden. Sometimes reflected light from illuminated features, such as outdoor urns or statues, may be sufficient to brighten up a pathway at nighttime, but more normally your interior designer will draw out a map of where the ground changes levels (safety first!). Extra illumination may be necessary here, particularly for when elderly relatives come to visit. Some London Interior Designers love to recommend pretty little indicator lights that incorporate LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which are perfect when used to show the route of a path on a dark night or when installed underneath a balustrade.
Let me explain just a little more about LEDs. These clever little lights are often used in digital watches and pocket calculators, where they offer the ultimate in low-heat illumination. Some interior designers love to create patterns within paving stones by replacing a tile detail with an LED! Thanks to their long-life bulbs, LEDs can also be an attractive alternative to fibre optics. Interior designers love to design with LEDs because there is no remote light box to conceal - only a small transformer. Practical even for the most compact London urban gardens!
With the third and final article in this series titled "Welcome to my Designer Garden! A London Interior Designer Reflects on Magical Garden Designs", I will focus on how to illuminate garden steps and stonework.
London Renovation Company - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design and renovation services.
A London Interior Designer Reflects on Magical Garden Designs - Entrances and Exits
When interior designers say the words "garden design", they are crossing an invisible boundary - from interior to exterior. Historically, interior designers have focused exclusively on what lies within the home. But today some of London's most prestigious interior design teams are starting to apply their wealth of knowledge and experience to garden schemes. The resulting whole-estate approach means that top interior designers can now offer homeowners full-service comprehensive expertise that covers every possible need. London is a splendid city in which to work as an interior designer who also focuses on gardens because it is so easy to find fabulous garden furniture, plantings and exterior illuminators from the many outstanding garden centres and wholesalers across the home counties.
If your London home is not far from a well-lit urban street, your interior designer may recommend more intense illuminators to create the designer impact you crave for your garden. By contrast, in the countryside outside London, moonlight may sometimes be sufficient to allow residents and guests to wander safely, but a touch of supplementary light may still be essential to brighten up an entrance or exit. Many interior designers recommend tungsten halogen illuminators, which guarantee the most real-looking colour and are suitable for most buildings. However, I would note that if your home is particularly large, a warmer light source, such as sodium, may be advisable. Metal halide illuminators tend to be very cool and they are therefore best for buildings in London's most urban areas - this type of crisp snow-coloured light can prove highly dramatic in such settings. (If used in the countryside, guests may feel that the effect is slightly too cool and unfriendly.)
Just as entrances prepare us for the interiors to come, so exits should herald a tranquil slide into the garden without. Zones that lie just outside French windows, such as terraces, require first-class mood lighting. Your London Interior Designer will recommend this approach not only for practical reasons but also to guarantee a gentle, atmospheric transformation as your guests move between house and garden. Professional interior designers know that if lights are too bright indoors, reflections on windows will render any garden lighting almost invisible from inside. As a consequence, it is essential to have easy controls to dim down the lights next to an exit or adjacent to your windows that enter onto a terrace. By softening these lights with a dimmer, your interior designer can heighten the intensity of the lighting outside and set the scene for the perfect London garden party.
With the next article in this series on how interior designers create magical garden designs, I will focus on how to illuminate garden pathways.
London Renovation Company - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design and renovation services.
If your London home is not far from a well-lit urban street, your interior designer may recommend more intense illuminators to create the designer impact you crave for your garden. By contrast, in the countryside outside London, moonlight may sometimes be sufficient to allow residents and guests to wander safely, but a touch of supplementary light may still be essential to brighten up an entrance or exit. Many interior designers recommend tungsten halogen illuminators, which guarantee the most real-looking colour and are suitable for most buildings. However, I would note that if your home is particularly large, a warmer light source, such as sodium, may be advisable. Metal halide illuminators tend to be very cool and they are therefore best for buildings in London's most urban areas - this type of crisp snow-coloured light can prove highly dramatic in such settings. (If used in the countryside, guests may feel that the effect is slightly too cool and unfriendly.)
Just as entrances prepare us for the interiors to come, so exits should herald a tranquil slide into the garden without. Zones that lie just outside French windows, such as terraces, require first-class mood lighting. Your London Interior Designer will recommend this approach not only for practical reasons but also to guarantee a gentle, atmospheric transformation as your guests move between house and garden. Professional interior designers know that if lights are too bright indoors, reflections on windows will render any garden lighting almost invisible from inside. As a consequence, it is essential to have easy controls to dim down the lights next to an exit or adjacent to your windows that enter onto a terrace. By softening these lights with a dimmer, your interior designer can heighten the intensity of the lighting outside and set the scene for the perfect London garden party.
With the next article in this series on how interior designers create magical garden designs, I will focus on how to illuminate garden pathways.
London Renovation Company - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design and renovation services.
Friday, November 4, 2011
How Interior Design Professionals Choose On-Wall Decoration - Illumination and Reflection
When interior design professionals say "on-wall decoration," they normally mean flat objects that may be hung on a wall. This covers photos, graphics, platters, mountings, reliefs and many other categories. London is a splendid locale in which to work as an interior designer because it is so easy to find fabulous on-wall decorative options from the busy artisan set, who frequently exhibit in galleries and warehouses across the capital.
Illumination is an absolutely critical component of interior design in the scope of on-wall decoration. On occasion, it may be breathtaking to feature a spotlight or uplighting that pulls one's gaze into an especially glamourous photograph or artistic feature. Top London interior designers will conventionally incorporate illumination schemes into step one (or even step zero) of their workflow. As is the case across much of the professional interior designer's work, the intent is that nothing will seem accidental or superfluous - we try our best to create a complete and stunning high-impact design profile from the very earliest stages. For instance, interior design professionals will often map out in advance the need for any wall-mounted photo frame illuminators in order to ensure they are included in the power outlet sketches at the earliest preparatory stages of your design effort, so that the contractors will be able to install an outlet that is at the most suitable height. (In many London homes, these types of outlets are custom/bespoke.)
Reflective surfaces (whether silvered objects or framed mirrors) are traditionally a great tool for the interior designer because of how they make a given space seem bigger. They can also allow guests and visitors to better see photos, reliefs and other wall decorations from multiple angles, thereby increasing the visual interest. This can be critical for more cramped London flats with slightly more challenging footprints or unusual corners. Your interior design consultant will definitely make sure to focus on how best to position mirrors, whether to add designer flair or for more mundane purposes. If a mirror has a frame, the interior design team will need to check that the mounting is compatible with other mounting designs or materials in a given design scheme.
If mirrors or other reflective panels are used as design elements, the interior design consultancy should take care to have the mirror reflect an engaging scene. The last thing you want is for your interior design scheme to include a mirror that is situated such that the reflections might be distracting or bothersome to a guest seated on a couch or a resident behind her home office desk. The one good thing is that mirrors can easily be repositioned, but in reality London's Top Interior Design Firms will make sure to achieve perfect positioning from the very beginning.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Illumination is an absolutely critical component of interior design in the scope of on-wall decoration. On occasion, it may be breathtaking to feature a spotlight or uplighting that pulls one's gaze into an especially glamourous photograph or artistic feature. Top London interior designers will conventionally incorporate illumination schemes into step one (or even step zero) of their workflow. As is the case across much of the professional interior designer's work, the intent is that nothing will seem accidental or superfluous - we try our best to create a complete and stunning high-impact design profile from the very earliest stages. For instance, interior design professionals will often map out in advance the need for any wall-mounted photo frame illuminators in order to ensure they are included in the power outlet sketches at the earliest preparatory stages of your design effort, so that the contractors will be able to install an outlet that is at the most suitable height. (In many London homes, these types of outlets are custom/bespoke.)
Reflective surfaces (whether silvered objects or framed mirrors) are traditionally a great tool for the interior designer because of how they make a given space seem bigger. They can also allow guests and visitors to better see photos, reliefs and other wall decorations from multiple angles, thereby increasing the visual interest. This can be critical for more cramped London flats with slightly more challenging footprints or unusual corners. Your interior design consultant will definitely make sure to focus on how best to position mirrors, whether to add designer flair or for more mundane purposes. If a mirror has a frame, the interior design team will need to check that the mounting is compatible with other mounting designs or materials in a given design scheme.
If mirrors or other reflective panels are used as design elements, the interior design consultancy should take care to have the mirror reflect an engaging scene. The last thing you want is for your interior design scheme to include a mirror that is situated such that the reflections might be distracting or bothersome to a guest seated on a couch or a resident behind her home office desk. The one good thing is that mirrors can easily be repositioned, but in reality London's Top Interior Design Firms will make sure to achieve perfect positioning from the very beginning.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
How Interior Design Professionals Choose On-Wall Decoration - Hands-On Installation Tips
When interior design professionals say "on-wall decoration," they normally mean flat objects that may be hung on a wall. This covers photos, graphics, platters, mountings, reliefs and many other categories. London is a splendid locale in which to work as an interior designer because it is so easy to find fabulous on-wall decorative options from the busy artisan set, who frequently exhibit in galleries and warehouses across the capital.
Ordinarily, pictures best create a harmonious design feel when positioned in squares or rectangles. London is a global style hub, and hopscotch random shapes can certainly provide visual engagement for high-flair TV-ready interior designs, but in reality it is preferable to focus on standard right angles for most design objectives.
The second point I like to make is that symmetry is key. This is ideal if the interior designer has a single central picture together with a collection of others that constitutes a thematic cluster.
Thirdly, London's interior designers will focus on the idea of 'horizons' to allow for the horizontal alignment of the ceiling-facing edges of many different pictures in a cluster. If you have a variety of rectangle mountings, each of which has different dimensions, it may be preferable to use two horizons - one upper and one lower - to provide a great visual.
Fourthly, top London Interior Design Professionals like to refer to 'anchoring' as another key concept. This involves using the biggest pictures in a cluster to serve as the vertices of an invisible rectangle - smaller pictures are then positioned to develop the remainder of the space.
Fifthly, interior designers sometimes fall back on the cross arrangement when they have a client who craves extra visual flair and the elimination of rectangles altogether. This can be ideal if the pictures are rectangular but of all sorts of different dimensions. The interior designer will position the wall hangings in the shape of a cross, with bigger frames below the "horizon" and more modest mountings above in order to create a feeling of harmony.
Sixthly, a favourite technique among certain London interior designers is to build stability into a design by allowing the biggest wall hangings to migrate down towards the baseline of a cluster, along just one horizontal line. This creates a sense of solidity for the wall decoration scheme. I have collaborated with London's most prestigious interior design boutiques who emphasise placement of the tallest picture at the midline of the horizon in order to pull one's gaze toward the ceiling and create a feeling of exquisite spaciousness.
In the third and final article for this series called "Interpreting Designer Flair - How Interior Design Professionals Choose On-Wall Decoration," I will explore the use of illuminators and reflection to create concepts that delight the observer and guarantee harmony.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Ordinarily, pictures best create a harmonious design feel when positioned in squares or rectangles. London is a global style hub, and hopscotch random shapes can certainly provide visual engagement for high-flair TV-ready interior designs, but in reality it is preferable to focus on standard right angles for most design objectives.
The second point I like to make is that symmetry is key. This is ideal if the interior designer has a single central picture together with a collection of others that constitutes a thematic cluster.
Thirdly, London's interior designers will focus on the idea of 'horizons' to allow for the horizontal alignment of the ceiling-facing edges of many different pictures in a cluster. If you have a variety of rectangle mountings, each of which has different dimensions, it may be preferable to use two horizons - one upper and one lower - to provide a great visual.
Fourthly, top London Interior Design Professionals like to refer to 'anchoring' as another key concept. This involves using the biggest pictures in a cluster to serve as the vertices of an invisible rectangle - smaller pictures are then positioned to develop the remainder of the space.
Fifthly, interior designers sometimes fall back on the cross arrangement when they have a client who craves extra visual flair and the elimination of rectangles altogether. This can be ideal if the pictures are rectangular but of all sorts of different dimensions. The interior designer will position the wall hangings in the shape of a cross, with bigger frames below the "horizon" and more modest mountings above in order to create a feeling of harmony.
Sixthly, a favourite technique among certain London interior designers is to build stability into a design by allowing the biggest wall hangings to migrate down towards the baseline of a cluster, along just one horizontal line. This creates a sense of solidity for the wall decoration scheme. I have collaborated with London's most prestigious interior design boutiques who emphasise placement of the tallest picture at the midline of the horizon in order to pull one's gaze toward the ceiling and create a feeling of exquisite spaciousness.
In the third and final article for this series called "Interpreting Designer Flair - How Interior Design Professionals Choose On-Wall Decoration," I will explore the use of illuminators and reflection to create concepts that delight the observer and guarantee harmony.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
How Interior Design Professionals Choose On-Wall Decoration - Selecting Artwork
When interior design professionals say "on-wall decoration," they normally mean flat objects that may be hung on a wall. This covers photos, graphics, platters, mountings, reliefs and many other categories. London is a splendid locale in which to work as an interior designer because it is so easy to find fabulous on-wall decorative options from the busy artisan set, who frequently exhibit in galleries and warehouses across the capital.
When I think of on-wall decoration, I most frequently think of pictures. I often tell my interior design team that pictures are critical to making a residence feel personal. Having said that, I will caution that suboptimal placement of pictures can all but destroy even a highly effective interior design scheme. I note that this can be particularly problematic in some of the more cramped London flats. I tell my clients that there is a mental checklist that needs to be filled in - equally applicable for digital graphic prints as for historic sepia-tinted photographs. One of the top rules that I have my team keep in mind at our London interior design consultancy is about "relational picture hanging." By this I mean that everything on the wall should echo or reinterpret another feature in the design. Junior interior designers sometimes fail to put enough thought into this, and the result often looks "accidental" - which of course would be highly unsatisfactory! When I put together interior design concepts, I try to use the colour or content of pictures to make a connection to bookcases, panels, couches or curtains... or even to built-in elements of interest, including dado rails, coving or cabinetry - any of which can be highly fascinating in some of London's more historic period buildings.
I try to avoid placing on-wall decoration in a symmetric configuration (for example, centred on a couch or dresser) because this would risk making the interior design concept feel slightly pedestrian and mundane.
In London, we know all too well that drizzle and cooler temperatures are not unusual during much of the year. As a result, interior designers in the capital will regularly select more cheerful pictures when they choose on-wall decoration. I place significant emphasis on clustering images that are somehow connected to each other. For example, my London Interior Design team might position a series of country scenes near to each other on the wall, or they will take the same approach for pictures of historic factories or waterways. Some of the best-known London interior design consultancies will also cluster on-wall decorative elements that share the same colour concepts or mounting styles.
With the next article in this series on how interior design professionals choose on-wall decoration, I will turn to the hands-on details of how to physically secure pictures to a wall.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
When I think of on-wall decoration, I most frequently think of pictures. I often tell my interior design team that pictures are critical to making a residence feel personal. Having said that, I will caution that suboptimal placement of pictures can all but destroy even a highly effective interior design scheme. I note that this can be particularly problematic in some of the more cramped London flats. I tell my clients that there is a mental checklist that needs to be filled in - equally applicable for digital graphic prints as for historic sepia-tinted photographs. One of the top rules that I have my team keep in mind at our London interior design consultancy is about "relational picture hanging." By this I mean that everything on the wall should echo or reinterpret another feature in the design. Junior interior designers sometimes fail to put enough thought into this, and the result often looks "accidental" - which of course would be highly unsatisfactory! When I put together interior design concepts, I try to use the colour or content of pictures to make a connection to bookcases, panels, couches or curtains... or even to built-in elements of interest, including dado rails, coving or cabinetry - any of which can be highly fascinating in some of London's more historic period buildings.
I try to avoid placing on-wall decoration in a symmetric configuration (for example, centred on a couch or dresser) because this would risk making the interior design concept feel slightly pedestrian and mundane.
In London, we know all too well that drizzle and cooler temperatures are not unusual during much of the year. As a result, interior designers in the capital will regularly select more cheerful pictures when they choose on-wall decoration. I place significant emphasis on clustering images that are somehow connected to each other. For example, my London Interior Design team might position a series of country scenes near to each other on the wall, or they will take the same approach for pictures of historic factories or waterways. Some of the best-known London interior design consultancies will also cluster on-wall decorative elements that share the same colour concepts or mounting styles.
With the next article in this series on how interior design professionals choose on-wall decoration, I will turn to the hands-on details of how to physically secure pictures to a wall.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Make Your House Your Home - How London Interior Design Companies Work with Lighting Part II: Natural Lighting Effects
Natural light is responsible for everything we see in the world around us. At interior design companies, light informs the designers' perception of colour, it determines how we read, shape and texture, and it animates our surroundings with patterns of light and shadow. Yet despite its importance, light is often taken for granted - even by some of London's better-known interior design companies. An increasingly urban lifestyle does not lend itself to making the most of daylight and often many of our waking hours are spent indoors in semi-darkness. Interior design companies are out to change this, and in this second article of my two-part series on "How Interior Design Companies Work with Lighting" I will reveal the secrets of natural light and its influence on design, drawing from my experience in London working with some of the capital's most prestigious interior design companies.
By observing natural light, we can start to appreciate how light actually works. Interior design companies often talk of principles such as downlighting, where afternoon sunshine grazes a wall of illuminated foliage; backlighting, where a leaf is revealed in silhouette during a fresh London dawn; crosslighting, where the surface texture of brickwork or gnarled wood is emphasised; and spotlighting where a narrow shaft of light catches an object in its path, perhaps as a train turns a corner in a London Underground tunnel. Interior design companies rely on their experience in harnessing the ability of shadows to conceal. Some of the most adventurous clients demand special effects - I have seen interior design companies being asked to recreate the "drama of a rainbow as it paints a coloured arc across the sky." Definitely not a straightforward project! Nonetheless, each light effect has its own character and contributes to a harmonious balance.
I once saw top professionals from a famous London interior design company actually sitting down with graph paper to chart the passage of the sun during a twenty-four hour period for a prestigious residential project. The client was a feng shui practitioner, and he had asked the interior design company to guarantee a positive orientation for his living spaces. After plotting out the sun's pathway, the interior design company used CAD to project how the sun would appear during different seasons - taking into account how little daylight there can be during London winters. The result was breathtaking and a stunning example of how natural lighting can be used to "make a house a home."
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
By observing natural light, we can start to appreciate how light actually works. Interior design companies often talk of principles such as downlighting, where afternoon sunshine grazes a wall of illuminated foliage; backlighting, where a leaf is revealed in silhouette during a fresh London dawn; crosslighting, where the surface texture of brickwork or gnarled wood is emphasised; and spotlighting where a narrow shaft of light catches an object in its path, perhaps as a train turns a corner in a London Underground tunnel. Interior design companies rely on their experience in harnessing the ability of shadows to conceal. Some of the most adventurous clients demand special effects - I have seen interior design companies being asked to recreate the "drama of a rainbow as it paints a coloured arc across the sky." Definitely not a straightforward project! Nonetheless, each light effect has its own character and contributes to a harmonious balance.
I once saw top professionals from a famous London interior design company actually sitting down with graph paper to chart the passage of the sun during a twenty-four hour period for a prestigious residential project. The client was a feng shui practitioner, and he had asked the interior design company to guarantee a positive orientation for his living spaces. After plotting out the sun's pathway, the interior design company used CAD to project how the sun would appear during different seasons - taking into account how little daylight there can be during London winters. The result was breathtaking and a stunning example of how natural lighting can be used to "make a house a home."
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Make Your House Your Home - How London Interior Design Companies Work with Lighting Part I: The Universal Language of Light
The need for light is universal and impacts the entire galaxy. Interior design companies often employ staff who understand this deeply. We are drawn to light like moths to a flame (or to cashmere). In London, we are revitalized by sunny days (too few, too few!) and we feel downcast when we see London's grey skies of autumn (too many!). Interior design companies often employ lighting design specialists. Some of these individuals will have studied the history of light - and they will know that light even connects us to ancient civilizations. From the Aztecs to the pharaohs, the sun ruled supreme as a light- and life-giving force .... and now interior design companies in London are taking this majesty and using it to enhance the homes of both Londoners and property owners across the world. Top interior design companies recognise that artists - from impressionists like Monet to more contemporary painters like Hockney - have been inspired by the quality of natural light and its effect on colour. In this two-part series on "How Interior Design Companies Work with Lighting" I will reflect on my experiences with lighting, working in London alongside the capital's top professionals at some of England's most prestigious interior design companies.
We can learn a great deal by observing light in the natural world and understanding its role in creating pattern, texture, colour and atmosphere. I often remind students who come to intern with me at my interior design company that, during the course of a London day, light will naturally assume myriad different forms. I remind them of the soft light of early morning, the strong contrast of shafts of bright light and sharp shadows at midday. I link this to the work of our interior design company as I speak of the dappled patterns of late afternoon and the rosy glow of a London summer evening. Light is constantly changing, from moment to moment and from latitude to latitude. The very best interior design companies recognise that natural light, in all its forms, can enrich our interior spaces, making them warm and welcoming or cool and contemplative. Indeed, at my interior design company, light serves as our ultimate inspiration when it comes to planning artificial lighting schemes that rely on modern light sources and fittings. Today, interior design companies try to emulate the infinite variety and contrast of natural light in our homes, filtering, directing and modulating lighting effects to create interiors that can be enjoyed by our clients every single day.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
We can learn a great deal by observing light in the natural world and understanding its role in creating pattern, texture, colour and atmosphere. I often remind students who come to intern with me at my interior design company that, during the course of a London day, light will naturally assume myriad different forms. I remind them of the soft light of early morning, the strong contrast of shafts of bright light and sharp shadows at midday. I link this to the work of our interior design company as I speak of the dappled patterns of late afternoon and the rosy glow of a London summer evening. Light is constantly changing, from moment to moment and from latitude to latitude. The very best interior design companies recognise that natural light, in all its forms, can enrich our interior spaces, making them warm and welcoming or cool and contemplative. Indeed, at my interior design company, light serves as our ultimate inspiration when it comes to planning artificial lighting schemes that rely on modern light sources and fittings. Today, interior design companies try to emulate the infinite variety and contrast of natural light in our homes, filtering, directing and modulating lighting effects to create interiors that can be enjoyed by our clients every single day.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood - Daypart Scene Designs
In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I draw on my experience working with many interior design companies in London to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
In my previous article (Lighting for Mood Part IV), I described the basics of pre-set lighting design. In this article I talk about a new movement, in use today by certain prestigious interior design companies in London: "daypart scene" lighting design.
As mentioned in my previous article, the interior design company will often present the client with a simple switch plate with just four buttons. In daypart scene lighting designs, an interior design company will designate each scene for use during a specific part of the day. Scene one is usually bright, to be used on a dull day to compensate for London's often-overcast skies. The interior design company will have adjusted most of the lights to full brightness and some of the very discreet effects of feature lighting, which only work when light levels are low, may even be programmed to ‘off'. Early evening often starts at 4pm in London during the winter- and this daypart is ideal for scene two, which features a slightly lower level of light. Interior design companies will select low voltage halogen beams for this scene, to give a crisp and fresh look to a room. Scene two's task lighting is left slightly higher, so that cooking can still take place in the kitchen, for example - perfect for London, as homeowners and staff often prepare for soiree guests to arrive at this time.
For entertaining, scene three is suitably atmospheric. The interior design company will have pre-programmed a dimmer general light setting and will have raised the level of feature lighting to increase the contrast. This can also be effective when the client's brief requires the interior design company to create dual-purpose rooms. For example, sometimes the kitchen needs to be transformed into a dining area (often the case in some smaller London flats), and lighting scene three can allow pots and pans to disappear into the background. For special occasions or after dinner, scene four can be more moody still, introducing a sense of cinema. Interior design companies will sometimes double-label scene four as an economy setting, providing night lights in a hallway for example.
This completes my series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood." I hope these articles have helped you understand how interior design companies in London can tailor lighting effects to suit and enhance our favourite moods.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
In my previous article (Lighting for Mood Part IV), I described the basics of pre-set lighting design. In this article I talk about a new movement, in use today by certain prestigious interior design companies in London: "daypart scene" lighting design.
As mentioned in my previous article, the interior design company will often present the client with a simple switch plate with just four buttons. In daypart scene lighting designs, an interior design company will designate each scene for use during a specific part of the day. Scene one is usually bright, to be used on a dull day to compensate for London's often-overcast skies. The interior design company will have adjusted most of the lights to full brightness and some of the very discreet effects of feature lighting, which only work when light levels are low, may even be programmed to ‘off'. Early evening often starts at 4pm in London during the winter- and this daypart is ideal for scene two, which features a slightly lower level of light. Interior design companies will select low voltage halogen beams for this scene, to give a crisp and fresh look to a room. Scene two's task lighting is left slightly higher, so that cooking can still take place in the kitchen, for example - perfect for London, as homeowners and staff often prepare for soiree guests to arrive at this time.
For entertaining, scene three is suitably atmospheric. The interior design company will have pre-programmed a dimmer general light setting and will have raised the level of feature lighting to increase the contrast. This can also be effective when the client's brief requires the interior design company to create dual-purpose rooms. For example, sometimes the kitchen needs to be transformed into a dining area (often the case in some smaller London flats), and lighting scene three can allow pots and pans to disappear into the background. For special occasions or after dinner, scene four can be more moody still, introducing a sense of cinema. Interior design companies will sometimes double-label scene four as an economy setting, providing night lights in a hallway for example.
This completes my series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood." I hope these articles have helped you understand how interior design companies in London can tailor lighting effects to suit and enhance our favourite moods.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood – Introducing Pre-Set Scenes
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood – Introducing Pre-Set Scenes
In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I draw on my experience working with some of London's top interior design companies to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
The power of light lies in its ability to transform a space, literally at the touch of a button. Most London interior design companies have expertise in exactly this area - and this is one of the many elements that distinguishes interior design from interior decoration. By focusing on what is to be seen, interior design companies can use light to screen out what is unseen, by leaving these areas in darkness. In recent years, the problem that Londoners have come up against is that to control individual effects with dimmers can result in numerous buttons and large unsightly control plates. A decade ago, interior design companies would dread having to create complex lighting designs. Each button had to be operated separately to achieve the desired mood, and proved tedious for clients all over London who simply wanted to re-create favourite combinations without fuss or hassle.
Today, London's top interior design companies are drawing on lessons learned from hotels and restaurants, where it is essential to create an exact mood each night. The solution is to pre-set the lighting, using dimmers that are located remotely. Interior design companies will adjust each type of lighting effect only once before programming it into the system for each setting. The interior design company will present the client with a simple switch plate, with just four buttons to represent four difference moods or scenes. An on/off button is also provided, and in some instances a 'raise and lower' button, which allows the scene to be fine-tuned further. Sometimes London interior design companies will even program in special effects on some of these buttons. For example, one button may add in a down-lighter that is focused on a decorative object or a trendy curtain treatment, perhaps evoking a London nightclub atmosphere. The interior design company will make it easy for the homeowner to orchestrate the desired mood, with a setting for every occasion.
n the next article in this series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood," I will discuss daypart scenes - a new trend in London 's interior design community.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I draw on my experience working with some of London's top interior design companies to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
The power of light lies in its ability to transform a space, literally at the touch of a button. Most London interior design companies have expertise in exactly this area - and this is one of the many elements that distinguishes interior design from interior decoration. By focusing on what is to be seen, interior design companies can use light to screen out what is unseen, by leaving these areas in darkness. In recent years, the problem that Londoners have come up against is that to control individual effects with dimmers can result in numerous buttons and large unsightly control plates. A decade ago, interior design companies would dread having to create complex lighting designs. Each button had to be operated separately to achieve the desired mood, and proved tedious for clients all over London who simply wanted to re-create favourite combinations without fuss or hassle.
Today, London's top interior design companies are drawing on lessons learned from hotels and restaurants, where it is essential to create an exact mood each night. The solution is to pre-set the lighting, using dimmers that are located remotely. Interior design companies will adjust each type of lighting effect only once before programming it into the system for each setting. The interior design company will present the client with a simple switch plate, with just four buttons to represent four difference moods or scenes. An on/off button is also provided, and in some instances a 'raise and lower' button, which allows the scene to be fine-tuned further. Sometimes London interior design companies will even program in special effects on some of these buttons. For example, one button may add in a down-lighter that is focused on a decorative object or a trendy curtain treatment, perhaps evoking a London nightclub atmosphere. The interior design company will make it easy for the homeowner to orchestrate the desired mood, with a setting for every occasion.
n the next article in this series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood," I will discuss daypart scenes - a new trend in London 's interior design community.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood – Dimmable Designs
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood – Dimmable Designs
Interior design companies understand the term "mood" to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel "in tune" with our surroundings. In London, lighting is often a critical part of an interior design company's toolbox in creating the perfect mood. In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I will draw on my experience working with many interior design companies in London to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
The principle way in which interior design companies will control lighting is by dimming the various levels in relation to each other. General lighting, whether in the form of table lamps, up-lights or down-lights, should be controlled separately from feature lighting - especially in older London residences where there is a danger of overloading electrical circuits. By day, relative contrasts are less marked, especially given London's rainy weather patterns. When general lighting is at its maximum strength, interior design companies try to make sure it achieves a fairly even light throughout a room. By night, interior design companies will try to create atmosphere and mood by including a feature to dim general lighting to a low level and raise feature lighting. For maximum effect, interior design companies will make sure the contrast between different light sources is high. Alternatively, some London clients request a soft, inviting light, similar to that produced by candlelight; under these circumstances, the interior design company must ensure that the contrast between feature and general lighting is less marked.
Every interior design company knows that mood and atmosphere are very subjective and impact how we feel. After a hectic day in a brightly lit London office, coming home to a softly lit environment can have a very calming effect, helping us to relax and reducing stress. Alternatively, interior design companies may be asked to create an energetic and dynamic atmosphere - perhaps for a new London nightclub or classy restaurant. This requires lighting that is more dramatic, creating positive areas of brightness and darkness. While light is the key to changing mood, professional interior design companies know that the right levels of contrast are the means to success, achieved by controlling each lighting effect individually.
In the next article in this series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood," I will discuss pre-set scene lighting.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior design companies understand the term "mood" to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel "in tune" with our surroundings. In London, lighting is often a critical part of an interior design company's toolbox in creating the perfect mood. In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I will draw on my experience working with many interior design companies in London to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
The principle way in which interior design companies will control lighting is by dimming the various levels in relation to each other. General lighting, whether in the form of table lamps, up-lights or down-lights, should be controlled separately from feature lighting - especially in older London residences where there is a danger of overloading electrical circuits. By day, relative contrasts are less marked, especially given London's rainy weather patterns. When general lighting is at its maximum strength, interior design companies try to make sure it achieves a fairly even light throughout a room. By night, interior design companies will try to create atmosphere and mood by including a feature to dim general lighting to a low level and raise feature lighting. For maximum effect, interior design companies will make sure the contrast between different light sources is high. Alternatively, some London clients request a soft, inviting light, similar to that produced by candlelight; under these circumstances, the interior design company must ensure that the contrast between feature and general lighting is less marked.
Every interior design company knows that mood and atmosphere are very subjective and impact how we feel. After a hectic day in a brightly lit London office, coming home to a softly lit environment can have a very calming effect, helping us to relax and reducing stress. Alternatively, interior design companies may be asked to create an energetic and dynamic atmosphere - perhaps for a new London nightclub or classy restaurant. This requires lighting that is more dramatic, creating positive areas of brightness and darkness. While light is the key to changing mood, professional interior design companies know that the right levels of contrast are the means to success, achieved by controlling each lighting effect individually.
In the next article in this series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood," I will discuss pre-set scene lighting.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood - Fine-Tuning
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood - Fine-Tuning
Interior design companies understand the term "mood" to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel "in tune" with our surroundings. In London, lighting is often a critical part of an interior design company's toolbox in creating the perfect mood. In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I will draw on my experience working with some of London's top interior design companies to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
Mood and atmosphere are the 'special effects' of any lighting scheme, but the subtle levels required can only be determined at the fine-tuning stage. Once the various layers of lighting have been selected, interior design companies focus on creating a balance that can produce visual harmony. This is especially important in London, where outdoor gloom can often make indoor spaces appear flat or dull. The approach used by interior design companies is similar to that involved with layering textures and fabrics when decorating. Uplighting may need to be combined with down-lighting, or table light with spotlight, in just the right proportions. Some interior design companies will employ specialist lighting consultants to advise and guide the process.
The requirements will vary from room to room. For a living room, London interior design companies often recommend table lamps for general lighting and to ensure that guests are seen in a soft and flattering light. These can be combined with low-voltage feature lights to illuminate artwork or favourite antiques. In a kitchen, interior design companies realise that lamps are not practical for general lighting. In newer London residences, hygiene and cleanliness are key selling points, and kitchens require non-porous washable surfaces. As a result, interior design companies will generally prefer to select down-lighters, wall-washing the front of the kitchen units, or up-lighters, which provide a soft indirect light. These light sources can be combined with under-cabinet lighting for task light and - particularly popular in London today - perhaps a pin-spot over a kitchen island for added focus.
Interior design companies will often be asked to redesign bathrooms and bedrooms, since these rooms will often confer the most added value in London's competitive property markets. Bathrooms require flexible lighting that is energizing in the morning and calming at night, with task lights for reading or around a mirror. In a bedroom, where there is less need for overall illumination, interior design companies love to make the bed itself the focus. One technique is to make the bed appear to float on a pool of light by installing rope-lights which can be subtly concealed under the bed platform.
In the next article in this series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood," I will reveal the secrets of dimmable lighting.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior design companies understand the term "mood" to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel "in tune" with our surroundings. In London, lighting is often a critical part of an interior design company's toolbox in creating the perfect mood. In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I will draw on my experience working with some of London's top interior design companies to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
Mood and atmosphere are the 'special effects' of any lighting scheme, but the subtle levels required can only be determined at the fine-tuning stage. Once the various layers of lighting have been selected, interior design companies focus on creating a balance that can produce visual harmony. This is especially important in London, where outdoor gloom can often make indoor spaces appear flat or dull. The approach used by interior design companies is similar to that involved with layering textures and fabrics when decorating. Uplighting may need to be combined with down-lighting, or table light with spotlight, in just the right proportions. Some interior design companies will employ specialist lighting consultants to advise and guide the process.
The requirements will vary from room to room. For a living room, London interior design companies often recommend table lamps for general lighting and to ensure that guests are seen in a soft and flattering light. These can be combined with low-voltage feature lights to illuminate artwork or favourite antiques. In a kitchen, interior design companies realise that lamps are not practical for general lighting. In newer London residences, hygiene and cleanliness are key selling points, and kitchens require non-porous washable surfaces. As a result, interior design companies will generally prefer to select down-lighters, wall-washing the front of the kitchen units, or up-lighters, which provide a soft indirect light. These light sources can be combined with under-cabinet lighting for task light and - particularly popular in London today - perhaps a pin-spot over a kitchen island for added focus.
Interior design companies will often be asked to redesign bathrooms and bedrooms, since these rooms will often confer the most added value in London's competitive property markets. Bathrooms require flexible lighting that is energizing in the morning and calming at night, with task lights for reading or around a mirror. In a bedroom, where there is less need for overall illumination, interior design companies love to make the bed itself the focus. One technique is to make the bed appear to float on a pool of light by installing rope-lights which can be subtly concealed under the bed platform.
In the next article in this series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood," I will reveal the secrets of dimmable lighting.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood - Introduction
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood - Introduction
Interior design companies understand the term "mood" to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel "in tune" with our surroundings. In London, many interior design companies will focus on lighting, more than any other element, because it allows the design team to manipulate the way rooms look and feel. London has so many lighting boutiques and showrooms that it is often no problem to find exactly the right light fixture or effect to meet any interior design need. In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I will draw on my experience working with many interior design companies in London to describe some best practices in this exciting area of design.
Light is all-important. For example, if an interior design company has a brief to create a room in which guests will feel relaxed, light can achieve this. Alternatively, if the client desires a space that is exciting and stimulating, then light will make it happen. Light reflects the way we choose to live, and professional interior design companies can even use it to change a mood from morning to evening.
Most rooms today have several different functions, and this is especially true in some smaller and more modern London residences, which tend to tighter and more compact. Lighting can enable these types of spaces to meet multiple needs more effectively. For example, an interior design company may be asked to turn a working kitchen, with practical task lighting for cooking, into an intimate super venue. Alternatively, a London client may request that a child-friendly play area be turned into a sophisticated living space by night. Light holds the key to these types of stunning transformations, and professional interior design companies have all sorts of tips and tricks on how to achieve the desired effects.
In the next article in my series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood," I will go into detail on different types of rooms and I'll reveal how London's top designers will fine-tune lighting approaches to achieve stunning results.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Interior design companies understand the term "mood" to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel "in tune" with our surroundings. In London, many interior design companies will focus on lighting, more than any other element, because it allows the design team to manipulate the way rooms look and feel. London has so many lighting boutiques and showrooms that it is often no problem to find exactly the right light fixture or effect to meet any interior design need. In this series which I call "Lighting for Mood," I will draw on my experience working with many interior design companies in London to describe some best practices in this exciting area of design.
Light is all-important. For example, if an interior design company has a brief to create a room in which guests will feel relaxed, light can achieve this. Alternatively, if the client desires a space that is exciting and stimulating, then light will make it happen. Light reflects the way we choose to live, and professional interior design companies can even use it to change a mood from morning to evening.
Most rooms today have several different functions, and this is especially true in some smaller and more modern London residences, which tend to tighter and more compact. Lighting can enable these types of spaces to meet multiple needs more effectively. For example, an interior design company may be asked to turn a working kitchen, with practical task lighting for cooking, into an intimate super venue. Alternatively, a London client may request that a child-friendly play area be turned into a sophisticated living space by night. Light holds the key to these types of stunning transformations, and professional interior design companies have all sorts of tips and tricks on how to achieve the desired effects.
In the next article in my series on "Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood," I will go into detail on different types of rooms and I'll reveal how London's top designers will fine-tune lighting approaches to achieve stunning results.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Insights into Interior Design: Designing in Style - Modern/Contemporary
Interior design has always been impacted by fashion trends - both historically and in the modern day. In this article series, "Designing in Style," I explore the meaning of style for interior designers. I draw on my experience working alongside many of London's best-known interior design teams. This fifth and final article in my series moves on from countryside styles to modern/contemporary - a major focus of the London interior design community today.
Modern or contemporary design is all about simplicity. Interior designers tend to focus on fresh, clean lines, together with simple colours and basic shapes like perfect circles and rectangles. But the question I hear again and again from my interior design students in London is, "How to make a contemporary/modern design interesting and unique?" This can be a real challenge - interior designers always want to give their clients something special, but within the constraints of very simple, almost minimalist, design briefs, this can require some serious creativity!
My recommendation to interior design students is always to use extra imagination in the details. In London, wealthy homeowners tend to be very focused on subtle extras. To add interest to a standard modern/contemporary scheme, the interior designer can consider highlights, trims or accents in the colour scheme. Even if one only has a monochrome palette to work with, perhaps a white piece of furniture would look stunning with a beautiful bespoke black throw. Or maybe a hint of pink can be introduced into a grey tone to create a really "interior designer" look for a room? There are all sorts of possibilities, and in London's most prestigious districts today the most important thing for interior designers to keep in mind is that the label of "modern/contemporary" is just a guideline. If the client has a favourite piece of furniture or artwork that doesn’t quite fit the "modern/contemporary" label, use your interior design creativity to figure out ways to incorporate it into a scheme. You really can’t go wrong if your "modern/contemporary" design is unified and classy - and in London many clients are very sophisticated, with an eye for beauty and detail. If their needs are met, the London interior designer has done their job!
Well, that closes out my series on "Insights into Interior Design: Designing in Style." Thank you so much for reading - I hope I have been able to give you some perspective on the many different styles that are and have been popular with London’s interior design community over the decades.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Modern or contemporary design is all about simplicity. Interior designers tend to focus on fresh, clean lines, together with simple colours and basic shapes like perfect circles and rectangles. But the question I hear again and again from my interior design students in London is, "How to make a contemporary/modern design interesting and unique?" This can be a real challenge - interior designers always want to give their clients something special, but within the constraints of very simple, almost minimalist, design briefs, this can require some serious creativity!
My recommendation to interior design students is always to use extra imagination in the details. In London, wealthy homeowners tend to be very focused on subtle extras. To add interest to a standard modern/contemporary scheme, the interior designer can consider highlights, trims or accents in the colour scheme. Even if one only has a monochrome palette to work with, perhaps a white piece of furniture would look stunning with a beautiful bespoke black throw. Or maybe a hint of pink can be introduced into a grey tone to create a really "interior designer" look for a room? There are all sorts of possibilities, and in London's most prestigious districts today the most important thing for interior designers to keep in mind is that the label of "modern/contemporary" is just a guideline. If the client has a favourite piece of furniture or artwork that doesn’t quite fit the "modern/contemporary" label, use your interior design creativity to figure out ways to incorporate it into a scheme. You really can’t go wrong if your "modern/contemporary" design is unified and classy - and in London many clients are very sophisticated, with an eye for beauty and detail. If their needs are met, the London interior designer has done their job!
Well, that closes out my series on "Insights into Interior Design: Designing in Style." Thank you so much for reading - I hope I have been able to give you some perspective on the many different styles that are and have been popular with London’s interior design community over the decades.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Insights into Interior Design: Designing in Style - Country Styles
Interior design has always been impacted by fashion trends - both historically and in the modern day. In this article series, "Designing in Style," I explore the meaning of style for interior designers. I draw on my experience working alongside many of London's best-known interior design teams. This fourth article in my series moves on from historic traditional/period styles to the country style - a timeless interior design classic.
The country styles are also sometimes known as the pastoral or rustic styles. The most prominent example is the cottage/farmhouse. Ask most interior designers to imagine being far away from London and they will envision an earthy farmhouse kitchen with rustic tones, wooden enclaves, solid and wholesome meals, and a welcoming brick fireplace. Pastoral styles in interior design contexts are as much practical as they are stylish. The restful comfort and lack of ostentation is appreciated not only by country folk but also by city dwellers. London interior design consultancies often work with clients who have large residences with expansive grounds in need of a rustic feel that harks back to quieter times.
The country interior design style relies on sturdy natural materials such as wood, brick, stone and textured or weathered fabrics. Floorboards are often left exposed to wear down over time, before being stained or varnished and softened with mats or rugged coverings. In general, furniture should be plump and inviting, with natural unvarnished wood frames or homely patterned upholstery. The fireplace is often a centrepiece of this interior design style, and hearths of stone or brick are often used together with copper or brass fireplace accessories. In London mansions that incorporate the country style, walls are often left rough and natural in appearance.
The English country house is a variant of the pastoral interior design style that is very English yet still well-known abroad. Interior designers in London will often be called upon to create designs in this style for the very wealthiest clients. The English country house style relies heavily on patterns. Interior design teams will focus on floral, large-scale motifs, perhaps based on historic designs from the eighteenth century. These patterns will be used not only for window treatments, but also on upholstery, loose covers, bedspreads, table frills, etc. Typical English country house interior design schemes use colours such as pink, white, cream, and highlights in green. Other options include yellow and blue, or muted shades of gold and brown.
In the latter half of the twentieth century, British rustic interior design became increasingly influenced by the so-called "American country" style. Although not often a focus of London interior designers, this style can include Shaker furniture and Amish quilts, together with stripped-pine cupboards, dressers and chests. Folk stencils are important to achieve the correct look.
In my next article for this "Designing in Style" series, I will look at something that is a major feature of London's interior design landscape today, namely the modern/contemporary style.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
The country styles are also sometimes known as the pastoral or rustic styles. The most prominent example is the cottage/farmhouse. Ask most interior designers to imagine being far away from London and they will envision an earthy farmhouse kitchen with rustic tones, wooden enclaves, solid and wholesome meals, and a welcoming brick fireplace. Pastoral styles in interior design contexts are as much practical as they are stylish. The restful comfort and lack of ostentation is appreciated not only by country folk but also by city dwellers. London interior design consultancies often work with clients who have large residences with expansive grounds in need of a rustic feel that harks back to quieter times.
The country interior design style relies on sturdy natural materials such as wood, brick, stone and textured or weathered fabrics. Floorboards are often left exposed to wear down over time, before being stained or varnished and softened with mats or rugged coverings. In general, furniture should be plump and inviting, with natural unvarnished wood frames or homely patterned upholstery. The fireplace is often a centrepiece of this interior design style, and hearths of stone or brick are often used together with copper or brass fireplace accessories. In London mansions that incorporate the country style, walls are often left rough and natural in appearance.
The English country house is a variant of the pastoral interior design style that is very English yet still well-known abroad. Interior designers in London will often be called upon to create designs in this style for the very wealthiest clients. The English country house style relies heavily on patterns. Interior design teams will focus on floral, large-scale motifs, perhaps based on historic designs from the eighteenth century. These patterns will be used not only for window treatments, but also on upholstery, loose covers, bedspreads, table frills, etc. Typical English country house interior design schemes use colours such as pink, white, cream, and highlights in green. Other options include yellow and blue, or muted shades of gold and brown.
In the latter half of the twentieth century, British rustic interior design became increasingly influenced by the so-called "American country" style. Although not often a focus of London interior designers, this style can include Shaker furniture and Amish quilts, together with stripped-pine cupboards, dressers and chests. Folk stencils are important to achieve the correct look.
In my next article for this "Designing in Style" series, I will look at something that is a major feature of London's interior design landscape today, namely the modern/contemporary style.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Insights into Interior Design: Designing in Style - Traditional Georgian
Interior design has always been impacted by fashion trends - both historically and in the modern day. In this article series, "Designing in Style," I explore the meaning of style for interior designers. I draw on my experience working alongside many of London's best-known interior design teams. This third article in my series continues my discussion of traditional/period design, with a focus on the Georgian style.
In terms of dates, the Georgian period is generally considered to have extended from 1714 until 1830. It has since inspired one of the most popular traditional interior design schemes.
London interior design was considered world-class in Georgian times - UK craftspeople were highly skilled and uniquely specialised. The wealthiest classes insisted on the highest quality, with exacting standards in terms of dimensions and proportions.
A few designers were particularly famous during the Georgian era. Their names, ideas and concepts live on today in the many homes and residences that feature Georgian-inspired interior designs.
William Kent lived from 1684 until 1748 and was an architect/interior designer who is best known for his tables and chairs which featured extravagant gilt decorations and strong connections to Greek and Roman insignia. Today these traditional designs continue to be used by many London interior design consultancies that specialise in the Georgian style.
Thomas Chippendale is a name famous to many discerning Londoners. This cabinet-maker lived from 1718 until 1779 and designed furniture that was less ostentatious than that of William Kent, consistent with British (and London) tastes at the time, and yet exceedingly graceful and refined. Interior designers today will adopt either Chippendale's original designs or re-envisionments/replicas of his originals.
Finally, Robert Adam was an architect and interior designer who dominated the 1770s with his vivacious use of Roman and Greek motifs, including urns, tripods, and mythological iconography.
Today, London interior design consultancies tend to be cautious with Georgian designs, recognising that this style can look pretentious if too pronounced. Larger, more spacious London mansions with tall ceilings are best suited to the Georgian style of interior design.
The next article in my series "Designing in Style" moves away from historic traditions and focuses in on a timeless interior design classic - the rural countryside.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
In terms of dates, the Georgian period is generally considered to have extended from 1714 until 1830. It has since inspired one of the most popular traditional interior design schemes.
London interior design was considered world-class in Georgian times - UK craftspeople were highly skilled and uniquely specialised. The wealthiest classes insisted on the highest quality, with exacting standards in terms of dimensions and proportions.
A few designers were particularly famous during the Georgian era. Their names, ideas and concepts live on today in the many homes and residences that feature Georgian-inspired interior designs.
William Kent lived from 1684 until 1748 and was an architect/interior designer who is best known for his tables and chairs which featured extravagant gilt decorations and strong connections to Greek and Roman insignia. Today these traditional designs continue to be used by many London interior design consultancies that specialise in the Georgian style.
Thomas Chippendale is a name famous to many discerning Londoners. This cabinet-maker lived from 1718 until 1779 and designed furniture that was less ostentatious than that of William Kent, consistent with British (and London) tastes at the time, and yet exceedingly graceful and refined. Interior designers today will adopt either Chippendale's original designs or re-envisionments/replicas of his originals.
Finally, Robert Adam was an architect and interior designer who dominated the 1770s with his vivacious use of Roman and Greek motifs, including urns, tripods, and mythological iconography.
Today, London interior design consultancies tend to be cautious with Georgian designs, recognising that this style can look pretentious if too pronounced. Larger, more spacious London mansions with tall ceilings are best suited to the Georgian style of interior design.
The next article in my series "Designing in Style" moves away from historic traditions and focuses in on a timeless interior design classic - the rural countryside.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Insights into Interior Design: Designing in Style - Jacobean and Victorian
Interior design has always been impacted by fashion trends - both historically and in the modern day. In this article series, "Designing in Style," I explore the meaning of style for interior designers. I draw on my experience working alongside many of London's best-known interior design teams. This second article in my series introduces traditional/period design, with a focus on the Jacobean and Victorian styles.
Traditional design uses materials that reflect the wealth and opulence of historic times. London interior designers will often take the best of the features that were available back then and skilfully combine them with elements that are available today. Traditional/period interior design projects tend to focus on elegance, with a look and feel that is comfortable, rich and sumptuous, although sometimes also a little fragile.
The Jacobean theme is popular in London mansions and other residences that have a real sense of history. The Jacobean style focuses on heavy wooden features, with dark-stained oak often used to create panels for walls and floorboards. Oak is also often used for the furniture, and the overall interior design feel is that of robustness, with pleasantly-proportioned pieces to fill the available space. Tapestries are also an important part of the Jacobean look. However, many interior designers recognise that tapestries can be impractical nowadays, and one approach often used by London's best-known consultancies is to recreate the tapestry appearance on modern upholstered furniture or curtains.
One caveat with Jacobean interior designs is that the style does need plenty of natural light. because otherwise the darker wood stains can seem uninspired. This can be problematic in smaller London residences, but is generally not an issue with more luxurious mansions that often feature huge south-facing windows and substantial grounds.
The Victorian interior design style, by contrast, is considered a more staid approach. Interior designers often focus on small rounded tables, often covered entirely in cloth, and fat, heavily-buttoned chesterfield settees. So much of London became urbanised in Victorian times that the style also came to include nature as a theme for textiles, serving as a counterpoint to accelerating industrialisation. Consequently, Victorian interior design schemes often feature floral elements and birds on both walls and furnishings.
In the next article in my "Designing in Style" interior design series, I will focus on a third and final period style that is particularly important for London residences - the Georgian style.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Traditional design uses materials that reflect the wealth and opulence of historic times. London interior designers will often take the best of the features that were available back then and skilfully combine them with elements that are available today. Traditional/period interior design projects tend to focus on elegance, with a look and feel that is comfortable, rich and sumptuous, although sometimes also a little fragile.
The Jacobean theme is popular in London mansions and other residences that have a real sense of history. The Jacobean style focuses on heavy wooden features, with dark-stained oak often used to create panels for walls and floorboards. Oak is also often used for the furniture, and the overall interior design feel is that of robustness, with pleasantly-proportioned pieces to fill the available space. Tapestries are also an important part of the Jacobean look. However, many interior designers recognise that tapestries can be impractical nowadays, and one approach often used by London's best-known consultancies is to recreate the tapestry appearance on modern upholstered furniture or curtains.
One caveat with Jacobean interior designs is that the style does need plenty of natural light. because otherwise the darker wood stains can seem uninspired. This can be problematic in smaller London residences, but is generally not an issue with more luxurious mansions that often feature huge south-facing windows and substantial grounds.
The Victorian interior design style, by contrast, is considered a more staid approach. Interior designers often focus on small rounded tables, often covered entirely in cloth, and fat, heavily-buttoned chesterfield settees. So much of London became urbanised in Victorian times that the style also came to include nature as a theme for textiles, serving as a counterpoint to accelerating industrialisation. Consequently, Victorian interior design schemes often feature floral elements and birds on both walls and furnishings.
In the next article in my "Designing in Style" interior design series, I will focus on a third and final period style that is particularly important for London residences - the Georgian style.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Insights into Interior Design: Designing in Style - Foundations
Interior design has always been impacted by fashion trends - both historically and in the modern day. In this article series, "Designing in Style," I explore the meaning of style for interior designers. I draw on my experience working alongside many of London's best-known interior design teams. This first article in my series outlines some of the basic concepts.
One of the first things to note is that we change our interiors much less frequently than we change our clothing. As a result, it is important for the professional interior designer to not design too "fashionable" a room for fear that it might seem completely outdated next year. Certainly it is possible to keep up with furniture fashions - many of which can be seen in London's monthly interior design magazines - but the professional interior designer will generally prefer to focus on furniture fashions that can be easily changed. Examples include cushions, table decorations, rugs and bed linens.
London interior design trends can be very changeable. For example, in recent decades London saw a movement back towards the traditional. The Georgian-style Adam fireplace has seen a major revival, as have other old-fashioned features. Mouldings are very much in style today, and interior designers will commonly include them - whether in plaster or in wood.
Interestingly, the return of the dado (even in some of the smaller London residences) has also seen a re-envisioning of the two-tone wall colour scheme. In keeping with tradition, London interior design professionals will often choose a heavier, darker colour below the dado rail and a lighter colour above.
Fabric coordination is very much in vogue. With the increased availability of bespoke fabric centres in and around London, interior designers will often nowadays choose fabrics that are manufactured to match papers, borders, carpets, ceramics and even porcelain.
Finally, style should always be understood in the context of the available interior design space. No two rooms are identical, and every room has both strong points and weak points. The most experienced interior designers will choose styles that can showcase a room's strengths while hiding its weaknesses. Examples of weaknesses in a room might include some structural re-engineering made by a previous owner, or perhaps an awkward architectural design fault that cannot be remedied today.
In the next article in this series on how interior designers "design in style," I will introduce you to two of London's most timeless design styles - Georgian and Victorian.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
One of the first things to note is that we change our interiors much less frequently than we change our clothing. As a result, it is important for the professional interior designer to not design too "fashionable" a room for fear that it might seem completely outdated next year. Certainly it is possible to keep up with furniture fashions - many of which can be seen in London's monthly interior design magazines - but the professional interior designer will generally prefer to focus on furniture fashions that can be easily changed. Examples include cushions, table decorations, rugs and bed linens.
London interior design trends can be very changeable. For example, in recent decades London saw a movement back towards the traditional. The Georgian-style Adam fireplace has seen a major revival, as have other old-fashioned features. Mouldings are very much in style today, and interior designers will commonly include them - whether in plaster or in wood.
Interestingly, the return of the dado (even in some of the smaller London residences) has also seen a re-envisioning of the two-tone wall colour scheme. In keeping with tradition, London interior design professionals will often choose a heavier, darker colour below the dado rail and a lighter colour above.
Fabric coordination is very much in vogue. With the increased availability of bespoke fabric centres in and around London, interior designers will often nowadays choose fabrics that are manufactured to match papers, borders, carpets, ceramics and even porcelain.
Finally, style should always be understood in the context of the available interior design space. No two rooms are identical, and every room has both strong points and weak points. The most experienced interior designers will choose styles that can showcase a room's strengths while hiding its weaknesses. Examples of weaknesses in a room might include some structural re-engineering made by a previous owner, or perhaps an awkward architectural design fault that cannot be remedied today.
In the next article in this series on how interior designers "design in style," I will introduce you to two of London's most timeless design styles - Georgian and Victorian.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Insights into Interior Design: How Designers Select Wall Hangings - Lighting and Mirrors
When interior designers use the term "wall hangings," they are commonly referring to anything and everything that one may hang on a wall. London is a fabulous place to choose wall hangings due to the many active artist communities and the strong tradition of professional interior design. In this third and final article in my series on "How Interior Designers Select Wall Hangings," I will discuss some approaches to lighting and mirror installations that I have seen while working alongside many of London's most successful interior design professionals.
Lighting is an incredibly important part of the art of interior design when it comes to wall hangings. Sometimes it can be absolutely stunning to include a spotlight effect or underlighting to draw the eye towards a particularly fabulous photograph or painted centrepiece. In London, interior designers will normally include lighting elements at the very first stage of their brief. As with so many parts of interior design, nothing is ever an afterthought - the entire design is comprehensive and perfectly envisioned right from the start. For example, professional interior designers will anticipate a need for any wall-hung picture lights and will make sure this is included in the electrical drawings for the electrical contractors to fit a socket at the appropriate height during the early preparation phase of your project. (In most London residences, such sockets heights are non-standard.)
Mirrors can be appropriate for an interior design because they make a room appear larger and can help the resident to better visualise artwork or other wall hangings from many perspectives. This is particularly important for certain smaller London residences which may feature awkward spaces or difficult corners. The professional interior designer will make sure to think hard about appropriate placement of mirrors - whether they are being included for practical or decorative purposes. If a mirror is framed, the interior designer will make sure that the frame is matched or coordinated with other frames or materials in the room.
When using a mirror decoratively, the professional interior designer will always pay attention to make sure that it reflects something of interest. I have seen less experienced interior designers in London occasionally hang a mirror in a place where the reflections can cause annoyance or distraction to someone sitting at a table or on a settee. Fortunately mirrors can be easily re-hung elsewhere, but the most prestigious London interior design consultancies will always take this into account and get it right the first time.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Lighting is an incredibly important part of the art of interior design when it comes to wall hangings. Sometimes it can be absolutely stunning to include a spotlight effect or underlighting to draw the eye towards a particularly fabulous photograph or painted centrepiece. In London, interior designers will normally include lighting elements at the very first stage of their brief. As with so many parts of interior design, nothing is ever an afterthought - the entire design is comprehensive and perfectly envisioned right from the start. For example, professional interior designers will anticipate a need for any wall-hung picture lights and will make sure this is included in the electrical drawings for the electrical contractors to fit a socket at the appropriate height during the early preparation phase of your project. (In most London residences, such sockets heights are non-standard.)
Mirrors can be appropriate for an interior design because they make a room appear larger and can help the resident to better visualise artwork or other wall hangings from many perspectives. This is particularly important for certain smaller London residences which may feature awkward spaces or difficult corners. The professional interior designer will make sure to think hard about appropriate placement of mirrors - whether they are being included for practical or decorative purposes. If a mirror is framed, the interior designer will make sure that the frame is matched or coordinated with other frames or materials in the room.
When using a mirror decoratively, the professional interior designer will always pay attention to make sure that it reflects something of interest. I have seen less experienced interior designers in London occasionally hang a mirror in a place where the reflections can cause annoyance or distraction to someone sitting at a table or on a settee. Fortunately mirrors can be easily re-hung elsewhere, but the most prestigious London interior design consultancies will always take this into account and get it right the first time.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
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