The rising demand for homes with more space has led to a surge in house prices in London’s outer boroughs, according to Bellway London. The developer says buyers are increasingly choosing locations on the edge of the capital over traditional property hotspots closer to Central London following the pandemic. A
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, highlights ten issues that will affect construction supply chains in 2022. 1. The Building Safety Bill The Building Safety Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, is set to change how certain buildings are constructed, maintained and made safe. It will include regulatory
Other key challenges include getting hold of materials and struggling to recruit staff A fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year than 2021 for their companies Almost one in five (19%) electrical companies are looking to hire new staff in 2022 The rising cost of
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has been awarded a £21m contract to construct a new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital in London. The 3,450sqm, four-storey scheme is Premier’s largest single healthcare project in its 65-year history. Constructed offsite, this large-scale building will allow the
Prologis UK has appointed two new customer-facing staff to focus on maintaining and developing customer relationships as demand for logistics property continues to grow. Will Cassar and Milena Blair will be drawing on their experience in the property and logistics sector to support customers in securing logistics facilities in the
The McGoff Group has received planning approval for its eagerly anticipated Market 41 food hall development on the corner of Railway Road and Greenfield Avenue in the centre of Urmston, Greater Manchester. The decision was made at Trafford Council’s planning committee meeting with committee members voting in favour of the
Joseph Mews Property Group offering residential developments to buyers launches this week A new property investment group has this week been launched in the Midlands, which will target both investors and landlords. The Joseph Mews Property Group has been set up by former SevenCapital director Andy Foote – who formerly
Being an architect sounds all too fancy, with all imaginable perks and small luxuries that come with this prestigious profession. However, the studies are long and difficult, and there is barely any time for oneself. Still, no architect will ever say that they’ve repented to choosing this path in life,
Some things never change, some others do. Your whole living room’s vibe, for instance. You can have a brand new room just by changing the lighting design and wall light fixtures. Follow 2022’s trends in order to upgrade your family room for the year to come. Some of these trends
If you’re moving to another country, you’ve got a lot to think about. It’s not an easy thing to do and it may take you several months to organize everything you need for a smooth transition into your new home. Aside from packing up all of your belongings, you will
The rising demand for homes with more space has led to a surge in house prices in London’s outer boroughs, according to Bellway London. The developer says buyers are increasingly choosing locations on the edge of the capital over traditional property hotspots closer to Central London following the pandemic. A greater desire to have access to open space and the rise in homeworking are among the main factors which have resulted in property seekers gravitating towards London’s outer fringes. Two of Bellway London’s most popular sites over recent months are situated in the outer boroughs of Havering and Bromley, which have both experienced average house price growth of five per cent or more over the past 12 months. By contrast, more central boroughs such as Southwark, Camden, Islington and Hackney all saw prices decline. Emma Hamlett, Sales Director for Bellway London, said: “One of the narratives to have emerged from the pandemic is that of homeowners deserting London and other big cities in favour of a peaceful life in the country. “In reality, the picture is slightly more complex than that. While the shift towards flexible working has given more people the freedom to choose locations further away from their place of work, this hasn’t translated into a mass exodus from the capital. “One trend we have noticed over the past year or so is that buyers are increasingly opting for London’s outer boroughs to get on the property ladder and put down roots. These locations typically offer more space, a more relaxed way of life and greater sense of community than neighbourhoods closer to the centre. “And because they are served by London’s public transport network, they generally make for a cheaper and more convenient commute than more rural towns and villages within the traditional commuter belt. “Our St George’s Park development in Hornchurch, in the borough of Havering, is a prime example of this trend. Unlike most new-build developments in more central locations, St George’s Park features a wide mix of two to five-bedroom houses, which all offer gardens, which are proving particularly popular with families, while also benefiting from apartments with balconies. The site also benefits from being close to open spaces such as Hornchurch Country Park and is only a mile from Hornchurch Underground station. “We are currently selling between two and three homes a week at our Maybrey Works development in Sydenham, in the borough of Bromley. This development is attracting first-time buyers who want to be close to Central London but without being right in the heart of the city. Maybrey Works is situated just a two-minute walk from Lower Sydenham station which has direct trains to Charing Cross and London Bridge in around 25 minutes.” According to the Rightmove House Price Index for November, Bromley was the London borough with the highest house price growth over the past year, with an average increase of 6.5 per cent. Havering saw the fifth highest increase, with a rise of 5.0 per cent, while prices in Wandsworth grew by 2.3 per cent, placing it 19th out of the 32 London boroughs. A report by property experts Savills has forecast that prices in prime outer London, which includes areas such as Battersea, Wandsworth, Clapham and Hampstead, will rise four per cent next year and 13.7 per cent by 2026. For more information about Bellway London’s developments in Hornchurch, Sydenham and Nine Elms, visit https://www.bellwaylondon.co.uk/.
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, highlights ten issues that will affect construction supply chains in 2022. 1. The Building Safety Bill The Building Safety Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, is set to change how certain buildings are constructed, maintained and made safe. It will include regulatory reforms on fire safety and quality of construction products and will introduce a developer levy. Virtually everyone involved in the design, construction and management of higher-risk buildings will be affected. It is expected that the Bill will receive Royal Assent between April and June 2022 with the provisions coming into force in stages. The HSE will oversee the new building safety regime and is already urging affected parties such as designers to prepare. For more information, subscribe to the HSE’s free BSR eBulletin here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKHSE/signup/15087 2. New framework for Environmental protection The Environment Bill became the Environment Act 2021 when it received Royal Assent on 9th November 2021, introducing a post-Brexit framework for environmental governance, primarily in England. The Act paves the way for further laws and guidelines such as legally binding targets around air pollution, biodiversity, water quality and waste which will be defined in due course. Businesses of all sizes can prepare by reviewing how they currently monitor and manage environmental processes and ensuring environmental management remains high on their agenda. 3. Net Zero targets From 1st October 2021, it became mandatory for all companies bidding for government contracts worth more than five million pounds a year to commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Under the new rules, set out in Public Policy Note 06/21, in-scope organisations need to produce a carbon reduction plan detailing where their emissions come from and what environmental management measures they have in place. While some large companies already self-report Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect owned) carbon emissions under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations, the new targets require them to go further. This includes committing to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and reporting Scope 3 emissions such as business travel, employee commuting, transportation, distribution and waste. The requirements currently only apply to government contracts, but they could become an advisory part of the Common Assessment Standard in 2022. 4. Focus on Diversity & Inclusion Diversity & Inclusion is an issue steadily rising up the supply chain agenda, with construction clients increasingly looking for evidence that contractors are proactive in this area. A progressive Diversity & Inclusion strategy will look to create a positive workplace environment where everyone feels valued and people are treated as individuals according to their needs. This may, for example, include making reasonable workplace adjustments to accommodate those with disabilities or those that have different work/life commitments. To help companies improve their approach to Diversity & Inclusion, The Supply Chain Sustainability School offers a free Fairness, Inclusion & Respect toolkit which can be accessed here:https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/topics/fir/ 5. The standardisation of Social Value The concept of social value has been around for a while but it is set to become more defined in 2022. Within construction, social value usually covers how a build can add value in terms of its wider social, economic, and environmental benefits, but there is growing demand for more consistent measurement of social value. The Social Value Portal’s National Social Value Measurement Framework – also known as the National TOMS – provides a consistent method of reporting and measuring social value. Construction companies can find out more about how they can implement it in their business practices here: socialvalueportal.com/national-toms/ 6. The increase in digitalisation Digitalisation has been a slow burner for the construction industry, but according to McKinsey , Covid-19 was a turning point with 50% of companies surveyed saying they have increased investment in digital transformation to meet the demands of the next normal. Central to the construction industry’s digital transformation is Building Information Modelling (BIM), which offers digital modelling for all components of the construction process from tools, people and materials to mapping work areas, reducing defects and identifying health and safety hotspots. The ability to move the planning of build projects online allows a more collaborative way of working with stakeholders having access to data and documents from anywhere and at any time. Guidance on implementing BIM, designed to help construction businesses on their journey to digital transformation, is available from the UK BIM Framework and is updated quarterly. 7. The skills shortage Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a record leap in job vacancies, estimated to be 1.2 million in September 2021 across all industries. The skills shortage has been a growing concern within construction due to workers reaching retirement age and not enough people entering the industry to replace them. Furthermore, the industry has seen a 42% decline in EU workers. The skills shortage makes it even more critical that efforts to diversify the industry and attract a wider range of people to construction roles pay off. It also reinforces the importance of looking after existing staff and contractors. In recent months CHAS has seen record use of the CHAS Jobs Board, a free resource that allows construction clients to quickly and easily find local accredited contractors. Find out more here: www.chas.co.uk/blog/jobs-board-now-live/ 8. Materials shortages The Department for Business and Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Monthly Statistic of Building and Components consistently showed month-on-month price rises throughout 2021. The Construction Leadership Council reported improvements in product supply in some areas, and the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) are now receiving record-breaking timber imports; however, supplies are still likely to be under strain in 2022. A shortage of HGV drivers to deliver materials remains an issue, with take-up low for the government’s 10,500 visas for overseas lorry drivers. An FMB survey shows jobs are still being delayed as a result. 9. COVID-19 Covid-19 is still circulating with outbreaks and the impact of new variants difficult to predict. Businesses will therefore need to remain COVID-secure and continue to manage the risks of the virus in 2022.
Other key challenges include getting hold of materials and struggling to recruit staff A fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year than 2021 for their companies Almost one in five (19%) electrical companies are looking to hire new staff in 2022 The rising cost of materials will be the most significant challenge facing UK electricians in 2022, according to a new report assessing the confidence of the industry. The study, conducted by ElectricalDirect, specialist retailer of electrical products, surveyed electricians about their views on the year ahead and found that, while some are quietly optimistic, they are well aware of the upcoming difficulties. Overall, a fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year for their companies than 2021, and one in seven (14%) believe the industry will grow stronger over the coming months. In fact, almost one in five (19%) electrical workers believe their company will have fully recovered from the pandemic by this time next year, and the same number (19%) are looking to expand and hire new staff. Furthermore, more than one in six (18%) electricians think they’ll be in a stronger financial position in 2022, with more work (18%) and better job security (21%). However, some electricians are naturally more cautious about the next 12 months. Almost a quarter (22%) think their company will find business tough in 2022 and one in seven (14%) think the industry will struggle. All the respondents acknowledged that there will inevitably be challenges, and the rising cost of materials is the number one concern (23%). Simply getting hold of materials is also a worry (22%), as is the ability to recruit people to fill job vacancies (22%). Interestingly, the main challenges vary slightly by generation. Recruitment (24%) is the biggest cause of apprehension amongst millennials (25-34s), while for 35–44-year-olds, the rising cost of materials (22%) tops the list. For 45-54s, getting hold of tools and equipment (24%) is the major stressor. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult couple of years for both the country and the electrical industry, and while there is still a long way to go before a full recovery can be expected, it’s encouraging to see that some electricians are feeling positive as we approach 2022. “However, it’s clear that for many, the next 12 months will involve challenges of all shapes and sizes, and we hope that electricians are able to ride out the storm until the landscape finally stabilises.” For more information about the report, including data breakdowns by age, gender and region, visit: https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/blog/a-bright-future
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has been awarded a £21m contract to construct a new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital in London. The 3,450sqm, four-storey scheme is Premier’s largest single healthcare project in its 65-year history. Constructed offsite, this large-scale building will allow the Trust to free up space within the main hospital to help reduce waiting times and improve the patient experience for urgent care services. As main contractor, Premier will be leading the project team which includes delivery partner Claritas, P+HS Architects, and M&E specialists, TClarke. Awarded under the Crown Commercial Service modular buildings framework, the project follows the team’s successful delivery of a £10m contract for the offsite construction of a 62-bed Priority Assessment Unit at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey. The new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital will provide 48 purpose-designed consultation rooms and eight procedure rooms for a range of services, including dermatology, rheumatology, respiratory, neurosciences, pain management, and urology as well as other aspects of surgery and therapies. Dan Allison, Divisional Director at Premier Modular, said, “The use of an offsite solution for this project will ensure faster delivery and earlier occupation, to the benefit of patient care.” “Offsite construction is safer, quieter and cleaner than in-situ construction, which will radically reduce disruption during the build phase to staff and patients, and the surrounding residential community. This type of building solution is also enormously beneficial on restricted hospital sites such as this, reducing the amount of plant, materials, and vehicle movements to site by undertaking as much work in the factory as we can. The new building has access roads to three sides and is immediately adjacent to the Normanby Building.” “We are working to a short programme to bring these state-of-the art facilities into use as early as possible this year, to the benefit of patients and to assist with the rising demand for hospital services.” Stephen Hatcher, Associate at P+HS Architects, said, “The building is designed to minimise impact on the environment over its life and is targeting a BREEAM excellent rating. It will have areas of green roof to encourage biodiversity, a highly insulated building fabric to reduce heat loss and running costs, energy-efficient ventilation and electric air source heat pump system for heating, and solar panels for electricity generation.” The façade design will be contemporary and was informed by the existing buildings on the hospital campus.A double-height feature entrance will provide visibility externally and allow high levels of natural light for the reception and waiting area. Developed in collaboration with clinicians and patient representatives, the interior design will be crisp and modern, whilst assisting patients with sensory needs. To maintain patient flows, the new facility will be linked to the Normanby Building at ground floor level. Premier Modular is providing a full turnkey construction package for this project including engagement with the clinical team at the design stages, development of a highly sustainable M&E strategy, demolition of an existing building on the site, groundworks, offsite manufacture, module installation, and fitting out. For further information, visit www.premiermodular.co.uk, call 0800 316 0888 or email info@premiermodular.co.uk.
Prologis UK has appointed two new customer-facing staff to focus on maintaining and developing customer relationships as demand for logistics property continues to grow. Will Cassar and Milena Blair will be drawing on their experience in the property and logistics sector to support customers in securing logistics facilities in the locations they need and ensuring their transition to a new property is as seamless and hassle-free as possible. They will be working with a variety of customers, large and small, including many household names such as Royal Mail, boohoo, Dunelm, Eddie Stobart and Tesco. Both Will and Milena will be responsible for working closely with customers at all 22 Prologis Parks in the UK to deliver successful outcomes, help navigate market conditions, solve problems and provide flexibility, and support for bids and pitches. They will also be responsible for engaging with customers around initiatives such as PARKLife, training programmes and green transport schemes. Will Cassar is joining Prologis’ Capital Deployment team and will focus on helping to grow the company’s Customer Led Development business. In his previous role at CBRE he acted for some existing Prologis’ customers, such as Dunelm, and also has experience of working with real estate teams at Geodis, LG Electronics, General Electric, and leading online retailers. Phil Oakley, vice president, Customer Led Development at Prologis UK, said: “Will brings a great deal of experience to support us in expanding our Customer Led Development business across the UK. Having worked with Prologis and some our customers previously, he has first-hand knowledge of our high standards when building and maintaining customer relationships. I look forward to working with Will and I am convinced that he will be an asset to the UK team and the wider business.” Formerly at ADP, Milena Blair joined Prologis in November 2021 as of Real Estate and Customer Experience manager for London and the Southeast. Her role focuses on developing and strengthening customer relationships within the region, the development of Prologis Essentials business lines, and helping to build the PARKLife experience for the benefit of customers in the region. She has a particular focus on community outreach, social responsibility and sustainability. Stuart Davies, real estate and customer experience lead at Prologis UK, said: “Milena is an important addition to our team, and she brings a wealth of experience in areas such as client management, customer care and supporting the introduction of new business lines. These attributes are already proving to be important assets and we are delighted to have Milena onboard.”
The McGoff Group has received planning approval for its eagerly anticipated Market 41 food hall development on the corner of Railway Road and Greenfield Avenue in the centre of Urmston, Greater Manchester. The decision was made at Trafford Council’s planning committee meeting with committee members voting in favour of the development to enhance the existing market site and contribute to the future vitality of Urmston town centre. The next step for Altrincham-based McGoff Group is to secure funding for the multi million pound private development and the company is in advanced conversations with potential funding institutions. The company will also be refreshing contact with the many food and beverage operators who had initially expressed an interest in trading from the new development to see if they are still keen to be involved. They will also be inviting fresh applications from potential new traders, ensuring the best blend and appropriate mix of operators are selected for a successful project. Director at the McGoff Group, Chris McGoff, commented: “We are delighted to finally receive approval for Market 41 and are looking forward to getting the business planning and funding discussions underway once more. The last couple of years have presented unforeseen operational challenges across all sectors, including hospitality, forcing us to re-think how Market 41 would function in a post-pandemic world. We are confident that the concept has been sufficiently future-proofed to reduce operational risk for all involved and are pleased to back on track with a project that will be of economic value to Urmston and economically viable for all involved whatever the future holds.” The approved plans for Market 41 comprise a three-storey scheme with a food hall and communal dining area at its heart. Modular units will provide a clear distinction between individual operators and there will be more outdoor space along with a retractable roof to promote the constant flow of fresh air. In addition to an exciting mix of cafes, restaurants and bars located on the ground and first floors, Market 41 will benefit from dedicated areas for flexible working, lifestyle pop-ups, artisan markets, plus private dining and events. The second floor will feature a 32-room contactless ‘hands free’ hotel and stunning rooftop event area. McGoff continues: “We understand that there has been a lot of interest regarding Market 41; over the next couple of months we aim to reconnect with interested operators and make contact with new ones, finalise the operating model and secure the funding needed to deliver a fantastic market that Urmston can be really proud of.” It is hoped that construction will start on site in summer 2022. For further information on Market 41 please contact Paul Danks on paul.danks@mcgoffgroup.com or visit www.market41.com.
Joseph Mews Property Group offering residential developments to buyers launches this week A new property investment group has this week been launched in the Midlands, which will target both investors and landlords. The Joseph Mews Property Group has been set up by former SevenCapital director Andy Foote – who formerly led the distribution side of that business as SevenInvest – and already has three new UK residential developments on its books. The developments will be announced later this month by the group alongside the four new developers they will be working with. Joseph Mews will assist these developers in bringing these new developments to market across some of the most exciting investment locations in the country. Andy is well known within the Midlands, having led SevenCapital’s global distribution team through more than £900 million in sales for the past eight years. Now, he is expanding that distribution team, SevenInvest, into the Joseph Mews Property Group. Joseph Mews Property Group will sit within his existing group of companies, including Alexander Daniels, The Brain Tumour Charity, BMS Ltd and Nub & Ho Properties. With a focus on helping clients to build wealth through property, the business will also provide industry-leading market research, in-depth investment consultancy and outstanding customer service that Andy has successfully led teams to deliver over the past few years. Andy said: “Myself and the team are incredibly excited to be taking on this new challenge, which will allow us to extend our reach to new audiences and partners around the globe while providing an outstanding standard of care and exceptional investment opportunities for clients. “Our focus will be on delivering quality developments alongside quality developers, working closely with capable and trusted partners to bring the most exciting projects to our investors.” Based in the Jewellery Quarter, Joseph Mews Property Group was named after Andy’s son who passed away in 2007 to a brain tumour aged just nine-years-old. For more details about Joseph Mews email Sales@Joseph-Mews.com or visit www.joseph-mews.com.
Being an architect sounds all too fancy, with all imaginable perks and small luxuries that come with this prestigious profession. However, the studies are long and difficult, and there is barely any time for oneself. Still, no architect will ever say that they’ve repented to choosing this path in life, and to learn more about why that is so, here is a list of 10 Benefits of becoming an architect. 1. Good Money Architects can make good money. In the USA, for example, an architect can make upwards of 100k a year. Not bad, especially for an office job. We guess this explains the beautiful houses they can afford to live in. 2. Interesting Studies Studying architecture is very interesting as there is a lot of creativity involved. However, not all is a honey path for architecture students, as the studies are long and stressful. This is why many architecture students look for those who can write essays for money. Hiring professionals can save time and ensure that architecture students can cope with the workload. 3. Work with a Variety of People Yet another benefit of being an architect is that you will work with many clients and will have many coworkers. The story does not end there, as a significant portion of these people will be of international origin. Speak of self-growth opportunities as you learn about cultures from all over the world. 4. A lot of Travel Opportunities Traveling is a must for an architect. Visiting museums, new complexes in Asia, and different architectural achievements are necessary to stay in touch with the latest developments. With traveling comes knowing other languages as well, as it makes communication so much easier and more fluent. 5. No Extra Hours No overtime work may seem like a thing from the imagination for so many people. However, for architects, it is a reality. The studies are long and draining, but the work itself mostly ends at 40 hours a week. The extra time studying is easily made up with extra free time once in the workplace. 6. You can Make your Own Company Many architecture students go on to become self-employed. The money is worth it and makes it relatively easy to sustain a small sole proprietorship for a long time. If you want to do the same and want to take a loan, use writing help online to develop a business plan that banks won’t be able to say no to. This way, you save time and get access to a nifty amount of money for starting your business venture. 7. Creativity is a Plus Architecture is one of the rare fields that demand creativity. Being able to express yourself is a big plus in the industry. Being hyper-creative will also mean that you can make very individual contributions and leave a mark to last for decades. 8. No Physical Work There is no physical work for architects. The heaviest thing you will ever lift is your briefcase. Unlike engineers, you can relax and spare your back. 9. Easy to Find a Job Finding a job as an architect is relatively easy. Finding good places to study architecture is a different story. Ensure you get your spot by applying early enough and having a more-than-decent application letter. 10. Work Indoors Architects mostly work indoors. The breeze from your AC and a decent shade is all you need to let your creativity flourish. This is probably one of the biggest benefits of being an architect, as much work is done remotely. Final Thoughts Becoming an architect means a lot of work and dedication. On the other hand, being an architect is one of the best jobs there is. With significant perks and a decent salary, no wonder that so many students want to study this particular field. Ashley Carter Ashley Carter loves art and design. She hopes to be a landscape designer one day. To achieve her dreams, she reads about form and different movements in arts whenever she has time.
Some things never change, some others do. Your whole living room’s vibe, for instance. You can have a brand new room just by changing the lighting design and wall light fixtures. Follow 2022’s trends in order to upgrade your family room for the year to come. Some of these trends are here to stay, others are passing, but they will all make your home trendy and stylish. Same goes for a hotel’s main hall or a restaurant’s waiting room. Choose the right wall light fixtures The living room is the most useful space in your home. This is where you welcome guests, share quality time with your family, help your children doing their homework, relax or plan for the next big adventure. This is why you need to make it comfortable, warm and bright. Also, try to brighten up the space with colorful and stylish accent pieces that will give a trendy vibe to the most important room in your home. How should you do that? Follow these trends for 2022 design, colors and styles. 1. Back to the ‘70s A huge trend both in fashion and home decor is the Seventies’ vibe. How can you get it from wall light fixtures? Choose bright colors and simple lines in order to highlight a psychedelic wallpaper or a special feature in your living room. Happiness and nostalgia should be your guidelines. As opposed to the complex geometries of the ‘90s, vintage lamps inspired by the Seventies are simple yet optimistic. 2. A recall to serenity Just like the serenity blue color is for Pantone, the serenity vibe in home decor is suited to give your home a peaceful and relaxed feeling. You can obtain it by using pastel colors, soft textures and an angelic light. In wall light fixtures, this translates into simple shapes, lots of cotton and silk, the paler hues of wood and a diffused light coming from the sconces. 3. Industrial style wall lamps Industrial style is everywhere nowadays, but how can you find it in wall light fixtures? Just like pendant lights, sconces with a single bulb are perfect to achieve this goal. A rough, unfinished vibe creates the illusion of industrial design. You can arrange different light bulbs on the wall in order to create shapes, letterings and other brilliant designs. Just remember not to submit form to functionality: your wall lights should be as useful as they are beautiful. 4. Geometric shapes This is the perfect kind of wall light fixtures for a minimalistic home. Geometrical lamps highlight the neat and tidy aesthetic of your space with a little sparkle. Choose a metallic sconce or a circular elastic fabric for your lamp and make it the centerpiece of your walls. If you want a more eccentric, creative style, try pairing up different shapes. A triangle and a circle, a square and a clean line will give a futuristic look to your living room. 5. Sculpture-like design A designer wall light fixture is like a piece of art. The masters of lighting design find the perfect balance between form and function for accent fixtures that will illuminate both your home and your personal style. Choose unusual shapes, recycled materials, accent colors to create art with your wall lamps. Trust your lighting designer completely: they know how to leave your guests speechless.
If you’re moving to another country, you’ve got a lot to think about. It’s not an easy thing to do and it may take you several months to organize everything you need for a smooth transition into your new home. Aside from packing up all of your belongings, you will also need to sort out your insurance, visas, finances, and accommodation. Despite being a complex process, becoming an expat will be one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. Moving to a foreign country gives you the incredible opportunity to see unique parts of the world and explore new cultures. To help make your transition into becoming an expat as smooth as possible, here are some top tips to follow. Sort Out Your Insurance Heath insurance is a must-have when you’re moving to another country. You never know when you’re going to fall sick or get injured while living abroad. Having health insurance will significantly reduce your medical expenses if you need treatment. This is particularly important if the country you’re moving to doesn’t offer free national healthcare. Even if your new home country has a national healthcare system, you may not have free access to it unless you’ve lived in the country for a long length of time and you’ve got permanent residency. Make sure you find a reliable health insurance company, such as IMG Global that offers extensive insurance policies. Having adequate coverage means you can enjoy your time as an expat without worrying about potential medical bills. Meet The Locals and Other Expats Interacting with other people is key to getting comfortable in your new environment. This is particularly important if you’re moving to another country on your own. The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself and not bother making friends! Push yourself to go to local events or classes. This will give you the opportunity to meet the locals and other expats. There might be in-person or online clubs and societies that you can join with weekly sessions. Making friends with the local residents might be difficult if you don’t speak the language. However, attending local events is one of the best ways to learn the language. Or you can learn a little from their language through a language learning app on your mobile phone. Familiarizing simple words can help you converse with the locals, and learning their language will come smoothly. You can also find events that are specifically for expats if you’re not yet comfortable interacting with the locals. Expat events enable you to meet like-minded people who are in the same position as you. Look online to see what options are available and sign yourself up for at least one event a week to get settled into your new home town. Use Social Media In the wonderful digital world that we now live in, social media is everywhere. It’s a great tool that you can use to meet people in your new country or learn more about your town. You can find local events through Facebook or you can scroll through local hashtags on Instagram to find new exciting places to explore. Of course, you can also use social media to stay in touch with your loved ones back at home. Social media platforms have direct messaging options that are easy to use and enable you to instantly communicate with anybody, no matter where they are in the world. Learn The Language Learning a brand-new language isn’t easy but it’s necessary if you plan on living in another country permanently. Be realistic. You aren’t going to become fluent immediately. But even if you just focus on learning the basics to begin with, that’s a great place to start. Try to learn some of the most useful basic phrases before you move. This way, you can communicate with the locals from day one. You never know when you’ll need to ask someone for help. As you interact with the locals more and more, you’ll naturally start to pick up more complex words and phrases. You can also use phrasebooks or online language resources to help you learn more of the local language. Sort Out Your Accommodation Early On For obvious reasons, you’ll need to organize your accommodation before you move to another country. If you’re buying somewhere, you’ll need to do your research well before you actually move. Purchasing a property can take months to complete. If you’re renting or leasing a place, you will still need to get this sorted a few months in advance. You want to be certain that you’ll have somewhere to move into as soon as you land in your new home town. Research potential areas and consider the community, the local amenities, and the accommodation that is available. As an expat, finding somewhere that makes you feel comfortable and safe is important, and you won’t want to travel for miles just to get some groceries. Visit the area you’re moving to before you commit to signing a lease or purchasing a property if possible. You can also contact a relocation agent who will be able to provide advice about which areas are the best for you based on your needs.
