Rotpunkt, award-winning carbon neutral manufacturer of quality German kitchen furniture is delighted to announce its dynamic Ceiling Frame Extractor System makes the Kitchen LONGLIST, named a finalist for ‘Product of the Year’ at this year’s Designer Awards. Now in its 19th year, the Designer Awards ceremony will take place at
Curtain walling, windows and doors by Kawneer were used on the third and final phase at The Slate Yard. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer featured on the third and final apartment building at The Slate Yard, which forms part of the wider £1 billion, 50-acre Salford Central
One of the biggest challenges that people setting up new landscaping businesses often face is the fact that they are practical hands-on people who aren’t always the best when it comes to making use of all the modern technology that makes running such a business easier. If you are one
Offsite Solutions, the UK’s leading bathroom pod manufacturer, has been awarded its second contract for Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord. This latest project is to manufacture 567 steel-framed bathroom and shower pods for Exchange Square in Birmingham which is under construction by main contractor McAleer & Rushe.
Peter Kelsey, the man who founded and led Designer Contracts to become the UK’s largest flooring contractor, has been honoured with an Outstanding Achievement in the Flooring Industry award. Announced at the Contract Flooring Journal’s 2021 awards ceremony, held at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire on Friday (September 3), Peter was
Bathroom product specialist Aqualisa has introduced the Quartz™ Smart Retrofit Shower – an all-in-one upgrade solution that transforms almost any make of exposed mixer shower into a voice-activated, smart digital shower system, without the need to disturb the current bathroom décor or re-tile the shower enclosure. With 15 million smart homes currently in the
One of the UK’s leading specialist interior fit-out contractors has completed a milestone 16-storey contract at Edwardian Hotels’ new flagship super boutique hotel in London. EE Smith Contracts, which has been carrying out work for Edwardian Hotels Ltd for the last 35 years, opened its factories on the Clarendon Industrial
If you have a commercial property that needs to be removed to make way for a new construction project – or if you are selling the land and need to ensure that the building does not remain in place, demolition is a popular option. Demolition is a huge task with
The Briton brand is synonymous with the best in door controls and exit hardware and Allegion is pleased to announce the launch of the newly designed, end-user focused Briton website. Following updates to their brand style, the new Briton website boasts a streamlined, modern design and concentrates on providing customers
The past year has seen us all spend a lot more time in the kitchen, but how does the design of our kitchens reflect who we are?Quintain Living – the award-winning rental management company with thousands of homes at Wembley Park – has plenty of experience when it comes to
Rotpunkt, award-winning carbon neutral manufacturer of quality German kitchen furniture is delighted to announce its dynamic Ceiling Frame Extractor System makes the Kitchen LONGLIST, named a finalist for ‘Product of the Year’ at this year’s Designer Awards. Now in its 19th year, the Designer Awards ceremony will take place at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London on 12th November 2021, to celebrate the best of the best and crown its winners! Reflecting on today’s desire to push design boundaries in blended living spaces, the Ceiling Frame Extractor System by Rotpunkt, is a best in class canopy-style storage solution that utilises the floors, walls and ceiling in the kitchen. Ideal for keeping herbs and spices in easy reach of the chef, this innovative hanging storage is designed to suspend from the ceiling to create extra shelving space and new planning options for the central island unit and built-in extractor. How? Rotpunkt’s ceiling frame can be made full size or custom, featuring a black metal surround, shelving and electrical containment in order to make use of the 390mm apertures specially designed for statement extractor systems that are discreet yet utilitarian. As truly hybrid solution for the kitchen, canopy-style storage has opened up an entirely new design landscape that monopolises the ceiling and is geared towards extractor fans, trailing houseplants, herbs and even cookware. Drawing the eye upwards, ceiling frames not only enhance the height of the room, they are sensitive to the native architecture of the home, while emphasising the cook zone. Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt says: “On behalf of the Rotpunkt family worldwide, I am really pleased that we have been recognised by the Designer Awards for our innovative Ceiling Frame solution, a 2021 innovation which has received a positive response industry-wide. I am very proud that it has made the shortlist for kitchen products, especially as the line between work and play continues to merge at home, and this type of hybrid furniture is answering demand for quality kitchen living that focuses on design and artistic value.” “With so much innovation in the kitchen sector right now, I want to take this opportunity to wish the nominees luck and we have everything crossed for winning results in November” says Matt.
Curtain walling, windows and doors by Kawneer were used on the third and final phase at The Slate Yard. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer featured on the third and final apartment building at The Slate Yard, which forms part of the wider £1 billion, 50-acre Salford Central masterplan. Two types of Kawneer’s zone-drained curtain walling – AA®100 with 50mm sightlines and AA®110 with 65mm – as well as AA®541 top-hung casement windows and thermally superior AA®720 balcony doors were specified by AHR architects for Plot A7 at The Slate Yard. The 20-storey building comprises 199 apartments for rent for client The English Cities Fund (ECF) – a partnership between national urban regenerator Muse Developments, Legal & General, Homes England and Salford Council. ECF is currently delivering some of the most complex urban regeneration projects across the UK. The first phase of The Slate Yard was one of the first institutionally funded, custom-built BTR (Build to Rent) schemes to be delivered in Greater Manchester, with all three phases at The Slate Yard forward funded by Legal & General. Architect Feidhlim White of AHR, which frequently deploys Kawneer, said the systems were specified due to their aesthetics, practicalities, and cost-effectiveness as well as the company’s standards of customer service. “The system provided the match to the planning images, enabling us to deliver the project to the aesthetic and practical vision,” he said. “The opening lights aided the ventilation system with the ability for purge ventilation whilst still maintaining acceptable sightlines. The simplicity of weatherproofing by glazing in the EPDM makes it an ideal system.” He added: “We tend to use Kawneer a lot as we have a good relationship with their support team and local reps. They’re also well priced in the market, I believe. The client is very pleased with the overall outcome and how the building sits as a suite of three.” The Kawneer aluminium systems were installed over 15 months of the two-year build for main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction by approved specialist sub-contractor FK Group who also installed the Kawneer systems specified by AHR at Plot A6 (the Graphite building), a neighbouring BTR apartment block comprising 135 apartments over 16 storeys for the same client.
One of the biggest challenges that people setting up new landscaping businesses often face is the fact that they are practical hands-on people who aren’t always the best when it comes to making use of all the modern technology that makes running such a business easier. If you are one of them, and you want to ensure that your new landscaping company run like a well-oiled machine, check out these essential tech tools that will help you to run a far more efficient, streamlined business even if your tech skills aren’t as good as you would like them to be. Greenius Greenius is an excellent online training tool with more than 50 instructional videos which will make it really easy for you to train your landscaping team quickly and effectively, while also saving you money. If you’re new to the business, it’s important you hire the right people and providing the best training to keep them safe and your clients happy, and Greenius will certainly help with that. RapidAPI RapidAPI is a great resource for software APIs, which are basically software interfaces you can use to add certain functions to apps and software. Their weather API directory could be particularly useful to you because it will allow you to keep track of weather conditions so you can better plan your jobs, but they have APIs for just about everything so do some exploring and see what else you might be able to make use of. HR Downloads HR Downloads is packed with templates and sample documents that you can use to ensure that you stay on the right side of the law and are able to manage your team more effectively. Fleetio Fleetio is a huge timesaver. This one application can manage and track your fleet for you so you don’t have to worry about tracking down timesheets or trying to remember the last time your vehicles were services, amongst other things. Landscape Management Network This excellent landscaping software is able to help you budget for your business, manage customer relationships, create estimates and track the time you and your team spend on jobs, amongst other things, all in one neat package. It practically runs your landscaping business for you! Go iLawn This is a neat little tool that is able to measure property online, which makes it far easier and much more efficient for you to work out estimates for your clients, leaving you more time to get on with the actual job of landscaping. Skitch In many ways, landscaping is a pretty visual business, which is why the visual communication tool, Skitch, is such a good one to have in your virtual toolbox. It enables you to mark photos with text, arrows, colors, and so on and send them to both customers and staff, saving you a whole lot of time, and potentially money, on your landscaping jobs. With these important landscaping business tools on your side, you will stand a much better chance of achieving success in your new business venture. Good luck!
Offsite Solutions, the UK’s leading bathroom pod manufacturer, has been awarded its second contract for Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord. This latest project is to manufacture 567 steel-framed bathroom and shower pods for Exchange Square in Birmingham which is under construction by main contractor McAleer & Rushe. The pod deliveries to site will begin towards the end of 2021 and will be completed by summer 2022 as the building’s structure is constructed. Exchange Square is developed by Nikal for Grainger plc and will provide 375 homes for rent in a landmark 37-storey tower. Designed by Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio, the £68m scheme occupies a prominent location opposite HS2 Curzon Birmingham. Completion is scheduled for summer 2023. The bathroom pods for Exchange Square will have dark grey, large format porcelain wall and floor tiles with staggered ‘brick bond’ tile joints to the walls. The bathrooms will be fully fitted in the factory with a three-door mirrored cabinet, a solid surface vanity shelf, semi-pedestal wall hung basin, bath with glass hinged shower screen, heated ladder towel rail, and floor mounted toilet. The shower rooms will have a two-door mirrored wall cabinet and a sliding shower door. “We fully support the use of offsite manufacturing and for the bathrooms, it gives us the unique opportunity to check the pods in the factory before going into full production. This allows us to review the design detailing and make any minor changes, which is just not possible on site,” said Helena Tsiantes Jansson, Senior Forward Fund Development Manager at Grainger plc. “Following our recent visit to Offsite Solutions’ factory, we were very impressed with the quality of the finishes, particularly the grouting and tiling. The quality was spot on and will result in a better quality product for our residents. Fitting out the bathrooms in a factory which has much more space and light than on site, definitely impacts positively on quality. It is also much easier for us to deal with a single supplier for the bathrooms.” Offsite Solutions is also manufacturing pods for Enigma Square in Milton Keynes – another Grainger build-to-rent scheme which is under construction by Bowmer and Kirkland. Steel-framed bathroom pods give developers and contractors the opportunity to have a premium aesthetic which includes porcelain tiling, with all the speed and quality benefits of offsite manufacture for large-scale residential schemes, hotels and student accommodation. These pods have a lightweight steel-framed construction with a fully tanked wet area to the walls and floor, and a composite ceiling panel for long-term durability and an enhanced appearance. Offsite Solutions offers the UK’s largest range of pods to suit many different building types and applications. Options include steel-framed bathroom pods with porcelain-tiled finishes for high-end apartments, PRS, student residences and hotels; robust and low maintenance GRP composite shower pods for student accommodation, build-to-rent, care homes, social housing and healthcare; hybrid pods for specialist projects, and award-winning demountable GRP pods for ease of installation in refurbishment schemes. Offsite Solutions has also developed steel-framed utility pods for apartments or studios for build-to-rent or build-to-sell schemes.
Peter Kelsey, the man who founded and led Designer Contracts to become the UK’s largest flooring contractor, has been honoured with an Outstanding Achievement in the Flooring Industry award. Announced at the Contract Flooring Journal’s 2021 awards ceremony, held at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire on Friday (September 3), Peter was described as a “giant of the UK flooring industry”. An audience of top industry executives heard that Peter had “ensured his company has survived the pandemic and thrived as well. He supports charities and he supports his own employees with mental health programmes during and after the pandemic. He is, everyone would recognise, a very decent man.” After first starting the business from his garage at home, Designer Contracts became an independent company 17 years ago and now employs more than 350 staff across 15 regions with an annual turnover in excess of £40m. Peter himself has some 45 years’ experience in the floorcoverings industry. The early part of his career was in multiple furnishing retailing, from store management to marketing director. In 1992 he started a contracts division for an international retail group. In 2004 the retail group went into administration and Peter bought the flooring division which had built into a £10m business. Designer Contracts has since quadrupled in size. As well as flooring, the company provides curtains and blinds, furniture and lighting, and operates a showhome interior design services division. It works with all the UK’s key new homes developers as well as supplying the social housing and care home sectors, educational establishments and public sector buildings. A personal commitment to sustainability has seen the company named ‘Take Back Partner of the Year’ four times in the Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) annual awards. And Peter’s many charitable contributions – particularly to Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield and the national children’s help line, ChildLine – have cemented his reputation as a philanthropic entrepreneur. Said Peter: “The award came as a total surprise – it was a secret that I simply wasn’t in on when I was asked by colleagues to attend the event! I’m incredibly proud of what the company has achieved but without the fantastic team that is Designer Contracts, we wouldn’t be where we are today – it really has been down to the hard work and dedication of a lot of people over many years.”
Bathroom product specialist Aqualisa has introduced the Quartz™ Smart Retrofit Shower – an all-in-one upgrade solution that transforms almost any make of exposed mixer shower into a voice-activated, smart digital shower system, without the need to disturb the current bathroom décor or re-tile the shower enclosure. With 15 million smart homes currently in the UK, and the market set to grow by 20% year on year, the demand for smart products that enhance wellbeing, safety and lifestyle has never been stronger. For home owners or renovators who do not wish to completely replace their shower, but are ready to convert to a smart showering experience, the Quartz Smart Retrofit Shower delivers a simple, elegant and cost-effective solution that will complement any bathroom style. It also provides the home owner with a handy storage shelf for bathroom accessories and toiletries. Quick and straightforward to fit, the installer will find it effortless to assemble with no major pipework alterations required. Once in place, the home owner will enjoy the full benefits of the Aqualisa Quartz Smart Shower Collection, including: • An intuitive app enabling the creation of personalised shower profiles for all family members• Remote activation of shower or bath using voice or app control (Google and Amazon Alexa compatible)• Environmentally-friendly water usage monitoring and water-saving features• Safety and peace of mind – water programmed to run at a consistent temperature and flow As pioneers in digital and smart showers, the upgrade solution reinforces Aqualisa’s solid reputation as leading innovators in this category. The Quartz Smart Shower collection is powered by the intelligent Aqualisa Wi-Fi-enabled Smart Valve™, which can be located up to 10 metres away from the shower itself, providing flexible installation options. Setting the Smart Valve to Eco mode can reduce water consumption for the home owner by up to 33%. The Quartz Smart Retrofit Shower can upgrade almost any brand of wall-mounted mixer shower (concentric, single lever or bar valve) with 130 to 170mm pipe centres, and comes with a choice of the Aqualisa Quartz Touch™, Quartz Classic™ or Quartz Blue™ smart shower kits. Supplied with an extension rail to adjust the height of the controller, this no-mess solution is easy to install with optional fixing points, while the assembly back plate neatly covers all previous pipework and screw holes. The patented integrated storage shelf, which houses the new smart shower control, comprises two halves featuring a polished chrome finish. It also incorporates two useful hanging hooks for bathroom accessories.
One of the UK’s leading specialist interior fit-out contractors has completed a milestone 16-storey contract at Edwardian Hotels’ new flagship super boutique hotel in London. EE Smith Contracts, which has been carrying out work for Edwardian Hotels Ltd for the last 35 years, opened its factories on the Clarendon Industrial Estate in Leicester 24 hours a day during peak capacity to help create London’s largest new luxury hotel, The Londoner. The Londoner, which has been designed in collaboration with Toronto and New York based design studio Yabu Pushelberg, has been branded as the world’s first super boutique hotel and its highly-anticipated opening is due this month. (September) There are 350 guest suites with views over Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square over 16 storeys which also includes six food and beverage outlets. There is also a two-screen cinema, a 1,000 capacity pillarless ballroom and an event space for corporate hire or private parties with a bespoke half honed half polished green marble floor and unique, fabric clad wavey walls. The Londoner features an area called The Retreat which has a swimming pool, private cabanas, a detox juice bar, hair and nail salon, treatment rooms and a gym. There is also The Residence which features three exclusive bars and eateries which are open 24 hours a day for exclusive use to meet every hotel guest’s needs. The hotel is home to £5 million worth of art throughout the building to enhance the boutique style experience within the west end district of London. The work has involved finishes on the project from all over the world such as 350 lava stones from Italian volcanos. Neil Bottrill at EE Smith Contracts said it had been fantastic to work on helping to create The Londoner. He said: “We have continued our 35-year relationship with Edwardian Hotels by collaborating on their super boutique flagship, The Londoner. “When this first-of-its-kind ‘iceberg’ hotel opens, it will be the largest hospitality opening in London post-Covid. “This has been a very collaborative project that we were chosen for due to our in-depth understanding of Edwardians’ expectations, standards and their way of working. “There were 78 finishes schedules across the project whereas we usually have a maximum of three which highlights the scale of this project. “We have shown our innovation and adaptability in the manufacturing of bespoke joinery for each of the 350 suites which was made possible by operating 24/7 from our Leicester HQ. “Covid did interrupt completion but the finished result is absolutely stunning and the opening of The Londoner will definitely give a much-needed boost to the hospitality industry.” Krishma Singh Dear, of Edwardian Hotels London, added: “Edwardian has worked with EE Smith for 35 years on all of our refurbishments. “We therefore know that EE Smith is able to produce a high-quality fit-out that withstands the test of time. “The Londoner was a project that was extremely complicated in terms of its detailing and scale. We believe EE Smith has done a fantastic job and we are all proud of the finished product.”
If you have a commercial property that needs to be removed to make way for a new construction project – or if you are selling the land and need to ensure that the building does not remain in place, demolition is a popular option. Demolition is a huge task with a huge array of issues that need to be considered and accounted for. Everyone involved in a demolition needs to understand how the project is going to be managed, what is going to happen, and what is expected of them. Safety and efficiency are absolutely essential, so it is vital to understand the relevant steps that need to be taken to manage it properly. Here we take a look at how to prepare your commercial property for demolition. Work with specialists The first thing to say is that each demolition is unique and will have specific needs and restrictions. It’s a great idea to work with demolitions specialists who have taken on similar projects, and understand what needs to be done. Given the inherent risks and dangers associated with demolition, you must put in place every possible precaution to keep workers and the public safe. Working with professionals who have been entrusted with similar projects in the past can give you the peace of mind that you are following the correct procedures. Communicate with everyone involved A crucial part of a successful demolition is clear communication throughout. Misunderstandings and assumptions can leave essential tasks unfinished, and people in the wrong place at the wrong time – these are the last things that you want during a demolition. Ensure that everyone involved uses all of the same lines of communication throughout the process. It can also help to schedule regular meetings with the key people who can then pass on the information to those who need it. Communication is also important for the perspective of liaising with relevant authorities regarding the matters of demolition. Local authorities, owners of adjacent properties and anyone else who might be affected need to be contacted, and a plan developed around their needs. Conduct relevant surveys Having surveys carried out is a legal obligation with demolition work. These surveys look at the building and demolition plan to find any risks that could affect the project. The first and most important survey is known as an R&D (or, Refurbishment and Demolition) and was previously known by the name Type 3 asbestos survey. This survey uses ‘intrusive and destructive methods to allow (the surveyor) to gain access to difficult-to-reach areas such as roof voids, wall interiors, solid floors and under crofts’ in order to establish whether any asbestos is present in the building. If this is the case, it would need to be removed before demolition can take place. You also need to have a dilapidation survey to assess the condition of the structure. This type of survey gives you a good understanding of any existing damage or existing concerns that could affect the demolition. Consider deconstruction as an alternative The method of deconstruction is more expensive than a traditional demolition – but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a popular alternative for some property owners. There are a number of reasons that some are opting for deconstruction – not least because it hugely reduces the risks and dangers involved. Additionally, it is the case that some of the cost of deconstruction can be recouped by selling the materials after the work has been completed. In a deconstruction, parts of the building are taken apart one at a time. It has the potential to be more environmentally friendly too – as materials are able to be reused rather than destroyed. It’s not the right choice for everyone, but it is worth considering. Final thoughts Carrying out a demolition project means following health and safety laws closely and doing everything by the book. Carrying out a safety assessment is your first step, before moving on to actually planning the demolition and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day. Work directly with contractors who you trust and that can show you the credentials and experience of carrying out similar demolition works in the past. Getting it wrong can not only be extremely costly and time-consuming but can also put people at risk and leave you liable.
The Briton brand is synonymous with the best in door controls and exit hardware and Allegion is pleased to announce the launch of the newly designed, end-user focused Briton website. Following updates to their brand style, the new Briton website boasts a streamlined, modern design and concentrates on providing customers with improved functionality and a wide collection of essential resources. The website brings together the full product portfolio of Briton Door Controls and will be updated frequently to ensure users have access to the latest information in a bid to assist users throughout the product selection process. Adopting a user-friendly navigational system, the website will act as a central resource hub and will include detailed product listings with features and specifications details, downloadable certification information, and a refreshed set of supporting product datasheets and literature. In addition, a new automatic Door Closer Calculator and useful product selectors will further help users by recommending the most suitable products for their projects. Pete Hancox, Country Manager at Allegion UK comments: “With more than 100 years of history, Briton is a trusted brand with a reputation for providing an extensive range of high-quality products that are fully certified and built to last, and we felt it was time the brand’s web presence embodied that. With that, we’ve created the new Briton website, detailed with fresh branding and one that works much harder for our customers, with improved usability and a comprehensive portfolio of the Briton door controls range. “We wanted to make it easier for people who know and use Briton products to access the information they need throughout their journey, from product selection through to installation and maintenance. Our hub of resources is something we’re extremely proud of, and we believe it will consistently support Briton customers for years to come.” Highlights of the new website, which went live on 3rd September include an updated design, extensive product support resources and streamlined user experience across all devices. Following the launch, Allegion is now proudly inviting users to view the website and its new content, including the latest installation guides and maintenance toolkits on all Briton door controls. For more information, visit: www.briton.co.uk.
The past year has seen us all spend a lot more time in the kitchen, but how does the design of our kitchens reflect who we are?Quintain Living – the award-winning rental management company with thousands of homes at Wembley Park – has plenty of experience when it comes to designing kitchens to suit all sorts of chefs. From the design and layout to the individual appliances that are included, the kitchen design in each building tells the story of that particular property. “The kitchen is the heart of the home and the right kitchen design can be a powerful contributor to that. We are delighted that each of our buildings at Wembley Park provides its own individual kitchen style, which is a key element of each apartment’s appeal for many of our residents.” Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Take Canada Gardens, designed and managed by Quintain Living, for example. A building designed around family living, with lush green gardens, a children’s playpark and playroom, a clubhouse and allotments, its kitchens have been designed with family cooks firmly in mind. The British country vibe is given an urban twist, with modern composite stone tops offset by shaker door fronts and antique brass ‘D’ handles. Some apartments feature open wall units, so that kitchen items can be displayed for visual interest, while the exclusive penthouses feature copper finish extractor hoods, pendant lights, marble style countertops, and large, American-style fridge freezers. Without question, these are kitchens for producing hearty family meals aplenty, with wine fridges to raid when the kids have gone to bed. The design of the kitchens in Ferrum, by way of contrast, speak to the more experimental chefs – those who take a more eclectic approach to the dishes they serve. Ferrum is the ideal home for those looking for a Brooklyn-style loft with a London lifestyle, from its state-of-the-art gym to its superb rooftop social spaces. Its kitchens mirror the building’s warehouse-feel, with industrial details in the wall shelves provided for microwaves, solid wood worktops for warmth and black finish handles and white tiles keeping the design contemporary. The shaker style door fronts are a nod to vintage design, while the mix of integrated and non-integrated appliances gives a loose, relaxed feel. Over in Quintain’s Landsby building, on the other hand, the modern Scandi design feels far more precise and orderly. One of the earlier designs of Quintain Living’s apartments, Landsby’s kitchens are all about sleek lines and clean, contemporary finishes. From the fully integrated appliances to the composite stone worktops, these are kitchens that provide a calming space for chefs to work with meticulous attention to detail – no recipe is too tricky to be tackled in a Landsby kitchen! Flat colour doors and drawer fronts in soft tones with a matte finish complete the look. Quintain Living’s latest launch, The Robinson, takes things in another direction. The homes are pitched to appeal to younger professionals, with kitchens designed accordingly – these are the ideal places for those just starting out on their culinary adventures and with the enthusiasm to match. There are six different kitchen colour palettes throughout the building, all of which feature bright, playful hues. “We had great fun with the design of the kitchens in The Robinson. These are kitchens made for trial and error – for simple pasta dishes, late-night nachos and the gradual refinement of blossoming culinary skills. The Robinson’s apartments feature exposed concrete in the ceiling and columns, so we used the bright kitchen colours and wood laminate worktops to warm up the look and feel. The resulting kitchens exude welcome and encouragement for budding young chefs.” Fossey Arora And then there are the kitchens at Beton. The entire building is awash with cool, confident design, from furniture co-designed with the likes of Ercol, Muuto and Hay to its ‘broken plan’ social spaces, cinema room and pool table. Situated at the heart of the action in Wembley Park, with shopping, dining and experiences all around, it is perhaps unsurprising that Beton’s kitchens are so well suited to stylish entertaining. Their design has a two-tone finish, with dark lower cabinets and wood finish wall units to bring warmth. They add to the vibrant apartment interiors, which are alive with bright pops of colour. The composite stone used for the worktops and splash backs has a graphic texture, which fits the building design beautifully, while the copper finish handles deliver the kitchen’s own burst of colour. Thanks to Quintain Living’s partnership with Samsung, all homes available since late 2017 have featured Samsung kitchen appliances. Other features, meanwhile, are decided on a property-by-property basis. In The Robinson, for example, the cookers are web-enabled, along with the washing machines and dryers, while the penthouses in Canada Gardens feature smart fridges.For more information on Quintain Living or to book a viewing, visit www.quintainliving.com, @quintainliving on Instagram or call 020 3151 1927.