Homeowners looking to spruce up their abodes this year can look to the latest and emerging trends from interior design experts to add style and value to properties. From cleverly mixing modern with vintage, to maximising natural light and getting creative with carefully curated knick knacks, interior designer for North Sands Developments, Jules Upton of Oval Interiors, has compiled a list of her top eight trends for homeowners to watch if they want to incorporate these ideas into their homes in 2021. It’s no surprise that many of the trends that are predicted to be amongst the most popular this year, are those that have helped homeowners stay comforted and cosy throughout a difficult and uncertain 2020. Tradition, comfort and a touch of luxury feature heavily in the list – as a reflection of how homeowners’ lifestyles, behaviour and relationships within their homes have evolved as we all spend more time indoors. Seven interior design trends to watch: Cottagecore Cottagecore is a trend that has emerged over recent months, and reflects a common need for comfort and cosiness with a touch of elegance and British quirkiness. Think quaint patterns, leafy, nature-inspired prints, gold accessories and cute ornaments to add a splash of personality to your home. Search #cottagecore on Instagram and Pinterest and you’ll be flooded with inspirational images! Grandmillennial The ‘grandmillennial’ trend is a twist on the previously popular ‘granny chic’ style – it’s been on the rise throughout 2020 as people searched for added elements of relaxation and comfort in their homes – and it’s going to continue to grow. Imagine pieces of furniture, patterns, cushions and accessories you might encounter in your grandparents’ house, then team them with a few carefully selected modern pieces and you’re on your way to pulling off one of the most unique trends of the year. Natural textures A simple and easy trend to incorporate into your home décor is the introduction of different types of natural textures in similar colour shades – it’s an interesting way to add personality and character to a room without using bright colours. Blankets, throws, cushions and rugs are a straight-forward way of incorporating different fabrics and textures, but also consider adding unique wall-hangings and accessories, such as macrame made from rope, string or twine, to add a beautiful and natural element to your home. Houseplants with a twist One of the biggest interior design trends we can expect to see in 2021 is the use of dried flowers to decorate the home. A change from the usual green and vibrant houseplants – which are still as fashionable as ever – using dried flowers last longer and don’t require any maintenance. Their aesthetic is also very appealing – often dried flowers, seed heads and leaves are as attractive and beautiful as their living versions. Roof windows Homes with lots of natural light are always desirable and in style – but a growing trend is enhancing the daylight in your house even more by installing roof windows and skylights. This is a great addition to a study, studio or open plan living space if the layout of your home allows. As we spend more time indoors and many people have switched to working from home, ensuring a light and airy space to boost your productivity will be hugely beneficial to your wellbeing at home. Earthy colours Earthy, dark, natural colours are proving popular when it comes to selecting a bold shade for an accent wall, tiles or furniture in the home. This year will see many go for a dark blue or dark green colour to make a statement – the trick is to keep it subtle and not overdo it, so choose one part of the room décor, such as one wall, a rug or the sofa cushions to introduce the colour, making sure that the rest of the accessories in the room complement it well. Japandi One of our favourite trends to enjoy in 2021 is Japandi – the intriguing combination of Japanese and Scandinavian design influences within one style. Think of it as Japanese minimalism – simple lines, neutral colours and big leafy houseplants. The simplistic, natural elements of both Scandinavian and Japanese décor make this trend an easy one to get right.

Homeowners and those searching for their next property can look to these five simple considerations for finding and achieving a happy home to ensure a richer quality of living. As many of us are spending more time at home than ever, it’s important that your home works to enhance and complement your living habits and routines, rather than leaving you feeling restricted by a lack of space or inadequate, uncomfortable places to work, study or relax. From interior décor and quality of fixtures to scope for improvement, the property experts at North Sands Developments have shared their top ingredients for creating a happy home that suits all of your needs. Director at North Sands Developments, James Hartley, said: “Whether you’re a homeowner, or you are new to the property market searching for the right house, creating a home that works for you, your family and your living habits is an important step in ensuring it’s a place you feel at your most content and comfortable. “In these uncertain times, many of us have found ourselves spending more and more time indoors – so it almost goes without saying that your home should enrich your daily routine, and these considerations touch upon the importance of ensuring a happy home includes spaces to accommodate remote working and offer supreme comfort. “At North Sands Developments, we design homes with futures and families in mind, and it’s crucial to consider your own needs, as well as that of any family members, when searching for a home or choosing to update an existing property.” Here are five considerations for a happy home: Natural light One of the easiest ways you can enhance your surroundings is to ensure plenty of natural daylight enters the rooms in your house. If you’re spending time working from home this year, setting up a comfortable, bright and airy office will give you a dedicated space to concentrate throughout the day – and opening any blinds and curtains to let the light in can aid in helping you stay focused. Consider installing a sky light window into the ceiling of an upstairs home office, as this is a great way to let light flood in – it can make a huge difference to a room and is a desirable feature that will likely add value to your home. Downstairs, sliding or patio doors can transform a kitchen, dining room or living room, allowing natural light to stream into the home, often making rooms appear larger and more spacious, as well as providing you with views of the garden or patio beyond, connecting you closer to nature. Open plan living There are many benefits to open plan living – not least the multi-functional space it gives you. Whether you have a family, live with a partner or by yourself, an open plan dining, living and kitchen space provides versatility and flexibility in spades, improving the overall flow of your home and allowing you to make the best use of space. A luxurious L-shaped sofa, a small breakfast bar, a reading corner by a window or a cosy armchair in front of the fireplace – there are so many ideas you can introduce into your home to give it that added charm and cosiness that makes the space truly your own. It may seem like a daunting task, but creating open plan space is not too difficult and may simply involve knocking down an existing wall between a living room and kitchen or dining room. Do your research and hire a professional to assess the work required – providing that a wall can be knocked down, it is a relatively straight forward job for an experienced tradesperson that could cost less than you might expect. High spec tech To keep your home running smoothly, it’s important to choose quality appliances and electronics to improve your quality of living. Spending a little extra money on a quality appliance will ensure it lasts longer and performs better in the long run – it’s a small difference, but the ease and convenience of it will help to boost your overall enjoyment of being at home. Smart technology – such as lighting, heating, speakers, even a coffee machine – are also a good way to give your home added sense of efficiency and style that is designed to work around your living patterns. Add your own personality One of the simplest ways to create a happy home is to stamp your mark on it – choose striking artwork and accessories that you love to add your personality to each room, particularly those where you spend most of your time. From sentimental trinkets and photographs to bold, colourful art prints – the introduction of these accessories will brighten up any room, making it feel extra homely with plenty of character. Extension space Whether you own a home already or are searching for a new one, considering the potential for an extension could be an excellent way to get any extra space you need, making your home work better for you and ultimately transforming your house into a happier home that works for everyone. Increasing the space in your home with an extension can be a great investment for your family, and is another option to consider rather than moving to a larger house and paying stamp duty.

Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) has announced the completion of its latest two residential projects for Grainger plc at Millet Place, Pontoon Dock in East London, and Solstice Apartments in Milton Keynes. World-leading hospitality design practice DMA were commissioned by the UK’s largest listed residential landlord to help design the amenity spaces in a number of its rental schemes. As part of this partnership, DMA is now developing a set of brand standards to be rolled out across the Grainger portfolio. “The build-to-rent sector is driven by people wanting to live in quality schemes from established landlords, and provide a real opportunity to offer renters security, well-designed living and amenity space, but most importantly, a home. Our hospitality experience is perfectly suited to the demands of the sector and gives us a deep understanding of how to create flexible communal spaces in which people want to spend time,” explains Lindsey Bean-Pearce, Head of Interior Design at DMA. “There is a trend within many hotels to create a more residential setting for guests. When we design hotels, we always take care to instil a ‘home away from home’ feel, blending hospitality elements with a residential mood. Within these two schemes for Grainger we were able to take these ideas further, using our design experience to create spaces that residents will find easy and comfortable to use.” The amenity spaces at both Millet Place in East London and Solstice Apartments in Milton Keynes reflect DMA’s design philosophy, taking their inspiration in individual neighbourhood stories to ensure each property is authentic, timeless and unique. The concept narrative has been skilfully communicated through finishes, FF&E and accessories selection and ensures each scheme is embedded in the local community, creating a real sense of place for residents. Millet Place | Pontoon Dock, East London This 154-home Build to Rent project is located on the doorstep of Pontoon Dock DLR station, near to the Thames Barrier and Thames Barrier Park. Drawing inspiration from the local area’s colourful past and bustling present, the interior design reflects the transition from old to new, encompassing the natural agricultural history, creative atelier workshops and raw materials such as recycled glass, rope and natural timbers. Industrial elements for partitioning spaces are used throughout the scheme not only to pay homage to the past, but also to create intimate nooks to relax in, with focal points deliberately positioned to encourage interaction between residents. A double-height atrium links the open ground-floor entrance to the first-floor resident amenity space. Feature rope artwork and an industrial staircase encourage residents up to the amenity space that bridges the two apartment blocks. Residents can enter a fully equipped gym and intimate yoga studio on one side of the amenity space through the co-working lounge area, or book out a cosy screening room, lounge or dining room on the other to entertain friends. Solstice Apartments | Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes Much like Milton Keynes itself and its deep ties to ancient sun worship, the property design has been inspired by the sun’s paths and energy lines. The colour palette across the public spaces is inspired by the summer solstice, making reference to the changing hues of light that emanate from the sun throughout the day. Residents are welcomed by a highly polished brass reception desk, feature hanging pendants and bold signage. With bold geometric wall panelling connecting the ground floor to the mezzanine & linking into the concept, there is space for coworking or lounging with feature joinery throughout making the mezzanine feel connected, flexible & well-considered.  This space encourages accidental meetings between its residents. Bold feature wall coverings, curated artwork, wall lights and cork-clad lifts create a warm atmosphere, and spark curiosity in this modern & progressive area that is trying to push boundaries. The downstairs gym is an active frontage onto the street attracting the eye with stong lines and brave colours. To create residential areas with longevity for Grainger, DMA has designed intimate spaces in both developments; spaces where people want to dwell and that encourage “accidental meetings.” Rachael Reid, Interior Designer, said: “The desire to promote accidental meetings between people is an important driver in our design. Research shows that residents are far more likely to stay for longer if they know who their neighbours are. This sort of interaction can’t be forced. It requires a subtle approach embedded across the public spaces. Having said this, it is also important that people retain their privacy if they don’t want interaction. It is their home after all. The reception/concierge desk is a functional space rather than a social hangout allowing residents to go directly to their apartment if they prefer to avoid socialising. Whilst both Millet Place and Solstice Apartments showcase such interior design flourishes as designer furniture and bespoke joinery, a less fussy selection of FF&E has been specified, more akin to the type that someone might buy for their house. Jennie Walton, Interior Designer, explains: “Our philosophy at Dexter Moren Associates is always to explore the neighbourhood and its history and to reflect both through the mix of materials and furniture, lighting, colour palette and artwork. Given the residential context of these developments, we have adopted a subtler approach than there would be in the vibrant public areas of a hotel scheme. We feel guests in a residential setting prefer a more subdued scheme allowing them to relax more. For example, we have incorporated feature wall coverings in corners where they can be ‘discovered’, rather than revealed at first glance.” The completion of Millet Place and Solstice Apartments for Grainger follows DMA’s successful delivery of the design for the amenity spaces at Grainger’s Brook Place scheme in Sheffield which has been shortlisted in the Mixology Awards 2020 for commercial interior design.

If you have always been interested in arranging home furniture and you think that you have an eye for picking out classic décor pieces, an interior designer degree might be ideal for you. However, before you go down that road, here is an analysis of all the pros and cons you should go through. Element of creativity If you are working in a job which does not align with your creativity level and feels monotonous, it is high time you should switch your career path. You will always work well when the job description is right up your alley and serves your passion. If you are driven by creativity and freedom to perform, jobs in interior design are your best bet. You thrive in this industry using your style as your unique selling point. Isabel Goodwin, an interior designer who cooperates with EduJungles states that this field is a great opportunity to showcase your originality and uniqueness. There is nothing wrong to need a little breathing space and incorporate your sense of style in your profession. It can help you stand out of the crowd. Booming Industry With the ever-increasing use of the internet and globalization, people are more aware of trends than ever. The retail interior designing has also skyrocketed with the rapid industry growth rate, making it an ideal degree to get. Applications like Tumblr and Instagram have become an endless source of inspiration for users and have been a catalyst for the demand of home décor items. All of this has given birth to modernization and taken this industry to an exciting height. However, everybody does not have the art and skills to design their interiors professionally and aesthetically. You can be that outside help to bring others’ ideas and expectations to life. This profession is very lucrative and rewarding in the sense that you get to interact with your clients personally. High rate of return When you study interior design and look forward to starting your own business, understand that this field is most likely to give you quick returns for your investments. For most entrepreneurial projects, you have to wait for even years to breakeven, let alone earn profits. For instance, if you are opening up a bakery, you will need a piece of land, baking equipment, raw materials, power source, salaries for employees and a distribution network. An interior designing degree is relatively cheap since you will not require a lot of capital, and assets like equipment and machinery. You work with the budget provided by your clients and receive profit as soon as one project ends. Creativity will be your biggest asset here, and you should capitalize on it to gain monetary benefits. Diverse clientele Careers in interior design are known for enjoying a variety of clients and projects. One day you might be decorating a bedroom in a private house. The next day you will get to do your magic in a restaurant. With every client, you get to work with different styles, colour schemes, spaces and budgets. That is what breaks the monotony and helps you experiment more. You might have a limited vision, but by working with clients from different backgrounds, you will be encouraged to leave your comfort zone and learn more about new techniques and gain experience in foreign aspects. Some people lean more towards contemporary styles, while minimalistic might be your next client’s cup of tea. Thomas Armstrong, an estates manager who cooperates with CustomEssayOrder, claimed that there could never be two similar days with this degree. You will always be learning and moving forward. Drawbacks of Pursuing an interior designing Degree With this freedom, you also face various challenges in this career. The major ones are highlighted below. Uncooperative clients As discussed previously, you get the chance to work with a diverse range of clients. Nonetheless, that might not always be a favourable position to be in. With every client, comes a different set of expectations. Some clients can give you the space to change things up using your own skills and experience; others can be quite controlling and uptight. It is challenging to work in a condition where the client dictates the entire process. Interruption and interference can easily mess with your designing process, which can be a major source of discontentment in your job. You need to incorporate the ideas of others into your work plan in order to deliver the customers what they need and expect. Limited resources Where you do not have to invest out of your pocket, sticking to a client’s budget can be troublesome. You might have a clear vision regarding a project but what good will it be when you cannot afford the resources required to achieve the goal? Often, clients do not get satisfied as they expect a lot even though the allocated budget does not allow so. Operating and handling expenses is never easy. You should be prepared for that before entering this market. Tight deadlines Accommodating strict deadlines is just another challenging aspect of the job. You might be excellent at what you do but performing well under pressure is not everybody’s strong suit. There will be times when you will be expected to deliver in very rushed time. Feeling stressed and anxious will not remain anything uncommon to you. However, you can always master this art with time and experience. You will learn how to perform efficiently with every passing project. All that is required is consistency, patience and hard work. If you think you are capable of doing so, go ahead. Time management Adjusting with your clients’ schedule can often lead to disturbing your own. You need to be customer-centric and keep their needs before yours. If you do not have a family and commitment issues, this job is ideal for you. Otherwise, think this through before opting for it. If you are studying alongside your job, juggling everything will seem next to impossible. You will already be buried under the weight of

Are you sick and tired of the same old interior design of your home? We have got you covered. The world is moving forward. It is essential to upgrade your home by using different decorating styles to keep up with the time. This article will shine light upon six popular interior design styles that will completely change your house’s ambience. Obviously, there are hundreds of design styles adopted by many people, but the six we are about to discuss are the most in-demand. Modern A modern interior design style gives a flashy look to your room. It has elements of the latest market trends that give your home a neat and streamlined look. A modern home interior will use glass and steel rather than wood. This is because the outlook must give off a clean and tidy look rather than a traditional haphazard of colours. A modern décor focuses on maintaining a metallic tone to the home and incorporating sleek design in the used materials. The interior decorators avoid using wood and stones because they are curvier rather than straight. The late 20th century trends inspire this type of interior, and it has been used in many homes and offices. Simplicity is key. This type of decoration’s focal point is to achieve a simple yet elegant design for your casa. It costs a little more, but the outlook of the home is priceless. The colour scheme used also favours the present world. Most people use a combination of grey and white to complement the colour of the metal. This gives the house a robotic and futuristic finish. Decorating your home might be a tiring task. College students might miss assignment deadlines if they focus on decorating their rooms. If you are someone in a similar situation, you can always find cheap essays for sale at EssayZoo.org. Industrial Among the many types of design for your interior decorations, an industrial ambience tops the list. As the name suggests, an industrial design exhibits a robust and olden outlook to a home. The exquisite woodwork pops the brown colour and gives your home a neat and premium look. There are many variants when it comes to an industrial design: Modern Variant: This design uses a copper-tone to amplify a grey colour scheme that looks amazing in a home. The modern variant is common among homes located in a city’s heart, or conference rooms of huge office buildings. Modern Rustic Variant: This is another example of a popular style of industrial design. This variant is for people who love rustic colours. It gives a more vintage look to your home and complements with red and maroon colour schemes. To make a design purely industrial, avoid using plush fabrics. Scout local wooden antique shops to get an idea of how the colours mix with the materials. Always learn from different patterns on wood and floors that you see in your daily routine. Use a combination of wood and metal to avoid using highlighted colours. All industrial style homes follow dark and contrasting tones. One of the most important industrial design elements is that it highlights stuff that is normally concealed by other designs. For example, pipes are normally hidden in your homes, and an industrial design specialist will focus on exposing the pipes and painting them in contrast with the wall. The sole reason behind exposing the pipes is to eliminate a clean look and include a different texture that aligns with the brick walls. Traditional No matter how much you like a modern design, a traditional one will always be in trend. People look at everyday things during their daily lives. They get bored of gazing at the same old style and want something new and different when they come home. This is a major reason why people prefer a traditional interior design. There is a wide variety of interior design concepts when it comes to traditional work. A traditional style of interior design has deep colours and an overall rich tone. The colour scheme inclines towards black and red and in some cases, beige. Contemporary People often mix up contemporary interior design styles with postmodern. But it is important to know that both of them are different from each other. A modern design includes elements of all the latest textures and patterns, but a contemporary one includes designs from many other interior designs. Such designs have plain spaces that show a neat and tidy look with a pinch of classical taste. Another difference between both the designs is that a modern one follows a strictly 20th-century look, but the contemporary is more fluid and open to changes and extension. Always be careful while choosing an interior design for your home. Designing your home is almost an irreversible process. Dave Leonard, an architectural designer who cooperates with WriteMyEssay, advises you to take your time while choosing the best interior design; otherwise, you might regret later on. Scandinavian A Scandinavian style focuses on different aspects of nature and uses organic finish. This helps a person relive nature by the comfort of home. Modern classic interiors are no match to Scandinavian designs because it reignites the aspects of a beautiful era in the time. This design features a light but thick colour scheme that complement the overall outlook of a room. Most popular Scandinavian designs use grey and white colour stones as the foundation colours. Like a contemporary interior design, Scandinavian also has a variety of variants for you to pick from. Minimalist A minimalist style is too simple. It uses fine lines and straightforward designs. Notting is too fancy or glowy, and this style involves single tone colors. It is hard to find something that is too much in this design type as the main focus is on undergoing the style. Calm people normally go for a minimalist design, and they prefer straight and bland things. It is shocking, but a minimalist style is the most popular interior design widely used in the United

Staffordshire-based balustrade specialists SMART Balustrades is reflecting on a successful, record year as it achieves its highest output levels to date and sets sights on further growth in 2021. Family business SMART Balustrades specialises in the fitting and manufacturing of bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, Juliet and platform balconies, and handrails for the commercial and residential sectors. Recently named as the third fastest growing balustrades company in the UK by Plimsoll, the company reported record months in July, August and November this year, with turnover up 20% from 2019. After making a number of key hires earlier this year, the firm is now nine strong, with further plans to expand its team in the new year, as it continues to invest in the manufacturing side of the business. All of SMART Balustrades’ fabrication and assembly is done in-house at its Burntwood production facility and it has recently made a significant investment of £30,000 in a specialist tube drilling machine, which will accelerate production by up to five times. Despite the challenges of 2020, the business has remained strong; working in buoyant markets such as residential and education. Notable residential projects delivered by the firm this year include a balustrade scheme in Lewes, a platform balcony scheme in Luton and a roof terrace balustrades scheme in Bournemouth. The company is also working on a substantial project for national hotel brand Fairmont on its new Fairmont Windsor Park hotel, next to Windsor Great Park. Works include the installation of stainless steel and structural glass balustrades for the hotel’s stairways, terraces and spa areas. David Hough, managing director and co-founder of SMART Balustrades, said: “We couldn’t be happier ending this year with record results for our business. Despite the pandemic, we’ve continued to adapt to the market, offering new products and services such as platform balconies as the demand for outdoor space increases. “Like most construction-based companies, installation slowed down due to uncertainty onsite, but once social distancing guidelines had been clarified and necessary safety measures were put in place we were back to normal levels of output. It’s been a different year for everyone to say the least, but we look forward to continuing to learn and grow in 2021 and beyond.” Jonathan Hough, contracts director and co-founder, added: “Being up 20% with our year-on-year growth is an incredible achievement, especially in the current climate and we have ambitious growth plans for 2021 – with a target of 35% further growth. “Manufacturing remains a key part of our business, and next year we will continue to invest in our equipment and our team to increase efficiency and productivity. The tube drilling machine is a worthwhile investment and throughout 2020 we have invested in systems, accreditations and staff, to put ourselves ahead of the rest. Thank you to our brilliant team who have been resilient throughout the year, and our clients who have continued to support us.” SMART Balustrades is part of the Unitech Group, and it designs and manufactures its products at Unitech Group’s 75,000 sq. ft. production facility in Burntwood, Staffordshire