Marcon and hsd have struck a deal to deliver a new £1.1 million HMS Victory gallery at The National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The companies will design and build the new facility, which will see the Sir Donald Gosling Victory Gallery redeveloped to tell the story of the oldest commissioned warship in the world – HMS Victory. The National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory Preservation Company will work closely with the contractors, using the new facility to complement the HMS Victory on-board experience which focuses on the Battle of Trafalgar. After an initial design period the fit-out of the museum will begin in January 2020. Designed to reveal the physical and cultural aspects of Victory’s story from ‘acorn to icon’, the gallery charts significant events from the laying of her keel to the huge ongoing conservation effort to preserve the nation’s flagship. Marcon Fit-Out will carry out the fit-out of the museum space, manufacturing the specialist joinery to ensure the highest standard of finish is achieved. Martin McErlean, Heritage Contracts Manager, Marcon commented: “This project is another landmark scheme for Marcon’s heritage team. We are excited to be working with hsd on the design and build of the Sir Donald Gosling Gallery. HMS Victory is a world-famous tourist attraction and to play a role in showcasing the history of the ship to future generations will be very rewarding.” Lindsay McGuirk from hsd commented: “The fascinating story of conservation is not just a present-day one, for many years people have battled to Save Victory! With modern day techniques in conservation bringing together science, technology, engineering and art and craftsmanship, visitors can understand and appreciate her historical value, but also see the passion and pride in the team that make it their mission to protect her.” Andrew Baines, Deputy Director of Heritage, The National Museum of the Royal Navy added: “HMS Victory is the jewel in the crown of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Visitors are already familiar with the dramatic story of the ship’s role at the Battle of Trafalgar. In the new gallery we will be sharing the unknown stories of her 260-year story, bringing to the fore extraordinary but little-known episodes such as bomb-damage in the Second World War, the ship’s near loss in a ramming accident in 1903, and her development from a weapon of war to a national icon. At the heart of the new gallery will be an immersive AV experience unlike anything else on site. We are extremely excited to be working with Marcon and hsd on this project and look forward to welcoming visitors to the new gallery which opens Easter 2020.”

Nuki, the European market-leading name in smart locks proudly announces the introduction of it’s ‘Night Mode’ feature, an update and new feature-set designed to help customers as winter approaches. Nuki’s Night Mode brings a new level of comfort and safety to the Nuki Smart Lock by combining and automatically activating specific features of the Smart Lock during the night. This ensures, amongst other features, the greatest possible security at night by double-locking the door. Users can use this function to meet their individual needs and have the option to disable Auto Unlock during the night should they wish. The Nuki Smart Lock also switches to low-power mode at night and sends out a Bluetooth signal less frequently, therefore significantly increasing battery life. Improved User ExperienceNuki’s day and night profiles allow customers to adapt their Smart Lock to their individual needs. For example, families with small children whose sleep could be easily disturbed by Auto Unlock can disable it and instead use a normal key when they come home late. The same applies if you work from home during the day and don’t need Auto Lock during this period but want to make sure that your house is always safely locked during the night. Improved Low battery WarningDo not be afraid of low batteries! Before the current update, Nuki notified users via a notification in the app and optional push notifications as soon as battery power was below 20 percent. With the new update a battery warning will now be displayed in the lock overview of the app for extra reassurance. Devised by multi award-winning Austrian designers EOOS.com, built in Europe, and utilising bank-grade security software, the Nuki Smart Lock 2.0 and Opener are fully compatible with Android and iOS and can be used to assign digital access rights to friends, family, and service providers via the companion app. Nuki offers the convenience of the optional Nuki Fob and Nuki Keypad – ideal access solutions for children, tradespeople, carers and for those without a smartphone. The optional Nuki Opener also enables the operation of the front door to apartment buildings simply via the Nuki app, as well as remotely.

Do you always feel like you’re solving an impossible puzzle when you’re trying to furnish your small home? If you want to fit all the items you need, the result will end up looking cramped. On the other hand, if you want to make it unique and filled with personality, the space will end up looking cluttered. Either way, you lose. Well, you don’t have to lose anymore! No matter if you’re designing a smart studio apartment or you just downsized to a cheaper and more practical home, you don’t have to sacrifice style and comfort. Here are some of the best tips that will help you master the art of furnishing and create a tiny yet chic space. Don’t overburden the floors While you certainly need to fill your home with the essentials, even a perfectly thought-out room can look small and uncomfortable if you don’t have space to walk around. So, open up your floors and let them breathe—it will instantly create an illusion of bigger square footage. In order to still get all the pieces of furniture you need, opt for floating designs, especially when it comes to nightstands, bathroom cabinets, shelving and lighting. With floating pieces you’ll not only make the ground clear of obstacles but also free up some space for extra storage beneath and make cleaning a breeze. Choose double-duty If a small home, every piece needs to earn its spot in your space and ones that certainly pull their weight are double-duty pieces. Beds with built-in drawers, benches and ottomans with under-the-seat storage for blankets and books and daybeds doubling as sofas or guest beds will always have space in your home and come in very handy. Keep bigger items at hand Just because you don’t have huge square footage, it doesn’t mean you have to give up all your larger furniture items. Items like gorgeous King Living sofas are modular which means you can combine different elements and adapt your seating to your needs. This is certainly handy for people who lack space yet enjoy the comfort of large furniture.  Also, make sure to put larger items against the wall—this will allow you to keep the depth of the room and enjoy all the comfort of big and comfy furniture. Combine your sofa with a chunky recliner placed in the corner and you’ll love your cozy yet uncluttered design. Go for practical folding pieces Sure, you might need a work desk or a dining table, but you don’t need them all the time. So, grab a few practical furniture pieces that fold when not in use. If you fold your piece and remove it, you’ll both free up floor space and prevent clutter from occupying your surfaces. Do you have a small kitchen with only one wall? You can invest in folding doors that can conceal the mess until you do the dishes. Don’t be scared of bold Just because your space is small, it doesn’t mean you have to adopt an extremely minimalist lifestyle and paint everything white or gray. Bold colors and accessories are always welcome, no matter the size of your home. Darker walls and ceilings can make the space feel super cozy and safe. Also, bold statement furniture can distract people from noticing your lack of square footage. Combine your simple aesthetics with a statement Seymour chair in blue or cinnamon or a timeless Eames chair in oak and it will attract all the right attention while providing you with much-needed seating and comfort. Boost lighting Small spaces often have tiny windows that don’t exactly shower the space with sunlight. So, you need to make up for the lack of light by turning to electricity. If you combine ceiling fixtures (no matter if hanging pendants or sleek flush mounts) with task lighting like lamps and sconces, you’ll brighten up your atmosphere and avoid that feeling of claustrophobia. Mirrors can also help your lack of natural light. These great décor elements serve a double purpose: they make the space seem bigger and they disperse the light all over the room. So, consider adding a large mirror to your wall or opt for a gallery-style mirror display if you want something more unusual. Just because you’re not blessed with a huge mansion, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a chic and stylish home. With these furnishing tips, you’ll not only achieve comfort, but also harmony that we all need in our lives.

Are you wild at heart or a serene spirit? Perhaps you have a bit of both, depending on the situation. We all live hectic lives from time to time, but we like all the drama to happen outside of our home. Our own house should be a safe haven where we can rest our soul and feel true inner peace. Of course, there are many factors that impact our serenity at home, but one of them surely is interior design. By that, we don’t mean you should now redecorate your entire home with expensive furniture from some catalog, but there probably is room for improvement. We’re here to give you some ideas on how to contribute to making these conditions just right. Use your experience It’s sometimes hard to know what exactly is that you need. Instead, you can think of your favorite places and think about what they have in common. If it’s just one place, think about its ambiance and what it is that makes you happy when it comes to the interior. It can be something obvious and large or something completely minor, just a detail. Think long and hard and try to decide which elements relax you in your favorite place. It may be about the dominating color of the room or just a tiny piece of furniture like a lamp or some scented candles. Nevertheless, you should get yourself some of those. Make it cozy Coziness is an essential prerequisite for a peaceful place. This is why comfort comes first when it comes to decorating your personal space. Make sure you change any uncomfortable furniture you have. In order to be able to relax, you need to have comfy couches. Once this condition is fulfilled, you can focus on getting soft pillows in warm colors and patterns. Some small rugs and adequate drapes can fulfill the atmosphere. You can also consider getting a few plush toys if they’re your cup of tea. Moreover, smells cannot be omitted, they’re an important part of the atmosphere which is why you can get some lavender-scented sticks or candles. Green therapy Another calming factor definitely is plants. If you don’t have any greenery, it’s high time you got some. Large flower pots made from natural materials will contribute to the inside of your home. Make sure you have something green and leafy to put in those pots. Research suggests that color green really has a therapeutic effect on people, so there’s no such thing as too much in this case. However, you should consider how demanding maintenance of these plants is and if the conditions inside your house, such as the amount of light and room temperature, suit them. Of course, once you do get them, you need to nurture them and be very gentle and attentive. You won’t regret it as you’ll enjoy the love you get in return. Lighting People often forget about lighting when decorating. However, it’s an extremely important aspect. One can have a perfectly decorated space, but if it’s poorly lit, the whole impression rapidly deteriorates. This is why dimmer switches and lamps are important parts of any room where people spend most of their conscious time. Dimmers will enable you to control the amount of light in different situations, while various lamps will create the dynamics of lighting which is very appealing to the human eye and you can definitely find the right combination that is going to feel soothing. Separate areas People often find that the source of their stress is actually not being able to separate their work life from their private life. Believe it or not, a great deal of these cases occurs due to people working and relaxing in the same room. This is why you should definitely limit all your technology and working area to just one room, while there’s a completely different room designed for relaxation. It will definitely help you separate the two in your mind once they’re physically disjointed. If you only have one room, you can use creative ways to physically separate your desk and the couch by some auxiliary walls or giant plants. All in all, a peaceful environment definitely doesn’t arise overnight. It needs work, both on the content of your home, as well as your own mental efforts. However, once you take care of the aesthetical and practical sides, the mental one will soon follow.

All interior design enthusiasts know the 1950s and 60s gave birth to one of the most loved designs. Designers and architects have started to include technology in their designs and the result was an interesting trend with elements everyone loves. Today, homeowners want to incorporate mid-century modern features into their homes to achieve an elegant and unconventional result. Mid-century modern elements are perfect for kitchens because they create rooms with a sense of personality, style, and organisation. Here is how to include them in your design, if you are looking for a remodel. Build an open floor plan kitchen Modern kitchens are efficient, so you need to tear down all unnecessary walls and maximise your space. A mid-century kitchen is perfect for a small apartment because it provides both a kitchen and a dining area. The first step a kitchen remodel implies is taking down the walls that create visual barriers. Install open-shelving Wesley Ward, Head of Marketing at Hausera told us that based on their 2019 consumer survey, “The top three ideal styles for kitchens and bathrooms are: Modern (with a 51% majority vote), Contemporary, and Traditional.” Minimalistic details are essential to designing a modern space so build tall ceilings, wall cabinets, open space, and open shelving. If you have stores you should remove them and replace them with opening shelves. Don’t rush A modern kitchen isn’t built overnight. You can buy the first mid-century modern furniture set you find on the market, and install it the next day, but it will not provide an authentic feeling. The fun part of the process is when you browse through the items multiple stores offer to find the perfect elements. When you choose this style, you should keep in mind that it may take time to complete the project. The second step when remodelling the kitchen is to choose the wallpaper or paint and to build space-efficient cabinets. Use only natural materials Modern design uses steel and natural materials. Why is wood a key element for modern design? Because it’s timeless and creates a simple and authentic vibe. Mid-century design is unimaginable with wood elements so shop for real wood furniture. Decide if you prefer mid-tones or dark shades, or mix them to create warmth. Add some retro vibes To add a pop of style to your kitchen, you can choose some retro lighting fixtures. Interior design registered a comeback of retro lighting fixtures, so you can easily find a model that fits the rest of the house. Install an armed pedant light above the countertop to transform it into a dining table. Feel free to be creative when you choose kitchen items because modern spaces encourage experimentation.   Use colours Modern design promotes bold colours so don’t be afraid to use them. A bright colour can make the difference in the kitchen, so get creative and try hues like gold, yellow, deep blue, orange, and any other bright shade you find interesting. Sometimes using contrasting colours, you enrich the design of the kitchen and make it look more welcoming.

After a long, hard day at work, all we want to do is unwind and kick back with a cold one, and man caves are the perfect place for that. There, you can have your friends over, play some games, and simply relax and enjoy. If your basement happens to be under-utilized as it’s usually the case, it’s high time you gave it a purpose. Not really sure where to start? Take a look at our guide for designing the coolest man cave, step by step. Prepare the floors Preparing your floors is the first step towards setting up your man cave. Because basements are prone to moisture, you need to make sure to waterproof your floors before you lay laminate, tiles, or some other type of flooring onto your basement floors. The right underlayment will act as a moisture barrier for the basement and will slightly level the flooring and reduce the transmission of noise. You might want to consider having your basement floors carpeted, especially if you’re turning it into a home theater or a recording studio. The carpet will absorb the sound and, unlike the uncarpeted floors, won’t distort the sound. Seal and waterproof your walls and ceiling Your basement walls are another part of your future man cave that needs to be sealed and waterproofed, especially if there are cracks in the wall. This will help prevent water from seeping into the basement and eventually flooding it. Also, check the pipes that are running through the ceiling to ensure they’re not leaking. It’s recommended that you insulate the pipes as well as make sure the wiring is in good condition. You can use paint to hide all the plumbing pipes and wires and make them blend with the surroundings, or you can finish your basement ceiling by installing drop ceilings or drywall on your ceiling. Choose a theme After everything’s all set, you can move onto choosing the theme for your man cave. This is the part everybody loves because it allows them to express their creativity and design a room that reflects their interests. If you’re someone who’s interested in sports, displaying various sports memorabilia such as basketball jerseys is a great way to showcase your passion. Similarly, if you’re a passionate gamer and can play video games for hours on end, a big screen TV and your favorite consoles will turn your basement into a game zone. Choose a theme that captures your personality, and equip it with everything that will cater to your needs. Go with comfortable furnishings When it comes to choosing the furnishings for your basement man cave, the first thing to look for is the seating. This will be the place where you can hang with your buddies, watch movies, play games, and unwind after a long day of work. That means the furniture you select needs to be comfortable but also able to accommodate all of your guests. Depending on your man cave budget, you can go all out and invest in big, comfortable sofas and armchairs that appeal to the aesthetic of the room. On the other hand, you can head to a reclamation yard and use various online platforms to browse for some more affordable options. Make it fun When it comes to incorporating various sources of entertainment into your basement man cave design, the list of options is endless. A built-in bar fully equipped with bar stools and a refrigeration cabinet is a perfect way to create a cool hangout spot, while a central game table can easily become the star of the show in your man cave. A surround system will ensure the perfect atmosphere for entertaining your guests, while a dartboard and a pinball machine will just add to the vibe. Make it bright Most basements don’t have windows, and if they do, they’re usually small and don’t provide enough natural light, making the basement look dingy and drab. Also, they’re often equipped with insufficient artificial lighting because of their primary purpose as storage rooms. That’s why it’s important to introduce multiple sources of lighting – rely on the skills of a licensed electrician to install multiple lighting sockets and illuminate your man cave. Use LED bulbs for your ceiling or pendant lights, and include a floor lamp as well as sconces for accent lighting. Transforming your basement into a man cave does take some time, but think about it this way – you’ll spend the money anyway, so why not spend it on something you’ll actually enjoy? This guide will help you transform a humdrum to the ultimate getaway space for recharging batteries. So, roll up your sleeves, figure out what you want your man cave to look like, and start building!

One of the most popular trends in interior design involves mixing different styles, especially when it comes to more traditional and modern design. Obviously, there are many ways to achieve this look and approaches to take. In that respect, you can go for a more eclectic vibe, vintage-inspired or even shabby chic or minimal. The options are endless and it all depends on your personal taste and preferences. But if you need proper ideas to get you started or inspire you, keep on reading. Match the colors and materials A very popular way of mixing modern and traditional involves matching these different styles by color or material. Essentially, if you have an upholstered sofa, for instance, featuring rich and colourful patterns, you want to look into décor details, such as vases, curtains, rugs and/or cushions that feature at least one identical shade. Furthermore, you can also match the wooden or metal part of that sofa construction to a coffee table or a bookshelf made of the same material. Go with complete contrast Another interesting solution for mixing traditional and modern is on the completely opposite end of the spectrum compared to the previous one. Namely, you can disregard the matching aspect 100% and go with the absolute contrast instead. This particular way of mixing modern and traditional may seem easier at first but keep in mind that it can actually be rather tricky. After all, your goal here is to really focus on complete contrast, which means that the elements you introduce into your apartment should differ from one another greatly. This is the practice that will make the contrasting tactic ultimately successful. Don’t go overboard with furniture When you’re mixing different design styles in your apartment, and especially when you’re dealing with two rather different designs, it’s crucial that you stop yourself from filling up the space with furniture too much. A cluttered apartment without a functional layout will only look like a mess, especially with the mix of different styles. For instance, you can focus on mid century furniture, which is rather effective in its design in regards to matchups with other styles, and then introduce features and accent pieces of something more vintage-inspired through details, textures and décor. Play with accessories In case you find furniture combinations too overwhelming right from the start, the best way to go when mixing modern and traditional is concerned is to use accessories to the fullest. In that sense, you have even more creative freedom to achieve the look you want in your apartment. Curtains, cushions, rugs, tablecloths, throws, vases, bowls, figurines, picture frames, plant pots and so on are all interesting details that can effectively add a touch of personality and spruce up the vibe of your personal environment. Don’t forget about your walls Walls can be really important and sometimes even crucial for an effective and stylish mix of modern and traditional in one’s home. For starters, you can use your walls as the biggest feature of one particular design. Let’s say that you mostly have modern furniture pieces in your apartment; you can embellish your walls with traditional wallpaper patterns or darker, gothic-inspired paintwork to introduce a new style into your interior. In the same way, your elaborate, vintage-like furniture design would look even greater when surrounded by more minimal, modern wall paint in white or neutral shades. Obviously, you can always plan and visualize how you want your apartment to look beforehand and then continue with work accordingly. On the other hand, if you’re not one for planning, proceed with the design mix as you see fit, but always make it a point to take a step back, leave the area and then return to get the right feel of how everything looks. That way, you’ll know whether you should make some changes or not.