The people of Oxfordshire are being invited to take part in the search for the best painter and decorator in the region. Organised by the Oxford Kidlington, Cowley, Abingdon and Banbury Dulux Decorator Centres, along with Jack FM, the region-wide competition aims to find the superstar of decorating – whether
2G Design and Build, the construction and interior design company based in Birmingham, have revealed two of their latest projects. 2G provided build services for Nocturnal Animals, the latest concept offering by The Wilderness in Birmingham, and design and build services for the Tap and Tandoor in Solihull. Nocturnal Animals,
It has been years since the very first legitimate casino was established. However, today’s evolving architecture and technology is all that has shaped a completely different casino than what people used to see in the earlier days. It is often believed that one of the major factors that have influenced
THE INTERIOR architecture and design studio behind the new Gridiron restaurant within COMO Metropolitan London Hotel in Old Park Lane, Mayfair has been revealed as Nottingham-based Macaulay Sinclair. The studio, which specialises in creating exceptional spaces for the hospitality sector, has transformed the former Met Bar into the new 60-cover
Mace has announced a brand refresh of its fit-out business, ‘Mace Interiors’, and has appointed a new director, Stewart Ward, to run it. The move has been made to better align with Mace’s corporate brand and to reflect closer association with the Mace Group. Previously called ‘Como’, Mace Interiors is
Mace has appointed the new director of its recently rebranced fit-out business – Mace Interiors. Stewart Ward has been tasked with expanding the Mace Interiors business, building on a strong portfolio of clients and projects to deliver sustainable growth and support the wider Group’s ambitions over the next five years.
Most people want to have a leather furniture in their home. This is because it is believed the leather sofa gives your room a more regal look. Also, the leather sofas are quite classic that help enhance the look of your house. Leather sofas are a great addition to your
In a world first, a UK firm has launched a biodegradable, 92% plastic free glitter designed for use with the decorative, craft and interior design industry. Traditional glitter is a microplastic, and can be potentially harmful in the environment, as a result there has been a rising consumer pressure for
Leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has strengthened its senior team with six internal promotions. The company has promoted four Project Directors and two Senior Surveyors, building on the wealth of expertise already across the team. Gilbert-Ash recently announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December
The average British homeowner has seven DIY projects that need doing in their property, either projects that were left unfinished or not even started, according to a new research. What’s more, over two thirds of Britons say that they have tackled a home-improvement task themselves before having to hire a
The people of Oxfordshire are being invited to take part in the search for the best painter and decorator in the region. Organised by the Oxford Kidlington, Cowley, Abingdon and Banbury Dulux Decorator Centres, along with Jack FM, the region-wide competition aims to find the superstar of decorating – whether it’s because they’ve spruced up a community centre with a lick of paint or turned a house into a dream home with their top quality wallpaper skills. Along with the title of Oxfordshire’s painter and decorator of the year, the winner will win £1,000 in Dulux Decorator Centre vouchers for themselves and a Dulux Decorating Academy training course of their choice up to the value of £250. Two runners up will win £500 in vouchers for second place and £250 for third place to spend in Dulux Decorator Centres. While all five finalists will receive a Dulux goody bag. Entries are open until the 25th November, with both tradespeople and the general public encouraged to nominate themselves or people they know by going to www.oxfordshiredecorator2018.co.uk A shortlist of five will be drawn up by a panel of expert Dulux Decorating Centre judges but it will be the public that will have the final say – getting a chance to vote for their favourite throughout December. “We know the talents of our local decorators and see the end results of their handiwork in homes across the county. That’s why we want to reward them all and recognise the best of the best with the title of Oxfordshire’s painter and decorator of the year, as we see this as the perfect opportunity to celebrate all that’s great about painting and decorating in Oxfordshire,” said Gary Bilton, Regional Manager at Dulux Decorator Centre. “The region is really important to us, having just opened brand new stores in Cowley in October and in Abingdon earlier in the year – joining our two existing branches in Kidlington and Bambury. So we wanted to take the time to celebrate the talent that this area has produced,” added Gary. For any competition related questions please visit the Dulux Decorator Centres in Oxford Kidlington, Cowley, Abingdon and Bambury.
2G Design and Build, the construction and interior design company based in Birmingham, have revealed two of their latest projects. 2G provided build services for Nocturnal Animals, the latest concept offering by The Wilderness in Birmingham, and design and build services for the Tap and Tandoor in Solihull. Nocturnal Animals, on Bennetts Hill in Birmingham’s city centre, is the second venue conceived by Alex Claridge. 2G Design & Build were contracted to carry out all of the building works on the 80’s pop-culture-inspired project which takes in a 42-cover fine-dining restaurant and a 60-cover cocktail bar. The 2G team, which takes in project managers, electricians, plumbers and joiners, sourced all fixtures and fittings to bring the bold and adventurous concept to life. 2G were tasked with sourcing specialist third party suppliers including steel work designers who 2G collaborated with to create a show-stopping steel gantry staircase which is wrapped around the cocktail bar. The team were also responsible for sourcing lighting and materials throughout the scheme, including neon signage, floor to ceiling voile curtains, an impactful blue stone for the cocktail bar and expansive book matched marble table tops. Alex Claridge, Chef-patron said, “We handed a very brave, bold and detailed brief to the 2G team and they delivered against it on time and on budget. With a project like this attention to detail is paramount; the result is something that’s unparalleled in the city.” For the Tap and Tandoor in Solihull, 2G Design and Build were tasked with designing and delivering a traditional British gastropub with a subtle nod to Indian culture. The space itself, previously the Saddlers Arms, was a typically British pub abundant with heritage and original features, which provided a hotbed of inspiration for the scheme. Central to the design process was the integrity of the pub’s original architecture, this was achieved by restoring dado rails, adding dark wood flooring and exposing as much brick as possible. Bespoke light fixtures, copper accents, ornate tiling and botanical elements were layered and juxtaposed whilst additional splashes of colour, within the furniture and artwork, reinforced the Indian theme throughout. Ajay Kenth, Director at The Tap & Tandoor said, “From the bespoke lighting to the sensitive refurbishment of the original building, the Tap and Tandoor has a thoroughly charming and unique ambiance that we’re thrilled with.”
It has been years since the very first legitimate casino was established. However, today’s evolving architecture and technology is all that has shaped a completely different casino than what people used to see in the earlier days. It is often believed that one of the major factors that have influenced the overall look, construction, and design of the casino is human’s psychology. In the previous era, casinos were known as a dark and foggy space that was portrayed by an artificial light without any windows. However, the architecture of the casino has entirely changed in recent days. All thanks to some renowned architects like Roger Thomas that made their all possible efforts to incorporate some contemporary features into the casino construction and designing. In order to cater to the demands of this new age audience, architects maintain a vast space to accommodate a plethora of gambling as well as entertainment features. Let’s discuss some major modifications: Walls without windows Vs Sunlight Earlier, the casino architecture was planned considering the orthodox atmosphere which is why there were only a very few or no windows observed. Furthermore, there were no clocks installed in the space. This led to the construction of a cave-like room with no options to ascertain if it’s daytime or has gone dark. This construction is now considered to be an ordinary approach to keep the gamblers engaged in the Casino room. In 2008, a casino was designed implementing the natural sunlight feature inside the close space. The Maze vs the Playground As per the psychology of the traditional architect, casino referred to a space that would induce people to come in and would not let them go out unless they spend a hefty amount. The tactic was to keep the visitors baffled about the timing with no windows and clocks. Slot machines in these casinos were not organized in a clean row but in the chaotic curving arcs. The idea behind this construction was to make it tricky for the visitors to navigate their way out in the muddles slot machine setup. However, today’s maze concept has completely changed with broad ways, amazing sculptures, and natural sunlight. Use of colour Casinos were often designed with bright colours such as blue and red instead of mundane shades. But the colour concept of the recent architect focuses on the wide carpet featuring a single colour rather than painting the walls with ample colour palettes. Be it past design or the recent casino architecture, the main objective of the developers has never been limited to alluring enormous crowd yet it is essential to keep your audience in once they’ve entered the room. “Casino construction is a complex procedure that includes wall and floor décor plans, a proper atmosphere, and a lot of other stuff that quintessential to gain the interest of your audience”, when asked a comment on this, the owner of Red Spins online casino told us though this is not totally true, it is not something which is totally negligible”.
THE INTERIOR architecture and design studio behind the new Gridiron restaurant within COMO Metropolitan London Hotel in Old Park Lane, Mayfair has been revealed as Nottingham-based Macaulay Sinclair. The studio, which specialises in creating exceptional spaces for the hospitality sector, has transformed the former Met Bar into the new 60-cover restaurant and bar, which opened this autumn. Headed up by co-directors John Macaulay and Mike Sinclair, the studio has worked with a number of well-known multi-site and independent restaurant and bar operators across London and beyond, including Hawksmoor, Dishoom and Wright Brothers. Mike Sinclair said: “The Met Bar was a go-to London destination and the celebrity haunt of the nineties and noughties era. We are proud to have been part of the team to bring an indulgent and intimate dining experience into such a landmark location.” The prestigious venue will be overseen by renowned chef Richard H. Turner of Turner and George, Blacklock, Hawksmoor and Meatopia. Mike continued: “In order to give the new restaurant and bar its own identity while remaining synonymous with the COMO brand the interior design has been kept simple and understated, providing a subtle backdrop for Turner’s kitchen.” Paying homage to the art of grilling over an open fire, the new restaurant has an open kitchen with modern live-fire grillroom. The interior is dominated by monochrome palette throughout, with accents of red, dark wood and marble. Wall finishings remain simple and sleek, and the stripped back furniture matches the ethos of the food and service: comfort and style without unnecessary formality. The restaurant’s history, menu and ethos are also communicated through a collection of carefully curated drawings depicting historic cooking implements and meat cuts, communicating the origins of the live-fire restaurant cooking and the provenance of the produce. “With every project that we work on we take into consideration the heritage of the building itself as well as the brand narrative,” added Mike. “Transforming such an iconic London location was really exciting for us. It was also our first time working with the COMO brand and we’re thrilled with the result.” For more information about Macaulay Sinclair visit www.macaulaysinclair.com
Mace has announced a brand refresh of its fit-out business, ‘Mace Interiors’, and has appointed a new director, Stewart Ward, to run it. The move has been made to better align with Mace’s corporate brand and to reflect closer association with the Mace Group. Previously called ‘Como’, Mace Interiors is now the name of Mace’s specialist fit-out unit, responsible for a wide range of industry-leading commercial fit-out projects across the UK. The new branding will be phased in across Mace’s current fit-out projects and the company will operate under the new brand in the sector from this point forward. Stewart Ward has joined Mace Interiors following 15 years at Overbury. At Mace, Stewart has been tasked with expanding the Mace Interiors business, building on a strong portfolio of clients and projects to deliver sustainable growth and support the wider Group’s ambitions over the next five years. Stewart will report into Mace’s Ged Simmonds, the Managing Director responsible for Mace’s commercial and fit out construction businesses. Stewart Ward, Director of Mace Interiors, said: “I’m excited to have been appointed to lead the next chapter of Mace’s journey in the fit-out sector. We’ve got a fantastic team in place here, with a huge range of expertise and a portfolio of fantastic clients and projects. I’m very proud to have the opportunity to take Mace Interiors from strength to strength over the next five years and beyond.” Mark Castle, Mace’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer said: “We have delivered some of the most exciting fit-out projects in the UK over the last ten years, and with our new brand and Stewart in charge I’m sure we will continue to build on that fantastic legacy. The next twelve months will mark a key phase of growth for Mace Interiors, and I look forward to working with Stewart and the rest of the team to deliver it.”
Mace has appointed the new director of its recently rebranced fit-out business – Mace Interiors. Stewart Ward has been tasked with expanding the Mace Interiors business, building on a strong portfolio of clients and projects to deliver sustainable growth and support the wider Group’s ambitions over the next five years. In this new role, Stewart will report to Mace’s Managing Director, Ged Simmonds, who is responsible for Mace’s commercial and fit out construction business. “I’m excited to have been appointed to lead the next chapter of Mace’s journey in the fit-out sector. We’ve got a fantastic team in place here, with a huge range of expertise and a portfolio of fantastic clients and projects. I’m very proud to have the opportunity to take Mace Interiors from strength to strength over the next five years and beyond,” said Stewart. Mace Interiors, formerly named ‘Como’, is responsible for a wide range of industry-leading commercial fit-out projects across the UK. The business was renamed to better align with the company’s corporate brand and reflect closer association with Mace Group. “We have delivered some of the most exciting fit-out projects in the UK over the last ten years, and with our new brand and Stewart in charge I’m sure we will continue to build on that fantastic legacy. The next twelve months will mark a key phase of growth for Mace Interiors, and I look forward to working with Stewart and the rest of the team to deliver it,” added Mark Castle, Mace’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer. Mace Interiors offers an attentive personal service with exceptional quality products to the leisure industry. With over 25 years of experience, the company has built an excellent reputation supplying and refurbishing projects throughout South Wales and beyond.
Most people want to have a leather furniture in their home. This is because it is believed the leather sofa gives your room a more regal look. Also, the leather sofas are quite classic that help enhance the look of your house. Leather sofas are a great addition to your living room area owing to its classic look. Be it any kind of ambiance or atmosphere, these leather sofas can play a great role in offering the comfort and the retro-look. However, one of the major drawbacks is that these leather sofas are at constant risk of getting damaged. Wear and tear are some of the common issues in your house. If you do not take proper care of your leather furniture, there are high chances of it being damaged. Soon, the leather sofas in the living room can become worn out and even crack. This can play a great role in disturbing the look of your living room. These leather furniture cracks usually appear like the cracks in the human skin. Thus, it is necessary to protect the leather furniture from any kind of damage. Also, if these are not cleaned properly from time to time, the color may fade thereby spoiling the beauty of the furniture. How to take care of the leather sofa? It is very necessary to take proper care of your leather furniture in order to prevent it from damage and enhance longevity. Protecting leather sofas from damage require a brief procedure. These need to be followed from time to time to enhance the look and retain the natural beauty. Clean it One of the key steps for protecting your leather sofa from damage is to clean it regularly. You should strictly avoid washing it since it can lead to faster fading of colors. Instead, make sure to sweep and vacuum on a regular basis. Cleaning and sweeping for a temporary period of time will lower the risk of any unwanted scratches and scuffs. Use sofa cleaner One of the initial mistakes that most people tend to make is washing off the furniture with soaps and detergents. This can totally ruin the look of the leather furniture in the living room. There are several cleaners made for cleaning sofa are available in the market. You should use it for cleaning your sofas. In a piece of cloth, you should apply the sofa cleaner and then use it in a circular motion over the sofa. However, you should ensure that the total leather area is cleaned effectively. Watermarks are much visible on the leather furniture if not wiped off within time. So, to avoid that from happening you should wipe off the extra water from the sofa immediately after cleaning. Keep your sofa away from sunlight Too much of sunlight or direct exposure to it can lead to faster wearing out of your leather sofa. If you’re placing the leather sofa in living room, you should refrain from keeping it towards a window. The leather would immediately become dry. You should prefer keeping your sofa in a cool place where it is away from the foundations of too much heat and sunlight. Keep changing the cushions regularly If your leather sofa has interchangeable cushions, you should make sure that you change them regularly. The sofa cushions if placed in the same position for a long time, lead to efficient damage to your sofa. Experts would often recommend you to either shift them or change them regularly. However, if your sofa doesn’t have the option of interchangeable cushions, you can switch places while sitting. Keep away the sharp objects Leather furniture is at the high risk of being damaged due to sharp objects such as scissors and knives. You need to keep it away to protect the leather furniture. Also, lit cigarettes can also mean harm to the leather sofa. Nonetheless, there is nothing much to worry about since a leather expert can help to fix the burns and wears. 6. Sofa Covers A sofa cover is a practical and stylish solution to protect your furniture from spills, stains, and everyday wear and tear. To keep your sofa cover looking fresh, it’s important to follow a few simple care tips. Regularly vacuum the cover to remove dust and debris, and treat any stains immediately using a mild detergent or a fabric-specific cleaner. Most sofa covers are machine washable, so be sure to check the care label for washing instructions and recommended temperatures. Avoid using harsh chemicals, and air dry or tumble dry on a low setting to prevent shrinkage. By taking these steps, your sofa cover will stay in great condition, extending the life of your sofa. Leather sofas are one of your most valuable assets. Protecting them is pretty much important because you just can’t let your best leather furniture wear off easily. Your small mindful steps can play an important role in preventing damage to your leather sofa.
In a world first, a UK firm has launched a biodegradable, 92% plastic free glitter designed for use with the decorative, craft and interior design industry. Traditional glitter is a microplastic, and can be potentially harmful in the environment, as a result there has been a rising consumer pressure for products to use eco friendly glitter alternatives. Deco Bioglitter®, manufactured by Ronald Britton Ltd, is the world’s first glitter proven to degrade in the natural environment, such as soil, rivers, and lakes. Based on a plant material, cellulose rather than plastic, the product has been specially formulated to perform in decorative coatings and printing applications. Stephen Cotton, commercial director at Ronald Britton Ltd, said: “The new Deco Bioglitter®, developed in particular for the decorative and coatings industry, replaces the plastic core used in traditional glitter, with a plant based product, a special form of cellulose unique to Bioglitter®, made primarily from Eucalyptus trees. The new plant glitter is completely durable on the shelf, but once it enters the environment, where microbes can act on it, it will degrade naturally, similar to a leaf.” The product has recently undergone testing by the independent testing organisation OWS Belgium, which revealed it has excellent biodegradability in fresh water environments, like streams, rivers and lakes, with the vast majority of the biodegradable content in Bioglitter®, biodegrading in just four weeks. Stephen said: “Tens of tonnes of plastic glitter are used in products for interiors, from use in wallpapers to paints to general coatings and even glues. It’s a major microplastic issue and one that has seen a backlash from consumers who would normally buy products using glitter. There’s political, retailer and consumer pressure to move to eco friendly options and Deco Bioglitter® has been developed to address the issue. It’s the first glitter in the world proven to biodegrade in the natural environment and offers businesses working in the industry an eco friendly option for interior decoration.” Deco Bioglitter® with its biodegradability credentials coupled with it being 92% plastic free represents a truly eco-friendly alternative to plastic glitter. However, the Ronald Britton team are still determined to drive on with the Bioglitter® journey, not only so it biodegrades in the natural environment but also to attain the ultimate 100% plastic free goal, therefore removing the plastic pollution issue from glitter for good. Stephen summed up: “The Bioglitter® journey is all about making our products both plastic free, so they are not microplastics and biodegradable in the natural environment, so they leave minimal or no trace. We are extremely pleased about the progress we have made so far, removing 92% of the plastic and obtaining independent proof of its ability to biodegrade in challenging natural environments. However, we are determined and excited about achieving our 100% plastic free goal and ensuring that glitter has minimal impact on the environment.” For more information on Deco Bioglitter® visit www.discoverBioglitter®.com and www.Bioglitter®.com
Leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has strengthened its senior team with six internal promotions. The company has promoted four Project Directors and two Senior Surveyors, building on the wealth of expertise already across the team. Gilbert-Ash recently announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2017. The results confirm a 50% increase in pre-tax profits to reach over £2, up from £1.4m in 2016. With results driven by the dedicated 180-strong team, the contractor reported an overall turnover of £165.5m, an increase from £148m in the previous year. It aims to build on this success with the recent Project Director and Senior Surveyor promotions, tapping into the strong potential that has been developed within the company. Whilst carrying out multiple complex projects across the UK and beyond, Gilbert-Ash has been striving to improve its workforce culture and inspiring working environment, through continual investment in its people and innovation. Sean Doran, John Davis, Ciaran Begley and Rodney Coalter have each been appointed as Project Directors, with Paul Carroll and Lyndon Park both promoted to Senior Surveyors. This allows their knowledge to be utilised at a strategic level and for each of them to help guide the company as it moves into a successful future. Ray Hutchinson, Managing Director, Gilbert-Ash commented: “This is an exciting time for Gilbert-Ash as we match our industry success with several in-house promotions to new senior positions. This demonstrates the talent, skills and expertise that Gilbert-Ash possesses, not only at the top level but running throughout the entire team from the ground up.” Current projects include John Davis leading the team at the new £17m Royal College of Pathologists headquarters in London, whilst Ciaran Begley is sharing his expertise at the redevelopment of the Royal College of Music in South Kensington. Additionally, Lyndon Park is readying the £19.5m Cambridge Mosque for completion in December this year. Rodney Coalter is currently working with the team to finalise the refurbishment of Bristol Old Vic, rediscovering its theatrical heritage. The company also continues to work with hotel group Whitbread on numerous concurrent projects, led by Sean Doran and Paul Carroll. As Whitbread Supplier of the Year 2017, Gilbert-Ash’s work takes place across the UK and includes its next generation, technology-enabled Premier Inn hub hotels. Each of the Project Directors and Senior Surveyors joined Gilbert-Ash in the early stages of their career, with Sean Doran and Lyndon Park both joining during their placement year. This demonstrates Gilbert-Ash’s cohesive work culture that has led to an employee retention rate of 87%. Ray Hutchinson added: “Our team of Project Directors and Senior Surveyors will help shape the future of construction at Gilbert-Ash through their determined work ethic and skilled attention to detail. I congratulate each of them on their success and look forward to seeing what the future holds under their steer. The company’s strong growth is driven by our continued focus and investment in both our chosen markets and our people.” Gilbert-Ash recently received the renowned accolade of Contractor of the Year at the Construction News Awards 2018. It has also been shortlisted for Contractor of the Year (up to £300m) at the Building Awards 2018. Over the past 12 months, it has performed strongly on a national level with several high-profile projects, including the £21.5m AC by Marriott Hotel in Belfast City Quays and the £19.5m Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts project in London.
The average British homeowner has seven DIY projects that need doing in their property, either projects that were left unfinished or not even started, according to a new research. What’s more, over two thirds of Britons say that they have tackled a home-improvement task themselves before having to hire a professional in. The study, conducted by the team at www.MyJobQuote.co.uk, polled 2,689 Britons over the age of 18, with all respondents revealing they owned a property in which they had lived with a partner for a minimum of 5 years. The participants were first asked if their home has any DIY jobs that needed doing, to which the majority (84%) responded with ‘yes’, while 16% said there wasn’t anything that needed attention. When asked if there were any serious repairs that needed desperate attention, 34% said that there were. After that, the participants were asked to estimate how many DIY or home-improvement jobs needed doing in their house, and the average number was revealed to be seven. When asked what jobs required attention in the home (participants could choose multiple answers) the most common jobs were ‘painting and wallpapering’ (68%), ‘laying new flooring’ (52%) and ‘fixing a leak’ (46%). All respondents were then asked if they had attempted a DIY job in the home before ending up having to call in a professional, to which 68% said that they had. Of those that had attempted DIY jobs before hiring someone in, just under half (43%) revealed that they had made the job worse initially. The average amount spent per failed DIY job was revealed to be £86. Relevant participants were asked for the reasons why they had DIY jobs outstanding, and the top answers were ‘I can’t afford the repair’ (49%), ‘I don’t have time to do it myself’ (32%) and ‘I keep putting it off’ (21%). Relevant respondents were asked when they thought they would be able to get the jobs completed; only 31% thought they would be able to complete the jobs in the next 12 months, whilst 14% said they thought they would never complete all the outstanding DIY jobs in their home. “It’s a shame that so many British homeowners feel that they don’t have enough time or money to complete the outstanding DIY jobs in their homes. It’s a good idea to set aside some time every now and again to complete some jobs around the house, or hire a tradesman for those that you can’t, especially as some people end up costing themselves more by attempting jobs themselves,” commented on the findings Lisa Evans, spokesperson for www.MyJobQuote.co.uk.
