Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) is supplying and manufacturing furniture and fittings for hundreds of new apartments in Manchester city centre. Together with Beech Design & Build, a leading landlord and developer of apartments for young professionals, students, and visitors, they are working on a series of apartment schemes. HPP could
Your home is the place you turn to when the busy life outside of it gets a bit too much. For this reason, it should give you a feeling of calm when you enter it, as well as making you more productive and efficient. So how can you make your
Quest Industrial Flooring installed a Sika Comfortfloor Decorative Pro for Stick ‘n’ Step. The charity puts great price on having its classes fit with the right floor, as most of their work takes place on it. A fit for purpose and high performance replacement was necessary so that they can
Ab Rogers Design (ARD), a London studio, has created a 19 square metre concept apartment, in which it managed to squeeze a kitchen, bed, and bathroom by making a pair of plywood living units with space saving details. Property developers U + I have assigned ARD with the task to
Indeglas , the Scotland headquartered business recognised as a world class supplier of interior glass solutions, is set to undertake supply work to the value of half a million pounds for purpose-built offices on Belfast’s riverside of Allstate NI, the IT support arm of Allstate Corporation, a US insurance company.
The interior design and all the specific elements that you will decide to incorporate in your home have an effect on the general air in the place. A badly chosen item can provoke anger, anxiousness or even physical headaches on a daily basis, just as the right fit can light
Building and engineering company, Britcon has completed major refurbishment works for Goole Academy high school. The project, valued at close to £1m, was awarded to Britcon by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) working with Arcadis LLP. It is part of the Government’s £4.4 billion Priority School Building Programme
The British Coatings Federation (BCF) in association with the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) and the Scottish Decorator’s Federation (SDF), has launched a new initiative ‘PaintSafe’ which aims to promote the safe use of paint and related products and provide best practice for decorators and other applicators during preparation, application and
Dura Ltd, the Brackley based Modular Furniture manufacturer has announced the launch of a new website. Although the launch of a new website is not uncommon for companies nowadays, Dura Ltd hope that is will help to reinvigorate the business while celebrating the 20th anniversary of inventing The Fitted Garage.
A lot of students live with tiny space, littered with personal stuff and educational supplies, wishing for a normal apartment or at least for a bigger room. But if it is not possible, or there is no such opportunity in the nearest future, there is still a hope. Here are
Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) is supplying and manufacturing furniture and fittings for hundreds of new apartments in Manchester city centre. Together with Beech Design & Build, a leading landlord and developer of apartments for young professionals, students, and visitors, they are working on a series of apartment schemes. HPP could potentially provide products for contracts covering between 1,500 and 1,700 apartments. Until now, the company has supplied kitchens, bedrooms, and bathroom furniture and fittings in a few key city centre locations including Portland Street, Princess Street, and Cross Street. The products the company supplies include Avanti doors, HPP’s own manufactured range of Glide sliding doors, PVC-edged Aspects doors, vinyl-wrapped Aspire doors and products by brands such as Egger, Kronospan, XyloCleaf, Blum, and Sensio. Shaun Nolan, HPP’s national contracts manager, explains the type of materials and products they have used: “The carcass materials for rooms have predominantly been made using XyloCleaf products. The kitchens have bespoke designs with built-in handles and strip lighting. For the bedrooms, we have again used a lot of XyloCleaf products for boards and doors, and BLUM fixtures and fittings. We also supplied sliding doors from our Glide range, which are manufactured on-site to any size and specification.” HPP is a distributor of leading brands that offers services such as product sourcing, development, design, manufacturing, and cost control. Moreover, HPP also schedules meeting with the client and provides him with the right alternatives. “Architects and specifiers may have particular ideas of what they want but sometimes this cannot be manufactured at the right cost. With 200 or 300 apartments, the price must be right. HPP can provide alternatives that can be manufactured at the right cost and still provide the desired look and feel,” explained Shaun. “We can produce prototypes, ensure the finished article looks right and then begin full manufacturing.” Since its launch in 1991, HPP has managed to expand its range of products to more than 6,000, including full and processed sheet material, vinyl wrapped furniture doors and furniture fittings. The company’s head office and manufacturing site are located in Oldham and a second distribution Sheffield is currently being extended.
Your home is the place you turn to when the busy life outside of it gets a bit too much. For this reason, it should give you a feeling of calm when you enter it, as well as making you more productive and efficient. So how can you make your home even more cosy and relaxing? 1. Lightning More and more people have started using fairy lights to cover their walls because they make the rooms more comfortable and welcoming. It might be time consuming, but it is definitely worth it. The lights can be purchased online or from retailers like Primark, which offers really cheap options. After you’ve installed them on the walls don’t forget to add photos, cards, or anything you have in your house. 2. Warm Metals Moving on into the kitchen, warm metals such as bronze, copper, and rose gold can instantly warm up your house and create a rustic, country feeling. You can hang cutlery or other utensils on kitchen walls, or buy objects made out of these warm metals for your bedroom and bathroom. 3. Textures Textures patterns can give your rooms more depth and dimension, so consider purchasing throws, pillows, rugs, or even a wall hanging. However, textures really do stand out so make sure you feel comfortable with what you choose. 4. Soft Furnishings When you think of the term ‘cosy’ the first things that pop into your head are pillows and blankets, so make sure you have plenty. Use them to cover your bed or sofa, and why not even make your own reading space on a comfy chair with a fluffy pillow and a soft blanket? 5. Fireplace If you are lucky enough to own a fireplace then make sure you light it up more often, because it really makes a space feel cosier. If not, why not invest in an electric one, or, if that is not an option for you, go on YouTube, find a video of burning logs and connect it to your laptop or TV. You can even hear the sound of burning logs, or opt for some classical music.
Quest Industrial Flooring installed a Sika Comfortfloor Decorative Pro for Stick ‘n’ Step. The charity puts great price on having its classes fit with the right floor, as most of their work takes place on it. A fit for purpose and high performance replacement was necessary so that they can keep supporting the young people with cerebral palsy with the right education. “The team at Stick ‘n’ Step needed to replace an old, uneven, and sloping floor with a brand new, state-of-the-art flooring solution for our work with children and young people with cerebral palsy. From quote to completion our team was kept up to date with progress and had regular explanations of the different phases involved in the work,” explained Matt Meaney, Development Manager at Stick ‘n’ Step. The new system is smooth, durable, slip resistant, and resin based, while holding excellent shock absorption properties. Its cushioning layers provide a comfortable surface to learn and play, while its durability and easy to clean benefits help maintain the health and safety standards, which is paramount for a children’s learning environment. Quest Industrial Flooring had only four weeks to complete the project and the discovery that the sub-base underneath the existing wood and vinyl flooring required a week’s worth of repairs, turned it into a difficult challenge. However, the company managed to do it and the new floor was ready at the start of the new school term. “Thanks to Sika’s advanced floor system, the technical know how and attention to detail of our installers and the understanding of close collaboration between client, contractor and manufacturer, the ideal solution for the school’s 90m2 classroom floor was created,” said Mark Jones, Contracts Director at Quest Industrial Flooring. Sika is a specialty chemicals company that holds a leading position in the development and production of bonding, sealing, damping, protecting, and reinforcing systems and products for the building sector and the automotive industry. It has subsidiaries in 97 countries and manufactures in over 190 factories.
Ab Rogers Design (ARD), a London studio, has created a 19 square metre concept apartment, in which it managed to squeeze a kitchen, bed, and bathroom by making a pair of plywood living units with space saving details. Property developers U + I have assigned ARD with the task to condense the functions of a traditional home into an efficient micro living space. This prototype is on display at their Westminster offices. U + I have been analysing London’s property market for a while and they wanted to create a design-led housing option that was smaller in scale and more affordable. “It is time to re-think and invent a new way for people to live in the best parts of the city,” said the studio. “The campaign led by U+I is ongoing, and will continue to challenge the perception that small is less.” The incorporation of two multi-purpose living units maximises the space in the apartment, with one of them featuring a set of stairs with drawers integrated into the risers. The steps lead into a double bed, while underneath sits a series of tall cupboards. The second unit hold the white-tiled bathroom. Both units have been crafted from birch plywood and paired against light-hued timber flooring. The rest of the floor rests a cooking area and a lot of free space that can be used by inhabitants to personalise the apartment with furniture and homeware of their choice. The apartment is fronted by a large window that allows the natural light in and its chunky ledge can be used as a spot to sit, relax, and enjoy the view. Furthermore, the ceiling has been placed at just over three metres in height so that the space does not feel too confined. This creation is part of several other London practices that have found in micro apartments a solution to urban living.
Indeglas , the Scotland headquartered business recognised as a world class supplier of interior glass solutions, is set to undertake supply work to the value of half a million pounds for purpose-built offices on Belfast’s riverside of Allstate NI, the IT support arm of Allstate Corporation, a US insurance company. Indeglas, formerly known as Deko Scotland, is a specialist contractor and sole distributor in the UK and Ireland for the products of award-winning glass manufacturer, Deko of Denmark. Established 17 years, Indeglas distributes and installs all over the UK and Ireland, and is one of the only full-service, Category 1 subcontractors which can source, design, and install Deko’s leading-edge glass solutions. Jeanette MacIntyre, Managing Director, said: “As a purpose built office building, the architects, WDR-RT-Taggart of Belfast, have delivered an amazing design concept which specifies top quality materials and we are delighted that they selected DEKO glass solutions for the interior glazed screens.” Indeglas has been contracted to provide all interior glass solutions, including meeting rooms, boardrooms and individual offices. In addition, it is providing freestanding writable screens. These high-tech screens operate like a whiteboard, but due to an interlayer within the glass, anything written or drawn on the board can be saved by camera then wiped off leaving no residue. Indeglas’s highly skilled engineers are already on site in Belfast and work is expected to be concluded by March 2018. When complete, the purpose-built complex will comprise five storeys of riverfront office space. The principal contractors are O’Hare & McGovern, a County Down-based main contractor with over 40 years’ experience. This is yet another repeat contract for Indeglas, which worked with O’Hare and McGovern on the new Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh and the £25 million Ballymena Health and Care Centre, the largest of its kind in Northern Ireland. Mrs MacIntyre said: “I like to think the fact that so many contractors and architects are repeat customers is a sign of the diligence, excellence and quality of materials that Indeglas designs, supplies and installs as a matter of course. “We are particularly proud of the freestanding writable glass solutions. The ability to have group strategy discussions, notes, ideas, and targets displayed on these attractive, interlayered glass panels located at each desk cluster is an innovative solution which represents the kind of joined-up thinking we like to make available to all our clients.”
The interior design and all the specific elements that you will decide to incorporate in your home have an effect on the general air in the place. A badly chosen item can provoke anger, anxiousness or even physical headaches on a daily basis, just as the right fit can light up the room without the use of electricity. You might not believe in good vibes, Feng Shui or whatever you prefer to name it. Still, there is no denying that some rooms make you feel like you can play casino games here and never lose a hand, while others practically suck the life out of you. Years of extensive research have identified the presence of various types of plants as one of the main interior design elements to have had an effect on the research subjects. Following is a list of the top recommendable indoor plants you should keep in your home – and with factual proof to support their claims. Aloe Plant A room filled with sunshine is the perfect location for an aloe plant in your home. Under such conditions, the plant grows rather fast and will be able to protect you from all kinds of chemicals from cleaning products that might pollute the air. Apart from that, the leaves from the aloe plant could come in handy in case you burn or damage your skin during activities like cooking, repairing or cleaning around the house. Peace Lily The peace lily is the perfect solution for someone that doesn’t have too much of a ‘green thumb’, as it is low maintenance and doesn’t need any extra living conditions. In fact, it is better off kept under a cooler temperature in shade. Still, residents in your home are bound to benefit from its presence there, as it is known to purify the air of all kinds of toxins. Snake Plant The snake plant is yet another low-maintenance instance of indoor flora that could survive just fine in any corner of your home. Remembering to water it from time to time is enough to make it grow tall and do its thing – it is known to absorb the carbon dioxide from the air at night and release pure oxygen, making it the perfect bedroom decoration. Philodendron Philodendron owners could enjoy its benefits for years at a time, as long as they are able to provide it with proper amounts of water and exposure to sunlight on a regular basis. Despite the gentle appearance of its heart-shaped leaves, the philodendron is a known protector from the commonly found chemical substance xylene. Red-Edged Dracaena The red-edged dracaena is primarily famous for the pleasant aesthetic effect it provides. Under the right conditions (which mostly implies lots of exposure to sunshine), the dracaena can grow higher than ten feet and fill up any awkwardly empty space in your home. As for health benefits, owners of the red-edged dracaena plant will experience a toxic-free environment, as its leaves relieve the air of xylene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.
Building and engineering company, Britcon has completed major refurbishment works for Goole Academy high school. The project, valued at close to £1m, was awarded to Britcon by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) working with Arcadis LLP. It is part of the Government’s £4.4 billion Priority School Building Programme which is rebuilding or refurbishing those school buildings in the very worst condition across the country. Britcon has replaced all drainage around the complex of buildings on Centenary Road originally built in the early 1900’s. It has also completed major external works which include new hard and soft landscaping including an extensive new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), roads, paving, planting and irrigation and fixtures such as lighting. John Whitmore, Director at Britcon, said, “The project was complex in that we have to replace critical facilities whist in a live school environment where over 1000 pupils and teaching staff are circulating. The Academy has a listed element and due to the age of the buildings the draining needed renewing. The external works also provide for a more productive environment with new class leading sports facilities and enhanced wayfinding.” Britcon has extensive expertise in the education sector. As well as the Goole Academy it has completed major building and refurbishment projects for Royds Hall School in Huddersfield, Roundhay Primary School in Leeds and Ward Green School in Barnsley Other projects include the University of York, University of Bradford, University of Huddersfield and Queen Ethelberga’s Collegiate. As a business Britcon also actively engages with all the Education establishments with whom it works to support learning practices in the construction sector, setting coursework around its projects, and providing educational site visits and placement opportunities. Established for more than 26 years, Britcon is £50 million turnover business headquartered in Scunthorpe and directly employs 90 people on its project sites across the UK. It is currently listed by the London Stock Exchange in its latest report of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Europe’. @Britcon_Limited
The British Coatings Federation (BCF) in association with the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) and the Scottish Decorator’s Federation (SDF), has launched a new initiative ‘PaintSafe’ which aims to promote the safe use of paint and related products and provide best practice for decorators and other applicators during preparation, application and drying. Working in collaboration with the major paint manufacturers in the UK, the first phase of the campaign focuses on decorative paints, and was launched 28 and 29 November at the 2017 National Painting and Decorating Show. A second phase to promote safe use of industrial paints will be launched late in 2018. Unveiled as part of the campaign includes a tri-fold leaflet, which outlines do and do not points to follow whilst painting, and specific guidelines with regards to lead exposure and preparation. The leaflet is available for download at www.paintsafe.org.uk and will be available via trade outlets across the UK in the first quarter of 2018. BCF’s Chief Executive, Tom Bowtell commented: “Whilst we know most decorators are aware of best practice, it never hurts to be reminded of the best and safest ways to work with paints and coatings particularly when sanding and spraying, or dealing with period houses that may have been previously painted with lead based paints in the pre-1960s period.”
Dura Ltd, the Brackley based Modular Furniture manufacturer has announced the launch of a new website. Although the launch of a new website is not uncommon for companies nowadays, Dura Ltd hope that is will help to reinvigorate the business while celebrating the 20th anniversary of inventing The Fitted Garage. The company first created this concept in 1997 and been working since to transform the interiors of garages and workshops for customers with the delivery of their modular furniture system. It is thought that workshops with a disparate and cluttered array of oily toolboxes as well as wheelie bins and benches can be transformed wit Dura’s modular systems into state-of-the-art workspaces that are efficient. The company say that the solutions offered create a space that is as efficient and technical as a combination of a formula 1 garage and the operating theatre. Over the years that company has developed, and become so successful that they have become the standard for a number of premium automotive brands such as Audi, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover at their locations around the world. Dura Ltd has also received the Red Dot Design Award and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise during their company history. Now, after twenty years of success, the company is wanting to transform the way that the workplace is used and thought about in the industrial, commercial and educational sectors. In order to move into these new markets, Dura has launched a new division, with their own website. The website has been designed in house and is a great platform to advertise their services while showcasing what they are able to their customers in any sector, from manufacturing to precision engineering, education and training facilities as well as research & development and laboratories. The company hopes that the experience and expertise that has been gained in the automotive aftermarket can be used to offer a similar solution for a range of different sectors going forward.
A lot of students live with tiny space, littered with personal stuff and educational supplies, wishing for a normal apartment or at least for a bigger room. But if it is not possible, or there is no such opportunity in the nearest future, there is still a hope. Here are some tips on how to make your room bigger, without fully remaking it. Installing a greenhouse can really make you garden look bigger, check out some replacement greenhouse glass, just to be prepared for the worst. Multifunctional furniture Buy such things as ottomans, which can be used as a coffee table, an extra seating or even as a place to keep your personal belongings, if you will choose the one, which comes with a storage inside. Any multi-purpose item is a good investment in a small space. Cleanliness Keep your room clean and tidy and de-clutter from time to time. Get rid of the stuff you don’t use anymore or wouldn’t buy it now. Colour code Colour code everything. Books, clothes or anything else that is visible in your room, this way instead of making a potential clutter, you will make them look organized and will showcase your personality. Mirrors The quickest way to appear room look larger is to use mirrors, preferably large ones. Not only they reflect light, but a cleverly placed mirror can bring more depth or height to the room. Placing a mirror near the window can make it look like there is another window in the room and will create a more spacious or wader look. Or by placing it behind chest or end table, you can make it seem like there is a whole other space behind it. Use of natural light Natural light makes the room seem light and specious. There more light is in the room – the bigger and wider it seems. Leave your windows uncovered, or if you feel like there is not enough privacy, use roman shades or blinds. Curtains only add “stuff”. Keep it minimal, keep it simple. However, if you really want them in your room, choose light coloured ones and mountain them above the window. And don’t let them hit the floor. Leave your curtains or drapes a few inches below, and use a bar that extends far beyond the window frame, so if needed you can fully expose the window. As well as with mirrors, open windows add more depth in the room and make it appear larger. Minimalism Don’t overload your shelves, don’t keep unused stuff in sight, don’t overload your room with colours. Keep it light, bright and airy. Create unity, by using different shades of the same colour. When buying sheets, stay away from loud colours and overloaded patterns. Don’t add unnecessary decorations and details. Following this tips, you will not only make it more visually appealing, but will also make your small room look bigger. Shelving Wall-to-wall or floor-to-ceiling bookcases will trick the eye to see the ceiling higher or walls wider. And it also adds more place for the storage. Just don’t forget that they should be organized and colour-coded if possible. It’s a great way to keep the things together and in place, but it’s extremely easy to mess up by cluttering everything on those shelves. Furniture with legs Furniture which is raised on legs, creates a sense of light and space. By creating a look of openness and movement, you will create and illusion of larger space. But this trick will only work if the area under the furniture will be kept clean and organized. Transparent furniture By placing a glass table top instead of your wooden desk, or pairing your work space with acrylic chair, you will make your room appear not as crowded as it would be with a regular furniture. Lucite items are now totally trendy and while providing a needed function, they don’t take too much visual space. Lightning Ditch the overhead fixtures, that pools all the light in one space. Instead use several lightning elements to draw the eye around the room. The best, easy way is to place lamps on your bedside tables. Be dramatic There is a wrong common opinion, that a small furniture in a small room is the way to go, but a few bigger pieces will fool the eye to perceive a space as a more expansive. Instead of a gallery wall, choose large and bold art pieces. It will create a focal point in the room and will add some structure and depth. Another way of dramatism in the interior design is to pop your ceilings. Dark ceiling creates depth and draws your attention upward creating an illusion of height. To make it even more interesting, you can mimic the night sky with stars, or even a milky way.
