Contemporary Loft Conversion

Drummonds’ classic bathroom products are inspired by period pieces and traditional manufacturing techniques – but installing them in a contemporary loft conversion shows that they can hold centre stage in any setting.

The owners of this London house decided to convert their attic into a large open-plan master bedroom suite.   Inspired by the idea of a Manhattan loft, they set about creating a large, calm space with a bright airy feel.  The conversion includes a panoramic window, in front of which they have sited their Drummonds ‘Usk’ bateau bath, with its stunning hand-finished polished metal exterior.

The space is arranged brilliantly; a Drummonds’ ‘Dalby’ shower in nickel finish tucks neatly into a corner, carrying through the New York feel with a simple frameless glass door and white glazed brick tiles.  The compact washroom has a reclaimed basin from Drummonds, together with their wall mounted taps and a heated towel rail in nickel finish.  To unite all these different areas, Drummonds’ reclaimed oak flooring has been laid throughout.

The owners are delighted with the finished room, saying, “The white colour scheme and the light flooding in from the window make it so airy.  It has a wonderful feel and such a classic look that we know we’ll be enjoying this space for years to come.”

Drummonds

www.drummonds-uk.com

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New Website – Face To Face Digital

Stylish and efficient home technology made simple…

face to face digital

Home technology is now such an essential part of our lives, offering hi-tech convenience in tandem with eco-friendly, energy-saving concepts. Many systems which seemed futuristic just a few years ago are now statutory in new homes.

Leading home technology experts Face to Face Digital have launched an innovative new  website – www.facetofacedigital.com a breath of fresh air for anyone wanting to know how the intelligent home is put together. Strong graphics and straightforward explanations lead you through the digital world, from home entertainment systems and home offices to ‘wi-fi versus cabling’. Downloadable fact sheets give more in-depth information at every stage.

The future is now:  Systems to control and optimize everything from our lighting and heating to computers, phones and home entertainment can be fully integrated and centrally controlled at home or remotely.  Face to Face Digital recommend, install and maintain the most up-to-date home digital systems – taking the fear factor out of the technology.

www.facetofacedigital.com

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A fresh new look for the Churchill from And So To Bed

ASTBAnd So To Bed’s popular Churchill bed captures all the comfort and traditional style of English furniture with its head and footboard inspired by traditional winged armchairs.  Now this splendid bed has been upholstered in a luxurious textured chenille giving it a fresh new look.  This is a ‘statement’ bed with a timeless elegance!

The Churchill is shown here upholstered in Amersham ‘Old Blue’ from Colefax and Fowler. Also available in Stone, Charcoal and Biscuit or customer’s choice of fabric.

www.andsotobed.co.uk

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New Belle Amie collection… a vintage design from Marianne Westmann

NHT BelleAmieNew House Textiles has added a new collection to their range of homewares – Belle Amie by iconic Swedish designer Marianne Westman. A small-scale, cheerful flower print, it comes in the classic sky blue / bright white combination which is such a perennial kitchen favourite.

Marianne Westman, now in her 80’s has always created decorative designs and products inspired by her immediate surroundings and Belle Amie was one of her first designs, drawn from wild flowers near her home.

Belle Amie brings a vintage look to the kitchen and is now available in a collection which includes trays, oilcloth, paper napkins and a trivet.

NHT Nelle Amie

www.newhousetextiles.co.uk

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Drummonds launch new website

Beautifully designed and easy to navigate, Drummonds’ new website showcases all of its classic bathroom products, from the spectacular baths and showers to basins, brassware and heated towel rails. Inspiring product and lifestyle photographs set the scene, but there is plenty of practical information too, making it easy to plan a luxurious bathroom down to the last detail.  Each product is shown with a technical breakdown detailing all variations, dimensions, finishes and prices and the complete brochure and CAD drawings can be downloaded.  You can also access the latest news through Drummonds’ new Twitter link.

www.drummonds-uk.com

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Hangar… a revolutionary new walk-in wardrobe system designed by Piero Lissoni

Design Space LondonNow at DesignSpaceLondon, Hangar is a revolutionary new wardrobe system designed for Lema by Piero Lissoni.

Lissoni has brilliantly engineered Hangar to be self-supporting – making it perfect for rooms without solid masonry walls (many dressing rooms are created by dividing larger spaces using stud walling).

The weight of the wardrobe panels is divided between the rack and the uprights which support the purpose-designed internal fittings.  This allows the back of the wardrobes to be made of opaline glass, illuminated by back-lighting to give a soft, luminous glow.

Lema is one of the most influential names in contemporary furniture. Perfect for today’s zoned living, its innovative collections are the work of luminaries including Piero Lissoni, the Palombas and Studio Kairos.  In their visionary thinking, domestic space becomes dynamic space and custom-fitted solutions offer new levels of organisation.

DesignSpaceLondon design and install to order, using Lema’s modular storage concepts to create everything from walk-in wardrobes to room dividers for open plan living.

www.designspacelondon.com

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Taking silks to China – Export booming for British brand

James HareJames Hare is Britain’s leading silk specialist.  Founded in 1865, it is still owned and run by the Hare family, providing luxury textiles for the demanding worlds of fashion and interiors.  Firm favourites with leading interior decorators, James Hare’s silks are famous worldwide.

One of the oldest remaining family-owned textiles companies in the UK, James Hare has grown a vibrant international export business which now represents one third of its annual turnover (of  £3.4 million in 2011).  Underlining this success, the company has just announced the opening of two new outlets in China.

In an interesting ‘coals to Newcastle’ twist, China – where much of James Hare’s silk yarn originates – is also its most rapidly expanding market.  “The emerging Chinese middle class love luxury British brands”, says Managing Director Tim Hare, “China currently accounts for 10% of our total export business, but we predict that it will become our biggest single export market over the next couple of years. There is a spectacular amount of pent-up spending power and they want all the good things which come from increasing wealth.”

James Hare first began exporting to China in 2009, rapidly establishing itself as defining ‘The English Look’ in interiors.  Whilst minimalism prevails in Europe, interior design in China emphasises quality, quantity and obvious luxury, seeking out highly decorative products such as James Hare’s patterned and densely embroidered silk collections. These have become the company’s best-selling ranges in the Far East.

The opening of the two new James Hare showrooms now gives them four sales locations in China; two each in Beijing and Shanghai.  Situated in purpose-built design centres, these display the entire range in elaborate room sets and are supported by exhibitions and distributors in other Chinese cities.  Tim Hare comments, “The Chinese are new to interior design, so we have learned how important it is to showcase our products in settings which will inform their taste and inspire their choices.”

www.james-hare.com

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‘The Iron Lady’… and Her Smallbone Kitchen

SmallboneLondon 1985: One of the most widely reported features of Margaret Thatcher’s Dulwich house was its handmade Smallbone kitchen… which won the Prime Minister’s heart at first sight. In becoming its owner, she joined the ranks of celebrity Smallbone fans, from Rowan Atkinson to Nigel Mansell and Dustin Hoffman. Today, the company is still known for its international star following.

No surprise then, that Mrs. Thatcher’s Dulwich kitchen was carefully recreated at Pinewood Studios for the set of The Iron Lady, released today. Asked by the Production team to lend a kitchen for the film, and up against tight deadlines, Smallbone pulled out all the stops, dismantling a complete showroom display and rapidly re-building it at Pinewood to recreate the spirit of the Iron Lady’s classic kitchen.

Smallbone’s Design Director, Steven de Munnich comments, “Smallbone is an iconic British brand and Margaret Thatcher’s kitchen is definitely in our Hall of Fame. We were so pleased to be asked to play a role in this film – and proud to be part of her story.”

for further information visit www.smallbone.co.uk

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New ‘Palais’ Collection

And So To BedThe ‘Palais’ is a  classic French style sleigh bed, with sleek curves and simple lines – a charming new addition to And So To Bed’s collection of traditional lit bateaux.

And So To BedThe beautiful panels of walnut and cherry wood veneer are highly distinctive, lending the collection a timeless look, perfect for today’s more eclectic interiors.

The bed is available as both a traditional lit bateau and a ‘socle’ with lower footboard.

The range of co-ordinating bedroom furniture includes a 3 drawer bedside chest, 4 and 5 drawer chests, a dressing table with mirror and a wardrobe.

And So To Bedwww.andsotobed.co.uk

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New ‘Cemento’ Kitchen by Modulnova

DesignSpaceLondonModulnova’s new ‘Twenty Cemento’ kitchen is inspired by extraordinary new resin technology.

This allows Cemento’s cabinets to be wrapped in a 3mm liquid cement coating.  Drying to a silky smooth, durable finish, it is intriguingly cool to the touch but with warm
natural stone tones.

This is the pinnacle of architectural design for kitchens; monolithic forms which reveal nothing of their essence and everything of their materials; from the cement finish to the black granite Nero Assoluto sink and the brushed and oiled wooden breakfast bar which is cantilevered off the central island.

DesignSpaceLondonInside these sculptural pieces are highly functional interiors, with accessories specifically designed to organise work spaces and storage. Maintaining the purity of line, tall cupboards conceal appliances and storage spaces which, as with all Modulnova designs, are organised and accessorised to order.

www.designspacelondon.com

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