Dressing homes fit for fashionistas this London Fashion Week

Dressing homes fit for fashionistas this London Fashion Week

United Kingdom
  • London Fashion Week commences 15th September 2017
  • The right dressing room can be a daily pleasure to use
  • Have fun honing your style and display your items accordingly
  • Use made to measure shelving and back-lit displays for the ultimate designer dressing room

With London Fashion Week fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to focus on a wardrobe refresh. However, according to leading interiors firm Alexander James Interior Design, committed fashionistas are taking this one step further.

Having the ultimate dressing room can be a life-changing experience for those who love their clothes and London Fashion Week presents the perfect excuse to give that dressing room an overhaul. Just because it’s a practical space doesn’t mean it can’t also be beautiful. The best dressing rooms should serve to inspire their users and celebrate all that is beautiful and fashionable each and every day.

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

In honour of London Fashion Week, which this year takes place from 15 to 19 September, Sibley has shared her top tips on how to make the most of your dressing room in order to enjoy it at its best.

How to dress your dressing room – Stacey Sibley, Alexander James Interior Design

Start by having a good sort through all your clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery, etc. You don’t want to build a space that is going to be storing items that will never be worn. Reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy by Marie Kondo can be a huge help with this. Kondo gives tips on how to sort through your belongings and even how to fold clothing.

Next, think about what’s important to you. If you’re a shoe addict, think about how you would like them stored and displayed – do you want them on show or wrapped away for protection? Do you need lots of shelving for shoe boxes or do you prefer to have the shoes out of their boxes on display?

It’s important to think about lighting, too. Make sure the space is well lit, especially where you have the full length mirror for trying outfits on. Using back-lit shelves can be a nice touch here, especially if you have a designer handbag collection or hats to display. Made to measure shelving can also work wonders for those items.

Give some thought to space allocation for clothes as well. Do you have more dresses than separates? If so, you’ll need more full height hanging space. Be realistic about your level of tidiness as well. If you’re super neat then open shelving and hanging space can work well, but if you tend towards the messy then doors to hide away the mess come highly recommended!

Be playful with your style as part of the process too. Do you want your dressing room to be glamorous and glitzy, sleek and cotemporary, or vintage inspired? Shape the space and the items on display to fit your preferred style.

When it comes to practical touches, drawers can be a great help. Underwear, ties and jewellery can all be neatly stored in drawers, while a safe for expensive jewellery and watches may also be a good move. If space allows, a central island for more storage can also be very useful – or a central ottoman for sitting on while getting ready.

Of course, if you have oodles of space available then a ‘his and hers’ dressing room set is the ultimate luxury touch – and will certainly put paid to any arguments over the allocation of wardrobe space. It also means you have the pleasure of creating two distinctly different dress room spaces!

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.  

Zanzibar – the hottest new island paradise for real estate investors

Zanzibar – the hottest new island paradise for real estate investors

World ,
  • Zanzibar visitor numbers doubled from 2015 to 2016 (Zanzibar Commission for Tourism)
  • Unguja Island is attracting investment from well-heeled locals and international jetsetters (Property Frontiers)
  • Tanzanian economy has averaged growth of 6-7% over past decade (World Bank)

Zanzibar – the semi-autonomous string of islands located some 25-50 kilometres off the coast of Tanzania – has long been popular with local divers and snorkelers, thanks to its rich offering of coral, dolphins and tropical fish.

Now, the unspoilt island paradise is also attracting keen interest from residential real estate investors, as an exclusive new gated development springs up on the main island of Unguja.

“We’re delighted to be presenting the Fumba Town Development to investors in the UK, with properties ranging from three-bedroom duplexes with pools to five-bedroom townhouses with roof decks and ground level pools. Unguja is a wonderfully unspoilt island and the development is perfect for well-heeled locals and international tourists looking for a peaceful place to escape to.”

Ray Withers, CEO, Property Frontiers

Fumba Town, sited on the Fumba peninsula on the western side of the island, offers the perfect blend of escapism and modern luxury.

Spectacular sunsets, secluded sandy beaches, local snorkelling and a mangrove forest provide a wonderful sense of isolation, while fibre optic internet, an on-site security team and a host of amenities take care of practical needs.

It’s a combination that has already won the interest of one-time Chelsea centre forward Islam Feroz, who has already purchased his own Fumba Town property.

Just 15 km along the coast from Fumba Town, passing the airport along the way, is Stone Town, the UNESCO World Heritage old town of Zanzibar City (birthplace of Freddie Mercury).

The former seat of the Sultan of Oman, the city has a rich heritage, having been a key 19th century hub of the spice and slave trades. It is home to the best bars and restaurants on the island, as well as fascinating landmarks such as the House of Wonders, an ancient Arab fort and numerous coffee houses and spice bazaars.

 “Zanzibar is one of those wonderful locations that is on the cusp of being ‘discovered’ by international tourism, but currently remains almost untouched. Tourism figures are rising and it enjoys the strong stability of the Tanzanian economy in the background, which adds significant weight to the potential of the investment.”

Ray Withers, CEO, Property Frontiers

The Tanzanian economy has enjoyed growth of 6-7% for the past decade, according to the World Bank. The country is politically stable, as well as economically, with a population of 50 million that is growing at more than 3% per year. The economy enjoys healthy diversity, with agriculture, industry (including non-manufacturing), electricity generation, quarrying, mining and services all playing their part.

In terms of tourism, Zanzibar welcomed 376,000 visitors in 2016, double of the 2015 figure, according to the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism. The growth is an indication of the rise in Zanzibar’s popularity as a tourist haven, as holidaymakers seek out the unspoiled paradise that the islands offer in such abundance.

The first homes at Fumba Town will be completed by mid-2018. Investors looking to get ahead of the curve can purchase them now, with three-bedroom duplexes priced from $159,900 and five-bedroom seafront townhouses starting from $289,900.

For more information, contact Property Frontiers by visiting www.propertyfrontiers.com or calling +44 1865 202 700.

Top Autumn design trends revealed by Alexander James Interior Design

Top Autumn design trends revealed by Alexander James Interior Design

United Kingdom
  • Rich jewel tones are at the centre of autumn’s design inspiration
  • Keep nature in the home with large floral prints on walls and cushions
  • Add warmth with raw brass touches as the nights lengthen

While the rest of us have been enjoying the summer holidays, the team at Alexander James Interior Design have been busily working away on this autumn’s top interior design trends. Now, Creative Director Stacey Sibley has shared her expert insights into this autumn’s must-have colours, fabrics and florals.

“We’ve seen a real inclination for soft, muted tones over the spring and summer. All that’s going to change in the autumn, as bright jewel colours burst onto the interiors scene. Colours are all about the rich warmth of teals, burnt oranges, shaded spruce and autumn maple. These are bold tones for uplifting interiors – we’ll be brightening up the indoors as the outdoors dims in preparation for winter.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

Plush, patterned fabrics will complement the bold jewel colours of autumn. Sibley highlights the new Bonheur velvet from Zinc Textiles as an example. The plush velvet is interspersed with multi-tonal textural bouclé yarns to form a deconstructed hounds tooth design that is both elegant and warm.

Meanwhile, summer’s fascination with nature will continue, but with a shift into more rich, floral patterns.

“Florals this autumn will be larger than life – picture rich velvet cushions printed with large scale, expressive tulips, apple blossom and roses. The Designers Guild’s new cushions epitomise this trend. We’re also seeing floral prints in wallpapers and fabrics that look like old master still life paintings, allowing us to incorporate these into the home in exciting new ways – it’s a modern twist on classical prints.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

When it comes to larger items of furniture, colour comes to the fore once more. Julian Chichester’s beautifully sculpted, teal vellum Deneuve Cabinet is the ultimate example. Double curved ends provide elegance while the textured raw brass detail that follows the shape of the front of the cabinet pairs perfectly with autumn’s favoured tones.

For smaller accessories, it’s all about blending those jewel colours with interesting textures. Healthfield & Co’s emerald Amelia table lamp reflects the autumnal trend perfectly. A design collaboration with Zoffany, the hand-crafted lamp features stunning volcanic glass detailing, meaning that each piece is unique. Antique brass and a satin shade finishes the lamp beautifully.

“Finally this autumn, don’t forget the importance of art. If you’re nervous about how to introduce jewel tones, opt for something like Trowbridge Gallery’s Lovebird Feathers. It’s a stunning piece that shows the bright, delicate plumage of the world’s smallest parrot. The close-up of the rainbow spectrum of colours is truly beautiful and adds a wonderful sense of texture as well as colour.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

With the longest day already well behind us, it’s time to enjoy the rest of the summer while preparing for the autumn. Make sure you’re ready for the arrival of dark skies and darker evenings by giving your home the rich colour boost it deserves.

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604. 

The country chic challenge – honouring history in a new build family home

United Kingdom
  • Alexander James Interior Design challenged to find what Robert the Bruce and ballerinas have in common
  • Wadhurst Place in East Sussex highlights the best of contemporary country living
  • Neutral tones, cleverly blended textures and rustic touches create the ideal country home

There’s always a frisson of excitement in the air when an interior design team first sets foot inside a new property. That’s particularly true when the home presents a unique challenge, like Wadhurst Place, in East Sussex.

The brief was to offer a balance of luxury ‘Show Home’ mixed with a ‘Country Chic’ feel. Wadhurst Place is a unique development offering luxury accommodation set in 18 acres of parkland with breath-taking views. The properties range from substantial, family houses to large, lateral apartments and mews houses. It was imperative the Show Home offered a lifestyle that captured a wide audience.”

Ben Axton, Head of Show Home Sales, Alexander James Interior Design

The challenge at Wadhurst Place was to dress one of the development’s five-bedroom, three-bathroom houses – known as The Elder – in such a way that it both honoured the site’s rich history and presented a contemporary, luxurious country lifestyle, as befits a location that made it onto this year’s Sunday Times list of the best places to live in the UK.

The full development comprises 13 apartments and 26 homes, set in 18 acres of breath-taking parkland. The original, Grade II listed manor house, which is being delicately restored into apartments after 15 years of neglect, was built for a descendent of Robert the Bruce in 1885. Built in the Domestic Revival and Queen Anne style, half-timbered with ornamental red brick facings and carvings, the house includes oak joinery, ornate plastered ceilings and stained glass windows. It was described in the 1885 directory as having, “an interior which is admirably appointed, and no expense whatever has been spared.”

The manor house became a girls’ boarding school in the 1930s, supplemented by a ballet school in the 1980s, until its closure in 2001, when the site fell into disrepair. Work is now underway not only to restore the manor house to its former glory, but also to provide an outstanding collection of homes in the surrounding parkland that honour the site’s extensive history and rich architectural heritage.

“Wadhurst Place presents a uniquely beautiful setting and we wanted to reflect that in the interior design of The Elder show home. Capturing the elegance of country living was key, so we sought to blend modern furnishings and fabrics with select rustic pieces, to create a distinctive overall look and feel. Different textures played an important role in achieving the overall effect, with rich velvets, satin, wicker and textured wallpaper all playing a part.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

The resulting show home presents a stunning glimpse of life in this beautiful East Sussex market town. Clean, classic design elements and natural tones create a sense of harmony and peace that’s very much in keeping with the local area. Those touring The Elder can enjoy a true sense of the lifestyle that Wadhurst Place offers – this is effective interior design at its very best.

“We’re delighted with the overall result at The Elder. It shows off contemporary country living for the modern family, while still reflecting the development’s rich heritage, which was precisely what we wanted to convey.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.  

Top Autumn design trends revealed by Alexander James Interior Design

United Kingdom
  • Rich jewel tones are at the centre of autumn’s design inspiration
  • Keep nature in the home with large floral prints on walls and cushions
  • Add warmth with raw brass touches as the nights lengthen

While the rest of us are enjoying the summer holidays, the team at Alexander James Interior Design is busily working away on this autumn’s top interior design trends. Now, Creative Director Stacey Sibley has shared her expert insights into this autumn’s must-have colours, fabrics and florals.

“We’ve seen a real inclination for soft, muted tones over the spring and summer. All that’s going to change in the autumn, as bright jewel colours burst onto the interiors scene. Colours are all about the rich warmth of teals, burnt oranges, shaded spruce and autumn maple. These are bold tones for uplifting interiors – we’ll be brightening up the indoors as the outdoors dims in preparation for winter.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

Plush, patterned fabrics will complement the bold jewel colours of autumn. Sibley highlights the new Bonheur velvet from Zinc Textiles as an example. The plush velvet is interspersed with multi-tonal textural bouclé yarns to form a deconstructed hounds tooth design that is both elegant and warm.

Meanwhile, summer’s fascination with nature will continue, but with a shift into more rich, floral patterns.

“Florals this autumn will be larger than life – picture rich velvet cushions printed with large scale, expressive tulips, apple blossom and roses. The Designers Guild’s new cushions epitomise this trend. We’re also seeing floral prints in wallpapers and fabrics that look like old master still life paintings, allowing us to incorporate these into the home in exciting new ways – it’s a modern twist on classical prints.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

When it comes to larger items of furniture, colour comes to the fore once more. Julian Chichester’s beautifully sculpted, teal vellum Deneuve Cabinet is the ultimate example. Double curved ends provide elegance while the textured raw brass detail that follows the shape of the front of the cabinet pairs perfectly with autumn’s favoured tones.

For smaller accessories, it’s all about blending those jewel colours with interesting textures. Healthfield & Co’s emerald Amelia table lamp reflects the autumnal trend perfectly. A design collaboration with Zoffany, the hand-crafted lamp features stunning volcanic glass detailing, meaning that each piece is unique. Antique brass and a satin shade finishes the lamp beautifully.

“Finally this autumn, don’t forget the importance of art. If you’re nervous about how to introduce jewel tones, opt for something like Trowbridge Gallery’s Lovebird Feathers. It’s a stunning piece that shows the bright, delicate plumage of the world’s smallest parrot. The close-up of the rainbow spectrum of colours is truly beautiful and adds a wonderful sense of texture as well as colour.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

With the longest day already well behind us, it’s time to enjoy the rest of the summer while preparing for the autumn. Make sure you’re ready for the arrival of dark skies and darker evenings by giving your home the rich colour boost it deserves.

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604. 

Brand new luxury London homes with breathtaking views: Bellis Homes launch Four5Two

Brand new luxury London homes with breathtaking views: Bellis Homes launch Four5Two

United Kingdom

Hampstead is where some of London’s most famous names have chosen to settle; a haven for writers, composers, ballerinas and intellectuals, actors, artists and architects over the ages.

The location, just 4 miles northwest of Charing Cross, is known for having one of the largest urban parks in the world, Hampstead Heath, and being one of the highest points in London it boasts breathtaking views of the city.

Indeed, beautiful views are one of the most desired factors when it comes to purchasing a property for many buyers, however it is not something that’s easily found especially for those seeking the best of both worlds – idyllic countryside views within a reasonable distance of the ‘big smoke’. But luxury housebuilders – Bellis Homes has now made this reality possible.

The family-run housebuilder has just launched their brand new, high-specification development in the heart of Hampstead. With a contemporary design, the apartments of Four5Two are engineered for deluxe living in Hampstead.

The rear of the apartments feature balconies with incredible Hampstead Heath views, the perfect spot to sit back and relax.

“The premium location of Four5Two is ideal for those looking for the perfect blend of rural life with strong city links. The views over Hampstead Heath from the rear balconies are a big talking point when it comes to this development with floor to ceiling windows in the living areas to maximise light and the stunning vista.”

Henry Fordham, Director, Bellis Homes

As well as private underground parking for residents, Four5Two also boasts strong transport links being located just a 10-minute walk from Golders Green station and easily accessible from many major motorways including the A1, M1 and the M25.  The development is just 19 minutes to Kings Cross St Pancras and with several major airports all within easy reach it is undeniable that Four5Two is more than ideally situated for commuters.

Four5Two compromises of 13 apartments, with prices ranging from £1.1m – £2.2m. The living areas in Four5Two offer a large space for socialising and relaxing. The carefully designed floor plan brings in plenty of natural light enhanced with bespoke lighting for each apartment and LED lighting at plinth level through the hallway. The airy spacious area is heightened by the overall stylish and contemporary decor.

To purchase an apartment off plan or for all other enquiries please contact Bellis Homes or their sole agents Glentree 0208 731 9500.

Property investors pick up the pace: Surrenden Invest reports

Property investors pick up the pace: Surrenden Invest reports

United Kingdom
  • Investors now far more clued up on basic property investment principles
  • Enquiry to investment period reduced to just 5 days on average
  • Media coverage and sector maturation responsible

Specialist end-to-end property investment company Surrenden Invest has revealed a shift in the nature of its clients, which it believes represents the next phase of the property investment sector’s evolution.

“Clients used to start out by asking us basic questions about property investment. Now, however, investors are coming to us already clued up about the basics. There’s been a notable shift in terms of the average investor’s knowledge base – contemporary investors have done their homework and know what they want. They’ve already taken the time to learn the basics before they speak to an investment company.”

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director, Surrenden Invest

This new trend means that investors are more focused on getting guidance on the opportunities available as soon as they engage with a property investment company. They know the kind of investment that they want and are ready to drill down into the detail of what the market currently has to meet their requirements.

In addition, they’re seeking information on how best to invest and which issues to watch out for with specific projects. They already know, for example, about the merits of investing in Birmingham and the value of a prime city centre location. Now, it’s more a case of advising whether the charms of the apartments at (for example) B5 Southside outweigh those of Moseley Gardens, or vice versa.

Such a shift in investor knowledge has inevitably impacted on the speed at which decisions and investments are made. Investors have picked up the pace, with Surrenden Invest reporting that the average investor now takes just five days to go from an initial enquiry to an investment. Previously, the process could take several weeks, and sometimes even longer.

“The change in investors’ behaviour and the speed at which they now want to invest means that property investment companies need to be at the top of their game in order to satisfy the needs of these seriously savvy investors. There’s little small talk any more – investors want to invest fast and expect the information that they demand to be provided instantly in order to facilitate that. It’s an invigorating time to be involved in property investment!”

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director, Surrenden Invest

A number of factors are behind property investors’ evolving knowledge. The significant media interest in buy-to-let investment over the past few years has played a role, as has media coverage of ‘newer’ types of investment, such as hotel investment. A far broader swathe of information is available online. Property investment used to seem like something of a dark art to the uninitiated, but the proliferation of insightful, information-packed websites and blogs has enabled anyone with an interest to learn the ropes.

The result is that investors want to move faster. They are more decisive and less interested in debating whether or not they might want to invest. Instead, they just need guidance on where the best deals to suit their individual needs are to be found.

“It’s great to be part of the industry’s evolution and to work with investors who are so driven to make property investment work for them. The industry is maturing around us and property investment companies need to keep up with the new pace in order to meet modern client’s demands. Those that find themselves behind the curve have some serious catching up to do.”

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director, Surrenden Invest

 For further details and property investment opportunities, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499. 

Top 10 tips for purrfect interior design

Top 10 tips for purrfect interior design

United Kingdom , ,

With about half of UK households owning a pet (according to latest RSPCA figures) how can you live in interior design harmony with your furry friends?

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director of leading interior designers Alexander James Interior Design, and herself the proud owner of two Westies, Alfie and Piglet, offers her top 10 tips for transforming your home into a ‘purrfect’ sanctuary for your four-legged friend:

  1. Fur-Free Upholstery 

Think carefully about the fabrics you choose to upholster and how likely they are to gather fur.

Avoid: Fabrics that are a magnet for pet hair e.g. velvet, mohair, corduroy, velour or chenille. Steer clear of any delicate materials that could be damaged by your adorable little friend e.g. silk.

Opt for: Smooth tapestries, leathers and synthetic fibres. Invest in quality textiles that will withstand the test of those claws!

  1. Furniture – Not Toys

Beware of any exposed wood on your furniture – an excitable puppy may see it as their new favourite teething toy!

Avoid: Furniture with exposed wicker, rattan and sisal furniture.

Opt for: Metal and chrome will leave your would-be teether searching for another toy.

  1. Squeaky Clean Flooring 

In light of the inevitable rainy, muddy days and those early months when your puppy/kitten is still learning to toilet-train, we highly recommend flooring that is easy to clean!

Avoid: Hardwood floors that dent/scratch easily and require rapid cleaning should a puddle appear (hardwood floors stain very quickly)! If you are absolutely set of those beautiful wooden floors, then opt for harder woods e.g. mahogany or oak.

Opt for: Laminate flooring, stone or ceramic tiles. These also have the additional benefit of keeping your pets cooler during hotter weather.

  1. The Ultimate Playzone 

An all-important part of every pets’ day, they need space in the home to play.

Avoid: Letting your energetic little friend run riot around the whole house. They need to chase balls, roll excitedly around and play tug of war, but there are some areas of the house in which this is less desirable.

Opt for: Creating a designated ‘play space’ which your pet knows is suitable for play and where they can enjoy some quality ‘me’ time. Keep their toys stored neatly away and out of view but easily accessible.

  1. Spotless Kitchens 

Pet friendly interiors are all about keeping your space as tidy as possible, allowing that stunning new kitchen to glisten without unsightly doggy/kitty bowls smudging that perfect vision.

Avoid: Leaving food bowls out in plain sight.

Opt for: Sliding them underneath the toe kick of your kitchen cabinetry, bringing them out for food time, and slotting that water dish around a corner so your furry friends always have fresh water available.

  1. Furry Walls

Don’t overlook walls – they could become a headache to clean if you don’t consider their texture.

Avoid: A highly-textured wall will attract pet fur, even if the little rascal isn’t rubbing against it.

Opt for: Satin or a semi-gloss paint, helping to repel fur and to keep those walls glistening clean.

  1. A Throne for a King/Queen

An essential part of pet friendly interior design must surely be the addition of their very own comfy pet bed.

Avoid: Mismatching with the rest of the room’s decor i.e. don’t place a traditional tartan pet bed into a swanky, sleek apartment, rather select a simpler, more contemporary design that will enhance the rest of your interiors.

Opt for: A pet bed made of high quality materials, creating a sumptuous space for them to relax, unwind and recharge after their busy day of play.

  1. Mud Room Sanctuary

Imagine the scene – you’ve just been out on a fabulous walk, exploring the vast open fields and returning with wellies caked in mud and a pup that used to be white but is now an unattractive murky brown colour. The door opens – the gateway to your beautiful home. And before you know it, your hound is through that entrance, drying off on the sides of your magnificent new sofa.

Avoid: Allowing this nightmare to happen.

Opt for: Install an entry-way door to offer you an entrance space in which to dry off and wash down your doggy before they can enter the home. Store pet wipes, dog treats and other essentials in a cupboard at this entrance to keep the area harmoniously tidy.

  1. Savvy Window Treatments

Every pet loves to peer out of the window to watch for their owners coming home and to bask in the sunshine on those sunny days.

Avoid: Thick fabric curtains – don’t deprive them of their joy!

Opt for: Lightweight, sheer fabric curtains that will allow them to enjoy their view.  If you have blinds, make sure you pull them up so the little darlings don’t bring them down accidentally.

  1. Harmony at Home

A pet friendly home must make special considerations for just how many accidents can happen around bushy tails and clumsy paws.

Avoid: Tables that sit too low – the candles, glasses and other breakables sitting atop may fall to their calamitous end if a tail wags too close.

Opt for: Carefully considering the space in your home and thinking about how you can avoid any unfortunate mishaps – after all pets aren’t always aware of their surroundings and don’t mean to cause any trouble.

 

To find out more about creating the ‘purrfect’ interior for your home contact Stacey and the team at Alexander James Interior Design on 020 7887 7604 or visit www.aji.co.uk.

Homes spas undergo a scentsual revolution

Homes spas undergo a scentsual revolution

United Kingdom ,
  • Essence dosing is latest trend to grip home spa owners (Aqua Platinum)
  • Sense of smell is more closely linked with our emotions than any other sense (Brown University)
  • Eucalyptus found to be the scent of choice for promoting a sense of wellness and sanctuary (Aqua Platinum)

The interaction of scent with mood, memory and cognition has long been of interest to the scientific community, yet it was only from the mid-1990s onward that olfactory modality and its psychological impact began to be approached in a more scientific way. The result is that our understanding of the relationship between scent and mood has increased dramatically.

Scent can be used to enhance concentration, promote relaxation and encourage de-stressing. It’s something that aromatherapists have known for years. Indeed, there is evidence of the use of lavender as a massage oil dating as far back as Ancient Egyptian times. More lately, science has contributed quantitative, medicine-based evidence to the wealth of anecdotal evidence that already exists. This has led to scent being used in a range of new ways.

“We’ve seen a marked trend for essence dosing recently, with clients looking to achieve the ultimate health spa scent at home. We link the essence dosing system to our specialist air handling plant. It injects small quantities of vapour into the supply air stream, giving pool halls and spa areas a subtle smell, just like a health spa.”

Aqua Platinum spokesperson

According to Rachel Herz, assistant professor of psychology at Brown University, our sense of smell is linked with the limbic system, connecting to the amygdala and the hippocampus. This is the most intimate link between sense, emotion and associative learning that humans have, meaning that scent has a unique way of becoming associated with our memories and being able to trigger particular moods.

Herz argues that we begin learning to associate scents with things even before we are born. Studies have shown that mothers who are regularly exposed to strong odours during pregnancy give birth to infants who prefer those smells (when compared to babies whose mothers weren’t exposed to them).

During childhood, many of us learn to associate certain scents with certain emotions, and that learning sticks with us throughout life. Health spas are a wonderful example of this. Lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, bergamot, spearmint, lotus blossom, orange blossom and lemongrass are all used to delight the olfactory senses in health spa settings, blending to create a wonderful aroma that hits you the moment you walk into the spa. To breathe in that smell is to begin unwinding and de-stressing. That learned association is what is inspiring so many home spa owners to wish to recreate the health spa scent in the privacy of their homes.

“We’ve found that eucalyptus in particular is proving popular for home spa essence dosing. Eucalyptus has a long-standing association with health spas and herbal health remedies. It is an incredibly clean, refreshing and energizing scent with a range of healing properties. Many inhalers use cineole, eucalyptus’ primary component, due to its beneficial effect on the respiratory system. Eucalyptus also works as an insect repellant, a decongestant, an antiseptic and much more, offering those who essence dose with it a wide range of benefits to their health and their mood. It’s about providing the whole package – why delight the other senses with a home spa and then ignore the sense of smell?”

Aqua Platinum spokesperson

As a high end swimming pool and spa design and building company, Aqua Platinum is well positioned to highlight the most recent trends in the wellness industry. The company has found that the increasingly stressful pace of modern life has led its clients to seek out new ways of achieving wellness and creating a sense of sanctuary within their homes. Scent dosing is the latest innovation in the pursuit of wellness – the scentsual revolution has begun!

 For more information, call 0203 362 0442 or visit www.aquaplatinumprojects.co.uk.

Dressing for PRS success: Changing the look of build-to-rent

Dressing for PRS success: Changing the look of build-to-rent

United Kingdom ,

 

  • Contemporary tenant demand means rental homes are stylish and uncluttered, with bright, bold colours (Alexander James Interior Design)
  • 20% of UK households now rent privately (English Housing Survey)
  • Interior design increasingly important to PRS developers, landlords and tenants alike (Alexander James Interior Design)

The 2015 – 2016 English Housing Survey confirmed the continuing importance of the private rented sector (PRS), which now houses 20% of UK households (around 4.5 million households in total).

The growth of this sector over the past decade, combined with the increase in buy-to-let investment in the UK and the introduction of build-to-rent schemes, has changed the dynamics of the rental sector – and the look of it.

For many young people, buying a home in the UK simply isn’t an option, so instead they are happy to rent a home that’s better located and better dressed than they would be able to afford to buy.

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

 

Based on Zoopla listings for furnished versus unfurnished properties available to rent (using Manchester as a sample city), some 76% of properties are available furnished, while 17% are available unfurnished (with the remaining homes being part-furnished).

In Birmingham, 60% are furnished and 27% unfurnished. In London (using Clapham as an example area), the same search criteria produce 56% furnished properties, 25% unfurnished and 19% part-furnished.

According to the experts at Alexander James Interior Design, the growth of the private rented sector has led to a keen interest from both developers and private landlords in dressing their properties for maximum impact, as they seek to keep up with demand from tenants seeking stylish furnished homes.

“Quite simply, the better a property looks and the greater the flexibility it offers to an occupier, the more people will want to live there. With this, we see homes commanding higher rents and minimised void periods, making for a better investment for landlords.

This is a key factor behind the increasing demand for interior design services across the private rented sector. In an environment of competing new build properties, where one apartment can be identical to the next, savvy build-to-rent developers and professional landlords are looking to make their properties stand out from the crowd – interior design can do just that.” 

Richard Angel, Managing Director for London, Alexander James Interior Design

However, it’s not just those owning and managing properties that are placing increasing value on interior design when it comes to the rental sector. Tenants have become more discerning as the sector has expanded.

“People of all ages are struggling more to get on the housing ladder than used to be the case. This has definitely influenced the style of the PRS in several ways. Millennials, for example, are looking for ultra-contemporary rental properties with outstanding design and a whole host of stylish features. They demand the best and the PRS has stepped up to provide that in its efforts to court the spending power of this vast market.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

 

Clean, uncluttered design, natural elements and bold splashes of colour all work well for this market, according to the Alexander James team.

Paints, furniture and fabrics are selected with durability in mind, due to the nature of the rental sector but not at the expense of stylish design.

With the average tenancy length now just 18 months, according to Direct Line for Business, properties can be refreshed regularly in order to keep up with evolving trends.

As the private rented sector continues to grow, so too will the importance of interior design. Good design can turn a house (or apartment) into a home, ensuring that tenants want to live there long-term and look after the property. This offers longer-term security to tenants while also minimising landlords’ costs and ensuring that their valuable investment is carefully looked after.

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 0203 362 0472.