A great example of concept to reality for this new store in London.  Have a look next time you are in Carnaby Street.

What are you 10 things you need, want and desire at work?

Having compiled the list of ten things we could do without at work, it was suggested I consider ten things we could do with. So I considered what might be realistic to expect, and applicable across all cultures and organisational sectors and sizes. I came up with these, in no particular order…..

No 1 – a long leash: freedom to experiment and go off at tangents, and to be encouraged to do so – without fear of remonstration or loss of credibility. This may lead to failure, but if learned from and understood can be incredibly beneficial.

 No 2 – trust: it needs to work both ways, and is fundamental to a productive relationship. Much has already been written on the matter. It was always going to be No1 in reality, so I just had to make it second.

 No 3 – thinking space: real and virtual, and the time allowed to enjoy it. Even cogs in a huge machine need standing, cooling and oiling.

 No 4 – open connectivity: social media and user-created content are here to stay, encourage exploration. A blogging platform and encouragement to use it – now we’re really talking.  

 No 5 – heroes: inspiring and motivating individuals who have created or achieved amazing things. Even better if they can spare you some mentoring time.

 No 6 – ears: if you have a worthy idea or perspective, you want to be heard, while its fresh and buzzing. And you want to know you have been heard too.

 No 7 – community: virtual or in person, across functions, geographies and cultures, bound by values and purpose. Potentially even a fraternity.

 No 8 – IT kit: fast, portable, chic (well, I know, but….) – is this now more important than the workplace itself? As a workplace provider I realised I could work in a dump if my kit was all these things, but not in a terrific space if my kit was not.

 No 9 – recognition: if one of those ideas sticks, or a contribution benefits, let it be known.

 No 10 – clear and simple information:  vision, mission, objectives, and where we all fit in. This is not to be confused with “communication” – all organisations have this, but it doesn’t always tell us anything.

Bed Linen that encourages a healthier lifestyle from The Best Bed Linen in the World

It might sound like a saucy comment your partner would cheekily make to encourage a bit of action in the bedroom but it has been reported that sleeping naked can indeed improve your health and lower the chances of divorce!

Sleeping in your ‘birthday suit’ apparently increases your level of comfort; avoiding over heating in restrictive clothing. This results in a deeper, longer sleep as the body relaxes, and in turn, enhances its regeneration rate; enabling the body to store up energy for the forthcoming day.

Feeling revitalized after a good night’s sleep will also allow you to cope with all that life throws at you, and be less prone to shortness of temper and arguments with loved ones. It has also been reported that sleeping naked with a partner increases the closeness and heightens the level of intimacy…consequently intensifying the frequency of ‘when a man loves a woman’!

January is notoriously known for high divorce rates, however, The Best Bed Linen in the World has sublimely soft and luxurious, crisp white bed linen (found in top five-star hotels around the world) to bring couples together and encourage a little more nakedness at night… Available up to super king size with 400 thread count percale, the gorgeous white bed linen is incredibly soft to the touch due to the quality of the finishing process. With its silky-like texture caressing the skin, you’ll never want to have pyjamas come between you and your sheets ever again!

The new collection from The Best Bed Linen in the World also includes; hotel-quality feather duvets and synthetic duvets for superb drape, warmth and comfort; plush pillows with a beautiful 100% cotton percale cover; and super soft spa-quality towels and bathrobes.

Slip into something more comfortable with The Best Bed Linen in the World’s luxury bed linen. It will either be the best night’s sleep you’ve ever experienced…or the best night you’ve have had since the honeymoon!

Here is there website link -
http://www.thebestbedlinenintheworld.com/

An interesting way to promote your brand I thought – fact or fiction? I don’t know, but I sleep well.

A luxury Bedroom by Clive Christian

My Mum always said that as a baby I would sleep anywhere and for the most part I still do, but there came a point in time when I didn’t.  When I purchased my first home I had no choice but to buy my own bed!  I made sure that I found a bed that was comfy and had some storage for bedlinen and towels.  I continued to sleep well – UNTILL – 10 years later the mattress came to the end of its life. 

 Married life needed a new bed!

Shopping for a bed second time around and not just for myself proved to be a little more complicated.  There suddenly seemed to be far more choice on the market and a bed to suit every budget.  I even saw one at £25,000 at the Ideal Home Show! 

It was no good shopping alone, this new bed was for two.  Everyone tells you to try before you buy, test the bed out, curl up as though you are settling down for the night, but how embarrassing is that?  Why don’t retailers provide some sort of privacy for bed shoppers, screens that can be pulled around the bed or something more creative?  Few people lie flat on their backs when they sleep, but how many people do you see trying out a bed in this fashion?  The sleepless, restless nights continued and my grumpiness was not well received.   The subject was discussed at length until one day my Gym Instructor asked if I had thought of a waterbed.  ‘Waterbed’ I laughed ‘I don’t think so’.  However it got me thinking and I looked up the British Waterbed Association (yes, there is one – www.waterbed.org), and researched some more and had some fundamental questions answered. 

“I live in an apartment do I need to reinforce the floor?”  No. 

“What about the cost?”  A lot cheaper than some of the beds I had previously considered.

“What if I move house?”  Easy, drain the water, roll up the mattress, dismantle the frame and get one of the specialists to reinstall it at your new home for a very reasonable charge.

Now the challenge was to find one to ‘try before you buy’.  There are a few stockists in Kent but I can recommend Bedroom Choice in Dartford for their knowledge and care and attention.  If you have ever watched Gok Wans ‘ How to look good naked, you will know that he challenges people to model in shop windows, I now know how they feel.  Having been in so many bed shops I knew the drill, curl up, foetal like, and feel how the mattress feels.  So in full view of the pedestrians of Dartford, Husband and I curled up – and waved to the passers by who had grins on their faces.  I was past caring, I wanted and needed a good nights sleep.

The verdict for us – a waterbed worked and still does.  It has been lovely these past few months with it so cold, the thermostatically controlled bed is warm and cosy.  Maintenance is a dream, no more hoovering mattresses or turning them, just add a conditioner every 6 months or so and wipe the vinyl mattress regularly.  Our cat loves it too!

Off course, as I found there are many types of bed bases and mattresses to choose from, which is why the try before you buy scenario is so important.  Deciding the type of bed you want and need, and setting your budget, will be a good starting point before you set out.  If you need additional storage then a divan base with drawer storage will be neater than a bedstead with plastic boxes stored under it, but an antique brass bedstead may be just the thing for your home.  Adjustable bases are becoming increasingly popular not just for the many benefits they provide to those needing a raised sleeping position or aid getting in and out of bed, but also for the varied lifestyles we now lead, watching TV in bed, working with the laptop in bed, with 2 separate mattresses they can meet all needs. 

The construction of the mattress plays an important part in the overall price and comfort of your bed.  There are essentially two main types of mattress construction, those with and those without springs.  Latex and memory foam mattresses such as the brand Tempur and water beds are obviously without springs as are the traditional Japanese Futons.  Sprung mattresses are either open coil or open sprung which are to be found in the budget to mid price range, continuously sprung which means a higher spring count with a finer gauge of wire, are found in the mid price range and the pocket sprung mattresses which are amongst the most expensive, but have the  advantage of individually wrapped springs allowing them to work independently of one another, profiling to the body shape thus preventing pressure points and the transmission of movement between sleeping partners.

Once you have wisely chosen your bed you will want to spend more time in it and in your bedroom, so ensure that your bedroom storage in well organised and your bed well dressed.  A haven of comfort and joy.  Happy sleeping.

Interesting/Fascinating Fact – 80% of bed shoppers spend less that two minutes trying out beds on which they are likely to be spending around 3000 hours – over 120 full days – in just one year!

Interesting /Fascinating Fact – we lose more than a quarter of a litre of body moisture each night and shed almost half a kilo of skin scales in a year.  This unhygienic environment is a hive for dust mites, whose droppings are known to aggravate asthma and eczema symptoms.  Dust mites don’t live in Waterbeds.

Interesting /Fascinating fact – for every £100 you spend on a new bed represents an investment of 3p per night (assuming a lifespan of 10 years).  A bargain bed is no bargain if you don’t sleep well in it.

Typical UK Bed Sizes

Functional Kitchen Design

Functional Kitchen Storage

The kitchen is the most used room in the house and by many referred to as ‘the hub of the house’. In addition to the primary function of preparing food and drinks and their related tasks of cleaning, kitchens today often function as dining rooms, TV rooms, offices and conservatories.

Whatever your kitchen size, making it work for you and your family is vitally important. If you have ever refurbished your kitchen, replacing all the units, tiles and appliances you will know what a traumatic time it can be, and that is just the planning of it! There is so much to carefully consider before the products are ordered and the installation takes place.

The ‘work triangle’ (developed by Cornell University NY in the 1950’s) is mentioned in almost every kitchen article and brochure, and demonstrates the necessity for your water, cooking and cooling facilities to be spatially related to each other for easy use and access. To this end, kitchen companies often provide a free design service using this triangle as the basis of the design. However one other essential part of the design, which seems not to be sufficiently handled, is the quantity and type of storage required within your kitchen. Units come in all shapes and sizes these days and with many accessories, but how often are you asked what you want and need to store in these units and what is the space requirement relationship between these things?

Therefore I would suggest that you start your kitchen planning with consideration for the five storage zones required in your kitchen:

Consumables – quickly eaten and quickly replaced – foodstuffs such as bread, cereals, refrigerated foods, milk, juices
Non-consumables – Crockery, cutlery, storage containers, glassware
Cleaning – Detergents, washing up liquids, cleaning materials, waste bin
Preparation – the main work area of the kitchen, kitchen knives, chopping boards, mixing bowls, measuring jugs etc
Cooking – pots and pans, baking trays, cake tins

Each type of storage zones should be grouped together and the internal unit configuration specified according to your needs. For a right handed person the storage zones should be planned in a clockwise direction and in an anti clock for a left handed person. Of course along with all of this you need to take into account your lifestyle, your shopping behaviour and how often you actually cook.

Planning your kitchen through the eyes of the user will result in a better and more functional design. All too often the visual aspects are rated higher than function, yet when you consider that on average a kitchen will last at least 20 years the lifespan cost should enable you to think more of the comfort and ergonomic aspects of a new kitchen alongside its looks.

Whilst researching for this article I stumbled across the website of Blum, an Austrian company who manufacture hinges, lift and pull-out systems primarily for the kitchen. Blum is well respected for their research into ergonomics and the relationship between body movements and the subsequent stress placed on the body by those movements. The kitchen is the one place in the house where most body movement takes place. Whether it is bending or stretching, kneeling or standing all these movements can have an adverse affect on the body. Blum has devised kitchen components to minimise these adverse affects. Drawers are far easier to access than shelves in base units. Their website is fascinating and will make you think differently about planning your kitchen. It also covers in more detail the zoning principles that I have outlined here and an interactive zone planner to help you assess your storage needs. www.blum.com and www.dynamicspace.com.

Once you have finalised the internal layout of your kitchen units and the storage zoning, the styling can begin. Choosing door finishes, handles, worksurfaces and tiles have an equally vital role in making your kitchen at one with the rest of your home, but function should come first.

The colours you choose for the units, floors and walls will impact the feel of the space and as always the way light fills the space will affect the appearance and power of the colours. Psychologically blue is not a good colour to use around food, but reds and oranges work well. Green is a true natural colour and achieves both a sense of energy and relaxation; hence the use of two different shades of green in a kitchen dining room would be very effective.

With the advance of modern technology comes the vast array of new manufacturing capabilities. Worksurfaces can be made from concrete, recycled glass or even reclaimed railway sleepers. To be honest anything you fancy could be used. The same is almost true for splash backs. Where as tiles were once the only option, glass is now a major contender. Steve Meech of Funky Splashbacks (www.funkysplashbacks.co.uk), a division of Able Structural Glazing Ltd, based in Broadstairs says that the increase of interest in glass for the kitchen has spearheaded the development of new ways of working with it. Now the toughened safety glass can be painted to any British Standard, or RAL colour and have photographic images printed onto it. One of Steve’s team would visit your new kitchen once the units are all installed to take measurements, make a template and confirm your colour choices. Their facility enables a single length of up to 4.5m to be prepared with cut outs for sockets, switches, hobs and sinks. Within 2 weeks Steve’s team return to install.

Finally finished your kitchen awaits a personal touch with the addition of carefully chosen accessories. Window sills are a great place to grow herbs and salad leaves, and a vase with fresh flowers on a shelf will add another dimension. Artwork should not be forgotten in the kitchen. Maybe a few choice photos of the family eating alfresco on holiday or a series of foodie orientated images. Most kitchens benefit from a window, so ensure that your view is inspiring. A bird table and bird bath would make interesting focal points.

Kitchen facts
• You walk to and from the table more than 30 times a day
• Drawers and doors are opened and closed more than 80 times a day
• More than 50 activities such as slicing, preparing a salad, buttering bread are carried out each day

I originally wrote this article for publication in Kent Life Magazine – it appeared in April 2009

D.I.Y. Thrifted Pattern Gift Wrap – Home – Creature Comforts – daily inspiration, style, diy projects + freebies.

Just loving these rugs the bright colours will bring a hint of fun and life to any room on a cold winters day. 

Equally they are great as art on the floor or even hung on a plain wall!

Enough for 6 portions (large portions) freezes easily

1kg bag of frozon chopped spinach

1 x standard size tin of chickpeas

1 large Aubgergine, cubed

2 medium sized sweet potatoes, cubed and par boiled

2 medium red onions, chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 fresh hot green chilli, halved and thinly sliced with seeds (it you like it hot)

1 tbsp ground coriander

1 tbsp cumin seeds

2 standard tins of chopped tomatoes

Olive oil

Seasoning to taste

Method

1. Defrost and cook the frozen spinach in the mircowave in a large glass bowl and drain as much liquid from it as possible.   Keep to one side.
2. Heat some olive oil in a pan and cook the onion, chickpeas, garlic, chilli and spices over a medium heat for 5 minutes
3. Add some more oil if needed and add the Aubergine.  Cook for 10 minutes or so until the Augergine starts to brown and soften
4. Add the par boiled sweet potato and the tins of tomatoes.
5. Cover the pan, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  After 12 minutes add the spinach and stir through.

I served this with plain boiled rice but equally you could serve this as a side dish to a meat curry.  Its one pan cooking at its best – easy and tasty.  You will need a large pan though.  Lots of texture and lots of colour.

Enjoy

I hope that over time my blog will entertain and educate as I share with you all my life as a woman, wife and business owner.

The basics – I married in 2000 to Martin, a man, husband and business owner.  I am an Interior Designer and Project Manager and started my own design company in 2007.  I have a degree in Interior Design.

Younique Designs Ltd, my company, offers design services to home and business owners, property developers, estate agents and anyone else who likes good design and doesn’t know how to achieve it.

My website gives more information about the business – www.youniquedesigns.co.uk

Thats a basic introduction more to follow as I learn more about blogging!

Bye for now

Julie