A Night At The Movies

What was once seen as the ultimate in extravagance is now becoming more and more popular, even in these not so easy financial times.
Home cinemas first started appearing about 10 or 12 years ago but were only associated with super luxury homes, however we have recently started to see them more and more and sometimes in quite modest houses.
Once seen as just a rich mans toy, the move towards home entertaining means that increasingly people are investing in their homes and seeing home cinema as a way to bring family and friends together.


And it is no longer just dedicated cinema rooms in bachelor style pads or 15000sqft mansions. It is possible to have a cinema installed so that it is hidden within the modern home when it is not in use, and complements the existing décor and architectural style. Then at a touch of a button the curtains close, the lights dim and the screen comes downs, transporting you to your very own movie theatre!

Imagine the experience of watching a movie in your own home, with picture and sound to rival the best West End cinemas, along with your choice of food, drink and audience! It is easy to see why cinemas have become such a lusted after addition to the home.
But with the huge choice of technology available on the market, the involvement of the professionals is a must in order to get the most out of your home cinema experience as they will aid you in specifying everything from the audio-visual hardware configurations, to furniture, curtains, wall and floor coverings.

As we are part of the Concept Group, Concept Interiors can work hand in hand with our sister company Prestige AV to design, build and deliver your dream audio-visual solution!

http://www.prestige-av.co.uk/

http://www.concept-interior.co.uk/

Top 10 Tips for a Stylish Yet Practical Kitchen

The sheer volume of products, suppliers and literature available on kitchen design, not to mention the ever changing trends, can make the prospect of having a new kitchen a daunting and overwhelming prospect so we have condensed all of the key information for you and compiled our top ten tips for a stylish yet practical kitchen.

1. Lighting – Lighting the space is key and will enhance the overall appearance of the kitchen. Use light to enhance and create features as well as to provide task lighting. Incorporate stylish pendants over an island or use plinth lights for effect. For real “wow” factor why not position a feature chandelier over your kitchen island, cross lighting it to add a dramatic effect.

2. Handles – choose handleless for an über-sleek look; either touch-open or electronic. Alternatively use unusual handles to add glamour and detail to your kitchen. If budget allows, why not have a bespoke handle designed to give your kitchen a completely unique look.


3. Islands – If you have sufficient space, incorporate an island or peninsula into your kitchen. Whether the island is used for relaxed dining/entertaining or for storage it will add a stylish dimension to the kitchen design.

4. Multi-functional Space – Your kitchen should be viewed as a sociable space for all of the family to relax in and the kitchen design needs to reflect this. Incorporating a soft seating area or a breakfast bar will ensure that friends and family gravitate to the kitchen, making it the most popular room in the house!

5. Intelligent Storage – Squeeze every last inch of useable storage space out of your kitchen by incorporating pull-outs and corner storage solutions. Magic Corners are ideal for storing large items such as pots and pans and maximise the useable space in a corner cupboard, whereas a pull out larder allows you to easily see and access everything within a tall cupboard, meaning that there is no need to grope around at the back of a cupboard trying to find that elusive item!


6. Fabrics – Soften and style your kitchen with decorative window treatments and upholstered seating. Introducing some gorgeous fabrics into the kitchen will pull the scheme together and should not be overlooked. As long as your window is not next to the cooking area then there is no need to assume that the kitchen blind should be purely functional. There is such a wide range of fabrics available that there will be something to suit every style and budget. The kitchen window treatment should be seem as the finishing detail; the icing on the cake! http://www.designercurtains.uk.com/

7. Stylish yet efficient appliances – choose energy efficient appliances which will save you money in the long run, but fear not, this doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on appearance. Choose appliances from the same range to give a sleek and stylish look to your kitchen. Make a feature out of your appliances by having a bank of tall units which house you ovens, microwave and coffee machine. Use warming drawers underneath appliances to balance the space and create a streamlined, linear finish.

8. Worktops – Choose quartz as a modern alternative to granite. Quartz is more scratch resistant, stain resistant, and wear resistant than natural granite, and is available in a wide choice of colours.


9. Flooring – Porcelain floor tiles in large formats are stylish and maintenance free, whereas natural stone requires maintenance to keep I looking at is best.

10. Gadgets – Pop up sockets, which work fantastically on an island and when not in use can be hidden away, integrated waste sorters for all your waste and recycling needs, boiling water taps so that there is no need for a kettle, and taps with pull out nozzles for easy cleaning - the list is endless!

For a stylish, yet effective kitchen, clever planning is the key, as a practical working layout is the fundament of good kitchen design. The layout should be designed to reflect your individual needs and requirements and Concept Interiors will work with you to design, supply and install the kitchen of your dreams! http://www.concept-interior.co.uk/

Glitz & Glamour

This season, glamour is back!
A visit to London Design Week 2010 at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre for the launch of this seasons new collections has inspired and excited me! Seeing all the new opulent and luxurious fabrics, furnishings and wall coverings, especially Brian Yates collections, Akoya and Ulf Moritz Pearl, has rekindled my love for this lavish style.



Faux skin and hide wall and floor coverings are going to be huge this year. Sexy and touchable, embossed and dyed, in ostrich, python and shagreen add glamour and luxury; prepare to be seduced!



It’s all about indulgence. For an extravagant feel use tactile and textured wallcoverings to add a sense of depth, warmth and interest which is simply not achievable with paint. Combine rich and sumptuous colours with shimmering yet soft metallic’s to add glamour and glitz. This look is definitely not for the faint-hearted!


Images Courtesy of Brian Yates

Spring/Summer Trends 2010

Whilst the rain is falling outside and winter is keeping us in its chilly grasp, my thoughts turn to the coming season, a warmer (I hope!), brighter, happier place! I am cheered by the thought of the upcoming key interior trend for Spring/Summer 2010 -English Kitsch.

Think pastels, floral, organic shapes, natural fibres and weaves. The look is unashamedly pretty, with its pastel palette of colours mixed with crisp whites. A perfect way to start the New Year afresh.



Spring clean your space and find comfort in the nostalgic designs. Your home should be a place to retreat to, to luxuriate in, reminiscent of days gone by, yet with a fresh injection of life.

Do shabby chic with style, de-clutter your rooms, revamp old furniture with a lick of paint and invest in a few key pieces to pull the look together.



Brighten up your home whilst you eagerly wait for the cold winter days to disperse. Embrace English country house elegance using vintage style fabrics and wallpapers in pretty prints. Go on, give in to your girly side!

And, this supplier is perfect to get you started on revamping you home http://www.sanderson-uk.com/collections.aspx?ID=0&P=1&C=0.