Wednesday 11 January 2012

Dear World Meet My Portfolio...

[it's hot off the press]



The Chase High School Hair and Beauty Salon was my first commercial salon project and I absolutley loved it so I will be on the look out for any further opportunties of this ilk. The client wanted the Salon to function an appear as a professional salon with the 6th Form Training elemement happening in the background. We used a neutral palette of colours with a range of textured and gloss finishes to keep it interesting and add a bit of glamour.

 

 


Greenfields Housing projects involved the refurbishment of two existing properties to provide new luxury accommodation for a range of clients. This project involved some specail care elements within the scheme including provisions in the colour scheme to help residents with dementia. All the residents are back in now and very happy with their new home, even if they have moved all the furniture around to accommodate a pool table in the conservatory... sigh! The client was extremely complimentary towards the interiors and we hope to take on another 2 of these refurbishments in 2012




This project was the refurbishment of an old Victorian School now used as a community college in Southend. The college brief was to modernise the image of the building to match the new and modern approaches to education.
The building suffered from poor natural lighting and terrible acoustics. I focused the scheme on these two key issues and used reflective surfaces and finishes and some clever lighting gadgets to maximise the light in the dark interior and reflect it off all available surfaces. We used white throughout to brighten the interior and provide a clean background to artwork displays.
To retain the existing high ceilings and archways in the circulation we used curved acoustic panels which add an interesting focus in the simple space and create illusions of light and shadow.
The feature colour was introduced along the reception desk in a reflective material and lit to draw people to the desk upon entering the building and to use the light wherever we could to make the space more inviting. We had excellent feedback from the client on this project.


Little Darwins... My first ever new build!
I love it!

Finances Reception Feasibility... its a real shame but this scheme got put on the shelf due to budget cuts.



This project involved the conversion of a dingy hall into a stunning wedding venue... if I do say so myself. http://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/main.cfm?MenuId=11962
Sketch scheme for a new customer service hub in the heart of Colchester... I am waiting on this one going ahead as I think it will make an excellent scheme.
This was a refurbishment of Periwinkle cottage in Aldeburgh, we integrated a seaside theme into the decor but used an injection of feature colours to warm it up... I would write more but I will do a more detailed post on this later. Incidentally if you would like to rent it you can contact the agent here http://www.bestofsuffolk.co.uk/periwinkle.asp





Saturday 7 January 2012

New Year Resolutions


Happy 2012
[to one and all]


Can't believe another year has been and gone.

Whilst I am still chowing down on 2011 Christmas treats I am making resolutions for 2012 which are as follows:

1) Don't worry, Just do
Being a designer I am extremely self critical and worry constantly that my creations aren't good enough. This year will be the year that I fight the fear and put myself out there to get my dream career... my own business and this blog is hopefully a stepping stone towards that goal.

2) To do what I want to do rather than what I should do
Over the years meeting deadlines and working within tight budgets I have allowed my creativity to be constrained... this will be the year it breaks free and I do what I want without being deterred by anyone’s else’s 'should of's... pretty sure Laga Gaga doesn't give a hoot so neither will I!

3) To blog about my projects and join creative forums

The following are the more generic of my resolutions:
 
4) Pay off credit card
(same as last year... no real headway in this one in 2011)

5) Loose one and a half stone
(same as last year... managed 1/2 stone in 2011)...
Diet starts tomorrow, as soon as I’ve finished the last of the chocolate coins!

Ambitious I know but this year I feel shooting for the stars is a must!

I'll keep you posted...