Samantha Morgan @ Concept Interiors - Blog

New Collections

2011-09-16T07:02:00.000-07:00

This is an exciting time of year for the Interior Design Industry as not only are fabric companies bringing out all of their new books featuring an array of fantastic fabrics for the Autumn/Winter, but Design Week and Decorex are only round the corner.
This is an especially exciting time for Concept Interiors as we are planning our launches from now until the end of the year which will feature brand new window displays and new furniture features throughout our showroom.

We are lucky enough to have just had a fabulous promotional photoshoot for our showroom, which features examples of stunning rooms we have created which clients can look at and envisage in their home. Our launches will not only allow clients to view our fantastic displays of furniture, lights and accessories but also will allow them to see the glamorous new decorations we will be getting in for Halloween and Christmas.

We are also in the fortunate position of being featured in Surrey Life's October issue. Our head designer Samantha Morgan is being interviewed and discusses her interior experiences and what are her best picks for the up coming season, as well as more gorgeous pictures of our showroom. Don't miss out on your chance to see it!

Our New Showroom and a look at Polished Plaster

2011-08-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

We have only been in Weybridge 2 months but our showroom is near enough complete. It is filled with a variety of bespoke furniture, unique artwork and stylish lighting. Throughout the showroom we have various wall finishes on display, ranging from Mica wallpaper by Altfield in silver, which creates the look of shimmery 'shell-like' flakes across the wall, wallpaper from Brian Yates that provides the illusion of two images instead of one and slate tiles by Surface that woould add a contemporary look to any room. What we have featured most on the walls in our showroom is Polished Plaster.

Polished Plaster is a specialised technique that starts with limestone rocks from rivers or quarries and then, by using heat, water and time, the limestone is turned into what can only be described as a 'lime putty'. It can be mixed with a variety of marble dusts and applied to turn an ordinary wall or ceiling into a masterpiece.
Polished Plaster has the ability to give a multitude of different effects from suede to marble to stone. These effects can be incorporated with many different styles such as, Contemporary, Rustic and Traditional. For centuries artists have been creating beautiful walls coloured with natural ingredients and it is through these artists imagination and refinement that these unique effects are created.

We are lucky enough to have Polished Plaster displayed in four different parts of our showroom. In our main showroom we feature two different effects; in the entrance we feature a grey marble finish, then as you move further into our showroom we have a suede-like, warm neutral with a metallic texture and soft pearl effects. We also have it in our kitchen as a lime-based glossy stucco with a gold wax finish, and because Polished Plaster can be used in wet areas we wanted to show this by featuring it in our bathroom using a shimmery mink finish.

It is essential that Polished Plaster is applied by highly skilled and fully trained professionals and it is applied to finished plastered walls, just as if you were going to have them papered or painted. Prices for Polished Plaster vary and areas smaller than 20m squared create higher meterage costs, but you can expect to pay between £70 and £150 per square meter, including VAT.
Polished Plaster can be subtle and seamless but can also be dramatic and really fantastic. It has a way of making any room in your house or building look unique and luxurious.

A Night At The Movies

2010-05-07T09:42:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-03T03:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-11T06:36:00.000-08:00

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.

Trends for 2010 - the view from Concept Interiors

2009-11-16T05:34:00.001-08:00

With 2010 fast approaching, Samantha Morgan, head designer at Concept Interiors, has been looking at future home and interior trends. Here’s her advice on what materials, patterns and colour pallets will give your home the contemporary look over the year ahead.

Concept Interiors creates eye-catching and sophisticated living spaces for clients who want the very best in their homes.

Says Samantha, “People are starting to opt for quality products in preference to cheaper alternatives for their homes. The current focus is on the more durable and eco friendly choices.”

Samantha thinks 2010 will see high quality products and finishing touches such as black nickel curtain poles with lavish jewelled finials and oversized wool pieces such as knitted rugs or upholstered furniture featuring in our homes. She explains that the two key interior looks for 2010 will be “English Kitsch” and “Eastern Glam”. Both use floral and organic shapes in their style and natural fibres. Weaves also feature in both looks.

English Kitsch uses a pastel palette of colours and nostalgic design, evoking memories of days gone by. In contrast, Eastern Glam uses the rich and opulent colours of the East - metallics combined with sumptuous purples and warm reds. The look is warm, inviting and glamourous.

Black will remain a signature colour in our bathrooms - but with more style than we’ve seen throughout 2009. Think mixed colour blend glass mosaics, rococo black resin mirrors and black accessories. Introducing luxurious purples into the theme will simultaneously soften the room and add to the glam factor. Victorian-inspired bathrooms will also be making a comeback while retaining the clean crisp lines of contemporary styled sanity ware.

“Choosing the right focal point or element for each individual room is important,” Sam continues. “However, you’ll also need the other elements of the space to work with that focal point to complete your room design.”

To help make this possible, dramatic flooring and statement lights will be hitting our homes to create a focal point for all of our rooms. Patterns such as stripes or a woven carpet, for example, will bring texture and an area of interest, while lighting can frame the room or highlight a specific element. Indeed, light fittings themselves can become features or the focal point - providing it helps to create an atmosphere.

Open-plan kitchens will also remain in demand in 2010. As people respond to the economic climate by spending more time at home, and by entertaining guests, the benefits of this feature remain as popular as ever. Quartz, however, will be making a bid to oust likes of granite as the work surface of choice, with colours, design possibilities and durability its main selling points.

Samantha Morgan can be contacted at Concept Interiors on telephone 01932 241 380 or email sam@conceptltd.co.uk. Alternatively, visit http://www.concept-interior.co.uk/.

Kitchen Designs

2009-09-29T04:19:00.000-07:00

"For a house to be successful, the people in it must be able to communicate with one another, respond to and balance with one another"Andre Putman

Kitchen Design

After reading this quote, i found this has a similar aproach to designing interiors that we do at Concept Interiors. We believe the kitchen is the hub of the home, where the family come together and socialising takes place and therefore it is vital that this space supports all of the activities that it plays host to.

We design, supply and install Second Nature kitchens which are Italian made and includes a range of over 48 different styles, so whether your tastes are traditional or contemporary, there is a range to suit you.

At Concept Interiors we will work with you to understand the way in which you use and work within your kitchen. We will carry out an initial consultation to gain a clear idea of how you envisage your new kitchen to look, the styles that you prefer, appliances and accessories that you wish to be included and any ‘must have’ items that you simply couldn’t do without.

From the consultation we will provide you with an initial design using full CAD images to enable you to envisage the space.

Upon acceptance of the initial design we will draw up a written quotation for the supply and installation of your new kitchen.

Here are a few images of kitchen Concept Interiors have deisgned:

Some kitchens have large soft furnishing areas, this give space for it to be a warm and welcoming kitchen that everyone in the family as well as friends can make use of. Others have open bar areas that make room for social events or parties to take place. The use of colour and light can also help make the room feel more open and welcoming and create a better atmosphere for everyone at home or visitors to be in. Some of these are shown in the pictures below.

Junior Interior Designer position filled.

2009-09-28T04:40:00.000-07:00

New junior interior designer joins the Concept Interiors team

Concept Interiors have now found someone to fill the Junior interior designer position, Laura Jane Blenkinsop will be filling the role from October 5th 2009.

Laura graduated in May from the University of Creative Arts in Farnham with a BA(Hons) in Interior Architecture & Design and will now be putting her learnt skills into the Concept Interiors team.

I am looking for a Junior Interior Designer

2009-09-08T03:26:00.000-07:00

Job Description

Young, dynamic interior design practise producing contemporary and traditional residential refurbishments and are looking for an all-round interior designer to produce creative concepts and detailed design packages through to overseeing the implementation process. This will also include chasing deliveries, procurement, dealing with subcontractors and checking progress on site. You should have excellent organisational skills, Vectorworks, Photoshop, Word and Excel proficient. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, highly creative, self motivated, with a can do attitude, as organisation skills and a proactive personality are key to being successful for this position.
As part of a growing company the successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow with the company, and creating a unique position for themselves with the potential to becoming a key member of staff.

Attending client meetings and taking briefs
Designing schemes and producing mood boards
Drawing up quotations
Organising implementation of designs
Producing presentation imagery using Vectorworks
Liaising with clients and suppliers
Preparation of showroom for meetings
Assisting with the day to day running of the showroom
Printing off technical drawings as required
Carrying out weekly mailshot, monitoring results and compiling monthly report of result
General ad-hoc office duties
Assisting Head of Interiors as necessary

Our offices are based in Shepperton and so it is a requirement that they live reasonably near by and normal working hours are 8am-5pm, although it may be necessary to work outside of these times on occasion, dependant on project requirements.

Salary is dependant on skills.

Window Treatments

2009-08-27T04:03:00.000-07:00

Window Treatments

Modern living, changing styles, and the development of new products and materials all need to be considered when considering our approach to the practical and decorative requirements of dressing windows.

In a room many elements can combines to create a particular ambience, but the window treatment can be one of the most eye catching and is therefore one of the most important to get right.

A consultaion will be carried out with you to gain an idea of the style that you prefer, along with colour, pattern and fabrics.

We will explain the scheme to you in detail. Any aspects that require amending or revising will be discussed thoroughly in this meeting and from there we will produce a finalised scheme.

The final scheme will be presented to you with a written specification, detailing all items within the design.

In this window dressing, i chose a simple striped pattern on the blinds, this complements the kitchen by adding some texture and detail to the bold, clean shapes it contains without putting to much focus just on the window area but still attracting your eye to the main featured wall in the room.

2009-08-21T04:47:00.000-07:00

Paint Finishes

Colour is the easiest and most effective way of instantly creating a mood for every room in your home.

I have a keen eye for colour and often combine bold colour statments with subtle, neutral tonal variations such as beige, cream, grey, allowing for harmonious rooms through the delicate combining of colour.

Whether you are thinking of having a different colour in each room or an overall colour throughout the house you need to draw everything together in one holistic scheme.

You need to understand the interlocking relationship between your home and elements of your life style, it is our aim to create stunning, luxurios living spaces to enhance you home life. Have a look at the picture below, where i have worked on this combination.

This photo shows the use of bright, bold reds, brown and gold against warm neutral coloured walls, combining these colours creates a welcoming homely feel for this family orientated home.

Samantha Morgan Concept Interior Design Service for £500

2009-08-14T02:20:00.000-07:00

As Top Designer of Concept Interiors i am pleased to be offering a special deal of a complete room design service starting from £500.00.

Concept Interiors will provide you with a complete room design, working closely with you to ensure that the brief is met and that the end result goes above and beyond your every expectation. The design fee is based on an average of 10 hours work at £50.00 per hour. Concept Interiors is at the forefront of creating stunningly eye-catching and sophisticated living spaces for clients who demand the absolute best from their homes.

During this project I will meet with you to discuss the brief and gain an understanding of your tastes and how you will be using your home. This will enable us to create a design which suits your lifestyle and spatial requirements. Following on from the brief you will be presented with:

A complete scheme which will include colour schemes, fabric swatches, brochures, tile and paint samples.
A sample board that illustrates the design elements using actual samples of the materials specified where appropriate.

After this we will explain the design scheme to you in detail. Any aspect that requires a change or revision will be discussed thoroughly in this meeting and from there we will produce a finalised scheme. The final scheme will be presented to you along with a written specification, detailing all items within the designs and a quotation for the work to be completed.

Here are a few photos of some projects we've already done...

Contact me on 01932 241 380 or email sam@conceptltd.co.uk