ANAGLYPTA = MARMITE

Picture courtesy of Anaglypta

I have just been thinking about the design of a narrow hallway leading to a Home Office. 

I am considering using Anaglypta below the dado rail to provide a practical wall covering against scuffs and scratches.

[Anaglypta as a brand is now in its 126th year, so it has form. It is paintable. It is the result of a process developed by Thomas Palmer in the late 19th Century to make an embossed paper. 
Today's Anaglypta has been tweaked until it is available in a range of materials including a super tough textile reinforced paper]

This will be painted in a pop of colour to bring it bang up to date and this is where Anaglypta comes into it's own. 

Paired with a fabulous more decorative, possibly geometric?, wallpaper above the rail will look stunning in my view.

However, I believe (like David Nichols in his article  in the Telegraph - see link below) that Anaglypta is a marmite wall covering. Personally I like it and think that used in the right place (sparingly) it can look fabulous.

What is your view?

Photo courtesy of Rockett St George

David Nichols - Design Notebook: Jonathan Adler, Anaglypta and 1950s cover stars hit the home

SMALL SPACES

My latest project - a very small space - is progressing.

Last week I presented scaled drawings and a specification booklet to my client.

I love this stage where everything is still on paper, so with no building dust, dirt or noise involved.

It is possible to imagine yourself walking into and around the room... 

FLOOR PLAN

At barely 1.5 square metres this was a challenging space to design, with every ounce of space maximised to use its full potential. The pocket door replaces a regular one, freeing door swing space. A peg rail tucks in neatly beneath the window for extra storage. 
A radiator has been replaced by a wall hung towel radiator 
for extra warmth and drying capacity.

ELEVATIONS

Bespoke panelling is used to scale the room and add interest. It is also a useful tool to prettify and disguise necessary boxing (though a large amount of unnecessary boxing will be removed).

Keeping the panelling light, along with the flooring, will help create a sense of extra space. Dark walls have been specified to disappear above the panelling again tricking the eye into thinking the room is larger than it is. 
Slim bespoke cupboards provide essential storage above the WC and below the sink.

ELEVATIONS

Underfloor heating will be installed. 

For minimal loss of head height in what is a relatively high ceilinged room, this is well worth the effort for cosy feet and a regular ambient temperature all year round. Particularly beneficial under the limed wood effect porcelain tiles.

SPECIFICATION BOOKLET

The specification booklet contains pictures and dimensions, and any other useful information, for the client to see exactly what they are getting in terms of furniture, lighting and any accessories. The ceiling light is a semi-flush, tilting LED light. Simple in look this will discreetly hug the ceiling. Task lighting is provided each side of the mirror, providing a focal point as you walk in and also ready for re-touching make-up.

SPECIFICATION BOOKLET

A beautiful round mirror with brass effect to tie in with the lighting either side of it will hang above the sink unit. There is a hook to hold the leather strap in place.

ELEVATIONS IN RELATION TO FLOOR PLAN

Now, where did I put my magic wand?!

If you have a project that you need help with why not get in touch? 

Click on the link below and contact me via the 'Contact' button. 

Emma Painter Interior Design would love to help.

Emma Painter Interior Design

PERSPECTIVE and all that stuff

PERSPECTIVE and all that stuff

I am back to work at the start of September with a new sense of energy and perspective.


OVER THE SUMMER 
(referring to the holiday period = time of year and not the weather)

I have had some perfect family time

I have read Stuffocation

I have visited Rome.

WORK is humming along nicely with some interesting new enquiries and a variety of exciting projects to get my teeth into.

All in all - given just a little more BRITISH SUN before Autumn sets in - life is good.

As an Interior Designer reading a book like 'Stuffocation' really got me thinking, particularly following on from a fascinating exhibition on 'What is luxury?' I attended earlier in the year at the V&A.

It seems that us humans in our materialistic society - having literally crammed all the stuff we can buy into our lives because it is available and affordable at every level and price point from couture to high street to supermarket... just because we can - are suddenly realising that stuff can't always make you happy...indefinitely. 

I say indefinitely because no-one can deny - particularly working in the industry I do -  that wonderful happiness that comes with new ownership. 

But this doesn't last. Very soon you will be longing for the next big thing. 

Wanting stuff (not needing it) is more of an obsession with feeling that new buzz. 
We humans are simple creatures - once we've experienced that rush of adrenaline we all - to a greater or lesser degree - want to re-create that happy place again...and again.

The thing is that, whilst you can interact with inanimate 'things' to a point, they do not make you feel as good as a night out with a close group of friends for example. 

The point Stuffocation makes is that human interaction, whether with each other or with the great outdoors makes us happier because not only do we live in the moment but we also lay down a memory that can be replayed as often as we like.

Why do you think we have tried to make inanimate 'things' interactive? (3-D for example?). It's because us humans are social creatures - we love to interact. 

And what do we do with all this 'stuff' once we've tired of it? 

We are contending with an ever-growing world population with a ever-developing hunger for stuff; an ever-growing access to technology which feeds the production of greater and different stuff; and an ever-growing global market to transport the stuff to those in want. 

There has without doubt over the last 10 or so years been a move towards creating recyclable items that won't leave a lasting mark on our planet but also, markedly, towards creating items with longevity born out of craftsmanship that earn their place on our littered planet and aren't just throwaway. 

This move towards owning beautiful objects that will last and require skill to make to some extent feeds that adrenaline kick, makes us think before we rush to buy (well unless spending a million a pop comes easy - the rise of the millionaire society is a whole other topic..); and means fewer but better made desirable objects of stuff.

But we've been here before:

Let me take you back to the era of William Morris and his reaction to the explosion of good stuff made available for the masses following on from the advent of machines and bloom of mass production - the innovation that keeps on giving, and giving.

William cautioned us then to only have in our homes that which we consider to be either 'beautiful' or 'useful' (ideally both).

Have we heeded him? Not really. 

Over and over again we get carried away with what can be produced using the latest technology. And technology is developing faster and faster...there will always be something 'new' born every second around the world and because of our incredible highly developed (and ever-developing) global interaction this is a flower that just keeps on blooming.

I wish I had your optimism James Wallman but remember the film 'Cast Away' and the poignant scene where FedEx whizz kid Tom Hanks gathers up the washed up parcels on the beach? 

Circumstances changed him and opened his eyes but then he was picked up by a tanker (full of stuff)... and life went on...

Those who have been able to afford to have what they want are the ones who are waving the flag for Stuffocation but coming up in the ranks is a constant supply of the next set blinking into the sunlight of a world full of things they can finally call their own.

We set something in motion a long time ago and when it goes off with a bang (and it will eventually) somebody somewhere will be left clutching a Jimmy Choo. 

I really hope that those shoes are comfortable.

COVETABLE THIS MONTH

This month I have a few obsessions:

No 1 city break destination

No 1 I am coveting one of 
Bert's Barges which would require downsizing and living a totally blissful waterside existence, complete with on point scandinavian styling and Bert & May's exquisite tiles. 

These barges are also available as hotel rooms if you would like to try before you buy.....as per XFactor: that is one big fat yes from me.

          BERT'S BARGES = heaven on water.







No 2 I am absolutely in love with these patterned tiles spotted on Blog Magazine Interzine:

You just would wouldn't you