Fusion Interior Design & Home Renovation

Old meets new

2012-01-29T17:02:00.000Z

Maybe it never went away, but retro, vintage, old meets new is definitely back. The new series of Mad Men is back on UK TV screens in March and programes such as this have certainly had something to do with a 50's / 60's design resurgence. Beautiful and practical design, sleek lines, subtle curves and pure class has given credence to the latest pieces available which you should have at least one of your home.

Chanel 4s recent Black Mirror Series had 3 episodes set in various different times but the third episode had a futuristic tech theme set in a modern contemporary world but with the 2 lead characters in very much 60's fashion, both cars in the programe were 1950's and 1960's vehicles, a Ford Zephyr and and an MG MGA, and the furniture in the properties had a distinct vintage feel.

The Victorians were brilliant at mixing different period styles together. Mass production meant more goods were available to buy and the newly emerging middle classes took immense pride in their homes which they saw as a reflection of status. Consumers now had access to the latest household goods and flocked to see them on display at the numerous exhibitions. The Victorian era was the age of imitation and reproduction. Every style from Gothic to rococo was revived.

Today's consumer, of course, can be as versatile as the Victorians having almost limitless access to information on design styles and product from images and literature available from the internet, libraries and museums such as the V and A to the many large multiple and independent retailers selling retro vintage pieces both on the high street and online.

I guess we all have a fascination and to some extent an obsession with antiques and inherited, 'one off’ family heirlooms but in a world where purchasing departments and trend setters dictate what we have access to and can buy in terms of the same clothes; furniture; books; home furnishings and food etc it’s only the old, nostalgic, ever lasting loved pieces from our history, and in most cases, things that are no longer made which truly stand out.

6 years on the market

2011-06-08T10:22:00.000+01:00

The story of a modern-day palace

Widely regarded as the most important private residence to be built in England since the 19th century, to describe Updown Court as a palace is an understatement. Indeed, the two nearest palaces - Hampton Court and Buckingham - are both smaller.

Situated on a secluded estate in Windlesham, and set in 58 acres of beautiful forested countryside, this four-storey cream-coloured mansion has 103 rooms, including 24 en-suite bedrooms, two guest houses, a security lodge and manager's office.

What is more, Updown Court is available for you and your entourage to move in immediately - if, that is, you can afford the £70 million reserve price tag, £3 million stamp duty and, of course, the phenomenal running costs estimated to be around £10,000 a month just for gas and electricity.

The first Updown Court was built in 1924 on 12 acres of land.
In 1977, Prince Sami Gayed of Egypt purchased it, but the building was abandoned after it was damaged by a fire in the Great Storm of 1987, believed to have been caused by a fallen tree rupturing a gas main.
Thereafter, Indian businessman Banjul Singh purchased the property and began an extensive renovation programme.
The following year, Les Allen-Vercoe of Rhymer Investments, a Surrey-based property magnate, acquired Updown Court for £20m and set about creating a sumptuous citadel inspired by Victorian-era mansions.
He replaced the original American architect with a Briton, Eades Hotwani, and hired Italian craftsmen to lay the marble tiles and mosaics.
Today, Updown Court is larger than Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace and includes 24 bedroom suites, 27 bathrooms and five pools.
At £70 million, it is the most expensive house currently on sale in the UK, though a property in London was recently sold for £80 million.

Decorex 2010

2010-10-01T17:15:00.001+01:00

Each September I look forward to Decorex, the Interior Design show at Royal Hospital Chelsea but to be honest with you the last few years has left me flat.

This year was an inspiration. Maybe because of the tough economic climate, we are all having to pull out the stops and work a little harder, however the result was a fantastic display of creativity and show of new products. The exhibitors stands were the best I had seen since the days of Decorex being held at Syon Park. It is encouraging to see so much potential and so many gorgeous products being launch.

Particular favourites were Harlequin Tabletop & Andrew Martin

I'm off to have some fun designing!

Thanks for reading and if you need any advice or input just let me know.

Jan

Fusion Interior Design

My First Award!

2010-09-30T10:22:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to the Epsom rotary Club for presenting the award and for their time & support.

On 4th September 2010, Epsom Rotary Club presented Jason Barnett with his award for Most Supportive Team Manager at the Surrey Youth Games. The trophy wasn'tquite ready at the end of the Games, hence a delay in presentation. Past President Harry Corben our Vocational Service committee chairman met up with Jason at Alexandra Recreation Ground, where Jason's tennis career really began. Tennis was a new sport at the Surrey Youth Games for 2010 and a Team Manager was needed. After struggling to find a coach, Jason stepped up to the challenge. His tennis pathway began when he joined the Tennis For Free scheme at Alexandra Recreation Ground. Since then he has gone on to gain his Tennis Level 1 Coaching Certificate. Jason enthused all the tennis participants with his infectious personality and motivation and on the day of the Games his team won a bronze medal. All the team members went away having had a great time at the Surrey Youth Games.Source http://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.asp?ClubID=874

New client testimonial!!

2010-09-22T16:09:00.002+01:00

Many thanks to Mr & Mrs H for this fantastic testimonial!

This lovely retired couple asked us to tackle a number of rooms in their home and had been put off by having to organise lots of different trades and sourcing numerous products.

“For too many years we had postponed the redecoration of a bedroom, hall, stairs and landing and our two reception rooms, replacing all carpets and some curtains and blinds, and installing a complete new kitchen from scratch.

Then, through the internet, we discovered Fusion, a local business run by Jan & Jason.

They helped us enormously, not only in selecting the various colour schemes, furnishings, curtains and other products, but they also took a pride in the planning process and the finished project.

We are indebted to their expert help and expertise and to the excellent tradesmen they use who, incidentally, work to the very highest standards. We are totally delighted with the result - almost like moving into a new home! We would have no hesitation in recommending Fusion to others.

Thank you Jan & Jason for a job very well done.”

Mr & Mrs H. - Stoneleigh.

A testimonial from one of our lovely clients!

2010-08-06T11:27:00.000+01:00

Dear Jan & Jason,
We just wanted to write and thank you for all of the work that you have put in to transforming our house! Not only are we absolutely delighted with the final results, but getting there has actually been fun!

When we moved into our house last summer, we both felt slightly daunted, not only by where to start in terms of colour schemes, etc but also at the thought of weekends spent shopping for curtains, light fittings, furniture, etc with an active (!!) toddler in tow.

Thank heavens we found you, because we've been able to do everything from the comfort of our own home, saving both time and frayed nerves! From the first meetings with Jan when she quickly managed to pinpoint our style and then went on to come up with some beautiful ideas, through the main work period which was all planned and executed so smoothly, through to the final finishing touches.

The whole process has been unbelievably easy (for us at least!) and enjoyable and we would not hesitate to recommend you. We've loved working with you both and hope to carry on doing so in the future. I honestly don't think that we would now go back to doing things ourselves. The house looks beautiful, but is also practical and suits the way we live and we absolutely could not have done that without you both.

Mr Mrs M - Nork

Bathroom Design & Layout - Does it all fit?

2010-08-03T15:32:00.003+01:00

When planning changes to your existing bathroom or building a new bathroom it is useful to see what items you can fit into your room before you begin the work. The Bathroom Design 'Does it Fit' planning tool will enable you to select various bathrooms items such as the bath, toilet, sink, bidet, shower, or fitted bathroom furniture to give an idea of how and where you can place these items in your bathroom. The plan uses the most popular product sizes available and also allows you to add windows, extra walls etc. You can even place a person to give you an idea of how much room you have to move around in.

The Bathroom Planner is offered as a guide for planning your bathroom, please recheck your measurement manually to ensure there are no mistakes and discuss fully with your local bathroom supplier.

Once you have built your floor plan using the easy menu options, you will be able to print your virtual bathroom design and take it along to your local bathroom supplier.

To start, have your bathroom dimensions to hand, and then Click Here to launch the Bathroom Planner.

If you need any help or advice just let us know by clicking here

Regards,
Jason

The Home Gym

2010-06-03T10:18:00.001+01:00

The Home Gym.

If finding time to keep fit is always difficult for you and you hate the thought of having to go to a gym at 6.30 in the morning why not invest in one in your garden?

This is a beautifully made cedar clad garden building which our clients use as a home gym.

Air conditioning, flooring, decorating and electrics are all supplied so its ready to go as soon as the paints dry!

http://www.fusion-interiordesign.co.uk/

Jason's top 10 fab designs

2010-05-21T16:28:00.005+01:00

Anglepoise Lamp

Originally designed in Britain in the 1930’s this classic has been

extensively copied by other companies and is still in use today. The design of the ‘arm’ has been employed in numerous other devices

Design

Yes I know a bit odd, design in itself isn’t design, or is it? Design is everywhere in product, packaging, homes, fashion, food, everything. From a multi-million pound house to a toothbrush if it’s not well designed it doesn’t work. Try cleaning you teeth with a badly designed toothbrush and you’ll know what I mean.

E – Type Jag

To be honest I’m not really a car guy but if I was in the market for a classic car this has got to be up near the top of the list.

Filofax

Still a favourite, won’t break down, won’t run out of battery and wont electronically snigger at you when you disappear inside your own smartphone. And yes I have got a smartphone!

Louis ghost chair

A modern cult classic and used in the right setting looks amazing.

American Football

A gladiatorial mixture of ballet and chess. A perfectly executed passing play is amazing to watch and the movement of the ball in the air is captivating.

Jeans

Levis 501’s were the first pair of jeans made in the late 1800’s and many versions and branded manufacturers have followed. Whatever the make, shape, style or price once you have pair that fit they make you feel great and life just seems a bit better.

Wii

The first generation motion style gaming console got the family together and helped us get a little bit fitter whilst having fun!

Xbox and Sony will be launching their versions at E3 this June.

The World wide web

Sir Tim Berners Lee invention has today given us the Internet; email; social networking; shopping; information all at our fingertips. It seems to be never ending with the latest ‘something’ arriving all the time.

An amazing resource, how did we all live and work prior to its arrival and are we better for it?

Concorde

Every time you heard it you knew what it was but you still had to run outside to have a look.

Don't move, improve!

2010-04-29T15:03:00.002+01:00

Hello!

According to official figures the home home improvement market is flourishing with mortgage lenders reporting a 50% rise in loans taken out last year to pay for renovations. This is a market that has been valued at a whopping £11 billion and many of these homeowners are calling interior designers and architects to help splash the cash sensibly and improve their existing property, making their dream homes a reality. Add to this falling house prices and reduced access to mortgages and you can see why British home owners are choosing to stay put.

For some great ideas why not visit the National Home Improvement show in Earls Court, 1-3 October 2010.

http://www.improveyourhomeshow.co.uk/

Designers, Architects and homeowners will be flocking there for inspiring ideas and searching for new ways to add real value to their property and create a space that will allow them to stay put and meet the demands of an ever changing and evolving lifestyle.

Thanks for reading,

Jason

*source i.d. may 2010

Jan's top 10 Fab designs

2010-04-23T14:47:00.010+01:00

Barcelona Chair

This iconic chair makes it easy to add style to any room. Now widely available but stick to classic colours

Cyclamen

Pure, simple and utterly beautiful. Flowers add so much to the finishing touches when accessorising a room

Georgian House design

Large doors, lots of windows and symmetry with elegant detailing. Still a popular design with new build

Wood

A natural product that can be used for anything, as creative as your imagination. So tactile either in its natural form or polished

Architecture

Strong lines, lots of glass and white walls make a striking contrast against most backgrounds

The London Eye

With some negativity at its start this has now become one of the UK’s top tourist attractions and the London skyline would not be the same without it.

Samsung netbook

Small, compact and so shiny

I didn’t want to take

the protective cover off.

Alessi juicer

Like something out of a sci-fi film – slightly menacing but practical too!

iPod

Fantastic, truly awesome, I wish I had invented it!

Elephants

Nature’s design – Just perfect.

2010-03-26T10:18:00.000Z

Good morning everyone!
Finally, it looks like Spring is here. Granted there is rain at times but at least it's warmer and the sun is shining.
With a new start like Spring there is no better time to brighten up your home and Harlequin fabrics and wallpapers have gorgeous collections that can bring your home back to life.

Harlequin also have a childrens collection which we have used recently together with a beautiful wall mural which is also available from us.

Click on the following link to see their collections http://www.harlequin.uk.com/collectiongroups.aspx

To see more of our projects at Fusion Interior Design click on the link.
http://www.fusion-interiordesign.co.uk/portfolio.htm

Thanks for reading,

Jason

Jan's Design Idea's:

2010-03-25T11:04:00.000Z

Jan's Design Idea's: Gloomy hall? For dark hallways try adding a vase with bright flowers, some personal photographs in different frames collectively hung in a shape, making someone feel welcome in your home as soon as they've walked in!

Our new web site!

2010-03-24T16:43:00.000Z

Our new web site is now live, have a look and follow us on your prefered social network or all of them! We'll update them with regular blogs and new images together with great ideas and tips from Jan.

http://www.fusion-interiordesign.co.uk/

Make coming home a pleasure

Jason