Company Ethos
Our Ethos as a company is to be a design led manufacturing company giving our clients a bridge in the construction process between their architectural practice and their interior designer. As a company we leave the architect to deal with the exterior shell design and construction type of any property, and from that designed envelope we use our experienced design team to transform the interior space to ensure the specific client requirements are addressed, and that the style type, material specification and construction quality is to the highest available standard. Effectively, the house interior is treated as a single seamless interactive space, divided into areas which complement each other and over which there is complete control over the relative proportions of the juxta positioned spaces.
The HG Building Our self-designed manufacturing facility is directly controlled by the in house design team. With this in place we are in a position to be able to completely manage the path from initial client consultation, through the design phase, the choosing of different material and finishes palette’s, through the construction phase, and forward to the eventual project hand over to the client. Within the scope of this service it gives our team the ability to co-ordinate the elements entrusted to us directly by a client, with any additional requirements arising from the involvement of third party providers or consultants, thereby creating what webelieve to be a unique service.
Ceiling Details Ceiling detailing is an often overlooked area in creating stylish spaces within a property envelope. They are primarily important as they can be used, if carefully considered, to both complement and cover the structural elements invariably imposed on the interior space, which result from the architectural and engineering considerations of the exterior shell design. As a secondary function, they provide an effective working space to allow for the distribution of mechanical and electrical services, and also provide important access and servicing points. Following on from that they become the carrier and reflective backdrop for lighting schemes. Clever, thoughtful, and well-designed lighting schemes within multi-faceted ceilings controlled via modern programmable and interactive systems, have the ability to control the mood and atmosphere within a property during differing periods of the day. Finally, the ceiling carries a colour hue which sets the tone for the interior finishes colour palette for the differing spaces. It is our belief therefore that the ceiling element of a space is an often overlooked detail which if given proper consideration can greatly improve the effectiveness and impact of a design scheme.
Wall Details As with ceiling details often the primary function and positioning of walls within an envelope is dictated by the architectural and structural requirements of the property shell. We believe that a well-designed interior provides for a work around of these elements, and removes from the interior space any reference to their structural importance. Primarily, we consider necessary walls as elements which can be added to in shape or form to enhance the interior design brief. This thought process as a by-product assists with the secondary function of a wall, which is to act as a conduit for mechanical and electrical services, and as with ceilings its function as a background reflective surface for the interior lighting of an area and as a carrier for lighting elements. Where the importance and function of a wall overtakes that of a ceiling is with its relationship to the human eye which contacts more directly and often than other interior surfaces. Couple this with its ability to carry storage solutions, a multitude of textured man made or natural finishes, and almost infinite colour palettes’ cements the wall as having the greatest impact within a designed interior.
Furniture As manufacturers we are acutely aware of the role that furniture plays within an interior, and this does not stop at the creation of architecturally stylish storage solutions. Part of our role as designers and manufacturers is to ensure that we apply form and function to satisfy the practical and ergonomic needs of our clients. Our other role which we take from their brief and possibly more important, is to use our experience to take those furniture solutions forward into specific interior spaces, and ensure that they interact successfully with the other elements involved in a design package. Furniture is invariably the most significant and critical part of an interior. We are constantly trying to develop new finishes and effects to keep us at the cutting edge of interior design trends in offering market leading products and solutions to our clients. Additionally, we work often work with them to create unique and individual pieces to suit special requirements and circumstances.
Materials & Finishes As designers we are constantly searching for ways to integrate the latest materials and finishes into client projects. This is often led in house by our design team who create new designs and details, which when combined with new material types create stylish and innovative interiors. We input into this process from as many different sources as we can and establish partner suppliers as a consequence benefiting from their input and practical experience to constantly seek to improve our design team. This materials handling experience is also invaluable to a client as it enables us to advise their interior decorators as to the suitability of certain materials and finishes in performing certain tasks and the best ways to integrate them into the designed scheme. Invariably the ability to have these conversations helps greatly in eliminating potential mistakes from the design phase of a job. We handle hardwoods, man-made and natural veneers, paint and lacquer finishes, natural and man-made stone products, specialist metal finishes, glass and hides as items which we seek to combine in innovative ways to satisfy a client’s design brief.
Access Solutions From the structural elements of an interior to the manner in which that interior is divided and partitioned, individual spaces are isolated and accessed by different door solutions. Within any comprehensive design brief we carefully consider how best to vary the impact of the access solutions. From imposing main entrance doors to a property, designed to give maximum impact, to discreet pocket sliding doors all access solutions need to be designed and proportioned as part of an initial brief to allow them to seamlessly integrate within the final design solution. It is therefore imperative that the style, mechanical support mechanisms, finishes and colours are developed as part of the total solution, with any skirting or room check details also forming part of the design brief.
This brochure only gives a taste of what we have done for others. To see the rooms we could transform in your home please contact us by phone or email. Our Headquarters and Design Studio The HG Building, Mercantile Road, Rainton Bridge Industrial Estate, Houghton le Spring, DH4 5PH. t: +44 (0) 191 584 9855 e: office@herringtongate.com Open by appointment Toad Hall, Front Street, East Boldon, Tyne and Wear, NE36 0SA. To make an appointment or to arrange for us to visit your home please call Michael Stephenson or Lee Younger on +44 (0) 191 536 5050 www.herringtongate.com