6 minute read
House Trends
TRENDS FOR 2020
Spring is often the time that many of us look to freshen up our homes. But if you’re looking to do more than a spring clean, what are the fashions to look out for this year when it comes to your home?
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KITCHENS: KEEPING IT COLOURFUL
While white gloss and cream Shaker style cabinets will always have a place in our homes, this year the experts say we’ll be seeing more colour in our kitchens. Their top tip for 2020: shades of aqua. But you don’t need to replace your whole kitchen, there are plenty of simple ways to spruce up your space this spring.
Splashbacks and Tiling
White subway tiles have a universal appeal, but there are plenty of other options around for a brighter look when it comes to kitchen splash backs and tiling. An unusual splash back can be a great way to add a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral kitchen.
Appliances
Long-gone are the days of plain white appliances on show in our kitchens – these days they’re more likely to be tucked away behind cupboard doors. But sometimes it’s worth having them on display. A brightly coloured fridge freezer or impressive range can be a real focal point in a kitchen and there are plenty of options on the market.
Feature Lighting
Spotlights serve a purpose, but lighting can be much more interesting than that. From classic pendants to architecturally-inspired works of art, feature lighting can really draw the eye in a kitchen.
Accessories
If you’d like to dip your toe in the trend without going all in, there are plenty of easy ways to do it. From an aqua vase with a bunch of spring blooms in it to new bar stools or even a clock – there are many ways to add in a touch of blue to your existing colour scheme.
BATHROOMS: MIX UP THE METALS
The bathroom may be one of the smaller rooms in the house, but that doesn’t mean it deserves less attention. Recent years have seen a move away from the all-white bathroom suites and chrome taps that once dominated bathroom design, and there are plenty of options on the market now if you’re looking to do something a little different.
Channel Island Ceramics has been in the business for 40 years, and has seen plenty of trends come and go during that time. For 2020, they think we’re going to be keen to mix up our metals. “For years chrome has been king, being the supreme and only choice for bathroom brassware. However, a revolution is taking plan with coloured metallic brassware emerging as an exciting trend in bathroom and interior design. You may not immediately think of metallics when we talk about bathrooms, but this is the in trend for 2020. Decorating your bathroom with metallic finishes is the perfect way to ensure you remain on trend and evoke personality into your bathroom. You don’t have to go all out bling and rose gold everything to tick the box, instead statement styling and subtle accents can add a really luxurious feel to otherwise understated surroundings.”
Celebrating
YEARS OF TRADING
STUDIO SPACE
Believed to be the second oldest tennis club in the UK, Kings has plenty of history and heritage behind it. But the new addition to its facilities is as contemporary as possible. The club’s new indoor cycling studio is believed to be the most modern and technologically advanced in Europe. With an investment of £400,000 for the work, we find out what it took to create the new space.
The new 885 sq.ft studio is packed with the latest audio and visual technology available on the market, complemented by an impressive 8.5m x 3m IMAX-style curved screen. The high-definition video content is delivered by a two-part blended projection solution displaying immersive programming from group fitness providers, Les Mills.
“Every detail of the studio has been carefully planned to ensure the best possible user experience,” said Steve Brehaut, operations director at Kings. “The darkened room adds to the sense of anticipation on arrival, while chevron lights lead you into the studio where our 25 Stages SC3 bikes are carefully positioned on a three-tier staged layout to ensure that all riders have the best possible view of the screen. Eight parallel lines of digitally-controlled ceiling LED strip lights work in sync with wall lights and mirrors to convey the feeling of forward movement, while six ultra-violet cannons and strobe lights all add to the unique, fully immersive experience.”
While the on-screen visuals are undoubtedly the star of the show, the audio system adds a further impressive layer: “It’s controlled by the latest in digital sound processor technology with graphic equalisers and a time delay capability to enhance the audio quality of the studio” explained Steve. “It cleverly delivers the most favourable frequency range to the various speakers.”
Eight Martin Audio 8” speakers and two 15” sub-bass speakers are precisely positioned and operate at optimum levels to ensure both music and instructor voice is clear and crisp. The resulting sound quality is impressive.
“Careful planning and treatment of the walls and ceilings include the latest technology in sound absorption,” said Steve. “This ensures that our studio performs to the same high standards as would be found in a professional recording studio.”
All content can be digitally controlled by five tablets located throughout the studio and is displayed on the largest cinema screen in Guernsey. The interactive workout is known as ‘The Trip’.
“You would think that the installation of a worldclass facility such as this would take a substantial time to complete,” said Sean Mills, club manager at Kings. “However, it took only four weeks from start on site for the facility to be built, tested, commissioned and handed over ready for members to enjoy thanks to a team of specialist contractors who worked around the clock to deliver the facility. This is truly a studio like no other.”
“We are understandably proud of our new studio,” said Steve. “However, our belief that we had built something quite special was underpinned when master instructor Lee Smith from Les Mills visited to train our staff. He was literally blown away and said that our studio was the best he’d seen, not only due to the cutting-edge technology, but also because of the quality of finish, attention to detail and top of the range equipment.”
