Monday 23 July 2012

A Guide to Mirrors for Letting Agents

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Letting agents are always looking for tricks to help get a home off of the market as soon as possible. Like a hotel room, any property that’s available is one that isn’t making money for either the owner or the agent. From sample furnishings to artwork, there are several tactics that a letting agent can use to take advantage of appealing to the human eye outside of the general lay of the property. Mirrors aren’t just a decorative piece for a home, but a way to create an optical illusion to any potential tenant that may be looking at a specific piece of property.
Hallways
Hallways are usually a dreary piece of the property that are hard to decorate. Placing a mirror at the end of a hallway is going to make it look twice as big as it actually is. While the average person will realize it’s only a mirror, the mind insists that the hallway is longer.
Fireplaces
The area over a fireplace is often one of heated argument. The days of placing a family or individual portrait over a fireplace are long gone, and the style could even be considered a decorating faux pas. Giving your room the look it deserves with a decorative mirror is going to have multiple effects. When the fire is actually going, the glow that’s emitted and reflected onto the mirror from furnishings actually helps give the room more color.
Bedrooms
While you might think a powder mirror isn’t going to do much, a decorative mirror of adequate size in the bedroom actually makes it look bigger. The human eye looks for walls when it walks into an unfamiliar room. The mirror tells us that the wall isn’t actually there and the room is larger than one might think. Again, the average person understands this, but takes more appeal to a property because of the way it “looked”.
Bathrooms
Before installing that bulky medicine cabinet, it’s important to realize that a medicine cabinet can easily subtract as much as 20 cubic feet from a room. By installing cabinets under your sink, and adding in a decorative mirror above the sink, you’ll not only make your bathroom look bigger with the mirror effect, but you’ll actually have a bigger bathroom. Use the extra space you’ve made yourself in the bathroom and enjoy your mornings before and after your shower.
There are many ways that buy to let rates can be increased; high quality mirrors are just one simple way to enhance your investment property.

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Here Comes The Sun...

Introducing "The Sunburst Collection"


 

ollowing three months of miserable weather blamed on a stuck jet stream that has given us nothing but rain, at last reports are promising some better weather over the next few weeks.

We are not wanting to tempt fate, but thought this was a great time to showcase our own little ray of sunshine with the stunning SUNBURST COLLECTION.

HOT OFFER: 10% OFF

(for a limited time only)

So, grab your decorative wall mirrors inspired by the sun and add some warmth into your rooms today!

Monday 16 July 2012

Bringing The Outside In Needn't Cost The Earth

When we consider the concept of bringing the outside in, we have been conditioned by the media to assume that this now means grand conservatories, skylights, vast expanses of sliding doors and huge renovation projects, all of which cost a fortune. Whilst these aspirations are fantastic if you can afford them, the benefit of bringing the outdoors into your home or work place can also be gained in a much less dramatic fashion and without making such a dent on your wallet.

With the great British summertime being a total washout so far, there has never been a better time to try to replicate the feeling of well being that being outside can create. We all know the feeling that those long summer evenings spent outdoors can generate and if only for a few months of the year, many of us look forward to them and feel a surprising burst of energy and motivation in comparison to the winter evenings. It's like as human beings we almost come alive; just as a flower reacts to the sunshine, so do we.

We mustn't forget however that we can also experience a sense of well being during the winter months, when snuggled up safe and warm in front of a fire for example. Human beings have an internal desire for nature, a calmness that makes us feel at one with the earth, especially in the hustle and bustle of the man-made world in which we live.

Bringing the outdoors in is not therefore just about designing a space inspired by the outdoors. Likewise, recreating this fulfilled emotion is not as simple as being surrounded by flowers and plants. Although these can help somewhat, to get it all, you actually need to engage as many of the senses as possible.


1. Hearing:

A sense that is often overlooked when considering interiors design, but sound plays a vital part in our overall presence. Much like a strategically chosen piece of music, the sounds in your room can create an atmosphere that will affect your mood and the way you feel. The crackle of an open fire, the trickle of a water feature or even opening a window can bring the sounds of nature in. Interior design is personal and so where the sound of the outdoors for one person may be the rush of a river running close by, the sound of rain or the chirp of birds nesting in a tree, this can be someone else's description of annoying and their preferred sound of the outdoors is the rustle of the nearby traffic or urban hums. It really does not matter, creating an atmosphere that is reflective of your personality it what counts.

2. Smell:

Much like hearing, our sense of smell can determine our mood and scents can generate an atmospheric perception. Again this is extremely personal; what may smell pleasant to one person may have a completely different effect on another and so experiment with fragrances that work for you. Whether it is through brought fragrances or more natural forms, always try to emulate a smell that reminds you of being outside.
For more organic smells and a true sense of nature, use flowers or cooking ingredients to create gentle scents e.g. roses or cinnamon sticks, a smell that expresses the mood you are trying to evoke.

3. Taste:

Probably the least obvious sense of all to consider when designing your décor, but not one to be forgotten all together. Many of us associate tastes with the great outdoors and where it may be difficult to emulate the emotions provoked by a BBQ in your rooms, adding fresh, natural, organic foods to your interior can in fact stimulate your taste buds. Think about an exotic bowl for fruit for example, not only are the vibrant colours and smells stimulating to the senses, but the act or even thought of eating them can bring back feelings from holidays abroad, beaches and various other outdoor spaces.

Link this thought process with the sense of smell, be creative and you'll be surprised how even with these less apparent senses, you can indeed bring the outdoors into your decor without spending a fortune.

4. Sight:

The largest contributor to interior design from all the senses has to be that of sight, although it is foolish to think it can be used in isolation. To stimulate our sight with inspiration taken from the outdoors there is so much we can do. Using natural materials such as wood and wool automatically gives the sense of outdoor living and when coupled with natural colour pallets, patterns and artwork all inspired by the world around us, we start to bring the outside in.

As well as the decoration of our décor, we can in fact also bring nature in. Using natural ornaments such as sea-shells, pretty rocks and stones, plants and flowers. In addition, maximizing the amount of natural light into a space, utilizing windows and maximizing the amount of light coming through them is an extremely effect way of bring nature in and can be really affordable.

As well as concentrating on the fabrics you dress your window with; a strategically placed mirror can assist you with this ploy. The natural light does not have to come directly into your room, look at the walls and observe how the light and shadows fall around your room throughout the course of a day and choose a space and a large mirror that can really take advantage of this. As well as reflecting the light, think about the image your mirror is reflecting, this is artwork in your room. Does it reflect the outdoors? A natural colour pallet? Again bring the outside into your home, and what is great about mirrors is that there are so many designs out there that you are sure to find one to suit your tastes and décor. Bring the outdoors in does not mean you have to adopt a modern or contemporary style.

Think also about the lighting in your room, are you trying to create a light and airy feel or a warm and cosy surrounding? Even without windows, with creative lighting you can still adopt a feeling of outside within a space, even if you can't see it. Think about the position of your lights, lamps, up-lighters, candles and the colours they emit, do they emulate the feelings you wish to provoke?

5. Touch:

When considering the décor of your space, as well as the colours and patterns of the items you include, think also about the textures within the space. Adding texture can create depth, almost like a perspective on the horizon, and injects personality into your room. When combined with natural materials, the way things feel can really remind us of the outdoors, whether it be a rough surface or a luxuriously soft blanket, touch is a vital sense that can sometimes be taken for granted within a design platform.

As well as the physical objects that we can pick up and touch and feel, don't discount those you can't see. Opening a window for example is a cost free way of bringing the outside in. Feeling a gentle breeze or the freshness of a snowy gust, breathing in the fresh air or even feeling the warmth from a fire are all elements that stimulate our touch sense and contribute to this concept of 360 degree well being generated by the outdoors. It is a natural instinct to want to feel these things and we sometimes do it without even thinking; you must recall a moment when you've opened all the windows in a space to create an airflow, whether it is to cool an area down, relieve a stuffy space or just to feel fresh and clean.

It is becoming increasingly popular to invest a lot of time and money into developing our outside spaces such as our gardens, balconies, terraces and so forth and whilst developing an indoor space that emulates this cannot compete with the real thing, it can create a sense of well being, an escape and calm from real life.

This article has shown that to accomplish a sense of well being within your home or work place, as inspired by the outdoors, you do not have to spend a fortune. Simply design your room taking into consideration the atmosphere you are trying to create by considering all 5 senses; sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste and combine them with our natural elements of earth, fire, water and air, and you can bring the outside in, for less.

Exclusive Mirrors is a specialist online shop that sells just mirrors. With over ten years experience they consider themselves to be experts in the mirrors industry.

The Exclusive Mirrors price promise means you will get the best mirrors at the best prices. Simply call 01709 709257 or visit the website www.exclusivemirrors.co.uk

Tuesday 10 July 2012

What Is Contemporary Design?

The term contemporary design is actually quite subjective. Depending on the topic at hand, the word contemporary can mean different things to different people. Often confused with modern style, when thinking of contemporary in relation to décor, some see it as harsh and cold, whereas others are excited by the energy that the clean lines create.

As with all décor styling, whether it is your home, your place of work, an office or a shop, being represented by a contemporary décor can speak volumes and set peoples expectations. For example: if you are in a waiting area on the ground floor of a high rise office block and the styling of the area is considered to be contemporary, with its light colours, lack of clutter and airy demeanor, you would not be forgiven for thinking that the company you are about to enter is modern, forward thinking, fresh and organised.

The definition of contemporary according to the Collins English Dictionary:


Contemporary: Definitions


adjective

1. belonging to the same age; living or occurring in the same period of time
2. existing or occurring at the present time
3. conforming to modern or current ideas in style, fashion, design, etc
4. having approximately the same age as one another


From this we can deduce that the term contemporary design is about the here and now. You certainly can't get more modern that that, but modern design is not necessarily contemporary. Modern fashions and designs may dictate the use of multiple colours, fabrics, patterns and materials, with antiques crammed into every available space, spaces adopting this would therefore be seen as modern design. Modern design is what is in fashion now, whatever that may be. Whereas contemporary design is more specific and focuses on 3 main areas; colour, lines and simplicity.


1. Colour:


A contemporary colour pallet mainly consists of shades of white and black, or at the very least fresh neutral colours. This is why many consider contemporary spaces as 'white boxes', blank canvases that are cold and lack personality. But in fact the pallet is not as limited as it first sounds. Although the base of this style is clean, light colours, it is not unusual for interiors designers to add vibrant splashes of colour throughout the space e.g. using bold block colours for accent walls, for specific pieces of furniture or with a statement piece of artwork. A kitchen with stark white walls soon comes to life when the post-box red wall units are added, or a cream living room soon oozes energy when lime green scatter cushions are added; Contemporary, but definitely not a white box.

The use of light is also important within a contemporary space. Maximising the amount of natural light into the space, creating a clean, light and bright room is an important aspect of this type of design. Often mirrors are used to assist with this, specifically, simple, plain glass framed mirrors that reflect not only the natural light but also the vibrance of the light, block colour walls. Plain glass mirrors work well as part of this décor as they are non-intrusive and do not create clutter, as they almost blend into wall onto which they are hung.


2. Lines:


A contemporary room usually contains clean lines, but what does this actually mean?

Put simply, if you stand back and look at a contemporary space you will see lots of horizontal straight lines created by the lines of the furniture within the room. This is not to say that everything in the room needs to be square or have sharp corners, as there is a place for some curves within this type of décor, but the overall majority is simple, plain shaped and block coloured furniture.

The furniture used within a contemporary décor more often than not uses modern materials such as plastics, synthetic fabrics, high gloss veneer finishes, glass and other man-made pieces rather than more natural materials such as wood or wool.


There are no frills or over the top patterns, edges are straight and simple and it is because of this that modern designs creep in rather than more traditional pieces. It is unlikely to find antiques in such as space as historically furnishings have been more elaborate, with fine detail. That's not to say that modern furniture lacks effort, design or indeed cost; it simply means that more modern methods have been utilised to create the smooth, unblemished finishes. For example; a contemporary chest of draws is likely to be symmetrical in shape, with squared edges. It would be in one block colour and be shiny or high gloss and smooth to the touch. The drawers may or may not have handles. If handles are in place they would be very plain and simple, but more likely the drawers would utilise touch technology or have a simple cut out space for the hand to pull the drawer open.


3. Simplicity:


Sometimes know as minimalist or clean, the simplicity of contemporary décor is what makes it so appealing and often defines this decorating style. With clear sideboards, free from clutter. To achieve this look everything tends to need a home. It is this element that shouts organised and tidy. A contemporary room does not have to mean that the space is empty or un-lived in, just that it has good storage and that things are put away and are in place.

There are no, or very limited, ornaments in a contemporary room and if one does exist, it is likely to be used as a focal point; one bright colour and again simple in shape/design.


Contemporary décor is therefore in the here in and now. It utilizes modern technology and is up to date. Due to the lack of antiques, contemporary furniture tends to look new and clean without any age. This is why people trying to sell property adopt this design sense; after all it creates the illusion of space, light and tidiness.


Not always as easy to achieve as it first appears, love it or loathe it as a design concept, the majority of us can't help but be drawn to contemporary design.


Reference source: (http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/contemporary)

There is a huge selection of large, glass framed and over sized mirrors available at http://www.exclusivemirrors.co.uk.http://www.exclusivemirrors.co.uk/


Or why not consider a row of smaller mirrors, this will have the same reflective effect as a large mirror but may suit your decor better.

Wednesday 4 July 2012

Glow In The Dark Mirrors - What Ever Next!

I am busy collecting reviews and feedback on our brand new LED Cheval Mirrors, please take a look and leave me your comments. 

I'll write back soon with my findings!

Jo

NEW PRODUCT RELEASE FROM EXCLUSIVE MIRRORS:



This magnificent full length mirror is brand new to the market.

The black or plain glass framed, free standing cheval mirror has ‘overlapping’ corners to give this mirror a modern feel. However, what really makes this modern mirror stand out from the rest is the strips of LED lights from top to bottom on either side of the glass.|

The LED lights have 2 connectors which join to one transformer, 2 metres of cable and a foot switch to turn on and off.

This product is fully CE Approved.

So whether it is to generate more light for your reflection, to illuminate a dark room or even to just add a touch of glamour, this mirror is must have for the modern home.

Dimensions: 158 x 45cm

Introductory Offer - 10% OFF
ONLY £152.10 (for a limited time only) RRP £169.00



How to Use Mirrors to Create the Illusion of Space



Many shops and retailers do this really well; they use mirrors to make their premises appear larger than they actually are, or to give the impression that they have lots of products or even customers, all tricks to cleverly entice you into their stores and then once you are over that threshold it is over to their sales people to work their magic. We can learn a thing or to from this trickery when developing small spaces in our homes or work place. The key is to maximize the amount of light coming into the room, after all a light airy space always feels bigger than a dark and dingy one.

There are hundreds of articles out there about avoiding too many colours, sticking to plain, minimalist and neutral wall coverings, along with small, light coloured and high gloss/reflective furniture and reducing clutter to help generate space, but hardly anything about using the natural light in the room to work in your favour.

The key is to take advantage of any natural light coming into the room (note, this may be from a doorway rather than from a window, but the following principles still apply). Don't over dress your window - in fact do everything you can to maximise the amount of light it lets in. From a practical point of view you may feel you need curtains to shut out the light for sleeping or to reduce glare on your computer screen - may be consider blinds instead that can be pulled right back and opened fully when not in use, leaving the area around your window free from clutter and exposing as much wall space as possible.


The next trick, to create the illusion of light and therefore space, is to strategically place a large wall mirror, preferably one with a light frame and with plenty of plain glass. You will notice that in shops or entrances such as hotel receptions they have extremely large mirrors on the back walls opposite the main entrance and shop front windows. In an ideal world you would replicate this in your home or small space, positioning your big mirror so that it reflects the entire window giving your room the illusion of a second window, picking up all of the natural light and giving your room depth.

However, this is not always possible! Your next option is to monitor the position of your room in relation to the sun. Try to work out the times of day that you are most likely to use the room and take note of the angles the sun rays come into the room - this is where you should ideally position your mirror so as to take advantage of the natural light.


Remember, when trying to create the illusion of space, less is more apart from when it comes to your mirror. The bigger the mirror the better, cover a wall in glass and maximise it's potential to reflect that all-important natural light.

There is a huge selection of large, glass framed and over sized mirrors available at http://www.exclusivemirrors.co.uk/ Or why not consider a row of smaller mirrors, this will have the same reflective effect as a large mirror but may suit your decor better.