Komfort CPD - Acoustics

Thank you Steve and Natasha for a very interesting CPD training session today on acoustics and absorption, insulation and diffusion. I think the diagram showing area of weaknesses will be really helpful for our graduate designers.

We all learnt a lot and look forward to seeing the new Komfort products coming out soon. 

CDW 2016 - Elizabeth's Favourite things!

Some gorgeous pieces from Orangbox including the new Coda range. Loving the nude seat pad upholstery with the white sledge legs.

Just a few of my favourite things from the Morgan Showroom. Absolutely love the part 3D printed coffee tables Morgan recently launched. Can't wait to specify these!

Tom Dixon's Church installation...... What a great place to display these amazing light fittings & furniture pieces. The copper melt pendants are a personal favourite of mine.

Camira CPD session - Sustainability and Fabrics

Thanks to Keeley and Paul for our CPD session on sustainability and fabrics. It was really very interesting and we learnt lots about fire retardancy and how cotton is not so green with all those pesticides, insecticides and needing so much water! 

Lets get specifying those Bast based fabrics. There are even recycled Bast products from recycled coffee bags. 

Whilst not a Bast fibre, Wool is definitely top of our specification list as it looks good for longer,repelling those stains and is breathable but we just need to remember if it is not a heavy wool it probably will not meet crib 5. We can achieve this with further treatment or specify a wool and Bast fibre mix. 

Lovely lunch was had by all too!

One Year on!

Great to see that a year on the John Lewis Customer Contact Centre is still looking great!

Fantastic to see the Product Room being utilised so well, with so many John Lewis stocked Products on display for Partners to try.

Job well done!

A thank you note from a lovely client!

It is lovely to get a thank you...... Well done girls, this is thanks from another happy customer!

Abbey Wellbeing we are very excited about the schemes we put together for you. To be honest I am not sure which one I would choose either. We are looking forward to helping out on the next stages and eventually booking in for some relaxing treatments. 

It is really great to get some local projects too.

Sample Boards - We all have our favourite one!

Elizabeth and Gabriela having fun putting the finishing touches to the sample boards for one of our clients. We all have our own favourite option but I wonder which one the client will go for!

John Lewis IT project graphics

Omega have found a vinyl that we can use to create graphics on walls that have been painted with Diamond Eggshell paint! Our John Lewis client really wants to use the Diamond Eggshell in order to reduce maintenance issues but we have struggled in the past to get graphics to adhere to the surface. 

Finally our office design and refurbishment of this IT project is now complete. Thanks Meirion from Aberley for taking this shot for us this morning! Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh!

Best wishes to Helen!

After 13 years, Helen Darnell has moved back into the world of academia, becoming a foundation studies tutor and a BA Interior Design lecturer. Saspirella will miss Helen very much. Well done Helen, we wish you all the best!

Nearly there!

A quick moving project, turned around with the help of a great team featuring such companies as Wagstaff and Aberley.

The Building itself was in an amazing condition, the 2 floors had only recently been refurbished and had obviously been well looked after, resulting in only minor works being required to the Interior.

A new scheme was put together introducing a new colour palette which worked with the existing Milliken carpet which was still in great nick!

The greens and orange Dulux paint finishes work really well alongside the carpet and the upholstery fabrics by Camira bring in bright cheerful tones to the Office Environment.

Wagstaff did a great job with the Furniture Installation.

Just the Graphics installation left now which should make the space feel more inspirational & dynamic.

Here are a few snapshots taken whilst walking site.......

London office fit out!

I was on site this week to see the start of the carpet being laid. There are a number of phases to this project and with it being occupied we unfortunately had to break up all the work. Exciting graphic details and new ceiling and glazing will certainly help this tired office space. I love this chevron detail using the Mix and Diffusion ranges from Forbo Flooring.

Great detail Liz!

Happy Christmas everyone!

Throwback Thursday - 2008 Executive Area Coffee & Boardroom Area

#Throwback Thursday to 2008 and the completion of this executive coffee area and boardroom. Furniture by Vitra included the iconic Eames visitor chairs and Jasper Morrison armchairs and sofas. The beautiful fabrics were from Bute, Monkwell and Osborne and Little.

I loved these soft tones which created quite a peaceful environment. Just what these Executives needed I say! Photography by Award.

Ponsbourne Park 2000 - Toilets and Bathrooms

Toilet Tuesday takes us way back to the Ponsbourne Park Hotel which was completed in 2000. These toilets were bright and fresh and the design to the accessible bathrooms was simple and elegant.

Day out at The Tate, Liverpool

Lovely day out with the Saspirella girls! Everyone's favourite piece in the Tate was the Christo's Valley Curtain Project. Got a glimpse of Matisse's Snail which can be seen when the exhibition opens this week. We will all have to go back to see it!

Saspirella all out today to go to the Tate Liverpool! Looking forward to it!

GM Chamber of Commerce Property and Construction Awards

Amazing night at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Property and Construction awards. So pleased the Whitworth Art Gallery won the best building.

I also thought it was amazing that they have a best apprentice award. What a great incentive.

Thanks so much Jill, Paul and Neil for having me at the BrownBancroft table. It was great fun and an opportunity to meet such an experienced bunch of construction professionals.

John Lewis Customer Contact Centre - Reception

This Reception area at John Lewis Customer Contact Centre just needs some coffee to complete it! 

We brought the colour scheme from the main office areas and carefully designed the space with functionality in mind.

John Lewis Heritage graphics adorn the walls.

Great joinery again by ISG. Photography by Award.

Off to the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Property and Construction awards tonight. Should be fun!

John Lewis Contact Centre - Office Spaces

Completed earlier this year this fresh and vibrant design was taken into all areas of these offices for John Lewis Partnership. 

It is all about the detail ....how cute is the little bench to remove shoes before entering the prayer room!

Even the lockers which have no natural light are bright and airy.

I am sure since we left site those lovely John Lewis open sided display shelves have been filled with product.

Toilet Tuesday - Ladies, Laurent-Perrier Champagne Bar for JW Lees

#Toilet Tuesday looks back to 2007 and the refurbishment at the Alderley Edge Hotel, Cheshire. The subtle tones and lighting made it a really calm place to escape from the dancing.These beautiful pencil thin tiles were just the thing to create a luxurious space. Perfect for the Laurent-Perrier Champagne Bar.

Tiles were by CTC, Altrincham and Swedecor.

Brilliant Photography by Award.

2002 Tesco Stores Gym!

Throwback Thursday looks back to the 2002 completed gym for one of Tesco Stores Head Offices. These spaces were fun, bright, relaxing and invigorating and beech was definitely the wood of choice then!

Originally posted as 2014............... Which would not have been so much of a throwback!)

Congratulations Helen!

Congratulations Helen on receiving a Distinction in your MA for Interior Design from Manchester Metropolitan University! We are all very proud of you. Best wishes for the rest of the show which is open everyday to the public from 10 am to 6 pm. Closes this Friday.

The Saspirella extra mile

Julia going that extra Saspirella mile practicing her pinning skills for the "Pin it" graphics on a cork board wall for another Waitrose Office refurbishment project.  Only 5 days to go!

Saspirella team had a CPD session with Louise from Forbo flooring. Here are a few interesting facts:

• Forbo will collect carpet tiles when they are being replaced and recycle them as long as it was their product. We must make sure the contractors are aware of this scheme in the future. 
• Some of their product are made from recycled fishing nets!
• They laser cut the tiles to reduce wastage.
• Carpet tiles can receive a different BREEAM rating depending on where they are used! But most of the Forbo tiles are A or A+. Latte unfortunately is a B

Anyway thanks so much Louise for your time today.

John Lewis Head office reception toilets

 Is toilet Tuesday a good idea?

We think so as these very important spaces are often not celebrated.

This Saspirella design was implemented at the John Lewis Head office reception and includes a concrete sink supplied by Lowinfo and a beautifully zingy lime green door by Armitage Venesta.

CHAS Certificates renewed!

Today Saspirella received new CHAS certificates of Accreditation for the roles of Designer and Principal Designer under the new 2015 CDM regulations. Well done everyone!

Waitrose Office Refurbishment in 2005!

It's Throwback Thursday again! Today we are celebrating a project completed 10 years ago this month!

This office interior refurbishment for Waitrose was completed in 2005. It included bespoke illustrated canvases, stunning Artemide glass pendants and the iconic Fritz Hansen Swan sofa and chairs upholstered in Kvadrat Divina 2. 

This project was the start of very many. Saspirella are still very proudly working on projects for Waitrose.

Our very lovely Michaela leaves us today after 5 years to go to Chapman Taylor in Manchester. We will miss you so very much! You have been amazing!

The Ponsbourne Park Hotel - The Bistro - Part Two

Some more shots of the Ponsbourne Park Hotel Bistro.

The Ponsbourne Park Hotel - The Bistro

The Bistro at the Ponsbourne Park Hotel followed a few years after the main house was refurbished. It was created in response to the success of the Hotel which opened to the public in 2000.

The Ponsbourne Park Hotel in 2000 - Part two

I can not quite believe where the years have gone....... The Ponsbourne Park Hotel in 2000.

The Ponsbourne Park Hotel in 2000

Throwback Thursday to one of the very first interior design projects at the Ponsbourne Park Hotel for Tesco.

The hotel was in much need of a refurbishment to compliment the beautiful 19th century house and rural surroundings. A classic, stylish and elegant interior with sensitivity to the existing period details was needed.

It was previously used for staff training but after the refurbishment The Ponsbourne Park Hotel opened to the general public offering luxury accommodation and dining as well as training, conference facilities, weddings and hosting special events. It is now owned by the De Vere Group.

SMAS Certificate!

Saspirella have been awarded a Worksafe Consultant Membership Certificate as Principal Designer from SMAS for another year! Well done everyone.

Waitrose Office - Fritz Hansen chairs

These Fritz Hansen drop chairs add vibrancy, comfort and big personality to this Waitrose Office.

Waitrose Office - Breakout space

We created this breakout space with a huge table for spreading out artwork and ledges for displaying packaging in one of our designs for Waitrose.

Waitrose Meeting Rooms

 

 

We love the simple colour palette that we used at Waitrose Bracknell Campus Office. These meeting rooms are fresh and airy.

Joinery Details made by ISG. Detailed by Saspirella.

 

Magnetic display wall for those creative partners at Waitrose.

                                       We love the quality of the joinery by ISG.

Waitrose Library

 

 

 

We do not think we will ever lose the love for the great British BTC Titan pendant or the Vitra Eames Chairs.They added colour to our bright but somehow peaceful Library interior. One of our favourite Interior spaces of 2015. A perfect place to retreat with a book.

Waitrose Office Reception

                                                                 Before ...........
 

                                                                                                       ............. and after!

Reception Lighting

Quick way of illustrating options for lighting the reception. These Moooi Random lights were finally selected for this Waitrose Bracknell Campus office.

Waitrose Reception, Library and Office

Saspirella visited this building in 2008 in order to consider what to do with the interior design in order to create some new office space for Waitrose at their Bracknell campus.

This was a complete refurbishment as it was completely stripped back when we got there. Now completed we thought we would share some shots of how it was before. 

Elival Fashion Incubator

This African, Moroccan and Indian inspired clothes shop was one of our favourite projects. Every element was designed to create a relaxing, luxurious shopping environment with a restricted palette allowing the vibrant collection to stand out.

Hand painted African patterns were painted on the coarse plaster walls which were sculpted to create recesses and displays for clothes and accessories. The basement area was inspired by African fabric dye pits with the cracked tiles which adorn the floors and walls, mimicking the cracked earth.

The shop even featured a DJ area for launch parties!