Blog:Proleno

News reaches us from London’s Design Museum of a three day half term course for 12-16 year olds.

Explore the various techniques and processes employed by design group Farm Studios and take a closer look at their work during Designers In Residence. Working alongside product designers Giles Miller and Sebastian Hejna, participants will explore current exhibitions and develop skills to create their own product design solutions and prototypes on this exciting 3 day course.

So, if you are looking for something to keep your not so little ones busy this half term, especially if they have an interest in design, this is a must!

Monday 15 February – Wednesday 17 February 2010
10.30am – 3.30pm each day
£125.00

For more information or to book a place contact the Learning Team on 020 7940 8782 or by email: learning@designmuseum.org

SmartRads are Feature Radiators’ exciting new range of innovative electric radiators, recently launched at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show 2009, in Harrogate.

SmartRad electric radiators wirelessly link together to provide a centrally controlled electric heating system that is easy to install, easy to use and easy on the eye.

SmartRads offer zoned heating, which increases efficiency and cuts out energy waste by dividing the home into distinct heating zones covering different heating needs. Thanks to the SmartRad controller, each zone has its own time and temperature control, providing optimum heat only when and where it’s wanted. As lifestyles and use of interior spaces change, the zones can be quickly and easily altered.

Smart Environment – SmartRads are 100% efficient and being designed to provide targeted precision heating, Smart Rads use fuel economically. They are made in the UK and use electricity, the greener fuel. They are also noise free.

Smart Design – SmartRads ooze good design and quality finish, confirming that thermal comfort and good design are not mutually exclusive. The minimal timeless looks, compliment both traditional and contemporary interiors. SmartRads are available in a wide variety of finishes and sizes and sit very close to the wall.

Smart Savings – the figures stack up. SmartRads are well priced and with no pipes or boilers required, installation is quick, easy and highly affordable. SmartRads are maintenance free, economical to run (particularly in well insulated new-builds) and with no moving parts, they have a long life expectancy.

In the UK, heating isn’t a luxury item that can be cut to avoid going over budget towards the end of a build. For all warm-blooded house dwellers, it’s a necessity. Up until the advent of SmartRads, minimal set up costs and attractive stylish heating products were mutually exclusive. SmartRads design focuses on accessibility, practicability, usability, timeless good design and eco-friendliness.

For more information contact Feature Radiators on 01274 567789 or visit www.featureradiators.com

With its plans to take over the former Commonwealth Institute building winning the backing of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and English Heritage, the Design Museum, London, has begun its search for a design team to help it achieve its vision of creating the world’s leading museum of contemporary design and architecture.

The successful design team will be required to provide a fully coordinated scheme for the Museum fit-out within the existing Grade II listed Parabola building on Kensington High Street. The transformation of this building will require the creation of temporary and permanent exhibition spaces, education, event, catering and retail spaces, an auditorium and associated office storage, circulation, back of house areas, plant and plant-related spaces.

The completed museum will be an inspirational place that welcomes diverse audiences and is the London destination for contemporary design.

The deadline for submission of pre-qualification questionnaires is Friday 4^th December at 12 noon and the appointment of the Design Team will be announced in February 2010.

Designer makers Iron Vein have expanded their range of gifts by introducing new sizes of steel allium sculptures, augmenting their wide range of accessories for the inside or outside living space. They look as good in a vase indoors as they do spiked into your garden. These beautiful galvanised allium sculptures brighten winter borders, and lend structure to herbacious or perennial planting all year round. They are architectural and striking whether reflecting the sun, moving in the wind, or clad with raindrops, frost or snow – making them ideal for winter!

See more at www.ironvein.co.uk

For homeowners who require a designer look and feel bathroom but without the designer price tag, award winning Taylor’s Etc adds the ‘Pro’ collection to its product portfolio.

‘Pro’ is a ceramic range comprising basins, furniture, WC’S and bidets in addition to a bath. All pieces feature an up-to-date industrial design that is attractive to both the eye and budget. Proving the point that good design does not have to be expensive, clean lines with simple styling have been selected to ensure longevity and a bathroom that is highly functional.

A number of basins are offered; all constructed in the simple, geometric form of a rectangle to provide clear, un-fussy aesthetics within the bathroom. Ceramic pedestals and siphon covers are available as well as options that cater for sit on, drop-in and semi-recessed basins.

Making ‘Pro’ an extremely family-friendly option, complementary vanity units are also on offer, adding to the appeal and functionality of the room.

Call 02920 358 400 or visit www.taylorsetc.co.uk for further information.

In response to the current trend for chic, minimalist interior design, leading radiator and towel rail company, Aestus, offers Stradivari to the style savvy consumer.

With a truly individual design, Stradivari makes heating any room within the home a style-led process. While its stainless steel exterior lends well to contemporary environments, a ‘satin’ finish creates a soft and welcoming ambience.

Designed by Italian Architect Luca Scacchetti, Stradivari is formed from a series of rectangular panels with strategically placed cut-outs resulting in a sculptural piece adherent to piano keys.

This wall-hung radiator can be positioned vertically or horizontally and is available in a choice of three sizes. Stradivari is suitable for both central and electric heating systems.

Prices start from £6334.00 including VAT.

For stockist details or further information visit www.aestus-radiators.com

Crafted from solid, white oak with a muted, painted finish, the Chambery Diner from Kit Stone represents a modern adaptation of a French farmhouse classic.

The clean lines of the design combined with interesting detailing give an essentially traditional range a subtle contemporary twist allowing it the versatility to fit into almost any roomset.

This chair, with its understated class, is ideal for both formal and informal dining. It will bring to your home an element of French country style, ideal for those looking for an atypical alternative to the standard wooden chair.

Dimensions are: width 46cms, depth 55cms and height 90cms. Just £99.00 from Kit Stone.

According to mental health charity, Mind, a third of us feel under pressure to provide the perfect Christmas for our friends and family.

Marketing Manager Rowena Howell at furniture manufacturer Halo, the home of Beautifully Real Living, has devised a Christmas count down to ensure we enjoy a ‘Beautifully Real’ Christmas.

“We want it all! The beautifully decorated tree, the immaculate house, home-cooked food worthy of Nigella and all our family on their best behaviour,” says Rowena. “We put too much pressure on ourselves and we don’t always appreciate what the season is really about. At Halo we don’t just make furniture, we help make treasured memories and we hope our top tips make this Christmas the best yet.”

1^st December: The average shopper spends £384 on presents but you don’t need to break the bank to warm the hearts of those you love -personalised gifts often mean more. Turn your dining table into Santa’s workshop and make your own.

3^rd December: Really appreciate your living room. Light the fire and cosy up on the sofa for a relaxing afternoon with mince pies and mulled wine to wrap your handmade gifts and write your Christmas cards.

5^th December: Do you always use you dining room to its full potential? Clear out the clutter and invite your friends to a dinner party. Encourage guests to bring a different course each so you don’t spend the evening in the kitchen.

12^th December: Spend quality time with the children in the magical season – sit round the table to make decorations and write letters to Santa for the whole afternoon.

15^th December: According to Mind, half of British adults just want to feel relaxed and loved at Christmas but romance is easy to forget in the whirlwind of to-do lists and preparations. Make time for each other. Leave the TV off, cook your favourite meal, sit at the table and talk about your treasured Christmas memories.

24^th December: Read the children Clement Clarke Moore’s ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ with milk and cookies before bed to savour the last few hours of the seasonal build up as a treat for you and the kids. Don’t forget to leave some for Santa!

25^th December: Enjoy your Christmas day! Ensure everyone helps with the day’s chores so that you’re not burdened with it all. Remember to take a moment to sit in your favourite armchair and take in the magical feeling of the day.

27^th December: After Christmas day make use of the left overs and go all Bridget Jones! Invite family round for a post Christmas gathering and host a ‘turkey curry buffet’.

31^st December: Top the season off by holding a night to remember on New Year’s Eve. Make a statement with a champagne reception and hire a personal chef to cook an elegant five-course meal in your own home.

For further information on Halo, please visit www.haloliving.co.uk or call 0161 923 0500.

Brand new to House Couturier is the Masterworks collection of wallpapers. The Masterworks collection by Sahco features a selection of wallpapers inspired by the intricately gilded backgrounds on ancient European picture frames.

In soft dove greys, pastels and gilded metallics this collection of traditional wallpapers blend beauty and innovation seamlessly. For a subtle textured wall, the Arabesque and Palmette embossed patterns are a beautiful option in blush and grey. For a more dramatic look, richly textured wallpaper with raised dots or pebbles creates a strong focal point of a wall in metallics of copper, gold and silver.

Designed by Lori Weitzner, she brings her expertise from the textile industry and employs the use of the tactile in her wallpapers. This collection of gilded wallpapers uses custom gilding, printing and paper making techniques.

All the wallpapers are handmade from South American tree bark which is trimmed, steamed and pressed, spliced and backed with a special foil.

Prices from £115.00 per linear metre. House Couturier can be found on New Kings Road, London SW6

The name Proleno is synonymous with exclusive, stainless steel accessories to enhance the kitchen, bar and bathroom. Striving ahead of their hand painted earthenware counterparts, the Stiletto fruit basket and bowl are modern pieces of tabletop wizardry, trendy kitchen architecture for the 21^st Century.

Sharp on style, the Stiletto family is the product of the in-house design team at Zack, the renowned German designers, who work on developing unusual design into impressive new collections. These covetable caskets are a great way to store and display your fruit with minimal fuss. The stainless steel finish is unobtrusive to any kitchen colour scheme and the simple stiletto design allows fruit the space to breathe, keeping it fresher for longer.

The Stiletto fruit bowl and basket are part of the new generation kitchen accessories – strongly design led, visually appealing and exceptionally practical. An ideal table centerpiece, their assorted qualities and the fact they come ready gift boxed ensure they make an exquisite wedding or birthday gift for the switched on urbanite.

See and buy the Stiletto range at Proleno.