Monthly Archives: 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.

Introducing “The Sunburst Collection”

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HERE COMES THE SUN…

Following 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!

Bringing The Outside In Needn’t Cost The Earth

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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.

What Is Contemporary Design?

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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)

Check out our huge selection of large, glass framed and over sized mirrors.

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.

A Buyer’s Guide To Shopping Around On The Internet

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Flick through any lifestyle magazine and you are sure to find articles on designer products versus their high street equivalent. These articles often include consumer reviews, price comparisons and ‘where to buy it’ solutions to help you, the end buyer, find great deals the next time you go shopping.

However, such useful information is almost impossible to find when it comes to tackling the World Wide Web and if we do find it, how do we know whether or not to trust it? Most of us these days consider ourselves to be Internet savvy (or at the very least we can get by) and we all know that great bargains are to be had – IF WE CAN FIND THEM! That’s where this article can help. Follow the 7 easy steps as a guide to shopping around and you’ll be enjoying those bargains in no time.

1. Find the product of your dreams

Whether it is from a magazine, in your favourite shop or on the Internet already; the first thing you need to do is set a benchmark for your product. Whether it is a designer label or a tin beans, the same concept applies.

Take note of:

• The product name
• The product description
• Any codes or references that the product may have
• The size of the product
• The exact colour of the product
• The price!

2. Do your research

This is where you can really make the Internet work for you and use it to learn about your product. Online retailers market their products by using keywords, and good sellers will use these terms in their product name and description.

Your next task:

• Identify the ‘keywords’ from the product you have already found. Pay particular attention to words used as an industry standard, not words that you may use in everyday life. For example; The industry standard for describing a full-length mirror or bedroom dressing mirror is to call it a ‘cheval mirror’ this is certain to be one of the keywords that mirror sellers use to list this type of mirror in their online shop.

• Brainstorm. Take a scrap piece of paper and scribble down any words that you would use to describe your product.

• Once you have your list of words, prioritise them and chose the top five to ten words that you feel best describes and are most relevant to the product.

3. Start your search

Armed with your list of keywords and product reference codes, we recommend that you invest as much time as you can spare into searching the web for your product. Type different combinations of your keywords into search engines and see what results come up. You will quickly identify the keywords that don’t work for you. For example; if you are looking for flying lessons and have identified one of your keywords as flights, it is highly likely that when you search using this keyword in isolation that you will only find lists of holiday companies or airlines trying to sell you commercial flights. You would therefore look to be more descriptive in your search or not to use this term at all.

Likewise, your search results may bring up blogs or articles about the product or similar products. In some cases it is worth reading these as often people are able to assist your search and point you to online stores you might not have otherwise found, or they may often advise and feedback about buying the product. Quite regularly the best advise on the Internet comes from other customers.

Don’t forget that search engines often bring up more than one page of results. Once you are confident that the keywords you are using are relevant for finding your product, try looking at pages further down the Internet ranking. It is common practice for larger companies to invest a lot of time and money into ensuring they show on page one of search results, which is great if you don’t have a lot of time during your search, but you may find that some of the most competitive prices come from smaller, less well known companies who are simply unable to compete with these retail giants and so appear further down the ranking. This does not mean that they are any less able to service your needs and indeed sell you a great product at a great price.

4. I’ve found my product on multiple websites – now what?

It may be that your search discovers no, or very limited results and it is dependent on your patience as to how long you continue searching. In some instances it may be that your product is not for sale online. You may also find that the price is protected as with branded products, retailers are often forced to charge a set price.

On the flip side, you may have found multiple websites that are selling your product at competitive prices – DO NOT JUST BUY FORM THE WEBSITE THAT APPEARS TO BE THE CHEAPEST! Again you need to invest a little more time into research, ensuring that the website you are looking at is authentic.

This is especially true if you are looking at an item that is similar to the one you originally chose. Just like the product comparisons you see in magazines, it may be that your keywords have brought up search results for items that are similar but not identical to the product you want. It may look the same in the photograph, but make sure that you read all of the descriptions as quite often the cheaper replicates are made from different materials, are slightly different sizes or colours and are not the same quality as the original product. This is fine if you are searching for a designer alternative, but be conscious of it otherwise. It is really important that you know what you are buying.

As online stores have much lower overheads than conventional shops, for some products we can almost expect to find a good price on the Internet. Although be cautious, more often that not if a price seems too good to be true, unfortunately it usually is.

Check list of things to look out for:

• Auction sites. Make sure that the product you have found is brand new and is not second hand or has be used before.

• Ensure the product is not listed at a discounted price because it is a slight second or has been returned. End of line or limited stock items are fine.

• Be wary of pop up or temporary shops. Where they may be able to sell you a product at a great price, if anything is wrong or you wish to return the product for any reason, you may have problems if the shop no longer exists. If you are unsure about the longevity of a website, use the contact us details and make a call or send an email asking for verification.

• Delivery costs! Find out what the delivery costs for your item are. Your product may look like a great price initially, but by the time delivery costs have been added it may be that you are actually paying more for your product than if you had brought it else where.

• Delivery times! As online shops are not tangible, it is not unusual for them to sell items that are not currently in stock. Therefore before buying online, if it is not stated in their product description, always contact the seller and ask for an estimated delivery time. It is all very well bagging yourself a bargain, but if you have to wait months for your item, you have to question if the few pounds saved is really worth it.

• That the website uses a verified payment gateway. Ensure that you feel confident in the security of the website before entering any personal or financial details. If anything during the process seems unusual or a bit suspicious then cancel your transaction.

5. If in doubt ask!

If you are unsure about anything during your shopping process do not be afraid to contact the seller and ask questions. Whether it is for answers about the product itself, the integrity of the website or payment, if an online retailer is worth buying from then they will be more than happy to help.

6. Look at the positives

It is very easy for us to always look out for the negatives when shopping online and although we should be cautious, there are also many positive things to look for.

• Dedicated websites. It is not unusual to find websites that sell just one type of product. This is extremely positive for a consumer as 9 times out of 10 it means that the seller is an expert in what they do, increasing trust levels enormously.

• Use your credit card and rest assured that if anything does go wrong during the sales process, that the majority of credit card issuers will protect your payment and will give you your money back.

• Customer reviews. Good quality websites have real and honest reviews and not just five-star all singing and dancing reviews either. Retailers know that they can’t please all people all the time and so good reviews should show a range of feedback. If reviews are available make sure you read them and learn what real people have experienced with this product and company and not just the sales pitch from the seller!

7. Price promises – golden in finding a bargain

Now that you have done your research and have shopped around, you will know the cheapest places to buy your product. What you may not know is that many online retailers are happy to price match. This means that if you find the product cheaper else where but are not 100% confident in buying from them or if you simply like the feel of another website, that they will adjust their prices if you can prove it is being sold else where at a more competitive price.

Just ask. If a website does not promote a price promise but you would rather buy from them, then don’t be afraid to ask for a discount or a price match. This is also true if you are buying multiple products; ask for a multi purchase discount. The World Wide Web is an extremely competitive selling platform and once they have you on their website, online retails will do all they can to convert you into a sale.

So overall, there is no doubt that if you shop around online you can most certainly find a good deal. As with all transactions there are elements that deserve caution, but if you shop sensibly there is a whole world of bargain shopping out there.

Some people are nervous of buying over the Internet, especially if the item they are buying is of high value or a large investment to them. They may also like to touch and feel items before they buy. It would be such a shame to pay more than is necessary. Either they can actually visit a physical shop and see the item in real life and then verify that a product is exactly the same before purchasing online. This would also mean that they do not loose the shopping experience. Alternatively, they can take advantage of their customer rights. As with all shop purchases, when buying online customers reserve their statutory rights and are completely within their rights to cancel their order at any time or return their item after purchase if they are not satisfied with their order or if they simply change their mind. If you are unsure about entering your payment details online, many any Internet based stores also offer the opportunity to purchase over the telephone. That way you can talk to the company, verify any questions you may have and achieve the best price at the same time.

The golden rule to shopping around online therefore has to be to ask.

Ask blogs, forums and customer reviews for directions, thoughts and opinions. Ask about the product being sold in comparison to the original one you found. Ask about the company you are considering to buy from. Ask about delivery costs and times. Ask for a price match or discount.

ASK.

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.