NoChintz

Box Project Part II

2010-02-11T08:23:00.003Z

After the roaring success of the Box Project at last summer's 100% Design London, NoChintz have been commissioned to design a bespoke adaptation of the 'Box' for clients 'Luckies'. The structure was implemented and is showing at this week at Spring Fair at Birmingham's NEC.

Albert Mill double page spread in the MEN

2010-02-11T08:16:00.002Z

NoChintz have designed and installed brand new show apartments for Urban Splash in the exclusive Albert Mill development. The apartments have made a real impact and recieved their own double page spread in this weeks MEN. Newcastle based Deadgood have supported the install by allowing us the loans of their amazing 'Wire lamps' by Ziglam & Brook. The apartments launch on Monday and are available for viewing...

Amsterdam Creative Capital by Marcel Wanders

2009-12-21T22:23:00.001Z

Following text directly quoted from www.marcelwanders.com;

"Out of curiosity and commitment and convinced that the new can’t exist without the old, Marcel Wanders went in search of Amsterdam’s creative past, personally choosing the men and women he feels are ‘his creative family’. These heroes are honored in this book, highlighting the city’s most creative moments and inventions of the last 700 years.

Marcel Wanders wants to illustrate how an open, tolerant city contributes to creativity and how creativity binds people. He sees creativity in the largest sense of the word; it does not only exist in predefined fields, but is found in the heart of the creator, not constrained by any definition or form. Therefore in this book you will find new, sometimes unlikely, connections; heroes who look beyond existing inventions and conventions and in doing so, open new worlds – in the past and the future.

In his own way Marcel Wanders wants to show the world the potential of the city: Amsterdam is the creative capital because she has the creative capital."

View the book or order a copy here www.marcelwanders.com/publishing/amsterdam-creative-capital-preview.html

Mixology North

2009-12-03T18:13:00.002Z

We were delighted to attend last Thursday's Mixology North awards at the Palace Hotel.

A fantastic night with winners such as Orangebox, for Best Marketing Campaign, Best product of the year going to InterfaceFlor and the Innovation Award going to Interstuhl - Fit.

Many thanks to Mix Interiors for the invitation.

www.mixology-north.com

The holiday season is here!

2009-12-02T08:42:00.002Z

Check out Marcel Wander's Target holiday collection at;

http://marcelwanders.turnpages.com/book/200911/

WE HAVE MOVED!

2009-11-26T09:54:00.004Z

A pre-Christmas growth spurt and an ever growing workforce has led us to taking up new premises in Manchester's Northern Quarter. Our new studio is opposite our favouite Koffee Pot on Hilton Street;

12 Hilton Street

Northern Quarter

Manchester

M1 1JF

Only thing left is to move the horse!

NoChintz Newsletter Issue 001 now online!

2009-11-23T22:24:00.002Z

For those of you that haven't visited our website for a week or two - this is what you've been missing! Our first newsletter is published and available to view through our website or online at;

http://issuu.com/nochintz/docs/nochintz_newsletter_issue_001

This issue is a retrospective for 100% Design London 2009.

We were delighted to be invited to exhibit at this years main show to launch our recent Studio project, The Box Project (p2-3). We are UK agents for the fantastic Barcelona based furniture company ABR, and were also pleased to showcase the first examples of the product to the UK market.

Whilst a frenetically busy time we did manage to sneak of the stand to see what trends and products were being launched as this years show. We will continue to bring you trend forecasts and reports over the next few months, reporting from cities, exhibitions and launches across the world.

This issue was collated by the winner of the Box Project, Karen Smart.

With a special thanks to Eskimo Creative for turning it into a magazine!

4 Piccadilly Place

2009-11-22T23:36:00.003Z

Thursday night saw the prestigious launch of 4 Piccadilly Place by Argent Group PLC and The Carlyle Group.

The mixed-use £100m development was showcased to some 200 guests who were showered with music, cocktails and delicious food. NoChintz were delighted to design and install the interiors!

Get your skates on - the North Pole bar has launched at Spinningfields!

2009-11-19T11:51:00.001Z

Tuesday saw the launch of Ear To The Ground's North Pole Winter bar at Spinningfields. The pop-up bar is next to the outdoor Ice rink and makes for a fantastically cozy winter hangout! Serving mulled wine, hot cocktails and delicious snacks by plasma screen log fires and under a canopy of Christmas trees - we can see why the launch night was heaving!

www.northpolebar.com

NoChintz Showcases the Box Project in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester

2009-11-13T02:39:00.003Z

NoChintz are showcasing the winner of the Box Project, a northwest wide design competition held over the summer and organised by NoChintz, at the former Nicky Oliver salon at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, Courtesy of Argent group PLC from Wednesday 11 November until Friday 4 December.

Won by Karen Smart from the University of Central Lancashire, the competition challenged Northwest creatives to think inside the box by designing a functional use for a 2mx2mx2m microstructure.

Karen (22) from Formby, Liverpool answered the challenge by designing a box that could use its own form to furnish the space, sections of the walls fold down to make shelves, tables and seating. This makes the box very versatile and flexible so it can be used for many different purposes.

Natalie Gray, NoChintz said: “We were thrilled with the response to the competition and Karen’s winning design. We took the box project to 100% Design, the design exhibition in London who also supported the competition, and we received some great feedback. Now we are showcasing it in Piccadilly Gardens so people can see how it works.”

Janet Dunnett, chief executive, Piccadilly Partnership said: “It’s great to have NoChintz and the Box Project exhibiting creative work at Piccadilly Gardens, it shows we have a vibrant design community in Manchester and the Northwest and the Partnership is pleased to support it.”

The Box can be bought from NoChintz and can be used for exhibition stands or temporary shops or gallery space. The design can be also be modified to meet specific requirements.

NoChintz specialise in interior design for private homes, property developers, office and retail space and events. The company was shortlisted for the Manchester Evening News Business of the Year Award 2009.

www.nochintz.co.uk www.theboxproject.co.uk

NoChintz at the MEN Business Awards 2009

2009-11-06T02:42:00.000Z

The NoChintz team attended the Manchester Evening News Business awards last night where we we made it to the final three of the Greater Manchester's Best Young business.

Jeremy Vine was the host for the night at what was the 16th annual awards at Salford’s Lowry Hotel. More than 300 people attended the glittering ceremony which saw prizes handed out in six categories, ranked by turnover.

We are extremely proud to be one of the three best young companies in Greater Manchester!!

Under Wraps party tonight

2009-10-15T12:57:00.005+01:00

Final preparations are under way at Ferrious for the Under Wraps party. We'll be launching TheBoxProject and ABR in the NorthWest tonight, alongside previews of the latest releases from Buzzispace, Dyson and Naughtone. Please feel free to join us and see loads of excting new products - Ferrious can be found at Arch 61, Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5WQ.

Please RSVP at info@nochintzltd.com

Gray Concrete at 100% Design

2009-09-30T21:07:00.008+01:00

Whilst all the attention at 100% usually goes to the latest launches from the uber-elite, it was the stand of Gray Concrete that really caught our eye. Concrete in itself is a wonderfully versatile material, but very rarely is it worked with in such a satisfactory and desirable way. Despite a beautifully slick and well executed stand, talking to them showed how easily approached and eager to show the huge potential available with their product.

Gray Concrete also had the surprising honour of most desirable and sought after sample of the show, everyone wanted one of the concrete ducks, meaning they'd run out by the time I went, boo...

www.grayconcrete.co.uk

NoChintz welcomes John Vipond to NoChintz

2009-09-29T08:54:00.007+01:00

John Vipond has twenty years of extensive experience in residential and commercial interiors in both the public and private sector. He has worked at Director level on a vast number of contracts across the country through a range of disciplines.

John has joined us to mastermind the launch of our Office Design Business where we will be creating environments that people want to work in.

With exceptional organisational skills, John can manage anything efficiently and effectively. He basically knows everything worth knowing about anything.

John is a true gentleman and we welcome him to the growing NoChintz family.

GOLD by MSA Visuals at Tent

2009-09-28T12:24:00.003+01:00

The incredible interactive light installation GOLD was addictive. Here Mark of Eskimo Creative finds his perfect shadow dancer.

Horizon by Flynn Talbot at TENT DIGITAL

2009-09-28T11:17:00.006+01:00

Spotted at Tent in the Truman Brewery was the hypnotic ever-changing light installation by Flynn Talbot.

It was a shame we didn't catch the blue lady in front of it, though not sure the cameras metering would have coped... Thankfully not all people considered it essential to strike such a ridiculous pose.

Visit us at 100% Design

2009-09-25T06:59:00.005+01:00

Please visit us during 100% Design, we're in the central walkway next to the ICON stand. Come to see Karen Smarts winning design, talk interiors and furniture, or drink our beer. (If there's any left).

Matt Gagnon Studio Table

2009-09-21T05:59:00.003+01:00

We love this table from the Matt Gagnon Studio Brooklyn, New York. It is hand made using Homasote (100% post-consumer recycled paper board)

and is designed to be used either upright or on its side.

www.branchhome.com

Finalists for Manchester Evening News Young Business of the Year

2009-09-17T21:22:00.004+01:00

NoChintz are pleased to announce that we have been selected as finalists for Manchester Evening News Young Business of the Year. Here's a snippet from today's full page spread in Manchester Evening News...

"A BUSINESS that began life two years ago providing furniture packs for city dwellers is set to break through the £1m turnover mark. NoChintz has blossomed into a complete interiors studio providing a wide range of services for domestic and corporate clients and has seen revenues double each year.

But it is as much the company’s commitment to giving back to the community, nurturing other local businesses and local talent and supporting local events that earned it a place as one of the finalists in the young business category of the M.E.N. Business of the Year competition"

Hail the real bargain of tabledom!

2009-09-12T16:40:00.003+01:00

We got the IKEA 2010 brochure through a few weeks ago and whilst its ubiquity means that for many its not given even a cursory glance there are some really interesting changes. IKEA often make annual references to cost cuttings past onto customers through refinement of production, transportation etc but this time you couldn't help but notice, the Lack sidetable in solid colours was reduced from £7.99 to £4.99. There's a huge amount of snobbery and elitism in the design community, to a degree its impossible for anyone involved to not be partially guilty, but no designer can deny that a perfectly functioning table for under a fiver is simply brilliant.

The Lack range, for the money, is a great range. It gets unfairly dismissed as a cheap product with jibes about cardboard construction and shoddy build, but its a £5 product! How much does its nearest competitor cost? For the price of 2 pints (real beer we're talking about, not alco-pop lager) you've got a perfectly functioning, neutral table that will survive and function satisfactorily for years. If treated and looked after in the same regard as an equivalent table costing £300+ it would last for ages. But no, its treated as the bargain product it is, gets knocked about, sat on, abused, and then moaned about as a cheap and nasty piece of furniture befit for students for 9 months then binned when they move out of their squalid rental properties.

I'm sure that the real reason for many designers/specifiers distaste for it lies in the fact they can't really spec it, they're not going to if they can't make their usual percentage on it, and even if IKEA did offer an interior designers discount there's not a whole lot of margin in £5.00.

So all hail the real bargain of tabledom, arise Sir Lack!

“Per fare un albero”

2009-08-19T10:19:00.010+01:00

20 fiberglass replicas of the nostalgic Fiat 500 C are appearing on Milan’s famous fashion street, Montenapoleone.... as planters!

Created using the car's exact dimensions, these tree planters form an installation called “Per fare un albero” (translated as 'Create a tree'). Artist / designer Fabio Novembr is responsible for the installation, in collaboration with the City of Milan and Fiat.

They are on show until 30th September.

www.novembre.it

Dayboard calendar

2009-08-18T10:29:00.005+01:00

Check out the Dayboard calendar on today's Dailytonic

http://www.dailytonic.com/dayboard-by-stokkeaustad-for-abr/

That's why we LOVE ABR!

Zeitraum

2009-08-13T14:03:00.014+01:00

Our friends at Relay Design Agency are now UK agents for German furniture company, Zeitraum. Each piece of furniture is unique. "The timber for each piece is individually selected and combined making it unique in terms of colour and grain"

Have a look at www.zeitraum-moebel.de for a full range of their amazing products (check out Relay's website for a peek at some of their other great brands too - we're particularly fond of Buzzispace!)

www.relaydesignagency.co.uk

BOOKSHELF SIDETABLE By Front

2009-08-08T12:32:00.007+01:00

We Love the 'BOOKSHELF SIDETABLE'(part of the BOOKSHELF collezione) by our favourite designer's at Front.

Available to buy from www.skitsch.it

NoChintz launches The Box Project

2009-07-08T21:23:00.006+01:00

We've launched a design competition in collaboration with 100% Design London. Through collaboration, inspiration and participation, we hope this project will encourage and support emerging design talent of the North West.

The Box Project consists of a competition for North West creative’s (professional, post graduate and students) where entrants will be asked to challenge the design, function and reason of a 2mx2mx2m micro building to determine…

what’s inside the box?

(Examples being, pop-up retail, pop-up bar etc). Entrants are asked to ‘spend a little, create a lot!’

Be creative, functional, sustainable and innovative, recycle where possible to keep the budget small. 15 finalists will be judged by a panel of respected experts in the creative field and the winner will have their creation made and showcased in September at 100% design, the international design show in London.

Exposure of The Box Project will be reached through regional and national media and a prominent exhibit at 100% Design London, the UK’s leading architecture and design event showcasing everything for the modern building and interior. We want to show that even in this global economic downturn the UK’s northern creative industry is still a thriving and exciting place to be.

Pembrokeshire trip

2009-06-18T10:32:00.002+01:00

Our designer Sanjay took a long weekend break to escape Manchester and the noisy NoChintz office recently, and ended up in a remote seaside village in Pembrokeshire. With no wifi, laptop and patchy mobile coverage, it proved to be the perfect way to relax and unwind. With plenty of coastlines walks and megalithic sites such as Pentre Irfan to visit, he also managed to do some photography other than of interior shots for us.

He also found in a sleepy village an up and coming furniture designer who's exhibiting at New Designers this year, but that's another blog entry...

Deborah Elsaesser: re-ply designs

2009-06-18T10:27:00.004+01:00

Recently seen exhibiting in a village in Pembrokeshire by our designer Sanjay, Deborah's work stood out amongst the sea of inevitable (some though being very good) coastal scene artwork that proliferates there. Deborah will be at New Designers One Year On this year.

- "re-ply designs is an emerging company producing Eco Furniture and Accessories. Deborah Elsaesser designs and makes each piece using natural and recycled materials. All of her products incorporate sustainability with a style that is simple and contemporary. Concentrating on her re-plied Collection, Debs utilises the plywood waste from several local companies, to make her unique living and dining furniture. "

A ''Shed" for Living

2009-06-16T17:35:00.007+01:00

Manchester architects FKDA have designed a shed for living... a shed for working... a shed for playing...

Our friends at FKDA, a small architectural practice based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, have recently completed the design of a micro-home that they affectionately call a “shed”. This is a shed for living. It’s in response to today’s current economic climate where housing needs to be affordable and easily deliverable.

The idea of creating such a small living environment came from the growing reports of people being forced from their homes unable to make their current mortgage payments, and turning to living with family, in garden sheds and even in cars.

The shed provides a very unique alternative living, working or playing environment, which is eco-friendly, healthy, low cost and easily deliverable. It may be designed in response to this current economic climate, but it could also challenge the housing market to steer away from the standard sized bland brick boxes that are commonly on offer throughout the country. Maybe in the future we’ll all be living in sheds?

The response to their building form has been so great that they’re now also working on a beach hut design!

Liverpool Tate

2009-06-11T09:04:00.006+01:00

Tate Liverpool

Colour Chart; re-inventing colour, 1950 to today
After filling ourselves with afternoon tea (mmmmmmm) in the Tate café at the Albert Docks, Liverpool we embarked on our multimedia tour of their latest exhibition, Colour Chart; re-inventing colour, 1950 to today.

Firstly we fully recommend getting the audio tour! In this instance an i-pod touch was handed over, a welcome change from the usual old school voice recorders……… but then the exhibition is in conjunction with the New York museum of contemporary art! Woo Hoo! This also meant it was a full multimedia experience incorporating light, vision, video and sound.

The exhibition is on the whole exceptional and very inspiring, as for any designer colour is paramount to pretty much everything we do.

The installations included versions of Andy Warhol’s electric chair and Marilyn. Some Damien Hirst pieces, a lighting installation be the late Dan Flavin and pieces dating back further to artists such as the revolutionary Yves Klein who had a severe fascination with an over pigmented shade of blue, later know as Yves blue.

Highly recommended and a totally 3-d experience of colour and its visionary’s.

It left me thinking what actually is my favourite colour?

The installation was designed by Manchester based Thoughtful

Latten by ABR Produccion

2009-06-09T10:34:00.004+01:00

'LSS Latten' by ABR Produccion

NoChintzLtd are exclusive UK agents for ABR Produccion, If you would like information on any ABR product please email us at:

abr@nochintzltd.co.uk

www.abrproduccion.com

Chips Anyone?

2009-05-25T07:09:00.000+01:00

Press Release

NoChintz designs show apartment interiors for Urban Splash’s latest innovative project

INTERIORS STUDIO NoChintz will be handling the interior design for two show apartments to promote Urban Splash’s new Chips development in Manchester’s New Islington.

The apartments designed by noted British architect Will Alsop and supported by Manchester City Council and English Partnerships will provide 142 residential as well as commercial spaces.

Lucy Goddard who heads the Live & Work accounts at NoChintz: “This is a really prestigious project that will have a real impact on the residential property sector in Manchester and beyond. To have an association with ground breaking design and help promote it is very special for us.”

NoChintz has developed a close working relationship with Urban Splash and has worked on the Fosters & Partners Budenberg Haus project and Velvet Mill in Bradford already this year.

A Milan retrospective (this is almost an essay so we suggest going to make a brew!)

2009-05-19T19:51:00.019+01:00

Another year. Another fair!

After days of walking, partying, networking and embracing anything ‘design’ we are back from Milan to bring you best of our findings! It’s taken us a few days to ‘regroup and digest’ but here we are to present our top picks and highlights from this year’s show…

In light of the current economic climate there was some widely discussed reservationsas to how this year’s Salone del Mobile would compare to previous years. But, despite the skepticism the fair was as wonderfully inspiring and frantic as ever! Many whom had resisted booking their trip found themselves onlast minute flights – seemingly unable to resist the pull of the fair!

With sensible shoes we conquered the vast expanse of halls out at the main fair; a collection of all our favourite brands exhibiting new and exciting products. Some of our favourites included Moroso’s showcase of the ‘moment’ collection by Swedish designers Front; a collection of pieces wrapped in photographic images of materials. The ‘soft-wood sofa’ and ‘cushion’ two of the most striking. Also showcased by Moroso was Tord Boontje’s ‘flower table’ – an interesting mix of sterling board and pressed flowers.

Soft-Wood Sofa

Tord Boontje’s ‘Flower Table’

Cushion

Quinze & Milan showed the ‘fingers’ shelving systems as well as Gitta Gschwendtner’s concrete ‘ bag stools’. The brand was pushing their new ‘make your own furniture’ concept, with seemingly great success.

Italian stars Porro showcased the ‘Black and White’ collection also by Design group Front (who once again popped up on the Moooi stand for their ‘blow away vase’).

Danish designer Ole Jensen’s chair for Normann Copenhagen was also a great spot.

Ole Jensen's Chair

Back down in the Tortona area of Milan, the SuperstudioPiu, a ‘temporary museum for New Design’ (and always our favourite!) featured product launches and exhibits from the likes of Moooi, Foscorini, Tom Dixon and Adidas Originals.

The Foscorini lighting installation ‘infinity at Superstudio Piu‘ submerged you into a kaleidoscope of moving light, image and sound and was one of the high-lights of the show. Moooi’s launch of the ‘brave new world’ light by Fresh West was also great - even Marcel Wanders himself was hanging around!

The children’s biodegradable 'parupu' chairs made from ‘Durapulp’ by ClaessonKoivisto Rune for Södra caused quite a stir and Archirects, Proof’s ‘the progressive office’ was popular.

Infinity At Superstudio Piu

'Parupu' Chairs

Cappelinni, Cassina and Alias had a huge show room in the area and out and about in Tortora there was a vast array of temporary exhibitions spaces from apartments, warehouses, restaurants and stores.

Ikea show cased the PS range and there were street installations, temporary structures and converted caravans everywhere you looked! The streets were crowded with designers drinking beer from the small ‘festival’ stands and taking in the atmosphere of the fair.

Chairs By Cappelinni

Ikea's PS Range

Maison Margiela opened a temporary 180sq m space on Via Savona - a reproduction of their Paris Studio. The floor was made from rugs with photographic images of the floor in the Margiela store in LA.

Deiesel’s ‘Successful Living’ range of furniture for Moroso, featuring Foscarini, was held in the Diesel Penthouse on via Stendhal. The outdoor terrace of tents a great exhibit.

Established & Sons threw another great party. Showcasing structure and product amidst a backdrop of loud music and free flowing cocktails. Stella McCartney was even amongst the crowd.

In the centre of town showrooms B&B Italia, Cassina and Porro opened their doors to the influx of designers and spectators. Fashion stores has concept windows and temporary installations by the likes of PatriciaUrquiole for design week and even the Quinze & Milan van was out on the town!

Quinze & Milan Van

All in all another thoroughly wonderful show.

Tatton Fun

2009-05-06T20:17:00.011+01:00

We're back from a hectic 3 days of exhibiting at the Tatton Design Weekend! The show was a roaring success and we were fortunate enough to meet with some really great people at our 'temporary NoChintz Studio'. We had some interesting consultations and have been privy to some exciting projects coming up in the North West... we're looking forward to an interesting couple of months!

We are on the move!

2009-04-29T15:52:00.005+01:00

We caused quite a stir this afternoon at Carvers Warehouse when moving our trusty Mooi stallion, he (or she?)is on the way to Tatton for the annual design weekend.

NoChintz will be there all weekend showcasing their work and be on hand for any design questions you may have so come and look us up.

www.thedesignweekend.co.uk

(p.s thanks to Leah our work experience girl for helping us carry it down 3 flights!)

Milan

2009-04-23T18:40:00.004+01:00

We're in Milan for the furniture fair, Follow us on twitter as we post

regular pictures of all the cool and inspiring things we see!

www.twitter.com/nochintz

Bespoke. British.

2009-04-09T12:02:00.015+01:00

We have recently been combining some bespoke NoChintz pieces with some of our favourite British and European designers.

Take a look at the pieces we went for...

Firstly we customised the 'Portion Sofa' by Leeds based designers Naughtone.

A bright purple Kvadrat fabric was chosen and we emphasised the seat detail by using different and varied coloured buttons.

A Movisi 'Make-Shift' shelving system was hung above a stairwell to maximise storage space.

... and the Cole and Sons 'Tree Wallpaper' was applied to the walls.

Our next stage was a bespoke NoChintz designed storage system with a low sideboard to be fitted to an adjoining wall, finished in white high gloss with bright pink internal aspects. Floating shelves are to be fitted above.

Frost 'camoflague' wall hooks were also applied to the walls.

The perfect combination of Brit, Danish and German design!

Working with NoChintz by Sanjay Prasad

2009-03-24T08:51:00.001Z

I started working with NoChintz in the New Year, I'd first met them all together for the first time at the NoChintz Christmas party at The North Pole bar, where I'd proceeded to make the cardinal sin of getting very drunk but luckily I wasn't the only one...

The main reason for my joining is my high-end domestic experience. We're looking to expand NoChintz's presence in the domestic field, obviously in Manchester & Cheshire, but also in other immediately surrounding areas and further afield. One of the most exciting projects we're working on is our stand at The Design Weekend held at Tatton Park, 2nd - 4th May. Hopefully we're bringing the whole gang including the Moooi horse!

It's refreshing to hear that there is still plenty of work in the interiors field despite all the doom and gloom we're hearing on a daily basis. There is a noticeable change in requests and preferences, but it really isn't a bad thing. If anything, customers are rightly expecting higher value in their homes, and as a designer it's something you have to get right. Not everyone has an unlimited budget, and it's actually a great challenge to work with. Although if you do want to splash out big time we'll always be happy to help!

Bespoke furniture is also being designed for several clients, and that's my personal favourite aspect of my job. Spec'ing beautiful furniture from prestigious manufacturers like B&B Italia is obviously very enjoyable, but designing something from scratch, so they've got a truly unique piece that belongs to them alone, and not limited by constraints of mass-production, is so much more satisfying. We're also looking into the development of our own NoChintz furniture, watch this space...

Tribute to Tony Hart

2009-03-01T22:28:00.001Z

Nearly 200 Plasticine Morphs gathered outside the Tate Modern on London's Southbank this Sunday! The gathering was in memory of the late Tony Hart, who sadly died in January.

The Tate Modern

2009-03-01T22:27:00.001Z

"It has been raining for years now, not a day, not an hour without rain. This continual watering has had a strange effect on urban sculptures. They have started to grow like giant tropical plants, and become even more monumental. To stop this growth it has been decided to store them inside, among the hundreds of bunk beds which, night and day, recieive refugees from the rain ... Turbine Hall / 2058 / London"

The Unilever Series: Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster. Th. 2058
The Tate Modern
Showing until 13 April 09

'Ola London

2009-02-28T22:28:00.001Z

'Ola London is the greeting from our new favourite place to eat, the Mexican food hall Wahaca! Winner of all manor of food awards, including winner of best cheap eat (The Observer food monthly),

it did not disappoint! A huge 'street food' menu, authentic in taste and choice - top recommendation's would have to include the 'Frijoles with chorizo' and the 'Pork scratchings with guacamole' (yes really!)

mmmmmmmmm www.wahaca.co.uk

Natalie Perry - Voluntary Work Placement

2009-02-25T03:59:00.001Z

As you all know NoChintz are always looking out for aspiring new Interior Designers to work with and we have now appointed another Voluntary Placement, Natalie Perry.

Natalie has recently completed her degree in Interior Design at MMU and joins us for a couple of days per week to work on a variety of interesting interiors projects including some 3D visualisations of our work.

You can see some of Natalie fantastic work here: New Designers Online

NoChintz at the Design Weekend at Tatton Park

2009-02-25T03:52:00.001Z

NoChintz will be exhibiting at the Design weekend held at Tatton Park from Saturday May 2nd to Monday 4th. We will be at the entrance of the Home section so please do come say hello and have some cake.

We will be there to chat about our Studio and our projects and remember we pride ourselves on being able to provide designer quality solutions for all budgets.

We have decided not to bring the horse with us this time but he says hello.

Be there or be square.

www.thedesignweekend.co.uk

Fancy Renting in Bradford? Look no further.

2009-02-24T19:54:00.001Z

Urban Splash are inviting you for some drinks and nibbles at their show apartment at Velvet Mill, Lister Mills, Bradford on Thursday 26th February 2009 from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

They can show you around their NoChintz designed show apartment and the other homes that they have available; these stunning one and two bedroom apartments start at a bargain £400 pcm.

Velvet Mill is well connected to Bradford City Centre, with a regular bus service outside your front door, and is just around the corner from Frizinghall train station, with direct links to Leeds.

If you attend the evening and then decide to rent an apartment you will receive your first month rent free! (Leaving you more money for those soft furnishings!)

Please rsvp by email to rsvp@urbansplash.co.uk to join them on the evening.

Tweet with NoChintz on Twitter

2009-02-24T02:47:00.001Z

Come Tweet with us! NoChintz have become addicted to Tweeting on Twitter so come and join the fun and follow what we are up to on a daily basis. Well, almost an hourly basis the way its going!

www.twitter.com/nochintz

NoChintz hosting Seminars for MBA students at Manchester University

2009-02-23T21:28:00.003Z

Our New Director, Lucy Goddard is going back to her roots this week when she hosts a series of creative tutorials for students at the MMU Facility of Art and Design.

Lucy graduated with her Masters in Enterprise from Manchester University five years ago and is excited at the prospect of sharing her experiences of how to create and nurture creative businesses.

Katie Barrett - Voluntary Work Placement

2009-02-23T20:51:00.002Z

Here at NoChintz we are pleased to welcome and introduce Interior Design graduate Katie Barrett to the company. Here on a voluntary work placement Katie has recently completed her studies at the Design Academy of Nottingham University and is looking to expand her knowledge and understanding of the design industry whilst with us.

Originally from a painting background, Katie is currently working on several of her own private interior design ventures and will be working with us on a variety of projects. Alongside this her experience as a Copywriter has made her the ideal candidate to regularly update our blog and social network sites with the latest developments within the industry and NoChintz ourselves.

We wish Katie the best of luck whist working for the company and hope she will gain some valuable experience and insight in to the design world whilst here.

NoChintz loves AnOutlet

2009-02-23T20:49:00.003Z

The NoChintz team is, loving our new haunt ‘An Outlet’

The new café bar based in Carvers Warehouse on Dale Street Manchester (and a short walk away from the Nochintz studio upstairs) is certainly worth a visit!

This New York deli meets Parisian style cafe, is the perfect Oasis for the urban dweller It has just enough kitsch, just enough sophistication and just enough greenery (for those of us starved from the great outdoors) to shine a little bit of sunshine in our lives……..literally (look for the yellow disc branding in random places).

Great Coffee and food too! NoChintz recommend the sausage and bacon sandwiches to get the day started and perusing the deli section for treats to take home!

All that’s left now is to see you all down there!

An Outlet, Carvers Warehouse, 77 Dale Street, Manchester M1 2HG

NoChintz on Flickr

2009-02-23T20:47:00.002Z

We try to provide a bit of visual inspiration on our blog and we hope we do a good job. If you like what you see you can see all of our images for our projects and travels on our Flickr site!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nochintz/

Royal William Yard, Plymouth

2009-02-18T01:24:00.000Z

Set on the coast of Plymouth, a former naval victualling yard, the stunning Royal William Yard consists of several buildings, including Brewhouse, Clarence and Mills Bakery.

NoChintz have furnished and styled a number of apartments at this exclusive development, some of which have 60ft long living areas....mmmm

The views are stunning and smell of sea air a refreshing change from the city centre developments of late! If we lived in Plymouth, we would like to live here!

John Owens - Graphics Genius

2009-02-15T16:06:00.001Z

We are currently going through a rebrand....yawn.

But, hey its not actually a yawn at all because we are lucky enough to have John Owens, owner of Instruct Graphics. John is a total whizz with graphics and websites. Previously of Urban Splash, Ian Simpson Architects and Drumbeat Creative his work includes design for print, web, exhibitions, illustration, typography, signage, branding and apparel.

John knows what we are all about.

www.instructgraphics.co.uk

NoChintz Offices in Carvers Warehouse

2009-02-13T17:19:00.001Z

This is where we drink coffee, I mean work... we love it here.

The space is mostly taken up by a life sized horse, but we love him too.

Come pop up for a brew anytime, we are on the 3rd floor.

NoChintz hit Antwerp, Brussels and London

2009-01-27T08:57:00.000Z

Nochintz had a mini break in Belgium at the weekend to soak up some Art and design, fashion and culture.

We managed to squeeze in the Quinze and Milan masterfully engineered canopy in Brussels, The beautiful Dries Van Noten store and the Masion Margiela Fashion exhibition at the ModeNatie fashion museum in Antwerp along with shopping for antiques in the city’s many markets and vintage stores.

All this in two days and then returning via London’s Design Museum to catch the Hussein Chalayan (fashion designer) Alan Aldridge (60’s graphic designer) and Patricia Urquola (furniture designer) exhibitions and finally the Tate Modern’s Mark Rothko.
Phew!!

Highlights of our trip were, the amazing video projections and store concepts of Margiela and of course his many fashion collections, along with Hussein Chalayan and the technological feats of his spring/summer 07 collection and last but not least Patricia’s intricate porcelain designs.

If you can’t make it to Belgium make sure you get to the Design Museum London, to see a collective of three amazing designers all in one space!

NoChintz on Facebook

2009-01-23T20:48:00.000Z

Come join our NoChintz group and fanpages on on Facebook. It links up to our blog, flickr and Twitter and everyone in our team is on Facebook so come say hi!

NoChintz Facebook Group

NoChintz Facebook Fanpage

NoChintz at the NWDA Women in Business Awards

2009-01-20T21:10:00.000Z

Some of our favourite people came to the NWDA Women in Business Awards where we were shortlisted in two categories, our first ever entry for awards.

It was fantastic to get some recognition for all the hardwork we do.

The NoChintz Team

2009-01-19T21:07:00.000Z

What a handsome bunch! ;)

The Horse Arrives

2009-01-17T05:51:00.000Z

It was some trek across town to get it here but today it has finally arrived. The Moooi Horse light that is!

The amazing life size horse light designed for Moooi now takes pride of place in our offices in Carver's Warehouse. Like marmite, people either love it or hate it!

More Show Apartments at Budenberg Haus Projekte

2009-01-12T21:37:00.000Z

Urban Splash have commissioned NoChintz to create a new luxury show apartment for their Rental portfolio at their Budenberg Haus Projekte development in Altrincham. NoChintz works its interior magic once again and hey presto!

A New Addition to the NoChintz Team

2009-01-12T01:00:00.000Z

NoChintz welcome in the New Year with a new appointment...

We have extended our office and recruited furniture and interior designer Sanjay Prasad to join our Team!

Sanjay, who has worked under well-known furniture designer Matthew Hilton and showed at International fairs such as New Designers and Designersblock, joins the us to help tackle a full order book!

Sanjay designed the interior of Rowland’s Heaton Grange which won the 2007 Daily Telegraph’s Your New Home Awards: Best Luxury Development. More recently he has just completed the luxury boutique Lucile on Kings Street Manchester, and he even created the furniture and store concepts for an Apple Premium Reseller.

Sanjay is an incredible designer. He is well regarded and has built up a strong reputation, including exhibitions of his work. His portfolio and expertise has already added greatly to our team (and his personality a lot to the already noisy studio!)

We're very excited to have him on board. Welcome to NoChinz Sanjay!

Sylvia, Emmeline and Christabel, the 3 Towers

2009-01-11T21:03:00.000Z

The 3 Towers must be some of the coolest renovations of tower blocks ever undertaken! Lovingly named Sylvia, Emmeline and Christabel they are lighting up this part of Manchester which is a 2 minute walk from the Northern Quarter.

NoChintz have furnished over 60 apartments within 'the ladies' for the Urban Splash rental portfolio.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe House, Barcelona

2009-01-03T04:18:00.000Z

We were wandering around Barcelona and happened across Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's House.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, along with Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier, is widely regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture. Mies designed modern furniture pieces using new industrial technologies that have become popular classics, such as the Barcelona chair and table, the Brno chair, and the Tugendhat chair.

You can read more about Ludwig Mies van der Rohe here

Dressing the Midland Hotel for Xmas

2008-12-25T21:27:00.000Z

The Art Deco classic, the Midland Hotel in Morecambe has been wonderfully restored by Urban Splash. The hotel, which recently received recognition in the Michellin guide, has been transformed into a design destination and is a modern day masterpiece.

NoChintz have been given the wonderful opportunity to bring a bit of Christmas spirit to the hotel and you can see a few snaps of what we acheived below. We also designed our own NoChintz wrapping paper to reflect the Midland's chair collection, how cool is that!

Merry Christmas from NoChintz

www.midlandmorecambe.co.uk

NoChintz Shortlisted for two Women in Business Awards

2008-12-16T21:47:00.000Z

NoChintz have been shortlisted for two Women in Business Awards!!

We are up for both best start-up and also for the young enterprise award. As a company majority owned and run by women we are extremely proud that our achievements have been recognised and that we are in the running for such a prestigious award. We hope that we can be an inspiration and motivation for other women in the North West who are thinking about starting their own business.

The Northwest Women in Business Awards brings together women behind some of the region’s most innovative and successful companies. By celebrating those women who are already making their mark, recognising and rewarding them for achieving that success on their own terms - we hope to encourage more female entrepreneurs which is important to the future prosperity of the Northwest economy.

www.nwwomeninbusinessawards.co.uk

Comme Ca Art Presents "Contemporary Painting"

2008-12-12T21:48:00.000Z

Our friends over at Comme Ca Art are showcasing a new exhibition at the Lowry Hotel, Salford. ‘Contemporary Painting’ by Rael Gough, David Hancock, Andrew George Magee, Amy Russell, Joe Simpson, Simon Taylor & Hannah Wooll runs from the 27th November 2008 – 20th January 2009

Comme Ca Art’s final exhibition of 2008 previews some of 2009’s most promising painters. The line-up brings together a number of artists whose subjects are as diverse as you will find in the painted world, including examples of abstraction, realism and classicism.

“Painting has always been one of my favourite mediums of art and I am proud to present both new and established artists in our final show of 2008.” Claire Turner, Director of Comme Ca Art

For a synopsis of each of the artists or further information on this show and others contact claire@commecaart.com

www.commecaart.com

Natural Retreats, Yorkshire Dales

2008-12-08T21:42:00.000Z

A weekend away at Natural Retreats, located on the doorstep of a National Park, was just the rest bite directors at NoChintz needed after back-to-back projects since the summer!

These award winning timber framed architectural residences (18 in total) were spread over 54 acres of stunning countryside. Full glass frontage provided views out over the dales, although the contemporary interiors and a wood burning fire made it hard to pick up enough resolve to explore them!

The Retreats, not visible from the road, sunk seamlessly into the landscapes. Their Evergreen sedum (living planted) roofs were just one of the Retreats commitments to eco-principles.

We arrived at night, descending into a dark valley, to be met with the dreamlike glowing pods. Our residence was at the top of plot and after a short climb up we found our key (locked in a coded box) and entered the residence. We were greeted by a welcome note and large hamper stuffed full of fresh bread, farmers market cheeses, eggs, fairtrade fresh coffee and wine. A basket of logs was filled for the wood burning fire and a selection of brand new games (scrabble, trivial pursuit etc) were propped ready for a night in!

Each of the three bedrooms boasted an en-suite wet room (complete with spa therapy cosmetics) and crisp white Egyptian cotton bedding.

This sustainable design project has achieved zero carbon status. It boasts biomass heating, E Solar Glazing, 100% renewable energy sources amongst many other feats in green technology.

Breathtaking views, complete silence (with the exception of some interesting wildlife!) and as much Fashion TV as I could stomach made this break as relaxing as you can get. Getting our car snowed in also made it as funny as you could get!

www.naturalretreats.com

The North Pole

2008-11-28T21:47:00.000Z

NoChintz went on an Arctic expedition to the North Pole!

And we discovered the real ‘North Pole’ is outside the Urbis in Manchester.

Nochintz were appointed as Interior consultants for the temporary ‘pop up’ winter bar, The North Pole, in the pavilion next to urbis (open until the 1st of Jan).

With upside down Christmas trees and Nordic benches its the perfect place to drink your hot winter cocktail whilst watching the
northern lights.

www.northpolebar.com

Good Office Design

2008-11-28T21:45:00.000Z

Good office design is more than a first impression for your clients.

Gone are the days of office life comprising of brown carpet, fluorescent tube lighting and a pot plant on your desk. Many companies have recognized the benefit of creating clean, calm environments for their staff to work in. Bright and airy workspaces, modern flexible space and the use of colour all provoke reactions that can have a positive effect on your staff and their productivity.

Take Google for example; their London office comprises of breakout spaces, both inside and out, designed to encourage creativity, promote inspiration and keep staff motivated and working within the office environment for longer.

Good design need not be expensive. Even the most basic of products can be ‘design-led’ with the correct adaptation of spec. Swap wood laminate and traditional beech worktops for clean white surfaces. Where possible ask for colour options for desk legs and accessories - often white powder coated options are available for little or no extra cost. Creating seamless simple office solutions allows for an injection of colour and style in other cheap, often simpler ways. For example, a stylish desk lamp, coloured task chair or designer prop can create style without being overpowering or permenant. Design can be fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
British based furniture designers, Naughtone, have constructed a large shed within their office space to act as a meeting room – a fun, original solution to an otherwise traditional space.

Where possible opt for block coloured carpets, dark greys are stylish and resistant. Unless a heavy foot flow is expected, airports corridors for example, avoid heavy patterned options. This allows furniture to float on a background rather than be absorbed into it.

Wall vinyls and decals are a simple cheap and graphically stylish way of adding detail to walls. Large format artwork can also inject good design into dull spaces.

All of these rules can be applied to live/work spaces too.

Dominic Hits the Manchester Evening News

2008-11-23T21:44:00.000Z

Name and job title:
Dominic Beardwell, Operations Director at NoChintz

What does your job entail?
I have a wide range of responsibilities across various business areas and operational functions. With NoChintz working within a number of creative sectors, and dealing daily with interior design projects and consultation for private clients, retail, hospitality, investors and developers, it is crucial for me to ensure that there is effective functional support for the creative teams so that they can flourish.

How much time do you spending working out of the office?
My time is spent shared between working in the office, working at home, and out meeting clients and on site. With this function I need technology to work for me. The tools we have in place as a company allows us to do this efficiently and effectively. Whatever location I am in the technology I use enables me to work.

What is your most useful gadget?
I have an iPhone that is synchronised with my Apple mac which acts as a personal assistant wherever I need to work. The iPhone is a magical piece of kit! It enables all the staff to carry our digital portfolio on our phones (which is a great visual tool at networking events) as well as allowing us to respond quickly to emails, view PDFs and access on-line files.

What gadgets could you not live without?
My Sat Nav! We travel across the country on a daily basis to visit clients. I’d (quite literally) be lost without it.

What's been your biggest gadget nightmare?
Swapping from a PC to an Apple Mac – it took me days to stop trying to right click!

Do you Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or Bebo?
Nochintz uses its own blog, coupled with flickr and facebook to promote its creative talents through on-line social networking. All of our projects and photography can be viewed in detail on all three sites.

Is social networking useful for work?
Social networking for NoChintz is no different than traditional networking. You meet people and you can get to know them by identifying common interests. Those that share these interests with you can then become part of your network and when they start talking about you your reputation spreads by word-of-mouth. The more social networking you do, the more it drives traffic to your web presence.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get your hands on and why?
A laser tape measure! To put an end to awkwardly maneuvering and trying to document large spaces!

What would make your life easier at work?
A foosball table!

Mersey House

2008-11-20T23:22:00.000Z

NoChintz are kitting out some of Urban Splash's Commercial space over in Liverpool. Mersey House, situated on the same plot as the Matchworks and, more recently, the Matchbox, was ours to supply meeting room and reception furniture.

Longlands Mill

2008-11-18T19:49:00.000Z

Longlands Mill is another landmark development undertaken by Urban Splash. Set between the river and the canal in the heart of Stalybridge these are excellently designed and stylish apartments with some stunning original features.

NoChintz have been busy of late furnishing these apartments with some chic contemporary furniture.

Ear to the Ground Offices

2008-11-13T03:28:00.000Z

NoChintz have been busy lately getting their teeth into one of their one new business areas, Office Design.

Working on a project for Events and Production agency, Ear to the Ground, we ended up designing and making all the furniture from scratch! Colour coded sections of desking and storage, recylcling cabinets as well as a bespoke 4m x 4m hot-desk/ workspace were just some of the features...

The mix interior Winter Ball and Awards 2008

2008-11-09T21:43:00.000Z

The mix interior Winter Ball and awards last Thursday was a night to remember.

Hosted at the City of Manchester Stadium, the awards focused on northern office interiors. An independent panel of judges (made up of architects, specifiers, dealers and consultants) recognised awards such as; Design practice of the year, Product of the year, Best marketing campaign and Innovation award – amongst many.

BDP picked up Design practice of the year whilst Grant Thorpe were awarded Public sectors interiors project of the year.

We enjoyed pre-dinner drinks (courtesy of Ralph Cappers, thank you), and a 3 course meal. After dinner music was provided by Danny Rampling, Ministry of Sound.

Designers and architects from across the UK gathered to watch the presentation of awards and enjoy what was a thoroughly good evening!

See shots from the night at www.mixology-north.com

The after party was held at Manchester’s Circle Club

Interior Design in the 1950's

2008-10-25T21:43:00.000+01:00

The 1950’s were all about post war regeneration and materials that had been limited during the war such as steel, were becoming more and more available. This influenced the design of that era. Knoll launched the Harry Bertoia collection in 1952, which was primarily made from steel. See below image.

This has recently been re-launched to bring up to date with the steel frame available in a full range of powder-coated finishes and a variety of fabric seating options.

Also look for original retro furniture from the 50’s. It’s cheaper to buy, ideal for the credit crunch and also environmentally friendly, as it is essentially recycling furniture. Go to your local car boot sale or second hand store, try vintage stores in the Northern quarter such as Pop boutique, who have a retro, second hand furniture department in the basement.

Look for pieces such as this George nelson wall clock and Eames lounger to get that ultimate 50’s feel.

Try some 50’s era pop art prints such as this one by Roy llchenstein.

Or go for a modern take on the 50’s classic. As illustrated here by the artist Niagra (exhibited at the Richard Goodall gallery from the 20th September 2008).

Or for the ultra Kitsch why not get yourself a caravan? Brilliant for festivals, and the ultimate British holiday home.

NoChintz Business Areas

2008-10-22T21:47:00.000+01:00

It has been really exciting to see our business flourish so quickly and after much thought and deliberation, NoChintz has decided to reorganise itself into eight distinct business areas! We now have great portfolios of work with some fantastic clients within each of them.

We look forward to more growth in 2009.

Furniture Packs

Show Homes

Private Homes

Offices

Bars & Restaurants

Hotels

Retail

Events

New Director joins NoChintz

2008-10-21T22:34:00.000+01:00

Urban Splash’s Interior Designer, Lucy Goddard, has joined NoChintz as our new Director.

Lucy, who has been responsible for all of Urban Splash’s show apartments for the past few years, is to head up the NoChintz ‘Live’ & ‘Work’ Area concentrating her efforts on Show apartments, Homes and Office Design (leaving us to focus more time on our roaring success in Furniture packs, Events, Retail & bar design).

Lucy’s recent projects have included;
Budenberg Haus (Fosters & Partners), Altrincham
Lakeshore, Bristol
Midland Hotel, Morcambe
Longlands, Stalybridge
Timber Wharf, Manchester
3Towers, Manchester
Royal William Yard, Plymouth
Albert Mill, Manchester
Matchworks, Liverpool
plus many more...

Notices:
www.salfordonline.com

Rotunda, Birmingham

2008-10-12T19:45:00.000+01:00

NoChintz have just finished a full kit out of three serviced apartments in the iconic Rotunda Building in Birmingham.

The cylindrical highrise building is a grade II listed building and at 81 metres high dominates the Birmingham city centre skyline.

We provided furniture, bedding, dressings and a full entertainment package for a group of investors.

Clarence Dock Fashion Show

2008-10-10T21:45:00.000+01:00

NoChintz and Gok rocked the dock!

Natalie Gray was appointed as head styist and curator for the Clarence Dock fashion show in Leeds.

The fashion show, hosted by fashion guru Gok Wan, attracted an amazing 8,000 people over the course of the day.

The new retail area just outside Leeds city centre, developed by Crosby lend and lease, is home to brands such as Allsaints, G-star, Replay and Rock Couture all of whom are cited on a beautiful water-side location.

An innovative floating catwalk was anchored into place and the models strutted their stuff to sounds of Manchester based DJ Alix Walker, previewing the new collections from the top brands available on-site!

It was safe to say that Nat and Gok rocked the Dock!

Shoreditch House, London

2008-10-03T21:43:00.000+01:00

A night out at Private Members’ club Shoreditch house, had us running into (well tripping over their table to be more precise!) Artic Monkeys lead singer, Alex Turner and Presenter, Alexa Chung.

This exclusive venue in East London (opened in 2007) is an uber cool quintessentially English escape for those in the know.

On the 4th floor the house boasts a 2-lane bowling alley, complete with bar and private dining room. The 5th floor was a vast maze of restaurant and dining space, a games room, snug, sitting room and spectacular outdoor nooks and crannies offering stunning views over London’s Financial district.

Up on the roof we spent most the evening trying not to fall into the 16m roof-top pool. Sat on oversized padded white loungers, the whole experience left us feeling (for a few hours at least) a little like we’d left London for Manhattan.

Icon Magazine Re-Design Party

2008-09-21T21:42:00.000+01:00

An invite to the Icon magazine re-design party at London’s Foundry was the ticket to have at this years London’s Design Festival.

The Foundry’s Popup store, located in an underground and disused warehouse space in East London, was host to a party cerebrating 5 years of Icon magazine.

By day the concept store not only showcased some of the best retail products by brands such as Moooi, Flos, Thorsten Van Elten and Kartel but also a number of prototypes and conceptual art pieces. By night this space held court to nearly a 800 guests. With the complimentary gin cocktails flowing and the music going on into the night it has been said by many to have been the best Icon party to date – and we’re not going to disagree!

www.foundryonline.co.uk

100% Design London 18th – 21st September 2008

2008-09-18T21:46:00.000+01:00

100% Design this year included 100% Futures (young designers), 100% Detail (interior finishes) and 100% Materials (architectural). The key ‘way finding’ emphasis ensured that all industries were to cross path’s, inspirational British furniture designer Tom Dixon was responsible. He had created the overall design concept for the exhibition and what a show!

The concept, a mini design or ‘object’ trail, interlinked each area making it the most integrated and social show to date. The best pieces of the show were previewed in the main walkways leading you into the next space ensuring wherever you walked, a view of the bigger picture was provided.

Included in the trail is the Good Design Manifesto, which is a collection of 100 responses to what good design is? Gathered from the creative industries with the idea of stimulating topical discussion as you moved around.
This year there was a strong emphasis on British design and sustainability or a ‘Brit of rough’, with Tom Dixon leading the way with the largest, highest pile of his new chair design, the ‘slab’. Leeds based Naughtone kitted out the Icon café in the magazines signature black, white and yellow and Matthew Hilton returned with some challenging seating and a partnership with a Portuguese manufacturer.

There were also many innovative products from the European Showcase; the colourful Belgium based Feek, who utilise ‘foam coating’ technology in their collection of seating, tables and storage units. And the 100% Norway stand, with daylight projecting devices designed to bring relief to SAD sufferers -perfect for the Norwegian winter.

Canadian designers Molo epitomised the eco trend with ingenious seating and partitions made from paper and fabric. And there were many intellectual storage and lighting designs from Korea and the Far East.

Also part of Design week was Tent London over on Brick Lane. It was a real treat for inspirational ideas from both emerging and established designers across the world.

www.100percentdesign.co.uk

Urban Life Competition

2008-09-06T21:46:00.000+01:00

In this week’s Urban Life competition, one lucky winner was given the chance to have their own Interior designer for the day courtesy of NoChintz. The piece read;

“Do you want to see the latest autumn and winter trends in your own home? Or are you trying to sell your property but need a few tips on how to present it best? Maybe you just fancy a change and want to let your creative energies roam free”

“Whatever your goals, Urban Life has teamed up with the interior designers NoChintz to help you achieve them. We’re giving one reader the chance to win the expertise of their very own interior designer. Natalie Gray, will spend the day with the winner advising them on how to revamp their property and spot trends before they make it big.

The day will consist of an initial consultation at your property, followed by a shopping trip so that can understand the latest designs and how you can implement them into your home regardless of budget.”

Pick up a copy if you want a chance to win!

Vitra, Holland

2008-09-02T21:26:00.000+01:00

While we were in Amsterdam we ventured out to the outskirts of the city to visit the Vitra showroom. Its always great to see some of the masters work.

They had the most amazing collection of miniature classic chairs, we wanted all of them!

NoChintz at the SupperClub, Amsterdam

2008-09-01T21:42:00.000+01:00

A Jaunt to the Supperclub in Amsterdam is never dull. The venue, located in the heart of town, is discreetly tucked away down a narrow alley and hidden behind a large heavy door.

Sprawled on beds over two levels guests are seated in preparation for their five course, five hour unique dining experience.

Dishes are cooked in an open kitchen and passed up ladders and served to guests in one round at a time – the set menu ensuring that everyone shares the taste experience ay once (which, on this occasion had us eating out of dog bowls at one point!) Entertainment was served between the courses in the form of DJs, singers and puppeteer’s.

A fusion of food and entertainment where the unexpected should be expected!

www.supperclub.com

NoChintz in Amsterdam!

2008-08-31T00:37:00.000+01:00

We love Amsterdam. We go there as much as we can. Hopefully we will be again soon. One day, we will have some offices there ;-)

Millennium Tower, Salford Quays

2008-08-30T21:08:00.000+01:00

NoChintz are furnishing and styling 20 apartments in this stunning development in Salford Quays.

We have been asked to implement a high end contemporary theme to these apartments to attract young professionals.

NoChintz Sponsors Manchester Pride 08

2008-08-28T21:44:00.000+01:00

NoChintz were proud furniture sponsors for the VIP area at this years Manchester’s Pride’s 18th festival. Working with Urban Splash to promote their current scheme, Tutti Frutti, Nochintz designed and installed a colourful seating area for this exclusive area that doubled as a back-stage bar for the main stage acts.

The festival attracted the likes of Boy George, Roisin Murphy and Alphabeat to the stage as well as over 250,000 visitors.

http://www.manchesterpride.com/sponsors/

Operations Director - Dominic Beardwell

2008-08-15T21:41:00.000+01:00

Dominic Beardwell has taken on the role of Operations Director at NoChintz.

Dominic has worked with numerous business start ups and SME’s and brings a wealth of experience in project direction, business growth strategies and finance.

As well as being responsible for the Furniture Pack side of the business, Dominic will take overall responsibility for the development of the NoChintz Business Functions.

Timber Wharf, Castlefield

2008-08-12T18:57:00.000+01:00

Timber Wharf was one of the first developments undertaken by award winning developer Urban Splash. It's a very stylish set of loft style apartments in Castlefield, boasting concrete walls and killer views.

NoChintz have kitted out a few of the penthouses here. They have some glass floors over the stairwell, we jump over it :)

NoChintz Sponsors the Tony Wilson Experience

2008-07-30T21:41:00.000+01:00

NoChintz recently sponsored the Tony Wilson Experience by providing the furniture for this exclusive event in Manchester.

About the Event
At noon on 21 June, 2008 some of the biggest names in design, the creative industries, media, and the arts launched a 24 hour conversation and debate in the centre of Manchester. This took part with a selected audience of two hundred talented and creative young people from across the city and beyond.

The event was designed to stimulate, inspire and engage the next generation of cultural innovators and was held in memory of the broadcaster, entrepreneur and creative champion, Anthony H Wilson.

www.tonywilsonexperience.com

This is as close to a star struck sofa as you will ever get

Autumn and Winter Trends

2008-07-30T21:39:00.000+01:00

The Eco and Scandinavian influences of summer continue into the Autumn/Winter Interior trends with an emphasis on texture and nature inspired pieces.

Think tree like structures such as the ‘Swedese tree coat stand’

Swedese Tree Coat Stand

Colours shift from bright vibrant greens and blues to warmer earthy tones such as nutmeg through to slate and fawn illustrating ethnic inspired patterns and prints with a bohemian edge.

Missoni home-ware collection

Audrey and Isabella wallpaper from Marcel Wanders studio for Graham and Brown.

Recycled Leather Rugs by Manon Juliette add that element of texture and nature and are eco friendly.

Cappellini have also launched a new 'eco-sustainable' range named ' Cappellini Love' which was previewed at the Milan furniture show in April.

There is still an emphasis on the outside coming inside such as the ‘Tropicalia’ chair and ‘Little garden table’ from Moroso.

Tropicalia Chair

Little Garden Table from Moroso

Trend Towards Fully Serviced Apartments

2008-07-30T21:37:00.000+01:00

In increasingly competitive markets, developers, landlords and investors are having to look for new ways to attract tenants into their properties.

In these tough market conditions the aim is to maximise the monthly rental income and to try to retain the tenants for longer periods.

Over the last twelve months we have seen a clear trend towards offers of complete packages to tenants. The design savvy and trend aware tenants that we are looking for now expect more than your bog standard furniture to be included as part of their rental packages, they expect well designed and considered furniture throughout the properties. On top of this there is also an expectation to have the option of having a complete kitchen pack installed for them. We have also seen a trend towards tenants requesting linen (bedding and towels) and also audio visual packages (TV, DVD player and iPod dock).

In a clear move towards serviced rental apartments young professionals are demanding a living experience which is effectively a ready made home. In order to capture the best tenants and retain them for longer periods, developers and landlords need to differentiate from each other and by offering these well designed and complete packages they will stand out.

Differentiate through Design

Backstage / A Sideview on the Moroso Design Collection

2008-07-26T21:46:00.000+01:00

GALLERY 113 (GA113RY) KORTRIJK / BELGIUM JUNE 13 - SEPT 14

Curated by Patrizia Moroso, this world-first exhibition is a dream for any furniture enthusiast! Traveling over to the 1,500m2 industrial gallery space in Arne Quinze headquarters, Belgium, it was soon obvious why there was so much excitement around the show.

Walking into the vast space we were overwhelmed by a couture collection of some of our favourite Moroso pieces - as well as prototypes and models that had never been seen before by the public.

The space showcased a rare collection of designs, drawings and prototypes that told the story of Patrizia’s 20 favourite pieces. The story included pieces that never went into production and laid open her working method for all to see.
The colours, designs, materials and craftsmanship were phenomenal – without a doubt, our favourite exhibition to date.

In the 1970’s Patrizia transformed Moroso into one of the worlds most innovative and famous producer of designer furniture.

In Copenhagen with designers, busk+hertzog

2008-07-12T21:41:00.000+01:00

Visiting product and furniture designers, Flemming Busk and Stephan Hertzog at their studio in downtown Copenhagen, it was obvious why the pair had won some prestigious awards this year.

Busk + Hertzog presented some of their latest projects and talked through the design processes involved in each, including our personal favourites; ‘Plasma’ (winner of IF product design award) and ‘True Love’.

Their studio was a chic mix of ‘tasteful and tech’. Clean lines with state-of-the-art height adjusting desks (a requirement in Europe) and stylish simple storage, combined with beautiful books, images of their work and fresh flowers.

Globe Zero4 (who Busk + Hertzog design for) kindly took us to some locations around Copenhagen to view some of the pieces in situ.

Out and about in town later that day we saw ‘Camouflage’ (winner of Red Dot product design award) in legendary home ware store Illums Bolighus (www.royalshopping.com ) – needless to say we have since used the pieces in a recent scheme!

www.busk-hertzog.dk

Voluntary Work Placements with NoChintz

2008-07-09T21:39:00.000+01:00

NoChintz are working with up and coming designers and ceatives and are giving opportunities to students to undertake voluntary work placements with us.

Tayab Iqbal, an aspiring Interior Designer, will be working with us for the next couple of months on some key development projects. Tayab is currently studying Interior Design at the University of Bolton and was recently shortlisted for the idfx 'Up and coming Interior Designer' of the year award. Below is some of his latest work.

We will be looking to offer more voluntary placements to other aspiring Interior Designers over the next few months.

3 Sisters, Tallin

2008-07-01T00:25:00.000+01:00

NoChintz are addicted to boutique hotels and we got to experience Tallin's finest in the 3 Sisters last weekend. Situated right in the middle of old town, three of Tallinn’s splendid merchant houses, built in 1362, have bee renovated and united to create The Three Sisters which is an eclectic mix of modern design with a backdrop of medieval history.

We didn't leave our hotel much during our stay!

House Doctor Gray as Featured on BBC Radio Manchester

2008-06-24T21:56:00.000+01:00

Spending money on home improvements doesn’t automatically increase the value of your property. The work has got to enhance the property, be in keeping and be well designed and constructed, or you risk devaluing it instead.

There are long-term structural options such as building extensions and conservatories, creating off-road parking, loft conversions, exterior and interior upgrades i.e. kitchens and bathrooms which should in theory increase you property’s value from 5-15%, however in today’s current economical climate these are expensive and unrealistic suggestions and will most probably not add any value in the short term, especially in a city centre pad where you don’t even have the options!!

A more viable and immediate fix is to give your property’s interior scheme a ‘facelift’ or ‘detox’! This again may not add value in today’s current property market, but should make you stand out from the wash of other properties and provide an opportunity to sell fast and for the best possible price.

You may even love your new improved better designed home so much that you choose to stay, or look at other alternatives such as letting, where a cleverly presented space can attract a higher caliber of tenant and achieve excellent rental returns. All this cannot be achieved without an element of good design!!

Useful Tips
- De-clutter: try and create as much feeling of space as possible and think about storage solutions.
- Clean: make sure you have had a thorough clean, especially before viewings. An untidy place can be very off-putting to prospective buyers
- Paint: Touch up any damaged paintwork, or maybe have a complete re-decorate. Try and keep as neutral as possible. Remember if you do chose to add colour go for 1 or 2 shades lighter, especially if you are limited on space (dark walls can sometimes make small spaces feel smaller).
- See to any minor repairs
- Think about lighting: Try and create a relaxed ambience, by using soft lighting and enhance natural lighting as much as possible.
- Replace any old damaged furniture or even better recycle it!! You can get pieces re-painted, repaired and re-upholstered fairly inexpensively.
- And last but by no means least: DRESS YOUR SPACE: Add some key pieces and accessories, such as an interesting chair, some on trend cushions, fabrics and prints. Here you can afford to be more daring with pattern, print and colour. Look in magazines such as Elle décor, Wallpaper and living etc to get ideas of what’s in fashion.

You should also seriously think about some really nice well position artwork. It completes any space and there is an abundance of really exciting alternatives out there at the moment i.e. wall vinyl’s or fashion photography.

Remember use your common sense, and try to steer clear of your own personal taste. You want to try and appeal to as many buyers as possible to clinch that all important sale!!

Madrid

2008-06-18T21:22:00.000+01:00

Hola!

The New York Times

2008-06-11T21:57:00.001+01:00

Natalie managed to get herself into the International Herald Tribune, the global version of the New York Times. what for? Her haircut!
Random but quite cool!

www.iht.com

Harvey Nichols Photo Shoot

2008-06-11T21:57:00.000+01:00

One of our friends has been doing their fashion shoots in Harvey Nichols Personal Shopping. Look how amazing our furniture styling has made the models look ;)

Photography by Matthew Stansfield Photography

www.matthewstansfield.com

Urban Life Front Cover

2008-06-08T21:58:00.000+01:00

We are very happy today because Urban Life Magazine put one of our pictures on their front cover.

Of course, we all sent a copy of it to our Mums to prove that something does come of drinking coffee all day.

Our Pic

Carvers Warehouse

2008-06-08T21:57:00.001+01:00

Interior Designers move on up with a move to the heart of their market.

NoChintz are moving into Carvers Warehouse in the heart of Piccadilly as it seeks to expand. We will be moving into the state of the art office building on Dale Street, Manchester in mid-June.

We are very happy to have made such impressive progress in a very short time. Our clients currently include Diesel Europe, Urban Splash, Harvey Nichols in addition to many city centre landlords and private residents (and a few high profile proposals in the pipeline too!)

“The move puts us, location wise, at the centre of our market both in terms of associates and prospective clients. Another great benefit is that we will now be neighbours with architects, property developers and journalists. I am sure this will create many fantastic opportunities. Carver’s Warehouse is Manchester’s oldest surviving warehouse, being built in 1806. Yet, it combines the best of modern design and original features. I think it makes a strong impression and reflects our own sense of style, professionalism and ambition.” - NoChintz Operations Director.

Announced in Crains Magazine, New Business Insider and Manchester Evening News.