communal areas Lifestyle


Make areception area look official but also soften itsappearance with curves or coloured glass


Flooringmust be practical, easy to


maintain, andveryeasytoclean.Carpets should be either at thedarkend of theneutral spectrumor patterned. Both options will hide marks anddirty footprints between vacuuming. Axminsterhas aphenomenal rangeof100%naturally coloured wool in plains andpatternswhich will work well. If youpreferhardflooring,choosenatural


or even themanaging agents. It is worth noting that the more decisionmakerswho are involved,the longer theprocesswilltake. If youare theone responsible forthe


communal space,neutral andsafechoices will always be easier designs forwhich to gain approval than bright,edgyones. Youalsohave to consider that moreoutlandishideas will date quicklyand thereforewillneed changing moreoften.


What arethe basic


standardsexpected? Cleanliness goes a long way – in fact people will put up with datedortired looksfor longer as long as theareaisclean.Functioning itemsshould work.Avendingmachinewhich swallows yourmoney or abin with abrokenlid will irritate occupiers and visitors alike. This lack of attentiontodetailiswhatbeginstograte when the bill for the service charge arrives.


elements to the design? Aside fromwhat your occupiersexpect, thereare commercial requirements to bemet. For example,all furnishings(includingpaint work)havetobeofacommercialstandard. Allfabricsmust have afire retardantgrading. Most fabricmanufacturerscan provideafire retardantservice.Carpets andunderlayalso have to be fireretardant up to commercial levels.Irecommend 100% wool if thebudget canstretch that faraswoolisnaturally fire retardant. Youcan also buyfire retardant paint(TiminoxbyCrownis agreat option) whichinthe unlikelyevent of afire will not only help to contain thefire,givingextra time to evacuate,but will save youmoneywhen the big clean up begins. Theanswerstothese questions will


create thebrief foryourupgrade.For ahuge apartmentblock,aninteriordesignerislikely to beemployed.For asmaller project, theRMC or anominated occupier is likely to take on the task.Whichever routeistaken,the process


Flat Living Winter 2011 What are the non-negotiable


stoneorceramic tileswhich areincredibly hardwearing, easy to cleanand easy to maintain. Domake sure thesurface has some roughnesstogivegripand to avoidinjuriesin wetweather. Wood is anotheroptionbut be prepared for


heel damage fromtheoutset.Wood is also a volatilematerial andcould warp,shrinkor expand over time. Therefore, if wood is your choice, go for something like engineered oak or averygood laminate. Thereare othermore unusualchoices such as leather, concrete or metal; allofwhich create astylisedimage butwhich arenot hugely appropriate fora communal space. Furnituremust look welcoming and


should be the same. Fromthe brief, come up with a concept,which will lead to plans, elevations andadesign. Thedesignwillbe presented to theRMCor otherdecisionmakers to be signedoff. Then thedeliverybegins. The designcould be just cosmeticoracomplete redesignwithsomemajor structural changes.


Which looks will work? Anything toooutrageouswilldateand


is likelytobeunpopular.Therefore,itis recommended that neutral, soothing tones are better choices forcommunalareas. Starting with thewalls,aneutral palette


of stone, taupeandwhitewillnot only be restful andwelcoming,but in practicalterms very easy tomaintain. Youcould be brave andhaveone wall in adarkermoredramatic tone ofmocha or even claretwhich canthen be changed over timewhen thespace needs updating.


aneutral palette will be restfuland welcoming


relatively comfortable. Notsomuchsothat thelobbybecomes asocialareawhich will, in thelongerterm, be anegativeratherthan a positive. On the other hand, it should not look tooaustere or cheapasthiswillgivethe wrongimpressiontovisitorsorpotential buyers.Abrownleathersofawilllookrelaxed andwelcomingwhilebeing hardwearing, easy tomaintainand timeless. Make areception area look official butalso


soften itsappearancewithcurvesorcoloured glass – remember this iswhere you live, not where you work. There are also practical additions such


as security boxesformail anddeliveriesto consider –these canstill look stylishwiththe rightfinish such as stainless steelorpolished brass.Afree telephone for a local taxi firmis a nice touch, as is asecuredeliveryhatch forlate night takeaways - always a winner with single female occupants. The finishing touches such as freshflowers or a stack of current lifestyle magazinesmay seemobviousoralittlebit twee, but thesemake your tenants, occupiers or visitors feelwelcome and relaxed. Theprocessofupdating your communal


decorcan seemlikeasmallmountain to climb. However, athoroughexamination of therequirementsand arealconsideration forwhatyou wanttoachieve will help you deliverawellplanned designwhich will stand thetest of timeandpassthe scrutiny of your occupiers.●


EmmaSmithis an interior designer and can be contacted atEmmaSmithInteriors Tel 01749675644 www.emmasmithinteriors.com


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