When you're choosing an interior designer, you want to be on the same wavelength and you need them to be as excited about your home as you are.

WORLD OF INTERIORS

An interior designer can work with you on bringing the wow factor into your home. They will assess how your current living spaces work for you and how they can improve on them, given the realities of your life. They will listen and learn about who you are, how you live your lives and help you create personal spaces which are not only stunning but say something about who you are, or who you want to be and the way you want to live.

Any designer worth their salt visits design shows and furniture fairs which showcase the latest exciting things - from the latest in kitchens and bathrooms to innovations in lighting, audio visual equipment, flooring and fabrics. They visit them all so that they can introduce new discoveries to transform your space. They will have an extensive contacts database of supplies and have the know-how to track down and source the details that are exactly right for you, creating something that is as unique and as interesting as you are. You need to know that they'll handle your project with skill and expertise, but also with care and sensitivity, passion and enthusiasm. Here are a selection of Cardiff and the Vale's most talented designers.



PENARTH
D:ZINE Interiors
8 Windsor Arcade, Penarth CF64 1JA
029 2070 7307 www.dzine-interiors.com

D:ZINE was established in Penarth by Bronwen Ackerman in 2002. Then in December 2007 she opened her showroom in the heart of Penarth in Windsor Arcade.

Bronwen sells a selection of furniture, lighting by Vaughan, objects d'art, unusual decorative items and fabrics to order, from linens by de le Cuona to weaves and wallpapers by Zoffany. She also has paintings by Neale Howells and Iris Debley. As an interior designer Bronwen offers a House Doctor Consultancy for those wishing to give their property a splash of colour. As a former colour consultant for Farrow & Ball paints, she has a fully developed skill at telling what improvements can be made and how. She also acts as a consultant for those putting their property on the market. For clients who want a more in-depth consultation Bronwen offers a Full Design Consultancy house visit, in which she assesses a client's needs and makes suggestions on site, before presenting the various schemes she will have put together for a project.

Bronwen's projects are varied - from re-upholstering a sofa, making curtains, to refurbishing a living room, to the whole design of a property. She says, "Customer satisfaction is very important to me, and no project is too big or too small! I am working on several projects at the moment which involves using super deluxe fabrics from stone spun linen to highly engineered voiles. All very exciting!

I would someday love to design a house for a family - a family with six children! What a wonderful challenge! Children are so endearing and I should know - I have two wonderful boys!"

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BARRY
Juicy Designs
46 Glanfa Dafydd, Barry CF63 4BG
01446 700571 www.juicyinteriors.co.uk

When was Juicy established?
Juicy Designs, Wales' coolest interior and architectural design company was established in 2005 by myself, Janet, and my sister Juliette Pike. Our aim is to create effortless, contemporary design at an affordable price tag.

What services do you provide?
Services range from architectural design, planning and building regulations submissions, budget and specification, modern and traditional extensions to eco-builds, project management, construction, space planning, the design of individual rooms such as bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces, soft furnishings, furniture, garden studios and everything imaginable in between.

Who are your clients?
We're conscious of the need to combine value for money with thoughtful design. Our flexible design services range from a helping hand to concept-to-completion.

What are you working on at the moment?
Projects at present include the design and project management of a modern two storey extension in Llantwit Major with mezzanine floor and a glass curtain wall. We're also working on an entire house refurbishment in the Vale, and sourcing cool art work and specifying for a new contemporary deli in Cardiff Bay.

What budgets do you cater for?
When we say affordable we mean it. Our services range from a one hour consultation at £50 to the design of individual rooms to entire new builds or renovation projects. The emphasis throughout is on 'value for money'.

Who would you like to work for?
We want to continue to work with residential and commercial interior and architectural projects of all shapes and sizes.

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PONTYCLUN
Design Inspiration
77 Llantrisant Rd, Pontyclun CF72 9DP
01443 449955



As the first shoots of Spring arrive and the early signs the housing market is also resurging into life, you might be thinking that now is a good time to consider moving, if this is you, then Design Inspiration's 'Design Moves' pack may be just what you need. The pack includes a consultation, home visit and staging with prices starting from £200 this could be the best move you make to give your home the saleability edge!

For those staying put and who perhaps put home projects on the back burner in 2009, this spring is an ideal time to start a fresh and begin a new venture to update the home. With so many fantastic new collections of fabrics and wall coverings to choose from, this year promises to be very exciting. But with so much choice, it's knowing where to start and how to coordinate them for optimum effect, with the professional talents of Wendy and Rose, Interior designers at Design Inspiration, this comes naturally, as having over 30 years experience in mixing textures, design and colours, from a whole host of suppliers shows. And if you need any convincing, a trip to the showroom confirms why it has been described as the best outside of London for both inspiration and choice.

The duo offer a home consultation service and produce a unique design scheme tailored for you, your budget and your families needs, combined with beautifully hand crafted soft furnishings from the in house workroom, it's a winning combination. For your appointment, telephone today.



Wendy Darke’s Top 10 for 2010

■ Patchwork - trust me, unusual though it sounds, this is going to be a big look for 2010 from furniture to cushions and bedding.
■ Opulent Colours - look out for teals, metallic gold's and nickel, decadent reds and rich blue will also make a come back.
■ Oriental - simple illustrations with influences from the Far East.
■ Homespun - rustic charm with embroidered fabrics and back to
nature feel.
■vFemininity - with a masculine hard edge, lace teamed with high gloss.
■ Vive la France - Painted furniture Louis style.
■ High quality - investment into to well made classical pieces, tomorrows antiques.
■ Creativity - big and bold statements with both colour and design think 50's/60's & 70's chic.
■ Textures - from floors to wall, shag pile to flock, lace and fur,
tactile is in.
■ Futuristic - up to minute technology teamed with eco friendly alternatives in sustainable fabrics.

For more information email Wendy at info@designinspirationltd.co.uk or visit the Design Inspiration website at www.designinspirationltd.co.uk

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PENARTH
Hamptons
10 Ludlow Lane, Penarth CF64 1EA
029 2070 5391



With the gloom of the winter well and truly behind us, many of us will be thinking about a fresh new look for our homes. The problem is, where do we find that fabulous lamp featured in all of the style mags and is flocked wallpaper here to stay or just this season's fad?

There is one course of action that will solve all of these taxing problems and that's to employ the services of an interior designer. We asked Andy Bradshaw, the resident designer at the Hamptons store in Penarth what the benefits of engaging an interior designer might be.

The most obvious advantage of employing a designer is that you immediately gain access to their sourcebook. This is the designer's Bible that has been developed over many years and is packed with contacts, suppliers, visuals and those impossible to find telephone numbers. Of course design ability and experience are also vital as well as building a relationship with the client to ensure that you completely understand their project and can interpret it in a way that they could never achieve alone.

But isn't interior design all about carpets and curtains?
Far from it. We frequently work with architects from the outset of a project and are actively involved from the start of the build to completion. If you are thinking of employing an interior designer then make sure that he or she has this experience. Carpets and curtains are really only a small part of the designers work.

How do you work with your clients?
Unlike many of the makeover programmes the process doesn't happen in 60 seconds. We first discuss the nature of the project which can range from a single room to a complete house. Based on this information we agree the best way forward. Some clients have begun the work themselves and simply lost their way, needing only a few hours to put them back on track. Others however have weightier projects that require a complete design package.

What does that involve?
After our initial meeting we work out the costs for producing finished designs. Once the client approves the quote we arrange a further meeting to discuss the project in greater detail. In the simplest terms this is their wish list.

Before we start designing we produce a detailed design brief for the client which describes the existing house, problems and issues that need to be addressed and an overview of the proposed look, style and feel of the new home. This document is vital and ensures that we fully agree on the way forward and that all opportunities have been properly explored.

Following this we undertake background research to support the development of the project and commence work on the designs which will give the client everything they need to complete the scheme. This includes hand drawn visuals and scaled room layouts, all of the paint colours, references for lighting, furniture, accessories and yes, flooring and window treatments.

And does your involvement end there?
Generally speaking, no. Most of our clients ask us to help them implement the design and this can range from suggesting suitable contractors, overseeing elements of the work on their behalf to taking them shopping.

That sounds like a great day out.
It can be but it also saves the client time and money. Having done my homework, I take clients to a shortlist of stores and suppliers, perhaps to see only one item in each place. Clients say that it's a great way of focussing on the job in hand without getting sidetracked, apart that is from lunch!

Often we can arrange to borrow samples of products to try out at home where clients can see how they work in their space and under different lighting.

Hamptons has such unique products. How do you find them?
It's our best kept secret. but seriously, we work extremely hard to find well designed and unique products. We are passionate about showcasing new collections to our customers that they would never get to see in some of the mainstream interiors stores which often cater to a safer market. Having our design studio in the store also enables customers to tap into our design experience and we are happy to offer free advice on any of our products.



What are your new products for the spring and summer?
The Content by Conran collection of contemporary furniture, designed by Sir Terence Conran has been very well received by our customers and this year we are showcasing some of our existing pieces in brand new fabrics. We also have some new pieces of upholstery and cabinet arriving in the spring. All of their upholstery is now made in the UK which we believe is really important.

We are also looking at several other new UK upholstery companies to increase out range of sofas and occasional chairs. We have new throws arriving from a woollen mill in the west of Ireland and from Dreamweavers who design our fabulous pebble rug and cushions we have some beautiful new products and colourways on order.

New mirrors from Belgium also arrive in spring together with lighting in some gorgeous metallic colours such as copper. Silk cushions and lampshades from an up and coming British designer, Jen Rowlands will complement our current collections and wall and mantle clocks from a Birmingham based company will be in stock very soon.

It all sounds very exciting and we can't wait to see all of the new products. If any of our readers haven't yet visited Hamptons you really must head over to Penarth. The store is a haven of wonderful products for the home and you can also have coffee or lunch in the Blue Pelican Café upstairs.

For further details about the interior design service at Hamptons contact

Andy Bradshaw at the Hamptons store at
10 Ludlow Lane,
Penarth, CF64 1EA.
Telephone 029 2070 5391 or visit
the Hamptons website at:
www.hamptons-design.co.uk