Assistant Project Manager - Studio Fourteen

Job Vacancy - Assistant Project Manager

Job Vacancy - Assistant Project Manager

Assistant Project Manager
Job details
Salary: £22,000 – £27,000 a year
Job type: Full-time – Monday to Friday

Description
Reporting to a Director, the Trainee/Assistant Project Manager will be offering support in overseeing projects of varying
values and diverse natures. This will be mainly refurbishment and fit outs to Offices, Education, Warehousing and
Residential for values between £5,000 and £5m.

The primary role of the Trainee/Assistant Project Manager will be to assist the office based Director in ensuring that the
allocated project runs efficiently and profitably ensuring full compliance to Health & Safety legislation and contract
conditions. Work is completed to a high standard, in a safe working manner, within programme and to the total satisfaction
of our client(s).

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Assisting and learning all aspects of the role of the office/site based Director in their responsibilities and for the day-to-day
running of the project.

  • Supporting and monitoring Health & Safety practices and CDM Regulations on site.
  • Attendance of regular site meetings with client, Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Planning Supervisor etc.
  • Assisting and learning the preparation of reports, programmes, progress and profitability reports.
  • Assisting with and learning how to agree pricing and instructions with the client or client’s agent.
  • Contribute to formulating valuations and final accounts.
  • Assisting with the preparation of tenders.
  • To procure, negotiate terms and monitor the performance of sub-contractors and suppliers.
  • To identify and implement improvements to any aspect of the service provided.
  • Procurement of new clients and suppliers.
  • Ensure that acceptable levels of customer care are provided and often exceeded at all times.
  • Produce relevant monthly reports for the Director e.g. cost and value comparisons, turnover forecasts etc. ensuring
    information is complete and accurate.
  • Contribute to and attend financial and progress meetings with the client, engineers and subcontractors as required.
  • Provide support to the site team in order to optimise the use of contract resources.
  • Provide support for the Director in terms of data input etc.
  • Maintaining deadlines in line with requirements.
  • To provide cover for other associated staff during times of absence.
  • Regular use of the computer systems and other software packages such as Word, Excel and Project.

Duties and responsibilities will vary in line with progress and training levels.

This is a full time position and hours of work will be 42 hours per week: 08:45hrs to 17:15hrs Monday – Friday

This will also involve daily travel and working away as deemed necessary for the needs of the business.

We undertake contracts and projects for varied companies that require our employees to undertake various clearances along with an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service clearance.

Essential Requirements

  • Currently studying towards or completed a Degree in Construction (or equivalent) or a construction related qualification
  • GCSE or equivalent Grade C or above in English Language, Literacy, Numeracy and ICT
  • Willingness to undertake training programmes as deemed necessary by the Company
  • Competent in the use of a range of IT packages
  • Self-motivated and proactive
  • Positive attitude and the ability to integrate and be an active part in the team
  • Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise to meet deadlines
  • Keen to pursue personal development needs and maintain up to date knowledge
  • You must hold a full current UK driving licence and have had 6 months driving experience since passing your test and live
    within an hour of the WR9 9BT area.

Desirable Requirements

Currently working within the construction environment

  • CSCS Card
  • IOSH Managing/Working Safely or Site Management/Supervisor Safety Training Scheme
  • First Aid at Work Certificate
  • Assistant PM Role April 2023 Page 1 of 2
  • Personal Competencies
  • Able to adapt communication skills to maintain and manage a variety of situations.
  • Plan and prioritise personal objectives along with the Company’s priorities.
  • Understand the needs of the Company, client and colleagues and responds appropriately to required needs.
  • Make well informed, effective and timely decisions even when faced with unpleasant consequences and perceived impact
    these decisions has on others.
  • Encourage others to develop themselves and act as a role model.
  • Ability to adapt to a changing environment.
  • Positive attitude and the ability to integrate and be an active part in the team.
  • Encourages and develops ideas and innovations for current or new situations.
  • Commercial awareness and understanding of the Construction process.
  • Remains resilient when under pressure and encourages optimism.
  • Aware of own impact on others and takes peoples’ feelings and needs into consideration.

Benefits

  • Vehicle allowance
  • Mobile phone and laptop
  • 21 days holiday plus all bank holidays
  • Continuous training and development
  • Excellent opportunities for career progression
  • Private health care awarded after 1 years continuous service

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £22,000.00-£27,000.00 per year

Schedule:

  • Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:
Bonus scheme

  • Experience:  Management / Office Environment: 1 year (preferred)
  • Work Location: In person (UK wide)


14 Essential Tips Prior to Appointing a Fitout Contractor

14 Essential Tips prior to appointing a Fitout contractor

The list of considerations when relocating or expanding your existing office space can seem a daunting task for any company, no matter the economic sector. A chance to re-evaluate the company’s new look, maximise team performance and maintain a positive and sustainable future. Follow these tips and deliver the seamless office fitout.

#1 – Team

Step one is to ensure the correct stakeholders are identified, a person with overall responsibility to make decisions, allowing the project to move forward with ease, focusing on the best interests of project delivery.

Further into the process, team appointments may be necessary depending on project size and complexity.

Studio Fourteen Tips and Logos#2 – Budget

Setting a realistic and achievable budget is primary consideration, ensuring design and project team costs are considered, not forgetting the 5-10% contingency figure for unplanned eventualities, particularly when refurbishing an existing office space. Work out respective costs of each category Shell & Core fitout/Category A/Category B as a comparison.

#3 – Location

Is your existing office space suitable size for expansion? Staff commutes sensible? Transport links? Client proximity considered? Building condition and appearance? Location is everything for a successful business operation no matter the sector. Budget may also tie into location considerations, as office rental costs vary considerably to location.

#4 – Draft Layout

Closely linked to location is layout, initial key processes, staff areas, welfare and storage must be identified to establish the required floor areas and thus correct infrastructure, for example a calculation often utilised is 1 person per 10m2 floor space.

14 Tips When Appointing a Fitout Contractor

#5 – Agent Appointment

Locating the office space is often a difficult task in itself, appointing the correct office agent can provide you many options logistically, rental cost, location and assist with achieving a great overall deal, let’s not forget the financial commitment to take on office space is usually long-term. A well-considered deal may release additional funds into the fit-out build costs.

#6 – Consultant Appointment

Consideration must be given to the mechanical and electrical infrastructure in each and every fitout, no matter the project size. Consultants are often key members of the delivery team on large scale office fitouts. Make the appointment if necessary.

#7 – Design Brief

At this point set out your vision, goals, branding, themes, style and any other considerations. The introduction of an interior designer will greatly assist at this point to bring all ideas together – not forgetting the company processes behind the vision.

#8 – Staff Opinions

Increase morale, a feeling of value in the business, take on constructive staff opinions which will add value to the project, carefully considering how best to approach the correct forum moving forwards.

#9 – Initial Layout

The production of initial layouts on plan, specific to building(s) identified previously, will see the scheme come to life, converting the list of requirements to an initial space plan, allowing the office layouts to be yet further considered in respect of team numbers and areas, inter-department communication, proximity of central services and building regulation compliance.

#10 – Revisit Team

The project information flow and decision making will now be increasing considerably, at which point specialist input may be required from internal staff to correctly assess and include the infrastructure into the design, for example IT, Branding, HR and Marketing.

#11 – Design Development

Now all stakeholder, staff, departmental and consultant team considerations have been collated, the interior designer will revisit the design, revising and coordinating accordingly, introducing fixed layouts, colour schemes, drilling down into the day-to-day tasks to ensure the space works on a practical level and budgets maintained.

#12 – Contractor Appointment

Selecting the right contractor is just as important as the process preceding this, an experienced, approachable and flexible fit-out contractor will deliver the site construction works efficiently and safely.

The Design/Consultant team may continue forwards to the construction stage or allow a competent contractor to deliver from hereon.

#13 – People

A successful working relationship is about people, sharing a common goal and enjoying the project delivery, be sure to allow this key consideration is not lost, as the project duration is on average 8-12 weeks.

#14 – Communication

A successful project cannot be delivered without clear and open communication for the duration of construction works and also following completion, it is as much about including internal stakeholders as well as dazzling the world externally.

Please feel free to contact Studio Fourteen if we can assist you with your next office move and providing advice to help you along the way.


Psychology of Colour in Interior Design

Colour Psychology in Interior Design

Colour Psychology in Interior Design

As an interior designer we are aware how a colour can impact a room adding a burst of colour or using it on the walls to add depth or warmth. When taking a brief, colour is a key question to the client attaining their likes and dislikes, understanding what the room is to be used for whether it be for work, relaxing, entertaining etc. Colour is one of the main factors and can have such a powerful effect to the room’s atmosphere.

During this pandemic we are all spending considerably more time at home, colour psychology is more important now than ever before within interior design. Asking questions such as… can we improve our mood by adding/changing colour within our home. Our dining room is now been switched from the entertaining room to the workplace or classroom. Can you be productive in a room designed to be used for entertaining?? Living rooms where we relaxed in the evenings or on a lazy weekend are now where we are spending the majority of our days, can we feel uplifted in a room that is designed to chill us out. Are our bedrooms calm enough to help us have a restful sleep after a long day?? How much of effect is this having on our children and our own emotions??

Hearing more and more children suffering from anxiety as a mum you can’t help but worry. It’s an unknown rollercoaster that we ourselves struggle to work outlet alone these children who hear things on the radio/tv, passing quiet comments between adults in the kitchen, what do their minds make of this? As parents to two young children ourselves we have noticed a big difference in our little ones anxiety, struggles with sleep and communicating their emotions and frustrations. We try to keep communication open with both children, let them ask their questions when they are ready and answer as honestly as we can and feel appropriate for them to hear.

I am not saying we all need to redesign our whole home for this pandemic as there is a light at the end of tunnel, we will not be living like this forever. We can introduce colours into the room to help uplift, add positivity, happiness or invoke calmness to our days. So many colours have different meaning and evoke so many emotions…

There has been a lot of research conducted with the relationship between colour and both adult and children emotions. Colour can help connect the neuropathways in the brain, when colour passes through the retinal cells in the eyes, create brain impulses to the hormone regulating endocrine glands which then evokes an emotional and psychological response. These can also have effect on the central nervous system, which is why we see the different effects colour can have, they can cause excitement, calm, inspiration, anxiety tension and enhance our performance.  Children are known to be more sensitive to colour, especially younger ages, where they may not be able to communicate their emotions through speech or write it down and teenagers who are going through their own hormonal progression. As a society we tend to use colour as a tool to help describe actions red for anger, danger, stop, green for go, safe, and right. These are all around us from birth.

Colour also effects the ambience and space of the room making it feel warmer or cooler, larger or smaller, lighter or darker, which in turn effects these brain impulses.

RED

Is a dramatic hue known to rouse emotions its positive links are with passion, love, excitement and energy?

Also associated with power and ambition thought as a productive colour for home office, many office spaces and creative spaces.

There are a variety of tones in the red spectrum such as crimson, burgundy and bright red can be used to create a range of styles from traditional to pop art feel.

Research has shown that although this strong primary colour often seen used with children toys it should only be used as an accent colour, using an intense red in children’s rooms or study areas can have a negative and aggressive. effect on behaviour, leaving them feeling tense.

YELLOW

Known as a joyful colour linked with happiness, optimism and sunshine giving the feeling of warmth, joy, enthusiasm, fun and inspiration.

.Psychology of colour - Yellow

Symbolically used for mental and spiritual wellness. This light colour affects the memory, motivation and attention, therefore is great to use in children’s spaces, use as accent colour intense yellow can evoke tenseness and anger.

The variety of shades such as mustard, through to pale yellow are always vibrant addition to your room, use of metallic golden shades to induce light and space in to a darkened room lifting the ambience.

BLUE

Blue is a strong colour, create feeling of tranquillity, relaxation, loyalty peace and success. This is a perfect colour to use in spaces you want to relax such as bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces.

Psychology of colour - Blue

Blues are known to reduced body temperatures, blood pressure and pulse rate, giving that feeling of space and comfort reflecting the colour of the sky and ocean.

For children cool colours such as blue are recommended to aid concentration while also being a relaxing environment. Too much blue or dark blue can invoke feelings of sorrow.

GREEN

Bringing the natural world indoors, giving a sense of calm and balance.

Green is one of the most relaxing colours, research shows it has calming effect on the nervous system and can contribute to better health.olour Psychology Green-2We use green in society to represent safe to cross, to use, recycle, its associated with positivity influencing our mental health reducing tension in the body.

It’s the perfect colour to use in children’s and teenagers’ bedrooms, Combining the serenity of blue using greens with a yellow undertone helps teenagers relax and have mental clarity.

Colour shades vary from emerald, lime and through too olive tones, you can introduce these colours into your room by use from wall colours, accessories or simply adding plants and foliage.

PINK

Pink tends to be thought of little girls’ rooms and is not a first choice for other spaces.

Psychology of colour - Pink

It can invoke warmth and comfort, having a positive calming effect on us and our children as it is a feminine, nurturing colour, linked to love. Research shows can lower heart rate.

Shades vary from ‘baby’ pink, fuchsia, rose, through to magenta. It can be used in adult spaces by using refreshing patterns and fuss free furniture. It is best to be used as a feature colour too much pink can be oppressive and tiring, as its not known to be an energetic colour it’s best to be used in restful places and avoided with shy children.

PURPLE

Is traditional associated with wealth as it was the hardest of colours to make therefore only rich and Nobel people could afford it. Today it is linked with spirituality.

Psychology of Colour - Purples

Purple gives the feel of luxury to any interiors. Research has shown it stimulates creativity as well as having a calming effect. Therefore, perfect to use in areas which involve creativity activities as well as children’s/ teenagers’ rooms and spaces.

Although can be thought of a feminine colour, especially the lighter spectrum such as violet and lavender, darker shades as plum and aubergine combined with greys and blacks can give a masculine feel.

“Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.” ~Wassily Kandinsky


Studio Fourteen Interiors - Covid Statement

Covid 19 Safety

COVID 19 SAFETY STATEMENT

The situation with coronavirus COVID-19 is changing daily. But ,even in the face of all the uncertainty, there are steps we can take to ensure the continuity and usual high level of service. As always we will continue to be as accommodating as possible and aim to offer our full level of assistance, albeit over different method of communication, for now at least.

Remote Meetings

Admittedly you can’t beat a good old fashioned face-to-face meeting, however we fully understand the need and wish to avoid face-to-face meetings where possible, which gives rise to the video conferencing facilities such as Zoom, Cisco Webex, GoToMeeting and many more.

Travel

Consideration must be given ahead of time to travel arrangements and forward planning on any journey and meeting, on occasion meetings in person will be required, particularly to assess new buildings and ensure existing projects are delivered to our high standards.

Prior to any face-to-face meeting we will issue our Covid-19 meeting check list to ensure all parties are safe and appropriate to meet, for example, showing any symptoms, vulnerable persons within the property etc. This effectively is our risk assessment to ensure the safety of all.

Staff & Family

Working within both residential properties and commercial properties alike, we are faced with differing situations, scales of site (space) and number of people potentially in any one area at a time. We take social distancing very seriously and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our clients, staff, workforce and extended families.

Project Sites

Our site works are now slowly returning, with safety measures in place, the latest site operating procedures from the Construction Leadership Council providing confidence in our approach. Please appreciate works may now extend from what we considered normal durations and lead-time previously, to account for the fewer trades on-site at any one time and potentially longer lead-times for deliveries of stock items and further increased timescales for bespoke items as sub-contactors and manufacturers implement there own safe procures.

Communication

Good communication is essential to every aspect of our business, Covid-19 and the restrictions placed upon us all will not alter our approach. We will continue at all times to update you every step of the way, be it a new residential design scheme, construction phase works or follow up queries and information following handover. We are always at the end of the phone or email, however you prefer.

Rest assured we will continue to seek guidance from The Construction Leadership Council and the HSE amongst others, to ensure the safe delivery of our projects.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries in relation to how we approach any aspect design and project delivery, always happy to help.

Dominic & Claire
Studio Fourteen Interiors


Office Fit out Project

Office Fit Out Guide

Office fit Out Guide

Here’s our office fit out checklist and tips

Fit outs can be a challenge, so we’ve compiled a checklist and office fit out guide to make the process as smooth and effective as possible. The list of considerations when relocating or expanding your existing office space can seem a daunting task for any company, no matter the economic sector. A chance to re-evaluate the companies new look, maximise team performance and maintain a positive and sustainable future. by following this office fit out guide you increase the chances of delivering a seamless office fit-out.

#1 – Team

Number one in our office fit out guide is and always should be – the team. In our experience, the smoothest projects are those where companies appoint single person of responsibility who can stay in touch with the contractor.  However, it’s essential that behind that person is a strong team of individuals with expertise in your company’s key departments including IT, Finance, Marketing and Branding. A successful project cannot be delivered without clear and open communication for the duration of construction works – and also following completion.

#2 – Budget

Setting a realistic and achievable budget is a primary consideration, ensuring the design and project team costs are considered, not forgetting the 5-10% contingency figure for unplanned eventualities, particularly when refurbishing an existing office space. Workout the respective costs of each fit out category including Shell & Core fit out/Category A/Category B as a comparison.

#3 – Location

Is your existing office space of a suitable size for expansion? Are staff commutes sensible? What about transport links? And, don’t forget to consider client proximity? Then there are building conditions and appearance? These are essentials when fitting out a new office.

Location is everything for a successful business operation no matter the sector. Budget may also tie into location considerations, as office rental costs vary considerably from location to location.

#4 – Staff Opinions

Ask staff for their views on the current layout.  Is it working effectively for them each day? Are there improvements, dislikes or things they may particularly like about the existing layout? By doing this and involving your staff it can increase morale and feelings of being valued by the business.  After all – the company is the people within it.

#5 – Assess How the Space is used

Assess your current layout and calculate if the workspace is suitable for each employee? Are meeting rooms unused or not large enough? What about storage rooms overflowing or, for that matter, no longer required in our paperless future? Have you considered reducing the size of server rooms by switching over to the cloud?

#6 – Technology

One of the most important points in our office fitout guide is the need for technology.  Consideration should be afforded to the infrastructure behind the layout.  The improvement in wireless technology may allow more flexible working space whereas security and privacy may require fixed data points, cat5, cat6 or POE (power over ethernet)? Don’t forget data connects the majority of office devices, including even door access, fire alarms, TV’s and projectors.

#7 – Storage Needs

This is the opportunity to assess your company’s storage requirements by looking at Individuals, teams and archives.  This is something often not given due consideration and forms a fundamental part of the design. Consider off-site storage for archiving as a better way of using the office space efficiently.

#8 – Future Growth

Plan ahead for growth by making sure not only staff numbers are considered but technology too. Office technology is both expanding or contracting – depending on the industry.  In your case it may be that expansion is inevitable which may make the decision of increasing the infrastructure more cost effective and less disruptive now than in the near future.

#9 – Layout

Discussion of open plan vs. cellular is always critical.  Open plan may be great for communication but not great for privacy.  Ask yourself if a private area is required and consider the introduction of booths or a larger number of meeting rooms? Equally, do you have more team meetings and need touchdown areas. A balance of cellular offices, touchdown and bench seating may be the option?

#10 – Branding

Is your brand the main focal point? Create instant impact through the strong use of corporate identity displayed in reception areas.  With other manifestations consider using subtle hints of branding and logo colours integrated into and flowing through the design.  Your brand colours, if used in the correct manner, can increase recognition without the use of a logo.

#11 – Design Brief

Answering all of the above questions will help you arrive at a design brief tailored to your specific requirements and this then can be used as a basis to pull a scheme and layout together to put forward for tender / enquiries with contractors.

#12 – Contractor Appointment

Selecting the right contractor is just as important as the process of deciding what you want from your new offices.  An experienced, approachable and flexible fit-out contractor will deliver the site construction works efficiently and safely. By using a contractor with design capability the brief can be developed from initial meetings, through site surveys and communication and finalised for the construction phase.

#13 – Staff Wellbeing

Within the design development stage staff wellbeing must be considered and integrated into the design.  Are all your facilities sufficient for the number of employees now and into the future? Are there any special provisions you must make for disabled access or comfort?

#14 – Legal Compliance

Do you know the legal requirements of your fit out? Compliance with building regulations is fundamental.   CDM (Construction Design Management) Requirements must be satisfied for example, is an Asbestos survey required? Also, please consider planning permissions for external equipment and signage?

We hope that you have found this office fit out guide and checklist useful.  If all the above points have been considered and evaluated, we believe you’re on the right track for a smooth office fit out and a practical and desirable office space – for years to come.


Caspar House - Birmingham Interior Design

Interior Design Birmingham - Caspar House Apartments

Interior Design Birmingham - Caspar House Apartments

Work is well underway at the Caspar House refurbishment project located on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. This specialist design and build contract, which was awarded to Studio Fourteen Commercial interiors after a competitive tender, involves the complete internal refurbishment of 46 apartments and specialist common area works.

Work on these prestigious Birmingham apartments has focused on stripping out all the original primary fittings such as floors, kitchens and much of the bathroom area. To create more space the team have redesigned the area to meet the demand for more open plan living areas by removing interior walls.

The redesign of Caspar House Apartments will include fitting new floors, kitchens, electrical wiring as well as the latest fire and security systems. The bathrooms are receiving a full makeover with modern ambient tiling, bespoke bathroom units & fittings. Balcony balustrades are being restored and refitted. Luxury  Karndean LVT flooring is being installed throughout. New front doors will also be installed to match the new look and feel of the building.

This interior design Birmingham tender required the Studio Fourteen Commercial Interior Design Team, as the Main Contractor, to take the overall concept proposed by the owners and deliver a the most suitable programme of creative design and practical delivery within the budget specifications for the project. This required creative interpretation, detailed planning and a flexible approach that appealed to the client and the contract was awarded in June 2019.

The success in acquiring the interior design Birmingham project was also down to the fact that Studio Fourteen is an owner-managed company with a strong reputation for bespoke onsite management services and personal involvement at every stage of the delivery. All Studio Fourteen Interiors sub-contractors are handpicked, trusted and thoroughly experienced. Work on the project started in July 2019 and is scheduled for completion by December 2019.

Caspar House was originally built in 2000 and is popular with young professionals looking to live close to where they work in Birmingham. The building is located on Charlotte street and overlooks the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. It is clear to see why accommodation here is so sought after as it is close to many of the key areas of Birmingham including Paradise Circus, The Jewellery Quarter, The International Convention Centre, The National Indoor Arena and the beautiful new Birmingham Library. This will be an ideal home for aspiring professional looking for practical living and luxury interior design within easy walking distance of the city centre.

At Studio Fourteen Interior Design Birmingham we take real pride in our work philosophy, which is built on being approachable, hands-on, caring, responsive, creative, sticking to deadlines and, above all else, keeping our promises.


Solihull Interior Design and Development

AN EYE FOR DETAIL AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF ASPIRATIONS

The demand for residential interior design in the much sought-after Solihull area of Birmingham is increasing year-on-year.  This isn’t surprising for a town and region that recently took the top spot in the best-place-to-live rankings compiled by the UK Quality of Life Index.

Claire Hayes, the owner director of Studio Fourteen Residential Interiors, believes that clients in Solihull are looking for a very personal approach that is sympathetic to properties that can vary in age from new builds to those constructed over a hundred years ago. Claire strongly believes that when it comes to interiors the right ‘design’ is always far more important than just following fashion.  She believes that interior design, while always considering the importance of contemporary design, should be able to stand the test of time.

Listen and Appreciate

Studio Fourteen Interiors follow a straightforward and effective approach – listen to the aspirations of the client and design according to their needs by ensuring that every design proposed compliments the existing environment. As Claire points out, Interior design may offer the designer a wonderful and creative palette to put forward ideas but at the end of the day it’s the client’s vision that needs to be enhanced, perfected and delivered.

Finding Inspiration in Aspiration

To achieve this Studio Fourteen Interiors believe that taking time to understand both the design aspirations of the client and the aspects of the available space.  By offering qualified guidance and advice the company strives to develop an empathy with the client that allows for best ideas to flourish.  By taking inspiration from the surroundings, fittings, the building and the creative philosophy of the client it is always possible to craft a design solution that will be both innovative and yet always match and integrate with the existing space and structure.

Claire believes that this eye-for-detail as applied to Solihull Interior design has contributed significantly to the success of the company. She believes that there is a definite difference between designing for a house and designing for a home.  This is a space where people will live and, as such, all interior design should flow seamlessly from one space to another.

Always Find Design Balance

It can be said that Interior design is truly about matching the personality of a person with the personality of a building in such a way that visual balance and harmony is achieved in a creative, comfortable and uplifting way.

If there is one special secret to residential interior design, then it has to be finding balance.  Colours, furniture, textures and fabrics should always be balanced to accentuate the size and ambience of a room.

With Solihull Interior design becoming the focus of development, Claire believes the new homes being developed can be an ideal blank canvas for a new generation of homes owners to put their own stamp, injecting their personality, creating a beautiful home.

(Originally Featured in Discover Worcester)


Hotel Refurbishment - Abingdon

Hotel Refurbishment - Traditional & Modern

Hotel Refurbishment

A steady growth in domestic and international tourism is driving hotel refurbishment across the UK.  This is particularly true of independent hotels looking to increase their share of visitor numbers by offering exceptional rooms and matchless cuisine often set in buildings that were once abbeys, mansions or even castles.  Studies have repeatedly revealed that tourists to the UK are often looking for an encompassing experience that blends British heritage with world class comfort, convenience and service.

Hotel refurbishment is a professional contracting and design skill that has become a specialism of Studio Fourteen Interiors and the company recently completed the redesign and installation of 14 rooms at The Cosener’s House Hotel in Abingdon, Oxford, Oxfordshire.

Studio Fourteen Interiors is an owner managed company with two distinct capabilities – residential interior design as well as commercial refurbishment and fitout.  The interior design component is headed up by Claire Hayes while the commercial fitout section is driven by Dominic Hayes.  Hotels represent the opportunity to bring together their unique skills to achieve beautiful and practical results.

Hotel refurbishment brings a unique set of challenges.  In many cases hotels will look to have refurbishment carried out in phases so that a significant part of the building can continue operating.  As the main contractor, Studio Fourteen understands the need for first-class health and safety provisions as well as ensuring that both noise and building works have little or no impact on the functioning aspects of the hotel.  The goal is to ensure that guests to one part of the hotel are unaware that works are ongoing elsewhere in the building.

To achieve this goal, the company focus on extensive planning and co-ordination, practical logistics and an onsite team of specialists managed in person by the directors of Studio Fourteen Interiors.  By working closely with the management of the hotel it is possible to create the minimum disruption to the day-to-day operations.  This level of communication ensures that any complications are kept to the bare minimum and health & safety precautions can be both effective and intrude as little as possible.  It minimises last minute changes and any variations in the original brief can be managed in a cost-effective manner.

Most importantly, project management and interior design for hotels must take into consideration the needs of the guests both during the refurbishment and after.  Hotel rooms have a specific set of requirements.  It almost goes without saying that they need to be welcoming, comfortable and ergonomically designed.  However, the décor and styling also needs to reflect the overall theme and ambience of the hotel so that moving from a room to a restaurant and then to a lounge always feels like a seamless journey.  Rooms need to reflect the needs of their future occupants and bridal suites, in particular, need to have a balance of romance and refinement but still be useable as an everyday suite.  Beautiful, fresh, welcoming, comfortable, durable and practical – these are the secrets to a great hotel room refurbishment, and they don’t happen by accident.

Studio Fourteen ‘Hotel refurbishment and fitout’ specialises in luxury period properties that were once abbeys, Tudor farms, stately homes, Victorian and Georgian townhouses as well as castles and towers.  The company has expertise in this area and a deep understanding and empathy for listed historic buildings.

Areas of focus for Studio Fourteen Hotel Refurbishment include: The Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon, Malvern, Warwick, Cheltenham, Bath and Leamington Spa.


Studio Fourteen Awards - Commercial Refurbishment

Studio Fourteen Finalists & Commercial Refurbishment

Studio Fourteen Finalists & Commercial Refurbishment

The past 12 months have seen significant growth for Studio Fourteen Interiors, particularly in the commercial refurbishment sector. Our commercial Interiors business has been going from strength-to-strength as can be seen from recent projects such as the entire refurbishment of Caspar House in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham UK.

Based on our reputation and growing portfolio of work, Studio Fourteen Interiors were recently invited by the Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce to compete for the Award of Most Promising New Business at the 2019 Chamber Business Awards. After completing the in-depth application document and attending a comprehensive interview by the Judges – we are pleased to say that Studio Fourteen have now been shortlisted as finalists for this prestigious award.

As a company, the commercial refurbishment division of Studio Fourteen Interiors has been operating for just over 2 years. It is owned and managed by Claire and Dominic Hayes who together have over 30 years’ experience in the commercial fit out, interior design and refurbishment sector. The decision to launch into this sector was driven by the extensive regeneration taking place in Birmingham, Worcester and the region.

The strengths of the company, which were recognised by the awards panel, focus on a range of qualities endorsed by many of Studio Fourteen’s clients These include; exceptional time management and a track record of delivering projects on schedule even in challenging circumstances, cost efficiency and management as well as well-planned scheduling to ensure transparency of management and project delivery.

The residential side of Studio Fourteen has long been recognised for attention to detail, aesthetic design and materials selection. These attributes have been incorporated into the commercial refurbishment section to ensure a balance of creative delivery and pragmatic contract management.

Worcester is a rapidly advancing garden-river city that has recently attracted a new wave of business investment to the region. This has driven the need for quality commercial property that is evidenced by the building of new centres such as Liberty 163 and Worcester Six commercial estates together with extensive commercial refurbishment and residential interior design programmes taking place in the city centre.

As members of the Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce, Studio Fourteen has been impressed by the support offered by this group of like-minded entrepreneurs and business ambassadors for the region and are proud to be part of this ongoing resurgence.