Keeping up to date!

Although I am primarily an Interior Designer I am also a HCPC registered Occupational Therapist, and so I am required to maintain an ongoing  record of Continuous Professional Development. This week, on Wednesday, I participated in a Stairlifts Assessment  Seminar run by Colin Major and Coral Affleck-Major– owners of 1st Choice Stairlifts- at their HQ in Calne Wiltshire.

The seminar was brilliant! Coral gave an excellent Presentation that included detailed information on assessment, and a range of  stairlifts, platform lifts and through-floor lifts that can meet the challenges of any staircase design and provide safe solutions to stairclimbing difficulties.  1st Choice are an independent stairlift provider and installer, so have a working range of the latest models, from a variety of manufacturers , in their beautiful showroom.  After lunch we were able to both view and try the lifts, whilst Colin explained the merits and applications of each one.

Did you know that stairlifts can be both purchased and rented, and the timeframe between the initial home assessment visit and installation can be as little as 2 – 3 days?  

Also did you know that stairlifts can be fitted to spiral staircases? Well, they can!

I highly recommend booking a visit to 1st Choice Stairlifts so you can see and try all the lifts and enjoy the experience of travelling up and down a spiral staircase, on a stairlift, for yourself..

A Company that has a fully accessible showroom with working lifts, extremely knowledgeable staff , and that offers a  great installation and aftercare service to clients makes 1st Choice Stairlifts an invaluable resource!  View their website-

www.1stchoicestairlifts.com

Brotherwood WAV Show

Spent a fantastic afternoon today at Brotherwood WAV Show held at The Haynes Motor Museum. I really enjoyed meeting the Brotherwood Team, who were able to answer my many questions, and viewing  their full range of wheelchair adapted vehicles. Wheelchair users and potential purchasers were only too happy for me to observe them entering and exiting the vehicles and to 'listen in' on their discussions with sales representatives as to their  individual requirements.

I am so impressed by the Brotherwood Team - who are all dedicated to customer care and satisfaction and definitely no 'hard sales!'

For car enthusiasts and Petrol Heads The Haynes Motor Museum is fully wheelchair accessible !

We are Presenting at NAIDEX 2023 Birmingham NEC

On Thursday 23rd March 2023 at 11:00 I will be giving a Presentation in the Accessibility and Care Theatre. The title of my talk is : 'Occupational Therapy and Interior Design - The Perfect Marriage'. I will explain and illustrate how, by adding Interior Design and involving clients in choosing decor, it is possible to provide non-clinical housing adaptations that not only enable safe independence but enhance client empowerment and wellbeing. I also hope to inspire Occupational Therapists to add Interior Design to their skillsets so that their own clients can achieve and enjoy 21st century aspirational living.
Please come along - it will be great to meet you!

We are Speaking at OTAC Cardiff !

OTAC Cardiff is an unmissable event not only for  Occupational Therapists but also for all those currently involved, or interested in, improving lives of people living with disabilities. A  great opportunity to view the latest equipment, meet Suppliers and Providers , and learn about the latest developments in Inclusivity.

I am delighted and honoured that the organiser – the amazingly wonderful Stuart Barrow- has asked me to be a Presenter at this prestigious event and to speak on the topic:

‘How to make Bathrooms Look Great!’. I am passionate in my belief that bathrooms should not only be accessible but also enable everyone to enjoy a pampered bathing experience. This is  an exciting  opportunity for me to share my knowledge, and by using project examples and sharing  some Interior Design tips and tricks, show how this may be achieved.

SO WHO DOESN’T LOVE A FREE EVENT?

For more details and registration please click on the link :

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/213698376597

DESIGNATE - Celebrating our 11th Birthday!

Photo by JESHOOTS.com on Unsplash

On 4th July 2011 we held a party to officially launch DESIGNATE - Housing Adaptations Interior Design & Colour Consultancy. It was a beautiful hot summer day and the champagne flowed freely. I cannot believe that was eleven years ago and I would like to thank all my friends, family and business contacts for their invaluable help and endless encouragement that has enabled DESIGNATE to develop and thrive. I raise a toast to the next eleven years!

All packed up and ready to go!

Really excited, all packed up now in readiness for travelling to OTAC Exeter tomorrow. Despite a VERY early start and long journey for me, Presenting and Exhibiting at this event will be well worth the effort.

Looking forward to catching up with Suppliers and Occupational Therapist friends, making new contacts, and showing how it is possible to make adaptations beautiful and functional.

Hoping my Presentation will inspire others to follow me – mustn’t forget my soap box!

Exhibiting and Presenting at OTAC 2022 - Exeter Racecourse

Delighted and honoured to be asked ,by the amazing Stuart Barrow , to give a Presentation at the forthcoming OTAC Exhibition being held on Wednesday 9th February 2022 at Exeter Racecourse.

The Presentation topic is entitled ' Interior Design & Adaptations - making adaptations purposeful and great again' and is scheduled for 13:35. Really looking forward to catching up with Exhibitors and Occupational Therapists! DESIGNATE will also be exhibiting on Stand 3. Hope to see you there!

Working with Blind Create

Introducing David Grigor - Artist

A picture is a focal point in a room and is really helpful in choosing a colour pallete. So, when planning a room design with my clients, I encourage them to choose a picture that is meaningful to them. Some clients already have a treasured picture but if not then I suggest either a shopping trip to purchase one or, better still,  paint their own! The latter suggestion  receives a mixed reaction – joy  by those with proven artistic ability, but dismay or wistfulness by others convinced they are ‘hopeless at art’.

Painting is an expressive medium, recognised as being beneficial to physical and mental health and an aid to relaxation and wellbeing. So, I am delighted to have recently been introduced to  artist David Grigor owner of Blind Create.

David studied Fine Art at Bath and began a long career in teaching. This has included working in TV Film and Theatre, receiving several Awards, and  experience in teaching students across the spectrum of disabilities including blindness visual impairment, and also Veterans. He now runs on-line art courses that are available to all and designed to help people  develop their artistic skills and sell their work.

I am really looking forward to working with him on future projects.

Speaking at NAIDEX 2021!

So delighted to have been invited to be a Speaker at NAIDEX 2021.

If you are attending the NAIDEX 2021 Exhibition on Thursday 16th September, please come along to the  Accessibility Summit Theatre at 11am. Elaine will be giving a Presentation entitled ‘Teamwork Makes the Dream Work’, describing how a highly committed team of trades and professions succeeded in converting a coastal cottage into a futured-proofed hi-tech home for a client living with a degenerative neurological condition.

It will be great to see you!

HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY!

10 years ago, the 4th July 2011 was a very special day for me as it t was the day when I launched DESIGNATE! To celebrate this milestone in my career, we held a garden party and drank champagne on probably the hottest day of the year. 10 years on the Company is blossoming. A huge thanks to everyone who has helped me on this journey!