Redecoration of a commercial space, indeed any space, is about more than simply a lick of paint. Materials and finish all play a part. In a commercial setting, the fabric of an environment changes with much more regularity that that of a domestic space. While mulling this over and considering how we do so much work in and around the London area, we were put in mind of the classic children’s nursery rhyme…
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady
Often the premises owner may wait until the current decor is considerably neglected. This is a false economy. Even before you calculate the higher cost of preparation materials to make good an unmaintained space, consider the impact made on your staff by working in depressing surroundings. Social research shows that jaded and ramshackle working environments are detrimental to productivity. So don’t let your bridge fall down before you think about giving it a facelift!
Build it up with wood and clay,
My fair lady.
Wood or plaster embellishments can be seen as comparatively temporary which may cause business owners to consider a delay to their refurb. However, altering your space using adaptable materials means that no wrong decisions can be made. What’s right for your business now may not be right in three years’ time. So for the rapidly developing business, using the right materials can offer a changeable and evolutionary design scheme that is ideal for office spaces across the capital.
Build it up with bricks and mortar,
My fair lady.
In this age where we are limited in available building space in major cities like London, the only way we find new commercial space is to look up. The staying power of bricks and mortar is evident in the vast array of architecture across the city and indeed the country. For schools and educational establishments, this is even more true. It may seem that your childhood school has mysteriously shrunk in the twenty years since you last sat in lessons, but rest assured those spaces will continue to see generations running through their corridors. In fact, your memory is more likely to be distorted by additions of buildings and expansion taking place.
Build it up with iron and steel,
My fair lady.
Contemporary, metallic finishes seem to have been en vogue for years. However, will these finishes eventually become dated? Our opinion – probably not for a good while. Indeed, the subtly complementary colour finishes and open spaced designs that accompany the metallic trend are also likely to last in some form. In our increasingly globally focused business community, office space should reflect openness and collaboration.
Build it up with silver and gold,
My fair lady.
The luxury of precious metal finishes needn’t be the domain of premiership footballers and reality TV stars. It’s a finish that swings in and out of fashion and carries the risk, more so than any other finish, of appearing naff and tacky. Despite this, these finishes should not be ignored or dismissed out of hand. In small quantities, the use of gold and silver can bring a fun and uplifting element to the working space.
It is clear that not too much has changed when it comes to the core materials and finishes that remain in use since the eighteenth century, from when the famous rhyme derides. In truth this is all a bit of fun; but from fun, some lessons can be learned. London Bridge can actually tell us a lot about how we should approach our materials for redecoration concepts, and indeed how the city of London can define habits and trends across the UK.
We are commercial painting and decorating contractors, serving London, Essex, Cambridge and the Home Counties.
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