Month: September 2017

It is safe to say that interior design originated from architecture. It is an art and a science that aims to create a functional space to suit your purpose for the room or building being worked on. It is about bringing new experiences as you interact with the spaces at your workplace, home, public places, etc. Interior designers nowadays are teaming up with engineers, contractors, architects, dealers, among others. Many companies are providing the services and elements needed for interior decor such as metal fabrication, colors, lighting, furniture, and much more.

For instance, we found clients of Annapolis Railings & Stairs were really pleased because the principal of the company has an art background and has come up with some very creative ideas for them that really made their home or business stand out.

Interior design specializes in residential or commercial designs. Residential designs focus on private residences and are unique to the needs and wants of the clients. It may involve working on the project from the get-go or remodel an already existing structure. This category strives to produce an outcome that matches the client’s expectations or higher. Commercial designs, on the other hand, are sub-divided into many more categories. Examples are;

• Corporate for office designs
• Retail for stores, malls, showrooms, etc.
• Healthcare for hospitals, dental clinics, assisted living facilities, etc.
• Government offices and institutions
• Hospitality and recreation for hotels, bars, etc.

Elements of Interior Design

Metal

Contemporary designs require a lot of metal finishes to rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, or even the stairs. Nickel, chrome, and stainless steel are some of the popular metals used to achieve that perfect finish. Your kitchen curb appeal will be enhanced if you choose stainless steel for some of your furniture or appliances. Metal finishes also blend well with artwork, lamps, shelves, etc., adds that uniform style to the other rooms.

Color

Color has become a common choice for modern styles and designs. Color may vary depending on the furniture, upholstery, draperies, artwork, lighting, available in the room. Neutral colors on walls such as pure white, brown shades, and cream are some examples of colors that work great with bold colored sofas, pillows, etc. Brighter colors, on the other hand, work better with dull colored furniture and upholstery. The key purpose is simplicity so that your space looks organized rather than cluttered and confusing.

Lighting

Lighting works best by illuminating the design of the room. It brings about different hues through the fixtures, floor lamps, pendants, etc. You may decide to keep things exciting and get a variety of colors for different rooms. A plain room can be greatly enhanced by good lighting.

Texture

This refers to the fabrics that you choose for your room. For a more natural setting, consider silk, wool, linen, or crushed velvet. Area rugs, overstuffed pillows, furniture upholstery, linen wallpapers and many others accentuate the metal finishes. If you are aiming for a clean, modern, and stylish look, keep away from complicated patterns.

The lifeblood of a company or any organization is meetings. It is where decisions are made; strategies are formulated, responsibilities are assigned, problems are solved, etc. Efficient meetings are therefore necessary to achieve the set objectives of a company. However, a very few number of people, if any, are excited about meetings. More often than not, people feel that meetings are a big waste of time which should not be the case.

Here are some tips to help run you run efficient meetings that will increase productivity and help with your company’s growth.

Organize the meeting

Set a time, date, place, tech support, etc. beforehand. Does the space set enable efficient communication? Consider the temperatures, the seating arrangement, the refreshments, etc. If possible, organize a rehearsal for the technical equipment before the meeting. Also, have a tech support contact on the dial before the meeting, just in case you experience a glitch. It will save you on time.

Give copies of the agenda to the attendees before you begin

Send this before the meeting to get feedback and possible suggestions for the meeting. The agenda should clearly stipulate the goals and objectives of the meeting, the speakers, and the amount of time required to address each issue. It also helps everyone on board to stick to the meeting’s objective.

Operate on a strict schedule

Avoid rehashing the discussion covered by the team if certain members come in late. State a specified time for ending the meeting. Arrange the agenda in the order of importance so that in case time runs out, pressing agendas will already be covered. The rest can be postponed to the meetings that will follow.

Establish some rules

These rules form a code of conduct on the behavior and responsibility of every team member. Conversation courtesy, interruptions, participations, etc., are some examples of what the rules may be centered on. A quick reminder and review of the rules should be done in future meetings as well.

Assign roles to the attendees

Seek volunteers for certain roles in meetings. It builds cohesion and helps the moderator to achieve the aim of the meeting. For instance, timekeepers, facilitators, recorder, etc.

Summarize the meeting and assign roles

The attendees should be clear on their responsibilities at the close of the meeting. Each of them should understand their action task completely.

Do a follow-up

After the meeting, follow up with a memo or minutes to the attendees on what was covered during the meeting. It should include the responsibilities given to each team member; this gives clarity of the tasks assigned to each member. It helps to eliminate any misunderstandings and confusion that may have arose in the meeting for some of the team members.

It is no doubt that limousines are associated with a rich and glamorous lifestyle. Celebrities, sports stars, politicians, etc., are often assumed to be behind those sleek tinted windows. Surprisingly, according to Limo Columbia (http://www.limocolumbia.com/) they make up only a small percentage of the people who use limos for their chauffeur services from time to time. Some of the services provided by the limos include;

• Weddings
• Holidays and entertainment
• Airport transfer
• Corporate events
• Honeymoon
• Prom
• Sporting events

Tips for Hiring a Limo Service

Early Reservations

Start searching early and book early especially for big events. Some people book 12-18 months in advance for weddings and some, a few months before prom. If you wait too long there won’t be any limousines left to rent for prom. After you’ve arrived at a decision, get confirmation from the company in writing and call a week before the event to ensure that the plans are still in place.

Proper Planning

If you have ideas that you would like put in action for your imagined experience, let the company know in advance; maybe some specific drinks you’d like, stop overs you plan on taking in the course of the ride or a specific route you’d like to use. This way, the company knows how to meet your needs and at an agreed price.

Information the Company might need

Before you get in touch with the company, ensure you have the below information with you.

• Number of people
• Type of occasion
• Type of limo
• Your budget

Benefits of a Limo Service

Value for your money

They involve comfort and various luxury amenities.

Professional service

The companies have qualified chauffeurs, licenses to operate and insurance as commercial businesses.

Reliability

Most companies operate on a 24 hour, 365 days schedule. This makes it very convenient for you whenever you need the service.

Safety

Certified companies are credible, and so your security and safety are assured.