The 3 minute catch up: news, views, inspiration and talking points from the world of commercial fit outs and office interior refurbishments.

The same…but different: the gentle approach to redesigning your brand

Hamptons is a name familiar to many but upon looking back at its illustrious history when celebrating 150 years in existence, the owners took a chance to muse on what the next 150 years would look like. Its corporate identity is very strong, with...

Welcome to the office department

A unanimous decision by Westminster City Council in October 2020 could change the look – and the purpose – of our High Streets for years to come, with a very different approach to shop fit out projects . The council’s planning subcommittee granted...

Spread the cost of a refurbishment with leasing

Many businesses will want to keep a tight grip on the purse strings with 2021 in mind but being prudent doesn't have to mean putting all your commercial design London plans on hold, especially if your workplace is in desperate need of a refit –...

Make refurbishment progress during lockdown 2.0

“Is it a good time to commission an office interior design and refurbishment?” It’s the most common question we’re being asked right now. Well, the answer is yes. Logistically, with working from home where possible the temporary advice and lockdown...

Covid needn’t compromise interior design

Our new normal doesn’t mean you can’t plan an office refurbishment ever again - on the contrary say MPL's interior office designers . New working patterns and staff wellbeing mean fresh approaches to office furniture and fit outs are needed as a...

The hybrid is here: work zones in residential developments

For decades, interior design has been divided into two very distinct camps: commercial designs for offices and workplaces, and residential designs for dwellings where people live. In 2020, however, we are discovering a new office design London...

Colour of the Year 2021: fortune favours the Brave (Ground)

Brave Ground has been chosen as the Dulux Colour of the Year 2021 as it offers a comforting, soft, safe option in a world full of uncertainty. It’s been described as a ‘warm, grounding neutral shade’ and we agree – there’s nothing offensive or...

Smart office downsizing: 7 tips for success

It is an absolute given that many companies will move offices in 2020 and 2021. While in the past we would trumpet expansion and growth as drivers of new premises, downsizing and restructuring will also play its part thanks to today’s commercial...

How to re-open or remodel a retail premises

The top 3 changes that promise to make life better It can feel overwhelming – and a little dispiriting – planning Covid safe changes to your retail premises but there are many positives to be drawn from the adaptations you will have to make. London...

How are we adapting offices for now and the future?

The Covid change culture is here Despite our Prime Minister’s pleas, not every office has been ready to safely welcome its employees back to work. Staff, as well as visitors and clients, need to feel comfortable in their surroundings, so a...

A right royal branding mess

Branding stories rarely make it out of the design, marketing or trade press but earlier in 2020, one branding issue made a number of newspaper front pages. Step forward The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and their bid to retain their ‘royal’ moniker....

Respect veganism through better office design

Workplace discrimination has moved into new realms. While employers are familiar with fairness concerning race, gender, religion, sexuality, and disability, a new ruling in January 2020 means businesses may need to be careful where food is placed...

Is the ‘woke’ workplace what 2020 has in store?

2020 is shaping up to be the year WeWork goes ‘woke’. So what is woke? It is an annoying yet trendy word used to describe anything and anyone aware of injustice, with a strong ethical conscience and moral compass. Recent news indicates a...

The ‘office of the future’ is now

As we enter a new decade, many offices are in danger of being caught napping – too busy thinking that radical changes in work patterns and behaviours are something in the distance or for another day. The reality is, your perceptions of work are...

Interior design ideas: a serious case of the blues

Pantone has announced its Colour of the Year for 2020 and we’ll be seeing a lot of Classic Blue in office design London . The shade communicates a sense of calm, reassurance, peace and tranquillity – a traditional colour that will not divide people...

Glass half full: winning ways for better staff hydration

Water is a free commodity but many people still don’t drink enough to stay hydrated. Considering the traditional 8-hour working day – and the fact we spend more half of every week at work – there is an increasing emphasis on employers to keep their...

Improve office storage to banish clutter

We often associate clearing clutter with being at home – going through our wardrobes or filing personal paperwork – but the unnecessary mess and a tendency to hoard at work can be really detrimental. There’s a brilliant article published in...

Is sleeping on the job a valid idea?

The photograph of MP Jacob Rees-Mogg reclining with his eyes closed in the Houses of Parliament earlier this year became an internet sensation. While Rees-Mogg’s louche behaviour drew disdainful remarks, it also restarted the conversation about...

Your guide to specifying soft seating in commercial offices

Our leaning towards flexible workspaces means less rigid space and more informal, dual-purpose areas. Our office design experts say rather than set desks and set departments, the fluctuating nature of freelancers and the adoption of agile workings...

What is a work café and why do you need one?

It’s almost a bonding ritual when someone offers to make a cuppa but employers are struggling to find the balance between keeping their staff in caffeine and minimizing disruption to the working day. While nipping to Costa many seem like an...

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