de Fiddes are excited to introduce you to our new blog page! This is a place where we plan to share our thoughts and reviews on design, architecture, products and the latest cutting edge research.
Our team will be posting regularly on de Fiddes projects, review new and exciting innovations, pass on to you the latest education, share and promote notes of inspiration and show you some fabulous photos from our interior fit outs. Keep up to date on latest products in the market, articles of interest and research findings from our Managing Director, Debbie de Fiddes.
Our blog will not only be an example of what keeps the team at de Fiddes committed to being at the forefront of innovation but a fun place to collect and seek ideas, advice for all things design and even just to share whatever is on our minds.
To be the first to receive our latest posts sign up to our newsletter inKIND here.
Enjoy!
What is wrong with this picture? The seat is too low, the armrests are too high and there is no room to move the feet backwards in order to be able to lean forward and get up from the chair…. It is important to be aware the impact furniture design, specification and placement can have on a person’s ability to function as independently as possible within their living environments. Here are a few considerations to assist:
Read MoreAlong with Materialised Fabrics, we are thrilled to have donated a collection of bedspreads to a selected group of Women’s Refuges around Perth who assist those in need!
Read MoreMealtimes are an opportunity for a wonderful sensory experience – delicious smells, delightful taste, enticing visuals. Mmmmm. There’s a problem if you a) can’t get to the table b) can’t locate a chair to sit down or c) it is not a seating arrangement that meets your needs. You can’t participate in one of life’s most enjoyable pleasures! However, this can be easily addressed if you consider the following:
Read MoreAs an all girl design team we are always inspired by strong creative women who love style and colour. Meet Ilona Royce Smithkin at 97 years young she is an artist, teacher, author and a model for Ari Seth Cohen @advancedstyle. She is truly inspiring for the way she completely embraces her own individuality and we totally love the fact that she makes her gorgeous lashes from her own hair. Woo!
On a recent visit to Melbourne I had the pleasure of meeting Bryan Lipmann, CEO of Wintringham Specialist Aged Care. This not for profit welfare organisation cares for older people who are homeless or vulnerable to homelessness.
Bryan and Ross, former board chairman showed us through their Port Melbourne Hostel. The location is fantastic but what is even more impressive is the actual facility itself.
Read MoreTechnology is moving at such a rate and gives us the opportunity to present some fabulous new products to our clients that give both you and residents options.
Clipsal have recently launched a new product range called Clipsal Iconic. It is a modern electrical accessory range that is easy to customize.
Read MoreDe Fiddes Design is thrilled to take on a new design intern, Marnie Cooper. Marnie is one interesting lady with a long list of achievements and career moves. As Marnie ventures into the world of Interior Design, she reached out to DFD to gain invaluable experience and imperative insight into designing for aged care, dementia design and retirement living.
We sat down with Marnie this week to reflect on her time here at DFD.
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Spring is definitely in the air and we can’t wait. It’s always so lovely to have a change of season and spring is an all round favourite. We hope this charming image will get you in the mood to savour longer days, the sweet smell of blossom and warmer days ahead.
Read MoreAs there has been a move away from environments which are institutional in appearance, we also have experienced a shift away from the plethora of high backed vinyl chairs lined up against the walls. More is now known and understood about the importance of seating and the different types of seating required in aged care environments. This segment will provide an overview of seating and we will focus specifically on dining chairs and lounge chairs in the next two editions of the newsletter.
Read MoreAugust has been an exciting month.
The girls in the design department have been busy finalising a number of projects this month and they always come back to the office with some wonderful stories. For example, Keith is a resident at the Buckley Care Centre and he moved into his new home recently surrounded by all of his artwork. Keith is an avid painter who only started painting 2 years ago. I believe he finishes a painting every day and Amaroo have placed an easel in the front foyer of the facility showcasing his ever changing art. His pieces are remarkable and he is a great model of “It’s never too late.”
Read MoreDe Fiddes Design now has available a Diffuser that not only does not require water but also has no power cord - it can be positioned anywhere, out of the way from curious hands.
Whilst research on the effectiveness of essential oils is limited, some studies have shown aromatherapy can ease symptoms of anxiety and offer relief from symptoms of depression.
Studies have also shown that sensory stimulation for people with Alzheimer’s can decrease agitation and improve sleep.
Seven essential oils that may help those living with dementia are Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Bergamot, Lemon Balm, Ylang Ylang and Ginger.
Read MoreCongratulations to Gary Batt from Gary Batt Associates Architects for being nominated for the Robin Dods Roof Tile Excellence Award for Amaroo Buckley Caring Centre in Gosnells, Perth.
The Robin Dobs Award believes in sustainable design to suit the climate especially in roofing, inspiring creativity and innovation in architectural designs using roof tiles.
Read MoreDid you know that a large number of aged care residents have minimal interaction with others throughout the day, some as little as two minutes daily!
With this in mind we were very interested in attending this week ‘The Power of Touch’ by Miranda Stacpoole a nursing consultant, senior lecturer at St Christopher’s Hospice London and primary author of the Namaste Care Program.
Read MoreOn route to a holiday in Australia’s red centre it was by chance that our small travelling party were lucky enough to have a private viewing of the current exhibition at the Warburton Art Project, Warburton WA. We were treated to a thoroughly detailed and enthusiastic narrative by director Gary Proctor. With their substantial and harmonious colour palettes, these free flowing and large scale works full of story and significance would make great discussion pieces for any care facility, home or office interior.
Read MoreAcoustics in aged care is rapidly becoming a major issue. With providers opting for more hard surfaces such as vinyl flooring throughout a facility this is having a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of the residents.
Thoughtful design can reduce the impact of noise and improve the quality of our living environment. The acoustics of a space depends on the structural and interior makeup of the building and should be considered early in the design process. Noise is classified as either airborne noise, which travels through the air or impact noise through vibration.
Read MoreI thought it appropriate to showcase the latest in acoustic products.
Autex have released a new range of wallcoverings called Etch. All of the team are excited to see the new product on offer and the other wonderful component is it can be bespoke enabling the team to create something unique and individual for each of our clients.
Read MoreThis month I delivered a talk at the Social Impact Festival called “Maintaining Community within a Dementia Facility”. My session also included two other fantastic speakers, Michelle Harris Allsopon “Building Dementia Friendly Communities” and Anne Nilsen on “The Concept of German Multigenerational Houses”. The festival is called Shift Perceptions. Shape the Future and runs from 18-28 July 2017 at UWA. The program is full of really interesting sessions.
Read MoreIn our March newsletter we talked about the importance of Biophilic design. How can we get more greenery indoors? Well obviously one way is through artificial plants, but they are not real and whilst they give the illusion of real plants they don’t provide good air quality. Sadly, real indoor plants very rarely get looked after and soon look pretty scraggy and eventually die.
Along comes Stem & Stamen founded by Fleur Anderson, creator of the FernPanel™. It is interior landscaping using preserved plants, merging landscaping with visual arts.
Read MoreWe have all seen the movie “Alive Inside” and read about how good music therapy is for people living with dementia but, as I have learnt from Professor Richard Fleming and Kirsty Bennett, ideas must be followed up with evidence based research. A new study by Brown University, Rhode Island suggests that personalised music has important psychiatric benefits for people living with dementia in aged care facilities.
Read MoreI can’t believe that we are half way through the year already, time flies when you are having fun! The first half of the year has been a very busy time for all the team and none more so than June.
Erin, Kathryn and Anna visited Denfair in Melbourne to explore all the latest exciting interior design products as well as having the opportunity to listen to a variety of interesting speakers on subjects such as technology and designing for the senses. One of the most interesting was “Value vs Trends" which discussed the challenge of authentic design. What is the true cost of authentic design and how can good design be accessible to all?
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