A while ago we revealed that we were working with the Hotel Inspector’s Alex Polizzi and Twofour Group for a new BBC series. The episode of Alex Polizzi – The Fixer that we were involved in aired last night on BBC2.

Featuring Guide Bridge MOT, a family ran car repair garage in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, the episode sees Alex lend her business skills to help the garage transform family failure into financial success.

As part of the Garage transformation NoChintz redesigned the reception area. The space was created to have a welcoming feel for customers, the new price list was clearly displayed above the main reception desk and a family tree mural was used as a feature on the wall to highlight that Guide Bridge MOT is a family business.

If you missed it you can watch the episode here.

Smoke! video by Gwenael Lewis from Moooi on Vimeo.

How the beauty and the character of burned wood is captured in Smoke Chair?
Smoke chair latest video reveals the astonishing process that makes Smoke Series by Maarten Baas for Moooi a unique sensation when sitting on burned furniture. Furniture finished with fire, making each of the Smoke pieces a unique work of art.

Our collaboration with 100% Design London; The Box Project has been featured in a new book, to be published in March.

Sustainability in Interior Design by Sian Moxon is a comprehensive reference book for anyone wanting to work in this area; Siân aims to introduce the ideas behind sustainability to design students while they are formulating their understanding of the industry, encouraging and inspiring them with positive, creative and practical alternatives.

The Box Project is a design competition we launched with 100% Design London. The competition challenged Northwest creatives to ‘think inside the box’ by designing a functional use for a 2mx2mx2m microstructure. We’re delighted that it has been featured in ‘Sustainability in Interior Design’.

The book will be published by Laurence King. British, US, Portuguese and Spanish editions have been produced, and a Chinese version is planned for 2013.

We can’t wait to get our copy!

NoChintz were recently appointed to design the first ‘Concept’ store for the Size? Retail brand to be rolled out across several locations in the UK for the JD sports group.

We took a step away from standard retail store design and took the elements of a trainer (the main product to be displayed) and applied the materials to sections of the store, such as a natural rubber flooring (rubber sole) and rubber wall installations, as well as various canvas’s & leathers.

The primary focus of the re-design was to allow for creativity within the space while displaying the product effectively.

The new shelving arrangement had been designed in a grid system that provided various shelving options and versatility for display, rather than just a static linear version and by re-designing the standard slatwall retail system as well as the perimeter and island fixtures we opened up the merchandising variations whilst introducing new materials into the space.

The angle of the natural occurring finishes was also highlighted by using plywood for shelves and solid ash to create a new premium trainer department, contrasted with raw and steel pops of colour.

A new till-point system was devised to display product whilst being functional and magnetic wall panels that had dual uses as a blackboard and innovative window displays were installed to highlight the product within.

The Edinburgh site also posed many original features & although not listed, sensitivity to the building’s heritage & stature had to be applied throughout. This added an effective contrast, as the natural materials & contemporary design were highlighted against the character of the building. An earthy colour palette was also used throughout.

This concept was then used across two other sites in Hull & Leicester, look out for those images soon.

(Photography by Haydn Rydings)

We visited Top Drawer trade show this year and discovered some amazing products, here are some of our favourites:

You may have seen us tweet this video of Andrew Tanner’s creation; interactive Augmented Reality Wall plate ‘English Hedgerow’.

This product really does have to be seen to be believed. The beautiful design is based on the flora and fauna of English hedgerows and is brought to life using an iOS application that has been created by Unanico Group, to generate an augmented reality experience. The use of technology combined with a classic ceramic design by Andrew allows users to watch as birds and field mice scurry among the brambles, 
flies buzz, and butterflies flutter through the flowers.

Tapi, a ‘tap squeeze drink fountain’ created by Dreamfarm was one of our favourite finds of the day. Described as being a ‘fun and 
convenient drink fountain 
from your tap’ the product is useful and innovative. The Dreamfarm website features plenty more practical products to look at!

The wooden radio of the Magno-series from the designer Singgih Susilo Kartono is made by hand, piece by piece in a workshop in Indonesia. Singgih Kartono wants to “redefine the relationship of the user between the product” and revitalize craft industries and local skills, while using local sustainable materials. Read more about the radio’s here.

The Mirror Ball is back for it’s second year, the event will celebrate all that is Manchester with some of the city’s most favourite faces and will raise money for charity Forever Manchester.

The Mirror Ball 2012 is to be held at The Lowry Hotel on Friday 9th March and will be hosted by celebrity hairdresser and founder of the event Andrew Barn. TV presenter and actor Anthony Crank will compere the event.

NoChintz will be creating the décor for the event for the second year running, it is especially significant as our own Natalie Gray is an ambassador for the Forever Manchester charity.

Created in 2011 by Andrew to celebrate his 30th birthday and his recovery from a brain tumour, The Mirror Ball 2011 raised over £10k for Brain Tumour UK.

As a newly appointed Forever Manchester Ambassador, Andrew has chosen the local charity to be the sole beneficiary of the event in 2012.

For more information as to how to buy tickets please visit www.TheMirrorBall.org. For more news about special guests and raffle lots follow the Twitter at @The_Mirror_Ball or become a fan of Facebook at Facebook.com/TheMirrorBall.

We are delighted to announce that NoChintz have been shortlisted to be a finalist for ‘Work Placement of the Year’ at the National Council for Work Experience awards.

Dominic Beardwell, Operations Director; ‘We feel that work placements, internships and work experience opportunities are integral to the design industry and to be recognised at the NCWE awards is an honour for us.

Our placements are valued and become part of the team, this aspect is important to both staff and placements alike. In many cases placements bring a fresh outlook on projects, something that is always welcome at NoChintz.’

The winners of the awards will be announced at the presentation ceremonyin London on 20^th March.