If you’ve been to a Taste of Design roadshow in the past, you’ll already know what a superb event this is, with its unique blend of fascinating venue, complimentary refreshments and intimate time with select exhibitors. We are back for 2016 at five sensational venues and really hope you’ll be able to join us at the most convenient location for you.
Hampton Court, London – 10th May 2016
Westonbirt School, Gloucestershire – 11th May 2016
Knebworth House, Hertfordshire – 18th May 2016
Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire – 19th May 2016
Clayton Hotel, Dublin – 25th May 2016
Visit the Taste of Design website to learn more and to register for this free of charge event.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Expect to see cool ocean colours continuing in popularity. Aquas, teals and indigos combine, ranging in intensity from bright to moody hues.
This cool palette will be accented by muted plum and is best complemented by hardware in natural steel and authentic stainless steel.
Top tip… we’re hearing on the ‘design-vine’ that mixed metals are a key trend for 2015.
”In London, designer Kelly Hoppen says mixing warm metals, such as copper and rose gold, with cool ones like silver is particularly hot right now. Los Angeles designer Jamie Bush agreed, saying he is no longer interested in matching every metal finish in a single room: “It’s too staged.” New York designer Thom Filicia suggested a “strategic, layered mix” of silvery, gold and black metals as a “riskier and more stylish” option. A great example: Arteriors’s Nolan Pendant, a brass-finished iron light with a dark bronze band. “ By DAVID A. KEEPS
Jan. 2, 2015 11:25 a.m. ET
Essentially anything goes, copper & chrome, gold & silver it’s all about the eclectic mix and match.
The copyright in these images remains with the owner
Fact: A completely dark room is proven to result in a sounder nights sleep.
“Previous studies have linked light at night with ill health in rodents. Now a study of 113,000 women suggests that it could cause obesity in humans. The work by Oxford University researchers for the Institute of Cancer Research found that women had larger waistlines if their bedroom was “light enough to see across”, the researchers found.” Tom de Castella BBC News Magazine, June 2014.
Heavier curtain fabric with black out lining at bedroom windows will help to eliminate light pollution and create a darker sanctuary to aid sleep.
A trend back to heavier drapes does not create an issue with any of the poles or tracks from The Bradley Collection, as long as the brackets are correctly specified and installed. Talking of brackets and light exclusion, we have noticed a recent trend toward shorter (60mm) projection brackets. These shorter brackets bring the pole and thus fabrics closer to the wall helping to minimize the outside light creeping into the room. (It’s also worth remembering that our bespoke service means that even shorter bracket projections can be made on request). Let’s work to make disturbed nights a thing of the past…
To read more of Tom de Castella’s article: click here
The copyright in these images remains with the owner
The end of the year is fast approaching and demand for our products and services is stronger than ever. To help with time-critical and seasonal projects we have put together a simple schedule of ordering cut-off dates for delivery before our end of year shut down.
For projects requiring delivery by 23rd December, orders need to be placed by 15th December 2015.
(This covers the Steel, Bespoke track, Stainless, Simple, Elysian and Baroco Collections and includes custom cutting, bending and finishing).
There are a few exceptions with longer lead times which need to be confirmed to us by 2nd December 2015.
(These include plated finishes, hand-finished wood, certain hand-forged finials, 38mm stainless steel pole bends, 50mm pole bends, 50mm track bends, Lucent, motorised and custom requests).
For truly last minute solutions, remember our Express* Made to Measure Collection which offers 48 hours from order to despatch and which can be ordered as late as 21st December 2015.
* Express service not available during our shutdown period of 24th December 2015 to 1st January 2016.
Mixed metal design schemes are pretty important right now and we have decided to extend the choices available from The Bradley Collection by inviting in ‘guest finishes’ for the Autumn.
Copper is fast emerging as the metallic finish of choice for interior designers and architects. Often used as a statement accent, copper is hugely versatile and works harmoniously alongside natural materials such as wood and bare brick. Exuding raw luxury and sophistication it works well when part of a rustic, modern loft look.
In line with this distinct trend The Bradley Collection has introduced a stunning Copper toned finish on the Steel Collection. This is a gorgeous variant on its signature translucent finishes, which allow the beauty of the steel below to shine through. The steel is initially cut or polished with a coarse grade to remove scale, before being carefully polished to exactly the right degree of lustre using finer polishing media. The copper coat is added which gives both the lovely hue to the finish but also acts as a tough protective coating. The Copper toned finish is offered at the same price level as the other Steel Collection finishes and is available now.
Designed for dramatic appeal, Polished Brass Plate the second guest finish, embodies an amazing glossiness. This finish can look fabulous when combined with the alternative texture of another metal such as stainless steel, to create a ‘mixed metals’ look at the window.
To create the finish, mild steel components are polished to a mirror shine before being electro-plated to add the warm lustre of brass. The plated finish receives a protective top coat of lacquer. It should be noted that there are some awkward areas that the polishing mops cannot reach and here the original character of the steel will be retained. Polished brass plate is subject to a custom plating charge per pole set. It will also require extended lead times. It is available now across Steel and Elysian collections.
The Bradley Collection publishes its brochure in digital form through its Brochure App. Available for free download to iOS and Android tablets the Brochure App has been updated to showcase collections for the coming year.
The digital edition includes all the content from the printed brochure, together with embedded video and links to the new website, spec guides and product configurator. It’s easy to search and the back lighting of a tablet shows off the images to maximum effect.
Once downloaded, the brochure app remains resident on the device and will always be kept up to date. This makes it an ideal way for designers to keep at their fingertips inspirational photography, helpful video content and the very latest technical and product information for the simplest possible way of communicating and specifying the services of The Bradley Collection.
The tablet-resident edition of the brochure reflects the brand’s determination to use technology to simplify the process of specifying curtain hardware and to communicate effectively in a changing digital landscape.
Take note, copper finishes are fast emerging as the metal of choice favoured by architects and interior designers in 2015. What’s not to love?
“We’re seeing warmer metals i.e. brass and copper rather than stainless steel.” Emma Farkas of Emma Farkas Design
Often used as a statement accent, copper is hugely versatile and works harmoniously alongside natural materials such as wood and bare brick. Exuding raw luxury and sophistication it works well when employed to create a rustic or modern loft look.
Please note that copyright in images used remains with the copyright owner.
We love the world’s most recycled material…
The Bradley Collection remains true to its origins and the company’s blacksmiths still manufacture Steel finials and brackets on the forge. In fact, around 80% of the company’s current output is created from steel.
As the worlds most re-cycled material, enough steel is re-cycled every day to make the equivalent of 150 Eiffel Towers. Recycling has been carried out in the steel industry since steel was first made. According to the Steel Association, ‘Steel is 100% recyclable and can be recycled over and over again to create new steel products in a closed material loop. Recycled steel maintains the inherent properties of the original steel. The magnetic property of steel ensures easy and affordable recovery for recycling from almost any waste stream while the high value of steel scrap guarantees the economic viability of recycling.’
At the Bradley Collection we are fully behind recycling as a practical solution to the planet’s emerging resource crunch. “As reserves of key resources such as rare earth metals and minerals are diminishing, while exploration and material extraction costs are rising. The current ‘take-make-dispose’ linear economy approach results in massive waste – according to Richard Girling’s book Rubbish! published in 2005, 90% of the raw materials used in manufacturing become waste before the product leaves the factory while 80% of products made get thrown away within the first six months of their life.” The Guardian.
As well as majoring in this most recycled material, we also create products to last a lifetime, rather than to wear out and be replaced. Lets all work to ensure sustainability remains a core priority in society and doesn’t become a passing fashion trend.
For the first time ever, we have pulled together a branded ‘designer’s edit’.
This is a custom made offer drawing on popular high end influences but with limited choices of finial and finish. This approach allows us to batch produce and finish components meaning your clients have access to high end, custom product at an excellent price and value. A choice of flint, acrylic or chrome plated pole at 30mm (1 3/16”) diameter. Full made to measure and bending services. A minimalist stud finial and matching chromed components. No separate plating charge. Easy to specify with simple pricing structure.
Available now and for a limited time only.
Folio Two is carefully designed to work hand-in-hand with The Bradley Collection Bespoke curtain poles and tracks. This new fabric collection will be previewed at Decorex with full availability for 2015.
The collection embodies hints of delicately distressed fresco and flowing organic shapes sitting comfortably alongside geometric forms.
An understated neutral and grey base is shot through with subtle, often iridescent hues, which combine harmoniously and gracefully, with the occasional unexpected use of bold citrus or inky blue providing both drama and theatre.
There are 33 fabrics in the collection, of which four feature designs provide scale, with Helmingham, a distressed fresco pomegranate motif being particularly distinctive. These feature designs are complemented by four smaller-scale abstract and geometric patterns for layering and texture. Each colour story is underpinned by an elegant upholstery option, to provide a total room solution.
All fabrics in Folio Two are designed and woven in Suffolk using age-old techniques, experience and knowledge to ensure best quality fabric and finish.
Fabrics are woven to order and are subject to a minimum order quantity of 10m.
The Bradley Collection launches its first ever textile collection; the silk-rich Folio One.
Folio One compliments The Bradley Collection’s curtain poles and embodies the design values of traditional grandeur. The collection combines dramatically decadent design with supreme fabric quality, including natural silk in all fabrics. The collection is delivered through a distinctive and opulent colour palette.
There are 30 fabrics in total with 5 exquisite feature patterns and 2 coordinating bold stripes. Designs include Brockford and Kentwell damasks, both being ornate and grand in scale, lustrous and bold. Coordinating stripes are available. Cavendish Grand Damask is the design diva of the collection, resplendent with vivid, metallic classical motifs and pattern. Holkham is an all-over design in a charming almost paisley effect, while Chilton is a lovely delicate, flowing small scale floral. Throughout the collection, light-reflecting metallic gold and silver is interspersed stunningly with rich teal, cerise, mauve, navy, black and charcoal to dramatic effect. All fabrics in Folio One have some silk content and are designed and woven in Suffolk using age-old techniques, experience and knowledge to ensure best quality fabric and finish.
All these exclusive fabrics are woven to order and are subject to a minimum order quantity of 10m.
