Friday 18 October 2013

What are the Requirements for Effective Shop Window Displays?

In this highly competitive market, it is important for retail shops to be able to change their shop window dressing from time to time so as not to bore their customers. As you know, customers would be more interested if they see something new or if they see something that is out of the usual. So aside from coming up with new and highly innovative marketing campaigns, it is important that retail shop owners should keep themselves updated with the latest in shop window dressing.
Give Importance to Signage
In the UK, you will find a wide range of finishing and printing equipment by which expert visual designers would make use of to produce several different varieties of banners, murals, props and posters which you can use as a signage for your store. Proper shop window dressing would require giving utmost importance to the signage of the store since this is the area where customers would first glance on the moment they look at your store. You can look for visual designers that would take care of your signage and could come up with attractive designs that would catch the attention of your customers.
Retail Display should Be Planned Well
Your shop window displays should be planned well because a retail display that is full of chaos will turn off customers. There are lots of attractive retail display units that you can invest in so as to get attention from your target consumers. The quality of the display racks on your store should also be excellent as this directly represents your store. No matter how great your products are, if the shelves or the racks where these products are displayed in is of low quality, the shoppers will not find the products interesting.

Remember that an effective shop window dressing would include coming up with life size cut outs, floor graphics, custom cut objects, pop up displays, floor graphics, hanging graphics, back lit panels, excellent lighting, banners, wall murals, posters and many more. You do not really need to spend a lot of money for these stuffs since all these can be done in the most inexpensive way. The key here is to look for a supplier that would be willing to sell their products at a discount especially since you are buying them in bulk. You can also consult with a highly experienced visual merchandiser who has enough knowledge in coming up with effective shop window and displays.

Monday 9 September 2013

Looking for the Best Roofing Contractor



Having a good and sturdy roof is just like investing on a safety vault that will keep all your possessions and belongings safe. But the problem with most homeowners is that they do not have any knowledge about the proper maintenance of the types of residential roofing that they have. If you are one of them, the best option would be to look for roofers in Surrey to hire. You might end up spending for the services of the roofing professional, but this can actually guarantee that your roof will stay in excellent condition and will last for a long time. Keeping your loved ones and your valuables safe should be your main priority and this is enough reason why you need a roofing contractor.
 
Licensed and Professional
Depending on the condition of your roof, it is important that you look for a suitably licensed roofing contractor, someone who is aware of the legal stipulations when it comes to building construction, especially on the area where you live. You must ask for a documentation that will verify that such roofing contractor is indeed licensed and professional. It is also important that they are knowledgeable with the types of residential roofing that you have. Above all, they should have a good reputation in the industry.

Ask Recommendations
The best way to know if a certain roofing contractor is of good reputation is to ask recommendations from friends or from people you knew who have tried hiring a roofing contractor. Ask for suggestions and tips and see if they knew a good roofing contractor that is well knowledgeable on the field. If you make use of the EDPM roofing material for your roof, then the roofing contractor that you will hire must be well knowledgeable on this kind of roofing material. Conduct and interview and ask questions just to prove that he knows what he is doing. It is also a good idea to invite the roofing contractor to come to your house so he can do some inspections on the types of residential roofing that you have.

Remember that installing and replacing a roof is considered a major investment and you should be very careful when it comes to choosing the right roofing in Surrey contractor for the job. You might not see any reason why you need a roofing contractor for now, but do not wait for the time to come that you and your family will suffer as a result of some leakage in your roof.

Thursday 29 August 2013

Eastry House, Wentworth Estate - For Sale at £5,500,000


Barton Wyatt, Estate Agents in Sunningdale, offer this magnificent five bedroom detached house for sale at £5,500,000. Four bedrooms with en-suite dressing and bathrooms, principal bedroom with balcony and fireplace, reception hall, cloakroom, five reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room with granite worktops, conservatory, utility, gas central heating and double glazing, detached double garage, swimming pool, tennis court, long private drive, 4.4 acres.

The Wentworth Estate extends to approximately 1,750 acres, it's history dates back to the early 1920's when the visionary developer, Tarrant purchased an agricultural estate around which he created his rural dream of substantial mansions set in beautiful mature gardens. Today there are three 18 hole golf courses including the Championship West Course and the Wentworth Club with swimming pools, restaurants, tennis courts, health and leisure facilities.

The local centres of Virginia Water, Sunningdale, Ascot and Windsor cater for day to day shopping requirements. Communications are excellent with the M25, M3 and M4 close by giving fast access to the motorway network, London, Heathrow and Gatwick.

Sporting facilities in the area are numerous with many golf and country clubs as well as the racecourse at Ascot and Polo at Smiths Lawn in Windsor Great Park.

Schooling is exceptional with many renowned private schools such as Eton College, Heathfield, Papplewick, Sunningdale, St Mary's, Hurst Lodge, St Georges Ascot and St John's Beaumont. In addition, there are two international schools, ACS in Egham and TASIS in Thorpe

This magnificent house is approached via its own long sweeping driveway. It has been extended over the years to form a splendid large home with en-suite facilities to all bedrooms on the first floor. The ground floor is ideal for a growing family with four good size reception rooms which all enjoy beautiful views onto the parkland style gardens that surround the house.

Eastry House forms a comfortable home that also has enormous potential to further improve or remodel subject to any planning consents. The property is located on the main island which is a much favoured location as one can walk to the golf course along the private roads that surround Wentworth.

Barton Wyatt, Estate and Letting Agents in Sunningdale recommend an early viewing of this excellent opportunity. Contact them on 01344 843000.

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Enrolling at ACS Egham and at TASIS England

The ACS Egham is among the three schools that are known to offer the best International Baccalaureate Programs all over the United Kingdom. Ever since the school started its 2011 to 2012 school year, the ACS has started to offer new courses for International Baccalaureate Diploma through its IB Diploma Centre. The school provides a whole range of facilities and programs that are geared towards individual as well as collaborative studies, including small classroom spaces used for school presentations, group activities, meetings, as well as native language tutoring. On top of that, the ACS Egham is well-equipped with the most high-tech computer facilities and educational equipment.

Enrolling at ACS

The process of enrolling for any of the International Baccalaureate Diploma courses at ICS is just so easy. Everything is extremely simplified and you can pretty much finish the enrolment procedure in only a few minutes. You can also ask assistance from the admission team of the ACS Egham who will be more than willing to address your every need. They are well-knowledgeable in all aspects of the school and they will make sure to answer your questions and provide you some helpful advice regarding your desire to enrol at ACS.

All about the TASIS

Just like the ACS, the TASIS is another UK based school that is also known to offer high quality courses on International Baccalaureate Programs. The students of the TASIS England is said to have come from more than 50 countries all over the world and speaks more than a dozen languages. The upper school students of TASIS follows a college as well as preparatory curriculum which they can use later on to enroll at some of the top notch schools in the United States, UK, Europe, and several other countries all over the world. The College Counseling office of the TASIS England offers individual guidance for each student, regardless of their nationality or race. Internationalism is very much encouraged on all classes within the campus, as well as on the school activities and clubs. The school also offers travel opportunities for students with residential setting.

Enrolling at TASIS

Just like the ACS, enrolling at TASIS England is just so easy. You can visit the actual campus or call them to inquire for the enrollment requirement and procedures. Or better yet, check out their official website and refer to the “Admissions” section of their website.

Monday 5 August 2013

How to go about uPVC Guttering Installation

Homeowners often wonder how they can go about the installation of uPVC guttering in Bracknell. If you are one of these homeowners, then refer below for some tips:

First and foremost, it is important that you take appropriate safety precautions before you begin with the installation procedure. Be very careful in replacing and repairing any areas in the gutter that are rotting. Professional roofers in Bracknell would highly suggest removing anything that rots, because it is not right to secure new gutters to any rotting timber as this can just lead to a serious damage in your roof in the future. As soon as you are fully satisfied with the condition of your roof’s fascia boards, then the uPVC guttering installation can begin.

To begin the installation, the first thing that you need to do is to fit the running outlet. This is the thing that connects the downpipe to the guttering. This part is usually fixed right on the drain in a way that the downpipe would be able to drop vertically. The outlet should be fixed using a 1“or 1 ¼” screw that must be stainless zinc or stainless plated. Next, go to the farthest area on the system and fit in the fascia bracket at about 100mm within the farthest point.

Companies that offer slate roofing would recommend that the fall for the guttering should be 1 inch in every 50 feet. But make sure that you check with the supplier of the guttering first since different manufacturers and systems often specify varying falls. Your next task is to fit all the gutter fittings towards the fascia board. The fascia brackets must be fitted in at least every meter, but then again, you must first inquire with the supplier of your gutter materials.

As soon as all of the fittings are secured in place, then you can begin to fit the gutter. You have to first check the gutter lines and take note of the insertion marks on both sides of the fittings and the neoprene rubber seals should be all in place right on their grooves. After that, insert the first length of the gutter and this can be achieved by sliding the back area of the gutter right under the retaining clip on the fittings. Afterwards, pull down the front edge gently going in an upward direction and this should be done on the underside of the clips of each fitting. On this part of the uPVC guttering installation procedure, you could hear a click sound when the guttering has finally snapped right into place.

For more tips, you can check with some roofers in Berkshire as they are well-adept with the uPVC guttering in Wokingham installation procedures and all things related to this.

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Choosing the Best Estate Agents in Sunningdale

There will always be a competition in between real estate professionals and this applies to some of the estate agents as well as the letting agents Sunningdale. Each agent has their own best qualities that can help you with your property investment. So how can you choose the best agent that can help you in looking for the best property to buy or rent out in Sunningdale?

Check out Local Publications

One of the best options when it comes to looking for the best real estate agents and letting agents Sunningdale is to check out the local publications. How and where the agents would advertise your property will definitely make a huge difference in getting the property sold. With proper knowledge and experience about the real estate market of Sunningdale, your agent would be able to sell out your property in no time or perhaps, find the best tenant that could rent out your property.

Communication Skills is Important

As soon as you found some potential real estate agents Sunningdale that you want to hire, the next thing to do is to schedule a meeting with them. During the meeting, observe how the agent would speak. It is very important that the person speaks intelligently and should be able to answer questions regarding the real estate market of Sunningdale. The agent should have great negotiating skills because he will be the one who will sell or market your property on your behalf.  

Good Character and Personality

It is a must to hire the letting agents Sunningdale that have good character and personality. This is why it is important that you meet up with the agent first before you decide to hire him or her and spend some time conversing. Through this, you will be able to tell if he has a good personality or not. If you feel like he is a good person, then you have probably found the best person for the job. But if you do not like the way the agent behaves and if he or she is being arrogant all throughout the conversation, then forget about them and look for other agents instead.

Aside from referring to the local publication when looking for the best real estate agents Sunningdale to hire, it is also a good idea to make use of the World Wide Web. These days, you will now find a lot of real estate agents that would make use of the Internet to market their skills in the real estate industry.

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Top Tips on Visual Merchandising

So what is visual merchandising, you may ask. The term actually refers to the art of displaying goods at the best way possible, making them to look visually appealing to the eyes of the shoppers. The goal is to simply persuade customers to get inside the store and check out the products that you sell.

Benefits of Visual Merchandising

Before we go on with the tips on visual merchandising, let us first find out what benefits can you get out of this. The greatest benefit is to gain more revenues. As you know, the more customers recognize your presence, the more you could end up earning. Visual merchandising is actually a kind of advertising. It is one way to market your products and to make your customers know that you have the best product in town. All types of visual merchandiser services have basically the same goal and that is to persuade customers into your business.

Tips on Visual Merchandising

So to help you in achieving success in visual merchandising, here are some tips to follow:

·         First of all, give emphasis to the flooring as well as the wall finishes of your display window. As much as possible, fill it with so many products and make sure that you highlight the best products that you have in your store. Make these products the focal point in your display window and you can do this by making use of mannequins and other window displays.

 

·         Choose a theme by brainstorming about the current trends in the market. You can also check out the Internet for some of the latest visual merchandising trends. Gather ideas on how you can combine various products into your theme.

 

·         You should also know how to mix and match colours. Modern themes should have black, grey and pastel colors in them. During the holidays or Christmas season, fill your window display with the shades of red and green. If you want a royal theme, then add the shades of maroon, bronze and gold into your display.

 

·         Make use of trendy and suitable lighting in order to exude a beautiful ambiance on your window display.

Simply follow these tips when starting up with visual merchandising. If you think you need help, then don’t hesitate to contact visual merchandising experts who can come up with all types of visual merchandising services for you. There are lots of them online so do your search now.

Thursday 13 June 2013

Callow Hill Virginia Water Surrey GU25 4LD - to rent £15,000 pcm




Surrey Letting Agents, Barton Wyatt, offer this brand new home recently completed to a superb specification for rental at £15,000pcm.  Well proportioned accommodation amounting to approximately 9,000 square feet in all to included a staff flat and three car garage.

The property is situated behind electric gates in landscaped gardens of approximately one acre just half a mile from the amenities of Virginia Water village and mainline railway station.

The accommodation comprises; entrance hall * living room * dining room * family room * study * kitchen/breakfast room * tv/snug * utility room * master bedroom with dressing room, two en-suite bathrooms and balcony * three further bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms * second floor with large storage area, two bedrooms and shower room * staff flat with reception/dining room, bathroom and bedroom * triple garage * gardens of approximately one acre.

Call 01344 843000 - Barton Wyatt, Letting Agents Surrey now, to make your appointment to view.


Tuesday 11 June 2013

Maintenance and Repair of Timber Sash Windows and Doors

Unlike the sash windows that come with uPVC window frames, sash wood windows require a lot of maintenance and must be kept fully protected so as to ensure that they do not easily rot or swell. The process of renovating an old and worn out sash window can cost more than repairing it and this is why a lot of people would choose to have their sash windows renovated instead. Also, it is best to hire a specialist for the renovation because if you do it on your own, you might trigger damage on the window and it could lose its unique look and character.

Check the Condition Regularly
It is important that you check the condition of your box sash windows on a regular basis. Examine the joints and the sashes well and if possible, apply some paint or wood stains on it. A pen knife is often used to examine the windows. This is a handy tool that you can use to inspect the bottom portion of your timber windows and doors, including the frames.

Applying Paint or Wood stain
As mentioned previously, it is recommended that you also apply some paint or wood stains on your sash windows. But before you apply these substances, preparation is very important. First and foremost, ensure that all loose paint is totally removed and the surfaces are in solid form. Any loose paint should be removed with the use of a heat gun which you can buy on any local hardware stores. Remember to take extra precaution because the heat can trigger cracks on the glass panes of your timber sash windows.

Replace any Missing Putty
It is also advised that you replace any missing or loose putty on your sash windows. But extra care and precaution must be observed when doing this, because a simple mistake can trigger severe damage on the glass panes. If the glass from the sash windows gets damaged and would need to be replaced, the new glass replacement should have the same thickness and weight. If you notice a small crack on the corner of the glass panes in your box sash windows, then take care of this immediately before it can lead to an even bigger problem.

In order to ease the edges of your sash windows, you can apply some beeswax to it. This helps to make them to run more smoothly. You can also choose to apply some oil to ease the pulleys. If the cords of the box sash windows are broken, then they must be replaced immediately.

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Make sure that you can see the wood for the trees and choose the right home in splendid Surrey


Article by Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Sunningdale

Did you know that Surrey is the most wooded county in England?


No? Well woodland covers a substantial 22.4% of Surrey, 37,564 hectares in fact, nearly double the national average of 11.8%. Box Hill for example, close to the charming town of Dorking, has the oldest untouched area of natural woodland in the UK and is one of the oldest in Europe; not surprising perhaps that it was closely guarded from the crowds keen to catch a glimpse of Wiggo whizzing past at the Olympics last year.

The South East of England is particularly rich in ancient woodlands. There are sites which have been continuously wooded since at least 1600 and can be found on the earliest reliable maps as well as many which have been woodland for much longer and may even be descended from the 'wildwoods' that covered Britain at the end of the last Ice Age.

Perhaps all this woodland located tantalizingly close to London is the continuing draw for individuals, couples and families alike to reside in Surrey? Adding another dimension to the immediate environment, woodlands attract large numbers of wildlife as well as offering beauty, tranquillity and privacy which makes living in the countryside so highly prized.

Inspired by this exquisite nature, Barton Wyatt, award-winning Surrey estate agent see an extraordinary number of homes with names linked to trees or woods. In fact 50% of their current sales inventory features just that: Keepers Wood, Pine Acre, Birchington, Willowbrook, and Woodbury House - the list goes on.

James WyattPartner of Barton Wyatt, comments on how the great outdoors impact local house names in the Virginia Water area:

"A great number of our buyers come to the area from central London or overseas. They're attracted to Surrey due to the short commute (42 minutes direct to Waterloo by rail), the great schools available and almost always for our beautiful countryside. There are very few days of the year where you cannot enjoy all the nature we have to offer. Whether you are into shooting, fishing, riding or perhaps more mainstream cycling, walking and flying a kite - Surrey has it all. The changes of season that can be hard to spot in London are around us every day and I particularly love this time of the year as we enter Spring, although it does appear to be dragging its heels somewhat this year!

"Virginia Water is particularly blessed, we have our own stunning lake in grounds that reach as far as Windsor Castle, locally there are many gardens that are open to the public such as The Savill Gardens and if you like golf - the courses at Wentworth are an amazing spectacle, particularly in May when the rhododendrons are out."

So if you are looking for the perfect home in splendid Surrey, make sure you can see the wood for the trees and be inspired by one of these charming properties.

QueenswoodQueenswood, Sunningdale, Guide Price  £4,250,000

A magnificently restored country house with distinctive Dutch gables occupying a stunning location overlooking Sunningdale ladies course yet just a short walk from Sunningdale village centre and mainline station.  

Queenswood is blessed with wonderful grounds. The garden to the rear of the property has a stone paved terrace with gradual steps down to the lawn.   A gravel path leads down the undulating lawn with steps down to the swimming pool area. Many of the trees and shrubs in the front and rear gardens are discreetly lit by an external lighting system.

The property offers wonderful family accommodation. The ground floor comprises a modern Kitchen / Breakfast room, utility, gymnasium and shower room. The reception rooms include formal drawing room, dining room, sitting room and orangery.

On the first floor the master bedroom has an en-suite and 2 dressing rooms. There are a further five bedrooms all with en-suite and a large games/cinema room.  

Keepers WoodKeepers Wood, Wentworth  £4,450,000

Keeper's Wood is set within 0.7 acres of south facing rear gardens in a highly sought after road on the prestigious Wentworth Estate, in Virginia Water, Surrey.

The property includes marble floored entrance hall, large combined kitchen / breakfast / family area with walk-in larder and second cloakroom. Linked dining and drawing room opening onto terrace, a spacious guest cloakroom, TV end and study complete downstairs.
First floor has 4 en-suite bedrooms. The master bedroom suite is beautifully appointed and includes a centre, free standing bath, TV, bespoke twin basin vanity unit, super-sized walk in wet room and separate wc and bidet. The master bedroom has double doors with a glass Juliet balcony overlooking the rear garden

Top floor has a further bedroom, bathroom and a leisure room with mini kitchen.


WillowbrookWillowbrook, Wentworth, Surrey  £3,595,000

An architecturally handsome and traditional house with a stunning contemporary styled interior. A stunning open plan kitchen/breakfast/family room is the main feature of the downstairs giving a contemporary family lifestyle. On the first floor there is a generous master bedroom suite with a unique frosted glass wall to the en-suite bathroom. The other bedrooms are all of generous proportions. The house was built to a very high level of specification and finish and has been immaculately maintained during the first occupant's ownership.

The property is approached though wrought iron electronically operated gates over a cobble driveway providing ample parking for several cars. A pathway leads down the side of the property to an expansive terrace across the rear of the house with steps leading down to a central path running down the middle of the formal upper lawns. There is also a path to the Jacuzzi tub area and a thatched breezes house for al fresco dining. From the upper lawns, the garden falls away to the Cabrera Trust Nature Reserve, a highly protected wildlife sanctuary. The garden is well enclosed by mature trees and high perimeters of rhododendron bushes, faces due south to the rear and amounts to approximately 0.65 of an acre



Woodbury HouseWoodbury House, Wentworth Estate  £3,950,000

A unique stunning new house recently completed to an extremely high level of specification and finish, an opulent home with a fabulous design and attention to detail.

Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, second floor games room, drawing room, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast/family room, utility, double garage, beautifully landscaped gardens facing south at the rear of half an acre.

For more information please contact Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Sunningdale on 01344 843 000.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Tips and Guides on Box Sash Window Restoration


A box sash window is a kind of window that is made up of one or two window panels that serves as its frame. This frame is also responsible in securing the pane of the glass and the panels on these types of windows are easily moveable. You just have to slide it horizontally or vertically to open or close them. These windows are popular in the olden times, but a lot of people would still prefer to have these types of windows, thus, they would have a box sash window restoration services done in order to bring back the beauty of their ancient box sash windows.
The restoration services are very important in order to bring back the old charm of the window and to make it become functional once again. The services would not really require any professional help and can be done on your own. But if you think you are not capable of doing the job, it is recommended that you hire an expert on the window restoration projects. These professionals can also install wood shutters and doors in your house which can make a great accompaniment with your Classic style box sash windows.
There are three main mechanisms of the box sash windows, and among these are:
·         Double Hung Sash
·         Horizontal Sliding Sash
·         Single Hung Sash
Here’s the step by step procedure of the window restoration:
1.       To begin with the repair, you must first remove the window as well as the window casing entirely.
2.       As soon as the panel cover is opened up, the pulley, the weight as well as the sash cord will then be visible. The next thing that you need to do is to lubricate and clean up the pulleys. When you are done, replace the old cord with new ones since they could get frayed as time goes by.
3.       Next, the weight must be secured well and this is done by tying a knot at the end of the sash cord. As soon as you are done, you need to put back the weights on the jamb and slide back to the panel.
4.       At this part of the box sash window restoration process, the repair and maintenance is done so you will need to check the window now to see if it functions well.
5.       If after you are one with the process, you notice that the windows are still jammed up, then the best option is to consult a professional to repair your job. These professionals might also be willing to attach the timber shutters and doors along with the windows to make your home look more appealing.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Shop Window Dressing – The Art of Display



One of the main focal points of any shop window is the dressing kits which are both functional and decorative components. The window area often captures the attention of visitors and also helps add to the overall look of a public display section.
Some people will actually hire the services of a professional window dresser and this is an expert in designing and arrangement of window dressing. Shop window dressing however, can be done by any ambitious individual with a sense of style and a keen eye for detail.
A fundamental aspect about window dressing is the use of themes. This will set the tone for a particular premise and offer the desired final look.  Here are some wonderful and simple tips that will go a long way in creating the perfect effect for your shop windows.
·         Wave heading – creating waves with fabric is a great way of creating an eye catching effect for a background.  Using a pleated heading will ensure that curtains fall gracefully in symmetrical waves.  To get this right you should ensure that the curtains are combined with proper suspension rails which will support the corresponding weight and ensure that the drapery hangs properly. The advantage of this method is that it is simple to execute and does not cost an arm and a leg.
·         Lighting effect - great lighting tends to bring out the good side of any product that is displayed.  There are various types of lighting ranging from neon to fluorescent illumination that will offer different effects. However the lighting will need to correspond well with products. For instance soft ambient lighting will go well with products that are targeted at mature market segments while neon multi colored lighting may be more suitable for youth oriented store-fronts.
·         Display casings - displaying many different products can be made easier by creating different compartments. This is a functional method of display but with the right materials and artistry it can also be an attractive look. Glass compartments for instance give a classy look when combined with good lighting.
·         Stained glass – to add some artistry to a window display a stained pane of glass can be included. This should be done by a professional and it is suitable for establishments such as antique stores and niche boutiques.  This collage should also be in line with the general theme and color scheme of the shop.
It is important to ensure that your shop window dressing is a sufficient reflection of the entire store in order to achieve the intended effect.    

For Visual Merchandising ideas contact VM Design.




Unveiling the Charms of Virginia Water: A Guide to Houses and Estate Agents in Surrey

The picturesque village of Virginia Water is a haven of tranquility and sophistication. As you wander through its leafy avenues, you're ...