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!
In the last two months we have done a little of everything and it is safe to say we have hit the ground running! With so much going on, we asked the de Fiddes team what they do to avoid burnout due to over-stimulation and how they manage their energy output. Read their answers.
Read MoreA busy street with car horns honking, a kettle whistling, TV up loud, radio on, microwave beeping, phone ringing. If this cacophony of sound seems like a recipe for a bad time you’re not alone. We enjoy out of the box thinking and smart design, so when we came across these acoustic lights by Acustico, we were intrigued.
Read MoreWelcome to the first inKIND of 2023! The year has started with a bang here at the de Fiddes office and we have been a very busy bunch indeed. The Xmas break certainly highlighted that we were all ready for some time off; too much stimulation and goings on can definitely lead to burnout! So when Pantone released their colour of year it got us thinking. Vivid Magenta: bold and beautiful, but how much is too much?
Read MoreWelcome to the first DEB Talk of the year!
Join Deb as she asks the question: to Stimulate or not to Stimulate? Deb takes a deep dive into the Pantone colour of the year: Vivid Magenta. Plus what role colour plays in aged care environments, colour science and how this relates to stimulation.
Creativity is a part of everyone here in the office and we know it’s something we will never lose. This is certainly the case for Regis resident Chris Thomson. He is a very talented artist and it is great to see he is being supported and encouraged to continue his passion.
Read MoreIn November we celebrated Birthdays and Weddings; welcomed international and national visitors; Deb did multiple presentations and together we continued polishing some big projects. For December, well it’s going to be a big month indeed! Read more about our news here. De Fiddes will close from the 22nd of December 2022 returning on the 3rd of January 2023!
Read MoreThe world has changed and design is changing with it. Products that are designed with health and safety in mind are being seen more and more. We love innovations especially when they can be used in aged care. For this issue we have found two great designs that are more than what they seem. The first is the Lotte Chair by Sarah Hossil. The second is the Noise-Virus-Catcher by Bruag.
Read MoreWelcome to our final Deb Talks of the year! Join Deb as she talks all about furniture. She separates some facts from fiction when it comes to selecting furniture, including some big mistakes that manufactures often make. Deb delves into some of the required considerations when it comes to selecting furniture for an Aged Care Facility and discusses the pros and cons of seat cushions - Loose vs. Fixed! Watch the full video for the answer.
Read MoreThis month Deb is talking about buildings and the environment within with a view to potentially making changes within a building to accommodate the types of clients now living in aged care.As residents are becoming more frail, often with co-morbidity issues, together with giving consideration to staff shortages, is there a better way to accommodate the lifestyle needs?
Read MoreSlow Movement is a concept coming from Turtle Gym - a Japanese company whose philosophy is to be like a turtle with slow living and slow exercise. They produce a range of researched backed Aged Care and Dementia friendly gym equipment designed with constant speeds but where resistance changes with the amount of force applied.
Read MoreIt’s always exciting when a project wraps up and we get the first images sent through. With Regis Aged Care the facelift to the Sturdee wing in the old building at their Burnside facility has been nothing short of incredible! New finishes, joinery, window treatments, artwork and wayfinding have given the space a fresh new life.
Read MoreWe were totally inspired by these amazing oldies that are fit, fabulous and showing that at any age you can learn new things, stay active and enjoy life. We loved this short film directed and shot by Veena Rao. This features a routine from the synchronised swimming group: The Honeys and Bears.
Read MoreSteve Jobs said “learn continually – there is always ‘one more thing’ to learn.” At de Fiddes learning and expanding our skillset is a prerequisite to creating great work. . We recently read through David Engwicht’s eBooks and found some great information and ways of thinking that is relevant to aged care and can help decision makers find the confidence to take action.
Read MoreWatch part 2 of our DEB Talk interview with David Engwicht! Watch as Debbie and David talk about the holistic approach to projects and what role staff and visitors need to play in creating more attractive choices for residents. Plus lots, lots more. Don’t miss it!
Read MoreThe Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) recently launched the ‘Environments for Ageing and Dementia Design Assessment Toolkit.’ (EADDAT) This range of resources provides evidence based research and checklists for families and businesses to use to make places more accessible for an ageing population, and those living with dementia.
Read MoreWe all know there are nurse shortages in Aged Care, and so we were inspired by a government run initiative in Switzerland called ‘Time Banking’. Volunteers “deposit” hours worked looking after elderly people. In return they can use time saved up for their own care later in life. Read more here.
Read MoreLast month we talked about stimulation and creating indoor spaces with purpose. This month, thanks to our guest on DEB Talks, David Engwicht, we are talking about outdoor spaces with purpose! This month we are entranced by Civosity Park – this is the formal name of David’s own private front garden, turned public space. Complete with public library, generously donated sculptures and artworks, recliners and deck chairs, a play café, rocking horses and toys.
Read MoreWatch Part 1 of our video interview with David Engwicht. Join him and Deb as they talk about outdoor spaces with purpose, discuss what is placemaking and talk about his project in Brisbane. This includes a great initiative asking visitors to aged care facilities: ‘has your loved one had 15 minutes outside today?’
Read MoreAt de Fiddes, we have been doing more audits, consultations and fitouts. We celebrated two birthdays, Vanessa becoming a grandmother and prepping for Kat leaving to Scotland. Our theme this month is outdoor spaces with purpose, so we asked the team for their favourites and why. Read our reviews.
Read MoreNestled at the centre of multiple apartment buildings, this is a public Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden in Port Macquarie NSW. The garden is filled with high blooming flowers, sculptures, pick and sniff herbs, textures, pebbles, benches with sandpits and a bubbling brook.
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