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!
From Little Things Big Things Grow
How incredibly inspiring is the work by Hungarian fibre artist Ágnes Herczeg. Formed from colourful lace and all natural materials, each small scene of nature floats in mid air and is attached to a piece of natural, found wood.
Read MoreSurely 450 Scientists cannot be wrong! This month we are talking about sustainability.
The latest UN report that was released last week revealed that 1 million species are at risk because of a range of human activities. I don’t know about you but I find this incredibly troubling and we should all be outraged.
Read MoreSustainable and affordable, is that possible? Finding products that match both criteria is always a challenge and now with the release of the new UN report it has become essential that we find products that are sustainable. Thankfully there are a number to choose from that tick the right boxes. Of course the other important thing to consider is the life cycle costing. In the long run does the product save you money as well as saving the planet!!
Read MoreWhilst Warrigal won the ACSA National Award for Aged Care Provider of the Year in 2018, did you know they were awarded the Excellence in Sustainability Award in 2017 and are the first aged care provider to be Gold partner in NSW’s Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme? Read on to find out more about how Warrigal committed to achieving real environmental improvements!
Read MoreIdentity can be defined in a social or a personal context. Social identity considers how people see or define themselves in relation to a social group. It can also be how others see us. Personal identity is based on the unique attributes distinguishing individuals from others.
Read MoreThis month we were asked to contribute an article in a new eMag called TILT by Build in Common. For any of you who haven’t heard of them Build in Common was created to EMPOWER, ENABLE and DE-MYSTIFY the process of building or renovating.
Read MoreAnna Wolf and Alex Bahar-Fuchs from the University of Melbourne recently wrote an article in The Conversation titled “An impaired sense of smell can signal cognitive decline, but ‘smell training’ could help” to explain that as we get older, we can experience problems with the sense of smell.
Read MoreFamiliarity and reminiscence products are something we are always on the look out for in aged care. One of the simplest ways, of course, is by using essential oils. However, you need to be careful about using them as they can be very potent. Aesop, a brand that deals entirely in the uplifting power of plants, ran a promotion called “Purpose and Pleasure” .
Read MoreWearable technology is certainly becoming a way of life. We have headsets to treat depression, scarfs to protect us from air pollution and now we have sunglasses from Bose that bring a whole new level of entertainment to immersive audio.
Read MoreA program in Colorado called ‘Granny Does Graffiti’ arose from the concept that both street art and memory are fleeting. Programs such as these explore memories and pathways in the brain for creativity and engagement.
Read MoreI would like to thank everyone who participated in our survey last month, we were thrilled to get such a great response. The winner of the wonderful Treasury Gift Voucher was Graham Francis, CEO of SwanCare. Congratulations Graham, enjoy the Treasury. This time of the year also means the launch of new products and showrooms, so the design team have been busy looking and evaluating all the wonderful new products on offer. They also attended the launch of the new Materialised showroom and I believe what is now on offer allows them better opportunities to design bespoke fabrics and wallcoverings. This means more exciting product to offer all our clients.
Read MoreThe piece labelled 'Old Skool' is a firm favourite amongst Banksy fans and we cant help but love its ability to challenge stereotypes of the elderly and reminding us to look beyond what is first seen. This particular piece was situated in London’s Clerkenwell Road and showed old people engaging in the type of loitering usually expected from young people!
Read MoreWe know Memory boxes have been used in aged care facilities for some time but finding one that is secure, hardwearing and aesthetically pleasing is no easy task.
Read MoreAs we age, we can experience memory lapses and forget things from time to time. However, this is different to the persistent and progressive memory loss associated with dementia.
Read MoreI’m sure all of you know of Bernard Salt and recently I read an article he wrote on the future of aged care design. I’m always fascinated with his findings and observations and I truly believe his messages are right on the money!
Read MorePhotographs can have a powerful effect on mortality, time and memory. This image is from a touching stop motion film titled Paper Memories by filmmaker and photographer Theo Putzu who explores the ideas of both happiness and loss in old photographs.
Read MoreThe new Aged Care Quality Standards presented across 8 standards with associated requirements will come into action from July 1st.
Maintenance within aged care facilities is always a hot topic. So how do we balance the look of residential but the durability of commercial?
Read MoreHappy New Year to everyone, it’s a brand new year, new beginnings and new standards!!
We have thoroughly examined the new Aged Care Quality Standards and there is considerable expertise within de Fiddes to assist with Standard 5.
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