Tackling Recession Depression how to make your home the hub of happiness

Written By Issued by Stuart Higgins Communications, on behalf of Grand Designs Live
Dated: April 10, 2009

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Tackling ‘Recession Depression’ - how to make your home the hub of happiness!

With inflation hitting its highest level in 16 years, fuel and food prices rising, and new figures showing that one in five Britons claim they are suffering from 'recession depression' as the economic downturn takes its toll on their mood, it’s no wonder Brits are becoming more and more stressed out.

According to recent research conducted by housing charity, Shelter revealing that almost one in four households are suffering stress or depression because of their rising housing costs*.

This combined with a new report out today*(Thursday 26th March) stating that around 21% of people said the recession had made them depressed, with 17% saying they are worried about their finances, nearly a fifth (17%) claiming they have had sleepless nights worrying about their personal finances with over a third (36%) opting to spend more time at home, according to Lloyds TSB, it is clear that the making your home a happy and relaxing retreat, is more important than ever.

Spending free time at home is predicted to increase your mood according to Dr Dimitris Ballas, at the University of Sheffield, who says: “Living in your home for at least five years boosts your happiness.”

With our belts tightly fastened, enjoying time at home is becoming more and more important. With less money to spend on leisure activities and dining out the stay-at-home generation want to save money and make their home a more relaxing environment to unwind in.

Grand Designs Live, sponsored by British Gas from 25th April to 4th May at Excel London, will be showcasing products to ensure you never want to leave home. Bought to you by top designers such as Bubinga, Pondable, Westminster, Cutting Edge and Omni Tub, there are plethora of high quality products designed to make the home a hub for entertainment.

Products featured include high-tech home entertainment systems, ergonomically designed furniture using NASA technology, contemporary spa baths and garden furnishings.

Here we give you a selection of the stress-reducing products that will be featured this year at Grand Design’s Live:

PRODUCTS TO MAKE YOUR HOME A HUB OF HAPPINESS

1. OMNITUB
If you are limited for space and want more than just a shower Omnitub, a contemporary Japanese style bath, is the perfect, stylish solution. There's no seat, which means you (and your partner) can immerse yourselves completely. Being shorter and deeper than an ordinary bath the water stays hotter, longer. This deep-soaking tub can also be turned into the ultimate bubble bath by fitting a whirpool system. Living proof that a lack of space need never cramp your style. www.omnitub.co.uk


2. ELEGANCE: Designed to release stress from day to day life, the unique concept of Elegance is launched in UK market by British Bathroom Centre. The Energy cocoon Elegance is an innovative product offering bubble bath, steam and infrared sauna - all in one product. It offers also aroma- and chromo therapy. Elegance has the American Award for Design Excellence; this award is given annually by Design Journal magazine for superior product design of furnishings marketed to the architectural and design trade. The ADEX award is one of the most coveted design awards in the industry.

3. Mandarina Silk: “Cheap isn’t cheerful when you can’t sleep at night,” says Tim Drake of Mandarina Silk, specialists in silk filled duvets and bedding. “The problem with cheap duvets is that they don’t last. So while you save money in the short term, in the long haul its money down the drain.” A silk filled duvet, on the other hand, not only has an indulgent feel but its ‘whole of life’ cost compares favourably to other duvet fillings. And the benefit of a silk duvet is it can be used all year long. Because it is natural and ‘breathable’ it creates a unique sleeping environment, which works in harmony with the body’s own temperature. The secret to this sublimely comfortable sleeping experience lies in the unique ‘criss-cross’ layered silk filling, which means there are no hot or cold spots and which also allows the body to reach its preferred temperature in both summer and winter, making for a better quality night’s sleep. See them at the Design Arcade url: www.mandarina.co.uk

4. VELUX Project Daylight: VELUX the UK’s leading manufacturer in rood windows and sponsors of the Grand Build Section, will present their Project Daylight concept, showing consumers how to utilize natural daylight in the home to improve space and make your home a more inviting and welcoming place to escape. With a dedicated project planner created at this year’s show, visitors have the chance to come along for one to one pre-booked consultations with VELUX experts, upload their plans, and get practical advice and inspiration on the benefits of daylight within the home. www.velux.co.uk

>5. The Sonic Chair: The sonic chair provides a unique audio experience, allowing you to sit at the very centre of a sound system. Whether you enjoy listening to symphony orchestras, rock concerts, or audio books – the integrated satellite speakers are precisely adapted to your ears. The speakers are encased in a carefully crafted body that creates sufficient volume for powerful bass tones, while a specially developed body-focused sound membrane serves as backrest and further augment the lower frequencies – creating the feeling of a live performance. The open design ensures a resonance-receptive, well-balanced sound environment. Background noises will not disrupt the enjoyment of music or an audio book in the sonic chair. The active and passive sound insulation creates an acoustic island.

6. Elegance: Designed to release stress from day to day life, the unique concept of Elegance is launched in UK market by British Bathroom Centre. The Energy cocoon Elegance is an innovative product offering bubble bath, steam and infrared sauna - all in one product. It offers also aroma- and chromo therapy. Elegance has the American Award for Design Excellence; this award is given annually by Design Journal magazine for superior product design of furnishings marketed to the architectural and design trade. The ADEX award is one of the most coveted design awards in the industry.

7. The EnergyPod by MetroNaps: The second ultimate napping environment. A self-contained productivity device that is a scientifically proven to quickly and effectively enhance your energy and increases productivity, providing the ultimate napping environment at work or anywhere. Website: www.metronaps.uk.com

8. Bubinga: Bubinga produce British designed chairs using a mix of modern and traditional materials. They will be featuring two chairs at GDL:
a. THE RETRO LOUNGER: A low-slung compact armchair, the retro retains clean modern lines and is finished in bright eye catching colours. Available in as a single or double seater, the retro is a great space and money saving alternative to the sofa for modern living rooms. As always the Retro follows the Bubinga philosophy of comfort as well as looks. The Retro loungers will be featured in the Models House in Britain’s Next Top Model 5 on Living TV.
b. THE GYRO LOUNGER: Inspired by an original NASA idea mixed with Orthonomic design. The result is a zero gravity lounger. Zero gravity technology will create the sensation of weightlessness, which provides you with the most comfortably relaxing and supportive seating experience. Blood circulation also improves with your legs supported above your heart level in the zero gravity position.

9. CVO Fireplaces: Fireplace specialists, CVO Fire, will launch their new Geometrix™ range of fires at this year’s Grand Designs Live in London. CVO, based in County Durham, has used its North East-based design and engineering expertise to come up with the new range which includes the Cube, the Rectangle and the Globe.
In addition, CVO will also launch its Fire Wave at Grand Designs Live which uses trademark CVO Ribbon burner technology to create a sleek focal point within a room.

10. Consider and outdoor room: It’s a place of escape or solitude- that extra summer room, or play area for the kids, or even work if you choose to make it a home office. However you use your outdoor room, it’s sure to add value to your home. Nowadays, designs are much more than a glorified shed, with heat, power and running water there are a host of new build designs that are eco friendly, and sit in harmony with the surrounding environment. Some will not even require planning permission so they can be put up quickly and efficiently if you go for a prefabricated design. There are a huge number of examples of simple, eco homes, from Potton, ECO-Hab, Cloud 9at this year’s show.

With hundreds of products on offer to suit all styles and budgets, there's guaranteed to be something for everyone at this year’s Grand Designs Live, London from 25th April-4th May, 2009.

Grand Designs Live, London is the UK’s The No.1 consumer show for design, innovation and inspiration for your home.

Based on the hugely successful Channel 4 TV series – presented by design guru Kevin McCloud – Grand Designs Live brings together over 500 exhibitors and six separate shows from Interiors, Building, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Gardens and our awe-inspiring Grand Village, offering visitors the chance to see the latest in design, self build, and sustainable living - all under one roof. Each section is full of the UK’s biggest and best brands and offers you a range of features and advice from leading experts to assist you with every aspect of your home.

To book your tickets and save £5 visit www.granddesignslive.com or call the 24 hour box office on 0871 230 5577 + Kids go free.