Jen Bernard<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe are proud to work with a number of retirement villages and care home developers across the UK, each providing the very highest quality of accommodation and facilities for older people,\u201d says founder and managing director\u00a0Jen Bernard<\/b>.<\/p>\n Q: How does your interior design approach vary according to each project you undertake?<\/em><\/p>\n Jen Bernard: Our experience over 12 years involves developing a unique brand identity for each retirement village or care home developer and operator we engage with, tailoring the interior design for each client as part of their individual brand.<\/p>\n The brand identity reflects their ethos and values, positioning them with their prospective residents and owners.<\/p>\n Q: How do you ensure that the interiors you create meet the requirements of future residents and owners?<\/em><\/p>\n Jen Bernard: First, we look at current retirement or care provision in the area and ensure that we create something really unique.<\/p>\n We then research local history, industries and the environment to see what potential residents would be familiar with and how this could feature in the design.<\/p>\n We think about how we can make environments happy and comfortable as well as a fulfilling part of a life journey for residents and owners.<\/p>\n For staff, we consider creating conditions in which they can provide great care safely, designed to streamline routine tasks.<\/p>\n As the design progresses, we continue to discuss with our client how the development will be marketed on completion.<\/p>\n Q: You also specialise in restoring historic buildings and the recent impressive Victorian Gothic mansion at the heart of the Audley Cooper\u2019s Hill luxury retirement village in Surrey is stunning \u2013 tell us more about your design inspiration for this project?<\/em><\/p>\n Jen Bernard: Cooper\u2019s Hill House, situated in the impressive Magna Carta Park, now houses the Audley Club.<\/p>\n Facilities include a health spa with swimming pool, gym, salon, lounge and library.<\/p>\n The design combines the best in hotel, residential and healthcare to create a timeless and elegant environment for owners and visitors to enjoy the health and wellbeing facilities offered.<\/p>\n Cooper\u2019s Hill House<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The interior is rich and dramatic \u2013 there are nods to the maximalism design trend \u2013 eclectic, grand and fun \u2013 the style where \u2018more is more\u2019.<\/p>\n This style works perfectly with the Victorian Gothic architecture.\u00a0The rich and regal colour palette used throughout reflects the historical period surrounding the Magna Carta \u2013 most notably in the entrance and bar bistro.<\/p>\n It’s important to understand the context of the building, its history and uniqueness.<\/p>\n Our role is both to create beautiful interiors and to respect the building\u2019s heritage.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t attempt to mimic the existing style or period exactly unless that is required, we aim to provide a new layer of history to the building.<\/p>\n Q: You are clearly passionate about creating luxurious yet comfortable interiors \u2013 how do you define what you do for retirees?<\/em><\/p>\n Jen Bernard: Creating successful luxury interiors for retirement villages requires experience and knowledge.<\/p>\n In terms of aesthetics, we consider high-end residential and hotel design.<\/p>\n We also consider care and retirement sector specific regulations, requirements and research.<\/p>\n It takes a high level of innovative thinking and insight to create and deliver design-led interiors which seamlessly incorporate the practical considerations.<\/p>\n Q: How has the pandemic influenced your design work?<\/em><\/p>\n Jen Bernard: The pandemic has brought several aspects of infection control in care-home design to the fore.<\/p>\n This includes reducing physical contact, being able to isolate rooms and facilities, use of antimicrobial materials and creating space for PPE storage.<\/p>\n It has also highlighted the need to optimise safe ways for residents to connect with their families, friends and medical practitioners, either virtually or through physical screening.<\/p>\n Hadrian Healthcare \u2013 The Manor House \u2013 Harrogate \u2013 Garden cafe bar<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For example, we recently designed a Covid-19-secure visitors’ lounge at a care home for Hadrian Healthcare using integrated screens.<\/p>\n The lounge maintains the brand aesthetic of the home whilst providing a safe and comfortable environment for residents to meet with their families.<\/p>\n Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 demand for luxury retirement options and better care homes has increased and remains stronger than ever.<\/p>\n For more information visit\u00a0www.bernardinteriors.co.uk<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Telephone number\u00a0\u00a0+44 (0)1661 821 427 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