2012 has been a year of great motoring moments

STRANGER things, I guess, have happened, but I’ll share it with you anyway. As the clocks chime midnight and drunks everywhere usher in a New Year, the most popular Life On Cars piece of 2012 was about the Raleigh Chopper. Which isn’t a car at all.

Still, there were plenty of proper motoring moments – you know, ones involving cars – which I’ve enjoyed over the past 12 months. Here’s ten of my favourites:

1) Doing an advanced driving lesson... in a Lotus Evora S 

2012 marked the year when I took the plunge with the Institute of Advanced Motorists and did their advanced driving course (thoroughly recommended, by the way). I did all of the lessons in my Mazda MX-5 – which was fun in itself – except for the one week when I had a supercharged Lotus Evora S at my disposal. There are probably more sensible choices for what’s basically a driving lesson than a mid-engined supercar, but I used it anyway. Big fun...

2) Setting a blisteringly fast lap time in a Wigan cotton mill 

Literally, as the sharp pain in my hands – shot to bits from fighting furiously with a tiny steering wheel – proved for hours afterwards, but a karting race organised a birthday treat for Yours Truly was well worth it. If you’ve ever fancied flinging a go-kart around a two-storey track crafted from an old cotton mill, give Elite Karting in Wigan a bell. Then again, the three seconds my mate shaved off every lap over mine meant he lapped me twice in our 40 minute race. He still hasn’t let me live that down...

3) Driving a Rover which refuses to give up 

The MGB GT and the MX-5 are undoubtedly the glamour models of the Life On Cars fleet, but when the going gets tough it was always the ancient Rover 214 that’d be called upon – and it delivered, time after time, without a whisper of complaint. In February, it drifted its way across a Cumbrian snowdrift which had defeated a much newer BMW 1-Series, a MINI and a SEAT Leon. Then it sailed right the way across the country to deliver two people and a week’s worth of camping gear safely in Norfolk, and got back again, without a hiccup, and only last month it freed a far heavier Mondeo Estate from a muddy campsite. Not bad for a car costing £300. Rover and Honda engineers of the late Eighties... I salute you!

4) Pitting sports cars against hot hatches in Mid Wales 

We took four performance hits to the utterly wonderful A44 and found four very different ways to get your motoring kicks. Given the choice between a Volkswagen Polo G40 (ultra rare hot hatch from the people who brought you the Golf GTI, with added supercharger whine), a Rover Metro GTi (affordable, rev-happy and goes like stink), a Mazda MX-5 (slowest of the bunch but the only one with rear-drive and the option of driving al fresco) or a Ford Racing Puma (pretty, rare, quick and controversial – see number nine) which would you pick?

5) Going back in time 

Obviously not literally but on the few occasions when I brought the MGB GT to the right road, on the right day, it really was like driving in a simpler bygone age. This heady blend of high-octane petrol, 20w50 oil and Rostyle wheels - which proved a big hit at this year’s Ormskirk MotorFest – provided a nostalgic treat, which is best expressed in moody, monochrome pictorial form. Like the shot you see above.

6) Discovering that you don’t need four wheels to make a great car 

 A couple of people have already asked me how a three-wheeled car with a 1920s body, skinny tyres, a motorbike engine bolted to the front and an absence of any doors, windscreen, windows or roof can possibly be good enough to be named as the best thing I’ve driven in a year that’s produced such hits as the Toyota GT-86. But it just is. Take a Morgan Threewheeler out for a blast down on a country lane on a sunny day – in fact any day, come to think of it – and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

7) Capturing the moment at the Ormskirk MotorFest

The special online magazines made by Life On Cars are, by and large, quite well received (which, given it was only ever meant to be a one-off originally, is a good thing). The edition I wrote with the cooperation of the Ormskirk MotorFest organisers, however, went a bit further than that, being read not by a few dozen or even hundred people, but by thousands of people. I just hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I did researching, writing and producing the thing!

8) Driving Britain’s best roads... in an MX-5 

 The Buttertubs Pass is great in any car but when you’re in something as delicately balanced as an MX-5 it feels a little bit extra special (although the bright evening sunlight didn’t help). But even that wonderful moment couldn’t top the occasion when what seemed like a farm track in the middle of nowhere eventually brought us out onto the road between Pentrefoelas and Ffestiniog, which is one of the most spectacular bits of tarmac I’ve ever encountered. To have discovered it any car would’ve been fun but it was even better being behind the wheel of a great little sports car.

9) Discussing whether the Ford Racing Puma deserves its classic-in-waiting status 

Just one of the many pub arguments I’ve had with the small-but-dedicated group of petrolheads who hold Life On Cars’ automotive assertions to account. Other topics to get The Farmers’ Arms treatment include whether or not off-roaders are stupid and pointless, whether a Toyota GT-86 is better than a top-of-the-range MX-5 and if in cash-strapped 2012 MPG was more important than MPH. For these endless hours of entertaining discussion, I thank this small group of people who know who they are.

10) Raising £126 for charidee

Finally, there was the night when Life On Cars and the region’s petrolheads came together to help support a very good cause by taking part in a pub quiz with a difference – all the questions were motoring-related. Even though there was a broken sound system, a very drunk Nigel Mansell fan and a slight mistake in a motorbike question to deal with, the night still managed to raise £126 for the National Autistic Society. You never know, there might even be another one in 2013...

Make no mistake, 2012’s been a great year for motoring moments and Life On Cars will continue giving you a petrolhead perspective throughout 2013. Happy New Year!

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My brilliant idea to get Britain's electric cars back on track

I MIGHT have had a few too many festive tipples when I cracked Britain's electric car conumdrum.


Vehicles which run on volts alone are a jolly good idea but for a few drawbacks which stop them from being practical everyday machines for the moment; they are, for starters, quite expensive, especially when you consider for the price of being an eco activist in a Nissan LEAF you could've got yourself a Range Rover Evoque. Not that I'd mind the price, however, if I could use an electric car to get somewhere meaningful, which - I'm sorry, electric car purveyors of Britain - you can't.

Anyone who read Autocar's hilarious piece on the issue last week will have learned the Leaf can only do Liverpool to London slightly quicker than a horse and carriage can, thanks to the former's insistence on lengthy charge ups every 90 miles or. All this when a certain other electric vehicle, championed by Richard Branson, can do the trip in a shade over two hours.

That's when it hit me - I know what we need to do to make electric cars in this country at least vaguely viable for people who do long distances. What we need, I realised as I saw the potential through the bottom of a pint glass, is to bring MotoRail back.

Bear with me on this one. The idea is you get in your ‘leccy car, drive it to your nearest big train station - which, if you live in the area covered by the Champion, is either Preston or Liverpool Lime Street - and park it on the carriages of a MotoRail train resurrected from the British Rail history books. Said rail carriages have been specially adapted so they've got electric car charging points on them, meaning you can let the train chug its way across the country while your LEAF/Twizy/whatever restocks its batteries. A few gearchange-free hours and a cup of coffee you later you unload your car in Aberdeen, which is fully charged and at your destination three times faster than it would've taken by road alone. Result!

Obviously, such an idea will involve a lot of George Osborne's money and a lot of logistical hard work - in this instance, the work involved in reinstating Britain's entire MotoRail network, from Penzance to Fort William, and equipping it for the electric car age. But it's got to better than Top Gear's solution (running electrified chicken wire, dodgem car style, over the every motorway and trunk road in the country) and Autocar's offering (allowing the slower pace of electric cars to usher in a more genteel motoring age of slow progress and stopping at every other roadside in, an idea already tried not entirely successfully in the 1920s). What we want is MotoRail back. Go on, you know it makes sense!

Normal Life On Cars service will resume next week, now the Christmas break is out of the way and the hangover's cleared up.

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Get set for a year of great motoring events in 2013

A SUMMER of motoring fun is just a few months away, if the list of exciting events across the north west and further afield is anything to go by.

Fans of classic cars and bikes will be spoilt for choice when a host of events get underway, with draws including the Ormskirk MotorFest - now in its third year - on August 25, the Lydiate Classic Car Show on July 7, and the Bank Hall show in Bretherton on July 28 among others.

It's also hoped that the Woodvale Rally, a longstanding favourite with car and bike fans, will return to its traditional home at RAF Woodvale for 2013, after concerns about asbestos at the site prompted a change of venue to Victoria Park last year. The show's organisers are still awaiting confirmation, but the event is provisionally set for the weekend of August 3 and 4 so keep an eye on their website at www.woodvalerally.com for any further announcements.

A little further afield there's the return of the North West Indoor Classic Car Show, after the inaugural event proved to be one of last year's surprise hits. This year's show takes place at EventCity in Manchester - a stone's throw from The Trafford Centre - so make sure you've got the weekend of April 6 and 7 in your diary.

A couple of other big draws to make a note of are the Classic Car Spectacular, due to take place over the first weekend of June at Tatton Park in Cheshire, the Classic, Vintage and Sports Car Show at the same venue on August 17 and 18, the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power between June 14 and 16, the Gold Cup at the Oulton Park race circuit over the August Bank Holiday. There's also word that CarFest - a motoring event organised by Radio 2 DJ and Ferrari nut Chris Evans - will get the green light for a 2013 event, so while there's no official dates yet don't bet against it being hosted at some point in August or September.

There's also - if you're prepared to hop in the car and venture even further - all manner of national events being held at Goodwood, the NEC, Beaulieu, Silverstone and Santa Pod to name just a few, but even if you can't it looks set to be a vintage year for automotive outings.

If you're organising a motoring event or show why not share it with Life On Cars? Get in touch with David Simister, our motoring correspondent, by sending an email to david.simister@hotmail.co.uk or leave a comment below.

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End Of The Year Furniture and Seating Specials You Don't Want To Miss

By now most folks are wrapping up their year spending time with family and friends. However, for those still at work trying to spend that last bit of budget, these awesome furniture and seating specials are a great way to start. From affordable desking configurations to the latest mesh seating solutions, these end of year deals will help you save and improve your office decor.

Looking for a hot new office chair to keep you comfortable and efficient in the workplace? The Mayline Commute chair is the solution for you! This high quality mesh back chair offers some of the most up to date ergo features along with a stunning modern design that's sure to impress. Several models are available and a variety of upholstery options to meet your individual taste. Overall, this chair is a real winner!

So that old desking configuration is no longer getting the job done. Not to worry, the price on this modern desk set by Cherryman Industries is sure to sway your superiors into picking up the tab with that last bit of of the 2012 budget. The VL-748 configuration is available with a left and right return. This stylish unit is available in two attractive finishes and includes free nationwide shipping. Enjoy!

Ergonomic office accessories keep you working efficiently. They are a staple of the modern workplace and no product is more useful in active work environments than the dual screen monitor arm. Units like this popular model from ESI offer users the ability to create more usable desk space while effectively working with multiple documents or websites at the same time. Monitor arms offer an incredible amount of benefits and also provide a high tech look in the office.

Every once in a awhile an executive desk configuration comes around that has a certain WOW factor. The new Mayline e5 furniture collection offers a wide variety of these units but perhaps none more than this custom modern office desk set with modern style. The luxury look and high end features of this easy to spec furniture solution make it a real winner in the workplace. It's easy to picture this stunning Mayline furniture package in a high rise, contemporary business, or high tech workspace.

Last but not least, this stylish glass drafting table by Studio Designs is a must see and must buy piece of home or business art furniture. The 10060 Avanta table features a tempered glass work surface, modern design, and excellent adjustment capabilities. Artists, interior designers, and architects alike will love these affordable drafting tables.

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Happy Christmas from Life On Cars

AS a special Christmas treat for everyone who enjoys Life On Cars and its coverage of motoring news, reviews and events I'm happy to share this, a magazine looking back at some of the automotive highlights of 2012.

Not only is it the moment when I finally get to announce what my favourite car of 2012 is but it's also a chance to look back at some of the best bits of a cracking year for car enthusiasts, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've agonised over which events and cars deserve a second look in the 20 pages of this rather special edition of the magazine.

If you're bored of your presents already or you've had a little too much wine and turkey, then sit back and enjoy this Car of the Year edition of the Life On Cars Magazine.

Merry Christmas!

Open publication - Free publishing - More autos

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Video: Porsche 911 Carrera 4S

 

IT’S two days before Christmas and with it being cold, wet and slippery out there the conditions aren’t exactly ideal for the sort of driving petrolheads enjoy. Or are they?

For decades keen drivers have known that a fast car is more likely to cope with wet, slippery conditions if the power’s going to all four wheels – so the power’s distributed more evenly, more of the time – and for more than 20 years one of the fastest  four wheel drivers on the market’s been the Carrera 4 version of Porsche’s evergreen 911.

If you’re the sort of person who likes their sports car to come with a little added reassurance when the going gets slippy then you’ll probably like this latest video from Porsche, which helps you get a grip – pun intended – on the history of the Carrera 4 system and how it’s evolved from the Paris Dakar Rally-winning 959 supercar to the latest 991 Carrera 4S.

Now all I need is to get the right Euromillions numbers. Fingers crossed...

 

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5 Unique Lounge Chairs Under $300

The use of professional lounge chairs in lobbies, reception, and waiting room spaces is growing in popularity daily. Less and less are companies opting for traditional gang seating solutions. Offering visitors a home like atmosphere promotes a welcoming environment that keeps them comfortable and happy. After all, first impressions of your business are typically formed from a visual perspective of the first place seen. This article highlights 5 stylish lounge chairs priced under $300. The solutions found here are sure to keep your space up to date and within budget!

Solution 1: The Barrel Lounge Chair

First on the list of chairs is this black leather barrel lounge chair. The unique barrel shape is where this product gets it's name. While this solution is available in a variety of colors, black was chosen as it's the most commonly used leather option in business. This affordable chair is priced at $169.99. The simplistic and contemporary features of this chair include slanted arms as well as a sculpted seat and back. Overall, an excellent value and perfect addition to nearly any visitor area.

Solution 2: The Armless Lounge Chair

The Mystic lounge chair by Lesro Industries offers the perfect combination of functionality and style. The steel frame and modern shape of this awesome product make it a real winner. A versatile solution for any space, Mystic lounge furniture offers a variety of matching tables and seating solutions to compliment your chair of choice. This model offers a budget friendly price tag of $190.99 and is available in a wide variety of upholstery options.

Solution 3: The Modern Lounge Chair

Enough can not be said about the popularity of modern lounge chairs. Solutions like this Uno Lounge Chair by OFM, Inc. are a big reason for the boom. This affordable product is available in a variety of two tone color options to meet the specific decor needs of any business environment. The 420 model boasts a stylish chrome frame and separated seat and back design to avoid collecting crumbs and debris often accumulated from younger guests. The flexible back, fire retardant seat foam, and round tube frame are all a bonus considering the everyday low price.

Style 4: The Stand Out Lounge Chair

When it comes to modern lounge furniture, Flash Furniture products are widely considered the leader. This affordable office seating manufacturer offers an incredible collection of exclusive styles guaranteed to impress. The model features a stand out red leather upholstery that's sure to bring unique appeal to your upscale lounge area. Priced at $249.99, this contemporary solution features a taut seat and back along with modern silver legs that add to the commercial appeal.

Solution 5: The Unique Lounge Chair

Last but not least, the Smart series chair. Unique in every way this square bucket style chair is a guaranteed way to make your space one of a kind. The originality of this chair is surprisingly refreshing and the comfort is simply unmatched. You will want to sit in this chair for hours! With a sell price of $259.99, it's hard not to love this contemporary office furniture solution.

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Is this the best looking saloon on sale today?

IN THE classic gangster film Get Carter, the villains drove a Jag MK2. In The Long Good Friday, the vehicle of choice was an XJ6.

This automotive star of this year's gangster film - The Sweeney - was a Jaguar XF. Having clocked one parked up in a Southport side street today, it's not hard to see why.

I've already driven the 2.2 diesel version of the Brit saloon and can tell you that from a driver's perspective it's excellent; one of the best new cars I've tried this year, in fact. But what I could see from the Stratus Grey example I saw, with its understated alloys and meshed grille, was that it looked the part too. In cinematic terms, it's exactly the sort of quietly menacing motor an assasin would drive.

Until this year I would've argued the best looking Jag is in fact the big XJ - there's something about the challenging styling, which stands out next to all the other luxobarges, that I love - but now I reckon the smaller XF's caught up with it. After being wowed by the stunning C-XF concept car of all those years ago, I know I wasn't the only one to be a bit dissapointed with the production version that followed - far too much in the way of gloopy headlights and not enough in the way of visual treats.

The facelifted version, though? That really is a treat for the eyes.

In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's the best looking saloon on sale today. Better than a Maserati Quattroporte or a Merc CLS? I'd reckon so...

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Fiat 500: The brilliant small car I completely forgot about

WORD reaches me from north of the border that my sister’s looking to treat herself to a festive gift of the four-wheeled variety

.

It’s a straightforward enough challenge; she’s looking for something small, good looking, reliable and easy to run, for around the four grand mark. Not that she’s going to take any advice off her car nut brother – it’s Life On Cars tradition that whenever someone actually asks me for advice on cars, they listen dutifully to whatever considered opinion I can come up with, pause reflectively for a moment, and then ignore it and buy the car they had their heart set on anyway. This explains why so many people I know own a Vauxhall Corsa.

Then again, my suggestions were slightly more sensible than my sister’s other half’s, who being even more of a petrolhead than I am pointed me in the direction of a Lancia Beta Spider (Google it) which could be under your Christmas tree for just £1,650. A beautiful Italian roadster which would be fine for a classic car bore like me, but hardly the sort of thing you’d rely on to get you in and out of Glasgow on a daily basis!

Trying to keep things as sensible as possible, I went for the original Ford Ka, Toyota’s Aygo, the Citroen C1 and – whisper it softly – the new MINI, with the Peugeot 106 GTi as the wildcard I secretly hoped my sister would go for.  All of which are reliable enough to survive life tooling around a city centre for days on end, small enough to squeeze into even the tightest parking spaces and – most importantly for my sister, someone who’s far more stylish than I am – blessed with the sort of chic and sense of fun that, say, a Nissan Micra just isn’t.

I was quietly pleased with my carefully selected shortlist, right up until the point when my sister mentioned the one small car I’d forgotten about; the Fiat 500. Her argument is that it’s far cuter than just about any other small car on the second-hand market (as long as it’s bought in the right colour), it’s got perfectly good underpinnings (which is true, given it’s a former European Car of the Year), and there’s enough of them around for her to pick up a decent one. For what it’s worth, I think the mechanically identical Panda is the better small Fiat, but for what my sister wants the 500’s perfect. I’m just annoyed I didn’t think of it earlier.

To be fair, I agree with her. If you can think of a better suggestion, feel free to send them in to the usual Champion address. Although – in true Life On Cars tradition – she’ll only ignore it anyway. Merry Christmas.

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Fire up the... Volvo V40

HERE'S a great petrolhead question to occupy an idle moment or two. What's the first car you ever travelled in?

For most people, it's whatever of chariot of choice is used to convey mother and baby back from the hospital, and even though my dad owned a Range Rover on that fateful day in March, 1986, it didn't fire up its V8 in anger that day. So my first ever automotive outing was in - drumroll please - a Volvo 340.

More than a quarter of a century later I've been promoted from back to front seat in the latest in a long line of Swedish family hatchbacks - Volvo's V40, which is about as far from its square-rigged ancestor as you can possibly imagine. In fact, if anything it looks like a Ford Focus with Scandinavian trimmings, which is apt because you if peel away that swoopy exterior that's near enough what it is. Which is no bad thing.

I've already written in these pages that the Focus is a fine family car contender, but the Volvo offers a similarly sized package with a more mature vibe, with the emphasis on style and quality. Perhaps £27,000 for the 1.6 diesel D2 version I tested is asking a little too much, but hunt a little further down the pecking order and you're getting something which looks and feels like a premium offering but also offers value for your money.

It's a given that it capitalises on Volvo's reputation for safety, coming not only with the practically compulsory five star rating from the gurus at Euro NCAP but a string of accident-conscious acronyms thrown in as standard too, but the great thing with the V40 is that the interior's one of the most stylish I've ever come across. The floating centre console, in particular, is a thing of beauty.

In fact, my only real gripe is that it's traded comfort for fun once you get behind the wheel - it handles as sweetly as its American cousin, but it'd much rather you settle down and relax than have a bit of fun. If you're looking for a car with the bunker-like qualities of the Golf but with a bit more style and vigour you're going to love the V40, but yoofs like me, if I'm being honest, will prefer the cheaper, cheerier Focus. The V40 hits the target for Volvo lovers, but not for me.

Perhaps, despite 26 years and my best efforts, I haven't grown up enough for this voluptuous Volvo.

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Lobby Furniture Configurations with Style

Inspiring furniture can be seen in a variety of places. Schools, modern buildings, museums, and health care facilities are among the top locations. The one space these places have in common is the lobby. Lobby furniture with style sets a professional tone for any facility. A well designed and inspired layout shows class and elegance. This article highlights a variety of stunning lobbies designed to impress visitors while boasting efficient and well thought our designs.

Lobby 1: The Modern Lounger

The first lobby up features modern style that's hard to miss. This area incorporates a wide variety of modern accent furniture along with Mayline Santa Cruz tablet chair solutions in a stunning cream leather. As with most spaces, the lighting sets the tone! The beautiful standing lamp shown in the left corner catches the eye and effectively promotes the mood desired by the client. Overall this space gets an A+ on grade scale.

Lobby 2: Naturally lit

Sticking with the modern theme, lobby two boasts a contemporary sofa and lounge chairs from the Global Total Office Wind collection. This upholstered seating solution features metal legs that add to an industrial look popular in commercial lobby areas. The natural light and well thought out seating layout compliment each other perfectly. As an added touch, a matching Wind coffee table accompanies the room without over stating the simplicity of the atmosphere.

Lobby 3: Home Sweet Home

The Mayline furniture offered in this configuration offers a warming feel that is quite welcoming. Spaces with a traditional style of this nature are often popular for those in search of a homey atmosphere. To compliment the space, wood floors, accent tables, and wall art was used perfectly. The added touch of a potted plant offers a lively characteristic that pulls the whole space together. The wall colors chosen are also a highlight. It's easy to see the time and care taken to provide guests with a comfortable and professional waiting environment.

Lobby 4: Visitors Welcome

Lobby configuration 4 is designed to meet the needs of a business looking to accommodate a large amount of visitors. Utilizing an effective layout of gangable guest chairs, this client has effectively designed an efficient space with stunning style. The curved reception desk solution adds to the modern look while the reception tables and area rug compliment the dark wood floors. Again we see the proper use of natural lighting which saves on power and adds to the welcoming feel.

Lobby 5: Modular Flair

For those in search of versatility, OFM Uno seating solutions are the way to go. This modular furniture collection boasts a variety of contemporary sofas and tables designed for the ever change needs of modern businesses. Uno seating is available in a variety of two tone color options that really draw in guests. Featuring this product in your lobby will get you an abundance of compliments for certain. Accompanying the reception seating is a variety of wedge table and magazine table models from the OFM Profile series. These well designed and incredibly modern office tables are also available in a variety of color options to meet the needs of your decor. The tile floors and welcoming table pictured behind the chairs complete the look. As a favorite amongst interior designers, this lobby setup is nothing short of amazing.

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Fantastic car, awful weather

IT’S not often I get an entire afternoon to reacquaint myself with an old car. Even when the afternoon’s as wet and unwelcoming as this one’s been.

The old car in question is one you’ll be familiar with if you read these pages regularly; my 1972 MGB GT , which despite being one of my most treasured possessions hasn’t done any meaningful driving since its appearance at the Ormskirk MotorFest back in August. With the weather turning increasingly cold and miserable, the tougher driving tasks have been assigned to the MX-5.

Until now.

I would’ve loved to point the MG’s nose onto the motorway and go hunting for the hills of the Lakes or North Wales but with just a few hours of meaningful daylight I play with I went to a place surprisingly few motorists outside the Sefton/West Lancashire area know about. The shots you see here are taken on Cleaves Hill, which is a stone’s throw from Aughton. Normally, it affords some great views across to Liverpool and even to the Welsh coast, but today just about the most it could do were these moody countryside shots of the MG.

The weather was cold and miserable, the amount of water involved was playing havoc with the GT’s indicator relay and the light was fading fast, but I absolutely loved my afternoon with it. It’s a proper sports car in the old fashioned sense; heavy, noisy and not especially easy to drive, but tinged with a romance and a nostalgia which make its sound, handling and style ever more enjoyable.

I just can’t wait for it to be summer again, so I can enjoy it properly.

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Designing A Professional Reception Space in 3 Easy Steps

The reception area is an important part of any business. This area typically gives visitors there first impression of your establishment and a professional look always helps. This article will highlight three simple steps that will have you're waiting area professionally designed with ease. By identifying the needs of your space, and finding quality products within budget, you to can be the office hero by creating an area to be proud of.

Step 1: The Reception Desk

With any furniture purchase the first step should always be to measure. Creating a detailed floor plan will minimize headaches down the road. That being said, the first step in creating your space should be locating affordable reception desks. The main piece of furniture in any waiting, reception, and lounge type are is the reception desk and that's why it should be first on your list. It sets the tone for your business atmosphere. Quality manufacturers like Mayline furniture, Cherryman Industries, and OFM, Inc. provide a host of viable solutions to meet the needs of any decor and space. Popular styles include rectangular, L Shaped, and curved reception desk solutions. Once you've identified the a desk within the required dimensions of your space, with the style you love, add it to your cart and continue on to step two.

Here are some popular solutions to consider when shopping for reception desks online.

Napoli Reception Station

Marque Reception Desk

Aberdeen Reception Desk

Step 2: The Reception Seating

Step two in our journey to the perfect reception space is the seating. Identifying the style of reception seating to meet your needs requires a bit of research. The good news is, the research involves shopping so it's actually kind of fun! Several styles of seating are available for visitor areas. Modern products like beam seating are popular in upscale spaces with contemporary style. Lounge furniture like sofas, love seats, and recliners are commonly used in areas built to accompany less visitors and provide a more homey atmosphere. Wood guest chairs are a typical choice for law offices and areas with a distinguished presence. Regardless of your choice, shopping around is always recommended. Find seating that will compliment your chosen desk and most importantly fit within the dimensions of your space.

Here are some commonly used reception seating styles.

Beam Seating

Lounge Furniture Sets

Wood Guest Chairs

Step 3: Accessorize

By accessorizing your reception space you will create an efficient and professional space that welcomes guests and keeps them comfortable. Products like reception tables provide the perfect place for your guests to set their drinks, laptop, magazine, and other items while waiting. They also promote the style of your space. Items like magazine racks and literature organizers keep pamphlets well displayed and provide additional visual aids to your area. Utilizing lamps and plants is another great way to accessorize. Lamps will help to save on power when compared to large overhead fluorescents. Plants will bring your space to life and offer a vibrant, calming tone. Regardless of the accessories you choose,  remembering the small details always makes the difference between a good space and a great one.

Here are some popular reception area accessories to consider.

Reception Tables

Literature Organizers

Bookcases

Hopefully you have found these three simple steps of value. Creating a space to be proud of can be simple if you do your research, measure properly, and stay within budget. Working with an interior design team might be a solution to consider along with a professional office furniture distribution firm. Review products online to find the best quality. Request coupons or bulk discounts from reception furniture companies for added savings, and always give a quick phone call to your manufacturer of choice. You'll be surprised by the knowledge and awesome products suggestions they will be able to inspire you with. Most importantly have fun and enjoy the process!

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Get ready for Christmas with our Car of the Year magazine

IT'S nearly that time of year again. Yep, the bit when a special festive edition of the Life On Cars magazine arrives.

As usual, it's a bit of a rundown of some of the best bits of 2012, including the not-at-all-prestigious announcement of what the best car Life On Cars has driven over the past few months is.

There have been dozens of great new cars this year, but to be in with a chance of being named Car of The Year it'll have to be at least as good as the current Ford Fiesta, the Honda CR-Z and the Citroen DS3 Racing (the winners in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively). Even though I can only show you the cover at the moment, so far the signs are looking very good.

You can also catch up on all the old magazines - including the 2010 and 2011 Christmas specials and the current edition - by visiting the Magazines section of this blog.

The new edition will be in ready in time for Christmas...

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Furniture Trends: Glass Office Furniture is Hot!

In today's world it's all about the cutting edge. When it comes to office furniture, three words best describe the trending style... modern, modern, modern! Everyone is in love with latest and greatest furniture collections for both home and business needs. That being said, the latest and greatest includes a variety of glass accented desking that really pops!

Glass office products show class and style in the workplace and have grown in popularity over the last few years. Calico Designs caught this trend and just the right time. As a relative newcomer to the industry, Calico hit the ground running. Their innovative computer workstations have been a huge hit. One reason for the boom in popularity is the glass. Consumers love the modern look of Calico stations like the Jameson desk. Configurations like the Jameson are perfect for both home and executive office applications. The tempered glass surfaces and corner friendly shape make them extremely versatile. The affordability of glass when compared to wood veneer furniture is often striking. Glass can accented furniture can be significantly less expensive and therefore a better value. Units like the Jameson Workcenter are only $225.99!

A favorite amongst industry professionals over the last 3 years, Cherryman Industries Verde furniture has been hard to keep in stock. This white glass accented casegoods collection includes a huge selection of modern conference tables, executive desks, and reception stations to meet the needs of any upscale business. This affordable laminate office furniture series is available in two coffee inspired finishes including latte and espresso. Verde desk set solutions like the VL-707N are designed for luxury office environments where budget and style are important. The white glass hutch doors, and shiny metal desk legs really provide a spark of interest by any visitor lucky enough to grace the space. Verde conference table models like the VL-741 feature glass leg panels and boat shaped surfaces. The contemporary style is hard to miss and for that reason, Verde is one of the best selling office lines in 2012.

So you like glass accented furniture but still want to keep a traditional look in your workspace. No problem! Mayline furniture collections like the Aberdeen series feature subtle glass accents on hutch doors while maintaining a traditional appeal. The Mayline Napoli collection offers a nice blend of modern style with traditional charm. This collection of executive workstations offers a choice of three wood veneer finishes and a variety of small reception desks with glass transaction counters. Napoli is truly stunning and garners respect in any workspace. For the budget conscious, Mayline Brighton furniture is a line of laminate casegoods designed for professional businesses not interested in sacrificing quality. For that reason, Brighton appears to almost everyone!

In the long run, glass office furniture is a style gaining momentum for years. It looks like this trend has no end in sight. Utilizing glass is an excellent way to make a professional statement while staying within the confines of even the strictest budget restraints. Collections like Verde and Napoli are perfect for the contemporary minded while Aberdeen and Jameson products work offer a nice combination of both traditional and modern decor needs. By working with a designer or professional furniture consultant, a well thought out and efficient workspace is never out of reach.

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Fire up the... Citroen DS5

IN the unlikely event I get asked to design a luxury car, the Citroen DS5 is probably not too far off what I'd come up with.

Surely what you want in a plushly trimmed motor is plenty of space, some clever gadgets, a comfy ride, and an interior which, while clearly cosseting, shows where a bit of thought's gone into it? Unfortunately, sales of luxury cars suggest you want sportiness and a blue-chip image instead. The best selling luxury car for this sort of outlay is BMW's 3-Series.

So what do you get if you're a middle management type and you plump for Paris over Munich, or Ingolstadt or Stuttgart for that matter? Well, you get the world's first diesel-hybrid system, and a clever one it is too; while a turbodiesel, in the case of the range-topper I tested one with 2.0 litres and 163bhp at its disposal, struts its stuff at the front end, an electric motor offers a helping hand by sending some eco-friendly oomph to the back wheels. Not only does it offer you the benefits of four wheel drive at this time of year, but it keeps things eco-friendly and, as far as the taxman's concerned, cheap to run too.

Yet what really grabs you with the DS5 is the interior. Fans of the smaller, strikingly good DS3 will find themselves in familiar territory, with the same attention to detail with the materials and use of colour but with the added flair of buttons in the roof, Boeing 747-style. It's also far roomier than any of its immediate executive car rivals, thanks to Citroen shunning the saloon norm and going for a sleek hatchback instead.

Admittedly, it's not got the same grin factor to its handling as the smaller DS3 but that's not what this luxury lounger's about - if you do a lot of motorway work and value comfort over thrills, I'd struggle to find another premium offering that does the job as comfortably.

Hand on heart, I couldn't recommend the range-topping DSport versions - not when it's straying close to Jag XF territory - but the mid-range DStyle, which Citroen reckon are going to be the biggest sellers, have got a lot going for them.

As published in The Champion on December 6, 2012

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