Sadly, much fire and security equipment are designed to be purely practical and therefore can be positively ugly; but they need not be! We have selected four products which clients would be happy to display.

1. Parson 'animals' video cameras; security cameras designed by young Italian designers which resemble everything from a squirrel to an owl, a parrot to a cricket. Ideally for any area of a home or perhaps museum catering for children. [See www.parson.it]

 
2. Safes are best secured within a lockable cupboard but in some cases, they can be on open display, perhaps within a dressing room for example. Several safe companies including Insafe offer a bespoke designer service which includes high shine colour options. But although they offer a full spectrum of colours, glossy black is hard to beat. Other options can include interior LED lighting, glass shelving, (although we always recommend leather or baize to prevent scratching of valuable objects) and mirror walls. Banks of automatic 'watch winders' can also be added, combining practicality with security for valuable watches. [see Insafe.com].

3. Although some smarter homes have opted for chrome fire extinguishers over the standard red, black, or blue models, rather than hiding fire extinguishers away within the designer home why not have designer designed fire extinguishers? Indian fire extinguisher manufacturer Ceasefire Industries Ltd have launched their 'Art' range with designs including, 'Hexalight', 'Kite runner', 'Kaleidoscope' & 'Rainbowland'. [see www.ceasefire.in]

4. One of the main complaints about battery operated smoke detectors is that they tend to be rather ugly. I have heard some units being described as resembling a yoghurt pot stuck on the ceiling! Pyrexx, a specialist Berlin based manufacture of battery smoke have developed their PX-1 classically elegant shallow drum shaped units to be attractive as well as practical. The units have a self-adhesive backing and incorporate lithium battery with a 12-year life; (We recommend that all battery-operated smoke detectors are replaced every ten years however). Standard white units cost between £30-£40 depending on supplier, but prices increase for the wood grain effect units or those in pastel colours. Others feature bolder primary colours around the edges. But for the really glamorous the units are available in gold, silver, black and scarlet decorated with concentric circles of Swarovski Elements costing just under £500 per unit – Fire detection was never so fashionable!