interiors monthly may 2009

C A R P E T S F U R N I T U R E R U G S B E D S L A M I N A T E U P H O L S T E R Y V I N Y L

Wood and laminateSolid growth

I SaloneThe cream of Milan

Vale BridgecraftMaking extra sales for you

May

200

9

OFC_IM_0509 1/5/09 09:17 Page OFC1

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IFC_IM_0509 1/5/09 09:14 Page IFC1

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 3

Andrew KiddEditor

Sales growth through Vale Bridgecraft’sregional showrooms is increasing steadily.Referrals are passed to bona fide stockistscarrying the required amount of floordisplay. Public interest is encouragedthrough national advertising. Tel: 01422 885 000 or visitwww.valebridgecraft.co.uk.

Interiors MonthlyEditor: Andrew KiddT: 01732 766 333 E: [email protected]

Furniture advertising (South): Tim BodenT: 01732 367 757 E: [email protected]

Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod BirdT: 01565 659 414 E: [email protected]

Carpet and flooring advertising: Joanne MillerT: 01732 766 344 E: [email protected]

Sales executive: Ben WatkinsT: 01732 367 757 E: [email protected]

Subscriptions: T: 01732 766 344 E: [email protected]

Published by Interiors Media Limited124 Pembury Road Tonbridge Kent TN9 2JJ T: 01732 367757 F: 01732 352063E: [email protected]

Registered in England no. 6397722

Printed by Headley Brothers Design by Icon Colour © Interiors Media Limited

Editor’s comment

A SIGN OF A TURN?To paraphrase the great Rikki Fulton’s Rev IM Jollycharacter: ‘What sort of month have you had?’ I get theimpression that we have reached, or are about to reach,the bottom of the recession (regardless is it is U, W or lowtick shaped). If we have’t it doesn’t seem to be gettingmuch worse – even the nation media (who many holdresponsible for making things twice as bad as they wouldhave been) seems to have called a halt to doom andgloom headlines.

Talking to a major bed supplier today, stockists tell himthat days or weeks are hugely unpredictable, with littleobvious rhyme or reason why sales vary so much. Butsales seem to be now on par with a year ago, at least forthose retailers. Its the uncertaintly that gets to them. Hetold me that stockists are ordering new products and POSto entice shoppers and his feedback on this is positive. Thepoint was also made the point that deals are being doneso both manufacturers and retailers can generate turnover,while making sure they make a profit. This applies acrossall product sectors. Make sure you are getting your share.

Further evidence of at least its not getting any worse isprovided by Carpetright’s trading update (see p6). Yes, ithas suffered a double-digit like for like sales fall but thedecline is remarkably similar to that seen in the previousquarter. That the sterling/euro exchange rate will cost it1% of gross margin, came as little surprise given thedrop in the value of sterling in the past few months.Ithas been surprising that the chain has been able topostpone the extra costs for as long as it has.

AMA has predicted a surprisingly small 6% fall in carpetsales this year (see p8), but in contrast is the bssa’s Q1figures, showing a 14% fall in furniture and softfurnishing sales. Given Easter was late and sunny, Isuspect Q2 to be have proved to be have been better.More good news is the move of Interiors Birmingham to24-27 January, meaning we can visit Hannover,Birmingham and Cologne without missing anything –unlike this year. (For more good news, Google or YouTube the Rev IM Jolly - its well worth it.)


Wood and laminateSolid growth

I SaloneThe cream of Milan

Vale BridgecraftMaking extra sales for you

May

200

9

03_IM_0509 1/5/09 13:11

West Decor UK’s brand new showroom is now open. Please contact us for more information on the products shown.

NEW FOR 2009

www.westdecoruk.comUnit A8 & A9 Eldon Way, Industrial Estate,

Eldon Way, Park Royal. London NW10 7QY

Tel: 0845 602 2467 Fax: 0208 961 2558

04_IM_0509 28/4/09 15:39

6 Carpetright sees margins slip

8 Carpet sales to fall by just 6%

10 Second attempt for Butlers

12 Vote now for the 2009 Interiors Monthly Awards winners

20 Carpet: bedroom secrets

26 Trend watch: dining

32 Beds: on the up

34 Flooring displays: the right look

38 Kitchens: flooring matters

39 Wood and laminate supplement: solid growth and leading players

50 I Salone: review

62 Dublin: review

3 Comment

5 Contents

14 New products

Contents

News

Features

Regulars

Ecommerce: what’s coming next?

Manchester Furniture Show preview

Buying groups

Worldwide Interiors Exhibitions Guide

Next issue

For every step you take...

THERE’S A CARPENTERLUXURY UNDERLAY

www.carpenter.ltd.comemail:[email protected]

tel: 01457 861141fax: 01457 853198

GIVE YOUR CARPETS THEFACTOR!WOW

StepRich

05_IM_0509 5/5/09 10:25

6 Interiors Monthly May 2009

Easyliving Furniture plans toexpand rapidly after beingbought by Chinese upholsterymanufacturer KasenInternational.

The chain has 21 branchesin the south of England andthe Midlands, but Kasenwants to take advantage of

lower store rents to quicklygrow the chain in the UK.Easyliving had sales of £11.6min the year to 30 April 2008,but lost £1.3m.

Kasen paid £1 to EmporioHoldings, Easyliving’s parent,and will take on its £10.78mof liabilities.

As well as manufacturing,Kasen has three stores inChina, one under theEasyliving Furniture brand. Itwants more Chinese storesand plans internationalexpansion. Founded in 1995,Kasen is China’s largest leatherupholstery manufacturer.

News

The weakness of sterlingagainst the euro has finallyaffected profit margins atCarpetright, although the salesdecline has stabilised.

After managing to maintaingross margins at 62.4% in thesix months up until the end ofJanuary, it has been hit byincreased costs because of theexchange rate and highermarketing spend. This will seemargins in the second half fallby 1%.

After improved sales inJanuary, trading fell back. UK

and Republic of Ireland like forlike sales dropped by 15.3% inthe quarter to 25 April. Thiscompares with a 15.9% dropin the previous quarter.

UK and Republic of Irelandtotal sales fell by 11.7% in the25 weeks to 25 April, with likefor like sales down 15.1%.

Within the UK and Republicof Ireland 15 stores openedduring the second half and 12were closed, taking the totalnumber of stores to 564,including 60 concessions.

The group has renegotiated

its banking facilities with TheRoyal Bank of Scotland. Thisgives it access to £120m untilJuly 2012, along with £25mfrom other banks. Net debt atthe year end is expected to beabout £95m.

Lord Harris, Carpetrightexecutive chairman wasoptimistic that sales wouldbegin to recover later in theyear.

He says: ‘The recent trendin mortgage approvals isimproving and we wouldexpect to begin to see this

benefit in our sales later in theyear. Our business in Europecontinues to grow andincrease market share.’

Kate Calvert, Shore CapitalStockbrokers analyst says theupdate was disappointing andher profits forecast of £20.9mcould be cut to £17m.

‘We remain confident thatCarpetright will emerge fromthis recession in a far strongerand more dominant marketposition as it continues to takemarket share and will benefitfrom industry consolidation.’

Royal approval:

The Ashley Wilde

Group has been

awarded the

Queen’s Award for

Enterprise 2009. Its

soft furnishing

brands include KAI,

Leon Brunswick

and Ashley Wilde,

while it also

produces celebrity

bedlinen brands

including Kylie

Minogue

(pictured), Twiggy,

Janet Reger, Linda

Barker and

Katie Price.

Weak pound hits Carpetright asmargins slip and spring sales fall 15%

LondonShow set for 2010

Growth plans for Easyliving

The postponed LondonFurniture Show will now takeplace from 27-29 May 2010 atExcel, London, a year after itwas originally planned.

David Wilkins, InsightExhibitions md says that theconsensus of opinion amongthe principle exhibitors is thatthe industry needs a focusand rallying point.

‘Although we may have toallow a little more time forthose predicted green shoots of recovery to takeeffect, we have to adopt anoptimistic approach as well asto prepare for a morefavourable economic climate,’he says.

The design-led show willconcentrate on the medium tohigh end furniture andfurnishing sectors.

Insight also announcedInteriors Monthly as theshow’s media partner.

6news_IMmay.qxt 30/4/09 18:36

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07_IM_0509 29/4/09 11:59

The UK carpet market willdrop in value by 6% this yearand only show growth in2011, reveals AMA Research’sFloorcoverings Market report.Apart from 1% growth in2006, the value of the carpetmarket, both domestic andcontract, has been falling sinceat least 2002.

Sales fell from £1.37bn in2002 (at MSP) to £1.21bn lastyear. This will drop to £1.14bnthis year, before recovering to£1.19bn in 2013, says thereport.

The overall floorcoveringsmarket will also fall by 6% thisyear, before recovering to£2.07bn in 2013 – £100mbelow 2007’s peak and thesame level as 2003.

AMA says carpet has seenits share of the overallfloorcoverings market declinefrom 70% in 2001 to 58% lastyear, as the popularity ofalternatives such as laminate,vinyl and tiles has risen.

Price sensitivity, which hasincreased over the past fewyears, has also accelerated,with an element of tradingdown evident in the carpetmarket in 2008, says AMA.

Manufacturers havecontinued to produce much

more adventurous ranges,such as brighter colours andbolder patterns. But it saysconsumer choice remainsstubbornly conservative, stillfavouring plain designs andneutral colours, with shades ofcream, beige, light brown andother natural shades stilldominating.

The report says: ‘It has alsolong been a characteristic ofthe carpet and floorcoveringssector that most decision-making takes place in ratherunimaginative warehousestyle showrooms, or is basedon swatches of samples.

‘This hardly inspiresadventurous choices,particularly since there is little

opportunity for consumers tovisualise how the carpetwould actually look in theirown homes. Neutrals mayalso thus dominate the marketsimply because they have thepotential to accommodatefuture room colour schemechanges – particularly effectivewhen there are budgetconstraints.’

The report says the slowerhousing market could benefitthe carpet market with someconsumers choosing toredecorate their homes. Butthe potential for trading downto less expensive options forcarpets as a stop-gap solutioncould also deter significantmarket growth.

Significant competition fromalternative floorcoverings,particularly vinyl, natural stoneand wood will continue. While the market will remainsusceptible to importedproducts, lower demand willimpact on import volumes aswell as on local manufacture,says the report.

The export market is alsolikely to be negatively affected,and this will result in furtherconsolidation and closures inthe supply sector.

In terms of consumerchoice, while it is likely thatneutrals (particularly beige)will continue to dominate,patterned carpets andstronger colours are alreadymaking a comeback. It is alsolikely that, given the nature ofthe economy, price sensitivitywill accelerate, and there willbe more growth at the lowerend of the market.

The report adds that whilethe value of carpet sales hasfallen, the wood and laminatesector has plateaued in termsof market share while vinylhas seen growth every yearsince 2002.

For more information tel: 01242 235 724 or visitwww.amaresearch.co.uk.


News

The rug market is worth at least £90m (at MSP)

Flooring sales will drop by just 6%but carpet will lose share, says AMA

We were Decosit BrusselsTuesday 08 - Friday11 September 2009

www.moodbrussels.com

Teasing you with upholstery,window and wall coverings

We are

Meet only Original Designs

The

Real

Rug

Com

pany

08_IM_0509 30/4/09 14:54

TheManchesterFurniture Show 09Manchester Central 19-22 July tel: +44 (0)1923 670 997email: [email protected] www.manchesterfurnitureshow.com

For a positive outlook, ticket booking information, and find out more, please visit...

If you are looking for an event that gives you access to the leading suppliers in the furniture world, we have the answer. Whatever the economic climate, you’re assured of a warm welcome and a very positive outcome at the Manchester Furniture Show.

2008 was another outstanding success and despite tougher trading conditions, this years show is already being talked about as the ‘must see show’ for 2009.

09_IM_0509 28/4/09 15:48


First gloss: Kingstown Furniture has released its 2009 brochure. The 44 page

brochure features the new Nicole (pictured), Westbury, Monterey and Mono

ranges alongside its 14 existing collections. ‘Our range continues to offer

something to suit everyone’s tastes. We have been experiencing a high

demand for white, hand-finished, painted furniture, which is why we

decided to launch Nicole. This range has proven particularly popular with

retailers and customers since its launch and we are delighted with the

feedback we have received to date,’ says Geoff Brailsford, Kingstown group

sales director. ‘High gloss furniture is also proving to be very popular at the

moment and has inspired us to launch Mono, our first high gloss range.’

News

German furniture andhomewares chain Butlers is tolaunch a second attempt tosucceed in the UK market,after closing all but one of itsUK stores last year.

The group has targeted sixbranches in London of about3,000sqft each.

Butlers launched in the UKin 2005 with plans for 80stores within a decade. Itopened half a dozen branches

– Bluewater, Islington,Kingston upon Thames,Knightsbridge, Manchesterand Solihull. However, in theface of a slowing homewaresmarket and high propertyprices in the UK it closed all itsstores except Islington.

Property agency HarperDennis Hobbs, which sold offButlers’ original shops, issearching for new locations.

James Ebel, Harper Dennis

Hobbs director says: ‘The lasttime, Butlers found theoccupation costs too high foran expansion compared withthose they have in Europe.Now they have seen that themarket conditions havechanged in the UK and theyfeel they can exploit theopportunity.’

Target locations includeTottenham Court Road,Kensington High Street,

Westbourne Grove andKingston upon Thames.

Founded in 1999, Butlershas 70 branches acrossGermany. In 2005 it expandedto Austria, where it now hassix stores, and Switzerland(three) along with the UK. Italso has four franchise outletsin Slovenia, Hungary andGreece.

The stores attract 23millionshoppers a year.

Furniture chain Butlers hatches planfor second attempt at UK market

Guild award forREH Kennedy

Traditional cabinet makingcompany REH Kennedy hasbeen awarded theManufacturing Guild Mark bythe Worshipful Company ofFurniture Makers.

The Guild Mark is widelyacknowledged as the UKindustry’s most prestigiousrecognition of quality.

Mike Ruffles, REH Kennedydirector says: ‘We weredelighted to be awarded theManufacturing Guild Mark aswe passionately believe in thestrengths and merits of Britishmanufacturing.’

‘Every cabinet we make iscrafted in our own workshopsby largely in-house trainedcraftsmen. The ethos of our

business is for the veryhighest standards of design,manufacture and service andthis award recognises theseattributes.’

The Manufacturing GuildMark is only awarded toBritish furniture manufacturersthat are considered to beexcellent in all aspects of theirbusinesses, including design,manufacturing, marketing,training, customer service,health and safety andenvironmental care.

The Manufacturing GuildMark was first awarded in1993 and there are 27 holdersincluding Art Forma(Furniture), Artistic Upholsteryand Benchmark Furniture.

Matthew Kutas Furniture Agency, former Max Divani UK agent has become

the UK agent for Seduta D’Arte (formerly La Meteora).

The Manufacturing Guild Mark goes to the company not a product

10news_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 10:46

11_IM_0509 28/4/09 16:03


Awards

VOTE FOR THE BEST IN

August sees the announcement of the second Interiors MonthlyAwards, recognising the best in the interiors industry.

As with the 2008 awards, the winners will be decided by you, so complete the form opposite and fax it to:01732 352 063.

It’s up to you how you decide what is the best product orcompany in the awards category – they could be great sellers,great designs or providers of fantastic customer service. Ensureyour opinion counts – you decide the winners. Everyone votingwill be entered into a draw to win a bottle of champagne.

Here’s a reminder of how you voted in the 2008 awards.Best UK Furniture Supplier: Alstons.Best UK Carpet Supplier: Cormar Carpets.Best Overseas furniture Supplier: Ethnicraft.Best Overseas Flooring Supplier: Balta.Best Fabric Upholstery: Amalfi, Vale-Bridgecraft.Best Leather Upholstery: Italsofa.Best Furniture Website: Pinetum.Best Flooring Website: Balterio.Best Bed: Mirrorform Reflex, Sealy.Best Dining Range: Ardennes, Christian Harold.Best Bedroom Furniture: Ivory, Willis & Gambier.Best Living Room Furniture: YP Furniture.Best Rug: Loft, Brink & Campman.Best Solid/Engineered Wood: Avantgarde, Grundorf.Best Carpet: Tudor Twist, Victoria Carpets.Best Underlay: Cloud 9, Ball & Young.

Best Vinyl: Stonemark, IVC Leolan.Best Laminate: Original, Pergo.Best Flooring Accessory: Universal Mouldings.Best Supply Chain/Logistics: Home Delivery Network.Best Wholesaler: Wiseaction.Best Flooring Buying Group: SMG.Best Furniture Buying Group: AIS.Best Flooring Website: Balterio.Best Furniture Website: Pinetum.Best Furniture Retailer (1-3 stores): Furniture Exhibition Centre.Best Furniture Retailer (4 plus stores): Marks & Spencer.Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores): Godiva Carpets.Best Flooring Retailer (4 plus stores): Carpetright.Best Online Retailer: Furniture123.Innovation of the Year: Yourfloors.

Left: Balta, Best

Overseas Flooring

Supplier

Above: Alstons, Best

UK Furniture Supplier

Right: Cormar, Best UK

Carpet Supplier

12_13awards_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 16:24


THE INDUSTRY Retailers to complete only

Best Furniture Customer Service ....................................................................................................Best UK Furniture Supplier ....................................................................................................Best Non-UK Furniture Supplier ....................................................................................................Best Furniture Buying Group ....................................................................................................Best Accessory....................................................................................................Bed Bed ....................................................................................................Best Bedroom Range ....................................................................................................Best Dining Room Range ....................................................................................................Best Living Room Range ....................................................................................................Best Fabric Upholstery ....................................................................................................Best Leather Upholstery....................................................................................................Best Furniture Wholesaler ....................................................................................................Best Furniture Exhibition ....................................................................................................Best Furniture Website ....................................................................................................Best Flooring Customer Service ....................................................................................................Best UK Flooring Supplier ....................................................................................................Best Non-UK Flooring Supplier ....................................................................................................Best Flooring Buying Group ....................................................................................................

Best Carpet ....................................................................................................Best Rug ....................................................................................................Best Laminate ....................................................................................................Best Solid/Engineered Wood ....................................................................................................Best Underlay ....................................................................................................Best Vinyl ....................................................................................................Best Flooring Exhibition ....................................................................................................Best Flooring Website ....................................................................................................Best Flooring Wholesaler ....................................................................................................Best Software Supplier ....................................................................................................Best Finance Provider ....................................................................................................Best Supply Chain/Logistics Company ....................................................................................................Innovation of the year ....................................................................................................Suppliers to complete onlyBest Flooring Retailer (1-2 stores) ....................................................................................................Best Flooring Retailer (3 plus stores) ....................................................................................................Best Furniture Retailer (1-2 stores) ....................................................................................................Best Furniture Retailer (3 plus stores) ....................................................................................................Best Online Retailer ....................................................................................................

Please fax your completed form to 01732 352 063 or email your nominations to [email protected].

Name ...................................................................................................................................................................................................

Company .............................................................................................................................................................................................

Position ................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tel .................................................................Email ..............................................................................................................................

Rewarding Excellence nominations

12_13awards_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 16:24


1 Embroidered natural cottons, subtle retro stripes,appliquéd velvet motifs and sleek embellishedpolyesters combine in the Carnival collection of fabricsby Prestigious Textiles for curtains and accessories.Carnival offers a selection of products across twodesign stories that can be mixed and matched. Tel: 01274 688448 or visit www.prestigious.co.uk.

2 Featuring four disguised and deep drawers, theMonza from Hyder Living blends the contemporaryand elegant attitude of faux leather with thefunctionalism of underbed storage. Hidden neatlywithin the deep side rails and under the sprungslatted base system, the drawers offer extra storagewithout detracting from the sleek gently curvedheadboard and footboard. Tel: 01484 531 000.

3 Elegant slate-effect luxury vinyl tiles from thePolyflor Expona Design collection complement thedécor of the refurbished seating area at the Rijo 42Café at Bolton Arena – where Polysafe Corona lowmaintenance sheet vinyl safety floor has also beeninstalled in the kitchen/servery. Tel: 0161 767 1111.

4 Available in the UK through Techfloor Services, LGSupreme vinyl provides a durable and easy tomaintain surface for residential and commercialapplications. The Supreme product family offers aselection of wood, stone and marble finishes in highlyrealistic designs. Tel: 01993 871 235.

5 Spearheaded in the UK by Ronnie Houben, StairMake-Over’s success in the Dutch, Belgian andFrench markets means it is well equipped to deal withthe demands of UK distribution and wholesale supply.Stair refurbishment of the Stair Make-Over kind is anew concept to the UK and so the company istraining partners how to sell the product andtackle aftersales service. Tel: 00 31 4 0208 6222.

New products

2

3

4

5

1

14np1_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 14:13

15_IM_0509 5/5/09 10:30


New products

6 Febland supplied 78 chairs and carversfor ITV’s Hell’s Kitchen. The blacklacquered chairs have a routed or groovedround back while the legs are tapered andfluted and adorned by a carved flower setin a tablet at the top. Upholstered in aPaul Smith fabric, they will be sold whenthe series ends. Tel: 0870 4202 070.

7 For those who like something different,Manx Carpets has launched Causeway –an 80/20 British Wool twist. Causewaycomes in three weight options and eightcolour ranges. It is at an affordable priceand suited to the domestic and contractmarkets. Tel: 01827 831 437.

8 Balta has just launched the branded PPtwist Stainsafe Favourite in 17 trendycolours. This heather twist, finished onactionbac, is offered in two weights:Premium (34oz per sq yd) and Elite (47ozper sq yd). Stainsafe Favourite has a 10

year Stainsafe and seven year Wearwarranty and is distributed through allmajor wholesalers. Tel: 00 32 5662 2211.

9 Upholstery and mattress manufacturerBaotian Furniture’s sofas include modelswith lights in the arms while mattresseshave goosedown and memory foam inthe box pillow top, double-layer pocketsprings and double-knit cover with woolbutton. Lead times are two weeks. Visitwww.baotian.com.

10 David Salmon Fine Bespoke ContractFurniture has launched a range of hand-woven and hand-knotted rugs andcarpets under the David SalmonCarpet & Rugs brand. The 31collections of 196 designs and 51sizes are sourced from India, China, Pakistan and Nepal with a 10-14 day delivery commitment. Tel: 0207 349 7575.

6

9

10 7

8

16NP2_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 12:36

17_IM_0509 1/5/09 13:04


11 Somnus has added eight fashionfabrics to luxury shades on theSupremacy and Memory Touchcollections, allowing customers to createan individual style. Tel: 01132 055 200.

12 The Plantation Rug Company hasintroduced Fettuccini. Perfect for bothcontemporary and traditional settings, itis available in four colours and threesizes including a funky 150cm x 150cm

square. Visitwww.plantationrug.co.uk or tel: 0161 4308700.

13 Olivia is a new bedroom collectionfrom Winsor. It is crafted in solidmahogany and hand-finished withsubtle hand-carving on the beautifullyshaped frames. Tel: 01925 291 511.

14 Amtico’s Composite range mixessimplicity with the trend for urbanmaterials. The Calcium, Pumice and Flintshades’ complex blend of particles give

the appearance of poured resin orceramic tiles. Tel: 0121 745 0800.

15 Direct Cheminee’s bio-ethonal firescan be placed almost anywhere as theyhave no smoke or flue, are odourlessand do not need a gas or electricitysupply. Visit www.directcheminee.com.

16 Accent is a comprehensive range ofdining and occasional pieces fromWoodside Furniture. Designed forsmaller homes, the range is made in oakwith aspen inlay detail. Visitwww.woodsidefurniture.co.uk.

New products

12

13

15

11

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18np3_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 17:01

19_IM_0509 28/4/09 16:07


Carpet

HIDDEN PLEASURES?BEDROOM SECRETSAre shoppers indulging their design tastes inthe privacy of their bedroom, or playing safe?

All but those with the strongest belief intheir personal taste compromise when itcomes to decorating their homes. Thechoice of carpet, sofa, dining table, rugor lighting will be seen by many peopleand to some extent we all seek approvalin our design decisions; making sure no-one says they hate it will come into play.

But for rooms that are less oftenglimpsed by friends or family, there is theopportunity to forget about what othersthink and furnish it exactly how you want– regardless of how unusual some peoplemay consider the end result.

But are we a nation of bold individuals,confident in knowing what we like andwanting it, or does normality rule?

Martin West, Kingsmead generalmanager says shoppers are opting forbolder colour schemes. ‘If there is oneroom where the consumer might bebrave and introduce strong colour, it isthe bedroom. Adventurous colourschemes particularly involving black orbright pink are becoming morecommon,’ he says.

The company is relaunching its Wik Kidbrightly coloured shag pile carpet rangeaimed at childrens’ bedrooms.

Neil Barker, director of Barkers Furniturein Sheffield, says consumers generallywant soft and warm flooring in thebedroom, but parents are opting for thepracticality of laminate for kids’ floors.

He says the store has seen contrastingexperiences when it comes to how muchmoney shoppers are prepared to partwith. ‘We have done a bit more thanusual with the likes of Axminster,Woodward Grosvenor and Brintons lately,but we are still selling a lot of roll-stock.’

For him, traditional colours and designsare still in charge. ‘There still seems to bea lot of beige and natural colours goingdown. Stripes are also going down morebut apart from that styles still seem Kingsmead’s Wow in Bubblegum

20_24carpet_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 16:33

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21_IM_0509 30/4/09 12:34


Carpet

Axminster’s Moorland Heather

to be plain beige. Plain twists are slowingdown a bit and heathers seem to beselling well. I think it is because peoplearen’t ready to go back to heavy patterns but people have had completelyplain twists and they have realised theyshow marks.’

Lana Filippova, Gallery 22 interiordesigner in Hale, Greater Manchester,says customers are giving their bedroomsa higher priority.

‘Private spaces like bedrooms arebecoming more important to get right.Clients want a feel of luxury and to givebedrooms a special treatment. Shag ordeep pile carpets are becoming verypopular. Neutrals are still preferred, butthe colours tend to be off-whites andsilvers. They complement current trendsin the wallcoverings and fabrics. Most optfor the best carpet they can afford, andperhaps just a good quality underlay,’ she says.

‘Underfoot comfort is a key factor inthe bedroom and so the underlayrecommended by retailers must give thatfeeling of sinking into the floor withoutshowing premature signs of compressionthat could disappoint homeowners,’ saysRichard Bailey, Floorwise md.

The company offers Hyperlush andHyperform 11mm polyurethane underlayfor main bedrooms and 9mm Hypergoand Hyperactive for guest rooms.

When independently tested to BS5808Hyperlush was rated for Luxury Use andcan withstand a high level of footfall. Forincreased durability, Hyperform HD usesa higher density of foam giving increasedbounce-back ability over the lifetime ofthe carpet.

Ray Snell, Ulster Carpets residentialcarpets designer says: ‘Bedroom carpetremains popular with consumers whoprefer the comfort and warmth of carpetunderfoot when they get out of bed inthe morning. In this current economicclimate, homes are becoming more of asanctuary, with consumers choosing totransform the look of their homes.

‘Especially popular is the 80% wooland 20% nylon blend as it combines thesoftness, comfort and warmth of woolwith the hard-wearing properties ofnylon, guaranteeing a level of resilienceand durability,’ he says.

Neutrals are still popular for

The choice of flooring for the bedroom can be a very personal thing. But there isone group of people who live with what someone else has decided: tenants.

For people renting, choice is the last thing associated with moving into a newhome. Faced with possible less than perfect care by some tenants, most landlordsare more concerned with keeping costs down and ensuring that the flooringsurvives for a set period of time. These objectives can often be contradictory, unlessthe property is being let in the middle-upper and higher sectors.

Often landlords don’t know what is new in the market and stick with the samelow cost products, reasoning that if they have to replace them after each tenantthey may as well buy cheap. But that can become a self-fulfilling circle, with tenantsnot caring about the state of the flooring as they know it is cheap.

Most independent retailers should know the major landlords in their area, soorganising a landlords’ evening to show them the latest stain-treated carpets orattractive but inexpensive vinyl is a good idea. It would also make a lot of tenantsvery happy.

Landlords and retailers take the floor


BRITISH WOOL

Quality is born and bred ...that’s why over 35manufacturers choose British Wool to produce

350 quality carpet ranges every year.

23_IM_0509 5/5/09 09:25


Carpet

Lano’s Kimono

‘Most people look for extra comfort and warmth inthe bedroom, so soft, long pile rugs workperfectly,’ says Andrew Frith, GH Frith director.‘They also complement all sorts of bedroom fabrics,whether people have heavy antique curtains ormodern blinds. If a room is small, they shouldchoose a plain light rug, big rooms can carry largepatterns and will make the room feel cosy.

‘Rugs work extremely well in guest bedrooms,which have a tendency to feel cold and uninvitingbecause they are used infrequently. Bright,colourful rugs therefore can add a friendly,welcoming feel.’

He adds that the retailer has seen an upturn ofbedroom wall hanging.

‘Many people think their rugs are far toobeautiful to just walk over them. Intricate designssuch as Persians and Kelims are best for this – andit’s a great way to show the rug to its full potentialand add a focal point.’

Warm up your bedrooms with a rug on the floor or wall

consumers, as they strive for the naturalflooring effect, also reflective of thegeneral trend in clothing, where texture isprevalent, he says. Taupe in variousshades, alongside mink and grey hues arebecoming the desired sophisticatedcolourations.

‘While neutrals continue to be popular,there is a definite move towards brighter,statement-making colours, often used tocomplement the continuing beigetheme,’ says Snell.

The firm has recently added to itsbedroom offer with Ferndale, a 80/20 mix

woven axminster aimed at consumerswho are looking for a more classic choiceof floorcovering; the 80/20 mix axminsterCountry House Collection and ElementsWilton – a 100% wool, cut and loop,woven wilton, offering a contemporaryyet sophisticated alternative to plains.


25_IM_0509 28/4/09 16:10


Trend watch

DININGTIMELESS QUALITY In the first of a new series, Trend Bible casts its eye over the dining sector

The recession is responsible for a shift inconsumers’ attitude to spending and hasencouraged them to look for value ineverything they buy. However, justbecause people are tightening their beltsfinancially, it doesn’t mean they’relooking for cheap products.

The recession will urge people toquestion value in terms of how muchlongevity a product has, particularly formore permanent items for the home.They will look to trade-up and buyproducts that last a lifetime with atimeless quality.

This trend particularly affects thefurniture industry, as people look forpieces with an almost ‘heirloom’ quality,something that can be treasured andpassed down.

It’s likely that we’ll ask ourselves: ‘If Ibuy cheap now, will I be replacing thisitem in six months? Is it better to pay

Consumers are now looking for furniture that will last

more for a quality product that will last?’Downsizing due to the recession

means that some people may move intosmaller homes with no dedicated diningspace. Savvy consumers are converting

bay windows into dining areas by usingcurved sofas with circular tables andcomplementary chairs.

The consumer response to therecession so far has been to retreat into acomfort zone and one in four arespending to feather their nest. Growingtheir own vegetables, hosting dinnerparties and spending more time at homeas a family are replacing hedonisticlifestyles of excessive spending andconsumption. An eclectic attitude, mixand match furniture and tables in hiddencorners encourage a more sociable diningexperience for at home entertaining.

Current figures suggest that qualityindependent furniture retailers areweathering the storm better than themass-market multiples. Productperformance is key for these morepermanent home items, as we examinecraftsmanship of furniture, looking

� Durability is key – items should bebuilt to last in order to be seen asvaluable.� Dining space should be adaptable –multi-functionality is important aspeople make the most of potentiallylimited space. � The dining experience shouldremain special but have a relaxed andinformal personality.� Soft upholstery and mix and matchpieces create an easy environment tospend time in.

Top tips for dining

Ger

vaso

ni

26_30dining_IMmay.qxt 30/4/09 14:28

To visit our showroom and for more information, contact:Ethnicraft - Alf Martin, Scheldeweg 5, 2850 Boom - BELGIUM

[email protected] - www.ethnicraft.comT +32 3 443 01 26 - F +32 3 443 01 27

27_IM_0509 29/4/09 12:01

28-29_IM_0509 5/5/09 10:45

Telephone 0845 606 7004 Email [email protected]

Website www.wguk.com

Furniture designed for life

The Lille Bedroom CollectionFrench style and grandeur is perfectly captured in the beautiful Lille Bedroom Collection. Graceful curves in rich,

warm tones are crafted from a mixture of solid alder and American cherry veneers with a subtle lacquered finish.

The natural imperfections of the wood grain give each piece its own unique character.

28-29_IM_0509 5/5/09 10:45


Trend watch

for details that communicate not onlyquality, but more essentially durability ofconstruction and the environmentalsustainability of raw materials.

Bent plywood and sturdy metal legsfeature in seating while tables are cheerywith coloured tops. Unconventional,asymmetrical legs feature heavily, tableshave wheels and chairs have drawers.Dual use plays its part as table tennis andsnooker tables hide under sliding ortilting dining table tops.

For table furnishing, we’ve noticed amove towards pick-me-up bright coloursand products that add an instant andoptimistic visual lift to the home.Statement oversized pendant light shadesand brightly coloured cushions areamong favourite ways to quickly addpersonality and cheer to the home.

A mix and match attitude to furnitureshopping is becoming more common asconsumers choose to build a dining

collection over time.Designers andretailers need tocater for the optionto buy a singlestatement chairinstead of a set ofsix. Catering for thisnew mindset iscrucial as consumersare purchasingquality craftedantique piecesinstead of newerproducts withquestionable quality.

Consumers havecut down on non-essential purchases. While a dining setmight not be top of their shopping lists,multi-functional pieces that demonstratethought, rather than wielding a heftyprice tag, will be valued.

Trend Bible offers a trend consultancyservice as well as publishing bi-annual trendbooks and monthly updates. Clients includeTesco, Next, Nokia and Matalan. Tel: 0191233 550 or email [email protected].

Coloured table tops are becoming popular

Cha

rlie

Col

linge

Since the formation of TCH Furniture inJanuary of this year the company hasbeen very busy putting additionalpieces to such well known andsuccessful ranges as Ardennes, Windsor,Toulouse, and Venice.

The true benefit of manufacturing allthe ranges in our own factories is theversatility of both the pieces in eachrange and finishes in all our currentand new collections. All the TCHranges are available in Oiled,

Lacquered, Smokey Grey, andChestnut finish, and with manyof the pieces available in apainted finish also.

The Toulouse collection hasenjoyed great success in both40mm and also 70mm topthickness and we are delightedto introduce a new dining tablewith a centre leaf option as wellas the traditional end leaf.

TCH are delighted toannounce the launch of theBonaparte dining collection tocompliment both the best sellingBonaparte bedroom, and also theBonaparte home office.

The turned leg Versailles will belaunched along with Bonaparte diningat the Manchester show in July withmany accent pieces being added toenhance the collectability of theseclassic oak dining and bedroomcollections.

Now all the products available fromTCH Furniture Ltd are manufactured inour own factories in Lithuania on a

guaranteed delivery of six to eightweeks from receipt of order.

For more information contact: Heather Giles at TCH FurnitureTel: 01249 [email protected]

TCH ADDS TO EXISTING RANGES

26_30dining_IMmay.qxt 5/5/09 14:16

‘At Home’ ShowH A R R I S O N S P I N K S S H O W R O O M

ALL ON DISPLAY AT THE SOMNUS

THERA-CAREBEDSTEADMATTRESSCOLLECTION

To book your appointment contact Ruth Spinks on

0113 2055204 or email [email protected]

Alternatively contact your Somnus Area Sales Manager

May 1 1 th - June 5th 2009

New HeadboardCollectionGARDA, GENEVA and LUCERNE have

each been designed to introduce a new

elegance to the bedroom, offering even

more style options to appeal to the

discerning.

New Fashion Fabricsand ColoursFor 2009 these new fashion fabrics are

available in seven colours to

emphasise the Somnus commitment to

customer choice and confidence.

Available on Supremacy and Memory

Touch Collections.

The Somnus reputation for innovation continuesthis year with the launch of THERA-CARE. This NEW generation of six bedstead mattressesfeatures 'CONTURA', the system developed to guarantee the highest level of pure air breathability combining supreme support withtemperature controlled luxury.

31_IM_0509 28/4/09 16:11


Beds

If proof were needed that a freshapproach to marketing and sales,combined with genuine innovation andthe reassurance of long-standing stability,are vital to a successful business, the pastyear in the life of Somnus makes thepoint in spades.

Early 2008 saw the company trial at ToCatch A Dream, Harrogate, its studioformat (Interiors Monthly March 2008). Inthe past year it has increased the numberof UK studios to 40, including majorquality independents in the North East ofEngland.

Helped by this – and the effect ofhaving had a separate sales team fromsister firm Harrison Beds for a year – thecompany has enjoyed a sales increase inthe past year, at a time when positivesales growth is an elusive ideal for many.

Somnus has undoubtedly been helpedby concerns about other manufacturersand price increases in the sector, but withretailers switching brands and increasingfloorspace to Somnus, it’s no surprisethat sales have increased threefold.

The impact of the studios is not to beunder-estimated. Although Alan Scott,sales director is reluctant to pin a precisenumber on the Studio sales uplift, it is

An example of the advertisements created by the

company’s graphics team (right)

The To Catch A Dream studio

clear that retailers makingthe commitment (either infloorspace or POS) havemade major increases, witha doubling of sales notunexpected.

Without specific publicnumbers, the evidence ofsuccess is provided by thelist of retailers that haverecently come on board.According to Scott, his list ofdesired stockists is filling in,although he admits thatthere are plenty of retailersit may not have thought ofas stockists – and vice versa– that Somnus wantsfloorspace with.

As he begins to explainthe approach, Peter Spinkschairman of parent HarrisonSpinks drops in. He saysthat the showroom hasbeen so busy in recentweeks that he’s added afew pounds after enjoyingthe corporate sandwichspreads. If there was achange it was not

SOMNUSINVESTING TO SUCCEEDHaving a good story to tell – and telling it well – is reaping dividends

32_33somnus_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 14:14


Beds

Bases are available in several shades

noticeable; he was asinformed, gossipy and easyto move into technicalissues as usual. He makes avery good point that he isrevelling in the progress thefamily business is making. (Ifyou want to put a value onsprings per mattress or bed– depending on the material– let him know.)

As part of the Somnusbrand’s development, arange of headboards hasbeen introduced to greatsuccess. For every 10 bedsales, six shoppers also buya headboard. The 10-strongrange is produced in-houseby a team of experiencedupholsterers. Styles rangefrom contemporary totraditional and designs arecontinually beingintroduced. This is helpedby the company’s ability tocut its own foam, allowingit to create complex shapesfor the headboard designs.

Also helping the beds

stand out from the competition is a newrange of eight base and headboardfabrics for 2009, ranging from ruby togrey to anthracite, rather than the usualsea of cream. Work is under waydeveloping a fabric swatch for the range.

Given the Somnus brand’s heritage,and being part of the Harrison Spinksfamily business, it is not surprising thattechnological innovation underlies itsapproach.

Now the brand is trying to tackle thethorny topic of foam. The Thera Carebedstead mattress and Thera Sleep divancollections use a mixture of latex, visco-elastic and hand-teased granules blendedwith natural fillings. This unique methodof developing and using fillings isbranded as Contura and will be launchedthis month.

The business has also invested in fillingmachinery, allowing it to create precisemixtures of fillings, depending on theobjective. Harrison Spinks’ Leedsshowroom is to be revamped, with theSomnus studio concept installed, whilethe Somnus, Harrison Beds and Spink &Edgar areas are more clearly defined.Summer will also see a redesign of theSomnus and Harrison Bed Tailor websites.

32_33somnus_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 14:15


Displays

One thing that unites flooring retailersacross the country is that their displaymethods tend to be the same, using amixture of wall units, tombolas, samplestands and roll units.

However, a division is beginning toemerge between those using the sameapproach or equipment they were a fewyears ago and those that have invested inbetter quality displays. There has alsobeen a rise in the popularityof roll stands in recentmonths, as shoppersturn to buying off theroll to save money.

‘The quality of displayshas really gone up inthe past few years. Thebetter end stores haveinvested in theirappearance. Many haveadopted more of astudio look and havelifted their game,’ saysAndrew Fry, T&E DisplayGroup md.

The company has alarge interior designshopfitting business andis trying to take thatexperience into the furnishing sector ataffordable prices.

‘The game is definitely lifting. There isa lot more interest in design and colourto match the greater emphasis on design in the carpets. If you can afford it,it’s a good time to invest in displays tostand out from the crowd. T&E isinvesting heavily in plant and our salesteam,’ he says.

If your shop looks better than the onedown the road you have more of achance of getting that sale, dependingon your market, says Fry. Some storesdeliberately have a discount look. The keyis to get the right look for what you are

Above: T&E’s Modern

Living display

collection

Left: Yankee Lifter

trying to do. Smaller storestend to use more tombolasand pattern book stands asthey are space efficientwhile larger stores makemore use of wall units.

Fry says an increasingnumber of carpet manufacturersare going for more of a designer lookfor their displays with contrasting

colours, such as white and walnut formore of a contemporary look, rather thanall oak displays.

‘There is more emphasis on graphics,for example roomsets and lifestyleimages. Proactive retailers are trying toget away from simply doing the samething again. Trying to get a relativelysmaller number of samples well displayedis much better than having piles ofdisplay books lost at the back of theshop,’ he says.

Ania is doing a lot of work for

THE RIGHT LOOKROLLING OUTRetailers are investing in better flooring displays,while addressing health and safety concerns

independentretailers who aretrying to findmore space to

get extra rolls in. ‘Retailers are taking out samples

and putting rolls in as sales offthe roll are rising,’ saysTony Farrell, Ania md. As aresult of this Farrell has also

seen increased enquiries aboutlifting equipment.

Fry says the Health & Safety Executiveis taking a much firmer approach tomanual lifting of carpet and vinyl rolls,issuing enforcement notices andinspecting more stores than previously.

The Yankee Lifter has two winches thatlift the roll, removing the need for anymanual lifting or work at height. Byhaving two height adjustable jibs it canbe easily moved around a shopfloor orstored. It is already used byCarpetright and Allied carpets.

AK34displays_IMmay.qxt 30/4/09 18:37

Copies of the latest bedroom and lounge/dining furniturebrochure are now available from Kingstown Furniture Limited,the Britishmanufacturer of value formoney, assembled furniture.

Request your copy from 01482 717225or email: [email protected]

Kingstown Furniture LtdVictoria House

Leads RoadHull

East YorkshireHU7 0BZ

BEDROOM & LOUNGEFURNITURE

35_IM_0509 5/5/09 09:00


Displays

Flor by Heuga (FbH) has held the first ofits Academy Training sessions for UKretailers taking part in the partnershipprogramme, following the launch of itsPremier Retailer concept earlier this year.

‘The two-day training session at ourfactory in Shelf, West Yorkshire, forms partof our commitment to our PremierRetailers to provide ongoing professionaltraining on all aspects of our brand,business and products,’ says AntoinetGijsbertse marketing communicationsmanager.

Another key benefit to Premier Retailpartners is the in-store installation of a20sqm Inspiration Studio. In response tocustomers’ demands for more help whenchoosing flooring products, the suiteshowcases the extensive range of FbHcolours, designs and textures andincludes a consultation area.

Gijsbertse says the studio is intended todemonstrate why FbH is suitable forevery home, in every style and in anylocation. Easy-to-handle samples hangside-by-side with attractive visuals and

The Premier Retailer partnership runs for an initial three years with benefits including the Inspiration Studio

photographs to demonstrate the range’screative possibilities and practical benefits.

Premier Retailers will also benefit fromFbH’s reinvigorated marketing, includingthe Imagine…you can consumeradvertising campaign during 2009. Otherbenefits include: use of FbH’s brandadvertising materials with their own logoand address details; listing as a PremierRetailer on the FbH website, including alogo and explanation of why the store isinspirational; being listed on the PremierRetailer information sent with catalogueand sample requests to consumers andthe opportunity to work jointly at eventsand exhibitions.

FLOR BY HEUGA‘Premier Retailers will also benefit from theImagine…you can consumer advertising campaign’

Flor by Heuga is committed to a shared vision in becoming a fully sustainablecompany, eliminating any negative impact on the environment in every creative,manufacturing and building decision and leaving zero footprint by 2020. ItsEuropean manufacturing facilities run on renewable electricity and the company isworking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, offsetting those it cannot avoid. Visit:www.heuga.com/MissionZero/uk and www.interfaceglobal.com/Sustainability.aspx.

Green vision

36displays_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 14:30

37_IM_0509 28/4/09 16:13


Kitchens

KARNDEANPRACTICAL STYLEFlooring for kitchens must marry good looks and functionality

Flooring can influence how a visitor seesthe size, shape, function and atmosphereof a room. But while style will always beimportant, practicality is more importantin the kitchen.

Not only does it need to look good, ithas to cope with knocks, spills, scratchesand stains. Flooring in high traffic areas,such as a kitchen, must be tough andpractical as well as offering a relaxed,natural look for the home.

According to vinyl firm Karndean, itsstockists say it is the number one choicefor newly installed and for renovatedhome kitchens. It says its flooring offersan affordable alternative to the naturalproducts that it replicates and withpractical advantages in durability andmaintenance.

The planks feature the grains, knotsand bevelled edges found naturally intimber while the tiles have the colourtones, texture and characteristics of

Summer Oak

Neutral tones remain a classic choice

ceramic, marble, stone and slate. Current design trends favour

colours on the two extremes ofthe spectrum. Homeowners eitherprefer the dark grey slate lookfound in products such as DaVinci Celtic Slate Graphite andAntique Ceramic Noir, or thecreamy tones of the Art SelectIsland Limestone Collection.

‘Neutral tones remain a classicchoice for many because theymake a space feel clean, light andfresh,’ says the firm. ‘On the other hand,dark grey or black kitchen worktops arehighly fashionable with theirsophisticated looks. A lot of people cometo our showroom looking for flooring tocoordinate with their kitchen worktops.’

Other benefits include warmthunderfoot, being quieter to walk on thanlaminate and more cost-effective in thelonger term. Vinyl flooring is considered

by many to be the best floorcovering as itlooks great and is extremely durable, saysthe company.

‘Karndean is a highly suitable forkitchen floors and will continue toprovide homeowners with not onlydurable floors but also the stylish looksthat they want to achieve,’ it adds.

Graphite is a popular finish

38kitchens_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 18:29

WOOD AND LAMINATE


Kähr

s’ O

ak P

rove

nce

39WandLcov_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 15:31


Wood and laminate

GOING FORWARDSOLID GROWTHThe sector will experience mixedfortunes, according to a new report

Mixed fortunes affected the wood andlaminate flooring sector in the past year.The domestic market has been hit by thedecline in housebuilding and housemoving market. This in turn has affectedsales of products such as laminates whichwere previously dependent on thestrength of the home improvementsectors. Laminate sales through domesticchannels such as DIY multiples are alsomuch reduced, according to AMAResearch’s Floorcoverings Market report.

The solid and engineered woodssectors performed better, particularlyengineered wood with some evidence ofconsumers trading up to higher valueproducts. But, solid and engineeredwoods also experienced upward pressureon prices as increased costs ofcertification schemes and export dutiesfrom key timber source countries such asChina have begun to be passed on toend users, says the report.

Overall, indications are that the woodand laminate market declined by about8% in 2008, with falling laminate salescited as the overriding factor. AMAestimates the market (includingaccessories) will decline in value this yearfrom £349m (at MSP) to £315m and onlyrecover to £318m by 2013. Laminate hasseen its share of the market fall from 77%in 2004, to 66% last year. By 2013, thiswill have dropped to 58% as solid andengineered woods’ popularity grows.

Despite laminate sales picking up inearly 2009 because of falling demand formore expensive solid and engineeredwood, the overall picture is one ofdecline, the report says.

Factors underpinning current demandinclude:� The growing popularity of engineeredwood floors during 2007-08, withdemand for more expensive solid woodfloors said to be flagging.

� Trading up to higher value woods, aswell as from laminate to engineered orsolid wood flooring, has contributedtowards the increase in value growth ofthe market in recent years, but there aresigns consumers are once again seekingmore-affordable engineered wood andlaminate. � The wider availability of woodfloorcoverings from a growing number ofchannels. � Trends in décor that favour neutralshades and natural colours and textures,both of which are enhanced by woodand/or laminate flooring. � New developments in the laminate

sector including stronger high-endportfolios that more closely replicate realwood styles and finishes, with levels ofdesign and innovation becoming moreadvanced. � Indications that consumers areincreasingly choosing darker wood andwood effects, however the dark finishesare said to be achieved by stains andcoloured oils rather than wood species.White oak accounts for more than 90%of real wood flooring sold in the UK, withblack walnut the second most popular. � The trend towards natural rather thansynthetic has also been boosted bygrowing public awareness of potentiallyharmful chemicals and residues. � The increasing variety of wood types –particularly more exotic species forengineered wood – has also increasedthe appeal of wood flooring. � Ongoing developments in insulationand underfloor heating as well as woodtreatments and finishes have helpedadvance the popularity of both woodand laminate flooring.

The volatility of raw material costs alsoaffects the market. Competitive pricing ofwood floors in relation to laminates, withraw material costs driven down by ever-cheaper imports from the Far East andEastern Europe over the past five years,has helped to drive demand. Thesituation is reported to have changed in2008, with the fall of sterling against thedollar and euro resulting in raw materialcost increases of up to 30%.

The cost of softwood used in laminateHDF production is said to be decreasing,which is likely to offset some of the otherincreasing costs manufacturers andsuppliers have to deal with. It remains tobe seen whether or not the falling cost ispassed on to consumers/end-use markets.

Details tel: 01242 235724 or visitwww.amaresearch.co.uk.

Dark finishes are growing in popularity

Qui

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tep

40W&Lintro_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 14:39


Wood and laminate

Heritage oak

consumers are conscious of price. Whilethis may steer consumers away fromtraditional flooring such as real wood andstone to alternatives such as laminate,consumers will also be looking for floorsthat will be long-lasting and suitable totheir lifestyle,’ says Male.

‘Floors used in high traffic areas of thehome which are needed to withstand thetests of high-heeled shoes, children andpets, will require the technologies thatmake them durable and highly resistant.’

With consumers becoming ever morefashion and style conscious, they areconstantly looking for new products andones that will make their home trendyand functional, says Kate Male, Pergo UKmarketing manager.

This means the range of colours andstyles available will continue to be animportant element for consumers so wewill see a continuing expansion andaddition of ranges to the market.

‘In the current economic climate

SenseTM –A revolution you can hardly hear Pergo offers one of the market’s widest selections of laminate

flooring. And our collection is further enhanced by PERGO

Sense™, a unique laminate, which is extremely durable and

is quieter than conventional hard flooring. Using SoftTech™

technology, a sound and shock-absorbing layer immediately below

the laminate surface reduces noise even further and makes it more

comfortable to walk on. What’s more, Sense has an

anti-microbial surface that resists bacteria and viruses, making

it ideal for hospitals and care homes, as well as kitchens and

children’s bedrooms.

And on top of all this, Sense also comes with our residential

Lifetime Triple Guarantee – for your peace of mind, and your

customers’.

Image representative only

PERGOFASHION STARPergo has a series of patented technologies that provide it with multi-layer floor protection

41_IM_0509.qxt 28/4/09 15:21


Wood and laminate

WESTCOMAJOR DRIVERThe company has developed a freshKlikka range for the independent sector

Westco is one of the UK’s leading flooringmanufacturer, distributor and importer offlooring products and accessories.

Its range consists of laminate flooring,solid wood, engineered wood, cork, self-adhesive vinyl tile and plank.

From its offices and distribution centrein South Wales, Westco’sproducts form a major part ofthe UK’s DIY portfolio offlooring, as well as a significantindependent customer base.This makes Westco one of theleading UK distributors forlaminate, wood and vinylproducts.

Westco has traded from itsbase in Cardiff for the past 75years and has grownsignificantly, employing morethan 60 people. Products haveevolved from being solely corkproducts to the complete woodflooring business it is today.

This spring, Westco will betargeting the general flooringmarket by introducing a freshrange of Klikka laminate

Valley oakDriftwood

flooring, especially designed with theindependent retailer and contract sectorsin mind. This compact selection ofbestselling and innovative decors offerscustomers a range from 6mm generaldomestic up to 12mm full contract AC5 rated laminate flooring in designs

that suit the traditionalist and the design-led alike.

All of Westco’s products are availablefrom stock and can be delivered for next-day deliveries, regardless of whether theorder is one pack, one pallet or a fulltruck.

Westco believes in theimportance of excellentcustomer service. Each of itscustomers has an office-basedcustomer services contact forany enquiry, and ourmerchandising team canprovide thorough and bespoketraining for businesses lookingto add value to their customers.

During the summer it willcontinue to expand its productrange, with the introduction ofoak plank engineered flooringin a variety of exotic woodstains.

Samples of all productssupplied by Westco are availableupon request and can betailored to individualrequirements.Dark narrow board

AK42westco_IMmay.qxt 1/5/09 15:13


Wood and laminate

KÄHRSON TREND CONSCIENCEConsumers want the latest ‘designer finish’ as long as it is environmentally friendly

Wood floor trends have centred on thetraditional one-strip board for manyyears. Be it European oak, exotic timberor paler species, the interest in singleplanks has gained momentum year onyear. According to Harvey Booth, KährsUK sales manager, this is not surprising.

‘A one-strip board is the best way toappreciate wood. Being sawn from oneplank, it gives a more natural appearancethan a two or three-strip parquet design.But, for many consumers, this isn’tenough. Having decided to invest in thereal thing, they want to identify productsthat take the natural look a stage furtherand it’s in this area that many of the newtrends are emerging.’

Different finishes emphasise the naturallook of a wood floor including the newgeneration of matt and oiled finishes.Sufficiently thin to not compromise thewood’s natural lustre, the breed of newfinishes are solvent-free and offer evengreater performance.

New brushed surfaces and colouredstains also reinforce the natural look. Theadded tone and texture magnifies thenatural grain of a wood floor and opens

Oak Nouveau charcoal

Oak Nouveau white

Oak Nouveau grey

up a host of new colourways that areproving popular, from pale grey to richmocha shades.

‘As well as providing a naturallybeautiful and healthy flooring option,wood is the only renewable flooringmaterial and consumers are alsobecoming increasing focused on thisarea,’ says Booth. ‘The environmentalbenefits of the engineered board, inparticular, are filtering through to thehigh street.’

Kährs’ entire range is based on the

multi-layer principle it patented in 1941.Booth says every aspect of its productionis geared with the environment in mind –from the proximity of its timber stock tothe solvent-free finish of products.

‘This combination is more importantnow, than ever before. The ability to reactto customer demand and to provide on-trend wood floors with a conscience willensure the future of the industry – and,even more importantly, will be a hugestep in the right direction inenvironmental terms.’

43kahrs_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 18:31


Wood and laminate

KENTON FLOORSGOOD TIMESIn the face of a slower market, one supplier’s system is allowing stockists to boost sales

Faced with a market where sales areslowing, Kenton Floors says itsWoodpecker retail system is bucking the trend and allowing retailers togenerate increased sales withoutsacrificing margins.

‘Designed to support the independentretailer, the Woodpecker system offers aunique package whereby Kentonprovides a complete marketing package making it very easy for retailersto clinch the sales,’ according to KentonFloors.

The system includes a range of 174solid and engineered woods andlaminates held in stock for immediatedelivery; high quality retail pricedcatalogues; POS; consumer retail finance;a 24-hour samplingservice direct toconsumers andaccessories held in stockincluding matching trimsfor all floors, underlay,subfloor preparationproducts, lacquers, oils,maintenance productsand fitting tools.

Kenton says theproducts were selectedto cover a broad pricespectrum to appeal tothe widest possiblemarket and live up to itsAffordable Qualityslogan.

‘We are are very awareof the growing concernsfor the environment andhave sourced and locatedproducts to address theseconcerns,’ says Kenton.

Most of the wood products are eitherFSC or PEFC certified and it has justlaunched an Eco range made up of themost sustainable floors on the market.

Skenfrith in Cappaccino

Estilo cork in Prague

Kenton also offers less commonmaterials, including strand wovenbamboo. This is twice as hard ascommonly available hardwoods, is

available in long, wide boards in fourcolours and uses the Uniclic system.

Its Estilo cork range uses the samesystem and is available in six colours.

Natural Bamboo

44kenton_IMmay.qxt 30/4/09 12:51


Wood and laminate

ATKINSON & KIRBYCONCEPT IIThe latest range promises to be ‘unlikeanything you have ever seen before’

The range can be used for domestic and commercial applications

Summer Blue Elite

Following years ofinvestment anddevelopment atAtkinson & Kirby, it haslaunched Concept II.

The company hasinvested massively inits manufacturing andfinishing technology toenable it to deliver‘the quality led fusionof colour that isConcept II. The newrange will sit alongsidethe existing Conceptcollection to give atruly broad spectrumof bespoke coloursand finishes.’

Atkinson & Kirbysays the range is likely to be unlikeanything most retailers have seen before.‘There are no natural colour finishes,instead retailers will be astounded by avirtual rainbow of colour comprising 18distinctive variations.’ These range fromthe dark mysterious Midnight Black toFlame Red and Ocean Turquoise to PureWhite.

The company describes the pewterfinishes as ‘the ultimate in style’ givingthe wow factor with a stunning silvermetallic floor.

‘There is a colour to reflect all moods,styles and personalities and there iscertainly something for those who dareto be a little different; to realise theirimagination.’

The distinctive colour palette includesnine Elite colours, which go through anextra, unique finishing process to give adistinguishing finish.

Concept II is manufactured and finishedin the UK on a bespoke basis at Atkinson& Kirby’s Ormskirk, Lancashire factory. Itis available in solid and engineered plank

formats and is finished with durableHardwax Oil ensuring good wearcharacteristics suitable for both domesticand commercial environments.

The company says because of ConceptII’s outstanding quality, the range is onlyavailable through a select distributionnetwork.

Midnight Black

45kirby_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 14:51


Wood and laminate

KRONOSPANCOMPLETE CONTROLVertical integration gives the company an unique advantage

Kronospan‘s vertical integration andcontrol over every aspect of itsmanufacturing process makes it unique.This holistic approach includes owningforests and paper mills; creating thechemicals and resins for the productionprocess; making the board; andultimately profiling, packing anddistributing the finished product from itsChirk base in North Wales.

Nick Barker, Kronospan commercialmanager, says this gives it an advantage,not only in producing the highest qualityproducts but also creating products idealfor the current and forthcoming markets.

‘Kronospan’s ultimate objective is toprovide an excellent product at the bestprice. This is achieved through a numberof measures, such as offering a broadrange of product lines, from the mostcost effective 7mm Kronofix rangethrough to the luxury 12mm Floordreamscollection,’ he says.

‘Another important factor is theextensive research which goes intocreating commercially viable decors in linewith market trends. Additionally, the easy,no mess fitting offers important timesavings, and the tough and durablesurfaces provide resistance to footfall andmovement of furniture. Crucially, thesmooth, fibre-less surface is easy to cleanand is an excellent solution to reducingallergies and the effects of asthma.’

Current market conditions dictate thatcost is key and the challenge for laminateflooring manufacturers is not only tomaintain quality, but to continue toexpand and update ranges while keepingthe costs constant, he says. This isparticularly challenging during a periodthat has witnessed dramatic increases inraw timber, energy and transport costsalongside a drop in disposable income.

Despite this, Kronospan has continuedto introduce new decors, more than

Narrow Plank

Stoneline in Lunar Stone

doubling the number of designs availablewithin its Stoneline range – a collection ofnatural looking stone finishes. The newKronostep Super Natural collection isavailable in five decors and combines amatt texture with a glossy pore design.

It incorporates a match between thesurface texture and the grain of the decorto create a realistic finish. This, combinedwith a true four-sided V-groove, providesthe look and feel of real wood, with allthe advantages of laminate. Decorsavailable are Aspen Oak (the lightest),through to Light Brushed Oak, CastleOak, Shire Oak and Colonial Oak.

‘Advances such as these ensure thatdecors and textures are constantlyrefreshed, and no products look tired ordated, which is important whencompeting against other flooring optionsand particularly during periods ofeconomic downturn,’ says Barker. Tropic Jatoba

46kronospan_IMmay.qxt 30/4/09 16:08


Wood and laminate

Airborne and impact noise needs to be reducedAcoustica presenter

Acoustica Good has a Sone score of 54

Bailey says Acoustica underlay has beenindependently recognised as helping toreduce the presence of airborne soundthrough the Association of EuropeanProducers of Laminate Flooring’s Sonetest. This has also been shown todramatically reduce impact soundthrough the weighted impact soundimprovement index.

The lower the Sone rating the betterequipped the product is to deal withairborne sound. Bailey says Floorwise’spremium laminate underlay, AcousticaBest, achieves a Sone value of 53, whileAcoustica Better scores a rating of 54, asdoes Acoustica Good. In the weightedimpact sound improvement index,

One of the biggest concerns surroundinghard flooring, and laminate in particular,is noise and how best homeowners cancombat it.

‘The practicality and ease of laminateflooring has made it a popular choice forhomes, but sound reducing underlay is acritical part of making the floor liveablewith on a daily basis. There are twofactors to consider in terms of sound –airborne and impact – and any goodunderlay will work to combat both ofthese,’ says Richard Bailey, Floorwise md.

Deadening sound between floors is therole of reducing impact sound, whileairborne sound deals with footfall,conversation and music.

FLOORWISEDOUBLE ACTIONNoise can be a problem for laminate flooring unless the right underlay is used

Acoustica Good achieves 22dB, AcousticaBetter, 23dB and Acoustica Best tops thepile with 24dB.

‘These results, proven under strictlaboratory conditions, show that thevarying density and thickness of rubbersponge used in the Acoustica range areeffective insulators of sound and makethe ideal underlay material for use withlaminate floors. Compared with standardPE cell and foam type products touted assound reducing underlays, Acousticaunderlays are a world apart and havebeen designed from the ground up toprovide the very best in sound reducingability to make the home a quieter andmore comfortable space.’

47floorwise_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 14:53


Packaging is tested to withstand shipping and handling

withstand shipping and handling andthe company is actively aiming for100% recyclable packaging, therebyhelping to reduce retailer’s costs indisposal of waste.

In the event that an item is faulty ordamaged what is the likely responsefrom your supplier, he asks? Is it, ‘Ohit’s the shop’s fault? They haven’tstored or handled the item properly,’ oris it as is the case with a good suppliera 100% unconditional guarantee toreplace or credit any faulty ordamaged item, thereby reducing yourcosts and stress, as is the case atFlexiload.

‘How rigorous is your wholesalesupplier in ensuring Furniture andFurnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulationsare adhered to? If required, could yoursupplier send you a copy of testcertificates at short notice or wouldthere be weeks or months of delaybefore they produced a certificate thatwas years old?

‘How often do they retest to makesure their factories are complying withcurrent UK regulations? We have heardof suppliers who haven’t retested forseveral years. In fact, we refused acontainer earlier this year as we

customers have also benefited fromincreased volumes in our products.Likewise we keep our suppliers busyand in business, for us it’s short termpain for long term gain.’

True value from a supplier is down tothe whole package being offered, hesays. For example, are you absolutelysure that the products you are beingoffered at what appear to be lowprices are not cheap copies of anothersupplier’s registered designs? Retailersare jointly responsible with theirsupplier if they offer copies, with all theattendant potential financial penalties.

‘Can you be sure when you deliverto your customer that the product, inmost cases, will be in first classcondition when taken out of itspackaging? Obviously the additionalcosts in sending out replacements, notto mention the hassle factor for youand your customer, are areas that anyretailer will wish to minimise. We takereal pride in our extremely low level ofreturns of less than 0.5% This is dueto rigorous quality controls in ourfactories in China by staff directlyemployed by us who are paid a bonusfor every “clean” load shipped.’

All packaging is subject to testing to

In these recessionary times, allbusinesses are, or should be,questioning every area of theirbusiness practices. As it becomestougher to make profits, retailers willbe looking at their product ranges tomaximise stockturn and minimisewastage and additional costs due todamages and faulty merchandise.Naturally this turns the spotlight on totheir suppliers.

‘It becomes more and moreimportant that suppliers give real valueand service. Value doesn’t necessarilymean just price, although we are allaware how important the price elementis, with the consumer constantly beingbombarded by TV and Press articlestelling them that shops are desperatefor business and will more or less sellat any price,’ says Simon Bonham,Flexiload md.

‘At Flexiload we have taken this onboard, and have actively supportedour retailers by holding prices despitesharp falls in the value of sterlingagainst the US dollar. This policy haspaid off handsomely, as our turnoverhas shot up in the first four months of2009 compared to 2008. Obviouslythis can only have happened if our

IT’S NOT IT’S NOT ALL ALL ABOUTABOUTTHE MONEYTHE MONEY

The team is trained in all aspects of testing

48_49flexiload_IMmay.qxt 1/5/09 10:28


‘As one of the original containercompanies, Flexiload is still one of thelargest suppliers of quality solid woodfurniture in container quantities and iscertainly one of the most financially

thought it probable that there hadbeen cross-contamination betweencompliant and non-compliant material.The factory sold that container within48 hours to an UK wholesaler andthose chairs are sitting in a UK store –it could be your shop!’

Flexiload caries out regular tests andhas strict working practices at all of itsfactories to ensure all products meetand exceed required legislationrequirements.

‘We even go to the length of flyingstaff from China to the UK for trainingin all aspects of testing. Retailers mustremember that they are just as liableas their supplier if they fail to ensurethat stock they supply is up to spec.’

A major consideration, especially intoday’s challenging market conditions,is the financial health of a supplier.What good is it to buy purely for aslightly lower price then find yoursupplier has gone bust, leaving youwith unfulfilled customer orders andthe consequent pain of refundingdeposits on sales that have been hardwon, Bonham asks.

With container furniture suppliersthis is even more important, as mostsuppliers require a deposit with orders.

sound with more than $3m of stock atany time in its climate controlledwarehouses in China for delivery doorto door in 35 days.’

Bonham says retailers should taketime and think before placing orders,asking the following questions:� Will I get my stock on time and inperfect condition?� Will I pay the price quoted?� Can I be sure the supplier owns thedesign rights to the ranges?� Have they complied with all theregulations?� Will they look after me if I have aproblem?� Can I be sure they have thoroughlychecked that the factories comply withHealth and Safety and employmentlaws?

‘We all know there will be casualtiesduring the next year, so retailersshould spend their money with theimporters who do a thorough job, whowill invest in new designs and who aresupporting you now. It would be ashame if the copycat suppliers surviveand the importers doing the jobproperly did not.’

For more information, tel: 01455 557222

Jay Tasker, Taskers of Liverpool‘We endeavour at all times to provide our customers with excellent service, andin order to achieve this we rely on the same high standard from our suppliers.Communication is an important factor in achieving this. Even bad news iswelcome as it alerts us to potential problems which can then be successfullymanaged. Flexiload, thankfully, has rarely had to give us bad news butunderstands the need for communication – information is always clear andrealistic. There is no doubt that this gives our sales staff the confidence to sellits products in the knowledge that they will have service support from Flexiloadboth before and after delivery.’

Stewart Brown, Branches of Glasgow‘In any service industry the efficient supply of the required commodity isparamount to the provider of the service. In our industry that means that thequality and pricing of product as well as service is most important.

‘We have found Flexiload to do exactly what it says it will do, which in thecurrent economic climate is both refreshing and essential. From the method ofordering, the variety of product, the speed of shipping, to the informativecommunication, we have found Flexiload to be just what we require. On thevery odd occasion It has been called upon to solve a problem, it has done sowithout question or delay. If only all suppliers could be this efficient. Thank you,Flexiload.’

WHAT THE RETAILERS SAY

Flexiload has $3m of stock at its climate controlled warehouses in China

48_49flexiload_IMmay.qxt 1/5/09 10:29

Show review

For seating, the message at Milan thisyear was loud and clear: buttons areback. Many stands, especially in thedesign halls, sported sofas or chairs withbutton-backs or seating or quilting togive the appearance of buttoning.

The second noticeable feature washow almost all Italian leather upholsterymanufacturers had several soft covermodels on their stands. Whether this isconclusive evidence that hide is past itspeak or simply reflects the position of thefirms concerned remains to be seen.

Apart from the button style,

Top: XO Bite Me family

Above: Seven Salotti’s Nap

Above: Moroso’s Rift

Right: Natuzzi’s Soprano

Upholstery

Left: De Sede’s 159

ISALONEON THE BUTTONMilan played host to the 48th Salone Internazionaledel Mobile, the place to find future furnishing trends


50_52Muph_IMmay.qxt 1/5/09 10:26

organised by

51_IM_0509 5/5/09 08:55


Show review

Above: Busnelli’s Harvest

Left: Wittman’s Burnham

Below: Kasmania’s KouchBelow: Bonacina Pierantonio’s

Lima

Bottom: Arketipo’s Cicladai

squashy shapes and extra-thick cushionswere seen on more stands than in 2008.

This is a style move that has firmlyreached the mass-market sector and is nolonger the preserve of the top of themarket.

Many companies also branched outinto bean bags (although fillings varied)in a variety of shapes and materials. Whilethey looked at home on the stands, itremains to be seen if they perform aswell in the UK as they are likely to do incontinental Europe.

Button-backs, squashy shapes andbeanbags – is 2009 really 1979? In Milanit seemed so.

50_52Muph_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 13:08

InsightPassionAd_AW.ai 1 27/03/2009 16:5453_IM_0509 5/5/09 10:02


Show review

Dining

Above: SCP’s Peggy

Left: Calligaris’ Park

Naos’ Flying

Kartell’s Masters

Adaptability was the key message for dining. Whether it wasa plethora of expandable dining tables, such as Zanotta’sCanaletto, or tables that performed more than one function,such as Naos’ Flying dining/cocktail table, practicality wascentral to many exhibitors.

As has come to be expected, designers have been busyshaving thicknesses off legs and tabletops and producingangles that try to turn the furniture into art – why be dullwhen practical and style can go hand in hand. Arflex’sOctopus was a notable example, combining curves inthe legs and tabletop.

Zanotta’s Canaletto

54_56Mdin_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 12:56

55_IM_0509 28/4/09 16:18


Show review

Above: Arflex’s Octopus

Left: Edra’s Capriccio

Bottom left: Vitra

Bottom right: Glas Italia’s

Ghiacciolo

There was an increase in the number ofcompanies promoting wood andemphasising its natural credentials.

When it came to chairs, designerslargely opted for thin and angular oropen spaces.

The latter was perfectly demonstratedby Kartell’s Masters. Phillippe Stark hastaken three of the most iconic chairshapes – Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7, EeroSaarinen’s Tulip armchair and Charles Eames’ Eiffel chair – and combined them into one design.

Above: Horm’s Lux

54_56Mdin_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 12:57

U N C O M P R O M I S I N G I N T E G R I T Y.. U N P A R A L L E L E D R E S U LT S .

Copyright 2009 Lynch Brothers Licensing Corporation

Serving the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom

“The result - over 35% of our annual turnover in22 days, clearing dead stock, discontinued lines,

and lots of new orders, all whilst still maintaining a good margin.”

Chris Barrow, OwnerBarrow Clark Furnishers

North Devon18th April 2009

For nearly a century, retailers have dependedon the Lynch Sales Company to be there through thickand thin, helping them reduce inventory whileimproving cash flow and profits. And today is nodifferent. Regardless of economic climate, you candepend on our 95 years of stability, because we havehelped our retail clients weather every economicstorm since 1914.

In fact, we originated the entire conceptof promotional sales to generate cash, expand orchange location, remodel stores, or update yourinventory – all designed to make successful stores evenmore successful, without the gimmicks promised byliquidators.

Isn’t this the perfect time for a Lynch Saleevent? OUR clients are doing substantial business evenduring these harsh economic times. Call today for anoutline of our copyrighted SALE PLANS. Find out howa Lynch Sale can help your business weather thecurrent storm and prepare for the future.

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Saless CompanyEstablishedd 1914

57_IM_0509 1/5/09 12:04


Show review

Straight lines, right angles and whitesummed up the overwhelming majorityof living room products on show. Thosethat weren’t white were generally aprimary colour in a lacquer finish, such asPresotto’s offering.

Moroso celebrated its four-yearfurniture licensing deal with clothingbrand Diesel (Foscarini is producing thelighting, while Zucchi already makes thetextile range) offering a different lookfrom its own ranges. Moroso willproduce the collection, but it will bedesigned by Diesel.

Left: Molteni & C’s Sequence

Living room

Above: Moroso’s

Xradyio by Diesel

Right: Magis’ 360

Below left: storage

from Presotto

Below right: MDF’s

Vita

58Mliv_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 13:04

© Image copyright Mercedes-Benz Limited

F EDMONDSON & SONSf u r n i t u r e t r a n s p o r t

For fu r ther in fo rmat ion and to d i scuss yourrequirements please call +44 (0)1524 382211or email [email protected]

Specialising in the collection, distribution anddelivery of furniture throughout Europe formanufacturers, retailers and private clients,F Edmondson & Sons is a family owned companywith a proud heritage spanning six decades.

Where we go� Europe� UK� Ireland

What we do� Nationwide delivery service� Bookings for all deliveries� Home/Site deliveries� Full loads/Part loads� Receiving containers &

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NEW FOR 2009Launched at the NEC our bar stool ranges have sold superbly.

A collection ofmodern and

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Contact us to make an appointment to visit our showroom

59_IM_0509 30/4/09 10:27


Show review

Bedrooms

Below: Wogg

wardrobe

Bottom:

Porro’s Storage

Above: Zanotta’sCaracalla

Left: Flou’s Mix

Storage was the important issue forbedrooms at Milan. The high glossfinishes of the past two shows werelargely conspicuous by their absence andas ever, lines were sleek.

Hulsta took inspiration from thekitchen with the pullout unit in itsMioletto, while Wogg used roller doors as

it made its first foray into the bedroommarket. Flou also introduced its firstcabinet range, Mix, while Porrointroduced a semi-transparent finish to itslong-established Storage collection.

Zanotta captured the mood of theupholstery market with its button-backCaracalla.

Above: Hulsta’s Mioletto

60_61Mbed_ol_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 12:42


Left: Flos’

Smithfield

Right: Donegani

& Lauda’s

Rotaliana Diva

Show review

Outdoor and lighting

Serralunga’s HugFontana Atre’s Adubai

Emu’s Inrecci

Go back a few years and outdoor and lighting werelargely forgotten areas. Now they are 100% up front.

The dividing line between the garden and inside hasbeen thrown way, especially with the UK climate in mind.People will spend on upmarket outdoor furniture if it canbe used for more than four weeks a year – somanufacturers have made it as stylish as indoor designs.Garden, conservatory or living room – it’s all the same.

In lighting, Euroluce was affected by the globalrecession with several revamps of 2007 designs, butembraced LED technology. Donegani & Lauda’s RotalianaDiva made a lamp the new hi-fi, for example.

60_61Mbed_ol_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 12:43


Show review

Dublin’s Furniture & HomeAccessories Fair dispelled concernsabout the health of the Republicof Ireland’s economy. The 4,000visitors attending the 29 March -1 April exhibition found 110exhibitors covering more than10,000sqm.

Leading Irish and internationalsuppliers such as Morris FurnitureGroup, Gleneagle, Blue Bone,Vogue Beds, Tornado, XYZAgencies, TCS Imports, JulianBowen, West Décor, MinsterStylish Living and LebusUpholstery were among thosetaking part.

The event also celebrated Irishmanufacturing with theMonaghan Furniture AssociationPavilion. Some of the biggestnames in Irish manufacturingcame together to showcase thebest of contemporary andtraditionally designed pieces fromthe centre of Ireland’s furnituremanufacturing industry.

Companies in the pavilionincluded Drumbriston Furniture;Glaslough Furniture; John LynchUpholstery; Millwood; Mono

DUBLINCAPITAL SUCCESSWith more than 100 exhibitors, the event dispelled economic worries

Top: West Décor

Above: Hepthorn’s

Lille

Left: Airacoil

Below left:

Limelight’s Pandora

Below right:

Melrose’s faux

silk rugs

62_64dublin_IMmay.qxt 28/4/09 15:10

Established in1988, Sweet Dreams is primarily known as a bedmanufacturer. Last year, we introduced bedroom cabinet andupholstery,and in 2009 we launched our living and dining collections.

We are known for high levels of service and quality and for being nicepeople to deal with!

Agentrequired for

Republic of Ireland

We’re looking for a motivated agent with a can-do attitude and establishedcontacts across the Republic who can sell our beds and furniture intoretailers of all sizes.

We help you to do this with competitive products, strong after care andexcellent sales literature. We stock all bedroom, dining and living rangesready for immediate delivery and provide a very speedy service on ourmanufactured beds across all collections.

We offer very good terms to our agents and ask for loyalty and hard workin return.We would prefer our agent to be based in the Republic.

Please send your CV and covering letter as soon as possible, either by postto: Mr Riaz Ahmed, Managing Director, Sweet Dreams Ltd, Primrose Mill,Martin St,Burnley,Lancashire BB10 1SH or email [email protected]

www.sweetdreamsuk.com

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to Stocklists and the Contract Flooring Journal• Free newsletter

The NICF covers all types of flooring including carpet, laminate, luxury vinyl tile, timber and sheet vinyl fitting, and are the driving force behind raising standards of floor covering installation.

By supporting the NICF and becoming an active member you can have a voice in the future of your chosen industry along with all the other benefits you see listed below:

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64-65_IM_0509 1/5/09 11:16


Show review

Furniture by Design and Sherry Designs. ‘There was concern from the industry

going into the show this year, but highquality buyers were visiting from abustling opening day proving that therewere deals to be made and orders to betaken. All of this made the Furniture &Home Accessories Fair a success againstvery difficult market conditions,’ saysDavid Skinner, Furniture & HomeAccessories Fair md.

Cavendish Upholstery’s Mark McCannwas impressed. ‘Our first visit to theshow was a resounding success withnew accounts being opened and manyold friends back on board.’

Vogue Group demonstrated its VogueBeds, Hampton Bed Company andRepose Beds brands while MelroseTextiles celebrated the launch of its fauxsilk rug collection.

Hepthorn showed its oak Lille bedroomrange with curved fronts and legs. Thebed base has a two-part sprung slat unitfor support.

Limelight introduced the Pandorabedroom collection to coordinate with itsAmerican oak Cordelia, Dione andPhoebe beds.

The positive mood was echoed byexhibitors. ‘For the times we are in,painted by the media, we were pleasantlysurprised at the orders taken,’commented one.

‘The quality of customers for us wasvery good. The show exceeded ourexpectations,’ says another.’

The show was summed up nicely byone exhibitor: ‘In this climate we need to entice the customers to buy, and they did!’

Above:

Cavendish’s

Carlo

Left: Julian

Bowen

Below right:

Vogue’s

Pocketmaster

Below left:

Sherry Designs

62_66dublin_IMmay.qxt 30/4/09 12:06

IBC_IM_0509 1/5/09 09:15 Page IBC1

The best support inthe business

Vale-Bridgecraft stockists benefit from referrals from thecompanies regional showrooms. Our professional teamare on hand to welcome and guide the customerthrough the buying process and accept their orderrequirements. The order is passed to the stockist whosimply takes the payment and delivers the goods. The

customer is very satisfied as they receive an extra gift worth £170 for placing the order on the day of the visit. This is a unique way of generating sales and certainly helps our retailers create a more comfortable bottom line.

ale

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For more information on becoming a Vale-Bridgecraft stockist call us on 01422 885000

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Dawn, David,Pauline, Sue, JaneMytholmroydWest Yorkshire

Sharon, Maureen,LoughboroughLeicestershire

Rex, Wendy, Draycott Gloucestershire

Penny, Rita, Nutfield Surrey

Roger, Gloria, Eastleigh Hampshire

Adriana, Jackie, LisburnCounty Antrim

Best Fabric Upholstery

Extra giftworth £170with orders

placed at theshowrooms!

OBC_IM_0509 1/5/09 09:13 Page OBC1

interiors monthly may 2009

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