interiors monthly may 2011

INNER_IM_0511 28/4/11 09:21 Page 1

Sitting on a huge pile of cash is not generallyseen as a problem, but 11 years ago it was forSilentnight Group and has ultimately led it tothe position where it needs the support ofthe Pensions Regulator if it is to survive in itspresent form (see p8).

The group had sold its US bed operationsfor more than £30m, if memory serves, andthe question was whether it should returnthe cash to shareholders or spend it.

Buying Ducal and Parker Knoll, Nathan andStag parent Cornwell Parker for a combined£40m was seen by many as a good (if pricey)strategic move, combining the strongestbrands of the bed and furniture markets.

Unfortunately the furniture side of thebusiness proved problematic from almost thebeginning and what was an expensive

mistake at the time has become another onewith the group now unable to fund the finalsalary pension scheme that grew out of thetakeovers.

Given unemployment numbers, it is hardto see the Pensions Regulator voting toeffectively put the group into administrationand risk 1,250 jobs and more at suppliers.But, if the vote goes against the group,expect no shortage of buyers.

Issuing two profit warnings in three weeks,as Carpetright has done (see p12) gives aclear indication that late March and most ofApril has been fairly rotten for the chain.

But is it a reflection of the wider flooringmarket? One major buying group told methat sales for the year were up 4%, despiteevidence of shoppers opting for lessexpensive products in recent months.

Interestingly, Carpetright says it has beenunable to pass on raw material price rises toconsumers as it looks to maintaincompetitive prices. Perhaps it’s not the allpowerful beast it is often portrayed as bysmaller rivals.

• Don’t forget to vote in the 2011 InteriorsMonthly Awards (see p6). It’s your votes thatdecide the winners.

EDITOR’S COMMENT

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 3

Pension poison pill?

Andrew KiddEDITOR

Over 120 companies gather atManchester Furniture Show fromthe 17 – 20 July, with many wellknown brands on show and several UK launches, there will be something on show to temptall buyers.

Editor: Andrew KiddT: 01273 930 029 E: [email protected] advertising (South): Tim BodenT: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] advertising (North): Jarrod BirdT: 01565 659 414 E: [email protected] and accessories advertising: Joanne MillerT: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] executive: Ben WatkinsT: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] sales agent: Jane DaiT: 00 86 755 8398 1616 E: [email protected]

Published by Interiors Media LimitedUnit 11, Riverside Business Centre, Riverside House,Riverlawn Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1EPT: 01732 783 561 F: 01732 783 562E: [email protected] in England no. 6397722Printed by Headley Brothers Design by TSS DIGITAL © Interiors Media Limited ISSN 1756-2236

MANCHESTER CENTRAL 17-20 JULYwww.manchesterfurnitureshow.com for the full show guide

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

Interiorsmonthly

f i r s t f o r f u r n i t u r e , f l o o r i n g a n d a c c e s s o r i e s

May

2011

iSalone sparklesMilan’s finest

2011 AwardsVote for the best

In 2000 two acquisitionsseemed like a good ideabut now the action isthreatening the country’slargest bed group.

003_IM_0511 27/4/11 15:45

004_IM_0511 28/4/11 09:31 Page 1

CONTENTS


INSIDE THIS ISSUENEWS8 Vital vote for Silentnight Group

10 Constant flooring price changes

12 Carpetright profits warning

FEATURES6 Awards

Your chance to vote for the best in the industry

22 CarpetHalls, stairs and landings

26 RugsBold is best

32 Living and diningOccasional success story

35 Beds and bedroom supplementWhy design matters

54 Wood and laminateAlternatives to oak

60 AccessoriesHow nature is inspiring lighting

64 ReviewiSalone

74 ReviewIFFS

REGULARS3 Comment

15 Opinion

16 New products

77 Entertainment

78 Final polish

NEXT ISSUEThe highlights of Fuori Salone

Floorcare and protective treatments

Manchester Furniture Show preview

INTERIORS MONTHLY MAY 2011

005_IM_0511 27/4/11 15:47

AWARDS

6 Interiors Monthly May 2011

VOTE FOR SIMPLY

Winners of the fourth Interiors MonthlyAwards, recognising the best in theinteriors industry, will be announced inAugust.

As with the previous awards, thewinners will be decided by you, socomplete the form opposite or downloadit from www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk andfax it to: 01732 783 562 or [email protected].

It’s up to you how you decide what isthe best product or company in thecategory – they could be great sellers,great designs or providers of fantasticcustomer service.

Ensure your opinion counts and votenow. Everyone who votes will be enteredinto a draw to win a bottle ofchampagne.

Here’s a reminder of how you voted inthe 2010 awards.Best Flooring Retailer 1-2 Stores:Wood You LikeBest Flooring Retailer 3+ Stores:CarpetrightBest Furniture Retailer 1-2 Stores:John Lewis At HomeBest Furniture Retailer 3+ Stores:Furniture VillageBest Online Retailer:The Big Rug StoreBest UK Flooring Manufacturer:Axminster CarpetsBest UK Furniture Manufacturer:Woodberry Brothers & HainesBest Overseas Furniture Manufacturer:Ekornes

Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer:Balta BroadloomBest Customer Service (Furniture):Vale-BridgecraftBest Customer Service (Flooring):Cormar CarpetsBest Furniture Wholesaler:Kettle InteriorsBest Flooring Wholesaler:HadfieldsBest Bed Manufacturer:Sealy UKBest Carpet Manufacturer:Ulster CarpetsBest Bedroom Manufacturer:Willis & GambierBest Underlay Manufacturer:Ball & YoungBest Furniture Buying Group:AISBest Flooring Buying Group:SMGBest Dining Room Manufacturer:Morris Furniture GroupBest Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer:Lebus UpholsteryBest Rug Supplier:Rugs with FlairBest Leather Upholstery:NatuzziBest Laminate Manufacturer:

Quick-StepBest Vinyl Manufacturer:IVC GroupBest Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer:Prestigious TextilesBest Living Room Manufacturer:ErcolBest Accessory Supplier:SunflexBest Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer:Kährs (UK)Best Furniture Website:G Plan UpholsteryBest Flooring Website:BalterioBest Furniture Exhibition:Salone Internazionale del MobileBest Flooring Exhibition:DomotexBest Supply Chain/Logistics Company:Andrew PorterBest Finance Provider:GE CapitalBest Business Support:MetroBest Marketing Support:EkornesBest Software Supplier (1-3 stores)RetailsystemBest software Supplier (4+ stores)Optimise Solutions

Above: Balta Broadloom wasvoted Best Overseas FlooringManufacturerRight: Ekornes won the BestMarketing Support category

6_7awards_IMmay11.qxp 27/4/11 14:22

AWARDS


THE BEST. . . Best Customer Service (Furniture)

..............................................................................................................................Best UK Furniture Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Furniture Buying Group

..............................................................................................................................Best Accessory Supplier

..............................................................................................................................Best Bed Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Bedroom Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Dining Room Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Living Room Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Leather Upholstery

..............................................................................................................................Best Furniture Wholesaler

..............................................................................................................................Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Furniture Exhibition

..............................................................................................................................Best Furniture Website

..............................................................................................................................Best Customer Service (Flooring)

..............................................................................................................................Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Flooring Buying Group

..............................................................................................................................Best Carpet Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Rug Supplier

..............................................................................................................................Best Laminate Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Underlay Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................

Please fax your completed form to 01732 783 562

or email your nominations to

[email protected]

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

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

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

Tel .......................................................................................................................

Email ..................................................................................................................

Rewarding excellence

Best Vinyl Manufacturer

..............................................................................................................................Best Luxury Vinyl Supplier

..............................................................................................................................Best Flooring Exhibition

..............................................................................................................................Best Flooring Website

..............................................................................................................................Best Flooring Wholesaler

..............................................................................................................................Best Software Supplier

..............................................................................................................................Best Finance Provider

..............................................................................................................................Best Supply Chain/Logistics Company

..............................................................................................................................Best Business Support

..............................................................................................................................Best Marketing Support

..............................................................................................................................Innovation of the Year

..............................................................................................................................

SUPPLIERS TO COMPLETE ONLY

Best Flooring Retailer (1-2 stores)

..............................................................................................................................Best Flooring Retailer (3+ stores)

..............................................................................................................................Best Furniture Retailer (1-2 stores)

..............................................................................................................................Best Furniture Retailer (3+ stores)

..............................................................................................................................Best Online Retailer

..............................................................................................................................

RETAILERS TO COMPLETE ONLY

6_7awards_IMmay11.qxp 27/4/11 13:07

NEWS


Silentnight Group’s fate restswith the Pensions Regulator The future of Silentnight Group, the UK’slargest bed manufacturer, will bedecided on 6 May, with the PensionsRegulator holding the key.

The group has amassed a pension funddeficit of about £50m, which wouldincrease to £100m if it was wound upnow. Although profitable and generatingcash, Silentnight has been unable toresolve the issue and its bankers, whowere owed almost £20m, withdrew theirsupport earlier this year.

In an effort to keep the companyoperating, the group is proposing tooffer creditors 65p for every £1 of debtthrough a creditors voluntary agreement.With 75% of creditors, by amount ofdebt, having to approve the plan on the6 May vote, the regulator has the finalsay, unless it abstains. The regulatorpreviously rejected an offer of an equitystake in the company from SilentnightGroup.

The group’s previous attempts to findinvestment through a full or partial salealso proved unsuccessful, althoughinvestment firm HIG Capital provided£10m of working capital after the banksold its debenture to affiliate Grace Bay 2Holdings.

If the CVA proposal is rejected, it islikely the group will enter administrationand be sold. Although the previousfundraising attempts failed, theygenerated a high level of private equityand trade interest from across the globe.

HIG has indicated that if the CVA goesthrough it is ready to invest more intothe group, owner of the Silentnight Beds,Rest Assured, Layezee Beds and PocketSpring Bed Company brands, and the UKSealy licensee.

While many companies have facedpension fund deficits in recent years, thegroup’s troubles date back to autumn2000 when it made the ill-fatedacquisitions of Dual and former Nathanparent Cornwell Parker for a combined£40m.

The acquisitions were beset withproblems from the outset. Both wereclosed and sold off after running uphuge losses.

Some 1,500 employees joined thegroup’s final salary pension scheme butjust 100 are still employed by the groupand contributing to the pension fund.

The group says it can see noalternative to the CVA and doesn’t wantto leave anyone out of pocket more thanit has to in order to survive.

‘Silentnight is one of the UK’s bestknown brands, with a proud history ofmanufacturing and distributing bedssince 1946. The group is tradingprofitably and generating cash, andemploys just over 1,250 people acrossthe North of England and Ireland,’ saysNeal Mernock, Silentnight Group chiefexecutive.

‘Unfortunately, the withdrawal of ourfacilities by our formerly supportivelender earlier this year has left us with anunserviceable level of historic debt. That,combined with an onerous and growingpension deficit accrued as a result of a

series of acquisitions – all of which havesince been closed or sold as we haverefocused on our core bedmanufacturing and distributionoperations – has forced us to seek animmediate injection of cash.

‘In the absence of a willing commercialbanking partner, and after a formalproposal to the Pensions Regulatoroffering an equity stake in the group wasdeclined, a CVA has been deemed theonly viable route forward at this time.

‘The approval of the CVA proposal byour creditors will be a major step forwardin securing Silentnight’s future. With theongoing support of our loyal suppliersand staff, and on a more stable financialfooting, we are confident that Silentnightwill continue to generate substantialprofits, to outperform the wider market,and to innovate and grow market shareas home to both the UK’s and the world’sbiggest bed brands.’

Silentnight Beds is one of five brands in the group

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NEWS


More flooring price hikes as rawmaterials costs continue to riseRetailers face months of having to change flooring prices

because of continuing raw material price rises, according to

the European Carpet and Rug Association.

‘Significant price swings in global commodity markets are

impacting the ability of the European carpet and rug

industry to guarantee supply of product at fixed prices for

longer periods of time. The increased manufacturing

capacity in China is particularly presenting the industry with

an overall global shortage of raw materials,’ says Simon van

de Vrande, ECRA director.

ECRA represents more than 50 manufacturers from seven

countries – Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,

Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK – which accounts for

nearly 90% of European carpet production.

Comparing December 2009 prices to December 2010,

natural fibres such as linen and wool have increased by 38%

to 40% and silk, jute and cotton by as much as 140%. Prices

of polypropylene and polyamide have increased at least

35%-40% compared to 12 months ago, as have many other

raw materials such as latex, says van de Vrande.

Although the British Wool Marketing Board’s price

indicator dropped from a high of 190p per kg to 183p at the

April sale, Gilles Guillaume, ECRA chairman has warned that

swift action is needed if manufacturers are to have margins

‘that allow us to invest in the future and to safeguard the

continuity of our industry.’

Showroom revampKitchen and furniture manufacturer Crown Imperialhas completed the upgrading of its Daventry,Northamptonshire showroom with more than 70kitchen, living room and bedroom roomsets ondisplay across 15,000sqft.

‘The space is designed to inspire retailers byassisting them with selecting suitable ranges fortheir own customers and showroom display. It’s akey tool in our aim to provide long-term support forthe independent retailer,’ says Tony McCarthy, CrownImperial commercial director.

New for the bedroom: Kingstown Furniture’s latest brochure includes the new Rimini (pictured),Bordeaux and Bella ranges and the expanded Serena collection. As well as information on a dozenranges it also includes plans for its Simply Fitted packages.

Home surf Almost half of the most searched forretail items online are home furnishingsrelated.

The British Retail Consortium/GoogleOnline Retail Monitor found beds,kitchens, curtains and sofas took uppositions four to seven in the first quarterof the year, behind boots, dresses andfancy dress.

‘The top 10 search terms in the threemonths to March represent popularitems in the post Christmas sales period.The trend is also towards high valueitems, which benefit from pricecomparison and items which are lessfrequently found on the high street,’ saysthe report.

Searching for retail items throughGoogle jumped by 29% in the period.

Crown Imperial’s upgraded showroom

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011_IM_0511 28/4/11 09:35 Page 1

NEWS


peo

ple

The National Bed

Federation has

elected Simon Spinks,

Harrison Spinks md

(above) as president,

usually a two-year

term. Stuart Hibbert,

Breasley Consumer

Products md has

been elected vice-

president.

John Hinchcliffe

(above) has become

Vorwerk Carpets

North West of

England and North

Wales sales agent.

Keith Stevens (below)

is Midlands and South

Wales sales agent.

Rob Simpkins has

joined Mohawk

International as sales

manager for the

South West and South

and West Wales.

Martin Taylor has

become sales

manager for Derby,

Doncaster,

Huddersfield, Hull,

Leicester, Lincoln,

Nottingham, Sheffield

and Wakefield and

Lee McCartney has

been appointed as

sales manager for

Oxfordshire,

Northants, Berkshire,

Luton, Watford and

Hemel Hempstead.

Almost £1m of its monthly sales are coming fromonline research, according to Axminster Carpets.

The firm says many consumers visit itsaxminstercarpets.co.uk website as part of thepurchasing decision, making its functionality andability to deliver information an essential part of thebuying process.

‘As the first point of contact for many consumersthe website must uphold our brand values andprovide the information necessary to forward thepurchasing process by driving them to the neareststockist,’ says Richard Lawrence, group head ofmarketing.

‘We are getting the blend right and the website ishelping retailers to convert interest into sales,

More stock: SereneFurnishings has added40,000sqft of storagespace to its WestBromwich operation,having completed themove to a new under-one-roof warehousingfacility, increasingspace to 85,000sqft. Itwill have 60,000 itemsin stock at any timeand the move shouldreduce delivery times.

Carpetright has issued its second profits warning

in three weeks and the third of the year, saying

that profits will now be below 2009’s.

The chain says sales dropped by 6.5% in the UK

and Republic of Ireland in the 11 weeks to 16

April and by 6.3% on a like for like basis.

Lord Harris, Carpetright executive chairman

says although the Easter Bank Holiday

performance is not included in the sales figures,

he doesn’t expect ‘the trend up to the financial

year end, 30 April 2011, to be materially

different.’

On 1 February the group said it expected

underlying profits for the year to be below 2010’s

£28.2m but higher than 2009’s £17.2m. On 7

April it warned profits would be ‘broadly in line’

with 2009’s results and on 27 April said profits

will be ‘slightly below’ 2009’s. In 2008 Carpetright

generated an underlying pre-tax profit of

£62.1m.

Harris says the flooring market has remained

weak and profitability has been hit by raw

material price rises.

‘Increases in raw material costs continued in

the final month of the quarter, leading to an

acceleration of carpet price inflation,’ he says.

‘While we have, where possible, looked to pass

some of this increase on to customers, the

ongoing difficult trading conditions have

required us to hold sale prices on many lines to

ensure they remain at a competitive level. As a

consequence, we now expect the total UK and

Republic of Ireland margin will be flat year on

year,’ he says.

Third profit warningfrom Carpetright

Axminster enjoys online success

driving consumer footfall to stores,’ he says. ‘Moreimportantly, these consumers arrive with theAxminster Carpets name at the fore of their mindand with a distinct idea of the carpet they require.’

Axminster’s website is driving sales

Creative boostArgos says its goCreate online upholsteryrange helped boost its product offer by afifth to 23,300 products. Shoppers canchoose from 10 sofa styles, beforeselecting size and cover options. Morethan 1,440 combinations are available.

The chain says it increased furnituremarket share in the year to 26 Februarydespite a fall in sales. Sister chainHomebase had higher bedroom sales.

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OPINION

Terms such as energy efficient, carbon neutral and sustainabilityhave become part of the vernacular for companies seeking topromote themselves to increasingly environmentally consciousconsumers. However, one cannot make green claims about aproduct without the science to back it up. If you can’t prove it,you cannot say it.

Life Cycle Assessment is one way of doing this. A cradle togate study by the British Wool Marketing Board examinedBritish wool production from sheep farming to wool sorting,marketing and scouring.

The Carpet Foundation is completing the project throughyarn spinning, colouration, carpet production, warehousing,distribution, retailing, installation and disposal. It is a three year

project and the results will be theintellectual property of theCarpet Foundation and itsmanufacturers.

All well and good, but whatimpact does that have on you?

Within the next two years theConstruction Products Directivewill be replaced by theConstruction ProductRegulations, meaning allfloorcoverings sold in theEuropean Union must carry a CEmark. CE marking standards arealso under review with two

additional requirements, one being an environmental productdeclaration based on an LCA.

Addressing environmental issues is important for bothretailers and manufacturers.

Research carried out for the Campaign for Wool among 1,531consumers revealed 30% will change their purchasing decisionto buy products made from sustainable materials. This is quitestaggering. Almost half said that environmental impact canaffect their purchasing decisions while nearly one in 10 saidthey are influenced by environmental issues at all times.

Environmental issues are getting greater preference andincreasing numbers of consumers are trying to adopt a moreeco-friendly lifestyle and do more to help the environment.

Legislation is playing its part as well and companies whoignore these issues do so at their peril, while those who say orthink they are doing the right thing without the actual scienceto substantiate it will get caught out.

Wool prices may be soaring but the environmental messagesfor wool are irresistible and provide us all with an opportunity.

Rupert AntonCarpet Foundation marketing director

Wool’s environmentalmessages are irresistible

One cannotmake greenclaims abouta productwithout thescience toback it up

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GREENWOOD hv 28/3/11 12:51 Page 1

015_IM_0511 28/4/11 09:58


1

3 4

1 Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpet fibre could be considered as the first

true alternative to wool, with 37% of its content made from Bio-PDO, a

renewable resource derived from corn. This high percentage of natural

content is backed by SmartStrand’s greenhouse gas emissions being 63%

lower and energy consumption reduced by 30% compared to nylon.

Tel: 01480 479 830

2 Floorwise has added another specification for its contract rated Super

High Density HyperLift underlay, with durability and recovery properties

in excess of its predecessor. Now IMO certified and with almost a quarter

more foam content, HyperLift is guaranteed for the life of the carpet.

Tel: 01509 673 974

3 Prestigious Textiles’ Exquisite is an eclectic array of fabrics headed by

two shimmering embroideries: Exquisite, a finely-wrought sprigged trail

featuring blossom set amid entwined boughs contrasts with Debonair’s

grand-scale open flowers and sweeping foliage arcs.

Tel: 01274 688 448

4 Container, Avenue’s latest collection, is available in a spectrum of

super funky colours, including red, green and blue, yellow, white and a

plethora of industrial shades. Container shakes off cushion flooring’s

reputation for lookalike decors.

Tel: 00 32 5665 3211

5 Cormar Carpets has responded to high wool prices by introducing

Forest Hills to its Wool Twist Collection. The 50% pure new wool twist

pile comes in 15 natural heather shades and two pile weights: Super

(32oz per sq yard) and Elite (42oz) and 4m and 5m widths.

Visit: www.cormarcarpets.co.uk ��

NEW PRODUCTS

2

5

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6

9

6 Richard Hutten’s Pin-Up for Brand van Egmond shows its soft side with

round shapes and female silhouettes. A light in sparkling silver and gold with a

glittering inside.

Tel: 0031 35 692 1259

7 Vogue Beds is the first bed manufacturer to introduce Blu Cool Memory

Foam. Blu Cool’s unique properties ensure that it is not too warm for users. The

UK developed manufacturing process results in a supportive foam that

behaves like memory foam, but does not retain body heat.

Tel: 01455 841 257

8 Bronte Carpets’ innovative sample book shows a new range of 60 standard

100% wool colours and 60 standard 80/20 twist colours. Bronte’s special dye

colour match service is also available. There are three qualities in its saxony/

velvet range and two felted qualities to the shag pile range. The Embossed

fleur-de-lys (pictured) has been added to the hand-crafted border offer.

Tel: 01282 862 736

9 Lano Carpets’ New Twilight’s level of detail raises the style benchmark for

low maintenance carpets. With 12 on-trend pastel shades and a soft texture, it

has been developed for bedrooms and bathrooms, with the option of action-

back in 4m width or a waffle backing in a 2m width.

Tel: 00800 5266 5266

10 Whitestone Weavers has introduced its first underlay range: MacFelt.

Made using recycled material from carpet manufacturers, the offer comprises

MacFelt 33, MacFelt 42 and MacFelt Combi, the latter with a crumb rubber

backing made from old car tyres.

Tel: 01429 892 555 ��

NEW PRODUCTS

7

10

8

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11

14

11 Modus’ Noughts and Crosses stools are

available in two heights for either bar or

dining table use. The three or four-legged

oak stools have a steel powder coated O or X

serving as a footrest and can be made in a

variety of colours.

Tel: 01460 258 590

12 The elegant Oak Bretagne laminate

flooring design from Faus will distinguish

the living area of the home. Its marquetry

design is captured by the Wideplank

system that allows the floor to be laid using

the ‘plank within a plank’ concept that

eliminates any visual linear joint pattern.

Tel: 0151 651 2400

13 With a twist on simplicity, Case

Furniture’s Covet desk’s solid oak or walnut

frame supports a large glass work surface

and combines an innovative storage solution

into its design.

Tel: 020 7622 3506

14 The Easybind collection of professional

trim for carpets from Stairrods (UK)

converts any width, style or quality of carpet

into made-to-measure stair runners and rugs.

Available in 23 colours, the rope-styled

Easybind is applied to the reverse of the cut-

length of carpet adding a narrow edging

strip to the completed stair runner or rug.

Tel: 01207 591 176

15 Living Divani’s Bukva is a sculpture-

bookcase. Comprising a series of square,

detached and tangent elements, they are

closed in the front, giving the initial

impression of a work of art hanging on the

wall. Books and other objects can be housed

inside the modules.

Tel: 020 7792 2522

NEW PRODUCTS

13

15

12

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CARPET


Colour takes a step upStripes and bold plains are making an impact on stairs and hallways

The past few years has seen increasingpopularity of striped carpets on stairs,but for every consumer who likes this,there are many more who recoil at theidea.

But it seems that what unites shoppersis the demand for more interestingcolours to adorn their stairs.

‘Stripes for halls, stairways andlandings are popular and understandablyso as the finished look can be stunning.However, plains still hold the largestshare of the market for this area of thehome, although consumers are nowlooking for more exciting colours. This issomething we have addressed bydoubling the colour offer in our flagshipDurham Twist collection,’ says PhilHartley, Whitestone Weavers salesdirector.

Sold under the Hugh Mackay brandand available in 40oz, 50oz and 60ozweights, Durham Twist now has a colourpalette of 40 shades. As well as a strongbank of neutrals, the revised collectionprovides contemporary amethyst, duckegg blue, greens and morello.

Steve Upperton, Axminster Carpetssales director, says: ‘Many of ourAxminsters can be supplied in a 3ft widthto make the perfect hall carpet and stairrunners, keeping wastage to an absoluteminimum.

‘And with beautiful tonal creationsthrough to stronger and bolder flavours,the hall and stairs can really be broughtto life with colour and pattern.’

The Axminster weave and inherenttoughness of a 100% wool constructionprovide a durable carpet that will domuch to stand up to the narrow wearaisles on stairs and hallways.

But, says Upperton, ‘these daysAxminster certainly does not have tomean traditional. Consumers are beingexposed to some stunning contemporarydesigns that would look great in the hallor landing and there should be nohesitation in putting the narrower widthsof these forward for consideration aswell.’

Ian Hammond, Vorwerk Carpets ��

Above: Kingsmead’sArtwork

Right: Vorwerk’sFlamina in HarvestBrown

22-24carpet_IMmay11.qxp 21/4/11 17:53

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A4 ad 04-11:Layout 1 14/04/2011 13:15 Page 1023_IM_0511 28/4/11 10:09 Page 1

CARPET


UK sales director also highlights the issueof durability for stair carpets.

‘I think we can attribute the supposedsuccess of striped carpet to onephotograph that seems to have made anappearance absolutely everywhere. Butnot every home has the perfect periodstyling, expensive brass stair rods andcontrasting dark wood staircase that theparticular shot describes as the recipe fora perfect staircase and hallway.’

He says what is more important is acarpet’s ability to keep looking good –something stripes are particularlysuccessful at – and its ability to deal withthe concentrated traffic of feet often stillclad in shoes tracking in mud and debrisfrom outside.

Pattern can make a huge difference toa carpet’s ability to disguise dirt betweenvacuums, but it is no indication of acarpet’s ability to be cleaned or wearparticularly well.

Hammond says nylon carpets wearwell, with durability in excess ofpolypropylene and polyester.

‘As we know, nylon is the fibre ofchoice for harsh commercial locations, soit is more than capable of withstandingthe offspring’s best attempts to tramplemud and dirt throughout the hall andstairs,’ he says.

‘Nylon is also relatively easy to cleanand the removal of stains is almostcertainly an easier proposition than withpopular natural fibres. While lacking thestain resistance of polypropylene fibresunless solution dyed, nylon will certainlywear better and will keep looking goodover a longer period.’

Martin West, Kingsmead generalmanager, says: ‘The trend for stripes onstairs and in hallways, and an appetite forcoordinating the stripes with plaincolours in adjacent rooms, led us toredevelop our Artwork range.

‘Artwork features 20 plain strongcolours and five coordinating stripes intwo pile weights. It represents a majorshift away from neutral shades, rarelyseen in many carpet outlets.’

Above: WhitestoneWeavers has doubledthe colour palette ofDurham Twist

Right: Axminster’sPrincetown

‘Consumers arenow looking formore excitingcolours’

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“space reserved for excitingnew woven product – comingsoon to a retailer near you”

Gaskell Wool RichSales:Tel: 01827 831525

Fax: 01827 831508www.gaskellwoolrich.co.uk

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RUGS


Make a statementThe latest rugs are designed to be eye catching – and then some

Golran: new from old

��

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RUGS

In a crowded market it can be difficult tostand out from the competition, which iswhy the latest rug designs are bolder andbrighter.

Golran has followed in the footsteps ofJan Kath and then gone further, turningold into new in its Carpet Reloadedcollection. Like Jan Kath it hasdecolourised then re-dyed old rugs tocreate different designs, but it has alsounthreaded the rugs and rewoven themand mixed and matched rug squares tocreate larger rugs.

Living Divani has entered the rugmarket with a five strong range createdby Harry van Lerssel and Camila vegaFaba. Among them, Growing Pointsdepicts little circles, some larger, somelighter, scattered in an apparentlyrandom fashion. In the New Zealandwool Drippy, graphic lines, dotted here,solid there, form a clear edge, while theTibetan wool and silk Ice Flower featuresstylised blossoms.

Nani Marquina’s 4x4 may not be boldvisually, but its capabilities are. In thesearch for a fibre capable of withstandingoutdoor conditions, a waterproof, fluff-free fibre has been developed fromrecycled polyester thread, allowing thesoft finish 4x4 to be used outside andindoors.

Calligaris’ 11 strong collection includesthe striking New Zealand wool Lace,available in white on black or vice versa.

Floor to Heaven is celebrating its fifthanniversary with typically bold designssuch as Moroccan Garden.


Above: Calligaris’ LaceAbove left: Floor to Heaven’s Moroccan GardenLeft: Living Divani’s DrippyBottom: Nani Marquina’s 4x4

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Ad

vertising feature: K

ingsmead C

arpets


Contact

tel: 01827 831 424

www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

[email protected]

When Kingsmead Carpets was developing its

Artwork Collection, it specified New Zealand

wool because the natural whiteness of the

wool makes it the natural choice for dyeing all

shades in the colour spectrum and perfect for

the most stylish and fashionable interiors.

The Artwork Collection not only epitomises

the superior properties of New Zealand wool

through its range of beautiful colours, but it

offers consumers a new and creative decorat-

ing medium.

For the best in contemporary floor decor,

Kingsmead’s Artwork offers 20 plain shades

influenced by fashion colour trends and five

coordinating Artwork Stripes inspired by

fabrics.

Available in two hard-wearing qualities,

45oz and 60oz, the range satisfies all tastes

from the conservative to the modernist. The

plain colours are available in 4m and 5m

widths.

Natural benefits‘Carpets can make as much of an impact

as any other decorating medium – not only

embellishing a room but also making a focal

statement,’ says Joanna Ramsden, Wools of

New Zealand colourist and creative manager.

‘With the growing interest and available

choices in interior decor, it has never been

easier to use and live with colour. Colour is

back – it is the most powerful element in

decoration and plays a significant and

subconscious role in our lives. It affects our

senses and can alter our home by enhancing

the mood and improving the quality of life

within.

‘Viewing the floor as a blank canvas is a

great way to inject individual creativity into the

home. Being instinctive and following your

individual preferences is key to making a

house a home.

‘Paint, wallcoverings and furnishings have

been influential for interiors for some time,

floorcoverings can now play their part,’ adds

Ramsden.

Artwork is a prime example of how to trans-

form floorspace using a mix and match styling

concept. The collection endorses all the natu-

ral benefits inherent in wool – beauty, health,

comfort and integrity.

Additional reasons for buying Artwork

include it being non-allergenic, soil repellent,

fire resistant with insulating properties, in addi-

tion to the renewable and sustainable

attributes.

Launched in January, the 80% wool, 10%

nylon and 10% Kingloc polyester twist pile

collection was the first launched under the

refreshed Wools of New Zealand brand logo.

All branded carpets are independently test-

ed to meet the stringent performance require-

ments associated with the Wools of New

Zealand mark. This reassurance further

enhances the desirability of Artwork.

The Artwork

Collection is

available in

plains and

stripes

29kingsAD_IMmay11.qxp 27/4/11 14:29


One Italian manufacturer has a collection aimed at the UK market

In recent years the once powerful areasof upholstery production in southernItaly have suffered as manufacturingmoved to the Far East. Now a newcollection has been developed for the UKmarket that its producers hope willreverse the trend.

‘Being a southern Italian upholsteryfactory in the past few years has notbeen easy. With the euro going up to theroof and sterling going down to the floor,most of the business migrated towardsChina,’ says Domenico Bolognese, Italia

Living sales director and partner.Bolognese says Italia Living will use

Italian leathers to create upholsteryaimed at the middle to upper end of theUK market produced in the Bari area.

‘The changes in recent years haveimposed a new, and at the same timeold, business model where values such asflexibility, efficiency, quality and servicecount more and more,’ says PhillipFrench, UK and Republic of Ireland agent.

‘Because we all strongly believe that ifyou stay focused on your point of

strength it is possible to deliver stylish100% Made In Italy products, in singlesor full containers, with nice leathers stillat competitive prices.’

UK manufactured foam will be used tomeet UK comfort levels and thecollection made to order and suppliedwithin six to eight weeks.

The official UK launch is at the 21-23June Midpoint Show where productsfeaturing modern and contemporarydesigns in static and motion versions willbe shown, adds Bolognese.

UPHOLSTERY

Italian comebackModigliani

DeChirico

Giorgione

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Are consumers still buying

occasional furniture or are they

cutting back?

It may not be in constant use, but living and dining roomswouldn’t be the same without occasional furniture. But while itcan provide a relatively low cost way of giving a room a newlook, are sales holding up?

‘There is still very much a place for occasional furniture in thehome,’ argues Mike Hodgson, CPW Furniture md. ‘Demand is asstrong as ever and with eclectic interiors seeming to be thething of the moment, it could be argued even more so.’

He says matching ‘sets’ are a thing of the past, withconsumers wanting living rooms with a mix of new and old, andcontrasting furniture is very much a do rather than a don’t.

‘Try mixing up ranges in-store, or having the same item intwo or three different paint options, maybe selectingcontrasting handles, tops and plinth on one. Show theconsumer how individual you can make something as ordinaryas a coffee table and you will see that occasional furniture is stillvery much in demand,’ Hodgson suggests. ��

Simon Ainge, Kettle Interiors sales manager agrees. ‘Occasional furniture is as popular as it has ever been.The tendency seems to be towards smaller ticket items such aslamp tables or small cupboards which don’t break the bank andthat can still give the room a style overhaul.’

He says this is particularly true of smaller modern homes.Only display cabinets have lost popularity and have beendiscontinued in some of Kettle’s ranges without any discernablesales side effect.

‘It seems that the display cabinet is furniture of the past.Retailers could do much worse than plug the gaps betweenranges with smaller ticket occasional furniture, as these itemshold up well on their own and a good variety could help togenerate a little extra revenue,’ he says.

For Gavin Douglas, G Plan Cabinets marketing manager,display cabinets are as important as ever. ‘The trend now is forclassic designs as opposed to minimal lines. Occasionals

Occasionalpopularity

LIVING AND DINING

Cattelan Italia’s Globuscoffee tableBelow: CPW’s ClassicFarmhouse coffee table

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LIVING AND DINING


and display units are making a comeback with occasionalpieces particularly popular in smaller homes where furnitureneeds to be flexible. Nest tables are great for this as they can betucked away but pulled out to provide extra surface spacewhen needed. Classically-styled display cabinets combine formwith function to provide extra space-saving solutions,’ he says.

Mark Devany, Winsor Furniture owner and designer, says:‘With homes becoming increasingly smaller, furniture designtoday has to maximise space as effectively as possible andincorporate much needed storage features. Wherever possiblewe try to include drawers and other storage into all our piecesand find that certain cabinets such as corner units are still verypopular as they eliminate wasted space.

‘Space savers like nests of tables remain popular, whilecoffee tables have now become geared towards storage, withthe development of trunks and chests featuring sliding tops.Hall tables are perhaps the one casualty to changing moderntastes as the customer may prefer to have a small storage unitor sideboard,’ he adds.

For WBH its Caxton Darwin living and dining collection isdesigned to reflect the younger generation’s move to a morelaid-back way of life where you eat, relax and entertain in theliving room rather than a formal dining room setting.Compactness, flexibility and the ability to combine pieces tocreate a choice of configurations – including low height units, avariety of display and storage cabinets with sliding and glassdoors are key.

Right: Winsor’sStockholm collectionBelow: Kettle Interiors’Kent lamp tableBottom: WBH’s CaxtonDarwin range

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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

A C C E S S O R I E Swww.sealy.co.uk

Beds and Bedroom

035_IM_0511 27/4/11 15:50

BEDS AND BEDROOM


What consumers wantIn the second

part of our look at

design in the

bedroom,

manufacturers

reveal their

inspirations and

the difference

between liking

and buying

‘Inspiration for new designs isgleaned from many sources –architects, exhibitions aroundthe world, and other players inthe market,’ says MarkusWiemann, Wiemann md.

‘Suppliers are crucial too, it’snot just our purchasingdepartment which attends fairslike ZOW and Interzum. A newhandle or foot, new colour orfoil finish, brand new materials– these technical innovationsoften drive our design ideas.Our suppliers are at the cuttingedge, continually scoutingglobal trends – why wouldn’twe tap into that.’

The manufacturer also takes heed of its sales teams who talkregularly to customers. But what it doesn’t get enough of isdirect input from consumers. So at the public days of this year’sIMM Cologne, Wiemann asked consumer visitors to gradedesigns by how much they liked them.

‘It was interesting: their views were rather different from ourretailers. Of course, we know this wasn’t representative of thewhole population – and we also know that their choices mighthave been very different if they had been given the price aswell. This is the challenge, understanding the differencebetween like and buy. Consumers seem to think modern butdon’t buy modern,’ he says.

Wiemann says tastes vary greatly from country to country,describing the UK as quite conservative, perhaps two yearsbehind Germany, which in turn is two years behind theNetherlands.

‘The Italian design synonymous with iSalone is not Italian ��

mass market taste at all but the cutting edge work doesinevitably rub off on the mass market, just as haute couturedoes on to the high street in clothing fashion. A company likeours needs a real mix of styles,’ he says.

Product development can be quite quick – from as little astwo weeks to two or three months – prototyping all sorts ofcombinations of handles, feet, profiles and finishes. But major,structural, changes – to its carcase platform for example – onlyhappen every five to 10 years. Some ranges only exist for 12months, others many years; its current longest-lived design,Luxor, is in its eighth year.

‘We do ask for input from customers – the feedback fromsmall, independent retailers is valuable, as they are in touchwith the end user all the time. I think social media is a greatopportunity to get more direct input from consumers. It willtotally alter how we design our products in future,’ Wiemannadds.

The company is keen for greater consumer feedback on designs, such as Alassio

Markus Wiemann Vancouver sliding door wardrobe

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BEDS AND BEDROOM


Sweet Dreams’ wide collection of divans is intended to appealto most tastes and preferences, with collections as diverse asPocket Spring, Sleepzone, Ortho and Nature’s Fresh. Mostbudgets are catered for from luxury ranges Well Being andMoonflower, to the affordable Comfort collection. One divanfeature that crosses the collections and has been an enormoussuccess over the past few years is the ottoman base.

‘Storage is a must-have for most buyers of divans,’ says JackieMcGarvey, Sweet Dreams sales manager. ‘As a result, we offerdrawer options on every divan base. Yet for many, drawersaren’t ideal as you need plenty of space around the bed to allowfull access to them. That’s why the ottoman base has beenconsistently popular since we introduced it to the greatmajority of models across the range in 2008.’

This desire for practicality has transferred to its children’sbeds. ‘We always aim for practicality combined with goodquality,’ says McGarvey. ‘That’s very important to us and thebeds have to be assessed from all angles before they go on sale.We are also very responsive to customer feedback. The winningfactor we’ve found, though, is fun.’

Sweet Dreams’ children’s collection comprises the bestsellingKipling range, with a high sleeper in white added in 2011; thenew Bond racer bed in black; and Rainbow, a new white bedfeaturing splashes of colour. All have matching furniture, another

��

factor in making the wish-list of hard-to-please customers.The bedsteads and bunks complement Sweet Dreams’

children’s divans. Alice and Goal, with heart and football motifsrespectively, come in junior size (75cm or 90cm x 175cm) at thesame price as a standard 90cm x 190cm, with a platform or aslidestore base. ‘Even in children’s beds, storage is important,’adds McGarvey.

‘The winning factor we’ve found, though, is fun’

Kipling high sleeper in white

Alice and (inset) Manhattan from the Sleepzone collection

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Creating unique pieces and attention to every detail hasdriven Frank Hudson since its foundation in 1947, and its latestdesigns are no different. Using traditional carving techniques toproduce each piece of furniture, ensuring that the naturalbeauty of the wood used is maintained, no two pieces are thesame.

The opulent style of the Vanity bed reflects the luxurious andlavish lifestyle it was designed for. Initially developed from asketch by Rex Hudson, son of the firm’s eponymous founder,the intricate carvings take over a week to meticulously create byhand. The leather headboard is a design feature specificallyadded for the contract market, widening its appeal to interiordesigners, developers and hotels. Finished in silver leaf, this bedmakes a dramatic statement.

Inspired by the glamour gothic trend, the Gothic bedcombines solid ash with pippy oak veneers. Encapsulating thecompany’s traditional values with a contemporary twist, thebed features window shapes reminiscent of the Pugin GothicRevival style.

The Chesterfield bed has been redesigned for 2011 and is ��

now available in vintage leather and a selection of fabrics.Deep-set buttoning on the headboard is just like the traditionalChesterfield-style sofas it was inspired by. With its roll topheadboard and footend and smooth rounded feet, the bed isdesigned to create maximum impact and drama.

BEDS AND BEDROOM

Above: GothicLeft: VanityBelow: Chesterfield

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Bedrooms of distinctive style, quality and value

01482 635283 [email protected]

www.wiemannuk.co.uk

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BEDS AND BEDROOM


The days when a headboard was a dull upholstered panelloosely attached to the end of the bed by two screws and acouple of plastic clips are thankfully long gone, with headboarddesign now fundamental to the creation of a bed. What wasonce an afterthought, much like the fixing mechanism, hasbecome a vital part of what sets one bed apart from another.

For many years Presotto’s bed collection has demonstratedthe impact a headboard can have on a bed and its 2011collection has again demonstrated the skills of its designers.

Aqua has been updated with a leather cover with the ��

material also a feature for the bedroom furniture.Leather is also key for Shu, offering a pared down

Scandinavian look with aged leather detailing for a sense ofmovement that coordinates with the Inside furniture range.

For Moon it’s a question of touch as well as look withhexagonals inspired by Icelandic basalt pebbles.

The Dado bed features perhaps the most extremeinterpretation of a headboard – Tube combines an upholsteredheadboard with oak wall panelling that coordinates with thedressing tables – if you have the space.

Aqua Moon

Shu

Dado

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Feel free to contact us directly or speak with your local agent for more information and a brochure pack.

If you would like to see the ranges in our Dronfield showroom, please contact us for an appointment.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Scotland: - Ian Crowther 07930314077 North West: - Harry Burton 07872902726South East: - John Coll 07766220531 South West: - Neil Bonnick 07967660715Northern Ireland: - Douggie Yeates 07850313237 Midlands: - Chris Smith 07882651325

Woodside Furniture Ltd., Unit 4, Wreakes Lane, Dronfield, Derbyshire S18 1LN T: 0114 229 0741 F: 0114 229 0740 W: www.woodsidefurniture.co.uk E: [email protected]

Rustic Manor

Carla Dining

WOODSIDE_WP 4/5/11 09:27 Page 1

BEDS AND BEDROOM


Serene Furnishings’ Hevea Collection is inspired by theShakers and embodies their principle of plain and simple living.No detail is extravagant or superfluous; lines are clean andelegant and proportions are simple and correct.

The collection hinges around two main bed designs, Graceand Zahra, both available in a choice of sizes. There is also abunk bed, Eleanor, which can be divided to form two standardsize single beds, each with a high and low footend. Also in thecollection are chests of drawers, bedside tables, guest beds, daybeds and wardrobes.

‘The new collection is made using wood from the HeveaBrasiliensis tree. These trees are grown on farms across SouthAmerica, Asia and tropical Africa for rubber, which they willproduce upon reaching maturity for a number of years. It’s onlyas rubber production wanes at the end of the trees’ natural life-cycle that they are felled to make way for new plantings,’ saysTasleem Tasab, Serene founder and creative director.

The resulting timber is a highly usable hardwood, ideal forfurniture production. It is also a process that sees carbon stored in the wood, as opposed to being released into the atmosphere.

Tasab says every aspect of the new Hevea collection is based around product quality, for example 25mm thick, rather than 15-18mm, side rails have been used on the beds. Also, when developing packaging how retailers store products as well as online sales were considered.

Hevea is available in honey oak, opal white and cherryfinishes, while a walnut finish is in development. ��

‘Lines are clean andelegant andproportions are simpleand correct’

The Eleanor bunk bed can be used as two single beds andfeatures 25mm thick side rails

Zahra followsShaker principles

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BEDS AND BEDROOM


No more scratch and sniffSealy is using a new biocide

that is designed to kill bed bugs

and help allergy sufferers

How much do we really know about bed bugs? Probably not alot, as until 1995 they had been largely eradicated in thewestern world. But, since then numbers have been on the rise.In London numbers increased by 26% year on year between2002 and 2006, according to the Bed Bug Foundation, and by71% from 2001 to 2010 in the USA.

Their reappearance is due to a number of factors, the mostcommon being that of foreign travel, more frequent sale andexchange of secondhand furnishings among homes and thegrowing immunity of bed bugs to pesticides.

To tackle the problem Sealy has developed a collection ofbeds and mattresses containing BugShield, as part of its Smart Fibres range, to combat and prevent bed buginfestations.

The BugShield fibres contain a new form of biocide, which isguaranteed skin-safe and kills bed bugs while creating aninhospitable environment to prevent further infestations.BugShield offers a 100% bed bug mortality rate with 90% killedwithin 24 hours.

In addition to bed bugs, BugShield also kills house dust mites.These mites are a key trigger for asthma, hay fever and eczemaas well as many other allergic reactions in around 20% of the UKpopulation.

They thrive in the indoor environment, especially inbedrooms, and are present all year round causing constantallergic reactions. Thus the eradication of dust mites in beds isbeneficial to anyone who suffers from allergy symptoms.

BugShield will kill90% of bed bugs in24 hours

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BEDS AND BEDROOM


Bed bugs bite and suck blood from humans. They are most

active at night and bite any exposed areas of skin with the

face, neck, hands, and arms the most common sites. The

bite itself is painless and is not noticed. Small, flat, or raised

bumps on the skin are the most common sign; redness,

swelling, and itching commonly occur. If scratched, the bite

areas can become infected.

A peculiarity of bed bug bites is the tendency to find

several bites in a row. Infectious disease specialists refer to

this as the ‘breakfast, lunch, and dinner’ sign signifying the

sequential feeding that occurs from site to site.

The bites may go unnoticed or be mistaken for flea or

mosquito bites or other types of rash or skin conditions,

since they are difficult to distinguish. Bed bugs also have

glands whose secretions may leave odours, and they also

may leave dark faecal spots on sheets and around their

hiding places (in crevices or protected areas around the

bed or anywhere in the room).

Bed bugs have not been conclusively proven to carry

infectious microbes. However, researchers have implicated

them as possible vectors of American trypanosomiasis

(Chagas disease), and studies are ongoing to determine

whether bed bugs may serve as disease carriers.

Source: MedicineNet.com

Biting blood-suckers

Bed bugs can live in mattress crevices

Dust mites will alsobe eradicated

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BEDS AND BEDROOM PRODUCTS

Palatine Beds launched Athena, a 1,400 count pocket sprung

mattress with a natural fillings including lambs’ wool and horse hair at

interiors 2011, and due to customer demand it has developed a

matching base. The Athena platform top base is upholstered in the

same quality fabric and stands on chrome feet complementing the

ticking. Over the next 12 to 18 months, Palatine is keen to add

stockists and is looking for retailers interested in selling its hand-

crafted mattresses and bases.

Tel: 0191 2772 544 or email [email protected]

Hyder Living is a leading supplier of hidden-storage beds and for

2011 it is introducing the Bali in a white bicast leather finish. It has

four times the storage of a conventional divan and comes in 4ft 6in

and 5ft options. Storage is easily accessed thanks to a hydraulic lifting

base. ‘Divans are practical yet ugly, while conventional bedsteads are

more attractive but wasteful in terms of storage. Our range of

solutions is both beautiful and practical, really standing out in a

market flooded with clones,’ says Z Hyder, Hyder Living md.

Tel: 01484 531 000

Palatine Beds has had many requestsfrom customers and retailers fornatural fillings in their mattresses.

The North East’s leading bed manufacturerdecided to meet the growing demand byadding to their range two hand madeproducts with natural fillings.

They’re proud to launch their newest bedset ‘the Pandora’ and their latest top of therange mattress ‘the Athena’

For your nearest agent, to become astockist, or for more information aboutthese beds and the rest of the Palatinebed range, contact the Palatine Bedssales team on

0191 2772559 or 0191 2772544www.palatinebeds.co.uk/trade

Office opening hours:8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Athena Mattress

Pandora Bed

Palatine Beds, Stamfordham Road, Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 5HHTel: 0191 2772544 (Switchboard) 0191 2772559 Fax 0191 2772550

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For further information contact Kaydian tel: 0191 2712118 email: [email protected]

Kaydian, Redburn House, Redburn Road, Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 1NBT: 0191 2712118 F: 0191 2862846 E: [email protected] www.kaydian.co.uk

The Elsdon bed has been designed in a soft, tactile fabric withtotal comfort in mind. The unique shape of the angled headboard

and ultra soft cushioning provides the perfect combination forrelaxation. Available in black fabric in sizes 4ft6 Double, 5ft King

and 6ft Super King

The Elsdon

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WOOD AND LAMINATE


Oak in different guises is

still in demand but

other woods are now

getting a look in

Talk to any laminate or engineered woodproducer about their collections andquite soon the conversation turns to thefact they have introduced some moreoak decors for the UK market.

British shoppers only want oak, theysay. But is that because that’s what theretailers are telling them as their in-storeoffer is predominately oak and shoppersbuy what they see?

‘The UK is still very much stuck on oakflooring,’ says Jason Ashby, UK FlooringDirect md. ‘Oak is somewhat ingrained inour psyche and it is proving to be verydifficult to dislodge, which is a ��

Branchlines Above left: Pergo’s

pine Natural white Above right:

Balterio’s Stretto inhickoryLeft: Par-ky’s smokedwalnutBelow: Kahrs’ walnutGotham

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WOOD AND LAMINATE


pity as there are a host of other finishesand timbers to choose from.’

Ashby says it not so much the look ofoak that consumers are buying into, butits connotations of strength anddurability.

‘We are also seeing a demand for morefinishes, as people look for not just awood floor, but maybe a contemporarywood floor, or something that will matchtheir vintage style. Now a natural oakfloor simply won’t do, it must be of acertain shade, or tone, or character.Basically, it seems that people still wantoak flooring as long as it doesn’t just looklike oak flooring,’ he says.

While including oak, Kahrs’ LinneaDwell collection includes walnut andpoplar in Dutch mosaic, parquet andmulti-stripe designs. Unlike traditionalparquet blocks, all floors are readyfinished and are laid directly over thesubfloor as whole long boards, providingan authentic look with the speed,durability and easy care benefits of amodern floor.

Below: Krono’s mapleGlamour Plateau Left: Granorte’swalnut Heritage

Oak remains at the heart of Quick-Step’s latest ranges.

The Compact parquet range features 12.5mm instead

of 14mm thick plank, for rooms where the flooring

needs to be installed on top of an existing floor.

It offers the most popular decors of Quick-Step’s

three other parquet floors with six oak finishes in grey

or white tones.

Palazzo has seen the introduction of six oiled oak

finishes for a weathered, matt and natural

appearance. Honey Oak Oiled has knots no bigger

than 20mm on 30% of the planks while on Dune

White Oak Oiled the hues have been toned down with

matt white oil.

White Pepper Oak Oiled and Champagne Oak Oiled

are subjected to a barrage of small stones to recreate

a traditional aged appearance and then coated with a

stain that penetrates deep into the tannin-rich wood

cells of the oak, making certain parts of the floor

darker.

Terra Oak Oiled boasts hues of grey, green and blue

giving extra depth while Quick-Step developed a new

shade for Chocolate Oak Oiled.

Oak of many colours

Quick-Step’s Palazzo and (inset) Compact

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For all laminate and engineered woodfloors’ accuracy in reproducing woodfinishes, one thing that hasn’t beenachieved by many for manufacturedfloors is the natural curves of cut timber.

Until now.Bolefloor has introduced what it says is

the first industrial-scale manufacturedhardwood flooring with naturally curvedlengths that follow a tree’s naturalgrowth.

‘Just as no two trees are identical, notwo Bolefloor floors are alike. Until now, unique surfaces like these havebeen the province of just a few dedicated craftsmen, but with Bolefloor

all that has changed,’ says a Bolefloorspokesman.

The company uses technology thatcombines a scanning system for naturallycurved boards, custom-made algorithmswhich optimise the cut, and floor surfacedesign software developed by a Finnishengineering automation company andthree software companies in cooperationwith the Institute of Cybernetics atTallinn University of Technology.

The company says it offers a greeneroption than solid wood floors as itstimber usage efficiency is higher thanstraight board solid floors, resulting inmore floors per harvested forest.

‘The naturally curved lines of the newhardwood floors are not only pleasing tothe eye, but also convey a naturalnessnot found in conventional flooring,’claims the company.

The 240cm x 15-30cm planks are21mm thick with a 13mm rangescheduled for the summer, whenadditional timbers will be added to theSelect, Natural and Rustic oak finishes.

‘Regardless of which Bolefloor productis chosen, each floor is as exclusive andunique as an individual tree in anindividual forest. It is literally impossiblefor a neighbour to have the same floor,’says the spokesman.

Bolefloor is offering planks for what

could be a new mass market sector

WOOD AND LAMINATE

Three finishes are available to create an individual floor

Natural curves

54-58wl_IMmay11.qxp 27/4/11 18:16

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ACCESSORIES


The latest lighting designs are inspired by nature

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec tookinspiration from plants for their Aim lampfor Flos.

‘The idea is to offer a lamp which canbe infinitely adjusted to satisfy alllighting needs. We have developed anew type of lamp that is naturallypositioned in space – like a plant – withlong cables providing maximum freedomto adjust the direction and height of thelight source,’ they say.

By reducing the light to its essence – awire and a light source – the Bouroullecssay they have created a pared downthing of beauty.

Spanish porcelain manufacturer Lladró

takes a similar approach with itsLithophane, with the transparentporcelain shades creating a soft glow. Itis available as a 27-light chandelier or anine-light hanging lamp in threeporcelain colours.

Foscarini’s Behive recalls the form of abeehive and bees through its expandingshape and stripes while Slide’s Knotsuggests a snake or eel moving throughwater.

Pipe by Diesel with Foscarini usesnatural linen for the lighter model andrough bleached linen with rubber effectink for its dark lights. The print, which isparticularly dense at the base, spreads

out, branch by branch, towards thediffuser.

A significant part of the designconsideration of Anglepoise’s Type C LEDlamp was to build sustainability into it.This was achieved by an interchangeablehead and driver unit that can beupgraded or replaced at any time.

OttLite’s Tulip lamp has a flexible 7ingooseneck stem with a flute-shapefrosted shade. It extends from the baseand provides multiple options forpositioning. The company describes its508 Illumination as ‘the closest thing tosunlight indoors’ for improved readingand reduced eye strain.

Natural lightingsources

Above: Flos’s AimLeft: Lladro’s Lithophane

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Right: Anglepoise’sType CBelow: Slide’s Knot

Left: Foscarini’sBehiveRight: OttLite’sTulipBelow: Diesel’sPipe

ACCESSORIES

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Higher demands of other sectors are beginning to enter the interiors market

Right first time

TRANSPORT

Is it because interiors companies are used to long lead timesthat they appear to have a more relaxed approach to deliveriesthan other sectors?

Let Luke Croome, Croome International Transport directorexplain. ‘In the garment industry 15 minute time-slots areallotted for the arrival of a delivery and severe financialpenalties apply for any and all delays. We don’t want to pay latepenalties so we do it properly the first time. One misseddelivery can have a huge knock-on effect but thankfully that’snever happened to us. As a result Just In Time deliveriesbecame the norm for us.

’Getting it right the first time has become the firm’s mantrasince David Croome’s business began in 1972 with one truckand himself as the single employee.

Fittingly Croome’s first job was a furniture delivery to Franceand since then the company has grown to a fleet of 49 roadtrains with customers throughout Europe and the former SovietUnion.

Clients include Sony, Toshiba, high end British fashionretailers, top end German and Lithuanian furniture companies,pharmaceutical firms and recently Croome has succeededin consolidating its position in the carpet andflooring market with a rapidly increasing customerbase.

‘We’ve always carried high value products andservice has always been a priority,’ says Luke. ‘We’venever committed to something without seeing itthrough, even if it meant we missed out on another job. That’s my father’s mantra and now the company mantra. Our focus is on the customerand never letting the customer down.

‘In some sectors, where more relaxed time-frames are standard, we’ve helped to improve our

Croome marked the openingof the Eurotunnel with a fleet get together

customers’ performance as they now react to us always beingon time. It’s a result of our customer dedication that we havenot only a large, but also loyal, customer base throughoutindustry sectors but especially within carpet and flooring. Wegive our customers exactly what they want. We’ve picked upcustomers in the carpet sector because of our reputation andadaptability,’ explains Luke.

Such has been Croome’s success in the flooring sector that ithas invested in its fleet to benefit customers. Thanks to havingroad trains, rather than trailers, it has the space to carry largervolumes of flooring which benefits customers by reducingtransport costs. For heavier products such as vinyl, initial weightissues were overcome.

‘We made some modifications which means we can carry theextra weight and the extra volume, which is unique in thissector,’ says Luke.

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PREVIEW


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Ashley Manor and AMX Design will be among the

firms taking part in the Spring event

introduce a couple of new models, withbolt-ons from the NEC, in addition toareas that we feel we either missed orneeded strengthening,’ says SteveMorgan, sales director for the group.

‘The remainder will focus on currentsuccess stories with some interestingnew covers,’ he says.

Across the two companies, AshleyManor and AMX cover a diverse mix ofdesigns and trends.

‘For 2011, Ashley Manor has focusedstrongly on colour with a move awayfrom the more subdued beiges andminks much of the market has becomeaccustomed to,’ says Mark Smith, co-owner and design director. ‘On theleather side at AMX, the emphasis is onthe new Discovery collection with itslook of an eclectic mix of vintage hand-finished leathers and fabrics withcharacter, and is all about telling a storyof collection and exploration.

‘I think it is fair to say we have somevery uncertain times ahead of us.Retailers, and we as suppliers alike, willfind ourselves in uncharted waters as wenavigate ourselves through the rest of2011,’ adds Smith.

‘In difficult times it is easy to gomissing, but as the past three years hasshown that’s not the Ashley Manor way,as retailers can expect to be seeingplenty of Steve and his sales teamaround the country on a more thanregular basis, as they trade their waythrough this year and beyond.’

FAST FACTS

Long Point

9-11 May

31 Long Eaton Guild members and

guest companies showing at 10 venues

around Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire

www.longeatonguild.co.uk

Tel: 0115 939 4278

‘Life at Ashley Manor Upholstery andAMX Design has been a bit of a blur sincethe start of the year,’ says Will Cawson,design manager. ‘Returning from theChristmas break to a full order book andcompleting the final NEC preparations,and with the new collections now hittingshopfloors and already Spring Long Pointis upon us.’

Both the Spring and September LongPoint shows have become significantdates in AMX and Ashley Manor’scalendar.

As AMX Design’s UK base is atHarrington Mill, Long Eaton, it could notignore the draw of passing trade to thearea at show time. But AMX and AshleyManor have brought huge numbers oftheir own customers into the event –recognised this year by the invitation tojoin as a listed exhibitor of the LongEaton Guild show.

‘We will use Spring Long Point to

Double act

Jasper large sofa Osborne large sofa

Maxwell sofa

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Innovationexcels

Highlights of the Milan show


iSa

lon

e

iSalone celebrated its 50th anniversary in style,

with a sense of greater confidence (if not the

pre-banking crisis swagger of old) that

design would overcome temporary

economic issues and innovation has to

carry on.

Of the original 328 exhibitors, 20 have been at every

show and there was a feeling of combining old with new

on many stands, with archives explored for once forgotten

creations. ��

REVIEW

Bonaldo’s Pebble table

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REVIEW


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While wood was far more visible inliving and dining products as designersembraced nature and targetedenvironmentally aware shoppers, it waswhat was underneath tables thatprovided much of the interest.

Bonaldo, Cattelan Italia, and EmmeBiwere among those favouring the ‘PickupSticks’ approach with table legs atseemingly random angles. Zanottapreferred a blade look while Poradaopted for pyramid detailing.

Desalto’s 25 (the top and legs are25mm) can be made in lengths up to3.5m, possibly the longest table evermade with an industrial process, whilePhilippe Starck and Eugeni Quitllet’s MissLess for Kartell was seating at itsminimalist best, or worst, depending onyour viewpoint. ��

Above: Zanotta’s ElicaLeft: Porada’s PiramideBelow: Bonaldo’s Big Table

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Left: EmmeBi’s ShanghaiBelow left: Cattelan Italia’sSpyderBelow right: Minotti’sMorrisonBelow centre: Magis’MeshBottom: Calligaris’ Basil

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REVIEW


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Top left: Jesse’s ElevenTop right: Zanotta’s ShellAbove left: Kartell’s MissLessAbove right: CattelanItalia’s TrumpLeft: Desalto’s 25

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REVIEWiS

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For the bedroom it was understated luxury andelegance, with a confidence that materials matter.

EmmeBi’s Sipario wardrobe gives a feeling of slimnessthanks to cuts in the doors, inspired by the folds and pleatsof coats and skirts.

Molteni&C’s Tea Time bed sports multi-purpose sidepockets and pouches for books, telephones and remotecontrols.

Minotti’s Tatlin displays highly tailored stitching and a zipon its leather headboard to contrast with the fabric coverof the bed. Presotto also introduced leather for its Zero bedwhich is now available in three sizes, while Flou’s Sveva isinspired by traditional wooden Scandinavian chairs.

Right: Flou’s SvevaBelow: EmmeBi’s Sipario

Right: Molteni&C’s TeaTime bedBelow: Presotto’s ZeroBottom right: Monotti’sTatlin


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Top: Alias’ ManzuAbove: Atelier’s PropellerFar right: Minotti’s JensenBelow: Living Divani’sChaffeuse Bottom right: Plank’s Avus

There was a distinct feeling of the paston many stands with retrospectiveinfluences. Reinterpretations of wingchairs were a common sight, along withshapes that could have come from a1960’s brochure – the Manzu chair fromAlias summed it up perfectly.

While a student in 1963, Pio Manzu(Fiat 127 designer) won a car designcompetition and later created a domesticchair version of the car seat. After siftingthrough Manzu’s archives RenatoStaffaucher and the designer’s son,Giacomo Manzoni, found a prototypechair (minus its base) designed for theRinascente department store, providingthe basis for Manzu.

Nani Marquina reinvented the 1968Sabossa with its latest fabric that allows itto be used outdoors as well as inside.

Modular designs continued todominate but there were more curves tosnuggle into, such as Edra’s Sfatto. ��


70-73uphmilan_IMmay11.qxp 26/4/11 16:59

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REVIEW

Above: Busnelli’s Daytonaand LaylaLeft: Edra’s SfattoBelow left: Zanotta’s SaccoBelow: Swedese’sContinentalBottom: Nani Marquina’sSabossa



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Top: Moroso’s GentryAbove: Jesse’s DanielRight: Kartell’s FoliageBelow: Bonaldo’s Melt



Allaboutdesign This year at Singapore

the work of today’s and

tomorrow’s designers

were promoted

As the International Furniture FairSingapore celebrated its 30thanniversary, design was firmly at itscentre, with the Design DNA (Develop,Nurture and Accelerate) initiativeshowcasing established and newdesigners.

Shown under the D’Space ��

IFF

SREVIEW

Furniture Design Award winners

Kenkoon

Design Inevitable showcase

Merit award

Page Tan’s Igloo Stool

Merit award

Gabriella Asztalos’sHug Chair

Designer’s Grand award

Jerry Low’s Wind

74-76iffs_IMmay11.qxp 26/4/11 16:43

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“We have been hit hard over the last 3 months prior to the salestarting but it has given us a much needed boost and generatedmore turnover in 4 weeks than we did in the previous 3 months”

Royce Clark, Managing Director,Grampian Furnishers,

28th March 2011

“We managed to clear a lot of dead stock and make way for ournew lines. Margins have been maintained and we have a lot of

satisfied customers.”

Alistair and Lyndsay Smith, Smith of Omagh, 13th March 2011

“…both of our stores and our central warehouse now contain thelowest stock levels that we can remember, and have given a huge

boost to our cash flow.”

Steve Travis, Chief Excecutive, Dickinsons

6th February 2011

075_IM_0511 28/4/11 15:49 Page 1

REVIEW


IFF

S (Designer Space) umbrella, the winningdesigns of the Furniture Design Awardwere spotlighted alongside Platformwhere previous winners showed theirlatest products and 11 pieces from theDesign Inevitable workshop, whereJapanese designer Naoto Fukasawamentored young designers to exploretheir Singaporean identity through theirdesigns; and the PUSH Showcase byDesignS, an alliance between eight localdesign-related associations.

‘Design DNA distinguishes itself fromother industry programmes by enablingseasoned and up and coming designersto share new ideas and showcase theirbest creations,’ says James Goh,Singapore Furniture Industries Councilpresident.

‘Through this, they can influence,nurture and inspire one another to excelin their fields of work. This will naturallyraise the design standards for Singapore,putting us in good stead to competewith the rest of the world,’ he adds.

Air Division designer Jerry Low wonthe Furniture Design Awards Grandaward in the Designers category with hisWind screen/shelving unit while Yin Tzu-Chi took the Student Grand award withhis Sheep chair design.

Next year’s show will see the launch ofSingaPlural, a satellite event to promotethe works of established designers.

Top: SJY FurnitureRight: DiretsoBelow: The Life Shop

74-76iffs_IMmay11.qxp 26/4/11 16:44

Difficult

Medium

Easy

ACROSS 1 Riding5 Words of denial9 Efface14 Bristle15 McGregor of Trainspotting16 Bird homes17 Follow18 North Sea feeder19 Taxes, eg20 Mayor having judicial powers22 Hydrated aluminosilicate24 Tawdry26 Beverage made with beaten eggs27 Salad item30 Glad all over35 Old womanish36 Son of Rebekah37 City in Western Nevada38 TGIF part39 Sequestered42 Forty winks43 Deities45 Dictator46 Staggers48 Defence of one’s beliefs50 Hind part of a saddle51 Metal bearing mineral52 Mystery writer Marsh54 Underwater missile58 Having the form of a ring62 Bubbling63 Waist band65 Director Ephron66 Big cats67 Bread spread68 Like some dorms69 Flat shelf70 Waterfall71 Greek letters

DOWN 1 Hammett hound2 Blue-green colour3 Of the ear4 Pertaining to the roof5 Must6 Young hooter7 PC key8 Don Juan’s mother9 Implant deeply10 Arsenic sulfide11 Italian wine city12 Let it stand13 In ___ (actually)21 ‘See ya!’23 Result25 Sammy Davis Jr autobiography27 Coniferous evergreen forest28 Dominant29 Botch31 Feel concern32 Religious doctrine33 Total34 Thicket36 Small purse40 Created a border41 Draw off liquid gradually44 Inclined47 Proclaim49 End of a threat50 Small territorial district53 Ancient physician54 Lofty55 Off Broadway theatre award56 Crucifix57 Ancient Greek coin59 Spoils60 Calculus calculation61 X-ray units64 Biblical high priest

SUDOKOCROSSWORD

Answers can be found on p78

ENTERTAINMENT


77ent_IMmay11.qxp 21/4/11 14:45

FINAL POLISH


Entertainment answers

Easy DifficultMedium

Hotels and homes on topWhile Birmingham retailer Lee Longlandswants to build a hotel on top of its citycentre store, a Beijing furniture shoppingcentre may have outdone it.

Architect firm Laboratory for VisionaryArchitecture has created the Home of theFuture, which will sit above the shoppingcentre and showcase future living withman, nature and technology in harmony.

Storm in a (royal) teacupDid you watch the royal wedding? Didyou care?

Chris Moffett, manager of Eastbournefurniture store Perfect Homes cared somuch that he put a sign in the store’swindow urging shoppers not to shop on29 April.

‘We do not believe any shop should beopen on the royal wedding day. Pleasesupport us by not shopping on that day,’it read.

Local retailers weren’t so keen (after allshopping is good for you) and persuadedMoffett to water down the message.

He remains unrepentant: ‘If someonedecides they need a pair of knickers, theycan wait until Saturday. It’s a once in alifetime experience for some people. It’s avery historic event and nice for the wholecommunity to get together and enjoythe fun.’

Shop and you won’t dropMany people claim that shopping is good for you, but now

it’s official.

Researchers in Taiwan have found that over 65s who

shopped regularly lived longer than those who shopped

just once a week or less, even after adjusting for factors

such as physical limitations and cognitive decline.

‘Shopping is often for pleasure with the potential to

increase psychological wellbeing. Compared to other types

of leisure-time physical activity, like formal exercise, which

usually requires motivation and sometimes professional

instruction, shopping activity is easier to undertake and

maintain,’ says Dr Yu-Hung Chang of the Institute of

Population Health Sciences, Taiwan.

After surveying almost 2,000 people in 1999, the team

tracked how long people lived up to 2008 and found those

who shopped daily were 27% less likely to die than those

who shopped infrequently, with the biggest effect seen in

men.

An artificial sky dome will provide ayear-round micro-climate that opens upthe home to a tropical garden filled withsun and fresh air – an oasis in the city.

Walking for heroesWoodberry Bros & Haines staff CraigBedwell and Philip Bertenshaw will taketime off work this month to walk roundthe Isle of Wight.

The 77 mile walk, in aid of Help forHeroes, will take about three daysstarting on 31 May. They’ve alreadyreceived more than £1,000 insponsorship from colleagues.

‘Originally we were hoping to raiseabout £5,000 but I think we will go waypast that now. We chose the Isle of Wight because we wanted to gosomewhere that wouldn’t cost us theearth to get to,’ says Bertenshaw. Visitwww.bmycharity.com/isleofwight77.

Bedroom of the future?

These shoppers know the benefits

PHO

TO: J

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EWIS

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INNER_IM_0511 28/4/11 09:21 Page 1

interiors monthly may 2011

Documents

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