Find out about Britain’s street food

revolution!

We look back at Brazil’s football

legends

F I R E R E T A R D A N T F A B R I C

Get Thri� y with The

View!

Kouture

JULY ‘14 | ISSUE 11

Check out our refreshingly new FR contract fabric!

The distribution transition for the below products from our new Birmingham warehouse facility is now complete. • Fabric Box roller and vertical fabrics• Excel roller and vertical fabrics• Roller components and tubing• Excel vertical components and head-rail• Trak one components and head-rail

Optimum order dispatch turnaround on wholesale orders is achieved daily. For further information please call our customer service team on +44 (0)28 92 66 3600

The Decora Team

MADE MADEBETTER FASTER

B I R M I N G H A M

3. In The PressCheck out all the latest press happenings.

5. City Breaks by HipsterWe explore three of the hottest cities, Hipster has to off er.

7. Child SafetyDecora’s Child Safety update.

9. Food For The SoulBritain’s street food revolution is happening now!

11. Unicolour®

Th e dynamic new Unicolour® range is now available.

17. Junk KoutureDare to get creative and take on an upcycling project?

21. Mood MetallicaSophisticated metallics are here to stay!

23. Summer torememberCan’t make to Brazil? We have summer events closer to home covered.

Contents

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Check out our child safety feature and order our new brochure for a full breakdown on what we o� er per product with additional information on safe guarding the home in

conjunction with ROSPA.

As highlighted last edition, we are pleased to announce our Birmingham warehouse transition is now complete with customers taking full benefi t of next day deliveries and extended cut off times on wholesale orders.

Also launching this month we explore the new Unicolour® collection, created for the contract environment, the collection off ers a dynamic, fi re retardant, light control solution.

We also explore “Junk Kouture” the process of upcycling! A greener way to recycle, a hobby in which the ‘creatives’ amongst us are taking a piece of furniture, jewellery or basic household item and giving it a new and beautiful lease of life. “City Breaks by Hipster” takes us on a tour of The Fabric Box’s hippest fabric with a visit to cities Milan, Budapest and

Geneva. Check out the hotspots and buzzing attractions not to be missed.

‘Food for the Soul’ takes a look at how Britain’s street food culture has developed over the past few years. Gone are the days that a greasy burger van is our only valued street food option. Britain is embracing an electric mix of “kerb foods” from all over the world and we explore where you can get a cultured taste.

And fi nally, not to be missed, football fever has also hit The View. With the 2014 World Cup well underway and the electric passion of the tournaments host sweeping the nation, we take a look back at Brazil’s past victories and wonder can they do it again on home soil?!

2014 has got off to positive business start for Decora and we have been very busy bringing our new child safety programme to the fore. Already half way through 2014, the new standard has lead to an enhanced portfolio of products, all of which are now child safety compliant which will inevitably present the blind industry as a stronger more united body.

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THE BRAZILIAN WORLD CUP HAS GOT US ALL IN A

PARTY MOOD.

Time to turn on the match (loud), retreat to the lounger in the garden and sip on

something fruity!

WELCOME

TO SUMMER EDITION!

PRESSin the

Decora‘s products have been featured in various interior magazines and on a range of internet sites.

The Fabric Box™, Sante Fe Shutters®, Sunwood® and Timberlux® have all received recognition for how their blinds can improve an interior. This press coverage encourages enquiries right through to our customers.

To view our press coverage go toDecora.co.uk & thefabricbox.co.uk

Check out our favourite examples here...

� is teal and green schemebrings a restful ambienceto the living room

Keep window treatments

clean and contemporary

3

Allowing you to dress yourwindows beautifully atprices that won‘t break the bank

� is teal and green schemebrings a restful ambienceto the living room

Keep window treatments

clean and contemporary

� e fresh lime green of these blindsis decorated with delicate white

sprigs of blossom for a realtaste of spring

Darker colours can inject a dramatic touch

into a bedroom

4

he eye-catching Hipster fabric, is a jet setters paradise of interesting cities around the world, all typeset to pop out and entice with accompanying

landmarks, the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben to name a few.

We take a trip to three cities that make up the Hipster city collective and find out where the hot spots are...

BY HIPSTER

5

MILAN

Milan is more known as Italy’s business capital, home to the country’s stock exchange as well as its renowned fashion and design industries. Italians work hard but they know how to play hard too. Whether you are up for eating or drinking, football or shopping, Milan excels at recreation.

You won't be dashing from street to street ticking sights off a must-see list, as in Florence, but cultural gems are hardly few and far between. The city is home to Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. Arguably the artist's finest achievement. The restored Duomo is a majestic Gothic folly that took half a millennium to complete.

But the city's charms can also be understated: there are pleasures in its dusty churches, on the narrow streets of the Brera district, and in courtyards glimpsed through wrought-iron gates. The so-called Fashion Rectangle is lined with D&G, Versace and Armani boutiques, but you'll delight just as much in the stores of local designers. There's not a seat free during the biannual derby at the San Siro Stadium, home to both AC Milan and FC Internazionale. The feast day of Sant'Ambrogio, the city's patron saint, is such a celebration that a massive street fair shuts down a whole neighbourhood. The date also marks the opening night of La Scala's opera season.

BUDAPEST

There's more than one way to discover Budapest. Whether you are a first time visitor or just looking for new things to see and do in Budapest. Take a dip in one of the city's famous baths, savor the local cuisine, check out some of the cool, funky shops featuring homegrown designs, walk across the Chain Bridge or just sit, relax and people-watch at one of the great downtown cafés.

Not to be missed...There's more than one way to admire the beauty of the Danube River, the magnificent scenic divider and connector of Buda and Pest. Embark on a relaxing daytime sightseeing cruise that includes a stroll through Margaret Island, or add a romantic touch with an evening cruise that's accompanied by dinner and dancing beneath the stars.

GENEVA

The incredible diversity of touristic attractions that Geneva has to offer always surprises first-time visitors. Due to its history, international status and cosmopolitan diversity, Geneva is a world of its own. Discover the charms of the city by exploring it.

A must see…The Jet d’EauThe lakeshore’s star attraction is the water jet, dazzling visitors as it shoots 140 metres into the sky. It is best seen from the Bains des Pâquis, this incredible ‘beach’ in the city centre where Geneva’s smart set meets for a swim, a sauna or to eat a fondue! Another exceptional vantage point: a boat cruise on the lake, offering a unique view of the MontBlanc!

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With the introduction of legislation EN13120 earlier this year, we are fully compliant across all Decora products. High importance has been placed on our child safety responsibilities and the development of our complete child safety programme. Fundamental to what we do and further enhancing our systems and procedures our child safety campaign has been driven by innovation, development and testing. Key investments have been made to ensure that we serve our customer and in turn, the end consumer with a comprehensively developed and more valued product, encompassing not only child safety as standard but a wide range of collections, designs and colour-ways. In conjunction with ROSPA we have also set out guidelines for parents and those working with young children to educate on the dangers blind cords can pose and recommend further steps that can be taken to safe guard throughout the home. Further information can be found in our new child safety brochure, available to order now - CSB002. Our fully verified offering in unification with Bureau Veritas can be valued by our customers ensuring with Decora, you can be confident that the product choices you make are child safety focused. We feel the new standard has had a positive effect throughout the trade as a whole leading to an enhanced portfolio of products, all of which are now child safety compliant which will inevitably present the blind industry as a stronger more united body.

DECORA CHILD SAFETY

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'British Street Food’ ponder this notion very carefully and you may not think of a fl avoursome culinary delight fi lling your mind with inspiration and your

belly with warmth and wonder….

But hold that thought and think right past the rubberised burgers and cremated fried onions, served off rusty metal handcarts that we are all guilty of stopping off at to serve our hunger pangs and look

straight to the new food vibe ….

Food Hawkers

Kendal Calling

TruckStop

yumyumyum

9

ight now British street food is a happening cultured collaboration

of fl avours that’s really stamping its taste on the streets of Great Britain.

Look to any local fete, street party, festival or continental market and the variety of food is overwhelming.

Truck Stop, a collection of cool and kooky food trucks are rolling into London's Canary Wharf on Thursday July 4th and 5th. Think posh sausage sarnies served out of a former fi re engine, southern fried chicken dished up from US ambulance and lebanese schwarmas out of a 70’s police van.

Find out more @ www.truckstoplondon.com

Trucks rolls up -The fi rst Thursday & Friday of the month at 5pm – 11pm4th & 5th July1st & 2nd August 5th & 6th September

Visit the pioneering Food Hawkers website which helps the revolutionary British foodie fans in their vans promote the movement and advertise a whole host of foodie events across the U.K throughout the summer. www.foodhawkers.co.uk.

Check out the Kendal Calling festival, a complete hodgepodge of food, music and atmosphere. Deemed as one of the most beautiful U.K. festivals situated in the Lake District, in its ninth year Kendal Calling has pulled together its best ever line up. With huge headliners including Frank Turner and Example with many more taking to the stage over a wonderful musical weekend. The amazing British Street food line-up includes ‘Bates and Easey Roaming Rotisserie’ a concept imported from the markets of rural France. Unique to this country, their extremely tasty and great value food has been causing quite a stir throughout the festival scene. Drawing huge queues and fantastic feedback, with farm assured whole chickens rubbed with a unique spice mix and then cooked on rows of rotating skewers in full view of customers. These are served with baby new potatoes which have been cooking in the juices falling from the sizzling chickens roasting on the skewers above them. Visit www.roamingrotisserie.co.uk for more details.

Kendal Calling 1-3rd August Lowther Deer Park, Lake District.

The Hungry Toad serves Southern State Soul Food and can be found all over The Midlands and further afi eld with their pop up Street Kitchen.

Be it festivals, street food markets, birthdays, weddings or corporate events they do the lot.

Using 100% free range meats, sourcing as many of their ingredients as possible from local independent businesses and all packaging is 100% recyclable or compostable.

Specialising in a few dishes all cooked with passion from 8hr Beef Chilli Con Carnie Burrito’s to Baby Back Ribs cooked in a BBQ Smoker (of course), Buttermilk Fried Chicken Wings to Grilled Hallumi Wraps with Mexican Street Salad to good old Loaded Nachos.

Check out www.hungrytoad.wix.com

With hundreds of quirky street food caterers rolling around the streets of the U.K. this summer, each serving up their individual brand of yumminess, British street food really is revolutionising our thoughts, gone are the days that fi sh and chips and a large 99 to fi nish are the food only options to enjoy on the go!

Truck Stop

hungrytoad

hungrytoad

Kendal Calling

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Plain Fire Retardant FabricAvailable in 18 Colours

2m and 2.4m Roller89mm and 127mm VerticalClinika™ Antimicrobial Fabric

I N T R O D U C I N G

www.unicolourblinds.co.uk

Demanding environments must encompass beautiful fabrics. Style can surpass the exacting standards expected for today’s contract environment; with Decora’s new Unicolour® FR fabric the comprehensive prerequisites required for specifi ed contracts have been met.

Suitable for roller and vertical blinds, this technical fabric is available in 2m and 2.4m roll widths and 89mm and 127mm vertical fabric widths. Providing customer choice ensures the fabric can be utilised to off er

enhanced production performance and effi ciency of the fabric whilst maintaining cost optimisation.

To meet the demands of every specifi ed project, Unicolour® Clinika™ presents the added attributes of anti-microbial properties. Treated using silver, the ions present in the process are biologically eff ective against the growth of micro-organisms. Th e germ inhibiting characteristics of silver continues to work throughout the lifespan of the product. Available in 6 colours, Unicolour® Clinika™ is off ered in one roller width of 2.4m

and two vertical widths of 89mm and 127mm.

Accredited with Confi dence in Textiles, OEKO-TEX, Standard 100, Unicolour® and Unicolour® Clinika™ give contractors and specifi ers the added assurance that throughout the fabric manufacturing process that no harmful substances have been used.

Continued innovation is at the core of all Decora’s product developments. Unicolour® is the latest of these innovations with a focus on the commercial market.

www.unicolourblinds.co.uk

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www.unicolourblinds.co.uk13

Unicolour® Lime, Roller

www.unicolourblinds.co.uk14

www.unicolourblinds.co.uk15

Unicolour® Cadet, 89mm Vertical

www.unicolourblinds.co.uk16

little defi nition for those of you that haven't tapped into this thrifty, eco trend. Ever increasing in popularity amongst those of

us who dare to get creative and are interested in a greener way of recycling.

The growing popularity of Pinterest where masters of the upcycling movement show their best pieces, where a true source of inspiration can be found. Charity shops have seen a surge of upcycling enthusiasts scouring every corner of stores to uncover any potential gems that can be given the revived treatment. The repurposing of items leading to clever reinvention of furniture, jewellery, light fi ttings to clever storage solutions is really where it’s at for those alittle craft handy amongst us.

Upcycling however is not a new concept. Some of the best examples of modern-day upcycling come from the 1930s-40s when families had very little economic or material resources. In this age of thrift, they reused almost everything, repurposing items over and over until they were no longer useful: feed sacks became dresses or old doors became the new dining room table.What’s old is new again, but with a twist. Thrift is still a trend today and a big reason some people upcycle. Others enjoy the artistic aesthetic, with lots of upcycled items rivalling those found in high-end department stores. One of the biggest

reasons for the rebirth of upcycling is the positive impact on the environment. Items destined for the dump are rescued and can be remade into something useful.

Also, upcycling is a way of life for people in developing countries. Raw materials are expensive so people use what they can to create bowls, baskets and jewellery.

Getting started is easy…

There are two ways to support the upcycling movement. Sort through your wardrobe or recycling bin and create items yourself or purchase ready-made items from upcycled materials. Both make a positive impact on the environment, both rewarding you with something beautiful and useful.

There is no set rules for upcycling, just get creative and repurpose!

“Up cycling; The process of converting old or discarded materials into something useful and often beautiful”

upcycling, just get creative

Old Chest of Drawers -

Funky Chest of Drawers

The world has went upcycling crazy!

Kouture

17

Here is a few of our favourite upcyclyed

examples….

Old Table- New table

Old Record- New Clock

Old Mason Jars- New

Light

Old Bike Chain - New

Picture Frame

Old Pallet- New Table

Old Barrel- New Seat

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HAVE A LOLA FUN…

THIS SUMMER!

THE SOPHISTICATION OF METALLIC HUES IN INTERIORS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE NOW AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF GOING AWAY, SO IF YOU WERE NERVOUS ABOUT BUYING INTO THIS TREND, THEN FEAR NOT: IT’S NOT A ONE-SEASON WONDER. A FEW TOUCHES HERE AND THERE – ONE ROLL OF WALLPAPER, A FEW CUSHIONS OR A COUPLE OF VASES – AND YOU WILL BE RIGHT ON THE METALLIC TRACK.

Gold and copper are by far the most opulent hues. Using these metallic tones increases a sense of warmth and value in an interior.

MOOD METALLICA

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For an over the top expression of luxury go for the gold and create a first class room with golden accents, furnishings, wall coverings, and fixtures.

By contrast to gold, pewters and silvers are a softer, sleeker yet equally luxurious and complimentary iridescent element to consider thematically for your interior.

These malleable metallic options transition well to almost any design aesthetic. Silver or pewter enhances an expression of sophisticated modernism, contemporary romance or pristine class and grace in any room.

Regardless of the theme of your home, metallic tones can always be used on the walls. A shimmering paint effect reflects the light, creating the appearance of brushed precious metals. Used mainly as a feature wall or to create a statement. Wallpaper with a metallic hint of pattern will bring elegance to a space.

Metallic accessories, wallpaper, cushions and fabrics are widely available on the high-street and with many a designer teaming up with with affordable high street chains bringing sought after luxury collaborations to the masses, here are a few of our favorites.

BHS LIGHTINGTheir new Illuminate Atelier collection is full of statement pieces. Characterized by geometric shapes and high shine finishes, delicate tinted glass and angular folded metals all in a simple palette of black, gold and copper.

MARCEL WANDERS FOR M&SThe dutch wonder’s collection for M&S brings together a stunning collection of gifts and home-ware with beautiful design at the heart.

The metallic touch in interiors looks to remain shining in the limelight for the long haul, their reflective, brushed, mottled and polished sheen draws us like magpies. The

versatility a metallic scheme allows really can appeal to anyone regardless of their interior style.

Estella Lizarra

Estella Lizarra 89mm Santa Fe ArgentoDeco FlintNina Yasmin

BHS LightingMarcel Wanders for Kartell

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SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

The 2014 Silverstone Classic is a fabulous 3 day weekend of ‘Flat Out Fun for all the Family’.

� e ‘World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival’, with around 1000 beautiful and exotic race cars competing in over 20 races, with around 9000 classic cars on the infi eld over the weekend. Exerting an ‘Access All Areas’ policy allowing the spectator to get close to all the action, live rock music on a grand scale, aerobatic displays, a period fun fair, shopping and so much more to entertain you, the Silverstone Classic is an unmissable event.

Confi rmed music acts this year- Canned Heat, Bonnie Tyler and Ultimate Eagles Tribute act

WHENCatch all the action from 25th July- 27th July

WHERELocation- Silverstone Circuit, Northampshire

FIND OUT MOREwww.silverstoneclassic.com

EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL

Come join the largest arts festival which runs for three weeks in Scotland’s capital city (and why not travel on the new hot topic tram!) for a celebration of arts and entertainment!

With thousands of shows in more than 250 venues, the Fringe is the largest arts festival on earth so whether you’re a seasoned Fringe visitor, performer or this is your fi rst experience of the festival, plan your trip to make the most of all the festival has to off er! WHEN1st-25th August.

WHEREVarious Locations- Edinburgh

FIND OUT MOREwww.edfringe.com

� e ‘World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival’, with around 1000 beautiful and exotic race cars competing in over 20 races, with around 9000 classic cars on the infi eld over the weekend. Exerting an ‘Access All Areas’

� e ‘World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival’, with around 1000 beautiful and exotic race cars competing in over 20 races, with around 9000 classic cars on the infi eld over the weekend. Exerting an ‘Access All Areas’

MAKE THIS A

SUMMERTO REMEMBER!

Come join the largest arts festival which runs for three weeks in Scotland’s capital city (and why not travel on the new hot topic tram!) for a celebration of arts and entertainment!

With thousands of shows in more than 250 venues, the Fringe is the largest arts festival on earth so whether you’re a seasoned Fringe visitor, performer or this is your fi rst experience of the festival, plan your trip to make the most of all the festival has to off er!

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FIRST STOP - PELEWorld Cup Legend: A man who needs little in the way of an introduction, Pele, along with the likes of Diego Maradona, is considered to be one of the greatest talents to have ever graced a football pitch. Blessed with an almost faultless technique, an incomparable eye for goal and superb natural speed and balance, Pele has become the benchmark for all forwards, perhaps even all footballers, and a Brazilian icon and hero. His career statistics are thoroughly mind-boggling. At Santos, the club he played for from the age of 15, he scored an incredible 474 goals in 438 games over seventeen seasons.

For Brazil his record was, considering the higher standards of the international arena, perhaps even more impressive. � e 77 goals he scored in 92 appearances and the three World Cup winners medals he won with his country (’58, ’62, ’70) have ensured that he will forever be enshrined as the greatest man to have ever pulled on the yellow and green jersey.

RONALDO� ere are those who believe that a fully fi t Ronaldo was well on his way to be the greatest player to have ever played the game of football, and it is hard to argue. Indeed, had he enjoyed an injury-free career then he could well be sitting atop this list having still managed to win three FIFA World Player of the Year awards despite his troubles.

'� e Phenomenon' burst onto the scene with electric performances at club level that earned him a spot in Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning squad, although it was four years later that his importance to the team was truly felt. He was instrumental during the 1998 tournament but suff ered a fi t on the night before the fi nal and was short of his best as France took their fi rst crown.

He was the top scorer as Brazil won the competition in 2002, however, while in his fourth tournament he became the World Cup's highest ever goalscorer by netting his 15th to overtake Gerd Muller. He ended his international career as the country's second highest scorer of all time with 62 goals.

BRAZIL’S STATSBest performance: Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

Most appearances at fi nals: Cafú (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006) – 21.

Most goals at fi nals: Ronaldo (1998, 2002, 2006) – 15.

World Cup low: Losing the fi nal of France 98, where star man Ronaldo played like a zombie after suff ering a fi t in the hours leading up to the match. Brazil had no answer to a Zinedine Zidane-inspired France and Brazil crashed to a 3-0 defeat.

BRAZIL 2014

No doubt the most talked about and eagerly anticipated World Cup

tournament to date and at times not for the best of reasons. With a

mammoth stadium buildschedule which slipped majorly

behind and created a whirlwind of speculation that Brazil wouldn’t

be ready, we can now put the negativity of the build up

behind and enjoy the spectacle that

Brazil 2014 was always

going to off er.

With an opening ceremony

that was the epitome of

carnival Brazil, colourful, loud and

vivacious. � e

display of football yet

to come is no doubt going

to come to a close

just as it started.

As the colourful furore

of Brazil plays on to the World Cup fi nal which

will be staged at the Maracana in Rio on

Sunday July 13th we look back at the true moments

of greatness that Brazil have off ered up over past world cup

tournaments, remembering this is a nation that regards football

as religion!

BRAZIL 2014

behind and created a whirlwind of speculation that Brazil wouldn’t

be ready, we can now put the negativity of the build up

behind and enjoy the spectacle that

going to off er.

With an opening

will be staged at the Maracana in Rio on

Sunday July 13back at the true moments

of greatness that Brazil have off ered up over past world cup

tournaments, remembering this is a nation that regards football

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www.timberlux.co.uk