interiors monthly april 2015

Interiorsmonthly

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

April

2015

RugsGolden times

UpholsteryOn the up

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

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 3

Spending signs

Andrew KiddEDITOR

Register for the Buying Groups'National Flooring Show at:www.bgnfs.co.uk

Editor: Andrew KiddT: 01273 930 029 E: [email protected] advertising (South): Tim BodenT: 01732 441 130 E: [email protected] advertising (North): Jarrod BirdT: 01565 631 397 E: [email protected], flooring, lighting and accessories advertising:Joanne PaullT: 01732 441 130 E: [email protected]

Published by Interiors Media LimitedMinerva House, Kinnings Row, Bordyke, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1NPT: 01732 441 130 F: 01732 362 919E: [email protected] in England no. 6397722Print: Knockout Print Design by TSS DIGITAL © Interiors Media Limited ISSN 1756-2236

Interiorsmonthly

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

April201

5

RugsGolden times

UpholsteryOn the up

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

THE PLACE TO BE THIS MAY!SO MUCH TO SEE...Visit www.bgnfs.co.uk to register

The past few weeks have brought a flurry ofsales figures from major interiors retailers(see page 6) and with them confirmation ofencouraging performances.

DFS continues to increase its market share,ScS has sold more sofas, Next’s home storesare outperforming clothing and furniture wasthe best home sector for John Lewis.

For flooring, ScS has enjoyed a double-digit rise in carpet sales, flooring has donewell at John Lewis, and Topps Tiles has liftedturnover again.

Among flooring suppliers, Headlam hasboosted profits and sales, with 2014’s growthcontinuing into 2015 (see page 8).

Of course, there are always things that canbe improved – DFS’s sales mix was lower, ScSsaw half-year losses increase and for Next

£2.4m of profit disappeared because ofbreakages – but it does seem the sector isenjoying its best health for quite a while.

General elections are traditionally thoughtto cause a wobble as consumers think aboutwhat a new government will do, but thismonth’s freeing up of pension pots is boundto see some of that cash make its way intoshop tills to compensate for any pre-electioncaution.

One thing that isn’t showing any caution isthe number of iSalone and Fuorisaloneinvites that have been filling my inbox, as thenumber of city-centre events continues toincrease. We’ll be bringing you the best fromMilan in next month’s issue but you can whetyour appetite with highlights on pages 78-79of this issue.

We’ve also previewed the Buying Groups’National Flooring Show (see pages 73-76) asit cements its place as the UK’s second retailflooring event after The Flooring Show, andMay Design Series (see pages 80-81), whichhas boosted its number of overseasexhibitors.

Once you’ve enjoyed those, remember tocast your votes in the Interiors Monthly 2015Awards (see page 16).

Consumers have certainlybeen spending – at themultiples at least – withretailers posting impressivesales performances

CONTENTS


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INSIDE THIS ISSUE6 Good times for retailers

8 Retailer blames delivery firm for collapse

12 ‘Open season for design theft’

FEATURES16 Awards

Cast your votes in the Interiors Monthly 2015 Awards

24 RugsKilims reinvented, golden touch, rate of knots and

the latest designs

34 Royal WarrantsHow the royal seal of approval helps business

41 Wood and laminateGlamour and urban cool: the latest styles

42 UpholsteryIncreasing sales, fabric first and details matter

48 LVTSeries Three for LooseLay and rooms for all

52 ProtectionEnsuring the best customer service

60 Beds and bedroomWhich? approval, next generation and reinvention

68 SoftwareMaking life easier

73 PreviewBuying Groups’ National Flooring Show, May Design Series

and iSalone/Fuorisalone

REGULARS17 Warranties

18 New Products

NEXT ISSUEiSalone review

Carpet

Long Point preview

INTERIORS MONTHLY APRIL 2015

NEWS

6 Interiors Monthly April 2015

Good times for retailersInteriors retailers, including DFS, ScS, John Lewis and Next,

have enjoyed strong sales growth in recent months.

DFS saw total sales jump by 10.5% to £431.2m in the six

months to 31 January. Of this DFS accounted for 9.1% of the

rise with Sofa Workshop and Dwell increasing sales by

£5.46m. Online sales were up from 9.7% of sales to 10.9%.

Underlying profits lifted by 16.5% to £27.6m, in what is

the quieter and less profitable of the two halves for the

group. Gross margin on sales decreased slightly compared

to last year, reflecting price points and product sales mix

effects, but overall gross profits rose by 16.5% to £45.9m.

The 13 stores covered by its Scottish consumer

distributions centre will be fitted out shortly and leases

have been signed on units in the North East and Central

Southern England.

Upholstery and flooring chain ScS had its highest level of

orders for this time of year but losses have risen. Like for like

orders climbed by 7.5% in the 33 weeks to 14 March after a

first half rise of 7.8%.

Operating losses, excluding the cost of its stock market

flotation, rose from £3.4m to £5.2m as it spent more on

advertising, online, promotions and its 30 House of Fraser

concessions.

Flooring sales were up by 12.7% (£1.6m), upholstery sales

by 5.1% (£5m), three new stores had sales of £2m, online

sales increased by 27.6% (£1m) and the House of Fraser

concessions from £1.5m to £8.8m as it was rolled out.

Promotions, such as the ‘free carpet’ during the winder sale,

saw gross margins fall 0.5% to 43.5%.

Home continued to perform for Next, with the chain able

to boost margins while outperforming clothing.

A planned hike on the margin on furniture sales increased

its overall margin by 0.3% to 16.3% in the year to the end of

January. But this was offset by £2.4m of stock damage,

particularly flatpack furniture including items returned to

stores and a £900,000 sofa recall.

Home stores opened in the past year delivered sales 13%

higher than targets compared with 9% for clothing, with a

20% margin and 21-month capital payback. Total sales rose

by 7.2% to £4.02bn with underlying pre-tax profits up

12.5% to £782.2m.

At John Lewis, furniture was the best performing home

category in the past year, with a 12.8% increase in the 53

weeks to 31 January. Flooring was up by 6.1% as home sales

increased by 7.2%. Its House range grew by 24.2%.

Total sales were up 9.2% to £4.43bn (7.5% on a 52-week

basis) combined with growth in operating profit, up 10.8%

to £250.5m (10.4% on a 52-week basis).

Despite the John Lewis performance, the staff ‘s

Partnership bonus will fall from 15% to 11% as Waitrose’s

profits suffered in the supermarket price wars.

Flooring and tile retailer Topps Tiles said it expected sales

will be about £104m for the six-month period ending 28

March, compared with £97.7m last year, a rise of 6.4%. Like

for like sales will be 5.2% higher at the 339 store chain. Like

for like growth in the past two years is more than 15%.

DFS is among the retailers enjoying growth

Bed company Sealy’s Napoli

1200 has secured the Which?Best Buy accolade in the

pocket spring mattress

category for the third

consecutive year (see p60)

while the brand has been

recognised as one of the UK’s

21 interiors consumer

Superbrands.

Sister brand Silentnight

Beds won the Superbrands

Household – Beds and

Bedroom Furniture category

for the 10th consecutive time.

B&Q won the Retail – DIY,

Gardens and Homes sector;

John Lewis was the winner of

Retail – Department Stores

and General Retailers, as well

as being the sixth strongest

overall brand behind British

Airways, Rolex, BBC, Microsoft

and Nike.

The other interiors

Superbrands were Argos,

Debenhams, Dulux, Habitat,

Homebase, House of Fraser,

Ikea, Lakeland, Marks &

Spencer, Pyrex, Royal

Doulton, Royal Worcester,

Screwfix, Slumberland,

Tempur, Waterford,

Wedgwood and Wickes.Napoli 1200 was named a Which? Best Buy

Consumer Superbrand status for interiors firms

We have enhanced the Diamond collection with

the introduction of a premium 4000 pocket sprung

memory wool mattress for superior style and comfort.

To find out more about the Diamond Collection please contact

your local area manager or our dedicated customer contact

centre on 01282 851111 or visit www.silentnight.co.uk/diamond

NEWS


Monsterbeds vowsto fulfil all ordersOnline bed retailer Monsterbeds has

promised to fulfil outstanding orders

or refund customers after blaming the

collapse of City Link for its closure.

It has stopped taking orders saying

the demise of the delivery company

ruined its cashflow.

Daniel King, Monsterbeds md, says

the administration of City Link on

Christmas Eve meant it was unable to

fulfil orders so customers claimed

their money back through their bank.

This led to it being unable to process

orders and suppliers then withdrew

their support.

‘Because chargeback levels went

above 1% our merchant service

terminated our account, saying it

would be 118 days before we could

access our funds,’ says King.

‘When I heard the news about City

Link on Christmas Day, I thought it

would be all right, we thought there

would be a way around it. But it is

very hard finding people to deliver

beds these days. It took us two

months to set up an arrangement

with a different courier, and then,

after all the deliveries had been

labelled up, they said they no longer

delivered beds. You would have

thought the clue was in our name.’

Eleven staff have lost their jobs as a

result.

‘I’m doing all I can to save the

company, but I don’t know whether

we will be able to get through this,’ he

says.

As recently as 5 March the company

was advertising discounted beds after

running a clearance sale in January.

Rates to bereviewedThe Government has launched a review

into business rates, following its

announcement last December.

Retailers have long called for changes

to the system that can be traced back to

1601, which bases the cost on the rental

value of the property.

Companies are still being charged on

the value of properties in 2008 and were

told by the Chancellor in December that

any changes to the system would be

fiscally neutral.

‘The time has come for a radical

review of this important tax. We want to

ensure the business rates system is fair,

efficient and effective,’ says Danny

Alexander, chief secretary to the treasury.

John Cridland, CBI director-general,

has stated that the present system is

‘outmoded, clunky and regressive and

holding back the high street.’

‘We’ll be making the case for removing

the smallest firms from paying business

rates completely and introducing more

frequent valuations,’ he says.

The review is due to be completed in

time for next year’s budget.

Headlam seeswinter growthFlooring group Headlam is to reward

shareholders with a double-digit boost

to its dividend after strong performance,

which has continued into 2015.

Operating profits climbed by 13.7% to

£31.5m in 2014 as sales rose by 5.3% to

£635.2m. Dividends for the period will

rise 14.4% to 17.5p. The group says it

continued to grow UK market share with

UK like for like sales up 5.9% in a market

it estimates grew by 2.4%.

‘The momentum created in the UK

through the final quarter has continued

into January and February,’ says Tony

Brewer, Headlam chief executive, ‘with

3.1% like for like growth over the two

month period. As we enter March, our UK

businesses are well placed to take

advantage of improving market

conditions with a comprehensive array of

product launches and marketing

initiatives.’

Heal’s has closed it King’s Road, London

store and will open a branch at The

Queens Building in Westbourne Grove

three miles away.

The King’s Road store closed last

month, while the new branch will open

in the former art deco cinema in the

summer.

The retailer is also is investing in a

website launching this month, and its

flagship Tottenham Court Road store is

being redeveloped.

Recent improvements include the

introduction of a Designer Floor on level

two which is now home to seven

international brands, including Cassina,

Ligne Roset, Vitra, Riva and Philippe

Starck’s new collection TOG, which is

exclusive to Heal’s.

‘We are two years into a programme of

change to ensure Heal’s remains at the

forefront of British design, and more

importantly, to put the customer at the

centre of all we do. Shopping habits have

Heal’s swaps King’s for Queens

changed beyond recognition in the past

10 years and we needed to respond to

the new consumer digital age and how

customers research and shop,’ says Will

Hobhouse, Heal’s chairman.

‘Service, whether online or in-store, is

paramount and we know that the

changes we are making will ensure we’re

at the top of our game. Our design

advisers and store staff at King’s Road will

be absorbed into the business wherever

possible.’

Heal’s new home in Westbourne Grove

01795 439 159www.gal ler ydirect.co.uk

Gallery has grown since 1973 to become a leading British-based

and furniture. With over 40 years of manufacturing expertise, Galleryhas extensive knowledge and experience putting quality central,every time. Couple this with the wealth of expertise brought to thecompany by the Frank Hudson acquisition, it is easy to see howGallery now offers such an outstanding range of high quality, yetvalue focused products.

With their award winning design-led ethos, Gallery has alwayslooked forward to the future,predicting trends and continuingto stay ahead of up-and-cominginterior styles. Innovativedesigns, coupled with traditionaland modern manufacturingmethods, create classic andcontemporary furniture and

modern-day interiors.

Park Lane – posh and profitableIf you take a stroll down fashionable Park Lane thisspring you’re in for a pleasant surprise! Our flagship80/20 wool twist range has enjoyed a colour makeoverincluding five additions to create an on-trend palette of23 options. Also Park Lane’s 50oz Elegance and 40ozClassic weights are now available in multiwidth, 2m,2.5m, 3m, 4m and 5m to deliver a carpet that’s both poshand profitable buy saving less waste and increasingaffordability.

AssociatedWeavers

Sale

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Unstoppable StainAwayFirst of the 2015 new product launchesFor the New Year Associated Weavers promisedyou product launches with flair and imaginationand we’ve opened our account with the newtrendy Studio Twist – a smart 1,150 grampolypropylene carpet that’s tipped to be a bestseller this season. Studio Twist is an attractiveaddition to our hugely successful StainAwayCollection and gives retailers a carpet that willbe at home in any room of the house, produced

in 4m and 5m money saving widths, incorporatinga 15 year StainAway Guarantee and a 15 yearwear warranty. Look out for more newStainAway products in 2015 and plenty of newcolours in existing top selling ranges. Ask yourAssociated Weavers area sales manager toshow you Studio Twist as soon as possible, andthere are more StainAway POS and warrantybrochures available.

StainAway warrantiesDon’t forget to utilise the StainAway warranties available toyou. These warranties offer peace of mind to the consumer andare a useful selling tool to the store to help the retailer up-sell.We have three warranties available,20 year, 15 year and 10 year,these are used on all of the vastarray of Associated WeaversStainAway products.

Studio TwistA fabulous new range for any room in the home,

a great addition to our StainAway brand.

Simon LewyckyjCommercial Manager Associated Weavers

“ ”

NEWS


Court fee rise means ‘openseason for design theft’Companies face a major increase in the cost of protecting

their intellectual property, which could mean ‘open season

for design theft’.

The Government has introduced percentage issue fees for

claims over £10,000, calculated as 5% of the value of the

claim, up to a maximum of £10,000. Previously the

maximum issue fee was £1,920 for claims of more than

£300,000.

‘What this means for IP claims is stark. When an IP claim is

issued there are two court fees that must be paid. The first is

for the injunction – to stop the infringer, and the second is

the claim for damages that follows, if infringement is found.

As a defendant is not bound to tell a claimant what they

have been doing until after infringement is proven,

calculating accurately what a claim is worth is nigh on

impossible, so in order not to be limited in the amount of

damages which can be claimed the issue fee has always

been in the unspecified bracket,’ says Dids Macdonald, Anti

Copying in Design ceo.

‘For IP infringement in plain terms this now means the

court fees are going up from £2,200 or £2,400 to £10,280 or

£10,480 depending on the court (Intellectual Property

Enterprise Court or High Court respectively). This is

disastrous for small businesses and designers who are the

subject of design theft. Small businesses will need help to

pay for any claims they want to bring because the effect of

the increase in court fees is, in reality, open season for

design theft.

‘After such strides have been made to improve UK design

law in recent times, it seems ludicrous that many in the

creative industries may now be precluded from taking

action on infringement because of exorbitant court fees.’

peo

ple

Interfloor has

strengthened its

management

with the

recruitment of

John Cooper as

md. He joins

from leading

barbecue brand

Weber, having

previously worked at Hozelock, AAH,

and ABF.

‘I’m delighted to be joining the

company at this time of exciting

development. The existing

management team has done a great

job steering the business with

amazing success through some very

challenging market conditions since

2008, and we are now poised to

embrace the opportunities that the

improving market conditions give us

by focusing even more on

exceptional service and strong brand

support,’ says Cooper. ‘We have

robust processes, great products,

great brands, great people, and a

strong financial backbone. We are

well placed to help our customers

take advantage of the significant

growth opportunity that stems from

rising consumer confidence in the

home improvement market,’ he says.

Cooper will report to chairman Phil

Reeder.

Former Carpetright chief executive

Darren Shapland has become

chairman of tiles and flooring retailer

Topps Tiles. Shapland succeeded

Michael Jack last month, who

stepped down after three and a half

years as chairman and more than a

decade as a director. Shapland is

currently chairman of Poundland

and Maplin and a director at

Ladbrokes and Wolseley.

Nick Gigg, Swanglen national sales

manager, has taken responsibility for

customer accounts and sales at the

headboard and beds company.

This follows the retirement of md

Martin Allen at the end of March.

Smallbone of Devizes and Mark

Wilkinson owner Canburg has

recruited Iain O’Mahony from Linley,

where he built up its fitted furniture

division. O’Mahony returns to the

group as director for prime

developments for London, Europe,

Middle East and Africa.

Velda has named Simon Rexworthy

as agent for the South West and

Richard Piercey as agent for East

Anglia.

Serene Living

has named

Graham Morley

(left) as sales

representative

for the North of

England.

Ireland’s largest furniture retailer has cut

its losses by almost €4m and could make

its first profit next year.

Harvey Norman saw sales rise by 4% to

€149.2m in the year to the end of June

2014, with like for like sales up 8%. The

chain has two stores in Northern Ireland

and a dozen in the Republic of Ireland,

and cut losses from €11m to €7.4m.

Its Australian parent says losses halved

in the second half of last year, suggesting

it could be on course to make its first

profit since entering the market more

than a decade ago during which time it

has lost €106m.

‘The Irish economy is showing signs of

stability and growth. The tough austerity

measures, which have impacted the

retail sector negatively, have improved

the fiscal position. Now that these

measures are coming to an end we

anticipate that consumer sentiment will

continue to improve,’ says the company

accounts.

Market leader hoping for profit Late shift for NIFSThe Northern Ireland Flooring Show is to

switch to a late afternoon and evening

format, to attract retailers after work.

Organised by distributor PFL, it will

take place from 3pm-9pm at the Ramada

Plaza Hotel, Belfast on 16 April. More

than 20 companies are taking part

including Ardex, Cormar, Desso, F Ball,

Floorwise, Forbo, Polyflor and Rhinofloor.

‘We appreciate that everyone is busy

so we’ve reinvented the exhibition

format,’ says Sean Haugh, PFL md.

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www.furlongwoodflooring.co.uk

T H E F U R LO N G F LO O R I N G P O R T F O L I O

www.furlongflooring.co.uk I Sales: Preston - 01772 696 787 I Dartford - 01322 628 707 I Gloucester - 0845 520 0800

T H E F U R LO N G F LO O R I N G P O R T F O L I O

ww.furlongflooring.co.uk I Sales: Preston - 01772 696 787

Hardwood flooringThe Natural Choice

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The Natural Solutions Collection features some of the most beautiful species

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Using advanced technologies, these floors

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the home, will never go out of style and will

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Backing is added to ranges for use with underfloor

heating or surface coated with oils, lacquers

and varnishes for subtleties in sheen and hue.

To take advantage of this great collection of

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AWARDS


RETAILERS TO COMPLETE ONLY

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 Children’s Furniture Manufacturer

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer

Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer

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

Best Flooring Accessory Supplier

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 (Flooring)

Best Business Support (Furniture)

Best Marketing Support

Best New Exhibition

Innovation of the Year

Best Mattress Manufacturer

Best Recliner Manufacturer

Best Home Entertainment Supplier

Best New Supplier

Product 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

Please fax your completed form to 01732 362 919

or email your nominations to: [email protected]

Name

Company

Position

Tel Email

Pick your favourites

WARRANTIES


QWe’ve had a couple of potential customers ask usabout warranties and we weren’t sure how to answerthem. The first is replacing her dining table and she

mentioned that she has two large dogs that sometimes jumpon to the table. She asked if she bought a warranty with thetable, whether she would be covered if the dogs scratched it.

The second customer wondered if they would be covered ifwhile redecorating (they are about to move house) paint wasspilled on their new furniture?

AA protection plan is an insurance policy that providescover against accidental damage, accidental staining andstructural faults. As the normal use of a table is not

intended to be suitable for dogs jumping on it, then the firstincident would be considered an accident and therefore becovered.

However, as with all insurance policies, there are certainprincipals that apply, one of which is the fact that you cannotinsure yourself against something that you know is going tohappen. Subsequent occurrences would be considered neglect,and any claim declined because you knew it would happen andfailed to take adequate precautions to prevent the dog fromdamaging the table.

Your second customer should rest assured that a Guardsmanprotection plan would provide cover for a spillage of paint on tothe furniture while decorating. However, as with the previousexample, there is the expectation that the householder takesadequate precautions to protect their furniture. In this case, ifthe furniture is staying in the room while decorating was beingcarried out, it should be well covered with dustsheets. If, in spiteof the precautions, a spillage still occurred then this wouldcertainly be covered.

Sponsored by

Your questionsansweredHelen Kershaw, Guardsman head of marketing,answers your questions on product protection

Customers should take adequate precautions against damage

Contact Gareth PriceTel: +44 (0) 7974 209761 www.LynchSales.co.uk

Copyright 2014 Lynch Brothers Licensing Corporation

11.6% of annual turnover in 11 hours!

To learn more, call Gareth Price today for a complete outline, including a copy of our easy-to-understand, one-page contract, or

visit www.LynchSales.co.uk

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store, Pine & Things after 39 years trading in Canterbury, his choice

of promotional partner was straight forward. He chose Lynch.

For results you can bank on

choose Lynch.

NEW PRODUCTS


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1 Comfort Zone’s Renaissance combines

comfort and durability, featuring a heat-

treated spring unit composed of two parts.

The base of the unit has cone-shaped coils

supporting a sprung pad designed for

upholstery. On top, a seat cushion features

Reflex foam for support and resilience.

Tel: 01282 452 188

2 Lano Carpets has added Granada, a

saxony in 15 natural and on-trend colours, to

its Premium Easy Care Collection. Using 100%

heatset polypropylene for durability and a

more wool-like appearance and spun in a

two-ply yarn for better resilience, Granada

promises great everyday performance.

Tel: 00 800 5266 5266

3 Sweet Dreams’ California is available in

three-seater, two-seater and chair options all

with scatter cushions. It is available in three

colourways.

Tel: 01282 830 033

4 Already featuring herringbone of Toulouse,

Leoline’s Woodmark collection has been

updated for 2015 with the bleached look of

Azur and the stripped pine of Cardassian

(pictured), bringing a cushion floor collection

packed full of on-trend looks, available in 2m,

3m and 4m widths.

Tel: 0800 032 3970

5 Lothian Wool Berber & Stripes from Balta

Broadloom, brings the popularity of

coordinated styles in the appeal, luxury and

resilience of 100% British wool. The 4m and

5m carpet is available in eight natural Berber

colourways and four coordinating stripes

that have a 2.5cm repeat ideal for stairs,

hallways and landings.

Tel: 00 32 5662 2211 ��

Perfect performers and famous for bringing pure luxury,warmth and comfort to the home, Tredaire underlays are designed

to keep carpets looking good and feeling fabulous for longer.

The Tredaire range features outstanding levels of comfort and performance so every carpet gives that ‘on air’ feeling. That’s why Tredaire

is the UK’s biggest selling underlay brand - the market leader!

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NEW PRODUCTS


6 8

7

106 The Bo Bohemian collection from Louis de

Poortere features two designs in Flowers

and Tribal. The worn vintage feel of Flowers

comes in four neutral shades with Bourges

Brown, Glastonbury Grey, Paleo Persian and

Woodstock White, as well as the impactful

Roskil Red. The patchwork nomadic rework

of Tribal comes in seven bold hues.

Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

7 The Quick-Step website received 24,000

requests through its Find an Installer page in

2014, all of which go straight to Quick-Step

Master Installers across the UK. Qualified at

the Academy for Excellence in Flooring, the

Master Installers are recognised by

consumers as the best tradesmen to install

their new Quick-Step floor, whether wood,

laminate or LVT.

Visit: www.quick-step-academy.co.uk

8 The made in the UK Optima underlay from

Floorwise delivers commercial

environments ultra durable underfoot

comfort and carpet protection, helping to

extend the life of carpets in busy areas such

as hotel receptions, corridors and bar areas.

Thanks to its dense rubber crumb

construction, Optima is the benchmark in

high performance underlay for the most

demanding of environments.

Tel: 01509 673 974

9 Polyflor’s Polysafe Wood fx PUR

decorative safety vinyl flooring was installed

in the reception area, dining room and hair

salon of the Winchcombe Place care home in

Newbury, Berkshire, which won a SBID

International Design Award for New Build

and Development. European Oak 3347

shade was chosen to create a welcoming,

inspirational and comfortable atmosphere.

Tel: 0161 767 1111

10 Breaking with the convention that

tombolas all have to look the same, this new

tubular construction with swappable full

height graphics is created to maximise the

strong appeal of Crown Floors within

stores. It can hold 74 carpet samples (14in x

18in), and being on wheels is mobile.

Tel: 0800 077 3301 ��

9

Visit our GAUTIER stand at Milan Fair from 14 to 19 April 2015

Hall 14 - Stand D33-D37

100 STORES WORLDWIDE DUBAÏ PARIS DELHI GENEVA MOSCOW LONDON TORONTO RIYADH CASABLANCA

Be inspired by our stylish range of kids, adult, living and dining room furniture at www.gautier.co.uk

FRENCH MANUFACTURER

PREFACECollection

NEW PRODUCTS

11 13

11 Himalaya has introduced a tombola

showcasing its range of natural yarn

carpets, including Apollo and Ares

featuring yak hair that offers excellent

thermal insulation, humidity regulation,

softness, resilience and durability. A myriad

of styles await retailers, from beautiful

chunky and multi-level loops to luxurious

Saxony styles.

Tel: 07976 607 657

12 Architecture is Kare Design’s latest

collection, inspired by the 1970s and

the interior of its flagship Munich store

that is housed in a former power station

(see Interiors Monthly, January 2015).

Visit: www.kare-design.com

13 Riva 1920’s Infinity table has a two-step

extension system that can extend by

60cm or 120cm as it combines 2.7cm walnut

Sun 9.30am-5pmMon 9am-5pmTue 9am-5pm

12

NEW PRODUCTS

REGISTERFREE NOW

boards with aluminium U-shaped legs.

Visit: www.riva1920.it

14 Meritalia’s Opera, to be launched at

iSalone this month, asks ‘Who said that a

table is a flat surface with four legs, that a

table can’t make you think, that a table can’t

have a double life: above and below the flat

surface and that by now all tables have

already been invented?’

Visit: www.meritalia.it

15 The sculptural back of Cane-line’s Amaze

bench is a minor work of art, while at the

same time ensuring excellent comfort

through its curved shape. The chairs and

bench’s wide armrests add to the comfort

and also accommodate cups. Specially

designed cushions are available for both

bench and chairs.

Visit: www.cane-line.com

14 15

RUGS


Geometric medleyA different take on kilims from Nani MarquinaThe Mélange collection by fashion

and homeware designer Sybilla for

Nani Marquina sets out to reinterpret

the kilim, with 20 contradictory rugs

that complement each other.

Due to be launched at iSalone in

Milan this month, Mélange has four

designs: Zoom and Stripes toy with

the extreme amplification of

graphics; Color is a study of

proportions among coloured

surfaces; and Pattern features

geometric prints in white, black and

red. The collection has coordinated

ottomans and a giant patchwork

effect is achieved by overlaying the

rugs.

Thanks to the simplification of

classic motifs such as geometric

patterns and a pared colour palette,

Mélange is a contemporary version

of the kilim. The rugs are hand

woven with 100% hand-spun Afghan

wool with 156,000 knots per sqm

and a weight of 1.4kg per sqm.

Visit: www.nanimarquina.com

Zoom: a

patchwork

effect is

achieved by

overlaying

the rugs

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RUGS


Piles of goldAulana uses gold to create colour

Italian carpet and textile company SoFarSoNear, Wools of New

Zealand, and Noble Bond, have teamed up to produce Midas,

the first rug with Noble Bond’s Aulana technology that uses

gold to create colours.

Noble Bond founders, Professor Jim Johnston and Dr Kerstin

Lucas, Victoria University of Wellington and the MacDiarmid

Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology New

Zealand, created the Aulana technology, which stems from

1,700 years ago and uses gold to create colours (see box).

SoFarSoNear designed the rug, which is on display by

appointment at its London showroom. It is expected to retail at

about £12,000.

‘Aulana is about creating an heirloom. Its products won’t be

gold in colour, but gold is in there creating the elegant, soft

hues that are visible. And because it is gold particles it is

permanent so, like cathedral windows, Aulana colours will never

fade, and our ancestors can inherit an Aulana rug centuries

from now and the colour will be just as rich,’ says Steven

Parsons, WoNZ innovations manager.

Visit: www.sofarsonear.comwww.wools-nz.co.ukwww.aulana.co.uk

Midas contains gold to create its colour

The scienceThe fourth century Roman Lycurgus

cup, housed at the British Museum,

uses colloidal gold and silver

dispersed in the glass to create the

unique effect where the cup appears

green in reflected light and red in

transmitted light.

Much later, colloidal gold and silver

were used to provide the red and

yellow colours in the glass of gothic

cathedrals, although at this time the

science was not understood.

In 1856 Michael Faraday gave a

public lecture with Prince Albert as the

honoured guest, where he explained

and demonstrated how colloidal

particles of gold generated a purple

colour in a gel matrix.

With the birth of the quantum

mechanical era and the development

of the understanding of how light

interacts with materials, in 1908

Gustav Mie applied James Maxwell’s

electromagnetic theory for light

scattering to small spherical gold

particles, providing a theoretical

treatment for the localised surface

plasmon resonance absorption of gold

colloids, to explain how different

colours can be generated.

Research in the past two decades

demonstrated how the colours

depend on the size and shape of the

colloidal gold particles.

Johnson and Lucas developed the

science further and applied it to wool,

creating Aulana: pure New Zealand

wool coloured with pure gold.

WoNZ is a cornerstone shareholder

in Noble Bond and has global partners

in SoFarSoNear, mill Grentex, and

manufacturer Obeetee.

Desire &Desire Stripe

To find out more about our products, please contact us on the information below:

IndustrieparkKlein Frankrijkstraat 389600 Ronse – Belgium

email: [email protected]: +32 (0) 55 50 90 50

The New Leader in Today’s Flooring

RUGS


Rate ofknotsCC-Tapis’ latest designs

Since its foundation in 2011, CC-Tapis

has combined Tibetan artistry with

contemporary design and its 2015 collection

continues that ethos.

Its Dipped range has been expanded with

the Ribbon, Origami, Cut and Frame designs.

In Ribbon an undyed mix of aloe, pure silk

and Himalayan wool act as a background for

an abstract silk and wool ribbon with tonal-

shadow cuts to give depth and three-

dimensionality.

Classic and contemporary meet with

Stencil, where bold triangles appear to have

been stencilled on to the rug where the

decorative design delicately shines through

thanks to the addition of pure silk.

Described as a work in progress, Federico

Delrosso is developing a collection called

Behindsurfaces as he investigates the ��

Cross (Me) Knot A

Dipped Ribbon

Behindsurfaces

CARPET VINYL WOOD RUGS LVT UNDERLAY

To register visit www.bgnfs.co.uk

THE PLACE TO BE THIS MAY!

“The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show

held at Cranmore Park in Solihull, is the ideal

opportunity for Buying Group Members to

meet all their approved suppliers mid-way

through the year and get up to date with

all the new carpet collections and in-store

displays.” David Cormack, Cormar Carpets

“The Buying Group Show is second only to

Domotex Hannover and is most certainly

the best UK flooring show a must to visit for

all retailers” Peter Pithie, Godiva Carpet.

“Location, Location, Location... Professional

show with the right suppliers, we look

forward to this show every year” Simon Manley, Michael John Flooring.

Tuesday 12th May, 9:00 - 17:30

Wednesday 13th May, 9:00 - 17:00

Cranmore Park, Solihull,

West Midlands, B90 4LF

Above: Pepe 1

Above right:Casellario

Monocromo in teal

Right: Stencil in sage

with coloured

highlights

unseen, the surfaces behind surfaces in our

everyday lives: something that only becomes

visible through the removal or decay of

another surface.

Aldo Parisotto and Massimo Formenton’s

Casellario Monocromo may look like a simple

patchwork of silk and Himalayan wool made

from two different finishing techniques, but

every knot has its place and spaces between

the panels show the nude dyed cotton warp.

Pepe, by Federico Pepe, has three

geometric designs combining green, black,

red and white.

Cross (Me) Knot by Studio Ctrlzak

combines traditional Tibetan and Nepalese

designs with typical European motifs.

The rugs will be introduced at its Milan

showroom during Fuorisalone.

Visit: www.cc-tapis.com


RUGS

To see the full range or request a free sample please visit: www.axminster-carpets.co.ukor call us: 01297 33533 / 32244

made inGREAT

BRITAIN www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

Simply Natural Ribgrass Stipple Breccia/Eggshell - 45113

Introducing 12 NEW colours to our Simply Natural range.

Simply NaturalStunning textured carpets produced using our unique cabled yarn to produce hard wearing carpets that retain all the luxury of pure new wool.

NEWCOLOURS

available now

RUGS


1

1 Each exclusive design from Crucial

Trading not only makes a stylish wall to

wall flooring solution, it can also be

translated into a beautiful bespoke rug

and runner at the click of a button at

www.crucial-trading.com.

Tel: 01562 743 747

2 Scrubbable, bleachable and UV-treated

for outdoor use, Dash & Albert’s

polypropylene Lucy rug can stand up to

all that you dish out: terrific for high-

traffic areas and muddy paws.

Visit: www.dashandalberteurope.com

3 The continuing expansion of Riviere’s

rug collection has seen it look to Persia

for most of its new designs. Arcadia

(pictured) is a modern interpretation of

an antique Sultanabad Persian rug using

the signature Riviere silvers and greys.

Visit: www.riviererugs.com

4 Rug Couture’s Excelsior rug is hand-

knotted with pure silk and is also

available in hand-tufted wool, hand-

knotted wool, art silk, silk and as a

mixture of any of these materials.

Vist: www.rugcouture.com

5 The busy, colourful pattern of squares

on Artisanti’s hand-tufted Multi-

Coloured Cube rug is enhanced by the

contrasting stitching between the tiles in

colours from the same palette.

Visit: www.artisanti.com

2

3

4

5

ROYAL WARRANTS


Hypnos has more than 100 years of

experience in hand-crafting bespoke

mattresses and beds for the finest homes

and hotels around the world. Voted NBF

Bed Manufacturer of the Year twice,

holding a Royal Warrant and being a

carbon neutral company are all defining

factors that set Hypnos apart from many

other bed makers.

Hypnos is a proud holder of a Royal

Warrant, first granted to the Keen family

by George V in 1929 and renewed by

Queen Elizabeth II.

Peter Keen, Hypnos chairman, and his

family remain behind the wheel of the

business, personally overseeing the

‘royal requests’, organising the

manufacture of beds and mattresses for

the Royal Households, family and

palaces. The Royal Warrant is a mark of

excellence that helps distinguish Hypnos

as a business with a reputation for

outstanding craftsmanship, service and

for the best in British quality.

‘There aren’t many businesses which

can claim to know the Royal family well,

but as their trusted bed provider, Hypnos

can. Indeed, we are considered their

sleep and bed experts, having made

bespoke beds specifically for visiting

dignitaries and presenting to the Royal

Households at Buckingham Palace, to

teach the importance of sleep and its

impact on health and wellbeing,’ says

Chris Ward, Hypnos marketing director.

Being a trusted supplier to the Royal

family has boosted Hypnos: it now has a

global reach that caters to royals and

dignitaries across the world, both in retail

and hospitality.

‘We are a brand that’s recognised as a

symbol of excellence supported by our

royal association and our company

profile has grown through a reputation

for outstanding quality so we are loved

and trusted by retailers at home and

overseas. The Royal Warrant has been

fundamental to this development and

become part of who we are as a

company and helps to guide us in our

constant innovation and pursuit of

perfection within our craft,’ he explains.

The warrant also underlines its ethical

stance and it has synergy with the Royal

family on its commitment to the

environment. All its beds are made using

environmentally-friendly and sustainable

materials: FSC or PEFC certified divan

timbers that have been sourced from

managed forests, and its mattresses are

made using layers of natural breathable

fibres such as wool, cashmere and silk.

‘Our responsible approach has led to

us becoming the first carbon neutral bed

maker in the country, with all beds 100%

recyclable – we even provide all our

retailers and hoteliers with a disposal

service for old beds which creates

recycled raw materials for re-use in other

industries. Therefore it goes without

saying our Royal Warrant isn’t just an

accomplishment, for Hypnos it’s a way of

life and a core value to our business,’ adds

Ward.

Visit: www.hypnosbeds.com

Above:Sovereign

Above right:Hypnos uses

natural

breathable

fibres

Right: Prince

Charles visited

the Hypnos

stand during

2013’s

Coronation

Festival

Mark of excellenceEndorsement by the Royal family benefits Hypnos

Best of British

The pursuit of perfection – beautiful handcrafted pocket spring beds, with a Royal Seal of Approval and

an unrivalled 10 year guarantee. Hypnos provides retailers with exquisitely tailored beds; sublime comfort;

a choice of design options; a commitment to sustainability; a strong consumer brand and excellent support.

Don’t miss out try the gorgeous new Regency and Pillow Top Collections today!

T: +44 (0) 1844 348200 | E: [email protected] | www.hypnosbeds.com

Hypnos is proud to be Carbon Neutral, complying with BS PAS 2060 Standard.

ROYAL WARRANTS


Driving forceSleepeezee continues to thrive‘I am proud to work for a Royal Warrant holder and this is

reflected in every product we produce in the Sleepeezee

factory,’ says Michael Mattacks, Sleepeezee production manager.

Its Rochester, Kent, factory has always been highly regarded

for its craftsmanship, design and innovation, and

has built and maintained an enviable reputation for

exceptional British-made quality and value for

money.

This was reinforced a little over 30 years ago

when Sleepeezee received the highest honour of a

Royal Warrant from Prince Charles for its mattresses

and divans.

‘Holding a Royal Warrant underpins our drive and

determination to remain as one of the leading bed

manufacturers in the UK,’ says Howard Wilson,

Sleepeezee md.

Sleepeezee’s hard work and commitment was

clearly demonstrated at last year’s Bed Show, which

saw the launch of a collection of beds which

included Aqua3 and Sensoria.

Sleepeezee, tel: 01634 729 443

Sensoria

Aqua3

ROYAL WARRANTS


Bespoke centenaryStaples is celebrating 100 years since first supplying King George V

Staples is celebrating the centenary of

first supplying King George V with a bed

to rest his broken pelvis, the result of an

accident while visiting British troops in

France.

A keen supporter of British trade, the

king granted a Royal Warrant to Staples

in 1923. The Royal Warrant has been

graciously re-granted by each successive

monarch to this day.

Staples has a long and respected

history of making luxury beds in the UK

since 1895, combining craftsmanship

with the best natural fillings to enable it

to hand-craft each unique customer

Staples’ beds are handmade

with natural fillings

order to the highest manufacturing

standard; embodying the meticulous

attention to detail that its hand-made

quality beds are synonymous with.

Over the past year, Staples has

continued to invest in technology,

production machinery and its

distribution fleet to enable it to further

improve the quality of its beds,

mattresses, delivery and service; in

addition to continued improvements

to both new product ranges and its

current products.

Staples will be the only bed

manufacturer exhibiting at this year’s

Royal Windsor Horse Show between

13-17 May along with other fellow Royal

Warrant holders in the Royal Warrant

Holders Association Pavilion, united by a

commitment to the highest standards of

service, quality and excellence.

Visit: www.staplesbeds.co.uk

Visit us on Stand 12 13th - 17th May 2015

Staples are the only bed manufacturer to be exhibiting at this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show between 13th-17th May 2015 along with other fellow Royal Warrant holders, united by a commitment to the highest standards of service, quality and excellence. Visit us on stand 12 in the Royal Warrant Holders Association Pavilion.

Staples are proud to be celebrating their centenary year of supply to the Royal household.

Staples remain a leading bed manufacturer using traditional methods of crafting handmade, quality beds and mattresses; and have stayed true to their

heritage for over 100 years.

ROYAL WARRANTS


Carpet on seaBrintons has supplied more than21,000sqm of carpet for P&O’s newBritannia cruise shipBritain’s biggest ever cruise ship, the £473m P&O Britannia,which was officially named by the Queen last month, featuresmore than 21,000sqm of custom Axminster carpet from RoyalWarrant holder Brintons.

The 3,600 passenger vessel is the largest cruise ship designedfor the British holiday market. Weighing 141,000tons andstretching longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall (1,082ft), it boasts15 passenger decks, 26 places to eat and drink and fourswimming pools. It also features a three-tier atrium and a 936-seater theatre.

Hospitality designers Richmond International, a companyrenowned across the globe for its work on luxury hotels,specified Brintons as part of its brief to create a ship thatcombined the excitement of cruising with the sophistication ofa five-star hotel.

‘This is an extremely prestigious and exciting project and onethat we are really proud to have been involved with. Designingthe right carpets for the public spaces was obviously a criticalpart in delivering the overall vision of what Richmond wantedto achieve and ensure a successful solution for P&O,’ says LoisNorman, Brintons senior designer.

‘Working in partnership with Richmond, our design teamcame up with a number of bespoke carpet designs for all thepublic areas of the ship, including the atrium, theatre,restaurant and bars, casino, library and wedding chapel.

‘A fresh and neutral colour palette was used throughout themain areas, with subtle highlights of stronger colours liketeal. Many areas featured contemporary geometrics and cleanlines to create a sophisticated hospitality look. Each of thethemed restaurants also had unique concepts including naturalforms and oriental geometric designs,’ Norman adds.Visit: www.brintons.co.uk

The Queen admires the atrium of the ship

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WOOD AND LAMINATE


FloorplansAdd style with the latest

wood and laminate floors

Quick-Step’s Impressive range features HydroSeal technology

– the layer on the joints ensures water or liquid on the planks

stays where it is and doesn’t penetrate through the joints –

means it can be used in kitchens, bathrooms and halls.

Pictured is 1860 Natural Pine.

Visit: www.quick-step.co.uk

Lamett’s Atlanta engineered wood collection has 19cm x 186cm planks in four matt colours: the

light Pure and Smoked White (pictured) and the darker Fleur de Sel and Smoked Biscuit.

Visit: www.lamett.com

Kährs’ Bloc Collection uses individual 18mm thick oak staves, in three sizes (300mm x

300mm, 300mm x 600mm and 300mm x 900mm) and three shades (Natural with a clear,

satin lacquer pre-finish, White and Grey which have a stained lacquer finish creating a

washed hue). Sections are easily joined using an oak tongue to create unlimited geometric

designs – from traditional herringbone to modern brick – in single or multi-colours. Staves

can also be used to create borders.

Tel: 023 9245 3045

Give a room

some historical

glamour with

Meister’s

Sheringham

Smoked Oak as

today’s

contemporary

styles flirt with

the enchanting

romance and

opulence of the

past. Meister’s

engineered wood

collection has a

35-year warranty

and the

Masterclic Plus

system on the

ends and Uniclic

on the sides.

Tel: 01706 238 810

Balterio’s Urban collection has four oak wood-mix

decors, four pine decors and four concrete tile

decors (including Ivory Terra), all of which go

together if used in the same

room. This collection is

Balterio’s response to the

contemporary trend for

converting properties

such as old factory

buildings into housing.

Visit: www.balterio.com

UPHOLSTERY


Sitting Pretty has seen the number of its

stockists double in the past 18 months

and now has more than 400 retailers

selling its upholstery in the UK and

Republic of Ireland.

‘Our brand will be as popular as the

more established recliner manufacturers

in time, no doubt, as our growth figures

suggest we are heading in the right

direction and we are delighted how far

Sitting Pretty has come in just 13 years,’

says Jim Henderson, Sitting Pretty md.

‘With our new 2015 products now

available for shopfloor stock, we are

really excited about the new launches

and there is a real buzz around the

factory and sales team.’

He says it can offer retailers something

a little different to what they have

probably been displaying, from memory

function handsets to super-petite lift

chairs with seat heights of just 16in. The

Super Grande lift chairs have a 24in wide

seat and can be fitted on lift mechanisms

that carry up to 35 stone.

‘It has been a slow process winning

shopfloor space but we’ve believed in

our brand and it is now starting to pick

up pace with retailers believing we have

something different and giving us a go.

Those who have given Sitting Pretty a

chance haven’t looked back,’ he says.

The manufacturer has enjoyed

increased sales every year and has

confirmed its presence at The January

Furniture Show for 2016.

It has also made some staff

appointments. Martin Henry has become

agent for West Yorkshire and the North

East, alongside Keith Measor (South East

and West), Des Gwilliam (West Midlands,

Central and Southern Wales) and Alan

Hignett (North West England and North

Wales) while it is recruiting for agents in

Northern Ireland, Scotland and the

Republic of Ireland.

Sitting Pretty, tel: 01773 811 610

Above: Aspley

Right: Farndon

Below: Newark

More retailers are stocking Sitting Pretty

Moving up

JOIN THE RISE!Become a stockist of the UK’s fastest growing lift recliner brand!

Unbeatable trade prices and 6 standard sizes of lift recliner available across all of our County Collection

Zip speed dual motor lift chairs at just £450!

Memory function handsets available across all of our Dual motor lift recliners in our County Collection

Call 01773 811610

Visit our website www.spchairs.co.uk

Fine�Quality�Reclining�Chairs�and�Complementary�Lounge�Sofas

UPHOLSTERY


Aristarchus has launched its first soft cover upholstery range

Aristarchus has widened its product offer

with the Bruach Collection, its first fabric

upholstery range.

Bruach showcases high quality

upholstered wing chairs, tub chairs and

dining chairs. The fabrics are sourced

from mills in Scotland and are 100% pure

new wool with a Teflon coating. The Crib

5-graded fabrics are sent to the

company’s factories in Asia where they

are manufactured on to the contract

quality frames. All removable cushions

are manufactured in the UK with a

feather and fibre core, and are available

in a variety of colours and patterns.

‘This summer we will also be launching

another range of chairs, upholstered in

the UK, with fabrics sourced directly from

mills in Belgium and Germany. This will

give our customers the flexibility to order

chairs, either individually or in larger

quantities, from a choice of fabrics, at

competitive prices, and receive delivery

within four to six weeks,’ says Nick

Barclay, Aristarchus md.

He set up Aristarchus in Perth seven

years ago and takes pride in its

diversified range of products and

services.

‘Over the years, we have forged

strong partnerships with our factories,

who fully understand the quality and

value that our customers expect from

our furniture. We carefully maintain these

important relationships so that we are

not regularly switching suppliers and

compromising the quality of our

products,’ he explains.

With a stockholding of more than £1m

ready to ship from warehouses in

Scotland and China, it offers both

wholesale and direct container service.

To achieve the biggest savings

containers can be mixed from the China

warehouse and sent direct to the

customer. It also supplies products for

bespoke projects.

‘Our customers range from small,

family-run companies to large

multinational organisations and can

choose from 15 ranges of dining,

occasional and bedroom furniture in oak

or pine finishes. We are proud to cater for

the diverse needs of these differing

businesses and unlike many other

wholesale companies there is no

minimum order requirement; we are

happy to supply individual pieces as and

when needed,’ adds Barclay.

Aristarchus has its own haulage fleet,

so has full control of the location of its

products and when deliveries will be

made, eliminating problems such as

damage or delayed orders held in depots

when non-specialist carriers are used.

All of its products can be seen, by

appointment, at its Perth showroom.

Visit: www.aristarchus.co.uk

Left: Glen Lyon

Centre: Glen Clova

Bottom: Glen Coe

Branching out

ARISTARCHUS

Scotland, North West England & Ireland : David Green : 07769 792 954 North East & Yorkshire : Tom Holmes : 07850 447 004 Midlands & North Wales : Andrew Lees : 07793 209 334 South West & South Wales : John Pilling : 07771 573 964 East of England : Clive Scofield : 07853 375 869 London & South East : Colin Brett : 07818 694 247

(Other items in this range are available)

+ + +

DEVONSOLID NEW ZEALAND PINE

PACKAGE DEAL

If you would like any further information, please contact our office by calling 01738 629734 or by emailing [email protected]. We have a show room in Perth, Scotland, where all of our products can be viewed by appointment. Alternatively, you can contact one of our sales representatives or agents;

ONLY £389

UPHOLSTERY

It’s all inthe detailSometimes it’s the smallest

things that make designs

stand out

Bretz’s Ohlinda features buttoned seat cushions and

optional scatter cushions while the rear cushions can

be removed, changing the corner unit into a long sofa

or double daybed.

Visit: www.bretz.com

&tradition’s Mayor sofa was designed by Arne Jacobsen for the town hall of Sollerod,

Copenhagen built from 1939-1942 and designed by Jacobsen and Flemming Lassen.

Visit: www.andtradition.com

Baxter uses

quilting to

delineate the back

and arms on the

Tactile chair, sofa

and coffee table.

Visit: www.baxter.it

Tommy M’s Wrangler

uses large stitching for

the sofa to create its

jeans inspired look.

Visit: www.tommym.com

Arketipo’s Sin Seat, by

Giuseppe Viganò, has a

quilted panel in aniline

leather while the rest of

the chair can be

upholstered in any leather

or fabric in the company’s

collection. It will be

debuted at iSalone.

Visit: www.arketipo.com


LVT


Deeper intothe woodsKarndean Designflooring is

expanding its LooseLay range

Karndean Designflooring is introducing

Series Three to its LooseLay collection

supported with a new POS unit.

The six latest wood designs tap into

the trend for popular oak tones,

fashionable rustics and deep greys. With

a 15-year residential guarantee, the full

Karndean LooseLay collection will now

feature 19 wood designs and eight

intricate stone tiles.

Inspired by nature, the collection

features a wide range of tones from the

light, blonde hues of Cambridge LLP113

to the striking, warm ginger tones of

Burlington LLP110.

Karndean LooseLay’s friction grip

backing and increased dimensional

stability secures the floor firmly in place.

It can be installed over most hard floors

as long as they are dry, smooth, sound

and dust-free.

The collection’s large scale 1,050mm x

250mm planks and 610mm x 500mm

tiles combined with the fact that it’s

quick and easy to fit, means reduced

downtime, mess and installation costs.

‘Homeowners are seeing the benefits

of Karndean LooseLay in place of

traditional carpet and laminate, and it’s

continuing to grow from strength to

strength in the marketplace,’ says Paul

Barratt, Karndean Designflooring md.

‘The collection is not only design-led

but it’s also compatible with underfloor

heating and the individual planks allow

easy access at all times. Our newest

wood designs are a welcome addition

and reflect the trends we’re seeing within

interior design.’

The LooseLay POS unit holds all three

series, showcasing the colour bank with a

mixture of sample boards and product.

With its interactive design, customers can

arrange the samples on the viewing

platform. ‘We have worked with retailers

to create a POS unit that works for both

the customer and the store, reducing the

stand’s footprint while increasing the

visibility and prominence of the designs,’

adds Barratt.

Visit: www.karndean.com

Above: Karndean LooseLay Series Three Boston LLP111

Below: Karndean LooseLay Series Three Hartford LLP112

Karndean LooseLay Series Three Stamford LLP109

LVT


Work, rest and playThe flooring is making itself at home in a variety of rooms

LVT continues to show its suitability for

different rooms, from kitchens to living

rooms, to company reception areas.

Consumers are turning to LVT to make

bold statement designs in the kitchen

and bathroom to create a wow factor

that will increase the value of their

homes, according to David Bigland,

Moduleo UK and Eire md.

‘In the past six months, we’ve seen

a marked increase in the number of

consumers looking to make real

investments in their kitchens and

bathrooms, to increase their return on

investment later down the line. We’re

confident this correlates with the

housing market, where homeowner

confidence is growing and more people

are looking to sell. This means investing

in those key rooms and the best

products, which is reflected in our sales,’

he says. ‘Together with our full range of

design floors and the long-lasting

guarantee, kitchens and bathrooms will

be stylish, durable, and most importantly

a big selling point for homes.’

For one homeowner Quick-Step’s Livyn

LVT was the solution for his living room.

Ruben Deschamps wanted to replace

the tiled floor in his new home. Because

the living room adjoins the kitchen, he

needed a floor that could withstand wear

and tear and, above all, it had to be

water-resistant. With two young children,

the floor also needed to be easy to clean

and handle a certain amount of rough

use. Warmth and cosiness were essential.

‘The shiny, white tiled floor was too

cold for our tastes and we felt that the

house lacked cosiness and warmth. Our

living room has been completely

transformed, because we have also

painted the walls and kitchen cabinets

in a fresh, new colour,’ he says.

‘The floor is absolutely beautiful and

has a warm feel. As soon as you come

into the living room, the Livyn floor

invites you to take off your shoes and

socks and enjoy the floor in bare feet. We

can see how much our daughters enjoy

playing or crawling around on this soft

floor as well.

‘It has also turned out to be really

easy to maintain. Because Livyn has

a sealed surface and a protective

coating to prevent dirt and stains, you

can wipe away coffee, fruit juice and

jam without much effort. With children

in the house that is a luxury you

can’t do without,’ adds Deschamps.

Polyflor’s Expona LVT was used to

create an eye-catching floor for the

reception of a new Cala Homes division

in Welwyn Garden City recently. Dark

Contour 7215 was chosen as it fitted with

the brand image of the housebuilder.

Expona Design has a 3mm gauge and

0.7mm wear layer making it suitable for

heavy commercial applications, such as

an office reception where there is likely

to be high levels of foot traffic.

Expona Commercial in Light Grey

Matrix 5074, was selected for the staff

kitchen and dining area. The cross-linked

and UV-cured PUR polyurethane

reinforcement used in Expona flooring

ensures a simple cleaning and

maintenance regime.

‘Polyflor Expona ranges were specified

for this job at Cala Homes because of the

vast range of attractive design options

available to us. The Expona Design and

Expona Commercial collections give a

stunning, hard wearing finish which will

look good for years to come,’ says Nicola

Forgette, md of contractor Gifford Grant.

Visit: www.moduleo.co.uk

www.polyflor.com

www.quick-step.co.uk

Moduleo’s Blackjack Oak Polyflor’s Expona Dark Contour 7215

Quick-Step’s Livyn Classic Oak Light Beige ESC001

UNDERLAY


Brand alert Carpenter has updated its branding and

warned about the dangers of some imports

Carpenter’s latest branding creates a

consistent, more visually identifiable

appearance across its 14 underlay

ranges.

Product wraps, underlay samples, deck

boards and two new lorries now feature

the new ‘rainbow’ concept, designed to

be eye-catching, colourful and modern.

‘The new concept incorporates a great

new and much more contemporary

colour palette with an instantly

identifiable pattern. We underwent a

rebrand over five years ago, so we felt

that it was time to refresh our image and

create something more visual that

customers could instantly recognise,’ says

Helen Rowberry, Carpenter national sales

manager for underlay.

Rowberry has also warned that

retailers could be selling dangerous and

illegal underlay. ‘The market has become

incredibly competitive with many budget

end products flooding the market: a lot

of them from overseas. While on the face

of it some of these products may appear

to be cheap, they may come with a high

price to pay. Buyers need to consider a

number of factors when they buy PU

underlay, and will often find that only by

buying British made products can they

be sure of the products’ provenance,’ she

explains.

Retailers need to ask if the products

have been tested to and meet the

correct British Standards, have fire

certificates and if the chemicals used are

legal and not dangerous to the end user?

‘These are all questions that the

responsible manufacturers will be able to

satisfy. And they are questions that need

to be asked and satisfactorily answered

for anyone wishing to buy underlay with

complete peace of mind,’ she says.

Carpenter is fully licensed and meets

all HSE requirements for the chemicals it

uses and the company is compliant with

all legal standards and regulations.

‘This involves time, effort, investment

and testing and is not something that

less scrupulous overseas producers may

take so seriously,’ Rowberry stresses. ‘For

instance, when producing the foam that

goes into underlay, solvents should not

be used as the blowing agent. Methylene

chloride is no longer used in the UK but

is believed to still be widely used

overseas. And buyers should consider the

ethical policies of the overseas

producers. Do they pay staff a fair and

honest wage, offer safe and suitable

All of Carpenter’s

underlay is UK

produced and

recyclable

working conditions? And what about

environmental responsibilities?’

Carpenter underlay is made from

recyclable material and is fully recyclable

at the end of its lifetime. Its underlay

recycling scheme began in 2012 and

encourages customers to return all

Carpenter offcuts, which are then

recycled into more products.

‘At a time when all businesses are

looking to trim down on unnecessary

expenditure we are providing a service

that is really useful and cost effective –

and encourages fitters to get rid of waste

in a responsible manner. The British-

made philosophy that Carpenter follows

has led the company to become a

reputable British manufacturer bringing

responsibly produced products and

peace of mind to all its customers,’ adds

Rowberry.

Visit: www.carpenter.ltd.uk

PROTECTION


Ensuring a smooth journeyCastelan continues its pursuit of customer service excellencePutting the customer at the heart of the

business is the key focus at Castelan,

according to Richard Gretton, Castelan

commercial director.

‘The products we produce, whether a

protection plan, care kit or service

promise, are only of any value if they

deliver when the customer needs them

most. It’s not just about the products

either – the customer journey has been

completely reevaluated over the past

three months to ensure that, at every

touch point, the customer is treated fairly

and professionally,’ he says.

This was recognised by Business Leader

magazine’s annual awards – for the

second year running, Castelan won the

Customer Excellence category.

‘This demonstrates that we are

recognised as leaders in this field by our

business peers as well as customers. With

service delivery as the foundation of our

activity, we continue to win new

business both within the independent

sector and with national retailers, secure

existing relationships for the long-term

and develop new products for the care

market. Innovation in our Care Solutions

business will see exciting new care kit

development – particularly as customer

choice shifts towards fabric covers,’ he

explains.

Castelan has expanded its offering to

retailers with a home furniture assembly

service, helping it to add another touch

point in the customer journey.

‘Castelan continues to offer and

expand an “end to end” solution to

customer service which means the

customer can have a smooth journey

from issue to resolution whether that be

via the use of a care product, plan or

repair. I believe this is where the true

value lies: in giving the retailer the

confidence to sell the product knowing

that their customers will not be let down

by service. From this, naturally, comes

the commercial benefit that the retailer

can enjoy, backed by the most

experienced support team in the sector,’

adds Gretton.

Visit: www.castelangroup.com

Castelan has reevaluated the customer journey

The UK’s largest directly employed team ofmobile furniture care and repair technicians.

Invitation

to call 01934 423 214 or

e-mail [email protected]

Premier Care Kits Warranty Solutions Claims Handling

www.castelangroup.com

Mobile Technicians

featuring

PROTECTION


Stay calm and carry onThe sector is waiting on a FCA review

The demise of the OFT in April 2014 saw

consumer credit licensing move to the

jurisdiction of the Financial Conduct

Authority. During this time the FCA

issued many retailers with an interim

licence and announced a timetable for

granting full or limited permission.

‘This has led to widespread confusion

and concern about a consequential

impact on the current model of furniture

protection plan sales. Additionally, the

sector anxiously awaits the publication of

the FCA thematic review of insurance

mediation in retail, with initial findings

due in May,’ says Phil Griffin, Guardsman

UK md.

For many retailers furniture protection

plans provide an important part of their

consumer proposition and profits.

Guardsman is working with its retailer

partners to safeguard the sector, and

make adjustments to the programme

that will protect them from the scrutiny

of the regulators, says Griffin.

The company is focused on retail

compliance and routinely reviews its

terms and conditions in line with best

practice. ‘We are already implementing

significant developments to our

programme to sustain this important

sector for the benefit of our retailers

and their customers. Not only are we

confident that these adjustments meet

the latest requirements of the FCA, but

we will develop them further as the FCA

publishes its thematic review findings,’ he

explains.

‘It seems increasingly that the regulator

will leave its requirements and guidelines

open to interpretation rather than being

specific. With such significant and

complex change ahead, the Guardsman

team is working closely with retailers to

navigate a path of compliance,’ he adds.

Guardsman’s consumer research

validates the value to consumers of

protection plans for their furniture. Griffin

says this is most evident when

Guardsman’s services are called upon in

the event of a spillage or accident on

upholstery that could otherwise require a

costly repair or replacement.

Visit: www.guardsman.co.uk

‘The Guardsmanteam is workingclosely withretailers tonavigate a path ofcompliance’

Phil Griffin (left) says protection plans are

important to retailers and consumers

By introducing Guardsman protection plans to your retail businessnot only will you see sales and profit growth at little risk, you willalso be offering your customers the very best aftercare service.

At Guardsman we know how important it is to your customersto have peace of mind that their new furniture will look goodfor years to come. Our years of experience and comprehensivenetwork of technicians are on hand to deal with the everydayspills and accidents that can occur to new furniture in the home.

For more information about how Guardsman can support your business and customers,call us on 01235 444771.

Stretch your profi ts...

...with the leading Furniture Protection Plan provider.Guardsman, the low risk option to increase your turnover and profi t.

PROTECTION


When cats gettheir claws out…Dealing with cat scratches on leather upholstery

Dogs are likely to be seen as more of a

hazard to leather upholstery, but the family

feline can also cause damage.

The first type is where the cat scratches

the seating cushion causing a straight line

scratch.

‘If the scratches are light and have not

damaged the leather itself, only lightly

scratching the coating away, Leather

Recolouring Balm should be sufficient to

restore the colour that has been scratched

away and blend the scratches in with the

surrounding leather,’ says Ben Staerck,

Leather Clinic md.

The second type is caused by the cat

sticking its claws into the leather. When it

pulls its claws out, it draws out the fibres of

the leather causing significant damage and

the leather becomes rough and unsightly.

If the area of damage is larger than the

size of a tennis ball you will need: Leather

Binder to strengthen the area; a Leather

Repair Kit to fix the scratches; and a

Leather Colourant Kit to restore the colour.

If the area of damage is smaller than a

tennis ball, then a Leather Binder, Leather

Repair Kit and Leather Repair Touch Up Kit

is needed.

After cleaning the area with Leather

Ultra Clean, trim any loose long fibres with

sharp scissors.

Apply a small amount of Leather Binder

to a sponge and rub directly into the

damaged area. Coat the area and allow to

dry. Apply 8-10 coats, allowing each coat

to dry before applying the next.

Once the binder has been applied, the

area should be sanded down using fine

sandpaper (1,200 grit is sufficient).

Ensure the area is free from any residue

from sanding. Then, using the heavy filler

and palette knife, spread a thin layer of

filler over the scratches. Leave for 20-25

minutes to dry and apply additional layers

if required: aim to have the holes, scratches

and gouges filled so that they are level

with the surface of the leather.

After applying the filler, it should be

sanded down again.

Wipe the leather down with the alcohol

cleaner to remove dirt and residue from

the leather’s surface.

Once dried, apply the first coat of

colourant by sponge. If this emphasises

some of the scratches you thought were

‘healed’ apply more filler, sand down and

re-apply the colourant.

After the first coat of colourant has been

applied, build it up in a series of thin layers,

leaving time for each coat to dry before

applying the next. Apply as many thin

layers as required to blend with the

surrounding area and conceal the repair.

Once you have a good coverage of

colour, apply the lacquer on to the leather

to seal the colour in. Take the glossy Super

Seal and apply using a sponge or airbrush,

in three to four layers. This forms the basis

for a flexible and robust finish. After this is

done, apply the Leather Finish, using the

contents provided in four to five layers. For

both products, allow time for each coat to

completely dry before applying the next.

Visit: www.furnitureclinic.co.uk

Staingard’s commitment to the

development of its comprehensive

range of furniture protection and care

products has contributed to another

year of growth. Paul Aiston, Staingard

md, says its ‘personal, straightforward

and flexible approach to the delivery

of products and schemes to the UK’s

most discerning of furniture retailers,’

has paid off.

‘Growth has been fuelled by our

commitment to these basic principles

and future growth looks assured as

Staingard continues to grow on the

strength of the many referrals from

both its retail customers and

consumers,’ he says.

Visit: www.staingard.co.uk

Dedicated care service brings rewards

Please visit www.staingard.co.uk or call 01244 888658

WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?Add value to your sales and aftersales service with the one-stop solution and market

leading specialists in Furniture Protection, Care and Repair. Also offering Product

Personalisation and full Account Support and Training.

FABRIC, CARPET

& CABINET CARE

PLANS AND

PRODUCTS

LEATHER

CARE PLANS

& PRODUCTS

MATTRESS & BED

CARE PLANS &

PRODUCTS

NATIONWIDE

FURNITURE

REPAIR NETWORK

Staingard Limited Email: [email protected] Tel: 01244 888658

The Safest Hands for total furniture care and protection

BUYING GROUPS


Friends unitedMinerva is celebrating its 25th anniversary

Next month buying group Minerva

Furnishers Guild celebrates its 25th

anniversary. Set up after the demise of

the Green Group when several large

retailers left to set up their own buying

group, Minerva’s now life president Derek

Hayes, owner of Bath retailer TR Hayes,

was instrumental in the group’s creation.

‘I was upset at the demise of Green

Group: I’d lost my group, my £3,000 bond

[worth £6,515 today] and my friends,’ he

says.

Determined to restore the benefits of a

buying group to the former Green Group

members, he invited retailers to join the

group – named after the Roman god of

healing – and 39 others came on board

(paying a £1 bond). Today it has 130

members.

Within months it was hosting its first

exhibition at the National

Motorcycle Museum in

Birmingham. Over the years

the event grew and last

October became The Autumn Furniture

Show open to non-members and held at

the Telford International Centre.

Hayes rates the success of the

exhibition, the increase in membership,

and the benefits they receive, as the

group’s greatest success.

‘We’ve been lucky: retailers and

suppliers wanted to come on board. It’s

been the work of past and present board

members,’ he says when asked what the

biggest challenge has been. The

friendship among members and the

interaction between members is the

group’s main strength, he says.

Hayes is also quick to thank his wife

From left: Minerva founders Ron

Rawlings; Michael Pugh; Derek

Hayes; Richard Nunn and Alan

Walker pictured at the group’s

20th anniversary dinner

Below: The group bought its first

permanent head office last year

‘The interactionbetweenmembers is thegroup’s mainstrength’

Margaret, who was a lynchpin in the

running of the group and providing

support, especially in the early days.

‘She’d often ask: “Where are we off to this

week?” when we went to visit potential

members on what was supposed to be

our afternoon off,’ he says.

Interest in the group continues to

increase among suppliers and it is keen

to source more exclusive products to

help its members differentiate

themselves from competitors and boost

its membership further.

Last year it bought its first permanent

head office in Corsham, Wiltshire after

many years of renting various properties

in Bath. In recent years it has taken on

more staff so it can offer additional

benefits to members, such as marketing

and container breakdown services.

Did Hayes think the group would be

entering its second quarter of a century

when he was driving across the country

recruiting members? In response, he

quotes his father: ‘Work as if you are

going to live forever but make sensible

arrangements.’

Visit: www.minervafurnishers.co.ukThe group’s show now takes place at the Telford International Centre

2 5 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y

F U R N I S H E R S G U I L D

M NERVA1990

-201

5Benefits of joining Minerva

• Low cost membership

• UK & Ireland coverage

• Rebate scheme negotiated with an impressive supplier basewith many leading brands; national & international

• You remain as an independentbut with the support of a professional team

• Exclusive ranges negotiated with suppliers

• Own brand ranges available to members only

• No compulsory purchases

• Networking opportunities in a friendly non-competitive environment

• We organise two shows a year at the International Centre, Telford in May & October

• Monthly newsletter featuring news from the trade,product promotions and new launches

The Minerva team are very approachable and wewelcome enquiries from prospective new members. The process of joining couldn’t be easier and we help you from start to finish.

Prospective new members are encouraged to contact Minerva on 01225 444 204or alternatively email us: [email protected]

Founded in 1990, 2015 is an important year in the history ofMinerva Furnishers Guild as it celebrates its 25th birthday.

BEDS AND BEDROOM


Durable hat trickSealy has gained the Which? Best Buy pocket

sprung mattress accolade for the third year running

Sealy’s Napoli 1200 is still the highest

scoring product in the pocket spring

mattress category in Which?’s latest

review and so has retained its coveted

Which? Best Buy accolade with which it

was originally accredited in 2013.

In 2013 the magazine said the mattress

stood out from the competition as it was

the most durable of the pocket sprung

mattresses it tested. It reported the

Napoli 1200 wouldn’t move when people

turned over in the night, and that it

provided good body and back support

for most sleepers. Although it wasn’t the

cheapest of the beds tested, it was the

most durable.

The following year Which? said the

mattress still provided good support and

would continue to do so after several

years of use. It also commented that it

wouldn’t get harder or softer over time,

or sag so much compared with the other

pocket sprung mattresses on test.

Overall, the review concluded it was the

top choice for people looking for a

pocket sprung mattress.

Its current conclusion is that Napoli

1200 provides good support for most,

doesn’t sag and is breathable, so won’t

get damp with sweat.

‘The Sealy Napoli is a great example of

the company’s proactive development of

the product sector. Sealy is renowned as

being a leader in sleep technology so

this bed is very much the modern face of

pocket sprung mattresses with its zonal

construction, Smart Fibres and the

exhaustive testing programme for

everything from flammability to pressure

point management and spinal support.

After all, do you really want to sleep on a

mattress made the same way as the one

your grandparents slept on?’ says Neil

Robinson, Sealy marketing director.

The Napoli 1200 has a micro-quilted

mattress and contains seven zones of

specially designed motion and weight

responsive pocket springs for total spinal

alignment by differentiating the firmness

of the springs along the length of the

bed.

Around the perimeter and underneath,

the pocket springs are surrounded by the

patented Unicase system which offers

EdgeGuard to ensure the sleeper receives

proper support with no sagging right up

to the edge of the mattress. This is

topped with a deep layer of Innergenic

latex for comfort and pressure relief.

The Napoli 1200 also enjoys the

benefit of Sealy’s Smart Fibres, which

contain Tencel and Purotex to help keep

the mattress materials cool, fresh, dry

and hypoallergenic and are endorsed by

Allergy UK to reduce house dust mites.

The symptoms of house dust mite

allergies are a major cause of disturbed

sleep, especially for people with asthma,

and an average mattress can contain

tens of thousands of house dust mites

and their waste.

Visit: www.sealy.co.uk

Left: Which?

Best Buy

Napoli 1200

Below: Neil

Robinson

It was back in 2013 that the Sealy Napoli 1200 was accredited with the Which? Best Buy

for Pocket Spring Mattresses.

A lot of companies have tried to overtake us since then... and they're still trying.

The Which? accreditation is trusted by the consumer as objective, trustworthy and hugely

important when it comes to making major buying decisions. So if you haven't already

done so, make an astute buying decision yourself, and order some today.

www.sealy.co.uk

all overagain...

BEDS AND BEDROOM

Train to gainThe Trailblazer initiative is helping create

the industry’s next generation of staff

Apprenticeships offer many advantages

to employers from addressing ageing

workforce issues to multiskilling

employees while maintaining good

labour cost control. They also provide an

alternative view and approach to the way

things are done and an opportunity to

refresh attitudes and behaviours in the

labour intensive environments most

furniture businesses operate in.

Silentnight recently became involved

with the Government’s Trailblazer

apprenticeship scheme aimed at

attracting talent and developing highly-

skilled employees within UK businesses.

A Trailblazer is an employer led group to

design new apprenticeship standards

and assessments for their respective

industries.

The furniture industry Trailblazer has

representation from all sizes of furniture

companies, plus training providers and

industry bodies from across the country.

‘The Trailblazer’s focus is on setting out

the skills, knowledge and behaviours

that employers want from their

apprentices. Last month, we were

delighted when the new standards for

the apprenticeship scheme were

approved by the Government,’ says

Michael Dingwall, chairman of the

Furniture Making Apprenticeship

Standard of the Government’s Phase 3

Trailblazers initiative, and Silentnight

manufacturing manager.

‘The main reason we at Silentnight

champion apprenticeships, and indeed

why we got involved in the Trailblazer

initiative, is to ensure we can shape the

training to suit the industry needs and

ensure we get high calibre employees to

secure the future of our business.’

Silentnight has offered engineering

based apprentices for many years, but

since 2011 it has expanded to other parts

of the business. Manufacturing

apprenticeships, delivered with Burnley

College’s furniture department, account


for the majority but there are also

apprentices in supply chain

management, logistics, mechanical HGV,

customer service, junior management

and finance.

Silentnight employs 670 people in

Barnoldswick, including 16 graduates of

the apprenticeship schemes now in full-

time employment along with 18

apprentices in different departments.

The company is committed to

recruiting apprentices when possible and

will take on four manufacturing specific

apprentices this year.

All apprentices take a two-year course

and are guaranteed full-time, permanent

employment upon completion.

‘We fully believe in apprenticeships

and therefore have committed to full-

time, permanent positions to ensure

maximum benefit for both the business

and apprentice. In providing our

expertise for training of apprentices, we

are looking to bolster our workforce in

the long-term so we would always

ensure a full-time role on completion of

the scheme,’ explains Dingwall.

‘The main advantage of the Trailblazer

initiative is that employers are setting the

standards for apprentices of their

particular industry. Specifically for our

industry and Silentnight, this means we

are at the forefront of training the next

generation of furniture manufacturers

and ensuring they have the skills and

knowledge set we, as employers, require,’

he adds.

Visit: www.silentnight.co.uk

www.apprenticeships.gov.uk

Michael Dingwall

Tom Firth, former apprentice

and now full-time employee

Silentnight will take on four

manufacturing apprentices this year

Stand out from the crowdwith Sleep Council SalesAcademy Accreditation

• Focuses on sleep knowledge, not product knowledge

• Shows how to use that knowledge effectively to build trust with customers

• Demonstrates professional achievement and adds credibility to your sales pitch

• Measures and improves your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accessible online – dynamic and interactive

• Only £25 per person

To find out more and enrol, go to www.sleepcouncilsalesacademy.org.uk

The new online qualification for bed retail sales professionals

BEDS AND BEDROOM


Corndell has updated its bestselling

Annecy painted bedroom collection

which was launched in 2010.

New lifestyle imagery, brochures and

POS highlight a range of products and

colour introductions designed to appeal

to those wanting furniture influenced by

the popular grey trend with the painted

finish providing an ultra-smooth,

luxurious look which highlights the crisp

detailing of the cabinets.

The new palette includes the current

White, Buttermilk and Cotton, which is

currently the most popular finish

selected for displays. A pale taupe; a pale

blue grey (Haze), a traditional soft, green

grey (Ledum) and a deeper, warm grey

(Fawn) have been added.

The range also now offers a triple

wardrobe with three drawers and a

mirrored central door; blanket box,

cheval mirror and a bed with slatted

head and footboard with cornice and

pilaster effect detailing.

From its factory in Witney, Oxfordshire,

Corndell is able to ensure consistent

painted finish production, allowing

retailers to offer their customers choice

across a range of colour and product

options.

Visit: www.corndell.com

Shades of todayFive years after its launch, Corndell

has revamped its bestselling range

Left: The triple wardrobe and 5ft

bed in Cotton with a Chartreuse

highlight emphasising its cool grey

tone

Below: The new Annecy bedstead

feature with blanket box

Bottom: Chest of drawers in Cotton

with painted backdrop in Fawn

S I E S T A B E D SCOMFORT & QUALITY ASSURED

Est 1986

BEDS AND BEDROOM


1 2

3

4

5

1 Koket’s vintage inspired Orchidea bedside

table has sensuous curves and subtle gold

gilt with an oval top in ebony veneer and

high gloss black lacquer frame. Two drawers

are lined in black velvet and adorned with

cast bronze orchid handles supported by a

polished brass base.

Visit: www.bykoket.com

2 Melody Maison’s Rose king size bed

in ivory cream features rose detailing

on the fascia of the head and foot of

its frame and the classically styled sides.

Visit: www.melodymaison.co.uk

3 An extreme softness inspired by its shape.

When you look at the headboard of the

Natuzzi Piuma bed it’s easy to imagine two

pillows side by side. A refined profile

distinguished by an original detail: the

leather and fabric ruche.

Visit: www.natuzzi.co.uk

4 Sweetpea & Willow has debuted a king

size antique white version of its Black Rococo

carved bed with matching Classical White

two-drawer bedside tables.

Visit: www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

5 The Pontalba chest of drawers from

Oficina Inglesa is shown in cherry with an

antique black finish. It features four long

drawers and Louis XVI feet adorned with

sabots in antique brass. It is also available in

oak, walnut, mahogany or painted.

Visit: www.oficinainglesa.com

LIVING AND DINING


Simply versatileL’Abbate has taken a less complicated approach

Unlike, say its Salon sofa which combines

chesterfield, Louis and 1970’s legs,

L’Abbate’s latest living and dining designs

aim for simplicity.

The Anything bookcase has a zigzag

pattern in the side panels making it

possible to place the shelves at the

desired height. The back panel stabilises

the bookcase rack but works as a stylistic

element that accentuates the spaces

between the shelves and makes them

small individual rooms. Made from ash, it

is available in a variety of colours and can

be freestanding.

A wood skeleton that allows different

applications as regards seat and back on

the chair and table top on the table,

enables Framework to be customised

and adapted. The framework is a support

structure on which software can be

organised and designed. In the same

way, the Framework chair is formed by a

support structure in beech on which

various types of designs, materials and

upholstery can be adapted. The table is

available in walnut or beech and a

lacquered finish, and square or

rectangular.

A high pressured laminate plate is bent

to 90deg around two parallel axis to

create C-Shelf. The horizontal surfaces

serve as shelves, while the vertical one

provides the connection to the wall.

Available in lengths up to 1.8m, C-Shelf

has a black outside and white interior.

Visit: www.labbateitalia.it

C-Shelf

Above and right: Framework chairs and table

Anything

SOFTWARE


Seeking the holy grailSoftware companies are making sure technology responds to users’ needs

MasterPiece System continues to

develop its MasterPiece package, with

the latest developments including an

autoplanner for retailers that gives lower

wastage; support for planning and

costing a wider range of LVT products,

including Moduleo, Lifestyle Floors and

Project Floors; and significant

improvements to take-off and planning

in the contracts version.

‘The MasterPiece Base version is a

highly affordable and simple to use

measuring and planning system. Margins

are improved by tighter plans and an

accurate figure for underlay. For

additional time saving, you can draw

straight on to the screen as you walk

from room to room, using a tablet. The

tablet can be operated with either a

finger or a pen. A retailer with more than

one site can arrange that jobs are

automatically synchronised to give

access to any job from any location,’ says

Charles Pearson, MasterPiece System md.

Additional capabilities are available,

such as accurate tile planning, including

Karndean and Amtico products. Retailers

with a commercial arm can benefit from

tracing round PDF/CAD floorplans,

speeding up the take-off of

measurements. There is also a whole rolls

autoplanner for minimising wastage

across several whole rolls and the

supplier’s ‘in stock’ lengths.

The module for automated costing,

invoicing and fitting sheets is configured

for the individual business, including

rules for how to cost HSLs and apply

minimum charges. Estimates no longer

have to be written up; these and invoices

can be emailed directly to the customer.

The information pack for the fitter can be

printed in one action. Some customers

purchase MasterPiece

primarily to bring all

information together

with rapid access for

all jobs, small and

large, recent and

historic.

AccuracyBrian Gray, RFMS director

says: ‘Retailers that have

made the change to

estimating software have largely

overcome the single biggest obstacle

most salespeople face in making a sale –

accurately quantifying the project.

Finding time to quantify, together with

the fear of getting it wrong, both work to

slow up the sales process. For every day

that goes by between completing the

measure and getting the quote into the

customer’s hands, the likelihood of

securing the sale reduces.’

The obvious measurable benefits with

the software are the speed of quantifying

– up to 60% time savings over traditional

methods are commonly experienced –

and accuracy. But Gray says there several

other less obvious benefits: upskilling

existing salespeople; being able to focus

on sales skills not flooring skills when

employing new salespeople; getting new

salespeople to achieve sales targets more

quickly; taking the drudgery out of the

sales process; processing more quotes

and using the time saved to follow up on

leads.

‘The functionality available to a user in

software is improving as each year goes

by. Measure by RFMS has regular releases

incorporating enhancements that have

come about as a result of

Measure Mobile 3 by RFMS speeds

up accurate quotes for customers

MasterPiece measuring

and planning system��

DROP THE PENCIL AND PAPER!

Cloud Storage options available from £135 p.a. for up to 100 plans

Use Measure Mobile 3 to create precise estimates for all types of flooringaccurately and on-site!

• Open and edit your Measure projects using Measure Mobile 3 or Measure Desktop• Save your projects in the cloud for reliable and immediate access from anywhere on

your PC or mobile device.• Need to verify a measurement in the field? No problem. Open your Measure takeoff in

Measure Mobile 3, verify and edit as needed.

Use Measure in the cloud.

www.measuremobile3.com

IT’SFREE!

Estimating / Planning �

Quotes / Invoices �

Estimator’s & Fitter’s Diaries �

Customer Relationship Management �

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Mayne Computer Technology, Unit 13b, Brindley Court, Lymedale Business Park, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 9QA

Phone 01782 562522

www.maynetechnology.co.uk • [email protected]

www.measuresquare.co.uk • [email protected]

One Solution:New Mayne Mosaic Mobile now available

��

�� !��"�� " � � ��#�� $��%�� %�� & �% ##��%� ��!��

# �� ""�%�� $ � "��!�� ' � % #�� (��

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SOFTWARE


suggestions from users. If you last looked

at estimating software some years ago

then it is time to look again because the

goal posts have been moved,’ he

explains.

‘The other thing that has changed is

technology. Measure Mobile 3 was

released last month; a completely new

build of the very successful app for tablet

and smartphones. The free app will put

in your hands all the tools necessary to

measure, quantify and quote in the

home. The holy grail of selling

floorcoverings has been to have the

ability to close the sale in the home or to

at least leave the customer with a quote.

Measure Mobile 3 has all the tools to do

this simply, easily and accurately,’ adds

Gray.

All togetherAccording to Retailsystem Furniture

Software, retailers need to merge their

websites.

‘As the recovery takes hold, we’re

noticing retailers are growing quite fast

at the moment. These businesses are

finding the Internet a very useful tool for

sales and for generating enquiries, but

many have different systems for

displaying their ranges, updating details,

products, colours, materials and so on

and actually making sales and collecting

payments through their websites. It’s all

getting very complicated,’ says Stephen

Smith, Retailsystem md.

The answer, he says, is website

integration, which put simply is a way of

using just one database for all ranges

Mayne’s estimate/order screen for

mobiles and tablets has been designed

to look like an order pad

and all the details of each product across

all applications.

‘This makes life so much easier and

much more controllable, because you

can either see the whole picture of

live stock levels at a glance, for example,

or focus on specific stores, specific

ranges or even specific customer

demographics to provide you with a

choice of analyses at any time and in

real time,’ he explains.

Leading website platforms, such as

Magento and Opencart, can be

integrated with Retailsystem’s software

for the management of the other aspects

of a retailer’s business.

‘That means you can very easily set up

your website for online trading in the

way you like to do business and the way

your customers like to shop,’ he adds.

Tablets and mobilesMayne has introduced a version of its

Mayne Mosaic software to run on tablets,

iPads and iPhones.

Mayne Mosaic is a cloud-based system

for flooring and furniture retailers. The

point of sale module enables entering

enquiries and orders quickly and

efficiently, checking and allocating stock,

or raising a purchase order to the

supplier for non-stock and direct delivery

orders.

For flooring retailers, the system

integrates with the Measure Square

system for fast and accurate estimating

and planning.

In the mobile version Mayne has

designed the estimate/order screen to

look similar to an order pad, so is easy to

use with minimal training.

Both Mosaic and Measure Square can

be accessed anywhere with Internet

access from PC or iPad, enabling

estimates and plans to be produced at

the customer’s home.

The Mosaic CRM module handles the

customer interface from initial enquiry to

delivery and fitting, and incorporates

actions, reminders and follow ups. The

integrated Estimators and Fitters diaries

can also be linked to Google Calendar.

As the system is modular, it allows

users to choose the modules they

require, both initially and in the future as

the requirements of the business change.

Visit: www.masterpiece-system.com

www.maynetechnology.co.uk

www.measuremobile3.com

www.retailsystem.com

Make sure your website works across all devices

SOFTWARE


Pole positionThe winner of Computers for Flooring’s

TFS draw enjoyed a day at Silverstone

Laywell Flooring won Computers for

Flooring’s prize draw at The Flooring

Show last year for a Porsche track day at

Silverstone. But the company went one

better by arranging for the winner to

attend the Porsche Carrera Cup GB media

day when the cars involved in the

16-round championship were unveiled.

Computers for Flooring is sponsoring

Paul Rees, who races for Parr Motorsport

and took third place in the 2014 Porsche

Carrera Cup GB in his rookie year.

The sponsorship meant Paul Williams

and Richie Sissons from Laywell Flooring

in Sheerness and Sittingbourne, Kent,

visited the British Racing Drivers’ Club

clubhouse at Silverstone, where they

enjoyed hospitality before driving a

Porsche 911 GTS, Porsche Panamera and

Boxster GTS round the track.

‘The event was a great success with

Paul referring to the experience as

“literally the best day ever”,’ says Kristian

Bailey, Computers for Flooring md.

‘We will return to the The Flooring

Show this year to showcase our

management software designed

Kristian Bailey,

Computers for Flooring

md (left) and Ray de

Bolla, sales director

(right) were joined by

winners Paul Williams

and Richie Sissons from

Laywell Flooring

specifically for the flooring industry, and

also give the opportunity for a similar

experience to another lucky winner,’ he

adds.

Visit: www.computersforflooring.com

REVIEW


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Exceeding goalsThe combination of two shows brought a more diverse visitor mix

This year’s New London Fabric show saw the merger of the

London Fabric and Sofitel Textile Show events with 21

exhibitors showing in executive boxes at Chelsea FC’s Stamford

Bridge stadium.

DFS, John Lewis, Next, Shop Direct and Steinhoff were among

the retailers present.

Tina Evans, Shop Direct senior product designer, praised the

show’s ability to allow visitors to meet so many international

fabric companies in one day, which ‘would normally take weeks

to visit’.

Alstons, Buoyant Upholstery, Collins & Hayes, David Linley,

Duresta, Henderson Russell, John Sankey, Lebus Upholstery,

Parker Knoll, QFC, Vale Bridgecraft and Wade Upholstery were

among the manufacturers who visited.

‘We are delighted at the response from both visitors and

exhibitors alike. The BFM aimed to deliver a show that provided

a friendly, professional environment in which to do business,

combined with the choice of international fabric brands and it

has passed expectations,’ says Jackie Bazeley, BFM md.

Mark Vervaeke, Fedustria director, says combining the two

events helped to attract more visitors with a more diverse mix.

‘Visitors and exhibitors love the venue and we expect more

exhibitors in 2016.’

Marianne Hrynchuk, Flanders Investment & Trade economic

representative, says the show was a good solution for

companies and provided what visitors wanted. ‘There is a good

feeling here and everyone is excited about the location and the

executive boxes format.’

Next year’s event will take place at the end of February.

Visit: www.bfm.org.uk/londonfabric

Companies exhibited in executive boxes, including Vanelli which prides

itself on producing quality fabric collections using an eclectic range of

designs complementing each other through clever use of colour. Each

range is carefully put together, considering current trends and essential

classics which will suit any room, drawing on a wealth of experience to

offer a complete look for the home.

Visit: www.vanelli.com.tr

Visitors were impressed with the

selection of exhibitors from home

and overseas

PREVIEW


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Adam Carpets will launch its designer-led

mood board POS, with samples from all

of its ranges on a series of four boards.

Each board has its own interior trend and

theme.

Amtico will showcase the Amtico

Signature and Amtico Spacia collections.

Axminster Carpets is adding 16

contemporary colours to Simply Natural

and Devonia, including cool ashes, dark

greys and dusty eggshells.

Brockway Carpets is introducing five

products, ranging from plain wool twists,

combined wool twist and velvet designs,

100% undyed wool velvets and loops.

It will also add styles and colours to its

bestselling Lakeland Herdwick and

Cavendish Collection. This will be

supported with display units, featuring

new POS, photography and reasons to

buy wool corner POS. The units, which

have floor carpet to create a store-within-

a-store feel, are suitable for straight,

L- and U-shaped displays.

Cormar Carpets will show the Bouclé

Neutrals 50% New Zealand wool/50%

polyester loop pile range. It comes in

three designs: Texture, Level and Stripe,

and six contemporary neutral shades.

Crucial Trading has seven additional

colourways for its Mississippi collection,

from rich red and plum tones to fresh

lime and blue colourways.

Elliot Anti-Slip will display anti-slip rug

underlays in rolls and pre-cut packs.

Gaskell Wool Rich’s highlight will be

Faroe, the winner of the Wools of New

Zealand Best Product Award at Domotex.

The three-ply 100% wool loop pile

developed in association with WoNZ has

three designs and nine colours per

design, available in 4m and 5m widths.

From Home Foundation is US Floors’

CoreTec One and CoreTec Plus LVT. The

UK range of 15 wood planks and five tiles

have a 0.3mm wear layer (CoreTec One)

or a 0.55mm wear layer and attached

cork underlay (CoreTec Plus), supported

by a deckboard display stand.

Its Sensa laminate range is updated

with Cosmopolitan, which has a large

toast-rack display stand, along with its

Instalay self-adhesive acoustic underlay.

Kenburn will offer information on its

carpet compactor that allows retailers to

reduce the cost of disposing of carpet

and underlay waste.

Kingsmead Carpets is adding designs

across its three categories of Wool Loop,

Wool Twist and Clean Easy.

Launching padFlooring retailers will have the chance to see the

largest number of new products since Domotex Clockwise from

top left:

Adam Carpets’

mood board POS;

Kingsmead’s

Majesty;

Ulster Carpets’

York Wilton in

Squirrel; Parador’s

Trend Time 6

Brushwood

��

PREVIEW


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Berber loop offers three 100% wool

styles; Roxburgh is the latest addition to

the wool twist offer and recognises the

move towards grey and stone shades

while Majesty, Fantastic, Wonderful and

Marvel Plus join the Clean Easy portfolio.

POS will be launched across the three

categories, with interchangeable

modular wall units and lecterns.

Mayne Computer Technology’s Mayne

Mosaic Mobile software runs on tablets,

iPads and iPhones, giving retailers the

ability to create estimates and orders in

the showroom or in the customer’s

home. The estimate/order screen is

designed to look like an order pad for

intuitive use.

Mr Tomkinson’s Tomkinson Berber has

a new construction and will be available

in 40oz and 50oz weights, a dozen

colours and 4m and 5m widths.

Oriental Weavers unveils the Essence

range of loom-knotted New Zealand

wool and viscose cream rugs with

detailed hand-carving. The Conran,

Serene and Evora viscose ranges will be

introduced alongside a chenille

patchwork range produced in its Gobelin

factory. Several machine-made ranges

will feature a new frisee collection with

neutral colours in traditional and modern

designs.

Parador has developed 10 more decors

for its Trendtime 6, including the mix and

match Nova and Valere, with soft shades

of white, cool grey and brown combined

with discreet lime-washed pores. Natural

Texture gives depth to the satin matt

finished planks.

Penthouse Carpets is showcasing its

new branding and launching Cumbrian

in 18 colours, 4m and 5m widths and

40oz and 50oz weights. As with all its

wool products, it is mothproofed and

backed using jute.

Cumbrian, along with Wentworth,

Vermont and Stateside, make up

Penthouse’s ‘one priced’ tombola

concept, where retailers are offered a

choice of more than 72 colour variants, in

both 40oz and 50oz weights.

Phoenox Textiles debuts the Origins

collection of modern and traditional

designs alongside the latest New

Zealand wool rugs from its Rug Guru

brand, and Hug Rug and Muddle Mat

doormats.

RFMS-UK will use the show to launch

the latest version of its free measuring

and estimating app Measure Mobile 3,

Clockwise from

top left: Wools

of New

Zealand’s

cleaning kit can

be used on

Aulana’s Midas;

Mayne Mosaic’s

Mobile; Rug

Guru’s Check;

Ryalux’s Period

Velvet Jasper;

Ultimate’s

Persian

collection

PREVIEW


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suitable for iPad and Android tablets. It

also allows the person measuring to

present and email a quote, take a signed

acceptance and receive a payment. In the

coming months further functionality will

be added to enable Measure Mobile 3 to

integrate remotely with RFMS at the

office, enabling salespeople to access

customer, product and inventory

information and to update quote and

order records in real time from the

customer’s home.

Ryalux is relaunching four collections

and adding one. Desert Tones has been

expanded from 10 to 12 colours, with six

new shades. It now has Ryaguard stain

protection and Ryaprotect anti-moth

treatment. It is introducing the

coordinating 50oz Natural Tones twist.

Ultimate Twist has been updated with

a 104-colour offer and Ryaguard and

Ryaprotect.

Twelve contemporary colours have

been added to Ryasilk bringing the total

to 21, while Period Velvet now has 30

colours. Ryafine Velvet will be added to

the Velvet display units.

Ulster Carpets has expanded its York

Wilton range with six greige, neutral and

earthy tones. The addition of Squirrel,

Flannel, Gainsborough, Pavilion, Cuckoo

and Cotswold takes the total of

colourways to 44. Braeburn is a

traditional plaid design with a

contemporary feel using plum purples,

petrol blues, mossy greens and

shimmering greys with accented pastel

shades with five colourways of Tayberry,

Estuary, Seaholly, Petrel and Myrtle.

Hamilton has been added to Ulster’s

Boho Collection while the Monaco,

Panama and Capri additions to the Open

Spaces Collection will be on display.

The show will be the UK launch of

Ultimate Rug Co’s Persian collection in

tie-dyed cotton chenille flat weaves in

contemporary colours and a vintage

worn look. Unity has been updated and

Keshen Supreme will be relaunched with

different designs and improved quality.

Wools of New Zealand is relaunching

the WoolSafe approved Woolclean

cleaning kit. All the products are suitable

for natural and synthetic carpets, contain

no solvents, alcohol, phosphates,

bleaching or optical brighteners, and

are not tested on animals. The kit is

recommended for use with Laneve

branded carpets.

Visit: www.bgnfs.co.uk

Clockwise from top: Gaskell’s Faroe; Crucial’s

Mississippi; Axminster’s Devonia; RFMS-UK’s

Measure Mobile 3 app; Home Foundation’s

CoreTec

PREVIEW


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Interfloor will show its latest engineered

wood, laminate and underlay products.

It will showcase its Meister engineered

wood floors, a premium range of German

floors for independent retailers featuring

30 colours and a 35-year residential

warranty. All the floors and matching

accessories are held in stock and

available on a three to five day delivery.

Interfloor provides a modular POS

system with a 64-page brochure to

inspire the consumer and drive demand.

‘The response to the Meister laminate

range has been outstanding. Retailers

and consumers alike love the brand. We

believe our new range of Meister

engineered wood will offer a unique

solution that will be equally popular,’ says

Steve Woodhead, Interfloor marketing

director.

The Meister laminate and Nadura

flooring range has 42 decors, an

expanded selection of colour matched

accessories backed by POS, a 64-page

brochure and a consumer sampling

service.

Six Tredaire underlays have been

upgraded and relaunched: Sensation,

Dreamwalk, Softwalk, Cosywalk,

Ambience and Revive. These products

now have stronger and more vibrant

colours, stronger backing with bolder

branding, improved POS and brighter

and tougher packaging.

‘The Seventh Heaven range is our

biggest selling Tredaire collection.

Although it has been very successful we

felt now was a good time to move the

range forward. This upgrade has been

designed to produce a better performing

product that looks better and is easier for

retailers to sell. We’ve invested

significantly in the range without

changing our prices. Feedback from

customers has been extremely positive

and we’re seeing a significant growth in

demand,’ says Woodhead.

Visit: www.interfloor.com

Top: Meister Oak engineered wood

Above: Meister Opaque White Oak

engineered wood

Left: the cover of the brochure

features Meister Mocha Thermal

Larch engineered wood

Highlights of Interfloor’s latest offerings

Triple play

The finest wool blends fromaround the world.Beautiful and exclusive wool and wool-blend

carpets without the price tag.

Gordon Hugo

T: 07976 607657

[email protected]

NEW TOMBOLAS& MERCHANDISING NOW AVAILABLE CALL GORDON HUGO07976 607657

To see the full range or request a free sample please visit: www.axminster-carpets.co.ukor call us: 01297 33533 / 32244

made inGREAT

BRITAIN www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

Introducing 5 NEW colours to our Devonia range.

NEWCOLOURS

available now

Devonia Eggshell Blue1306/76000

Devonia CollectionA collection of opulently rich high-wool-content carpets available in an extensive range of solid colours that enhances any interior.


The furnishing world will once again

decamp to Milan for iSalone at Rho and

the mass of events throughout the city

centre. Here are some highlights

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City withno limits

Henge has looked to the past for its

burnished brass Esagono coffee tables

with hexagonal tops reminiscent of a tray.

Think porcupine quills and bridges for the inspiration for Cattelan

Italia’s glass-topped Hystrix coffee table. It is available in six sizes

from 240cm x 100cm to 360cm x 130cm.

The enveloping and

seductive lines of Softhouse’s Tobia

sofa, dressed in chilli pepper velvet with a

shaped back to increase the feeling of welcome.

Laminam and Toto have combined to create two collections of large

ceramic surfaces using Hydrotect technology, with surfaces inspired by

oxidised metals, unpolished cement and smudgy watercolour paper.

Marcel Wanders has created a concept of two

opposite worlds – rational and emotional – using

LG Hausys’ HI-MACS material.

Targeted at consumers who

have never bought Flexform’s

upholstery before, the

modular Lario has

optional cashmere

cushions.

ContactVisit: www.salonemilano.it

www.superstudiogroup.com

www.venturaprojects.com

www.fuorisalone.it

www.milandesignagenda.com

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Varaschin’s modular storage system Fruits, by Daniele Lo Scalzo Moscheri, takes its inspiration from fruit

boxes and can be used indoors or out.

The fabric

Deliziosa is one

of three new

chairs in Calia

Italia’s Urbana

range, alongside

Delizia (leather

with chesterfield

centre) and

Deliziante (full

leather

chesterfield).

The triangular profile moka finished solid ash wood four

poster structure of Poltrona Frau’s Volare gradually thins and

lightens at it tapers towards the top. It is upholstered in

leather with two cushions attached by leather belt to break

up the austere look.

Casamania’s Summit is a modular sofa that can be used as three interlocking chairs.

Bentley Home’s Lancaster is designed to make an impact while being an

island of both acoustic and visual intimacy. It has a briar root plinth.

Porro’s Ellipse table, by Front, combines two ellipses and

seats six to eight people.

Comfortable, light and versatile, Baleri Italia by

Hub Design’s ISI adapts to any setting with its

painted metal frame and plastic body.

Capdell will introduce six

table collections, including

Gazelle, with a choice of

round, rectangular and oval

shapes and several materials

for the table top.

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May Design Series is again divided into

five areas: furniture; kitchens, bedrooms

and bathrooms; lighting; decor and DX

with new materials and technology, but

this year promises a record number of

overseas exhibitors.

The New Design Britain Awards will

display the work of 30 finalists across six

categories: furniture; fabrics; surfaces;

accessories; interior design and

architecture; with the winners revealed

on 18 May. A selection of New Design

Britain alumni will also be exhibiting as

part of the feature. Forty of the UK’s top

designer makers will be showcasing

bespoke product designs ready to buy or

commission

The Fabric Pavilion returns while other

highlights include a selection of products

from shows in Stockholm, Frankfurt and

Copenhagen curated by Katie Treggiden,

Fiera Magazine editor; a new partnership

with Bucks New University which will see

a collection of students’ work that has

been influenced, inspired by or designed

in collaboration with the industry.

Birmingham City University has again

teamed up with Global Color Research

and digital wallcovering brand Tektura to

bring students from the Birmingham

Institute of Art & Design to the show and

explore 2015/16 trend predictions from

Mix Publications.

This page

clockwise from

top: Calia Italia;

SMA; RAK

Ceramics’ Gems;

Alhambra

Opposite page

clockwise from

top left:

Rug-Maker;

Dall’Agnese;

Egoitaliano;

Swaffer

Habitech; Chad

Lighting

CreativecentreFive design sectors in one place

PREVIEW


Ma

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17

-19

Ma

yIncluded in the overseas furniture

exhibitors will be Egoitaliano, Calia Italia,

Alma de Luce, Dall’Agnese and SMA.

Swaffer Fabrics will be among the

fabric firms taking part, with its own

designs and those of Alhambra

International.

Clifton Lighting, Habitech iD and Chad

Lighting are exhibiting in lighting.

Decor features Rug-Maker celebrating

150 years of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s

Adventures in Wonderland. Granted an

exclusive licence to reproduce John

Tenniel’s artwork from the British

Library’s original collections, they present

two distinctive designs: The White

Rabbit, and Alice Drink Me, while Morris

Mirrors will show its latest mirrors.

Aran Cucine, Leicht, Compac UK, Doca

UK and Artinox are taking part in the

kitchen, bedroom and bathroom section.

RAK Ceramics is launching the Gems

collection including four polished

porcelain designs in three sizes and four

colours: ivory, lemon, light grey and dark

grey. Other surfaces on show will include

new large-format metallic porcelain,

Platinum Black, and bestselling wood-

effect tile, Hemlock.

Visit: www.maydesignseries.com

A rare opportunity to join in the CLOUD 9 success story

Ball & Young Limited, A Vita Group CompanyDue to Retirement We are Looking to Recruit an

AREA MANAGER(West Midlands, Gloucestershire, Hereford & Worcester,

Northamptonshire, Oxford and Warwickshire)

A leading manufacturer of a wide range of carpet and wood floorunderlays and accessories, including CLOUD 9, the Brand Leader.

As an ambitious professional, you will welcome this outstandingopportunity to further your career with a high profile company.

Experience in the Floorcovering Trade is preferable.

This challenging position offers a good basic salary, commission,company car and a range of other benefits.

If you feel you are able to meet the drive and ambition required tobe successful, please write in the first instance, enclosing a full C.V.

a resume of your sales experience and current salary to:

Ann Shaw, Sales & Marketing Director,Ball & Young Limited, Causeway Road, Earlstrees,

CORBY, Northants, NN17 4DU

Closing Date for Applications is 20th April 2015

Tuesday / Wednesday19th / 20th May 2015

FORMAT FOR 2015DAY ONEFour Ball Team Event

DAY TWOTwo Ball Team Event

OTHER ATTRACTIONSBacon roll and coffee courtesy of

the Committee

Prizes for Top 3 teams on both days

Nearest the Pin

Longest Drive

Tombola

Secret Auction

Largest carpet manufacturing /

retailer golf tournament in the UK.

Over £1,000,000 has been raised

for charity.

Kidderminster Golf Club - one of

the best courses in the Midlands

and host for the past 58 years!

Stay overnight and play golf on the

second day

All newcomers welcome

Closing date for entries May 2nd 2015

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01562 824737 Fax: 01562 752010

Design:kingsfordcreative.co.uk

BE YOUR OWN BOSSIf you are self-motivated, hard working and believe that you can run your own business then we can offer you a joint venture Carpet and Flooring Warehouse franchise.A highly rewarding opportunity with great earning potential,to join a chain of like-minded franchisees. Majority funding can be made available and we can also offer a preliminary Management position as the first step toward this exciting role.

IN-STORE CONCESSION SPACEAre you looking for the right outlet for your business,but struggling to find anywhere suitable in size,price or location? Look no further!

We can provide your business with 1,000 to 10,000 sq ft of shop floor space.Various locations and easy in, easy out terms offered.

So, if you sell Beds or Dining Furniture,Fabrics or Upholstery, Tiles or Sanitary Ware, you can join the Carpets4Less success!

For an informal chat regarding eitherof the above business opportunities,please call Malcolm or Carlon 01234 220077.

PARFLOORS.CO.UK� Based in Burnham on Crouch, Essex.

Carpet and flooring business.Owner established 2005.

� Phone and internet based tradingfrom modern freehold business unit 1,200 SQFT.

� Business owner looking for new challenges.

� For sale as a going concern.

� Turnover £235k PA, GPP 78K.

� Price including premises at£235,000 + VAT.

� Stock at valuation.

� Contact Trevor Parmenter.

PAR FLOORS 0800 [email protected]

A step towards better floors9 contemporarywood and stonestyles

Large stock holdingof all colours

Excellent resaleprofit margins

QA FLOORING SOLUTIONS LTDBlock HPickerings RoadWidnesCheshireWA8 8XW

Simply Better

SlipResistant

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Test

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100%Water

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HeavyDuty

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20 YearsDomesticWarranty

10 YearsCommercial

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Call 0151 495 3434 or [email protected] more information

View the range and try the3D Room App online at

qaflooringsolutions.com

Luvanto ClickLuxury Vinyl Flooring

Charleston, the new collection, Loving you & your home Proudly made in the UK to BS 5808 (1991) and BS EN 14499:2004 www.underlay.com t: 01536 200502

interiors monthly april 2015

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