Product Spotlight

This month’s selection of innovative new products not to be missed.

SOUNDING OUT 1950S DESIGN

An intriguing new Milan-styled Italian cafe has opened on Essex Road, Islington, designed by well-known Italian studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners.

The 240m2 ‘Latteria’ is inspired by Milanese culture and style with a warm and informal atmosphere in white and red. This is complemented by Troldtekt wood-wool panels on the ceiling painted white to blend in and used to soften the acoustics and reduce background noise.

Troldtekt panels are frequently used in this kind of open-plan environment to combat noise generated by the kitchen machinery, staff and customers which is exacerbated by bouncing off the hard surfaces. This is particularly true in this project where the design harks back to the 1950s and features an open-plan kitchen coupled with hard surface lacquers and laminates, polished and satin-finished steel, tiled walls and marble floors.

Troldtekt’s acoustic panels absorb both direct and reverberated sound. They help to strike the balance between a lively and welcoming environment and an experience where the venue is uncomfortably loud. This is important because a customer’s comfort and a willingness to spend time and money is decreased in a noisy environment.

Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood-wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low-cost lifecycle performance and sustainability. This high-performance is recognised by its Cradle to Cradle certification at ‘Silver’ level. Available in various sizes and in four grades, from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour.

troldtekt.co.uk 01978 664255 info@troldtekt.co.uk

DINE IN STYLE WITH AFTERNOON TEA ON A KÖNIGSTONE WORKTOP

When homeowners have spent money making their house into a home, it makes sense to make the most of it. That’s why Königstone, the champion of engineered quartz and natural stone worktops, has pulled together a recipe to enable homeowners to invite friends over and enjoy afternoon tea at home. Königstone’s worktops are scratch-, stain- and heatresistant and are incredibly easy to clean, creating the perfect surface in the home for baking. Get the recipe and a handy go-to customer care guide on the Königstone website, which explains all about taking care of a KönigQaurtz or König Naturals surface.

konigstone.co.uk 0333 577 2903 info@konigstone.co.uk

REVIVE INTERIOR JOINERY WITH OSMO UK DOOR-OIL RAW

Osmo UK, the ecofriendly wood and finishes specialist, has introduced a new finish to its Door-Oil range, 3033 Raw Matt, which is designed to protect and enhance light-coloured wood, without leaving behind a wet-look appearance. Developed from natural oils and waxes, Osmo Door-Oil Raw has been specially formulated to protect interior wooden doors and joinery. The finish works by penetrating the wooden surface – which remains microporous – to leave a high-quality, durable finish that does not crack, flake, peel or blister. The long-lasting finish also works to prevent shrinkage and swelling, by stopping the wood’s fibres from becoming dry and brittle. Visit the below website for stockist details.

osmouk.com 01296 481220

FRANKE’S NEW PESCARA XL PULL DOWN TAP

New to the popular Pescara tap family is the XL pulldown model, combining high functionality with an elegant, modern design. Standing taller than average at 500mm high and with a slim 46mm tap body, Pescara Pull Down XL features a graceful spout that rotates a full 360˚ and includes a pull-out spray with an integrated rocker switch to easily adjust the water flow from a powerful needle spray to a straight aerated stream, offering a convenient way of rinsing and cleaning at the sink space. The Pescara Pull Down XL is available in a highquality, polished chrome finish and is backed by a five-year warranty on working parts and one-year warranty on the finish.

0161 436 6280 franke.co.uk info.uk@franke.com

BLANCO UK’S NEW QUATRUS SINK FOR MAXIMUM BOWL AND CABINET SPACE

BLANCO’s stunning new stainless steel QUATRUS sink showcases the company’s well-known intelligent design capability. The modern rectangular bowl of the sink offers plenty of space for all the user’s culinary and utility needs while leaving lots of free space within the cabinet. The large sink space is also perfect for today’s clever taps; it can be fitted with boiling-water taps and filter taps to provide an optimal functioning kitchen. Available in two different sizes, BLANCO QUATRUS 550-U and the slightly larger BLANCO QUATRUS 700-U, the sink design is the perfect complement in any kitchen scheme.

01923 635200 blanco.co.uk info@blanco.co.uk

PHOENIX CONTINUOUS HINGE BY COOKE BROTHERS

The Phoenix Continuous Hinge, produced and supplied by Cooke Brothers for over 100 years, is often referred to as a piano hinge following its use securing the lids of piano keyboards. Continuous hinges provide a visually neat and high-quality hinging solution for any lid, door, cupboard or hatch, compared to the use of several shorter individual butt hinges. Rebating is not required, with the hinges being surface fitted to both door and frame. Able to be cut down to match the full length of the door, continuous hinges provide accurate alignment, a strong and secure installation, and even load distribution over the full length of a door.

cookebrothers.co.uk 01922 740001 sales@cookebrothers.co.uk

TIMELESS DESIGN FROM LYNDON

The timeless luxury and craftsmanship for which Lyndon is known can no better be seen than in Maysa, an elegant soft seating and coffee table collection. Its inviting and elegant form has been designed with all the hallmarks of a classic Lyndon product; elegance, detail and tradition. Its upholstery eludes a softness which has been designed to contrast against the angular slimline timber frame. Its generously proportioned arms, combined with panels and seams that flow around the body, accentuate the curvature and overall rotundness of the body of Maysa, creating a form that commands attention in any room.

lyndon.co.uk 01242 584897 sales@bossdesign.com

ITC NATURAL LUXURY FLOORING

When quality, style and colour come together

Riverline (as illustrated) – an eco-friendly carpet – is a fine example of craftsmanship by achieving a highdefinition, textured cable rib design.

Constructed using six and twoply hard-wearing construction of 100% New Zealand wool with a VOC-free environmentally responsible backing, Riverline in 5m width, is an ideal choice for residential and general commercial locations. The six clean colours will appeal to those seeking a wool carpet that delivers on performance and good looks.

When high performance and super fine finish are required when specifying a velvet carpet, Richmond ticks all the boxes. Available in two widths – 4 and 5m – as well as 11 contemporary shades, together with a heavy commercial rating, makes this carpet product exceptional.

Architects and interior designers have fallen in love with the Richmond range due to its style, good looks and excellent suitability for both residential and commercial applications.

Riverline, Richmond and all other broadloom carpets which make up the Campeone and Connoisseur collections by ITC Natural Luxury Flooring, are available in madeto-measure rugs in sizes up to 500cm wide. Additionally, a selection of tape finishes are available, which are exclusive, chic and coordinate with its carpets.

itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com info@itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com 01622 534041

MOIETY KITCHENS: A ONE-STOP KITCHEN SHOP

London-based BLANCO retailer, Moiety Kitchens, specialises in floating islands and Kosher kitchen designs, ensuring cabinetry and appliances are installed so that meat and dairy products are completely separated throughout the kitchen. Moiety Kitchens has been specifying BLANCO appliances for the spectacular designs since the showroom opened in 2015. The Finchley Road showroom features five working kitchens, so customers can imagine how well each kitchen would fit into their own homes and whether it practically suits their requirements – plus, the window display is home to a gravity-defying floating kitchen island.

blanco.co.uk 01923 635200

THE KITCHEN IN A DAY THAT HELPS YOU SAVE THE WORLD

Remodelling a kitchen is the quick, costeffective alternative to the disruption and inconvenience of a total replacement. Granite & TREND Transformations specialises in kitchen and bathroom makeovers which are carried out in a day as they retain the existing unit and floor layout. This saves on messy and often unnecessary installation of perfectly good units; saving time, money and damage to the environment. Less waste means less mess and debris, and less wood and natural resources heading off to landfill. Even the existing worktops are repurposed as Granite & TREND Transformations has developed a unique quartz and granite worktop that fits over the existing worktops like a glove.

granitetransformations.co.uk 0808 149 5914

ECO-CONSCIOUS ACOUSTICS FROM SOUNDTECT

Noise pollution is the primary cause of a reduction in productivity and can contribute to stress and illness; which can also play a part in absenteeism and a continuous turnover of staff.

The typical noise level in an open-plan office is 65 dB and, shockingly, that’s only 30 dB less than a lawnmower. And background noise, even at low levels, has been found to increase stress levels and undermine short-term memory, reading comprehension and willingness to engage with others.

Workers have been seen to be 60% less productive in a noisy office – which is a worrying statistic to any business owner.

The working world currently seems to have a love-hate relationship with open-plan offices, most of which centres around noise, but the openplan office concept is highly successful for several reasons. It is cost-effective, allows room for expansion and changing team dynamics, creates more working collaboration, reducing the need for separate meetings. It creates a ‘buzzy atmosphere’, enhancing the office culture and enjoyment at work. Every business wants more happy workers as they influence an organisation’s success and performance.

So, here’s the conundrum – the open-plan concept is the right solution for increasing engagement and creating happier, more productive employees, but the noise byproduct affects individuals, driving them to grab their headphones and retreat into their own world, or even work from home.

So, considering acoustics at the planning stage is essential when embarking on an office refurbishment.

The great news is, acoustic improvement products are no longer boring and hidden, they’re stylish, colourful and are used in a variety of applications; meeting pods, partitions and decorative forms such as wall panels and ceiling enhancements. Soundtect specialises in the manufacture and supply of many different solutions which can be tailored to be as funky as you like to complement any office design theme.

And while we are about it, let’s not forget the environment. Soundtect is proud of its environmental credentials – its products use over 70% recycled polyester. The products are a thirdgeneration product which began life first as a plastic PET bottle, and then recycled into exhibition carpets before being woven into superior quality, high-performance acoustic felt.

Recently, Soundtect launched a new printed wood finish for its Freestyle range. This lightweight, semi-rigid sound-absorbing panel has revolutionised the acoustic market and although there are many other manufacturers with a similar product, Soundtect is the pioneer of all sides being printed, and the results are very believable. No more need for heavy wooden ceiling baffles or the perfect wall surface solution for that rustic, unfinished feel that is popular right now.

So, the solution is straightforward; to improve the cognitive performance of your team in an open-plan office environment, more consideration needs to be given to noise dynamics and how you can reduce them with effective acoustic solutions like Freestyle and, as you are also buying into a sustainable solution offered by Soundtect, you are also lessening environmental pollution at the same time.

soundtect.com 0845 548 0518 enquiries@soundtect.com