CONTENTS Calendar Countdown The best Christmas Advent Calendars of 2019
Is Solar Shading the missing piece in energy efficiency?
The Fabric Box Presents a Home for All Seasons
Visual Impulse Illuminate with neon lights
Birmingham - 40 years of business and the beginning of a new era
Man on the Moon The billionaire space race to the final frontier
Sunwood The Beauty of Wood
Welcome to another packed edition of The View. It’s been a very exciting year for Decora as we celebrate our 40th anniversary... In its 4th edition, The Fabric Box presents a Home for All Seasons. The Visual Impulse invites you to illuminate your window displays with a neon themed visual to attract passers-by in the New Year and Sunwood presents the Beauty of Wood. As 2019 has been a pivotal year for climate change, we put some focus on energy efficiency in this issue, is Solar Shading the Missing Piece in Energy Efficiency? See the facts and figures for yourself. Learn about Decora’s investment in new Birmingham facilities designed to service wholesale customers more effectively. While embracing new things, take a look at destinations to swap your boozy beach break for an increasingly popular wellness retreat. Speaking of destinations, the Moon is set to become the next big tourist destination, will space tourism finally take off in 2020? Find out more in Man on The Moon. The View gets nostalgic by reminiscing over famous Christmas Ads from the past 40 years of our history, as well as major world events which happened during that time. If you’ve still got Christmas shopping to do, be sure to check out Home is Where the Smart is for your guide to smart home gifts. We also take a look back to popular interior trends from the decade of Decora’s conception, the ‘70’s, they’ve made a return to 2019! Lastly, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Decora.
DECORA News DECEMBER 2019
40 Years Of Decora 2019 has been a significant year in Decora’s history with the celebration of 40 years in business! Over the last 40 years Decora has transcended from the humble beginnings of 4 staff and a facility of 500sq ft, to purpose-built factories of 500,000 sq ft, with over 1000 employees and actively selling in over 20 countries. The immense success and growth of Decora has been down to a mix of hard work, innovation and the consistent drive to succeed. Here’s to the next 40!
Birmingham Warehouse The latest addition to Decora’s wholesale space, has been the move of its Birmingham premises to new custom-built facilities, still within the Birmingham area. The 80,000sq ft space is more than double the previous Birmingham site and will incorporate a state-of-the-art customer showroom and training suite. Read more on page 32.
Innovation 2019 has seen Decora launch several new innovative products, including Cruze Vertical, the expansion of Unicolour and Unishade collections, the eagerly awaited 4th edition of The Fabric Box and the addition of Serene to the Sunwood Fauxwood collection. Read on for more information on these new products.
Somfy Partnership At Decora we have a long standing partnership with Somfy and are delighted to announce Decora are currently the only UK trade supplier able to offer the new Tilt Only motor which is available on market leading Sunwood and Sunwood Fauxwood venetian blinds. With its competitive price the new Somfy Tilt Only Motor opens venetian motorisation up to the mass market. Decora also offer the new Somfy Roll Up 24 motor on Made to Measure roller blinds and in January 2020 this will be opened up to Wholesale customers, the new battery operated motor will be available to buy in single or multiple quantities. We look forward to expanding our partnership further with Somfy in 2020.
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Back On
d n rT e
FASHION FULL CIRCLE
Inspired by the celebration of Decora’s 40 year history, we take a look back at the interior trends dominating the market in 1979 and how these 40 year old trends are making a resurgence. Soft velvets, bold statement colours and eclectic patterns are making a revival 40 years on, albeit in a more refined and sophisticated way.
GROOVY GREEN Green was the colour back in the ‘70s, avocado coloured appliances, bath fixtures, and anything else that could possibly come in the shade of green. Now green has returned with an almighty bang. Dulux have named their colour of 2020 as Tranquil Dawn, a muted shade of green.
The Fabric Box Musa Tigerlilly
FLORALS When we think of the ‘70s we immediately think of floral. While the 70s may have given floral a bad name from plastering it on everything from curtains, wallpaper and sofas, it’s back and better than ever. Embrace the floral interior trend by adding a floral print to your window.
The Fabric Box Blythe Rosea
05
RETRO The ‘70s is well known for being a period featuring bold, colourful and pattern crazy aesthetics. Bold accent colours create a wow factor to any space. Make a statement by adding colour to your window without overpowering the room.
The Fabric Box Vitra Action
TROPICAL LIFE ‘70s style meant populating rooms with accessories and soft furnishings that included plant life, both in printed fabrics and with real potted specimens, large and small. We’ve seen this trend come back with great ferocity and will continue into 2020. Finish your tropical interior by adding a leafy print to your window.
The Fabric Box Lush Maya
06
Sunwood Fired Walnut
SHAGGY CHIC A more earthy decorative take on ‘70s style is reflected in the resurged boho chic minimalist trend. Shag or fringed rugs, wood and neutral walls create a dreamy paired back room. Add natural wood to your window for the ultimate boho feel.
THAT SOFA!
The Fabric Box Lush Sago
The ‘70s focus on opulent colour, today’s maximalist trend has adopted the seventies sofa as its main staple piece. Whether it’s the warm gold and yellows or the bold jewel hues, use sparingly with glassware, soft furnishings and patterned window blinds to give your home that statement look.
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2. Jo 2. JoMalone MaloneLondon London Beauty Beauty Calendar Advent Calendar - £320
Making Your Calendar
Jo Malone’s impressive advent calendar for 2019 is here and full of festive treats with everything from perfumes to candles to bath and body products. The much-loved classics; Blackberry & Bay, English Pear & Freesia Body Crème feature in this year’s calendar, perfect for the Jo Malone fanatic in your life or maybe just a treat for yourself!
Count
3. Cath Kidston Christmas Calendar - £40
Counting down to Christmas with chocolate? It’s 2019, indulge yourself on the lead up to Christmas with everything from ‘A gin a day’, to luxurious Jo Malone sprays to get you feeling festive, but you need to be ready for the release dates as these fly off the shelves within hours!
The Cath Kidston Christmas calendar is jam-packed with mini treats and perfectly packaged in a beautiful Christmas inspired print in the brands signature style. With a range of hand creams, soaps and bath bombs this won’t stay on the shelves for long. Featuring in the Boots Christmas favourite 3 for 2 offer be sure to treat yourself or a loved one this festive season!
1. John Lewis Beauty calendar - £150
4. Yankee Candle Calendar £24.99
£150
Available at johnlewis.com
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John Lewis have created the ultimate Christmas package this year with their beauty advent calendar. Stocked with some of the most iconic brands in the industry you are in for a treat with best sellers from Charlotte Tilbury, Nars, Becca and many, many more!
Is it really even Christmas without the classic scent of warm spices throughout your home? This year Yankee Candle have created an Advent Wreath that includes a variety of new and classic fragrances to get your home feeling festive.
Available at harrods.com
5. Flavoured gin Calendar - £125
£40
Fan of a flavoured gin? We’ve spotted the perfect boozy advent calendar to countdown to Christmas. Featuring favourites such as Sloe, Pink Grapefruit and Rhubarb and Ginger alongside a few festive flavours!
Available at cathkidston.com
£125
Available at very.co.uk drinkaware.co.uk
Available at very.co.uk
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IS SOLAR SHADING THE MISSING PIECE IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY ? When used correctly, solar shading can be an effective solution for improved energy efficiency both in the home and commercial buildings. Commercial buildings account for 40% of the overall energy consumption in the UK and Europe, therefore the savings potential is huge. Solar shading using blinds and shutters is a simple and effective way to improve the energy efficiency, daylight management and sustainability of existing buildings to optimise the low-energy designs of new builds. Solar shading can help save on operating costs by reducing the use of heating and air conditioning, which is essential to improve health and well-being, as well as contributing to the fight against global warming and climate change. 2019 has been a pivotal year for climate change action, in this issue of The View we highlight some of the benefits of solar shading to our homes, commercial buildings and the environment.
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SOLAR SHADING SAVES ENERGY ! ENERGY SAVINGS CAN BE UP TO
14% WHEN INTERNAL SOLAR SHADING IS APPLIED - [NATIONAL ENERGY FOUNDATION (NEF)]
0.24
OF ENGLISH HOMES
of
CO2 COULD POTENTIALLY BE SAVED FROM INSTALLING
SOLAR SHADING Solar shading is a self-financing climate control system. An analysis of HVAC systems in three climate zones, Amsterdam, Madrid and Stockholm demonstrated that solar shading paid for itself in less than 1 year. [BBSA, Guide to Low Energy Shading]
Solar shading is an important factor in preventing overheating. The Zero Carbon Hub’s report Overheating in Homes – The Big Picture, highlights that 20% of homes in England overheat in Summer months and it’s feared that heat related deaths in the UK could triple by 2050 partly due to climate change and that figure is rising.
N IO
A
ING AC
10%
UNTS FOR
People in developed countries spend almost a whopping 90% indoors. Thermal, visual and acoustic comfort through solar shading can contribute to enhanced well-being. [BBSA, Solar Shading Saves Energy]
IN SUMMER MONTHS
CO
Internal shading can help prevent overheating. Solar gain (Gtot) with double glazed windows can be reduced from 0.84 to 0.24 with internal shading. [BBSA, Solar Shading Saves Energy]
20%
CONDI R I T
SOLAR GAIN
0.84
MILLI 0 NNE S TO
ON
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires all new buildings to be nearly zero-energy by the end of 2020, effective solar shading can help achieve this. [BBSA, Guide to Low Energy Shading]
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2020
Shading systems are identified as a passive cooling technique helping to reduce the need for mechanical space cooling. The ESCORP/ EU25 study quantified that building modelling proves substantial HVAC savings can be up to 16% for highly glazed office space. [BBSA, Guide to Low Energy Shading]
OF THE WORLDS
ELECTRICITY USE OF TOTAL OPERATING COSTS
ARE STAFF RELATED
Staff related costs attribute to 80%-90% of total operating costs. Work performance diminishes below 19C- 22C and above 23C-24C. Automated solar shading is an optimal indoor solution as motorised blinds can be operated on timers, with some options also offering light and heat sensors. This ensures the shading is operated in the most energy efficient way and maximises the energy saving benefits. [BBSA, Solar Shading Saves Energy]
50% of UK homes have energy inefficient glazing. Solar shading can help the reduction of heat loss. An internal blind with average air absorbency can reduce heat loss through single glazing by almost 40%. [BBSA, Guide to Low Energy Shading]
Air conditioning currently accounts for 10% of the worlds electricity use and that figure is rising. Solar shading can allow for natural ventilation of buildings during warmer times of the year, and in turn help maintain good indoor air quality. [BBSA, Guide to Low Energy Shading]
The facts and figures show the difference solar shading can make in helping improve energy efficiency. As an industry it is important, we promote how using blinds and shutters correctly can help save energy, save money, improve productivity and lower business costs, improve health and wellbeing and can help in the fight against climate change.
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CONTR ACT FABRIC R ANGE
HELPING SPECIFIERS TICK ALL THE RIGHT BOXES High performance fabrics are a pre-
requisite for the commercial environment. Unicolour (Dimout) and Unishade
(Blockout) couple high performance with quality, aesthetics and practicality. 12
Available in matching palettes, Unicolour and Unishade offers a collection of dimout and blockout roller and vertical fabrics which are fire retardant and reduce glare. To meet the growing trend for wider width fabrics and eclectic colours within the contract sector, Decora has expanded its popular Unicolour and Unishade ranges with additional colours and wider width roller fabrics. Unicolour and Unishade are helping specifiers cover all areas and tick the right boxes.
The Unicolour and Unishade fabric collection offer a wide range of fabrics with various light management properties including semi-transparent and blockout, meeting a range or project demands.
SIZE RANGE Roller - 2m / 2.5m / New 3m wide width Vertical - 89mm / 127mm
COLOUR RANGE With the addition of new colours, both Unicolour and Unishade collections display a vast range of contract led plain colour trends from neutrals to brights, with all 26 colours available in the new roller size offering of 3 metres for larger windows.
QUALITY Manufactured from the highest quality materials to enhance performance and longevity, the Unicolour and Unishade ranges are highly reliable and durable, designed and engineered to meet the specific requirements of the contract market.
GLARE CONTROL Unicolour and Unishade ranges offer UV blocking of up to 100% for anti-glare and improved visual comfort, helping to increase productivity and wellness of inhabitants.
ENERGY EFFICIENT The high-quality polyester fabric provides elevated solar performance, helping to retain the heat in winter and cool the building in summer to increase energy efficiency and decrease energy bills.
FIRE RETARDANT Unicolour and Unishade meet Flammability Standard: BS 5867-2 : 2008 Part 2 in accordance with BS EN ISO 15025: 2002 Procedure A
COMPLIANT Achieving environmental standards in accordance with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, Unicolour and Unishade ensures that all products are manufactured under environmental protection without adding harmful substances.
Individual Unicolour and Unishade contract cards are available to order, along with a dual card option or swatch which presents both Unicolour and Unishade ranges together. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ASM FOR MORE INFORMATION
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V E RT I CA L
ESSENCE
OPERATING SYSTEMS • Direct drive – offers a 1:1 tilt ratio with
a smooth tilt and draw mechanism.
• Enhanced light control with the Reduction Gear option, with the 1:2.25 tilt ratio.
• Reduction Gear ensures the continued smooth operation across wider expanses.
• Wand controlled system provides the ultimate child safe blind.
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AESTHETICS • Lightly textured headrail providing a soft matt finish. • All plastic parts are colour co-ordinated to the headrail. • Contrasting accessory options available.
HEADRAIL • Striking the perfect balance between design and functionality.
• Sculpted headrail with unique dual channel design patent.
• Lightly textured headrail option, adding softness to an otherwise streamlined product.
TRAVELLER • Travellers are engineered to be encased within the headrail.
• Encased travellers reduce light gap between the fabric and headrail by 15%.
• Precision engineering has reduced the width of each traveller by 20%.
OF
• Reduced traveller width, decreases the width of fabric stacking.
• The closed traveller protects the peg preventing it being pushed into the traveller.
PRODUCTION SPEED • Smart design engineering has focused on increasing production speed.
• Enclosed travellers increase the speed of cording. • The Cruze cord lock speeds up the production
process and allows for cord adjustment on site.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS MOTION
• Equal spacing option’s available. • 2 bottom weight options – chained, sewn-in bottom weights.
• Chain options – Copper, Nickel, White Plastic and Anthracite.
• The new spring brackets offer improvement on installation times.
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RETREAT Often come back from holiday feeling like you need another? Then it might be time to think about swapping your boozy beach break for a wellness retreat. From yoga to hiking to juice cleanses and mindfulness, take a wellness retreat to help you reset and recharge in 2020.
Alicante
MasQi: The Energy House For a short Spanish break, check out MasQi: the Energy House, located in the rural hills between Alicante and Valencia. This boutique retreat offers many different packages with focuses on yoga, detox and cleansing. Choose from the short “Express Detox” to the full 3 weeks “Change your Life” package. Accompanied by meditation sessions with views over the Spanish countryside, oneto-one healing sessions, Ayurvedic massages and cookery classes, this is the perfect wellness retreat that won’t break the bank.
BOOK IT: £291 per person for 2 nights
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Yourself
Portugal
Juicy Oasis Boutique Health Retreat & Spa If you’ve never heard of Jason Vale, you’ll have heard of the celebrities who have experienced his juice diet or juice retreat; fans include Jennifer Aniston, Gary Barlow and Alesha Dixon to name a few. As well as a whole host of celebrity fans, there is hope for us mere mortals as it is very reasonably priced. Jason Vale’s premier retreat the Juicy Oasis is located in rural Portugal, overlooking this incredible locale is tranquil surroundings of deep forests, far-reaching mountains and the full-flowing river Zêzere. The Juicy Oasis offers a 7-day mind and body journey of juicing, yoga and fitness designed to recharge, reboot and re-inspire you. Visitors to Jason’s retreats claim they come home feeling happier, healthier and slimmer.
BOOK IT: £895 per person for 7 nights
Devon
Walking Retreat For a scenic cliff-top break close to home, check out Walking Retreat Devon. A typical day at this retreat begins with a morning meditation followed by breakfast, before setting off on your walk along the stunning Devon countryside. Walks can be up to eight miles per day with periods of silence along the way for quiet contemplation. You’ll enjoy healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food with access to 24-hour hot teas, coffee & infusions in the Toasting Room. Basque in relaxation sessions and guided meditations after dinner. The retreat, set on the banks of the River Dart at Sharpham House, has beautiful gardens offer charming views over the Dart Valley, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just the perfect place to experience a mindfulness retreat.
BOOK IT: £390 per person for 4 nights
Norfolk
Conscious Living Pilates Retreat If you’re a fan of Pilates or would like to try it, the Conscious Living Pilates Norfolk is the retreat for you. It’s suitable for all levels from beginner to expert. Your day will start with a 1 hour ‘Foundation & Technique’ Pilates class designed to gently wake up your mind and body in preparation for the day. The second Pilates class later each day, is designed to ‘Strengthen and Condition’ with personalised modifications offered for all levels. Set in the Norfolk countryside at West Lexham Estate, you will experience country walks, wellness workshops, pure air and deep blissful sleeps. Your daily menu will include three plant-based meals and nutritionally balanced, guilt-free treats throughout.
BOOK IT: £499 per person for 3 nights
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WELCOME TO THE
FAMILY DECORA INTRODUCES SOMFY QUIET AND CONNECTED MOTORS, MOBILE APPS TO EASILY MANAGE THE HOME, AND SMART SOLUTIONS THAT CAN COMMUNICATE SECURELY WITH EACH OTHER. Somfy motorised roller and venetian blinds give compatibility with many of the biggest smart home brands including major names in heating, light, music and virtual assistants.
VENETIAN MOTORS Somfy battery powered venetian motors are compatible with market leading brands Sunwood, Sunwood Fauxwood and Alumitex. The wire free Somfy motors for wood and aluminium venetians are powered by a selection of external battery packs. Compact, light and discrete in design, battery pack options include the new rechargeable li-ion battery pack which only needs to be charged once a year. Motor operations are available in Tilt and Lift, plus Tilt Only variations. With its competitive price the new Somfy Tilt Only Motor opens venetian motorisation up to the mass market, providing a cost effective automated blind solution for the trade.
ROLLER MOTORS Somfy battery powered roller motors are compatible with the market leading Fabric Box roller range and contract roller brands. The wire free roller motor range has integrated battery packs built into the body of the motor which are rechargeable and easily maintained, only needing charged once to twice per year. A selection of roller motors are available with different specifications available for a variety of design needs and price points. From the entry level Junior 30 which powers blinds up to 3m2, up to the quiet drive Sonesse 30 Ultra which powers up to larger blinds of 10m2.
FAUXWOOD
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CONTROLS Blinds can be controlled with the touch of a button via remote handsets, wall switches and apps, or with voice control via compatible smart devices including Amazon Alexa and Google Home Hub. Timers and scenarios can be set to improve energy efficiency and to suit personal lifestyle. Set a scenario to suit your morning routine, “Alexa start my morning routine” the blinds will open, kettle will boil, music will play. Any compatible smart home device can be worked into your routine. Somfy provides all the solutions needed to control daily home life. As well as making life easier through automated blinds, other Somfy products include smart garage doors, gates, door locks, thermostats and Somfy One, a camera with a built-in alarm.
BLINDS CAN BE CONTROLLED WITH THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON VIA REMOTE HANDSETS, WALL SWITCHES AND APPS, OR WITH VOICE CONTROL VIA COMPATIBLE SMART DEVICES INCLUDING AMAZON ALEXA AND GOOGLE HOME HUB.
All Somfy products can be integrated and controlled via the Somfy TaHoma smart home box. TaHoma can connect to 200 smart home products from multiple brands including Velux, Sonos, Phillips, Hitachi, Samsung and can connect to Smart Home systems including IFTTT, Control4 and Google Nest.
Details and specifications on the Somfy motor offering can be found within the new Somfy brochure, along with a guide to help you choose the right motor. Visit www.decora.co.uk/products/somfy.php to download your copy.
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I N T IME
1979
1981
1985
The largest hot desert on the planet, the Sahara, experiences snow for the first time in recorded history which lasts 30 minutes.
MTV launches along with the birth of the first music videos, one of the most significant moments in pop culture.
Live Aid seen 75 musicians gather together to raise $127million for Ethiopian Famine.
2000
2004
2007
Tiger Woods breaks the record for the lowest score under par at -19 at the Scottish Open and becomes the youngest person to win all four Grand Slams.
Facebook is founded by Mark Zuckerberg while he is a student at Harvard University.
Apple launches the first iphone, an estimated 700million have been sold from launch.
As Decora celebrates its 40th anniversary, we take a trip down memory lane and reflect on some major world events and pop culture from the last 4 decades. From the launch of MTV in 1981, to the fairy tale wedding of Prince William and Kate in 2011, Decora has been witness to some incredible moments in time.
1989
1994
1994
After separating East and West Germany for 28 years, the Berlin wall falls.
Nelson Mandela becomes South Africa’s first black president marking the end of apartheid.
The first episode of Friends airs, the popular show went on for 10 seasons and 236 episodes.
2011
2012
2013
Prince William marries his university sweetheart Kate Middleton.
The 500th episode of The Simpsons airs. In this episode the Simpsons discover that the inhabitants of Springfield have grown tired of them and have secretly decided to throw them out of the city.
Andy Murray ends the UKs 77-year wait for a men’s champion at Wimbledon with a straight-sets victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.
HOME FOR ALL SEASON The UK and Ireland’s annual calendar is defined by seasonal changes and in line with these transitions, our physiology and behaviours adapt too. We can all relate to the longing for a cosy night in front of a roaring fire, blinds closed protecting us from the harsh winter elements outside, or enjoying the extended hours of daylight sitting in the back garden over the summer months. In tune with our psychological changes, we do have yearnings to adapt our surroundings according to the season. From the early development of The Fabric Box, we wanted to curate one collection for all, be it by style, gender or age. In this edition of The View, we show how your home can be transformed dependant easily on the season.
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Calista Citrus
L NS
REVITALISED COLOUR HUES OF SOFT AQUA, PINKS AND LIVELY YELLOWS
SPRING: Conjure up the spirit of spring, a meadow scape bursting with vitality and freshness, fresh shoots of foliage and bulbs emerging after the long dark months. The palette sees revitalised colour hues of soft aqua, pinks and lively yellows. Freshness is perfectly encapsulated in Calista, a long-term favourite of The Fabric Box. The pristine white background allows the airborne stamens of the dandelion floral to add a vivid burst of freshness into a room.
Perfectly precise, the geometric angles of Mezza are counterbalanced with the mellow citrus tones to boast a delicate and feminine contemporary design. Springtime is stereotypically portrayed in Loras Sonnet. The pretty spring blossom trees filled with new life and dimension added with the delicately drawn birds. Soft hues, quintessential to the season, frame the design in soft pinks, aquas and blues.
Loras Sonnet
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Lush Maya
SUMMER: INTERIORS CAN COME ALIVE WITH STRONG SHADES, BOLD PRINTS AND TEXTURES
Vibrant and bold colours fill homes with summertime cheer, most of us will want to bring the outdoors in and make the most of the long-awaited, yet somewhat unpredictable British summer. Summer is a time where interiors can come alive with loud shades, bold prints and textures. Synonymous to the summer fun theme, all things tropical allow for bold interior statements to be made. Uplifting brights energise space which aligns with one’s energised summer mood. Darker tones of blue and purple balance the vivid pinks and orange pops of colour in Lush Sago.
The same theme follows through with Muscari Ink; the deep lustrous blue textures complement the lush botanical greens of the tropical-themed plants. A totally tropical style! Rainbows are the ultimate portrayal of colour and illuminating brightness. Vitra’s statement palette of rainbow brights enables colour to be injected with a less is more mentality. The plain pops of colour against the industrial textures enlivens the home injecting a superfluous lashing of summer!
Muscari Ink
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AUTUMN: Inspired by the seasons warm and subtle shades that reflect the changing colour of the leaves,our homes will see the addition of warm amber, rust reds, mossy greens and homely blues. This earthy palette mixed with comforting textiles and accessories brings a familiarity and charm that we crave as the temperature drops and the nights close in.
Sio Rocoto
Musa Tigerlily
Doused in warmth and richness Sio Rocoto compliments the exposed brick, textured leather and grain woods to create the ultimate warmth and charm.
Distinctly reminiscent of a beautifully formed leaf from a New England tree in the height of autumn, Musa injects pumpkin spiced orange tone to a room. The foundation of the earthy green wall neutralises the palette enabling accents of warm mustard to be added. The deeply intriguing dark tones of grey and black are fragmented with accents of the warm copper linea bottom bar, luxurious caramel leather and rich wood grain, creating the perfect setting for a dramatic twist to autumnal living.
COMFORTING TEXTILES AND ACCESSORIES BRINGS A FAMILIARITY AND CHARM 25
Treviso Shadow
WINTER: THE ALCHEMY OF LUSTRE AND GLAMOUR FORM A GROWN UP LOOK
Encased in snow-white linens layered with soft greys bring a serene calming atmosphere to winter themed interiors. Cool neutrals are the base for any winter themed interior where minimalism reigns. The silvered branches and smoky hues of Treviso Shadow sum up the cool winter palette. The glistening silver backdrop contrasts elegantly against the bare and linear winter branches. Mixing greys with wood tones adds warmth to the cool neutrals.
Metallics are an elemental introduction to interiors the closer we get to Christmas. The alchemy of lustre and glamour form a grown up look where deep metallic tones such as pewter and copper ooze a sophisticated elegance. Rounded curves, and fluid shapes take centre stage within this elegant theme. Texture is hot right now (if we can say this for a winter theme!), the layering of highly textured fabrics and weathered woods contrast starkly against contemporary minimalism. The variant texture of base, Both both work in Addict fuses a print on a textured base. tandem with the deconstructed design. The conflicting surfaces in moody greys work together to introduce a strong element of winter warmth.
Addict Terrazzo
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HAMPTON
made in
HANDCRAFTED IN THE UK CONTACT YOUR ASM FOR MORE DETAILS
www.thefabricbox.co.uk
enticing, invigorating window display to stand out from the crowd. Window displays give you the opportunity to stand apart from the competition, so it is vital the window speaks for itself without any explanation required. We understand that smaller retailers on the high street do not have the same space to play with as the likes of John Lewis, Marks & Spencer or Brown Thomas, never mind the multi-million-pound budget. So, this season, visual impulse focuses on how you can transport a window display from one season to the next without having to inject too much cash into the project. All you need is a little imagination to create an
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Here are some tips to take you through the festive season heading into the joys of Spring with little effort or investment required This year steer clear of the traditional reds and greens and move towards blue and pink tones which will provide you with a colour scheme to carry your window into 2020. Complimented with metallics, the trend is prominent throughout the festive season as it provides a luxe look, adding Avoca with a metallic berry print will add a touch of sparkle for the festive season but the berry print will bring a touch
of nature inside allowing the design to remain relevant in Spring 2020. Accessorise the look with a mix of textured and metallic accessories for a rich luxe feel, then for Spring breath in new life with a more muted palette with nude undertones and Scandiinspired accessories. Physical displays allow customers to see extra dimensions to a product rather than a flat image, inject layers into your display which will illustrate the different textures for their home. The Fabric Box Hanson presents a unique luxurious weave and combined with its blackout properties it makes a perfect
choice for any bedroom allowing a good night’s sleep in the brighter months and the textured weave adds thermal benefits during the colder months. Compliment the textured weave with a contrasting metallic copper bottom bar to add another dimension to the look.
Walk down any High Street and you will catch yourself looking at an illuminated display… window lighting shouldn’t be an afterthought, rather it should draw the customers attention to the product through the angle of the light. Frame your focus point with an attractive metal frame, enhance the focus with neon lights which will instantly grab the passers-by attention. Simple but effective measures can make such a difference
between you and your competitor on the high street. Here at The Fabric Box, we use simple but effective means to enhance our product while not taking away from the product itself. Adding LED coloured or Neon lighting to your window will instantly grab the passers-by attention. Use the structure of the lights to style and frame the importance of your display! Show off your flamboyant side with the tropical print of Lush Sago, the exquisite mix of navy, pink, orange and green tones framed with neon
pink lights will allow you to make an instant style statement on the high street or alternatively invest in spotlights which can be left on overnight, making your window stand out even at night! To illuminate your window display, see products below or check out Amazon, Ikea or homes direct 365 for further lighting options. For more ideas on how to make your window stand out on the high street, contact our Marketing Department at marketing@ decora.co.uk
Use lighting to highlight focal points.
Repeat items in the window to showcase their importance.
Keep it simple and ensure key information about your product is portrayed.
Aim to refresh the display every 4-6 weeks, rotate one or two items in your window every few weeks. Ensure key items are at eye level from the street. Neon wall art - etsy.com
o
ag hS
Lus
Neon lighting tubes lightingstyles.co.uk
Hot pink pouffe - £29.99 homescapesonline.com
Neon hand chair ebay.co.uk
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2019 has been a significant year in Decora’s history, with much to celebrate!
2019 has seen Decora launch several new products, including, Cruze Vertical, Unicolour, Unishade as well as the eagerly awaited 4th edition of The Fabric Box.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Continued â–¶
2019 has also marked 40 years in business for Decora, having expanded from humble beginnings of 4 staff and a facility of 500sq ft to now operating from purpose-built factories and warehousing facilities of 500,000sq ft, with in excess of 1000 employees.
The latest addition to Decora’s operating space, has been the move of its Birmingham premises to new custom-built facilities, still within the Birmingham area. Our 80,000sq ft space is more than double the previous Birmingham site and will incorporate a state-ofthe-art customer showroom and training suite. The Birmingham area is a central hub for servicing customers throughout England, Scotland and Wales and this investment in new operating space is a further step by Decora to upgrade facilities to continue to grow and service wholesale customers more effectively throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The purpose-built facility has enabled Decora’s team to maximise the layout of the warehousing facility to ensure optimal performance, aiding the quick and accurate completion of orders. The new facilities incorporates a number of key design features to further enhance the service received by customers. The investment in new machinery, including new louvre and roller cutting facilities has increased the capacity for bespoke orders and cut lengths.
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The bespoke designed showroom and training facilities will provide customers with the opportunity to experience the full Decora portfolio along with the potential to under-go a number of product training programmes, helping with understanding of those more technical products.
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Our 80,000sq ft space is more than double the previous Birmingham site…
From the outset of Decora’s journey, providing the customer with a product that is innovative, functional and to a high quality has been a core ethos, this has always been underpinned by the service that it provides. The expansion of the Birmingham facilities ensures that Decora can continue to develop and evolve its customer service and speed of delivery for the future.
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A.
THE RANGE AND SCOPE OF SMART HOME DEVICES HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER. ACCORDING TO A POLL CONDUCTED BY SMART HOME WEEK UK, 57% OF HOMES NOW HAVE SOME SORT OF SMART DEVICE TO CONTROL APPLIANCES SUCH AS THE LIGHTS, SECURITY, KETTLE OR BLINDS. Maybe you’re already using the occasional smart light bulb, or perhaps you’re already fully invested in home automation and want to get even more from your smart home. By investing in automated appliances and smart devices, you can make your life easier, your home safer and save on energy bills. With Christmas coming up, smart home gifts are a great idea for your own Christmas list or when shopping for your nearest and dearest, what better Christmas gift and start to the new year than a safer and more convenient home.
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B.
D.
C. E.
G.
D. F.
A. For the Tenacious Teen – Google Nest Mini £29 at Google Store B. For the Long Distance Loved One – Portal from Facebook - From £129 at portal.com C. For the Hoovering Hater – Eufy RoboVac 30C - £199 at Amazon.co.uk D. For the Practical Peep – PHILIPS Hue White Smart Bulb Starter Kit - £48.99 at Currys E. For the Music Mogul – Sonos One £179 at Currys F. For the Worrywart - Ring Smart Doorbell £89 at ring.com G. For the Food Fanatic – Anova Precision Cooker - £139.99 at Amazon.co.uk
CONTRACT FABRICS
MAINTAIN THE VIE W FOR WORKPL ACE WELLBEING... W
hen employers look at ways to improve staff
wellbeing, they may
promote healthy eating by providing fresh fruit for the office, offer
discounted gym passes
and by getting employees involved in sports
participation for their charity efforts.
But often one simple
factor is overlooked... Visual Comfort. 38
Blinds can provide glare control, help with solar shading and improve thermal comfort which is important for productivity as work performance can diminish below 19-22 oC and above 2324 oC, however other aspects to consider are how much daylight inhabitants are receiving and how a view or lack of view can affect wellbeing. Insufficient daylight affects task performance and can cause visual and physiological disorders e.g. headaches, eye strain, depression and reduced vitality. With insufficient daylight often there is an increase in artificial light, which can be a cause of an inadequate colour rendition with detrimental effects in terms of stress levels and productivity.
Inadequate visual contact with the outside world can also have a negative impact on quality of life, sleep and physical activities. Office workers exposed to daylight and contact with the outside world have been found to sleep an average of 46 minutes more every night compared to those in offices with no natural light. With better sleep comes better concentration and a more productive work force. Employers can help increase visual comfort by installing blinds which prevent glare but harvest natural light for wellbeing and provide privacy but maintain a view to the outside world. Helping achieve this is the Uniview contract range.
m 26 colours m Available in Zero, 1% and 3% for roller blinds of up to 3m wide and superfine range for roller and vertical blinds m Provides the best in transparent solar shading solutions for the contract sector m Durable and will not fray
m Designed to satisfy the highest technical and aesthetic standards as demanded by today’s residential, commercial, educational and healthcare applications m Meets flammability standards: BS5867: 2008 Part 2 Type B B1 DIN-4102 m Non-toxic, UV and bacteria resistant
CHOOSE UNIVIEW FOR A B E T T ER VIEW 39
Past & Present Everybody loves a little nostalgia during the holiday season, so what better time than to reminisce about famous Christmas adverts over the past decades. Here at The View we are feeling a little nostalgic with celebrating our own 40 years, taking a stroll down memory lane and looking at some of the most popular adverts to grace our television screens.
80 s
Throughout the 1980s and early 90s, Christmas was not complete without Oxo Gravy. The Oxo family ads ran from 1983 – 1999 and was most recently on our screens in 2014 when Oxo mum, Lynda Bellingham passed away and thousands campaigned to have her back on our screens at Christmas again. Some shoppers would say Christmas shopping hasn’t been the same since Woolworths disappeared. They produced various festive adverts packed with a range of products for all the family. Including celebrity endorsements, the ads included unique jingles singing about their products and high street value.
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90 s
Christmas is not Christmas without the sound of the ever-popular Coca-Cola jingle, first airing in 1995, when the glittering red trucks hit our screens, we know that holidays are coming! The festive red tones shared with Santa and the snow landscape, make it an ad which has grown deep in our hearts. With Christmas being the perfect time to show those who help us throughout the year how much we appreciate them, Quality Street’s classic advert showcased a small boy giving the gift of chocolate to his school lollipop lady, who guided him safely across the road throughout year. The catchy jingle used was then used in a variety of follow up adverts.
00 s
There is no Christmas without some of the black stuff, not coal, but the Guinness Christmas ad which first aired in December 2004. With its postcard trip of the island of Ireland in the snow, we like to think it has become an essential part of an Irish Christmas. Throughout the noughties, big brands relied heavily on celebrity appearances in their Christmas adverts to get people talking, Marks and Spencer had the return of Take That and Twiggy, while online retailer Very included Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton, with Morrison’s including a range of famous faces shopping in their aisles such as Richard Hammond, Denise van Outen, Alan Hansen and Lulu.
10 s
Aldi returned in 2018 with Kevin the Carrot and a whole bunch of adverts chronicling his Christmas adventures. With the festive season now in full swing, this year’s big brand Christmas ads will constantly be on our television screens gearing us up for Christmas 2019! The John Lewis Christmas advert has become as much a part of the festive season as decorating the tree. In 2015, they teamed up with Age UK to create a touching ad about a lonely elderly man, entitled The Man on the Moon. Many perceived the ad as too somber, since then they have focused on more upbeat ads including Moz the Monster and the story of Sir Elton John’s career.
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Planning a Christmas party this year? We have an array of Christmas canapÉs perfect for your festive gathering
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https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/board-amidst-cooking-ingredients_1645458.htm
Tickle those taste buds with savoury sensations to wow your party guests
BITE-SIZE CANAPÉS
P R AWN T IK KA BITES
Ingredients • • • •
25 raw peeled sustainable king prawns 1 tsp tikka masala curry paste 1 tbsp olive oil Grated zest and juice of ½ lemon
• • • •
1 large naan bread 100g natural yogurt Mango chutney (to serve) Small bunch of fresh coriander
ME TH OD: 1 . Heat the oven to 220°c/200°c fan/gas7. Put the prawns in a glass bowl with the tikka masala curry paste, olive oil and the grated zest and juice of half a lemon. Heat a non-stick frying pan with a splash of oil and fry the prawns for a few minutes, turning, until golden and cooked. Set aside to cool.
2 . Meanwhile, halve the naan bread horizontally, then cut into 25 bite-size pieces. Lay on a baking tray and
drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 6-7 minutes until crisp. When ready to serve, top the naan pieces with a dollop of natural yoghurt, a cooked prawn, a bit of mango chutney and a fresh coriander leaf. Season with black pepper and a squeeze of extra lemon juice.
Ingredients • • • •
400g fresh mushroom risotto ½ x 150g pack Galbani mini mozzarella balls 100g plain flour 2 large free-range eggs, beaten
• • •
130g ready-made lemon and pepper breadcrumbs Vegetable oil Lemon wedges and tomato salsa to serve
M ETHOD:
YOUR FAVOURITE INDIAN TAKEAWAY IN BITESIZE FORM: TIKKA MASAL A SPICED PRAWNS, MANGO CHUTNEY AND NATURAL YOGHURT SERVED ON MINI NAANS.
MOZ Z AR EL LA ST U F F ED RISOT TO BA L L S
1 . Chop any large pieces of mushroom in the risotto. Drain the mozzarella balls. Press 1 ball into 1 tbsp risotto and shape to encase the cheese. Repeat to make 12 risotto balls.
2 . Put the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs onto 3 separate large plates. Roll the risotto balls in the flour, then the eggs and finally in the breadcrumbs. Put on a plate and chill for 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Fill a medium pan with oil to 5 cm, then heat until a cube of bread turns golden in 30 seconds. Fry the balls for
THESE QUICK AND EASY MOZZARELL A RISOTTO BALLS MAKE AN ENJOYABLE STARTER OR CANAPÉ. YOU CAN ALSO TRY THEM WITH TALEGGIO OR CAMEMBERT CUT INTO CUBES.
M IN I CR O QUE M O NSI E URS ME TH OD:
3-4 minutes until golden brown. Drain well on kitchen paper. Serve hot with lemon wedges to squeeze over a tomato salsa dip.
Ingredients
• • • •
400g good quality white bread slices (about half a loaf) 60g shredded ham hock or leftover ham 75g gruyère cheese, sliced with a peeler for the béchamel sauce 20g unsalted butter, plus extra, melted, for brushing and greasing
• • • •
1½ tbsp plain flour 200ml whole milk 1 tsp dijon mustard, plus extra for brushing Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 . For the béchamel, heat the butter in a pan over a low-medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook. Turn down the heat and, stirring, gradually add the whole milk. Keep stirring until you have a thick sauce. Stir in the dijon mustard and nutmeg, then season.
2 . If serving immediately, heat the grill to high. Remove the crusts from the bread, cut the bread into 60 x 3cm
squares and lay on a greased baking sheet. Brush half the squares with a little dijon mustard, then top with a slice of cheese and a piece of ham hock. Dollop on a 1/4 tsp béchamel.
3 . Brush one side of the remaining bread squares with melted butter, then put neatly, butter-side up, on top of the béchamel. If not grilling immediately, cover and refrigerate until needed.
4 . When ready to serve, grill the mini sandwiches for 5 minutes until golden. Remove from the grill and flatten
slightly using a clean baking sheet. Spread 1/4 tsp béchamel on top of each square and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Serve on a board, skewering each with a cocktail stick.
HOSTING A PART Y? CHRISTMAS PART Y OR NEW YEAR? THESE MINI CROQUE-MONSIEURS ARE EASY TO MAKE AND PERFECT FOR FEEDING A CROWD.
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Blue Origin have a similar ethos to SpaceX, in 2011 Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon) said:
really want “Iftoyou make it so that anybody can go into space, you have to increase the safety and decrease the cost.
The billionaire space race towards the final frontier. Many moons ago people envisioned by the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon, if not sooner, we could hop on a shuttle spaceship for a holiday up there in the atmosphere. That was the rumour back when Neil Armstrong said those famous words “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Yet 50 years later in 2019, only a dozen people have walked on the moon, all between the summer of 1969 and the end of 1972. Donald Trump wants to make America great again by putting astronauts back on the moon by 2024, although China may get there first and the Soviets also have plans. But it is in fact the worlds super-rich who are making leaps with space travel. There are many private companies in the modern-day space race, but the three main players are NASA backed Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, and the world’s wealthiest man, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.
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hip D ra g o
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After selling PayPal to eBay, billionaire Musk founded SpaceX to reduce the cost of space travel and push humankind ever closer to colonising Mars. SpaceX have a contract with NASA to resupply cargo to the International Space Station and in 2012 Spaceship Dragon made history by becoming the first commercial spaceship to do so. In September 2019 Musk unveiled a new spacecraft called Starship which is designed to carry crew and cargo to the moon, Mars or anywhere else in the solar system and land back on Earth, the first orbital flight is targeted for 2020.
That’s Blue Origin’s mission, although personally Bezos dreams of going to the moon to stay! The company, which was founded in 2001 had been hoping to start launching passengers to space aboard its suborbital New Shepard spaceship before the end of 2019, but the spacecraft has more test launches to pass before confirming any future launch dates. Blue Origin have not released prices yet however CEO Bob Smith said, “It’ll be actually in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for people to go, initially,” Smith added “But we’re going to get this down to the point where middle-class people can actually use it.”
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As well as contracts with NASA, SpaceX aims to deliver tourist missions, with the first set to launch in 2023 and already has a passenger lined up... Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa. SpaceX has cited this upcoming mission as “an important step toward enabling access for everyday people who dream of travelling to space.”
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- Jeff bezos
sB B e z o ’ l u e O ri g in
“
Virgin Galactic are not aiming for Mars, instead Branson intends to conquer commercial space travel, intending to take tourists on brief trips to suborbital space in commercial aircraft SpaceshipTwo. Passengers aboard the flight will experience a few minutes of weightlessness and get to see the curvature of Earth against the blackness of space before coming back down to Earth for a runway landing.
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Claims of being in space by early 2018 never materialised but it hasn’t discouraged the company, Branson has since made claims that SpaceshipTwo will be fully operational with paying passengers in 2020.
According to Virgin Galactic representatives more than 600 people have put down deposits to reserve a seat, however there have been reports of some customers demanding refunds due to the many setbacks. If you wish to book a ticket your wallet would need to be as stellar as your travel plans, as a ticket for this ride currently costs $250,000. 50 years after the anniversary of the landing of the moon, space travel has finally been revived. Perhaps in another 50 years there will be an affordable shuttle spaceship to the moon after all.
Illustration of 50m-tall Starship
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Evolving from the simplistic and understated Nordic trends, we love the warmth and character of natural wood.
T
he unique grain patterns of each piece illustrate the time taken for the wood to mature in the wilderness. The true beauty of wood emerges gradually from each source and develops subtle yet refined features which transcends across a multitude of products. Ranging from real wood flooring to homeware accessories, it provides our real wood venetian blinds with their own personality allowing consumers to inject the real beauty of wood into their home dĂŠcor.
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The texture of wood adds a simple, understated style which offers a relaxed feel and the natural wood finish adds character to the dĂŠcor while remaining timeless and classy. With numerous uses including floors, wall panelling, countless accessories and of course windows, wood can act as the main feature in a room or it can complement your design with accents of texture added throughout the room.
Sunwo
While real wood flooring adds a natural warmth to a room, laminates can mimic the real wood look in your home. With a variety of traditional colourways including dark wood tones, light oaks and painted greys, flooring can be added to a space to make it feel calm and contemporary or the warmer tones can be introduced to make a space feel cosy.
od Pure
Many say that plants within your home can lift your mood and help relieve everyday stresses, but not many know that natural wood can also have a similar effect on your mood.
ood Acacia Sunw
The Sunwood collection includes 3 real wood ranges which showcase the natural characteristics depicting nature’s wood grain; the Essential, the Soft Grain and the Perfect Grain Collection. With 3 slat sizes and 26 colourways including a mix of whites, creams, greys and wood grain finishes, the Sunwood collection will enable you to add character to any interior style.
wood Rev era Sun
As well, as aesthetic benefits, wood can also be very practical within the home. With wood acting as a natural insulator, the Sunwood collection can assist in keeping the cold out during the winter months. While increasing energy efficiency, motorised blinds can maximise the heat from natural light with the automatic light sensor functions and while away from home you can control your blinds with your smart device which improves security while no one is at home.
Not only will wood add beauty to your interior design, but the long-lasting properties of wood will allow you to maintain the luxe look and feel of natural wood within your home. ue Decora are the only UK trade supplier offering the Somfy® Tilt Only motor which is available with our 50mm Sunwood and Sunwood Fauxwood venetian blinds. The Somfy® Tilt and Lift motor is also compatible with our 50mm Sunwood real wood venetian blinds.
Fa
Dulux Tran q u i lD aw n
For the ever-popular Scandi look, layer your wood with different textures to give the look depth while creating an inviting sanctuary to retreat and switch off from the world outside, teamed with the right colour palette such as Dulux colour of the year, Tranquil Dawn, real wood can introduce a calming influence to your interior. And with natural textures continuing to be a key trend in interiors for 2020, introducing real wood will ensure your interior style is on point, allowing you to have the luxurious and stylish design for years to come.
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d Tr
Fine gra in
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SUNWOOD COLLECTION, CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM TO ORDER YOUR SUNWOOD SWATCH.
sunwood-blinds.co.uk
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We wish you and your loved ones a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
DECORA.CO.UK