The Foras Newsletter 2018

Page 1

natu ral mat e r ial • t ime le s s de sig n

new products

through the keyhole Take a look at our recent projects & see what our customers have to say! See our latest interior flooring on our website foraswallsandfloors.co.uk or for home & garden accessories visit foras.co.uk

01366 381069 • info@foras.co.uk

Buy our new layered slate water features & perspex illuminated balls at foras.co.uk

new people With our evergrowing team, why not book a consultation today and transform your garden & home

new areas

We re-vamp our gardens and layouts every year with new displays incorporating new paved areas and garden features


a note from our director Hi there, 2018 has been a fabulous and exciting year for Team Foras. We have watched our new warehouse being built from the ground up getting ready to store our ever-expanding flooring and garden accessory range. We have extended our showroom based at Stowbridge to house our new offices where you can come into the workspace and see more of our latest innovative flooring ranges laid and even tiled as part of our desks! We are very passionate about product and how to use it! The Open Day in May was memorable as always with glorious weather and we were once again moved by our customers stories on how they had used their products and their loyalty to Foras. Without you, our customers...we would not experience the joy and satisfaction in what we do everyday. A special ‘Thanks’ to the customers that let us into their homes & businesses to take photos of completed projects. We have included a small selection of these beautifully styled interiors in this ‘Lookbook’ .

Rustique Lightstone

spotlight on…

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have... Claire x

interior flooring Porcelains - Ceramics - Natural Stone - Mosaics Did you know we independently source and select our stones? If we can do it for outside then why not for inside? So, in 2014 we started that process and we now stock and sell as much interior stone as we do exterior. Our objective is to help with your selection and make it an enjoyable individual process in the most amazing surroundings.

Driftwood Effect Porcelain

staff favourites We can help with ideas and concepts for every size and budget. We can colour match and provide plan reading services and even recommend tradesmen or designers to help fit and design your home and garden. Here are some of our favourite NEW tiles… • Lava Mosaic – Add a touch of opulence to your home with this striking mosaic created from real lava. • Brindle F105a Sandstone - A warm and inviting sandstone in welcoming shades of toffee and mocha. • Driftwood Effect Porcelain – Capture the elemental beauty of sun-bleached and wave-weathered wood. Lava Mosaics


garden accessories

They are the finishing touch that really makes a space.

water features – seating – birdcare – sculptures – planters – troughs

introducing...

the layered slate Made from individual layers of slate expertly pieced together, this artisan product takes a lot of time and care to make. The pronounced layers of natural stone are defined by an artisan’s touch to create stunning movement and reflection in the water that runs over them. With the addition of an LED light to illuminate the water, the feature looks just as magical in the summer evenings as it does in dewy spring mornings. One layered slate spheres are available from 40cm up to 75cm diameter shop this online at foras.co.uk

Layered Slate Trio

Fusion Sphere

taking it light We realise stone is not for everyone. Especially for those with limited access or weight restrictions. Our new perspex sphere with integrated light was revealed this summer along with our Copper Boule. It’s easy to install, light to move and makes an incredible impact on any garden, patio or courtyard. Made in the UK using cleverly engineered material of lighter weights, they are no less beautiful and look like the real thing – you just can’t tell. Easily pick up and place where ever you like with no heavy lifting.

The Fusion Sphere It has glass like qualities supported with a natural stone or porcelain plinth. The plinth gives a second tier for the waterfall effect underneath. You can change the effect of the water over the spheres’ surface, either creating ripples or simply a smooth glacier appearance. It is also designed to be illuminated at night, perfect for lighting up our dark winter evenings. Available in 45cm or 60cm diameter sizes.

75cm Copper Boule This innovative sphere is made from a unique & secret material & exclusively designed by Foras. It is not Copper but will age & have a Verdigris finish exactly the same as the real thing. The engraved lines on the ‘ball’ are homage to the classic French game. shop this online at foras.co.uk Copper Boule


garden accessories Our beautiful range of stone and zinc garden accessories have been carefully crafted and honed to create the perfect piece to set your garden off in style...

birdbaths Made from natural sandstone and slate each item is one of a kind due to the individual graining of the stone and process of creation. All of our bird baths are frost and weather resistant and easy to clean and maintain. Here at the Foras showrooms we love to watch the birds and we have many who visit us each day for a summer sip including blue tits, sparrows and the odd pigeon.

Twist Rainbow Sandstone Birdbath

Jasper Rainbow Curved Bench

Surmi Large Slate Trough

pots & planters No matter the size, shape or material required you’ll find something to suit your potting and planting needs. For inside and out, from vintage style zinc planters to slate troughs for the herbs and stand out large scale sandstone pieces to create a focal point in your garden; the Foras range has a pot or planter to suit every need.


stone garden benches Create a space of peace, calm and tranquility in your garden with our stunning range of stone benches. Each flecked with natural colours and hues they are suited to both contemporary and classic garden designs.

“We have had our bench for a good few years now, and it really is just as beautiful as the day we got it. Superbly crafted, and the colours are stunning – it looks amazing! It really is one of my favourite things. I absolutely love it.”

Orca Shark Sandstone Sculpture

sculptures A beautiful selection of sculptures carved from sandstone and slate for use inside and outside the home. From our iconic spheres to the gallery range of slate, our sculptures have function as well as form. The range includes vases for displaying bouquets and plants.

Caviara Slate Sculpture

Act swiftly and you’ll water features be able to enjoy our exclusive offers all summer long.

Hand crafted, artisanal pieces that are completely unique. Each water feature has been carefully designed and created using the finest materials available. All of our water features come with the entire kit making them easy to install and maintain. Visit our showrooms to choose your perfect feature.

Bliss Rainbow Sandstone Water Feature

Bespoke Engraved 10cm Sandstone Sphere

bespoke engraving Create the perfect gift with our bespoke engraving service. We’ve teamed up with a local Norfolk stone masons to carve lasting messages into our beautiful stone products. Contact us to find out more!


some of our latest projects Our wonderful customers have created some amazing spaces. See the completed projects and the products used to create them...

Southgate (commercial) Our brief was to match products specified by their London based global office and workspace design firm. As a local company they were keen to work with other local trades and went on to use our recommended installers to tile the entire 300m2 project.

Floor: Attore Opera

Kitchenettes - The brief for these areas was clean, simple and functional. Our simple London White Gloss 200 x 100mm Metro Tile was the perfect choice as the areas were quite dark and the gloss finish reflected the light. The addition of grey grout rather than white added interest as well as being forgiving towards food and drinks stains and also pulled together the colour pallet of the floors tiles and the furniture.

Attic Brooklyn Italian Porcelain Tile

Reception - A large format, concrete effect tile was required. We chose Attic Brooklyn Italian Porcelain in 600 x 1200 as it is perfect for high traffic areas and dirty feet. Staff Breakout Area - Designers had originally specified a linoleum covering for this area however after discussing the footfall of staff and wear and tear issues with the client it was decided that a wood effect porcelain tile would be the best option. Used Attore Scala Italian Porcelain Tile in 1200 x 200mm.

Wall: Wedgewood One | Floor: Wedgewood Four

Attore Scala

WCs - Again being high traffic areas, porcelain was the obvious choice. Simple clean lines in varying shades of grey (Wedgewood One 600 x 150mm on the walls and Wedgewood Four 600 x 300mm on the floors) meant that the daily use of the facilities would not be evident.


Moroccan Impressions Carthusian

Mr and Mrs Carter (residential) This being the client’s third renovation but very much home, they had previously used stone on their other projects but after discussions with Foras, there was an inclination towards a more contemporary finish which pointed in the direction of porcelain as the main material throughout. However the use of some natural stone demonstrates how man-made and natural products complement one another within this scheme. External - For a seamless transition from internal to external areas the Salvador Grigio Grip porcelain 600 x 1200mm was used – same colour as used internally but with suitability for outside use.

Utility Shower Room - Practicality of a downstairs area to clean off from outside chores combined function and form with stunning outcome, featuring the Moroccan Impressions Carthusian 250x250x10mm (floor) and Bastille Oat Gloss 300 x 100mm (walls) against the red brick.

Salvador Grigio Grip

Daughter’s Bathroom - The driftwood look for the floors used a porcelain replication, Timber 900x150x9.5mm, which was mirrored as a feature strip on the walls with a twinkle of mosaics Tyrol Mosaic 298x298x8mm which give a nod to the shells that scatter our Norfolk coastline.

Floor: Epoque Blue on White Wall: Howton honed natural limestone Feature Wall: London Gloss Atlantis Gloss

Floor: Driftwood Effect Porcelain Wall: Tyrol Mosaic

Master Bathroom - Epoque Blue on White porcelain 298x298x8mm (floor) created a striking pattern balanced with the warmth of Howton honed natural limestone 600x400x12mm (walls) and a feature wall in the London Gloss Atlantis Gloss 200x100x7mm to bounce the light and create a dramatic effect.

Kitchen, Dining and Reception - This expansive, open space lent itself to use a large format tile; Salvador Grigio Natural 600x1200x10 (main floor) is a replication of sedimentary rock, giving subtle interest to this porcelain. A pop of colour was introduced as a feature for the dining area (floor) by inlaying the Moroccan Impressions Carthusian 250x250x10mm.

Salvador Grigio Natural

These are based on traditional encaustic tiles but are a design printed on to a porcelain which provides a hard-wearing area AND a talking point!


Mr Andrews (residential) Our brief was to create a traditional feel using a multi format opus (mixed size) tile or stone throughout the entire downstairs area. As there were several bathrooms to also tile it was decided very early on in the consultation to choose the main floor area and then work off this choice into the bathrooms to create a synergy and flow that compliments from room to room.

Main Floor Area - A large family home and a busy family life lead to the decision to install porcelain rather than natural stone. Our Rustique Lightstone in a 3 size mix provided the look and feel of natural stone without the maintenance, giving a hard wearing and durable floor covering.

Rustique Lightstone 3 size mix

Master Bathroom - We decided with the client to continue with the Rustique Lightstone in this room but in a single size of 610 x 406mm. This kept continuity and flow throughout the property yet added a twist. We teamed this with Tanzania Hexagonal Mosaics in the spacious shower area and the result was amazing.

Rustique Lightstone

Left: Tyrol Mosaics Right: Alba Northern Lights Metro Brick Tile

Daughter’s Bathroom - We wanted to create a feminine look that was light and airy. The challenge was avoiding a sterile feel which is always a risk when using light colours in bathroom settings. Alba Northern Lights Metro Brick Tile in 150 x 75mm has a silvery tone to it that is almost pearlescent, a great tile for reflecting light. Teamed with Tyrol Mosaics the overall effect is exactly what the client was hoping for.

Encaustic Tiles

Brindal F105a

Outside - The layout of the property with the large windows meant that the stone needed to flow on from the internal Rustique Lightstone Tile that we had used throughout the main downstairs floor area. After taking several stone samples to site to view with the clients at their property we decided on Brindal F105a Sandstone in a mix of 4 sizes. The stone has gently hand-worked edges that add character and the use of the 4 sizes meant we continued the traditional look as specified in the original brief.

Detailing - A touch of inspired colour was added to the family dining area using Patchwork Multi-Coloured 200 x 200mm Encaustic Tiles that were framed. This achieved an interesting and colourful work of art.


Mr Wall (developer) In the beautiful surroundings of the North Norfolk coast a developer was in the final stages of renovating a selection of luxury beach side homes. The high specification of the properties meant that the finish should match and this is where Foras stepped in to supply the quality material that was required.

Barfleur Grey Limestone

Main Floor Area - Our client required a neutral covering throughout the main floor areas of all the properties. The idea behind this was to add value to the homes but also allow the new owners the freedom to express their own style when redesigning their new space. Barfleur Grey was the chosen stone for the internal flooring throughout. This versatile limestone sets a neutral tone and sits with almost any colour scheme, suited to the nautical dressing of the rooms it was the obvious choice.

Barfleur Grey Limestone

Outside - Our iconic Old Parsonage Limestone has been used to create a rustic feel to compliment the wild surroundings of the location. A hard and well wearing stone, patios and paths were cut at sharp angles to create an interesting look and frame the external walls.

Old Parsonage Limestone

here to help! Natural stone can become dull over time and be affected by algae due to its porous nature. Fear not though! We have created a solution which uses a very small amount of chlorine granules to bring your stone back to as good as new time and time again. We have an entire YouTube channel dedicated to helping you care for your Foras products. For helpful tips, tricks and some beautiful videos of our showgardens visit us on YouTube

@ForasStone

Old Parsonage Limestone


Eiffel Grey Tumbled Limestone

starting your own project? We can help with ideas and concepts for every size and budget. We can colour match and provide plan reading services and even recommend designers and trades people to help plan and install products in your home and garden. Read below how an introduction in Burnham Market bloomed into two fantastic homes.

Driftwood Bahamas in two sizes

“lifestyle… that’s what it is all about” As a Creative Sales Consultant Kim was delighted when Sasha came in to Foras at Burnham Market to talk about just that. Through a series of events and constant determination Sasha and her husband Will purchased two late 18th century derelict cottages in Lincolnshire. In fact they were opposite her home, so it was quite convenient for her to complete the renovation. They wanted to use inspirations from their travels in New England combined with influences from the Norfolk coast to create a sense of history with a modern twist.

Kim was able to inspire designs with beautiful tiles in muted soft tones

Sasha’s dream to transform the cottages and project manage everything herself was a tall order and she asked for Kim’s advice and design expertise on flooring & tiles to tie in with her thoughts. Upon visiting Sasha in her home it was apparent that she had amazing taste and design sensibility, as she had collected some key pieces and furnishings that would end up decorating the cottages. Fortunately Kim was able to inspire designs with beautiful tiles in muted soft tones for her scheme using a palette of natural colours and materials. Limestone floors throughout the main house were Eiffel Grey Tumbled Limestone extending to the outdoor areas using Kota Blue Limestone.

Flowing to the upstairs with its unusual rooms utilizing every bit of space, we provided the following: Master Bathroom - Despite its size and complex shape with white washed beams we came up with combinations to include a stunning Ashdown Grey Polished Limestone in warm Taupe tones for the walls and an inset behind the bath using our Vintage Northern Lights (lustre brick tiles). The Two En-suites - Driftwood Bahamas was used throughout in two sizes to create interest, including the showers to create light and airy spaces. The porcelain wood effect tile matched the beams perfectly for an inspirational space with a layered look. We also consulted throughout the property including the Boot Room, Kitchen and Dining Area. Ashdown Grey Polished Limestone


why not book an appointment

our new consultancy area

If you’re just starting a project and would like to speak to our knowledgeable team, then why not book a consultancy with us today? Email us at info@foras.co.uk with details of your enquiry.

Explore our new architect’s drawers which contain hundreds of colours and textures of tiles and flooring. With a workspace nearby so you can plan your theme and ideas in one space. We can help match fabrics or paint swatches and really bring your rooms together.

new buildings We have extended our office and tiled throughout so we can showcase our products. Our new warehouse is going up too so we can have more choice and availability.

flooring team! Kellie - John - Kim Kellie has worked with Foras for 4 years. Her attention to detail and critical planning means your deadlines are met and you can relax and enjoy the process. John is the flooring oracle and as the director of the business his passion is product. He sources from all over Europe and East Asia to get the best finish and quality of stones and tiles.

Kellie General Manager

John Director

Kim Creative Consultant

Kim is motivated by creation & design. Her expertise, product knowledge and experience provide the perfect and positive platform for building and maintaining a relationship of trust with her clients.

“I simply want to help my clients achieve a space that they truly love. They can kick their shoes off at the end of the day and say ‘I’m home’.”

“For me - it is important the product has a story to tell; be it the manufacture, the materials the maker or its place in the home.”

To quote William Morris: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”


get in touch... call

01366 381069

email

info@foras.co.uk

online

foras.co.uk foraswallsandfloors.co.uk

social

Kings Lynn Showroom and Gardens

visit our beautiful showrooms in king’s lynn and burnham market Our showrooms and gardens are individually designed and

@forasstone instagram, twitter, facebook & pinterest

king’s lynn Foras West Head Farm Stowbridge King’s Lynn PE34 3NJ

dressed to give you ideas and inspiration. Not just a tile shop... our meticulously designed mini gardens can provide the inspiration to help you turn your outside dreams into reality. Our showrooms in Stowbridge, near King’s Lynn, and the coastal village of Burnham Market are truly stunning spaces to also enjoy while you peruse and buy in your own time supported by our knowledgeable, passionate and friendly team. Make a day of it and visit the amazing Norfolk Coastline... be inspired by local points of interest & dine at award winning pubs & restaurants, shop to your hearts content with many independent shops & galleries. As well as plenty to keep you inspired we can recommend some fabulous local hotels to extend your stay.

01366 381069 info@foras.co.uk

burnham market Foras 55 The Townhouse On The Green Burnham Market PE31 8HD 01328 738304 sales@foraswallsandfloors.co.uk

Burnham Studio Garden

how did our gardens grow? Not quite Hampton Court but we are definitely working on it!

Burnham Studio consultancy area

Here at our Stowbridge Showroom and head office we have 3 garden areas, all with running water features and a selection area to view variations of our beautiful stone. As each piece is unique we want to make sure our customers can choose the feature that is right for them.

Kings Lynn Tile Barn


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