August 2016 by Joanne Paull

In the me it takes to open this cover, yet another Sealy bed will be purchased...

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ffi irrsstt ffoorr ffuurrnni ittuurree,, ffl loooorri inngg aanndd aacccceessssoorri ieess

Awards 2016 The winners revealed

Retail AW16 trends

August 2016

Interiors

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

Andrew Kidd EDITOR

Going up One certain outcome of the EU vote is a significant increase in prices that retailers will have little choice but to pass on I was hoping to avoid mentioning Brexit this month, but of course there’s no chance of that. Regardless of people’s views on the topic of EU membership, conversations over the past few weeks have been about prices and when they will go up. When I asked one sales director of a company that manufactures overseas how far forward he had hedged, he was fairly sanguine when he replied ‘September’. He knows that most of his rivals are in a similar, if not the same boat, and they will be putting prices up by the same level as he will. It’s just a question of when. For other companies price increases have already been announced in response to the weakness of the pound against the euro and US dollar. I expect there will be a few short-

In the me it takes to open this cover, yet another Sealy bed will be purchased...

monthly

Editor: Andrew Kidd August 2016

Interiors

term ‘No post-Brexit increases’ marketing messages, but retailers will invariably have to pass these increases on. On the other hand, higher import costs gives scope for UK manufacturers, now that ‘the ludicrous over-reaction to the outcome of the EU referendum complete with hyperventilating commentators and hysterical luvvie wittering has become more balanced,’ as Geoff Wilding, Victoria executive chairman, put it. Yes, it gives retailers another reason to source from British manufacturers, but I doubt many will be able to simply turn on extra production like it was a tap. One major manufacturer, who could be well placed to pick up more orders, said it relies on non-UK staff for a large element of its workforce. He explained that it’s difficult to recruit others, and then by the time they have been trained to the required standard further currency changes could make their position unviable. Stick or twist? Many congratulations to the winners of the Interiors Monthly Awards 2016 and thank you again to those of you who voted for them. Turn to page 33 to discover who they are.

T: 01273 930 029 E: akidd@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden T: 01732 441 130 E: tboden@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

ffi irrsstt ffoorr ffuurrnni ittuurree,, ffl loooorri inngg aanndd aacccceessssoorri ieess

Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird T: 01565 631 397 E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk A Sealy bed is sold somewhere in the world every three seconds. Visit: www.sealy.co.uk

Awards 2016 The winners revealed

Retail AW16 trends

Carpet, flooring, lighting and accessories advertising: Joanne Paull T: 01732 441 130 E: jpaull@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Published by Interiors Media Limited Minerva House, Kinnings Row, Bordyke, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1NP T: 01732 441 130 F: 01732 362 919 E: enquiries@interiorsmonthly.co.uk Registered in England no. 6397722 Print: Knockout Print Design by TSS DIGITAL © Interiors Media Limited ISSN 1756-2236

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Sleep comes easy when you sell beds approved by us. Relax, lie back and be completely assured that the beds you sell are everything they say they are, and everything your customers expect. Every NBF Approved Member manufacturer has undergone rigorous independent auditing to certify that they have robust procedures in place to ensure their products comply with h regulatory regulatorr y requirements for ÅHTTHIPSP[` JSLHUSPULZZ VM ÄSSPUNZ HUK [YHKL KLZJYPW[PVUZ (SS VM [OL ºYLK [HWL» PZ KVUL MVY LK K [H HWL WL» PZ PZ KVU VUL L MV MVY Y `V\ 5V^ [OH[»Z JVTMVY[PUN :V I\` MYVT HU 5)- (WWYV]LK 4LTILY HUK ZSLLW OHWW`

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CONTENTS

INTERIORS MONTHLY AUGUST 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS 6

Belfield Furnishings sold

Victoria sees profits leap

Ulster buys Roger Oates Design

FEATURES 26

Beds and bedroom Floating on air, new products

Interiors Monthly Awards 2016 The winners revealed

126 Carpet New dimensions, innovative yarns

Shades of Grey Twist

130 Rugs Natural instincts, transformations

138 Living and dining A new direction

142 Exhibitions Latest news for the January Furniture show

144 Retail Habitat’s key looks for AW16 and four trends from Argos

155 Final Polish

See us at

REGULARS 18

New products

Service

NEXT ISSUE

t: 01827 831424 • f: 01827 8314253 e: sales@kingsmead-sales.co.uk w: www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

The Flooring Show guide The Bed Show preview Manchester Furniture Show review

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

NEWS

Belfield Furnishings sold to NorthEdge and management Upholstery, soft furnishings, mattress and curtain manufacturing group Belfield Furnishings has been sold to its management and private equity firm NorthEdge Capital. Founded in 2002, Belfield is the UK’s largest white label home furnishings manufacturer with sales of £132m in the year to December 2015, including the Westbridge Furniture, Duflex and Belfield Caravan brands. Customers of the company, which is headquartered in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, include Marks & Spencer, Next, Ikea, John Lewis and Furniture Village. With support from NorthEdge, which has acquired a majority stake in the group from the Millership family, the company ‘will focus on its UK position to drive shorter lead times for customers; continue to deliver its collaborative design-led offering, and leverage economies of scale to compete on price.’ Belfield will continue to be led by Steve Hampton, ceo, Karl Stevens, cfo, and Alan McWalter, chairman. Former Brintons group md Don Coates is coo and ceo designate. ‘The business has performed well over the past few years. The funding from NorthEdge will allow us to increase the production of our quality products while also maintaining the same high levels of customer service. NorthEdge has an excellent reputation for growing and supporting businesses to achieve their strategic goals and we look forward to working with them through the next phase of Belfield’s development,’ says Hampton.

Westbridge’s Blighty

‘Belfield has an impressive customer base ranging from British high street names and national blue chip brands to high growth online retailers. We have been impressed with the ability of the management team to manufacture in high volumes such a broad range of quality products. It is down to their design expertise and operational efficiency that the business has achieved such a strong offering in a sizeable and highly fragmented market. Our focus will be on helping Belfield to grow sales with existing customers, as well as targeting new opportunities and we are looking forward to working with Steve and the management team,’ says John Rastrick, NorthEdge partner and head of Yorkshire and the North East.

Software helps streamline Leekes’ deliveries Furnishings chain Leekes has seen a boost in delivery productivity of more than 20% after switching to route optimisation software. The nine-store chain replaced its largely paper-based system for handling more than 1,000 deliveries a week with Maxoptra. Integrated with the company’s sales order system, the software automatically processes order locations,

produces optimised routes based on vehicle capacity and customer requests, and allows for the accurate calculation of delivery times. ‘We can adjust to incorporate local knowledge or changing requirements, and the automatic production of delivery manifests, in order, by vehicle, is a real eye opener,’ says Simon Perrin, Leekes distribution manager. ‘We are proud of

our home delivery service and the feedback we receive tells us it is one of the reasons customers come back to us.’ Perrin says it will improve customer service, delivery estimates, delivery times and eventually lead to an online delivery tracking service for customers. Leekes operates a fleet of two-person vehicles from five regional operating centres with a sixth centre planned.

Pop-up style centre: German furniture manufacturer Zeitraum is to open a pop-up store in London from 10-23 October in St John’s Square, Clerkenwell. In Residence, its first dedicated exhibition and pop-up store, will showcase new designs from London-based Mathias Hahn alongside German studios Kaschkasch and Formstelle. The store, curated by artist Richard Healy, will look at the new ways of living and working, where space is at a premium and style is obligatory using Zeitraum’s furniture and lighting.

Interiors Monthly August 2016

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One Big Bed Group Three Great Brands

Welcome to Highgrove Beds Group.

Britain’s fastest growing bed manufacturer just got even bigger. At Highgrove, we’ve been pretty busy over the past 12 months. Not only have we moved into our impressive new 20 acre Liversedge site, we’ve also launched two exciting new brands - Moresleep and Sanctum and their respective websites are due to go live any day soon. We’ve built our reputation on providing customers with unrivalled choice, value and service and this continues as we look to strengthen our brands in the marketplace. New high-impact in-store POS and National advertising campaigns will reflect the heavy investment being planned to support our stockists and raise consumer awareness. With three distinct brands now targeting all sectors of the bed market, there are profitable long-term partnership opportunities for existing and newly appointed stockists.

7 Day Express delivery service.

For more details on our Partnership Programme and how you can be part of our future success, visit our new Liversedge showroom or our stand F80 at The Bed Show, Telford – September 20-21, 2016

GE T IN T O U C H

01924 406600

marketing@highgrovebeds.co.uk

NEWS

Victoria looks to reduce debt as UK profits more than double Victoria’s acquisition strategy saw UK sales jump from £91.6m to £196.9m in the year to 2 April. Underlying UK gross profit rose from £32m to £68.4m. Although margin dropped by 0.3% to 34.7%, the group says annualised margins would have been up from 32.1% if there had been a full year of Interfloor ownership. The underlay and accessories company was bought by Victoria last September and the accounts show that the group paid £14m in cash. Geoff Wilding, Victoria executive chairman, says operational efficiencies continue to drive performance at the company. He says the five companies bought by the group had an operating profit of £3.5m higher than the year before they were bought. Operating margins at the five have risen by 130 basis points and stock turn has risen from 3.2 last year to 3.7 this year, freeing up £7.5m of cash.

‘There is no reason we cannot continue to have this – and more – positive effect of businesses as they are acquired,’ he says. Across the group free cashflow was £17.2m but while the expectation is that Victoria will be able to pay ‘an attractive’ dividend in the medium term, Wilding says the best use of the money is to reduce its £61.1m debt and make more acquisitions. ‘The ludicrous over-reaction to the outcome of the EU referendum complete with hyper-ventilating commentators and hysterical luvvie wittering has become more balanced recently,’ says Wilding. ‘Although there will inevitably be further ups and downs over the months ahead, I expect the UK’s decision to leave the EU to be positive for the group’s competitiveness in the foreseeable future as the cost of importing increases,’ he says.

Edel Telenzo moves Carpet company Edel Telenzo has confirmed its new UK management structure: Albert Telgenkamp, sales and marketing director of parent company Edel International, will be in charge of the company from Holland with Mark Rooney promoted to UK sales and marketing director. Tim Beatham has become finance and operations manager. The changes follow former Edel Telenzo md Phil Hartley’s move to Victoria Carpets. ‘Our new structure recognises that the carpet retail landscape has changed hugely over the past few years and that we must continue to adapt in order to maintain our position,’ says Rooney. ‘We are committed to the independent UK retailer and believe that our brand is best represented by the expertise of specialised retailers throughout the UK,’ he says.

Tim Beatham and Mark Rooney

Staff backed Tapi increases funding to £12.5m Flooring retailer Tapi secured £7.5m in funding from shareholders this year to fund its expansion. This is on top of the £5m raised before its first store opened in May last year. The company’s accounts for the year to 2 January (when it had 27 stores) show that it had £183,093 of cash, £455,629 of stock and net assets of £1.25m. Martin Harris, Tapi chief executive, says he is inspired by what the chain’s

Interiors Monthly August 2016

employees have achieved since its launch. The chain has grown to 48 stores, with three more due to open shortly and a further 22 identified to open before the end of 2016. It also has mobile showrooms covering 10 areas of the UK, including South Wales, Kent and North East Scotland. ‘We are making sure we find the right stores for the brand in locations that best fit the demographic,’ says Harris.

Harris says trading is ‘bang on expectations’ and the chain should break even by 2017 and become profitable the following year. ‘We are in awe of what the team has achieved,’ he says. He attributes part of this to 60% of staff buying shares in the chain, a figure that exceeded his expectations. ‘It’s key to us that all the colleagues are invested. There’s power in ownership,’ says Harris.

Sensational Saxonies

The shining lights in our summer collection. As we enjoy the rays of summer sunshine, it’s worth planning ahead for the onset of colder weather and the need to introduce some warmth into our lives. It’s time to think about saxonies. A saxony carpet is the ultimate choice for virtually every room in the home. It’s easy to see why, because saxonies have become an iconic symbol of beauty, softness and luxury. Add this to our generous stain and wear warranties and you realise what tremendous value-for-money

these ranges represent. Their popularity has arisen from years of development by Associated Weavers to produce the very best in traditional cut-pile technology, combined with practical durability. But our designers also know how to anticipate current trends, by offering the most fashionable choices. Evocative colours such as Frosted Dawn, Misty Rose, Smoked Pearl and Warm Terracotta all feature across our bestselling ranges of sensational saxonies.

Saxonies make iSense irresistible

A saxony has the ability to look like pure velvet. Add the astounding technology that Associated Weavers have pioneered in bounce-back fibre qualities, and you have a degree of luxury that you won’t find with other carpet brands. Serenity and Suspense are the two saxony styles in this range that feature our 100% iSense yarn in a heavy-duty 2500gm weight. Perfect for floor-appeal in any room of the home.

Super-soft Invictus saxonies

Invictus saxonies aren’t just soft. They’re super-soft. Our unique iVinci SDO StainAway yarn has turned it into one of our best-ever sellers. First came Sirius and Pegasus, with the launch of Invictus last year. But we’re constantly improving and extending the offering, so now we’ve introduced Hyperion, a luxurious super-soft 2380gm Saxony, to the collection. The outstanding stain resistance of saxonies, together with up-to-the-minute colour choices, makes Invictus one of our most comprehensive ranges ever.

Stain-free saxonies in StainAway

Our renowned StainAway range features three styles of 100% polypropylene bleach-cleanable saxonies – Sophistication, StainGuard Saxony and Temptation. We are so confident about the ultimate durability of their StainGuard XL fibre construction, that we offer a full 20-year StainAway warranty as well as a 20-year wear guarantee on these leading styles. Plan for cooler weather now with a beautiful selection of autumnal colourways.

Rise and shine to saxonies

Whether you choose iSense, Invictus or StainAway, you know that you’ll be recommending the natural luxury and warmth that turns your customer’s house into a comfortable home. Talk to your Associated Weavers area manager today and ask for some samples. You’re bound to take a shine to our saxonies in your store.

Stain Away Collection

Look for the Butterď&#x20AC;&#x201A;y NE FO W R R AN 20 G 16 ES

Associated Weavers Sales: 01422 431100 Email: salesuk@awe.be

NEWS

Ulster is new owner of Roger Oates Design Runners, rugs and fabric company Roger Oates Design has been bought by Ulster Carpets. ‘The purchase of this prestigious brand fits perfectly with Ulster’s philosophy of acquiring high quality businesses in the floorcovering sector,’ says David Acheson, Ulster head of strategic operations. ‘Roger Oates Design will complement the existing Axminster and Wilton business, and we remain dedicated to investing in our continued organic growth alongside this acquisition. ‘Ulster’s ethos and future plans very much revolve around quality, design and service excellence, and Roger Oates Design fits this perfectly. We are delighted to have secured Roger’s continued involvement, and are excited about the future prospects for the business.’ Oates says: ‘It is important that small unique companies keep evolving and this acquisition offers us the opportunity to grow and develop the brand for interiors and furnishing products, well into the next decade.’ ‘The acquisition is being funded from cash reserves and reflects our desire to broaden the group by selectively adding outstanding businesses where the opportunity arises,’ adds Acheson.

Karol Itauma (centre) receives the Best Boxer award

Funds needed for club Interiors Monthly sponsored the awards evening of St Mary’s Amateur Boxing Club last month. The Chatham club has been serving the Medway community since 1926, and is the most successful junior boxing club in England: it has five national junior champions. Many of the club’s boxers have turned professional, including former Commonwealth, European and WBU bantamweight champion Johnny Armour; heavyweight Tom Dallas; and world championship referee Ian John-Lewis. St Mary’s is a charitable, non-profit making organisation which is looking to build a new gym. Contributions towards this would be gratefully received. Any interested parties can email tboden@interiorsmonthly.co.uk.

Collins & Hayes sold

David Acheson and Roger Oates

Delivery investment Steinhoff UK Bedding Group has invested £2.2m in a distribution fleet of 14 Mercedes Actros 1842 LS Euro VI compliant tractor units combined with 28 bespoke trailers, and plans to spend £1m on another 31 trailers for delivery in 2017. ‘As part of our investment we have introduced 12 bespoke “city” trailers with rear steering axles specifically designed for deliveries to our growing independent customer base,’ says Laurie Farley, Steinhoff UK Bedding Group logistics manager. The vehicles are equipped with satellite navigation, fridges, microwaves and Relyon mattresses for the drivers.

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Wessex Bristol, the parent company of 12-store upholstery chain Wesley-Barrell, has bought Airsprung Furniture Group’s upholstery subsidiary Collins & Hayes. Airsprung says Collins & Hayes has been the subject of significant restructuring over the past two years and has benefited from considerable investment in the process. ‘The Airsprung Group board believes, however, that the best long-term interests of all of the stakeholders in the business are best served by becoming part of a specialised, upholstery focused organisation, able to provide greater opportunities. The acquisition by the owners of WesleyBarrell is intended to provide such opportunities,’ says Airsprung. ‘I am excited to work with Wessex Bristol to continue the work we have been doing for the past 21 months, investing in the infrastructure of Collins & Hayes and bringing to market fabulous new product while promoting and growing the brand,’ says Matt O’Flynn, Collins & Hayes md. Collins & Hayes will occupy a section of Wesley-Barrell’s Wigmore Street, London branch, once again giving it a central London presence.

Introducing

RANGE NAME

BACKING COMPOSITION

BARBADOS BROOKLYN BROOKLYN S GARDA GARDA GARDA SUPREME CARNIVAL ISTANBUL NEW IZMIR KENSINGTON carved MILANO NAPELS NORFOLK NEW FARO NEW FARO MANHATTAN MANHATTAN SUPREME NEW YORK OPERA PICASSO PALERMO PRADO QUEENS 4/5 m RICHMOND/HILTON RODEO ROMA RACHEL SATURNUS SYMPHONY SENSUALITY SENSUALITY DELUXE SIENNA SILKY TELSTAR TARTAN SILKY SUPREME TORINO TORINO TORONTO VANCOUVER BERNABEU NOU CAMP OLD TRAFFORD OLYMPIC SAO PAOLO EMIRATES BLACKPOOL

ab ab ab felt ab ab felt ab felt woven ab felt felt ab felt ab ab ab ab felt ab heavy felt ab woven heavy felt felt ab/felt felt ab ab ab ab/felt ab vilt woven woven felt ab ab ab preco preco preco preco preco preco preco

100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp ZETALON ZETALON 100 % pp 100 % PA 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % PA 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp 100 % pp

Representation: North West, Midlands, Southern Ireland Paul Hugo (Sales Manager) 07813 714498 North Wales, Cheshire Matt Bell 07980 223303 Scotland James Hall 07787 140136 Yorkshire, North East England Steve Allitt 07971 952873 East Midlands Charlotte Jarvis 07460 875070 Northern Ireland Shane O’Neill 00353 87 6491119 South West, South Wales Adam Nicol 07885 738975 London, Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, South East Jon Marsh 07976 795821 Zac Marsh 07828 663325 Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire Richard Cooper 07860 525245 Belgium D[äXZ J Peeters 0032 475 71 08 69 0032 51 320 543

Best Flooring Manufacturer

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Product of the year

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To add to their comprehensive range of products, Furlong Flooring now offer a fantastic range of luxury cushion flooring. With a new high impact, modular POS display featuring 4 fantastic, slip resistant collections – these excellent ranges offer 5, 10, 15 & 20 year warranties Available in 2, 3 & 4 metre widths, with plain, wood, patterned and felt backed designs – there’s a range to suit everyone. To take advantage of this great collection contact us today.

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NEW PRODUCTS

2 4

1 Flair Rugs will spearhead the launch of its autumn/winter collection at The Flooring Show next month. With a collection of styles designed to cater for the diverse taste of the UK consumer, stand C52 will be brimming with colour and texture, as Flair Rugs cements its position as a supplier of super-stylish rugs to suit all tastes and budgets. Visit: www.flairrugs.com 2 After the launch of the DG bedroom collection late last year, Kettle Interiors has taken the same winning style formula and applied it to a living and dining collection: DG Dining. The painted furniture features contrasting oak tops with classic styling cues, each piece supplied with a choice of chrome effect or wood handles. Tel: 01536 444 960 3 Balta Broadloom’s Wonderweave is a striking StainSafe style and its basket weave texture gives the look made popular by natural fibres such as sisal, but eliminates the worry of care. It is

Interiors Monthly August 2016

available in eight tones ranging from the neutral fallow and sandstone through to sophisticated modern greys in anthracite and grey ghost. Tel: 00 32 5662 2211 4 Granorte will present a dedicated UK stock collection of its floor and wall finishes for the first time at The Flooring Show (stand B44) in September, while unveiling a POS unit. Simplifying the in-stock offering, the collection captures both the beauty and performance of cork while ensuring that orders can be fulfilled in a lead time of just a few days. Visit: www.granorte.co.uk 5 With the new Majestic laminate and Massimo engineered wood collections on show, the Quick-Step stand (B5) will be a focal point for visitors looking for the latest in interior design at The Flooring Show next month. Majestic improves on the Largo collection while Massimo showcases extra-wide and extra-long planks. Visit: www.quick-step.co.uk ‚‚‚

NEW PRODUCTS

6 The Academy for Excellence in Flooring will demonstrate to visitors at The Flooring Show the many advantages of accreditation to the Quick-Step Master Installer Scheme, as well as other courses available at its state of the art facility. It offers installers a manufacturer-backed workmanship warranty alongside a suite of advantages including a listing on the www.quick-step.co.uk website. Visit: www.quick-step-academy.co.uk 7 Kettle Interiors’ Bed Collection features five designs, bringing retailers a selection of styles available in both natural oak and painted finishes, each in a range of sizes. The collection covers contemporary and

Interiors Monthly August 2016

traditional looks in sizes from 3ft to 5ft. Tel: 01536 444 960 8 Known for beautiful broadloom wool carpets, Edel Telenzo will introduce its rugs and runners concept next month, turning any of the manufacturer’s collections into a bespoke rug or runner. Every rug or runner can be edged in one of 87 different options covering leather, felt and linen (5cm for a balanced and elegant look) and cotton (1cm for an understated finish). Visit: www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk 9 Some of Crown Floors’ hottest selling ranges will be on display at The Flooring

Show next month, along with a swathe of fresh display options that bring the brand’s in-store image right up to date on stand (A1) which is double the size of last year’s. Visit: www.crownfloors.co.uk 10 When it comes to ticking all the right boxes, Floorwise has it nailed, glued, stapled and tacked thanks to one of the UK’s best collections of floorcovering accessories. From adhesives and grippers to heat seam tape, hammer tackers, staples and staplers, Floorwise delivers value, and most important, reliability. Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk ‚‚‚

NEW PRODUCTS

11 Step into the mythical world of fairies, spirits and imps with Myth and Moor woven carpets from Royal Warrant holder Axminster Carpets. Characterised by its quality and unrivalled British design and manufacture, this collection of contemporary woolrich plaids and checks sets a new direction for fashionable checks. Visit: www. axminstercarpets.co.uk

12 Ultra-modern, with sharp lines and angled legs, the Finchley sideboard from Serene is available in a choice of oak or walnut finish and two sizes. The choice of finish complements the wider collection of dining tables and chairs, also encouraging further Serene styling throughout the living room. Visit: www.serene.co.uk 13 Quick-Step continues to produce products for the latest interior looks and trends. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to look very far to find the fascination many hold for Eastern design: peace, space, serenity and

Interiors Monthly August 2016

an eye for detail all typify minimalism. Simplicity is a keyword in Japanese interiors. Spaces exude calm and draw your attention only to the few statement objects. Visit: www.quick-step.co.uk 14 F&X Carpets will be at The Flooring Show armed with three powerful concepts in carpet. With a total of 23 different carpet ranges now available across its Aevita, Suretex and Himalaya brands, F&X Carpets is in a strong position to capitalise on its ability to deliver excellent value carpets. Tel: 07976 607 657 15 Leading the way for Lano at The Flooring Show will be the expanded X Concept (pictured). With exquisite wool, polyamide, bamboo and Smartstrand styles, its eye-catching wall units will showcase the best in premium luxury carpets that demonstrate how the use of different fibres produces diversity in look, colour and texture. Visit: www.lano.com

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SERVICE

Richard Renouf

Masking a bigger issue Analysing complaints can help you and your customers What do the following issues have in common? The piston of the lifting mechanism of a bed frame with storage underneath fails suddenly and now the frame drops whenever it is opened. Your customer is worried about what would have happened if their toddler had been trapped. A customer complains that the wrong underlay has been fitted under their carpet. The empty packaging brought back by the fitter shows it was the correct product. A television consumer programme highlights issues with a certain range of beds. They’re highly flammable even though they carry the fire labels, and the videos of burning beds are very dramatic. It’s not a range you sell now, but you did sell it five years ago. These are all real-life issues. The answer? They all have the potential to mask a much bigger problem. How many other beds with this type of piston might fail and could this cause injury? Has an inferior underlay been mis-packaged and therefore have other

It pays to examine thoroughly any reported problems

Interiors Monthly August 2016

customers been supplied with the wrong grade? What would happen if this was reported to Trading Standards? Were the beds you sold five years ago actually safe? How would this affect your reputation if a problem came to light? It’s easy to treat complaints as one-offs, to work hard to get the complaint resolved but to stop there. It’s not so easy to think about the bigger picture. Could there be other customers with the same problem? How do you find out, and what can be done about it? We’re familiar with the warnings and product recall notices published in the press and displayed on the walls of supermarkets. That’s because these retailers are serving hundreds of customers every day and can’t trace what they sold to whom easily. In our businesses we usually have a detailed record of each customer and what they have purchased, so identifying the buyers of specific products is a simple matter of creating a suitable report from our customer database. In all the cases mentioned, when I’ve spoken to customers who might have

been affected they have all been grateful for the call and the concern. In fact, there have been several letters of thanks for the level of service this has shown. I’m sure further injuries have been avoided, potential prosecutions forestalled and reputations enhanced rather than diminished. Of course, there has been a cost. Phone calls, check visits, and so on; time as well as money. But the peace of mind that results from knowing the issue has been dealt with effectively makes it worth every penny. The cost of doing nothing and hoping the problem would go away could have been much worse. Many modern businesses claim to be customer focused. They’ll work hard to create the right customer proposition to maximise sales and profits and minimise aftersales costs. But true customer focus means putting the interests of the customer above all else. Customer loyalty comes only when you’re loyal to your customers. Visit: www.richard-renouf.com Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

SERIOUSLY GOOD STUFF. Prepare to discover the latest and greatest products for your store.

4 -7 SEPTEMBER 2016 NEC BIRMINGHAM UK

VOLUME OPENS 3 SEPT

Get your free ticket today:

www.autumnfair.com Credits: Staghorn Plant - Abigail Ahern, Small Pendent Light - Lene Bjerre, Rabbit - Tutti & Co, L light - Smiling Faces, Bronze Pipe Light - Pipe Art, White Cloudy Sea Urchin Vase & Papyrus Meteorite Vase - Ian Snow, ModeYille Cream Linen SoIa - Libra, *iraÎ?e Cushion - Wraptious

BEDS AND BEDROOM Left and below left: Fluttua Below: Air

Something in the air Lago’s bed designs give the impression of levitating Everyone knows what a bed looks like and its position in a bedroom. Well, not with some of Lago’s designs which give the impression of floating in the air and (with some clever paintwork) of adding space to your room. Children’s rooms need to be a place where they can have a hideaway. The suspended Cloud bed creates a sense of intimacy and makes children feel sheltered. It is a nest suspended among the clouds, where children can go to read, play or relax in a soft, cosy dimension with the bed attached to the wall. The suspended LagoLinea Weightless bed explores the dimension of play, picking up on the idea of the tree house. Just think of all the adventures it will inspire, designed to stimulate the imagination and exploration, both fundamental to growth,

Interiors Monthly August 2016

but also a safe bed for children and adolescents, with fabric sides and a wall attachment system. Furnishing children’s rooms with a suspended bed also has the advantage of creating extra space for toys, storage, a desk or second bed. The suspension makes it possible to create space, increasing the usable surface area. Where the bed cannot be placed in the middle of the room Gizmo makes corners more welcoming. It can be accessorised with pullout storage containers, invaluable allies in small bedrooms, or a second bed. And the floating experience is not restricted to children. Fluttua appears to defy the forces of gravity supported by a single height-adjustable leg, while its essential design ‚‚‚

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BEDS AND BEDROOM Clockwise from top left: Gizmo; LagoLinea Weightless; Cloud; Talking Furniture

gives shape to the lightness of dreams and emotions. It is available in rectangular and round versions. The transparency and the pristine perfection of glass are contrasted with the physicality, warmth and imperfections of natural wood with the Air bed. The texture of the Wildwood finish exalts the natural grain of the wood and shows the signs of wear and the passage of time. Lago has also introduced interactivity to its furniture with Talking Furniture. Simply passing a smartphone over the NFC chip on products gives information about Lago products as well as special content, such as fairy tales and recipes, linked to the area of the home where it is used. Visit: www.lago.it

Interiors Monthly August 2016

www.bedshow.co.uk

Some people were just For over ten years Serene has been recognised for its huge range of quality bedsteads, daybeds, sofa beds and headboards - a diverse portfolio of designs in a wide variety of material combinations that include metal, fabric, hevea wood, faux leather and oak. There is something for every taste, budget and home, unparalleled choice backed by fast turnaround on orders and high quality customer service.

thought we about beds. What might be news to some is that it no longer stops at the bedroom. A touch of Serene can be sprinkled throughout the home with the arrival of inspired recliner, dining and occasional chair collections of design-led, affordable furniture. We are proud to now be building on our success of the past ten years by making inroads in to new areas of the home furnishing market. Contact us today for copies of all our brochures and start thinking of Serene as being more than just beds.

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BEDS AND BEDROOM

1 Comfy Quilts has a licensing arrangement with DuPont to produce an exclusive range of premium pillows, duvets, toppers, and mattress protectors. Comfy will use DuPont’s family of synthetic fibres – Contrano, Contrano+, Serica and Quadrelle – designed to replicate natural materials more closely than ever before. Visit: www.comfyquilts.co.uk 2 Silentnight is continuing its partnership with Lancashire County Cricket Club and also sponsored the Lancashire Lightning versus Birmingham Bears NatWest T20 Blast match. Fans were able to watch the game from the comfort of a VIP bed area, known as the ‘best

Interiors Monthly August 2016

seat in the house’, in a collaboration with Heart Radio. Visit: www.silentnight.co.uk 3 The Evelyn Ottoman is styled on the popular Evelyn bedstead, a bestseller from the successful Fabric Collection by Serene. It promotes clutter-free living in the bedroom and combines comfort, style and storage. It is available in three soft fabric tones (latte, steel and lavender) and five sizes: 90cm, 120cm, 135cm, 150cm and 180cm. Visit: www.serene.co.uk 4 Zalf’s Combi System wardrobe with hinged doors now has a new series of doors

of different sizes. These latest solutions can be used to create different patterns and attractive combinations. Visit: www.gruppoeuromobil.com 5 Mammoth, has been highly commended at the NHS Innovations North Bright Ideas in Health Awards. The awards celebrate the best innovations developed across the North East and North Cumbria. Judges include directors of some of the largest NHS trusts in the North of England. Mammoth took a highly commended accolade in the SME Innovation in Healthcare category for making its technologies accessible to the general public. Visit: www.mammothuk.com

Julian Bowen Manhattan: the white, high-gloss bedroom range

AWARDS

The winners of the Interiors Monthly Awards 2016 have been decided. The companies listed below were chosen for their excellence, whether retailers, manufacturers or suppliers in the interiors industry. Over the following pages you can read more about many of the category winners. Congratulations to you all. Best Furniture Retailer (1-2 stores): Arighi Bianchi Best Flooring Retailer (1-2 stores): Classic Interiors Best Furniture Retailer (3 plus stores) Furniture Village Best Flooring Retailer (3 plus stores): Tapi Best Online Retailer: DFS Best UK Furniture Manufacturer: Collins & Hayes Best UK Flooring Manufacturer: Ulster Carpets Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer: Wiemann Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer: Balta Broadloom Best Customer Service (Furniture): Julian Bowen Best Customer Service (Flooring): Furlong Flooring Best Business Support (Furniture): Vale Bridgecraft Best Business Support (Flooring): SMG Best Marketing Support (Furniture): Greenwood Retail Best Marketing Support (Flooring): Flooring One Best Furniture Buying Group: AIS Best Flooring Buying Group: Metro Group Best Furniture Wholesaler: Julian Bowen Best Flooring Wholesaler: Floorwise Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket): Harrison Beds

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-market): Sealy Best Bed Manufacturer (Value): Sweet Dreams Best Carpet Manufacturer: Cormar Carpets Best Bedroom Manufacturer: Corndell Best Rug Supplier: Flair Rugs Best Dining Room Manufacturer: Wood Bros Best Laminate Manufacturer: Balterio Best Living Room Manufacturer: Furniture Origins Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer: Kährs Best Children’s Furniture Manufacturer: Gautier Best Underlay Manufacturer: Ball & Young Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer: Ashley Manor Best Vinyl Manufacturer: IVC Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer: La-Z-Boy Best LVT Supplier: Moduleo Best Recliner Manufacturer: himolla Best Accessory Supplier: Gallery Direct Best Flooring Accessory Supplier: Interfloor Best Home Entertainment Supplier: UK-CF Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer: Sanderson Best New Supplier: Panacea

Best Product Protection Provider: Castelan Best Warranty Provider: Guardsman Best Software Supplier: Retailsystem.com Best Supply Chain/Logistics Company: Ceva Logistics Best Furniture Exhibition: IMM Cologne Best Flooring Exhibition: The Flooring Show Best New Exhibition: Wool Floor Show London Best Website (Furniture): Gallery Direct Best Website (Flooring): Karndean Designflooring Innovation of the Year (Furniture): 505, Molteni&C Innovation of the Year (Flooring): Invictus, Associated Weavers Product of the Year (Furniture): Gordon Deep Wood, Cattelan Italia Product of the Year (Flooring): Livyn Pulse, Quick-Step EDITOR’S CHOICE Furniture Brand 2016: Silentnight Flooring Brand 2016: Brintons Innovation in Flooring: Pure Click XXL, Berry Alloc Outstanding Performance (Furniture): Westbridge Furniture Designs Outstanding Performance (Flooring): Lifestyle Floors Sustainability (Furniture): John Cotton Sustainability (Flooring): Wools of New Zealand

AWARDS

Classic Interiors Best Flooring Retailer (1-2 stores) Furniture Village Best Furniture Retailer (3 plus stores) ‘Much of the industry know that we try to do things properly and to receive such a nice accolade and the support of the industry is extremely heartwarming and very much appreciated,’ says Peter Harrison, Furniture Village chief executive. The 43-store chain had a successful 2015-2016, with sales up by 12.4% to £265m (including VAT) in the year to end March and up 10% like for like. The target for 2016-2017 has been set at £300m. The current NBF Bed Retailer of the Year will open a further four branches on Boxing Day and two next Easter as it continues its national expansion. Visit: www.furniturevillage.co.uk

Tapi Best Flooring Retailer (3 plus stores) Since it opened in May 2015, Tapi has expanded quickly, bringing a freshness to multiple flooring retailing (and a response from the market leader). With an emphasis on service and bright and airy stores, the chain’s employees have bought into Martin Harris’s concept with 60% of them

Founded in 1993, Malvern retailer Classic Interiors is run by Graham and Melanie Duncan. The company is a member of the Carpet Foundation, Greendale and an associate member of BRM. Classic offers a full range of flooring and puts its success down to being a small family-run business with friendly and knowledgeable staff that attracts repeat customers, as some describe: ‘As soon as we entered your showroom, we felt wanted. There was a friendly atmosphere, and we were most

impressed by your professional and informative help. We will have no hesitation to recommend you to our friends and family.’ ‘Once again you have worked wonders, please pass on my thanks to your father and son fitting team, they were tremendous.’ ‘Thank you for your help and recommendations, without your help I would dread to think what I would have ended up with.’ Visit: www.malvernflooring.co.uk

Arighi Bianchi Best Furniture Retailer (1-2 stores) Arighi Bianchi has been a beacon for fine furniture in the North West of England since its landmark store, fashioned on London’s Crystal Palace, opened in 1892. Family owned since its inception, the company is still entirely owned by the Bianchi family, now in its fourth generation of family involvement. Its list of suppliers reads like a Who’s Who of the furniture (and flooring) industry. The local community is important to it, supporting local football and rugby teams, East Cheshire Hospice and Macclesfield Barnaby Festival among others. Visit: www.arighibianchi.co.uk owning shares. This along with high profile investors such as Lord Kirkham and the Djanogly family, helped it raise £12.5m to fund its growth. There are 48 stores, three more will open soon, with a target of 100 branches by the end of the year, of which 22 have been agreed Visit: www.tapi.co.uk

DFS Best Online Retailer The company’s www.dfs.co.uk website attracts more than 40% of UK upholstery web traffic and generated double-digit percentage growth in online sales in the past year. About 70% of its online sales are from customers who have not visited a store in the past three months, showing the importance of a strong online presence. The chain has invested in the website with a new product viewer that shows product images a fifth larger than before and an online order tracker. With almost 75% of shoppers beginning their search for upholstery online, DFS has also brought online technology in-store. Its Swoosh visualisation screens, in about half of its stores, allow shoppers to see an extended range of products that are not on display in-store. Visit: www.dfs.co.uk

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

AWARDS

SMG Best Business Support (Flooring)

SMG offers many benefits including marketing, financial services and business support

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘We are delighted to have received the Best Business Support (Flooring) Award from Interiors Monthly readers,’ says Ben Young, SMG director of marketing. ‘Receiving an award for the seventh consecutive year is an incredible accolade and the result of a good deal of hard work by the entire SMG team.’ With the group now representing some 385 retail outlets across the UK, SMG has developed a comprehensive business package that will reward any flooring retailer. ‘We have had an extremely positive 12 months with lots of new developments in the membership package. This has made our current members more profitable, but it has also enabled us to attract many retailers that haven’t been part of a buying group before,’ he explains. The strong business services package provides value and support for its members with offers on notable items such as credit card rates, energy pricing, retail finance, commercial vehicles and a free business support helpline. Last year marketing and advertising was added to its ever growing list of services with members benefiting from free advertising blocks and templates.

The group is renowned for its business support and so it is no surprise that it created the UK’s first dedicated commercial insurance policy for flooring specific retailers, with a guaranteed saving of 10% on existing premiums. SMG Insurance Solutions was launched in January and offers members a bespoke insurance package that includes professional indemnity, financial loss, and damage to property. It can even include cover for subcontractors not employed by the business. ‘Our business support elements have helped save significant amounts of money for group members and this addition is guaranteed to save them even more,’ he says. The main driver of the group is still in flooring and 2016 has been a great year for SMG members so far. ‘We have to keep pace with the market and continue to develop our offering, and this year we are delighted to have added Balta and Crown Floors to our approved supplier list. Group promotions continue to be of a high value and have generated some fantastic additional income for many of our members,’ adds Young. Visit: www.smg-group.co.uk

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AWARDS

Cormar Carpets Best Carpet Manufacturer

Below: Oaklands Right: Sensation Supreme Bottom: The online portal has been improved

Interiors Monthly August 2016

As it celebrates 60 years in business this year, one of the best-known names in British carpets – Cormar Carpets – has again been crowned Best Carpet Manufacturer. ‘It is amazing to receive this award for the fourth year running and our thanks go to the readers of Interiors Monthly who voted for us,’ says David Cormack, Cormar marketing director. ‘We are celebrating a very special year – 60 years in carpet manufacturing – a tremendous achievement by any stretch of the imagination. With all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, carpet retailers are looking for stability and reliability and that’s what you get from Cormar. ‘We manufacture in Britain, hold good stocks of all our ranges, we carry a variety of quality carpet styles to suit all consumer tastes and we deliver on time via our own vehicles,’ he explains. Cormar Carpets continues to be an innovator and over the past 12 months has experienced strong sales growth and has had a successful year with the launch of soft easy clean range Sensation Supreme while classic wool twist collection, Oaklands – a New Zealand wool branded range – was revamped with nine new colours. ‘When we launched Sensation in 2012 it created a

new style of carpet in its own right and subsequently there has been an influx of similar ranges to the market. ‘Over the past four years we’ve expanded the original collection to include a family of ranges, which have all been successful, including the latest member, Sensation Supreme,’ says Cormack. On top of this, the company has continued to invest in its B2B trade portal to make it easier for flooring retailers to use. New features have increased the efficiency and include making the portal mobile and tablet friendly, improved order tracking, and sample ordering, along with faster account activation, an easier checkout facility and safe credit card payment. Based at two sites – Holme Mill and Brookhouse Mill in Bury, Lancashire – Cormar continues to produce all its wool and polypropylene carpet ranges and has its own fleet of 60 distribution vehicles to ensure a top class delivery service to customers, as well as a team of 28 sales representatives throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. Visit: www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Cormar Thank You for making our Anniversary Year even more special Voted Best Carpet Manufacturer for the fourth year in succession Looking forward to seeing you on Stand A17 / A18

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www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

AWARDS

Ulster Carpets Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

Below: Ulster Grange Wilton in Woburn Bottom: Ulster Velvet in Tankard Right: Ulster Braeburn in Estuary

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘Everyone at Ulster Carpets is delighted to have been voted Best UK Flooring Manufacturer by Interiors Monthly readers. At Ulster, we always strive for excellence in every aspect of our business and it is wholly satisfying when our customers agree we are getting it right in terms of product quality and our renowned customer service,’ says Jeremy Wilson, Ulster Carpets residential sales director. Now boasting 78 years in business, Ulster is an expert in its field and has taken its pursuit of excellence to the nth degree by creating a vertically integrated company, controlling every part of the manufacturing process within the UK. ‘From our spinning mill in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, right through to design in Kidderminster and weaving in County Armagh, we ensure that only the best raw materials, craftsmanship and processes are used to ensure an exceptional end product,’ he says.

The past year has seen the expansion of some of its bestselling ranges including luxurious wiltons, Ulster Velvet, Grange, and York with the addition of contemporary colourways. ‘We have also launched the Plaids Collection – a comprehensive interpretation of the iconic design which has received rave reviews,’ he says. ‘But rest assured, we are forging ahead with exciting new products and projects in the coming months to further cement our place as a market leader. ‘We will be expanding the bespoke rug binding service in the UK market. This innovation allows consumers to inject the style and luxury of an Ulster carpet into their home in the form of a rug or a runner, made entirely to their specification. ‘This autumn will also see the launch of the Fusion range, targeted at the soft contract market,’ adds Wilson. Visit: www.ulstercarpets.com

AWARDS

Collins & Hayes Best UK Furniture Manufacturer

Below left: Stoop Below right: Shelby Bottom left: Dalston Bottom right: Brooke

The past 21 months has seen a state of change at Collins & Hayes since Matt O’Flynn became md. Its product range has been changed and its St Leonards, East Sussex factory units restructured and new design talent brought in. ‘We are increasing the number of retail displays every week. Our reach in the market is exponentially bigger than this time last year. We’ve been able to persuade retailers to look at and take the new designs,’ says O’Flynn. ‘We have to create designs that retailers want to buy at a price that they and we want.’ In the past year about 20 models have been introduced, a mixture of Collins & Hayes branded and white label designs as it uses its manufacturing capabilities to offer retailers exclusive ranges. For O’Flynn, exclusive means exclusive: if a retailer wants a design that is only going to be sold by one other rival, his solution is simple: create a different one for it. Three designs will be introduced at Autumn Long Point and another dozen are under development. O’Flynn says the company has the nucleus of a core range so product development doesn’t need to be so constant as it was when he joined. ‘But we’ll keep developing products, as having regular new models encourages retailers to visit the factory to see products and it helps

to get new customers,’ he explains. Production has also been reorganised, and although some 23,000sqft of factory space has been disposed of, production is at its most efficient. Last month Collins & Hayes was bought by Wessex Bristol, parent company of 12-store upholstery chain Wesley Barrell. O’Flynn says the acquisition will have no bearing on its relationship with stockists. ‘Collins & Hayes used to have a factory shop and four House of Fraser concessions: I closed those and didn’t sell direct anymore. Under Airsprung’s ownership [department store chain] Beales was a sister company so there is no difference. Wessex Bristol will bring marketing and branding development,’ he says. Collins & Hayes will also occupy part of Wesley Barrell’s Wigmore Street showroom, once again giving it a central London presence which O’Flynn says will help it attract sales from the interior design and export sectors. It is now also occupying all of the showroom space at Harrington Mills, Long Eaton, following the sale. O’Flynn’s hope for the coming year? ‘I want to continue to develop Collins & Hayes as a brand in the marketplace and a supplier of choice for retailers.’ Visit: collinsandhayes.co.uk

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

New fabulous designs launching at Long Point, AIS and Minerva.

For more information relating to our ranges and care instructions, refer to our web site:

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AWARDS

Wiemann Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer

Below: Loft Bottom left: Multiplus Bottom right: Sunset

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘It’s a real honour to have been selected again as Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer by readers of Interiors Monthly,’ says Simon Hewitt, md of German bedroom producer Wiemann’s sole UK and Ireland agent Litmus Furniture. ‘I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our customers who voted for us and have singled us out for such praise. ‘Inevitably, I’ve been reflecting on why this might be: what have we been doing right? My view is that it boils down to getting the basics right: good products, interesting designs, innovation, value for money – not just cheap – coupled with a good approach to support and aftersales service. Not just words and predictable platitudes, but real effort and progress on these key platforms for success in any business. ‘We have had a clear, new strategy for Wiemann in the UK over the past 12 months which has seen us shift more towards the middle to upmarket ground. It’s been our featurepacked VIP ranges that have enabled us to succeed with this effort and we’ve been able to maintain the interest through ongoing improvements to existing, tried and trusted ranges such as Loft, to which we have added new

finishes, a corner unit and extra height options as well as a strong pipeline of innovative additions, including the showstopping walk-in wardrobe concept, Multiplus; the practical integrated drawer-with-slider Malibu; or the new looks of Sunset in new Champagne and Nocce finishes. ‘We also recognise that, however good your products and pricing are, without good service, it’s all for nothing. We are constantly striving to improve, to maintain consistency even as we cope with increased demand for our products. We have a great team of experienced sales agents providing personal, hands-on service to our independent retailers. We seek out the best service providers to partner and we believe our nationwide direct delivery and installation service is robust and reliable; while our innovative online portal enables customers to keep track of an order right from the moment it’s placed all the way through to delivery. ‘So, just in case you think being four times a winner might make us somewhat complacent, rest assured this is not the case. We can – and will – get better and that’s our goal. Come and see for yourself this autumn. Arrange a visit to our new trade showrooms in Harlow, Essex or at Harrington Mills, Long Eaton – we’ll be open house there for the Autumn Long Point show from 12-14 September,’ adds Hewitt. Visit: www.wiemannuk.co.uk

Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer 2016

Four Times in a Row â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thank You!

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AWARDS

Balta Broadloom Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer Below: Geert Vanden Bossche, Balta Broadloom marketing director, and Stefanie Vanthuyne, Balta Broadloom marketing assistant, receive their award Bottom left: Sensit Heathers Bottom right: Satino Casanova

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Not only recognising the manufacturer’s diverse array of carpet ranges, the Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer award is testament to Balta Broadloom’s efforts to provide UK retailers with exceptional service. With the introduction of the supersoft Satino polyester collection late last year, Balta once again proved its ability to adapt to the changing face of carpet retailing, very much now focused on new generation fibres: a flexibility that is clearly appreciated by retailers across the UK. ‘In Satino, retailers have access to two carpets that can be a star feature in any store and a breadth of display options that cater for every need. In a supersoft range that delivers quality and great style while still being competitively priced, Satino typifies our flexibility and willingness to give the market what it wants and not what we think it needs,’ says Geert Vanden Bossche, Balta Broadloom marketing director. ‘It is perhaps this, combined with our retailer-focused approach, that has

helped to keep us as the UK’s favourite overseas flooring manufacturer for so many years.’ Balta Broadloom has not built a reputation purely on product development and innovation alone; the Belgian manufacturer is rightfully known for its service levels. Europe’s largest carpet manufacturer has a dedicated UK sales desk and a strong logistics network, combining to ensure fast processing and reliable delivery whether on cut-lengths or full roll orders. Supporting independent retailers and members of leading buying groups, Balta Broadloom has a reputation for quality, both in product and service. ‘It is this that ultimately keeps Balta Broadloom at the forefront of the retail carpet sector and servicing retailers at every corner the country. Balta Broadloom would like to thank all of its retailers for their continued and loyal support and assures that plans are already under way to ensure continued success throughout 2017,’ adds Vanden Bossche. Balta Broadloom, tel: 00 32 5662 2211

AWARDS

Julian Bowen Best Furniture Wholesaler Best Customer Service (Furniture)

Above: Amalfi Left: Soprano Below: Salerno Bottom right: Sorrento

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Interiors Monthly readers have voted Julian Bowen the Best Furniture Wholesaler for a fifth consecutive year and the industry’s number one for Customer Service for the second year in a row. ‘We are immensely proud to have again received such a strong vote of confidence from the industry. Our whole business is set up to deliver the very best experience for our customers and we are delighted that the hard work of our staff has been recognised in this way,’ says Emmett Lenaghan, Julian Bowen md. Julian Bowen continues to invest to ensure customers receive the highest quality furniture at the best possible prices. It employs its own quality control representatives in all countries in which it operates, enabling the business to work with its suppliers every day to ensure all new products are developed to the firm’s exacting standards, while performing constant quality control checks throughout the manufacturing process. The firm has continued to develop its logistics capability to ensure it meets the highest standards across the wide range of requirements of its diverse customer base. An extra 50% of warehouse capacity has been added over the past year to support an impressive growth phase, while there has been significant ongoing investment in both the commercial fleet and the Julian Bowen Gold Home Delivery Service, which offers a two-man delivery to room of choice using the firm’s own dedicated fleet and employees.

January 2016 saw the firm’s largest ever product launch, and the success of these new products is helping it continue to show impressive growth, with order intake a fifth higher for the year to date. However, the team at Julian Bowen is not prepared to sit still and has a strong product development pipeline across all of its key categories. ‘We are well placed to offer our customers some really fresh and innovative new products with Julian Bowen’s reliable combination of great quality and fantastic value over coming months,’ says Lenaghan. Its latest range of fabric beds are proving successful, with the mix of contemporary and classic designs appealing to a broad range of customers, lifted by elegant fabrics and clever storage. ‘The new Salerno range of solid oak beds has proved an instant hit in the marketplace, offering modish practicality, complemented by two-tone and white painted options. The Aspen rough sawn solid pine range of dining and occasional furniture has captured the current market trend perfectly with its combination of contemporary rustic style and warmth,’ he says. The business remains grounded in one key principle: ‘It’s all about the customers. Everything we do is driven by a desire to exceed their expectations, and we will keep on working hard to improve every aspect of the service that we provide,’ adds Lenaghan. Visit: www.julian-bowen.co.uk

Julian Bowen Limited

The Portland Bedroom Range Stone White Lacquered Finish with Oak Coloured Tops Bentinck House, Park Lane, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Notts NG17 9LE Tel: (01623) 727374 Fax: (01623) 754555 e-mail: sales@julian-bowen.co.uk www.julian-bowen.co.uk All Products are available for Direct Home Delivery

AWARDS

Furlong Flooring Best Customer Service (Flooring)

Above and below: Trident was 2015 Product of the Year Bottom right: Carefree Elegance Berber

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘We are absolutely delighted to have been voted Best Customer Service (Flooring). Our sincere thanks go to the readers of Interiors Monthly for making it three awards in a row,’ says Peter Sharpe, Furlong Flooring director. ‘We have made a number of key commitments within the business to ensure that our customers receive a level of service that surpasses our competitors.’ In recent years Furlong Flooring has been responsible for creating products such as Trident (Interiors Monthly Awards Product of the Year 2015), Elegance, Dolce Moda and Satisfaction. These products and many more all come from its UK-based Regency Carpets manufacturing facility. ‘Millions of pounds of investment in this plant, yarn and products is the first key element of our strategy. The level of care each product receives is unsurpassed and means that our carpet products are almost fault free: we have a 0.03% complaint factor. We have such confidence in our products that we provide the industry’s most comprehensive warranty on carpets to support sales. Our competitors stop short on food and drink but Carefree carpets will provide cover for everything except oil based paints,’ says Sharpe. Beyond carpets, Furlong Flooring is

committed to offering a diversity of products: vinyl, laminate and wood products under the Design Elements and Natural Solutions brands. The products are selected from manufacturers that can offer Furlong exclusivity in the market and the same quality it expects from its own products. It has further invested in distribution centres adding the 180,000sqft Stonehouse site in 2014 to support the distribution centres in Dartford and Preston. This investment has enabled the company to add a further 2million sqm of finished stock into the system. ‘Our commitment to stock means that our three UK distribution centres can fulfil orders with a 97% stock accuracy at the point retailers contact us. Our commitment to our own vehicles and our own drivers at the distribution centres means that 80% of the UK will receive those orders the next day and 98% of the UK within two days,’ says Sharpe. ‘As the flooring industry becomes dominated by large conglomerates offering the same products with different names, it will be refreshing for retailers to find a truly independent company that is driven to offer a different perspective: Furlong Flooring is that business.’ Visit: www.furlongflooring.co.uk

AWARDS AWARDS 2011

WINNER 2016 WINNER

Best Flooring Customer Service

Delivering Excellence in Customer Service A huge thanks to Interiors Monthly readers for voting Furlong Flooring the Best Flooring Customer Service for 2016. It shows we continue to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tick all the boxesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and be the supplier of choice for retailers.

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

Sales: Preston - 01772 696 787

Dartford - 01322 628 707

Gloucester - 0845 520 0800

AWARDS

AIS Best Furniture Buying Group

Top row from left: Premier Upholstery; Parker Knoll Boston Bottom row from left: Stag Cromwell; Fine Bedding Company; Myer’s Dreamworld Charlbury Baker Limoges

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Since Peter Mallinson, AIS merchandise director – home, joined the buying group six years ago it has developed a strategy of introducing more exclusive products. ‘This has gone hand in hand with working more closely with our suppliers so that we have a great partnership linking them through AIS to our members,’ says Mallinson. ‘This has also been evident in our staging of more exciting and relevant buying shows where new suppliers and ranges of products have been brought in to give members a competitive edge, helping them to differentiate their customer proposition and stand out in their catchment areas,’ he says. ‘Contrary to some misplaced opinions, we do not have compulsory buys but work hard to develop exclusive product that members want to put on the floor. Our suppliers want to work with us to find winners and we have some very successful examples of branded exclusives from the likes of Parker Knoll, G Plan, and Duresta. ‘We also have our own brands such as Stag and Dreamworld, with the latter in particular offering members a comprehensive range of beds across a broad range of price points that compete against many of the recognised proprietary names. We also have very good relationships with strong German brands like Rauch and Venjakob, from

whom we are able to get exclusive product that has been developed primarily for their German buying group market and gives our members uniqueness,’ explains Mallinson. Exclusive products is just one part of the overall offering to members. ‘The fact that we underwrite payments to suppliers through our central payments system CENPAC means that they have the confidence to trade through AIS and around 150 are on our supplier list including virtually all major brands in beds, cabinet and upholstery, plus others in accessories, lighting and finishing touches,’ he says. ‘The bigger we become as a group also adds to our overall buying strength which, coupled with the advantages of invoice processing through CENPAC, means we can leverage better settlement terms and rebates for members.’ Through AIS Trading the group imports full containers of product from suppliers such as Unique and Premier. This is then redistributed by AIS so that members benefit from container prices on single orders without having to make that high level of commitment. It also has a Freight Club through which its larger members can take advantage of group shipping rates from freight partner Hellmann Worldwide Logistics. This is open to any member to use irrespective of product and whether

AWARDS

they are an AIS listed supplier or not. The group has a partnership trading manager whose role is to actively seek to help both members and suppliers achieve a profitable and efficient working relationship. The department offers members a sounding board for advice on standards and regulations, ensures the supplier base is compliant with UK and EU laws, and also negotiates service level agreements with suppliers to ensure service and quality levels are achieved. AIS also maintains its Trade Islands online portal that provides an easy point of reference for supplier details, importable price files and a huge amount of product photography. ‘Peter and his team have done a great job on furniture categories and in his own related buying areas of soft furnishings and linens, but furniture members, whether specialists or department stores, can also source other complementary product categories through AIS such as homewares, gifts

such as candles and home fragrance and even toys. These categories add interest and diversity to a core furniture offer and members can benefit from the specialist expertise provided by the teams within AIS,’ says David Standing, AIS commercial director. ‘However, our support to members goes far beyond product. There are face to face networking opportunities at regional meetings or our annual conference, or even just the ability to pick up the phone and share problems with fellow members. Furthermore, our own teams throughout the business are always on hand and member focused. ‘Additionally, we provide central services to our members in many areas including marketing, mystery shopping and procurement, with the latter particularly important and valuable in saving money on non-retail product, equipment, commodities and utilities,’ he says. In addition to whatever beneficial terms the group negotiates, it gives

an annual rebate to members based on its overall performance. This has recently been £600,000 shared out pro-rata to each members’ turnover, and ’is the icing on the cake as regards the hard financial benefits of being a member,’ adds Standing. ‘We can be of value to small and large members across a wide spread of product and market positioning. We never tell members what to do but see the relationship as a partnership for mutual benefit. While the core buying group purpose is at the heart of what we do, it is only one part of what that relationship offers and everything that AIS does is aimed at improving member profitability and efficiency to be true to our ethos of “A partnership for profit”. ‘Without a doubt, the combined hard and soft benefits of membership far outweigh the subscription and being a member of AIS is excellent value for money,’ adds Mallinson. Visit: www.aistores.co.uk

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

AWARDS

Metro Group Best Flooring Buying Group

Members can benefit from bespoke POS

Interiors Monthly August 2016

For more than 40 years Metro has been a group of independent retailers from the smallest one-man operation to multipleoutlet businesses. Initially created to help small independents compete against the multiples, Metro soon developed into a strong player in the UK flooring trade. Retaining independence is important to members who can participate in group activities. This allows them to use all of the best benefits of group membership while remaining 100% in control of their own business. Members appreciate the ability to discuss the problems and issues they encounter on a day-to-day basis with other like-minded retailers. Two sets of area meetings are held every year where members can talk freely about issues that affect their business and gain support and advice from retailers who have nothing to lose and everything to gain by sharing information. Own labelling and branding has become a huge success for the group

with its own brand Carpet 1st. Since 1995 the group has developed the brand which encompasses some of the bestselling and performing products on sale today. The products are selected for their appeal, quality and value, then group-wide terms are negotiated to introduce and support manufacturers and products. Metro has become so much more than simply a ÂŁ50m buying group. Assisting members with marketing has been a key goal over the years. It has a dedicated marketing department that supports group-wide activity and also bespoke projects for Metro members on-site using its mobile marketing vehicle equipped with printers, POS and sign-making facilities. This marketing vehicle, along with its father and son team, Steve and Adam Moralee, travel throughout the UK to provide Metro members with bespoke marketing solutions to suit their own demands and needs. Visit: www.carpet1st.co.uk

Being part of the UK’s leading flooring buying group has many benefits that you will be able to measure in terms of extra profit..

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metrogroup Metro House, 21 Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4QR • tel (01204) 393 539 • www.carpet1st.co.uk

AWARDS

Greenwood Retail Best Marketing Support (Furniture)

Most of Greenwood’s clients are independent retailers

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘After 14 years and over 800 sales events, finally, it’s official: Greenwood Retail provides the Best Marketing Support to the UK and Irish retailers,’ says Bernard Eaton, Greenwood Retail md. ‘So many of our clients kindly said it to us, and we always believed it from the sales results, repeat bookings and the recommendations, but now it’s confirmed in votes from the retail community. Isn’t democracy a wonderful thing. It’s an honour to receive this award and I gladly accept it on behalf of all the team here at Greenwood. Thank you all so much.’ Greenwood has been at the forefront of professional retail sales promotion in the UK and Republic of Ireland since its foundation in 2002. Deploying its sales strategies along with its powerful copyrighted marketing materials, retailers can expect to generate from 25% to 50% of their normal annual sales turnover during a three-week

Greenwood promotional sale. Almost all of its clients are quality independent retailers of non-food goods. The Greenwood sale plans work especially well for retailers of furniture and furnishings, carpets and flooring, homewares, garden products and DIY, giftware, fashion and jewellery. Many of its clients are AIS and Minerva members. ‘The uncertainty of the EU referendum caused a significant downturn in big ticket and non-essential spending. However, now that the referendum has taken place, we are seeing our clients’ sales results coming in at the top end of sales projections for the vast majority. There’s actually a rebound effect taking place, and so now there’s never been a better time to hold a big sales event,’ says Eaton. ‘They say it’s never too early to book your Greenwood sale. Booking in advance guarantees exclusivity for the season before and during your Greenwood sale within your own market territory. Many of our clients have already booked their 2017 Greenwood sales and the first booking for 2018 has just been confirmed,’ he adds. Visit: www. greenwoodretail.com

FOR BEST RESULTS CHOOSE GREENWOOD

A SIMPLE MESSAGE TO ALL THE INTERIORS MONTHLY READERS, AND OUR WONDERFUL RETAILER CLIENTS, WHO VOTED FOR GREENWOOD…

THANK YOU! AND, A MESSAGE TO ALL THE OTHER GREAT AND GOOD RETAILERS OF THE UK AND IRELAND… …all we ask, is for the opportunity to explain to you, with no obligation, why you too can trust Greenwood – Your Market Leading Experts in Retail Sales Promotion - to help you plan and optimise your next big sales event. Call Bernard Eaton today on 01565 650101 to find out more. We can usually outline costs and sales projections after a brief discussion, even over the phone.

GREENWOOD RETAIL LTD Britain’s Leading Experts in Retail Sales Promotion sales@greenwoodretail.com

www.greenwoodretail.com

AWARDS

Flooring One Best Marketing Support (Flooring)

Above: The rug collection is supported by product and lifestyle photography Bottom left: Flooring One members receive a comprehensive marketing manual Bottom right: POS is available

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘We are delighted to have been voted the Best Marketing Support (Flooring) by readers of Interiors Monthly,’ says Glenn Harding, Flooring One Controller. ‘Receiving this award is a tremendous honour and the result of a great deal of hard work and dedication by the entire Flooring One team. Flooring One now represents 135 members from 200 outlets providing a comprehensive membership package that will help and assist any retailer. Our relationship with our members and suppliers is paramount to our business.’ Flooring One is the specialist carpet and floorcoverings division of Associated Independent Stores (AIS), which is the largest independent non-food buying group of its kind in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The group overall has almost 350 members with about 1,300 stores and a combined retail turnover of more than £2bn. It supports independent retailers ranging from single high street shops to flagship department stores and specialist retailers across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Included within the group are specialist divisions such as Intersport and Play-room. Marketing support covers a large range of different items including a

comprehensive marketing manual with roomset images, lifestyle photography and advertising templates. A rug manual features bestsellers and current on-trend designs, again with beautiful photography. All images for both manuals are available on a DVD to help support retailers with their marketing requirements. ‘We are supported by a dedicated, proactive member marketing department providing various services to members. The department regularly produces material such as seasonal and event POS themes and promotional customer facing leaflets or brochures. Many of these items can be customised to meet an individual member’s specific needs. Within the team there are also website and online specialists who can advise members in these areas and help with digital marketing support,’ adds Harding. Flooring One also holds an annual flooring show in May alongside the Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show at Cranmore Park, Solihull, where more than 60 of the leading brands converge showcasing the latest in carpets, rugs, laminates, woods, vinyl, LVTs, underlays and accessories. Visit: www.flooringone.co.uk

great reasons to join Flooring One... the leading flooring buying group

11 12 13 14 15

Proud winner of the Best Marketing Support â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Flooring 2016 Our sincere thanks to Interiors Monthly and all its readers for their votes and support.

You remain independent and gain multiple benefits

16 17 18 19 10

Improve member profitability through better buying terms, exclusive ranges, promotional prices and rebates Flooring One rebranding gives members differentiation in the marketplace and higher margin opportunities One of the best flooring shows held at our own first class exhibition venue in Solihull Support and advice from the Flooring One team and regular visits from one of the Flooring One merchandisers Comprehensive buyers guide pages and range plans, all available via Flooring One Membersnet, the communication hub for all members Free on line training available via Membersnet Bespoke ticketing to help improve in store POS Cenpac central payment system, an efficient way for members to process transactions with suppliers, advantageous for members and suppliers Procurement division saves members ÂŁ â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;000s on nonretail goods and services from insurance to delivery vehicles and utility contracts

For more information please contact: Glenn Harding Flooring One Controller Flooring One t: 0121 683 1427 f: 0121 713 4451 e: Glenn.Harding@flooringone.co.uk

AWARDS

Furniture Origins Best Living Room Manufacturer

Below: Six styles of chairs are available Porto (right) and Oslo (bottom left) have been expanded

Interiors Monthly August 2016

A key element of Furniture Originsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success is its wide selection of products and willingness to listen to what its customers want. The recent Manchester Furniture Show provided more evidence of both of these aspects. It introduced a chair collection of six models including fabric, velour and PU, and a bench with the idea of widening the looks retailers can offer their customers. Porto, the painted version of Lisbon, was expanded with a round table and a bedroom collection introduced. Oslo saw the addition of a bar table, larger extending dining table and fixed dining table.

Stamford was relaunched in a darker finish while Arlington has retro styling. Furniture Originsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; direct container programme or wholesale purchases through Classic Furniture are supported by the Furniture Origins area managers: Mike Brown: Scotland, Cumbria, North East, and Yorkshire, tel: 07831 572 601; Alan Endersbee: North West, North Wales, Midlands, East Anglia, South East and Ireland, tel: 07809 196 019; Andrew Cavaciuti: South West, Avon, Wiltshire and South/Mid Wales, tel: 07500 830 888; Barry Webb, business development director, tel: 07702 603 971, email: barry.webb@furnitureorigins.co.uk. Furniture Origins, tel: 07702 603 971

and Still the Best

The Colorado Dining and Bedroom collections. For enquiries, please contact barry.webb@furnitureorigins.co.uk or call: 07702 603971

AWARDS

Harrison Beds Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket)

Bottom: Harrison Bed Tailor Below: In-store POS

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘As one of the UK’s most renowned and revolutionary bed makers, we’re over the moon to have won this award. The fact the award is voted for by industry professionals means it’s extra special to win, as the voters recognised that our dedication to providing a luxury sleeping experience has been a big hit with retailers and consumers alike,’ says Steve Brougham, Harrison Beds sales director. ‘Known as the original sleep tailors, we offer retailers a truly unique bed collection, with our Bed Tailor Natural, Luxury, Pillowtop and Turn Free ranges featuring mattress variants that can be custom-made to any consumer specification. All mattresses include our patented, world-leading Revolution spring technology in order to reach spring counts of more than 29,000, which is something our competitors cannot offer. The springs create a pressure-relieving surface, reducing the amount of aches or pains which may occur while asleep.’ The Revolution springs are complemented with layers of luxurious natural fillings, including hemp, flax and cotton for their temperature regulating properties that help consumers stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The high-density springs in the Pillowtop and Turn Free mattresses prevent the settlement of the natural fillings, providing a non-turn option. ‘By constantly innovating our collections, this year we’ve been able to

extend the bed range we offer retailers thanks to our updated Pillowtop collection. These mattresses boast an additional top layer that consumers sleep in rather than on. We’re the market leader when it comes to the number of springs integrated in each of our mattress toppers, which allows us to provide consumers with an extra level of support,’ says Brougham. ‘As well as our collections, we’ve also developed a bespoke POS display that can assist retailers in enhancing their instore experience. Proven to increase sales by aiding sales staff and encouraging customers to purchase higher up the range, we believe the Harrison Bed Tailor collections are must-haves for retailers. ‘We’re exhibiting at the NBF’s Bed Show in Telford in September, where we’ll be unveiling our new Turn Free collection. The collection offers the luxurious comfort expected from our beds with additional ease of use, by allowing the consumer to simply rotate the mattress instead of turning it. This is thanks to our spring system providing support both close to the sleeping surface and deeper at the mattress core. ‘We’re expecting these products to be popular with retailers looking to offer their customers the ultimate in sleeping experiences. I would urge any retailers interested in learning more about the Harrison collections to come along and visit us,’ he adds. Visit: www.harrisonbeds.co.uk

PROUD WINNERS OF THE BEST UPMARKET BED

Enhance your in-store experience with our bespoke Harrison point of sale display. Already proven to increase sales by aiding your sales staff and encouraging customers to purchase higher up the range, Harrison Bed Tailor is the collection you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do without. For excellent profit margins, high quality hand crafted products www.harrisonbeds.co.uk

and top customer service visit us at The Bed Show on stand C10.

AWARDS

Sealy Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-market)

Zoe Gillings-Brier now sleeps for up to 11 hours a night

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Sealy understands that sleep is vital for health and wellbeing – it restores the brain and activates the body’s healing process, rehydrating spinal discs. That’s why sleep plays such an important role in sports training and recovery. To raise awareness of the intrinsic link between sport and sleep, the bed brand is working with a host of sporting professionals as part of its World of Sport campaign. Olympic snowboarder, Zoe Gillings-Brier, is one of these ambassadors. Facing the biggest year of both her personal and professional life to date, Gillings-Brier has recently announced she is expecting her first baby – something that has impacted significantly on both her training and sleep regimes. A professional snowboarding champion with an impressive career spanning 10 years, Gillings-Brier has competed in events around the world. Her intensive training programme means she usually requires around 9.5 hours sleep a night, but her pregnancy has meant she’s sleeping even more. ‘Sleep isn’t the only part of my routine which has changed, my training regime is now very different. As soon as I found out I was pregnant I came off the snow and started land training,’ she explains. This consists of steady state and interval bike riding or swimming, a

mixture of dumb-bell and body weight strength, balance exercises and joint stability exercises. ‘As I progress through the pregnancy, my dry land programme will change, and I will take out the more taxing sessions and replace them with gentle programmes. Due to a swimming pool being weightless I should be able to swim and do water-based exercise all the way through my pregnancy, right up until the day before my little one arrives if I want to. This explains why I am currently having 11 hours sleep a night, training and growing a baby is tiring work,’ she says. If everything goes well, Gillings-Brier hopes to get back into fitness training in mid-September and hopefully back on the snow in October, and she could start competitions in December. ‘I’m also really excited to be attending the GB SX and SBX National trials across the country from now until September, where I will be assessing anyone from Britain who wants to try out for the British Snowboard Cross or Ski Cross squads. There are specific skills which the applicants need to show they can complete to be chosen for the squad – hopefully I will uncover some promising talent,’ adds Gillings-Brier. Visit: www.sealy.co.uk/deeper-sleep/sealyworld-of-sport

THE WORLD’S No.1 BED BRAND See our new ranges (including the brand new Hybrid) plus a special appearance by a spor ng star at Telford, Stand No. A40.

www.sealy.co.uk

AWARDS

Best Rug Supplier Flair Rugs

Below: Decks in Geo Blue Bottom left: Illusion in Prism Green Bottom right: Moorish in Morocco Charcoal

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Flair Rugs is delighted to have been awarded Best Rug Supplier by the readers of Interiors Monthly. This award means more than most to the company, as it has been given by the very people that matter, Flair Rugs’ customers throughout the UK. Focused on the continual improvement of business operations to the benefit of customers, Flair Rugs is determined to provide the best experience through the provision of a wide range, exceptional quality, and benchmark service. Throughout its operations and with committed vision, Flair Rugs works towards one end, benefitting its customer base. ‘We are humbled by this award,’ says Gareth Davies, Flair Rugs sales and marketing director. ‘Best Rug Supplier is testament to our desire to make sure that our customers are looked after in the very best possible fashion. Whether that is through a wide choice across pricepoints and styles, or through a high level

of service, the goal is always the same in that our customers consider us of benefit to their business and a continued part of their success.’ Options include the budget friendly with the Machine Made and Polyester and Acrylic collections, through to handtufted qualities in wool and cotton made by some of the world’s most skilled artisans. Sizes also cover all bases, from giant area rugs through to ranges for children’s bedrooms and a broad collection of hallway runners. The majority of these rugs are designed in the UK by a team working to keep up to date with interior trends, ensuring a portfolio that is not only wide, but also unique with styles made to meet consumer demand. ‘Service is equally as important, with Flair Rugs helping retailers to deliver on customer orders in timely fashion, from the very next day. With direct despatch and online account management, customers can also enjoy the confidence that comes with one of the UK’s largest rug suppliers. A two-year warranty on selected lines, various display options and a range of profit-adding accessories round out a comprehensive retailer support package that leaves little doubt Flair Rugs is the UK’s best rug supplier,’ adds Davies. Visit: www.flairrugs.com

Thank you for making us your favourite rug supplier in 2016

Flair Rugs

01457 850660 I sales@flairrugs.com I www.flairrugs.com

AWARDS

Corndell Best Bedroom Manufacturer Below: Annecy bedstead Bottom left: Annecy chest of drawers in Cotton against a Fawn backdrop Bottom right: New triple wardrobe and 5ft bed in Cotton

Interiors Monthly August 2016

The whole Corndell team in Witney, Oxford, is thrilled and proud to have been recognised as Best Bedroom Manufacturer by the readers of Interiors Monthly. Its flagship painted Annecy collection is a fine example of what can be achieved with great teamwork, creativity and commercial acumen which has driven on-trend product development. Annecy was debuted in 2010, providing a stylish, luxurious look that highlights the crisp detailing of the cabinets. From its manufacturing plant in the Cotswolds, Corndell manages the handpainted finish production, providing a wide range of colours supplied to order. This locally managed process allows retailers to offer their customers choice across a range of colour and product options. In 2015 there was a major relaunch for the collection. New lifestyle imagery, brochures and POS highlighted a range

of product and colour introductions designed to appeal to those wanting furniture influenced by the popular grey trend. The new palette included the current White, Buttermilk and Cotton; then introduced Pale Taupe; a blue grey called Haze; a traditional soft, green grey, Ledum; and a deeper, warm grey, Fawn. The range also now offers a triple wardrobe, blanket box, cheval mirror and a bed with bold, slatted head and footboard with cornice and pilastereffect detailing. Further introductions have included satin oak tops and detailing and, featured at the recent Manchester Furniture Show, a dressing table set. This year has seen the introduction of Annecy Living and Dining which follows the Gustavian feel and adds a touch of modernity with a limed oak top. This popular addition has led to requests for the limed oak to follow through into the bedroom and this range extension is ready for delivery later this year. Annecy Living and Dining has enjoyed great success since its launch with standout glazed and open dressers that show off the oak details perfectly and the hand-painted seven colour palette works as well on the dining pieces as it does in the bedroom. Visit: www.corndell.com

from here... ...to here Hand painted in the Cotswolds

Annecy now available with limed oak top

+44 (0)1993 776545 enquiries@corndell.com www.corndell.com

Traditions for life With the collections Tradition Elegant, Tradition Quattro, Tradition Sculpture and Tradition Sapphire, Balterio sets the standard in 9 mm high quality laminate flooring.

DISCOVER THE 328 BARN OAK AND 001 WILD MESQUITE IN TRADITION SCULPTURE AND FEEL THE WARMTH OF AN INTERIOR TOUCHED BY NATURE. THE . - GIVES THIS LAMINATE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF USED WOODEN FLOORS MARKED WITH SAW CUTS.

Best Laminate Manufacturer

WAKKENSTEENWEG 37B

Warm and crafted decors reflect a traditional look

7. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Tradition Elegant, 706 Barley Oak Tradition Sapphire, 090 Yukon Teak Tradition Sculpture, 134 Sutton Hickory Tradition Sculpture, 001 Wild Mesquite Tradition Sapphire, 089 Malt Teck Tradition Sculpture, 328 Barn Oak Tradition Quattro, 925 Cévennes Oak

B-8710 SINT-BAAFS-VIJVE - BELGIË - T. +32 56 62 80 81 - INFO@BALTERIO.COM - WWW.BALTERIO.COM

AWARDS

Wood Bros Best Dining Room Manufacturer

Right: Frame Bottom right: Old Charm Aldeburgh Below: Hint

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘We are delighted that our dining furniture has been recognised by the readers of Interiors Monthly and to receive this accolade,’ says Malcolm Nix, Wood Bros sales and marketing director. ‘Dining spaces continue to be a popular place for hosting dinner parties and family gatherings. At Wood Bros we have a broad selection of dining styles that come in a range of sizes and functionality. While we are best known for our Tudor-inspired Old Charm collection, we have recently been creating dining furniture across a broader range of styles. Hint and Frame were launched earlier in the year which showed our expansion into more contemporary styles.’

Hint is a living and dining collection inspired by 1950s Scandinavian design and is made in natural beech with painted options. Frame is a fresh take on traditional country living and provides a more casual kitchen-dining experience with its kitchen island signature piece. ‘Wood Bros has been designing and making wood furniture for over 90 years. As a family company, we continue to build on our English heritage by producing a wide range of quality cabinet and upholstery collections. Our designs range from traditional to contemporary, offering flexible living solutions for a range of house styles,’ adds Nix. Visit: www.woodbros.co.uk

INTRODUCING OUR NEW UPHOLSTERY COLLECTION WITH FABRICS WOVEN IN YORKSHIRE BY

WOODBROS.CO.UK | 01920 469 241 | ENQUIRIES@WOODBROS.UK

AWARDS

Interfloor Best Flooring Accessory Supplier

From left: Gripperrods Tackfast; Gripperrods Professional; Duralay Durafit

Interiors Monthly August 2016

With more than 800 flooring accessory products in its market leading portfolio, Interfloor is a one-stop-shop stocking everything needed for the installation of floorcoverings, including top-selling brands Gripperrods and Stikatak. ‘We’re proud of our reputation as a British flooring manufacturer and our team is committed to making sure our customers are receiving the very best service and products on the market. Winning the Best Flooring Accessory Supplier for the third consecutive year is an absolute honour and we’d like to thank everyone who took the time to vote as their support means a lot to us all,’ says John Cooper, Interfloor ceo. ‘We constantly strive to provide better looking and better performing flooring products that genuinely help our customers to profitably grow their business. This award, voted for by our customers, is a clear indication the improvements we’ve made to our portfolio, ranging from technical advances to updated branded packaging, have helped us keep our place at the top of the supplier league table.

‘This year the Gripperrods carpet gripper range has been improved to give a highly competitively priced Britishmade quality product that stands out from the competition,’ he says The range has improved branded packaging and POS and comprises four products: Gripperrods Standard, a competitively priced entry level gripper; Gripperrods Tackfast, the bestselling gripper; Gripperrods Professional, a top of the range gripper, which is best in class; and Gripperrods Contract, a wider gripper for more specialist commercial applications. ‘By bringing manufacturing of our entire Gripperrods range back to the UK we can guarantee quality and service. This, coupled with the enhanced specification of the premium products, makes us confident that the new Gripperrods range provides clear benefits for both retailers and installers looking for quality products at an affordable price and which offer unbeatable performance,’ adds Cooper. Interfloor has also introduced a range of adhesives as part of improvements to the market-leading double-stick system, Duralay Durafit, trusted for heavy wear areas such as hotel receptions and corridors, airports and offices. The range includes: DS950 Tackifier; DS900 Double stick Carpet Adhesive; DS400 Very Low Emission Carpet Adhesive; and DS300 Fast Grab Multi-purpose. Visit: www.interfloor.com

carpet gripper The number one just got even better!

DE IN TH E

UK Gripperrods® Standard A competitively priced entry level gripper

Gripperrods® Tackfast Our best-selling gripper

Gripperrods® Professional a top of the range gripper which is best in class

Gripperrods® Contract a wider gripper for more specialist commercial applications

For more information about our product range call 01706 238810 or visit www.interfloor.com

AWARDS

Gallery Direct Best Accessory Supplier

Bottom left: Selection of mirrors Bottom right: Hand-embellished linen blend cushions Below: Faux plants

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Gallery Direct’s extensive accessories catalogue includes a signature range of diverse, individually designed mirrors, an inspiring range of soft furnishings and an eclectic collection of homewares, all designed to add personality and the perfect finishing touch to any interior. ‘We would like to thank all the readers of Interiors Monthly who voted us Best Accessory Supplier: we are delighted to have won this award again, it is testament to the continual hard work of the design team,’ says Peter Delaney, Gallery Direct md. Making sure that it stays ahead of trends is key to the company’s success: it continually introduces new ranges and 2016 has been no exception. The January Furniture Show saw the launch of three furniture collections: Wycombe, Kielder and Marlow, along with mirrors, soft furnishings and other home accessories, all made to the highest quality. At the recent Manchester Furniture Show, a selection of mirrors and soft furnishings

from its AW16 collection were previewed. These included feature and accent mirrors with hand-crafted mosaic and crackle glass frames, along with some featuring antique brass, bronze and metallic finishes for a sophisticated industrial look. New soft furnishings included flannel throws in autumnal colours and festive cushions, featuring hand-embellished linen blend and premium metallic foil printed cushions, alongside fleece throws and bold typographic cushions. ‘With the ever changing and fast paced market that we work in, we have to stay ahead of the competition to keep providing our customers with quality, design led pieces that sell,’ he says. ‘We will continue to push the boundaries of design and offer unsurpassed quality and value with the aim to continually be recognised as the complete home furnishing supplier. Introducing new products is essential so we will be launching more accessories at the Autumn Fair, with further designs already in the pipeline ready for the start of 2017,’ adds Delaney Visit: www.gallerydirect.co.uk

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01795 439159 www.gallerydirect.co.uk

The complete home furnishings solution

2016

The thoroughbred The Brand Leader

Proudly made in the UK

www.u w

2005 www.underlay.comt: 01536 t: 01536 2

ank you to all readers for voting Ball & Young the winner of the ‘Best Underlay Manufacturer’ category

wunderlay.com

502 200502

The thoroughbred The Brand Leader

t: 01536 200502

Proudly made in the UK

www.underlay.com

t: 01536 200502

AWARDS

Kährs Best Solid/ Engineered Wood Manufacturer

From left: Chevron Grey; Chevron White; Nebbia Maple

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Kährs wood flooring range offers a wealth of design opportunities, in colour tones and formats to suit all specifications and interior styles. From loft apartment to public space, the range includes 25 individual collections, with many featuring on-trend coloured finishes and tactile surface treatments. Floors throughout the collections feature Kährs’ multi-layered construction, based on the original parquet design invented and patented by the Swedish company in 1941. As well as providing greater stability – and facilitating installation over underfloor heating – the construction also uses resources in the most nature-friendly way. New collections for 2016 include Kährs Chevron and Domani ranges. Offering two very different looks, Chevron includes four on-trend patterned wood floors, which create a traditional parquet-look with speed and ease. Domani includes seven new one-strip floors, with a discreet contemporary rustic grain and a hard wax oil finish. All of the new floors are offered in a

spectrum of natural colour tones, including chic white and grey tones, naturals and rich dark browns. The latest collections will be on show at Kährs’ Wood Flooring Design Studio in Clerkenwell, which opens in Albemarle Way, London, this month. Tucked away, just off Clerkenwell Road – and with its own terrace overlooking The Priory Church of the Order of St John – the studio will allow Kährs to interact with the thriving design community. ‘We’re absolutely delighted to receive the Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer Award for the eighth year running. Our thanks go to the readers of Interiors Monthly for their votes, and to the wider market for supporting the Kahrs brand,’ says Harvey Booth, Kährs UK and Ireland country manager. ‘During 2016, we’re looking forward to working with the two new collections and with other new designs joining the range. And, to welcoming visitors to our new Wood Flooring Design Studio, which will put us on the map in London’s premier design quarter.’ Visit: www.kahrs.com

AWARDS

himolla Best Recliner Manufacturer

Left: Sandra Gabler Below left: Europe Below right: America Bottom left: Artica Bottom right: Africa

‘For the second time in as many years we have come first. The readers of Interiors Monthly have voted us Best Recliner Manufacturer. We’d like to say thank you for this prestigious award – it’s proof that our designers and craftsmen continually work to create ever more sophisticated products,’ says Sandra Gabler, himolla UK & Ireland country manager. She says ‘Quality made in Bavaria’ has guided the company’s drive towards recliner perfection for almost 70 years. ‘Innovative thinking, the most advanced technology available, and sophisticated design, materials and manufacturing techniques, underpin everything we do. But the real measure of success is our year-on-year growth in sales, and the positive feedback we

receive from customers. It is very gratifying to receive testimonials from people who have been sitting comfortably with himolla for years. ‘Of course, we’re not resting on our laurels. This autumn we’re launching a range of world class recliners, aptly named Africa, America, Artica and Europe. They will each have their own style and character, plus many winning features in common. ‘German engineering, a wide range of the highest quality leathers and materials, a choice of bases and frame colours, 360degree rotation, optional power packs and integral electric footrests operated via seat side sensors,’ adds Gabler. Email: sandra.gabler@himolla.com

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

A giant thanks to all who voted himolla best recliner manufacturer for the second year running. Yet again our exciting new recliner range should reassure you we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be resting on our laurels.

For further stockist information please contact info@himolla.com

Pole position. A warm thank you to everyone who voted.

AWARDS

IVC Best Vinyl Manufacturer

Below: Venturi Bottom left: Minos Bottom right: Sorbonne

Interiors Monthly August 2016

From large multiples to the independent on the high street, Leoline and Avenue floors can be found in towns all across the UK. For this, IVC Group would like to say thank you to all its retailers for the continued support and for making Leoline and Avenue their favourite vinyl brands. The group is constantly looking for new ways to innovate and the future holds exciting developments on the horizon, helping to shape cushion vinyl flooring as a floor perfect for modern life. Not only bringing practical benefits, cushion flooring from IVC Group is at the forefront of interior style too. Focusing on helping retailers to reach out to consumers, both Leoline and Avenue are promoted through the consumer press and provide retailer search facilities on their websites. Easy to use, avenuefloors.co.uk and leoline.co.uk contain inspirational lifestyle images, as well as style advice and technical details on all floors. Consumers can also make use of a free and easy sample service, ordering up to three samples direct from IVC. Leoline’s website has been revamped this year and Avenue’s is soon to be updated, bringing the same great functionality and content. Whether a classic take in oak for the bathroom or a glimmering mineral

flowing through open-plan living space, the sheer depth of styles in the 2016 line-up underlines just how much IVC Group invests in making sure that Avenue and Leoline are packed full of choice. This year’s introductions have included the Mercury XT collection and new designs in Stonemark for Leoline and the stunning Ultimate Style collection from Avenue. Great design is nothing without substance and so each floor, whether Leoline’s budget-friendly Family Collection or Avenue’s impressive Touch of Class family, is packed with benefits. Superguard – reducing the chance of scuffs and marks – Natural Look & Feel, Thermoback, Compactback, and added slip-resistance all contribute to making Leoline and Avenue floors among the most feature-packed on the market. Great design and performance mean little without store displays and marketing that stand out in-store. It works with a team of merchandisers around the UK to make sure purposebuilt displays are kept current and brimming with the latest vinyl flooring products. Delivering feature benefits and showing off each design in all its glory, these displays are backed by an army of materials, from brochures and informative leaflets to websites. Visit: www.ivcgroup.com

Thank you for making our floors your number one two great brands

one powerful manufacturer

leoline.co.uk I avenuefloors.co.uk

AWARDS

Sanderson Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer

Above: Woodland Toile Right: Chestnut Tree Below: Wisteria and Butterfly

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Sanderson would like to thank all who voted for it as the Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Supplier of 2016 and looks forward to presenting the upcoming AW16 Waterperry collection soon. Established in 1860, Sanderson is one of the most recognised interiors brands worldwide. As one of the oldest surviving companies in its field, the Sanderson story spans many years of changing tastes and it has explored a diversity of design styles over its 156 years. Its coordinating fabric and wallpaper collections are often inspired by documents from the extensive Sanderson archive – which is one of the largest in the country and features a wealth of intricate, traditional and innovative designs dating as far back as the Renaissance. Combining this resource with its own highly skilled designers enables

Sanderson to create elegant ranges for both classic and contemporary interiors. To complement its core range of products, Sanderson also offers a wide range of home accessories including cushions, bedlinen, rugs and tableware. The SS16 Woodland Walk collection embodies the joys that are associated with one of the nation’s favourite activities. A simple activity, walking can be enjoyed by many generations, and with family, friends or even alone. Inspired by British woodlands and wildlife, the collection comprises eight prints, and four embroideries that are an execution of exquisitely painted artwork featuring natural imagery. This is a fresh and invigorating new take on the theme, with a palette of ‘potting shed’ colours creating the perfect setting. Visit: www.sanderson-uk.com

sanderson-uk.com

AWARDS

Moduleo Best LVT Supplier

Premier House’s apartments feature Moduleo’s Transform collection

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Luxury vinyl flooring from Moduleo was selected for its stylish finish, thickness and compatibility with underfloor heating, by Jigsaw Interior Architecture for a recent project at Premier House, in London. Premier House is a landmark development, featuring 120 luxury apartments, making style, durability and good quality flooring key. The designers opted for Scarlet Oak from the manufacturer’s Transform collection. Nathalie Serdons, Jigsaw Interior Architecture senior interior architectural designer, who worked on the project on behalf of Reichmann Properties, explains the client’s brief. ‘The thickness of the flooring was a key consideration for us alongside design and, as it was for a residential project, compatibility with underfloor heating was important. Moduleo’s catalogue of products offered us the perfect costeffective solution, in addition to a

portfolio of colours to choose from.’ Moduleo’s Transform collection features a collection of wood-effect and stone-effect products, ideal for both residential and commercial use. David Bigland, Moduleo UK and Eire md, says: ‘The finish of the apartments at the Premier House development is outstanding. Our flooring perfectly complements the modern decor, and we’re confident that the added benefits that come with luxury vinyl tiles will impress the future residents of the apartment block for years to come.’ LVT flooring from Moduleo is durable, scuff and stain-resistant and moistureproof. All Moduleo products also insulate heat and sound, and contain up to 50% recycled material. ‘We’re incredibly impressed with the overall finish of the project and would absolutely use Moduleo again for any similar projects,’ adds Serdons. Visit: www.moduleo.co.uk

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AWARDS

Ashley Manor Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer

Right: Bentley Bottom right: Cube Below: Riviera

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘A huge thank you to everyone who voted for Ashley Manor again this year. We are incredibly proud to receive the award and promise to continue to discover interesting, tactile and luxurious fabrics for our beautifully designed British sofas,’ says Steve Morgan, Ashley Manor sales director. Ashley Manor is a thriving British company that has been making beautiful sofas for more than 20 years. Based in the West Midlands, the heart of England, every piece of furniture is handcrafted, combining traditional time-honoured techniques with modern technology to ensure the highest quality result, delivered in the most efficient way. Upholstery experts specialise in sourcing unique and exclusive fabric collections from around the globe. Innovative Italian fabrics and home

grown British wools and linens form the backbone of its collections. ‘Ashley Manor makes every house a well dressed home; our trademark is quality, be it an elegant knole arm sofa or a contemporary minimalistic collection, every item is exquisitely designed and hand-finished to perfection,’ says David Lee, Ashley Manor md. ‘There is always something new in development at Ashley Manor and we are constantly inspired to create collections that combine modernity and fresh thinking with classic and timeless qualities,’ says Mark Smith, Ashley Manor design director. The company has revamped its website, highlighting its latest designs with videos showing how its collections go from sketch book to sofa and how it creates its fabric mixes. Visit: www.ashleymanor.co.uk

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AWARDS

Guardsman Best Warranty Provider

Phil Griffin (below) says its team of specialist independent technicians deliver a high first visit fix rate

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘We’re extremely proud to be recognised as the Best Warranty Provider for our furniture protection plans and I’d like to personally thank all our partners who voted for us,’ says Phil Griffin, Guardsman md. ‘Even though we’ve been around for 100 years we know how important it is to keep innovating with new products, processes and selling materials to support our customers and provide consumers with a great value proposition and an excellent service experience. ‘This award adds to an exciting year for our business which has already seen the launch of several online initiatives to both assist retailers with their staff training and facilitate their plan registrations. With the ever changing regulatory environment, compliance is key and we are building on the great work of our dedicated team of account managers to provide a comprehensive but commercial approach. In this way we can be fair and transparent with

consumers at the same time as ensuring we protect the reputation of our customers’ brands,’ he explains. ‘Putting the consumer at the heart of everything we do remains our core motivation, and a recent evaluation of the consumer journey has identified a number of new initiatives which will be implemented to further enhance their experience. ‘Having a network of specialist independent technicians, rather than generalists, means we already deliver a first class first visit fix rate. Regular training courses organised for our network continue to build on this and ensure they are up to date on any new materials and the relevant repair techniques. Quality repairs quickly return the furniture to use for the consumer, allowing them to enjoy it to the full and get the best value from their plan. ‘I feel this award is a real endorsement of the quality and multifaceted service that the entire Guardsman team and our independent network provide on a daily basis to both our partners and their customers too,’ adds Griffin. Visit: www.guardsman.co.uk

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AWARDS

Retailsystem. com Best Software Supplier

The Retailsystem.com team will visit retailers to discuss their needs

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘I must confess that I was absolutely stunned when I was told that Retailsystem.com had won the Best Software Supplier award for an unbelievable eighth year running. I knew we were doing good business and I knew that our clients were very happy with the work we had been doing for them, because we made absolutely sure we were,’ says Stephen Smith, Retailsystem.com md. ‘After all, there’s no room for complacency in any business and when your clients are depending on you to help them keep their business healthy and blossoming – market forces permitting – then it’s essential that you keep up to the mark by working on every opportunity to give them the edge. You have to look at the world through your customers’ eyes so that you can anticipate their needs and develop the software to answer those needs. That’s why we also continue to have the edge. ‘We’re in business to provide low cost, high value software solutions to organisations of all sorts and sizes in the retail furniture industry, and that means having a clear understanding of the overall nature of running any business as well as keeping up with the specific patterns and trends in this marketplace. ‘Our utilityware, top quality software solutions “on tap” like gas or electricity, is continuously being enhanced to give our clients peace of mind when it comes to running the business so that they can concentrate on what they do best to win orders, such as their creativity, design, manufacture and pricing. And keeping

their customers happy – which is what really matters. ‘To gain competitive advantage, you either offer something the same only cheaper, or something better at the same price. And with Retailsystem.com backing you up with key, up to the minute information on every single aspect of your business, gaining that competitive advantage and being a winner in the marketplace becomes ever closer to your grasp. That’s why our clients not only appreciate what we can do for them but also feel confident that we can design and implement software solutions according to their requirements, by making general suggestions or detailed requests,’ he says. The company listens carefully to its clients, to experts on the industry and to business leaders to pinpoint improvements it can make. If there’s a general problem area, such as the efficient scheduling of ordering, delivery, transportation and planning, then it works to come up with an answer. ‘We continue to use the massive and failsafe facility that is the Cloud so that we can provide our clients with immense computing and data storage power that they can access very simply using a simple PC, a laptop, an iPad or even a smartphone. We provide the IT thinking, designing, devising, upgrading, updating and improving so that our clients don’t have to. And that’s why, again, we have the honour of winning the Best Software Supplier award. Thank you for voting for Retailsystem.com,’ adds Smith. Visit: www.retailsystem.com

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AWARDS

Castelan Best Product Protection Provider

The company constantly strives to improve

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Castelan is delighted to have won the Best Product Protection Provider award and believes it is a reflection of the importance the whole company places on putting the customer at the heart of everything it does. ‘This is a great validation from readers of Interiors Monthly and demonstrates that Castelan has a strong and growing reputation in the industry for great products and excellent customer service. Despite product care and protection being in existence for over 20 years, we constantly strive to improve our offer to the customer, review our products to ensure they meet the need, review our processes to ensure that the customer is central, and build a team whose focus is to deliver excellence,’ says Richard Gretton, Castelan commercial director.

‘There is no greater accolade than being recognised by your customers.’ Castelan recently celebrated it’s fifth anniversary and continues to grow year on year with additional service offerings each year while at the same time investing in its people, infrastructure and technology. Core to the offer is the range of furniture protection plans tailored to meet the needs of the consumer and retailer, offering excellent value with the backing of a service driven culture. Its range of furniture care products continues to expand and are developed to the highest technical standards to meet the changing needs of furniture and interiors across the UK. In 2014 Castelan launched Furniture Build Network, offering in-store and in-home furniture build services. It is now assembling more than 20,000 individual pieces of furniture a year for national retailers and consumers. Furniture Care Network has also seen significant growth and investment with substantial manufacturer and retailer client wins as well as the investment in the brand, service and, last January, a new van fleet. ‘It has been an amazing five years of development and growth and winning this award from our customers is a fantastic way to start the next five years of the business,’ adds Gretton. Visit: www.castelangroup.com

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AWARDS

The Flooring Show Best Flooring Exhibition

More than 180 companies will exhibit, with demonstration areas in halls B and M and The Wool Trends area will return

100

Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘We are thrilled to have won this award once again, and would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has voted for us,’ says Wendy Adams, The Flooring Show event director. The Flooring Show, the industry’s flagship national event, celebrates its 54th edition from 18-20 September, and continues to be the best loved and biggest event on the industry’s calendar, she says. Bringing together all areas of the industry, including the retail and contract sectors, it remains the only show in the UK which anyone involved in the flooring trade can attend, across all three days of the show. This year’s event will be the largest edition for years, with many familiar favourites returning including Abingdon, Ball & Young, Cormar, F Ball & Co and Karndean, as well as a host of new exhibitors. Access to the show is free for anyone involved in the industry, and passes are available by registering online. As well as more than 180 exhibitors, visitors have access to a plethora of show features aimed to educate and inspire. Returning for 2016 is the ever popular Trends Hub, which this year offers retailers the chance to take part in Window Merchandising Workshops. Next to the Trends Hub is the seminar theatre, ‘Speaker’s Corner’ that hosts a number of key speakers including Vanessa Brady, SBID president; Houzz UK, and trends forecasting agency and curator of the Trends Hub, Scarlet Opus.

There will also be an Ask the Experts feature, in collaboration with Consult Yorkshire, with experts covering areas from social media to legal advice on hand for visitors to pick their brains. Wool will be represented by several groups including an exciting, colourful, fun, design-led installation by The Campaign for Wool and British Wool in the centre of the Wool Trends area. The Wool Carpet Focus Group will be represented by several exhibitors at the show, as well as highlighting how wool products are made and their fire retardancy. Wools of New Zealand will make a welcome return, showcasing the natural beauty of New Zealand wool and launching its 2017/2018 colour forecast. The ever popular demonstration areas run by CFA, NICF and FITA will once again be in halls B and M. In addition, the NICF has relaunched its Carpet Fitter of the Year competition, with the finals taking place at the show on 18 and 19 September. In addition to The Flooring Show, this year will see a new hall housing The Tiling Show, where visitors can see a number of exhibitors showcasing tiles, stone, tools, accessories, adhesives and many other products. There will also be a Demonstration Area organised and hosted by the Tile Association, showing visitors the latest skills and techniques available. Visit: www.theflooringshow.com

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AWARDS

Gautier Best Children’s Furniture Manufacturer

Below right: Graphic Kids bed Below: Addict occasional tables

102

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Gautier is France’s leading manufacturer of premium contemporary furniture. Since its foundation in 1960, the familyowned company’s heritage has been built on creating stylish yet practical furniture solutions at its factories in the Vendee region of France. It now enjoys considerable success at a global level, through an ever-expanding network of quality retailers and interior designers. Despite its international presence, Gautier continues to manufacture 95% of its products in the Vendee, and to this day the business is characterised by its three core values: humility, harmony and honesty. These values are at the heart of the business and the 1,000-strong team passionately strive to create products that surprise the end-user with incredibly stylish modular collections that offer genuinely practical answers to meet the needs of a modern lifestyle. Each Gautier furniture designer has their unique vision of the world, experiences and artistic view, which gives every collection the stylishly

individual look customers demand. Gautier has been established in the UK for over 25 years, during which time its core product range has expanded from children’s bedrooms to also encompass adult bedrooms, living room and dining room furniture. While its ever-popular children’s and teen collections continue to drive success, it has been the modular living and dining ranges that have really caught the consumer’s imagination over the past couple of years. With an in-house UK-wide delivery and installation service and a dedicated UK-based support team, all of the key elements are in place for Gautier to continue its UK expansion. It is recruiting key retail and designer partners for its network, and has recently opened a Gautier brand store on Kings Road, Chelsea. Indeed, the next 12 months will see an unprecedented UK marketing campaign as the business targets both additional retail partners and increased consumer brand awareness. Visit: www.gautier.co.uk

n o i t a r e n e G r e Gauti

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

Gautier Unit 9 Park Industrial Estate, Frogmore, St Albans. AL2 2DR 01727-875114 - uksales@gautier.fr

AWARDS

Karndean Designflooring Best Website (Flooring)

Above: Karndean Designflooring, Da Vinci Stone, Cambric CER20 Right: Karndean Designflooring’s website Bottom right: Karndean Designflooring, Da Vinci Stone, Sable CER16 Below: Karndean Designflooring, Da Vinci Stone, Molten CER11

104

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Designed specifically for independent retailers to view the intricate details of its authentic range of wood and stone LVT floor designs, Karndean Designflooring’s website allows independent retailers to search designs by product range, room and style for the first time. With larger, close-up product imagery to view, users can zoom in and out, and get closer than ever before online. Designed to offer inspiration and support retailers at the point of sale, the website also offers decorating ideas to recreate individual styles such as country life, modern rustic and shabby chic. ‘Having only launched our new website in January, it’s fantastic to receive recognition direct from within the industry,’ says Scott Cochrane,

Karndean Designflooring UK sales director. ‘Our retail partners are the cornerstone of our business and we work hard to support them both online and offline. We’re certainly seeing the benefits with our retail partners spending longer viewing our product pages, updating find a retailer profiles and utilising our digital tools and apps, such as our interactive Floorstyle and Augmented Reality app. ‘Taking on a clean, modular layout, it was important we were able to demonstrate the intricate details of each product through our imagery online, and offer inspiration zones for use at the point of sale,’ adds Cochrane. Visit: www.karndean.com

AWARDS

Gallery Direct Best Website (Furniture)

Retailers can browse products, check stock availability and order

106

Interiors Monthly August 2016

With continual product development and business growth, the Gallery Direct team is constantly pushing the boundaries of design, but this creativity does not stop at its products. With a beautiful design and easy to navigate interface, its recently developed website simplifies trade customers’ browsing and purchasing processes. The sophisticated ecommerce trade website features real-time updates for accurate stock availability, as well as enabling customers to access product information and news articles. It attracts significant visitor traffic on a daily basis, who regularly shop the extensive catalogue. ‘Everyone at Gallery Direct would like to thank the readers of Interiors Monthly for the Best Website (Furniture) award: we are delighted to have won this,’ says Michael Baxendale, Gallery Direct product design and development manager. ‘We have been working hard developing and improving our website to give our customers an easy and

reliable point for purchase. We have focused on our products, ensuring that individual pieces as well as whole ranges can be easily viewed. With our new trends section, we offer inspiration on product groupings to customers.’ The responsive website offers a portable point of contact and access to product information. Customers can browse the Design Directory and Lookbooks online, as well as being able to view whole product categories for inspiration. Those who have more specific requirements can use the new filter options and keyword search for easy product selection. ‘Our customers are at the forefront of everything we do, so ensuring that we have the perfect website for them is important to us. Through this award, we feel proud that our work has been recognised and we will continue to develop and manage our website to ensure that clients have everything they need in one accessible location,’ adds Baxendale. Visit: www.gallerydirect.co.uk

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The complete home furnishings solution

AWARDS

Floorwise Best Flooring Wholesaler

A selection of Floorwise products

108

Interiors Monthly August 2016

With a huge selection of underlays and accessories along with a distribution network covering the UK and Republic of Ireland, Floorwise is delighted to have its commitment to flooring retailers recognised by the readers of Interiors Monthly. ‘Working hard to ensure that its portfolio meets the needs of retailers looking for quality and value, the Floorwise brand now leads the way in

solutions that provide valuable upsell opportunities while improving the quality of installations. Retailers have come to rely on the Floorwise name not only for this, but also for providing service from a network of distributors that understand the needs of customers,’ says Richard Bailey, Floorwise md. ‘We are delighted that our efforts to provide retailers with a reliable wholesale service have been recognised by the very people that we serve. We are quite unique in the way in which we operate, a collective effort of members that combines local knowledge and an innate understanding of customers with products that are sourced and specified to deliver retailers exceptional value and great quality. ‘Whether underlay, tape, adhesive, tools, grippers or profiles, the Floorwise name always stands for quality and value backed by great service, and this is something we are hugely proud of,’ says Bailey. With 22 branches throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland, Floorwise members are equipped to provide retailers with a service that places reliability above all else, delivering on time and with a care and attention that belies its size. It is this that helps to keep Floorwise a constant in a changing retail landscape, providing independent retailers with much-needed security and a confidence in the service which it provides. Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

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national distributor network 18 Salesmark West Ltd Amesbury, Wiltshire Tel: 01980 880933 mail@salesmark-west.co.uk 19 Acorn Carpet Accessories Ltd Bromley, Kent Tel: 020 8462 0422 Fax: 020 8462 0927 acorncarpetsacc@btconnect.com 20 Salesmark Lancing, West Sussex Tel: 01903 750522 Fax: 01903 851111 sales@salesmark-floorwise.co.uk 21 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abbot, Devon Tel: 01626 835935 sales@fitwell.co.uk 22 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth, Cornwall Tel: 01209 214344 1 sales@fitwell.co.uk 3

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1 Neil Smith Ltd 10 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Glasgow Limerick Tel: 0141 552 1141 Tel: 00353 (0)61 227 100 sales@neilsmithltd.co.uk Fax: 00353 (0)61 227 000 sales@pfl.ie 2 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Belfast 11 Cornerstone Flooring Tel: 028 9075 3202 Doncaster Fax: 028 9075 3901 Tel: 01302 835117 salesbelfast@pfl.ie Fax: 01302 302542 cornerstonefloor@btconnect.com 3 Floorwise (North East) Ltd Birtley, County Durham 12 Birch Distribution Tel: 0191 410 7070 Sheffield Fax: 0191 410 6116 Tel: 0114 243 1230 sales@floorwisene.co.uk Fax: 0114 243 5118 n.maude@birchdistribution.co.uk 4 MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe, Lancashire 13 Woodall Brothers Ltd Tel: 01524 33517 Shrewsbury, Shropshire Fax: 01524 381852 Tel: 01743 441584 sales@mcafloorwise.co.uk Fax: 01743 441629 sales@woodallbrothers.co.uk 5 Birch Distribution Hull 14 Floorwise D & J Ltd Tel: 01482 826654 Southam, Warwickshire Fax: 01482 878693 Tel: 01926 814922 p.pearson@birchdistribution.co.uk Fax: 01926 817899 info@fwdj.co.uk 6 Birch Distribution Leeds 15 Salesmark Ltd Tel: 0113 244 4363 St Neots, Cambridgeshire Fax: 0113 244 8665 Tel: 01480 212888 p.zanetti@birchdistribution.co.uk Fax: 01480 218585 sales@salesmark.co.uk 7 Lee Floorstok Ltd Manchester 16 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Tel: 0161 231 8080 Gloucester leefloor@aol.com Tel: 01452 223355 Fax: 01452 371284 8 Lee Floorstok Ltd info@blflooring.co.uk Liverpool Tel: 0151 708 7420 17 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Fax: 0151 708 7241 Bristol leefloorliv@aol.com Tel: 0117 955 5454 Fax: 0117 955 2626 9 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd info@blflooring.co.uk Dublin 10 Tel: 00353 (0)1 626 3913 Fax: 00353 (0)1 626 3960 salesdublin@pfl.ie

15 19 20

AWARDS

Wool Floor Show London Best New Exhibition

Below: Gaskell and Jacaranda were among the 27 exhibitors Bottom: The International Wool Carpet and Rug Awards took place for the first time with Roger Bain among the winners

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‘We are delighted that Wool Floor Show London has received this recognition and extend our thanks to Interiors Monthly readers for the honour,’ says Bridgette Kelly, Campaign for Wool interior textiles director. ‘We wanted a stylish event for wool flooring in central London and we achieved that by reflecting the amazing choice and quality in wool carpet design today. We feel therefore that this is an award for our exhibitors too, all of which wholeheartedly embraced this brand new event and supported it with enthusiasm and commitment. ‘The event itself and our International Wool Carpet and Rug Awards held there, gave a really positive image to our sector – I think all involved felt it was a very proud few days for wool,’ she says. Twenty seven companies, including 22

suppliers of wool-rich carpets, exhibited at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge stadium from 23-24 March. The event saw the launch of www.woolretailer.com, while retailers could register for a copy of the Wool iBook. The evening of the first day saw the presentation of The Campaign for Wool’s inaugural International Wool Carpet and Rug Awards. There were 19 winners, including John Bain, former Brintons Carpets global design director, who won the Carpet Industry Award for career long commitment to the wool carpet and rug industry. Roger and Fay Oates, Roger Oates Design founders, won the Design Sector Award for career long commitment to the wool carpet and rug industry. Visit: www.woolfloorshow.co.uk

WOOL IS THE

CHAMPION!

THANKS TO THE WOOL TEAM... ADAM AXMINSTER BALL AND YOUNG BRINTONS BRITISH WOOL MARKETING BOARD BROCKWAY BRONTE CAVALIER CHROMATONE CORMAR CRUCIAL TRADING EDEL TELENZO GASKELL WOOL RICH HUGH MACKAY JACARANDA KINGSMEAD MANX CARPETS M.I.D CARPETS MR TOMKINSON ROGER OATES DESIGN RUCKSTUHL AG SEBO STEVENS & GRAHAM ULSTER WESTEX WHITESTONE WEAVERS WOOLSAFE

WOOL FLOOR SHOW LONDON 2017 15th and 16th March Put it on your diary now and make this the ‘Must See’ event for your business!

www.woolfloorshow.co.uk #WoolFSL campaignforwool.org #choosewool

britishwool.org.uk #britishwool

AWARDS

Livyn Pulse, Quick-Step Product of the Year (Flooring)

From left: Cotton Oak; Sand Storm Oak Warm Grey; Sundown Pine

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According to Sophie Hautekeete, Quick-Step international pr and sponsoring manager: ‘Livyn Pulse is no ordinary LVT floor; it is the most practical designer floor in the market today, possessing an unprecedented authenticity pioneered by a revolutionary production method. Hardwearing, 100% waterproof, warm, soundabsorbent and exceptionally stable, Pulse is a true innovation in flooring. ‘This new generation of vinyl flooring satisfies all practical demands, all while bringing a new era of aesthetic integrity that’s virtually indistinguishable from genuine wooden planks. In Livyn Pulse, we’ve managed to engineer perfectly matching grain textures on 20 striking wood designs, all with a delightfully matt finish for a look that has never been closer to the real thing,’ says Hautekeete.

‘The technical innovation behind Pulse has been driven by our desire to make floors as authentic as possible and the results are nothing short of extraordinary. ‘Such has been the impact of the innovations within Pulse that it really does sit in a style and performance category of its own, a fact recognised by the Product of the Year award from the readers of Interiors Monthly,’ she adds. One of Pulse’s most impressive technical features is its stability, not only allowing Quick-Step to make this one of the widest LVT floors available, but also one that can be used in areas such as conservatories without needing to be stuck down. The Uniclic Multifit technology also makes Pulse fast and simple to fit. Visit: www.quick-step.co.uk

QUICKSTEP LIVYN, A DESIGNER FLOOR WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL DEGREE OF STABILITY Livyn, the deluxe vinyl floor collection produced by Quick-Step, is the most practical designer ﬂoor on the market. It’s wear-resistant, watertight, warm, sounddamping, just as attractive as wood and also produced entirely free of phthalates. A Quick-Step Livyn floor can be installed floating in any room, even a veranda. This is because Livyn floors are exceptionally stable and capable of withstanding high temperatures. The Uniclic® Multiﬁt click system for Livyn was designed specifically for our vinyl floors. As a result, their installation is fast and easy. Also, because no transition profiles are needed between various rooms, you can be assured of an attractive, finished look. www.quick-step.co.uk

AWARDS

Invictus, Associated Weavers Innovation of the Year (Flooring)

Invictus

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

‘A ground-breaking achievement from Associated Weavers: once again Associated Weavers comes to the fore with our original and creative approach to carpet manufacturing. Our Maori warrior is standing proud because the Invictus brand that he represents has won this year’s Interiors Monthly Award for Innovation of the Year. When we launched Invictus last autumn, it was an instant hit with retailers. They passed their enthusiasm on to their customers and it has fast become our bestselling and most successful product ever,’ says Steve Elliott, Associated Weavers md. The Invictus range is manufactured from supersoft 100% bleach-cleanable polypropylene, crafted from Associated Weavers’ unique iVinci SDO StainAway yarn, with a 20-year stain and wear warranty. Its designers have created a truly comprehensive collection: first came the heather shades of Perseus and Pegasus and then subtle plains of Orion and Sirius were added to broaden the appeal. Scorpius, at just 1,190g per sqm, with its fashionable colour choice, is positioned as the most competitively priced of the Invictus range. To complete the current offering, the company has added

Hyperion and Hercules. Hyperion is a luxurious 2,380g per sqm saxony and Hercules is a twist carpet with a betterdefined pattern. In line with many of Associated Weavers products, all Invictus carpets are multi-width in 2m, 2.5m, 3m, 4m and 5m variants. ‘We may have won the prestigious Innovation of the Year award, but we will never rest on our laurels. Innovation is the keyword at Associated Weavers. As part of our continuous product development, we are planning even more improvements to the range in 2017. So we suggest you look out for our ongoing advertising campaigns, while we keep an eagle eye on all the latest technology to ensure that Invictus stays ahead of its competitors,’ he says. ‘As we service a limited number of outlets it means that we can offer the very best in POS and merchandising material. Look out for our latest in-store display stands and wall decor – all of which will add considerable weight to sales of Invictus and our other wellknown brands such as StainAway, iSense and Natural Wool collections. You too can stand proud when you stock the Invictus range.’ Visit: www.carpetyourlife.com

Look for the Butter y

AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Silentnight Furniture Brand 2016

Silentnight has been rewarded with several accolades this year

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Celebrating 70 years of bed making heritage in 2016, Silentnight is the UK’s biggest and most-trusted bed manufacturer, with a commitment to quality, service, and innovation at its core. The accolade from Interiors Monthly is the latest in what has been a stellar year for the company. It has recently been recognised by consumer champion Which?, with two of its mattresses – Mirapocket 1200 and Mattress-Now 3 Zone memory foam – being awarded the prestigious Which? Best Buy status following rigorous independent testing on the products. This year has also seen the launch of the My Sleep Secret marketing campaign, which lets customers do the talking by revealing their secret to a great night’s sleep. The campaign, which spans advertising, PR and social media, heroes not only the brand’s Which? Best Buys but also its award-winning children’s range, Safe Nights, featuring genuine

customer quotes sourced from hundreds of online product reviews. The company, which employs more than 700 people, is committed to leading the way on UK manufacturing and develops all of its products in its own in-house testing laboratory. Latest product innovations include the development of The Platinum Collection, which is exclusive to Silentnight’s 13 independent Sleep Centres located throughout the UK. The new collection of beds and mattresses features the brand’s innovative mattress technologies, quality fillings and innovative storage options. This year, as the brand marks its 70th anniversary, its latest innovation, Studio by Silentnight, has been revealed. An entirely new concept based on style and simplicity, the contemporary bed collection has been launched alongside an online design hub, that enables customers to create the bed they love with a choice of clean and modern styles, colours and clever storage. Visit: www.silentnight.co.uk

Mirapocket 2800 Latex Embrace

We’re delighted to be awarded the Editor’s choice Awarded for the Silentnight Mirapocket 1200

Awarded for the Silentnight Mattress-Now 3 Zone

Cornelia 1200

• • • •

Quality sleep solutions for all the family. Two Which? Best Buy Mattresses for 2016. Celebrating 70 years of quality and innovation. We are proud to be the UK’s most trusted bed brand Most trusted bed brand - Independent survey, see website for details

To find out more call 01282 851111 or visit silentnight.co.uk

AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Brintons Flooring Brand 2016

From left: Padstow; QuickWeave; Brintons’ collaborations include Timorous Beasties

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

Brintons has been at the heart of carpet manufacturing for more than 230 years and its high end woven carpets have become the standard for impressive residential and business interiors throughout the world. Brintons’ ‘Fleece to Floor’ campaign launched in January with a video and press campaign demonstrates the care and expertise it puts into its design and manufacturing. As an innovator in style, the Brintons’ team travels the world exploring the cutting edge of fashion and interiors, and delving into the rich traditions of cultures to pinpoint the trends that will bring a liveable, covetable look to homes. The range of videos portray the lifecycle from fleece to floor, from shearing the sheep, the dyeing process through to final quality control inspection and hand-finishing. On offer is a wide selection of stocked and custom collections including tartans, stripes and velvets, striking geometrics, timeless florals and the industry staple – Bell Twist, in continuous production for more than 50 years. The campaign showed why Brintons is trusted for the skill and knowledge of those working in the production process. This is further demonstrated through its collaborations

with iconic design brands such as Laura Ashley and Timorous Beasties. During 2016 Brintons turned its attention to the contract market with the launch of QuickWeave. This was created for installers and hospitality clients working on assignments with tight deadlines. The QuickWeave series is a woven 80/20 axminster offering a short turnaround time of six weeks, while still delivering the quality, expertise and passion expected. A huge range of designs and colours are available and once one has been selected there is a choice of five quality specifications from 7 to 11 row. Brintons’ design team has created a variety of styles to reflect today’s trends with contemporary patterns complementing transitional styles such as plaids, stripes, geometric, abstract and layered design themes. ‘After a busy year we are delighted to once again be recognised by Interiors Monthly as the best Flooring Brand. Our dedicated team is committed to crafting the highest quality carpets and contributing to some of the world’s most beautiful interiors, so it is wonderful when the industry recognises this,’ says Andrew Wilcock, Brintons group marketing manager. Visit: www.brintons.co.uk

LOVI NGLY C R AF TE D C AR PE T S Brintons is the largest consumer of British wool, using the fleece from one in nine sheep to craft superior, hand-finished carpets. Founded in 1783, Brintons weaves carpets with the highest quality of materials, processes and people, from fleece to floor.

Start your carpet journey at www.brintons.co.uk

Brintons Carpets Ltd, proud to be Best Flooring Brand of 2016

AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

John Cotton Sustainability (Furniture)

John Cotton supplies all leading bed manufacturers in the UK and owns the leading household filled bedding brands Slumberdown and Snuggledown

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This year John Cotton is celebrating 100 years in business, having originally been formed to recycle waste textiles generated by Yorkshire’s booming textile industry in 1916. The ethos of recycling and sustainability remain at the heart of the business to this day. The company now supplies all leading bed manufacturers in the UK and owns leading household filled bedding brands Slumberdown and Snuggledown. John Cotton Nonwovens Division is proud to supply high loft nonwoven products to some of the biggest and most respected UK brands. With an in-house laboratory, the nonwovens team is also dedicated to sustainable solutions and committed to eliminating textiles and plastics that can be recycled or reused from entering landfills. At Snuggledown, the team is conscious of the impact on nature and the environment, which is why all of its feather and down is sustainably sourced by-products of the food industry. It is the only company in the UK that sorts its feather and down on site, which ensures only the lightest down makes it into the bedding. With the John Cotton Group spending £500,000 each year on new product development, the team can guarantee

that all of its products are eco-friendly and sustainable. An example is Snuggledown’s Rest & Rejuvenate range launched at the start of the year. It is made with Dacron Hollowfill fibres that help to regulate body temperature by drawing moisture away from the body. Dacron Hollowfill is one of the most eco-friendly materials that can be used in bedding. Dacron is the first polyester fibre to meet the requirements of the European Ecolabel which are: restrictive use of hazardous substances during production; atmospheric emissions of volatile organic carbon under 1.2g per kg during the polymerisation phase; strict list of chemicals used at each production stage; and safety data sheets to record aspects such as biodegradability, handling precautions and environmental safety. In addition, Dacron is made up of Hollowfill fibres, which are made from recycled PET plastic bottles. The bottles are crushed, cleaned and dried before being processed into the fibres and Advansa, supplier of Dacron to Snuggledown, has invested in production technology which decreases the carbon footprint by 80% during a fibre lifecycle. Visit: www.johncotton.co.uk

REST AND REJUVENATE For a re-energising nights sleep

PROUD WINNERS OF INTERIORS MONTHLY AWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY 2016 For sales enquiries, please contact Lauren Hill E Lauren.Hill@snuggledown.co.uk T 01924 402 985 snuggledown.co.uk

AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Pure Clic XXL, Berry Alloc Innovation in Flooring

Right: Pure Columbian Oak Below: Pure Toulon Oak

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

The Pure Click LVT range from Berry Alloc, part of Beaulieu International Group, includes XXL planks of 1,836mm x 204mm which, despite the size, can be fitted in the same way as its smaller 1,326mm x 204mm planks and 621mm x 621mm and 621mm x 315mm tiles: with no subfloor preparation needed. Pure can be installed directly on top of an existing floor, without telegraphing through the tile joints. Despite the larger size, heavy lifting and difficult transportation is avoided with Pure as they are 30% lighter than many other LVT floors thanks to its rigid composite board. The larger size allows consumers to play with the visual perception of their room while the size and four-sided DreamClick locking system – with a lock strength of 500kg per m – allows the floor to be installed more quickly than

traditional click systems: you can start the next row where you’ve finished the previous row and it is possible to work simultaneously with several installers on the same floor. Pure is 100% waterproof and can be used in bathrooms, kitchens and other wetrooms. A Pure floor requires very little maintenance thanks to its protective polyurethane lacquer, which makes it easy to clean and protects it against daily wear and tear. All that is required is an occasional sweep with a wet mop and standard cleaning products. ‘Beaulieu International Group is proud and delighted to receive recognition from the industry for our continuous research, development and investments to bring vinyl planks to the next level with our Pure collection,’ says the company. Visit: www.berryalloc.com

PURE CLICK -

Little or no subfloor preparation needed Identical 4 sided locking system Fast and simple installation 100 % waterproof Super silent floor

www.berryalloc.com

AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Lifestyle Floors Outstanding Performance (Flooring)

From left: Baroque; I Love Flirtatious; Vivid

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

Now in its seventh year, Lifestyle Floors was launched to the independent flooring retail sector as a brand determined to go places. Now it has seen exceptional growth, its commitment to independent retailers is undiminished and its range of flooring and POS displays has significantly widened. ‘What drives me and the team is our determination to make a real difference to independent retailers nationwide. After all, their success is our success. With ever increasing competition from retail giants in mind, we are focused on providing the best value products and the most attractive POS displays to help independent retailers create first-class retail environments,’ says Inga MorrisBlincoe, Lifestyle Floors marketing and commercial manager. ‘The pace of our development is unsurpassed and in my mind can be attributed to the commitment of the management team to continually improving our logistical operations, to sourcing and developing value for money flooring and ultimately, to an unstinting investment in POS displays and marketing support for independent retailers. I wouldn’t say my job is easy,

but it is certainly enjoyable and rewarding. I’m looking forward to the next seven years.’ Gene Little, Lifestyle Floors national sales manager says: ‘No two independent retailers are alike. What they want to sell, what kind of customers they cater to, the look of their showrooms and how they run their business can and does vary dramatically. The breadth of the Lifestyle Floors product and POS offer means independent retailers can work with our sales representatives to pick and choose what’s exactly right for them. ‘Lifestyle Floors was launched with two display types – wall modules and free standing lecterns – on which we only displayed carpets. Now we have over a dozen different display systems on offer, showcasing carpet, vinyl, LVT, carpet tile, laminate and real wood collections,’ he says. ‘We are constantly evolving, developing, innovating and creating to make sure that not only do we and independent retailers remain competitive in the marketplace, but that our competitors have to run to keep up with us,’ adds Morris-Blincoe. Visit: www.lifestyle-floors.co.uk

Flooring for those

moments

www.lifestyle-floors.co.uk

CARPET

Left: Dimensions Heathers Arctic Grey Right: Dimensions Heathers Lavender Grey Below: Dimensions Heathers Potters Wheel and Aqua stripe

Different dimension Brockway is combining heathers and stripes ‘Dimensions Heathers and Stripes make a bold and beautiful statement that’s always in style in any room. These modern classic ranges of coordinating heathers and stripes are made from 80% pure new wool in a heat-set twist. So they are luxurious yet hard-wearing, and ideal for the busy family home,’ says Shaun Lewis, Brockway sales director. Dimensions Heathers, with distinctive semi-plain flecking is available in 32 natural shades. It comes in three weights: 40oz, 50oz, and 60oz for a luxurious feel. ‘And because these ranges are made from 80% pure New Zealand and British wool, 10% nylon and 10% polyester meltbond, means they look great for longer. The New Zealand and British wools give outstanding brightness and clarity of colour. Combined with the nylon – which absorbs more colour and gives extra crispness – you can see the top of every tuft of carpet,’ he says.

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

The bold striped design of Dimensions Heathers Stripe is designed to complement colours in the Dimensions Heathers range. ‘This makes for a stunning look on a staircase or in a hallway, naturally leading the eye through to the next space,’ he says. Available in eight striped carpets, the palette of each design allows for a huge choice of colour and accenting, while creating a harmonious overall look. Each striped carpet features three of the Dimensions Heathers’ palette of colours and so can coordinate with several of the plain carpets. ‘Matching plains and stripes are a popular point of fashion in interior design. Stripes and stairs is a winning combination. The use of bold stripes to make a dramatic statement, especially on stairs, with coordinating plains in halls and landings, is very much on trend,’ adds Lewis. Visit: www.brockway.co.uk

Stripes and colours... make a statement

Dimensions Heathers Black Magic and Black Stripe

BROCKWAY.CO.UK

the home of wool carpets

@brockwaycarpets

/brockwaycarpets

CARPET

Innovative BCF yarn AYM Syntex manufactures 12,000tons of yarn a year AYM Syntex is the Indian market leader in speciality bulk continuous filament and texturised yarn manufacturing. Established in 1985, AYM is a trendsetter in yarns for the Indian textile industry and is focused on innovation, people and customers. It is the only seller of bulk continuous filament yarn in India with an annual manufacturing capacity of 12,000tons. Located in the industrial hub city of Silvassa in Dadra and Nagar Haveli state, on India’s north west coast, AYM’s facility is equipped with state of the art technology to manufacture

multipolymer (nylon, polyester and polypropylene) products in bulk continuous filament, cabling and heat setting. Its in-house master batch facility enables new colour development while its research and development facility is certified by the Indian government. It has pilot lines for spinning, texturising, tufting, weaving, printing and dyeing and was a pioneer in making soft yarn for bath mats. ‘Our bulk continuous filament product portfolio is made up of Rezilia with an amazing sheen; Sorenyl with unmatched

softness; Polycycle uses 100% recycled polyester; Polymagic has excellent colour fastness; Polywonder has a soft feel and microfibre look; and Wonderfeel has an ultra soft feel,’ says Raghav Turaga, AYM BCF yarns marketing manager. ‘Sustainability is important to us and we are 100% environmentally compliant being ISO9000 and ISO14000 certified and products are 100% Oekotex certified. Polycycle produced from recycled PET bottle flakes reinforces our conviction for sustainable business practices,’ he adds. Visit: www.aymsyntex.com

State of the art technology is used to produce yarns, while the company has introduced a new logo (above) and will be exhibiting at The Flooring Show

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

1985

1992

2000

Launch of yarn dyeing and texturising facility in Palghar, India

POY, FDY Spinning and texturising facility launched at Silvassa, India

Commercialised Dope Dyeing for the first time in India

2004

2012

2013

Manufacturing of Polyester Mother Yarn for the 1st time in India, leading to a huge import substitution

Pioneered manufacturing of BCF (Bulk Continuous Filament) yarn in India for floor covering industry

Established an R&D centre for excellence and innovation

2015

2016

Capacity expansion in BCF

Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1st automated dispensing & dyeing facility on plastic perforated tubes

RUGS Bergen rug in Red, 133cm x 190cm, other sizes and colours are also available

Kelohonka rug in Sand, 160cm x 230cm, other sizes and colours are also available

Natural instinct Finland’s landscape and culture inspired Vallila’s latest collection

Above: Puuska rug in grey, 160 x 230cm and Light Blue, diameter 133cm (right); Credo ready-made curtain, 140cm x 250cm, Puuska cushion cover Left: Lemon rug in Plum, 160cm x 230cm; Puuska readymade curtain, 140cm x 250cm Lumi and Puuska cushion covers

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

‚‚‚

K E R SA I N T CO B B & CO M PA N Y

Telephone: 01675 430430

Website:www.kersaintcobb.co.uk

E-Mail: sales@kersaintcobb.co.uk

RUGS

Hermanni rug in grey, 80cm x 200cm, with Linnut fabric and ready-made curtain also available

Elle rug in Pink, diameter 133cm, other sizes are also available; Elle readymade curtain in Pink, 140cm x 250cm, other sizes are also available; Varvikko, Elle and Aleksanteri cushion covers

Scandinavia has a long and proud tradition of rug-making, and for both practical and decorative reasons, rugs remain central to Nordic interior design. The Finnish landscape and culture are always at the heart of Vallila’s inspiration when creating its interiors collections. Its AW16 collection, Instincts, features a series of prints designed by its in-house team. The naturalistic designs reflect ‚‚‚

Above: Valmu rug in Grey, diameter 133cm Left: Nara rug in Grey, diameter 133cm Right: Mosaiikki Rug in Black, 140x200cm These rugs also come in other sizes and colours

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

As soft as it gets g

Touch the softness, love the strength g & shimmer shine Thanks to new yarn technolo SENSIT® carpe p ts are not onlyy soft to What’s more, SENSIT® carpe p ts are eas choo h sing i a SE SENS NSIT IT® carpett witithh a silk ilk-

RUGS Finnish cultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close affinity with the landscape, wildlife and the natural world. Launched in 1935, Vallila offers a variety of soft furnishings, including fabrics, rugs, ready-made curtains, cushion covers, kitchen textiles, bedlinen and shower curtains. The vibrant colours and bold designs also extend to wallpaper collections, mugs and tote bags. Visit: www.vallila.co.uk

Above: Kosmos rug in multi-colours, 133cm x 190cm Far left: Oslo rug in multi-colours and Green, 80cm x 200cm Left: Aleksanteri rug in Grey, diameter 133cm Below: Swing rug in Black, 160 x 230cm Other sizes of these rugs are also available

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

RUGS

Garden

Transformers Rugs evoking changes made by nature Stepevi’s latest collection – Crack – was inspired by the patterns formed on natural surfaces as they age. Floral motifs and textured detailing feature earthy tones of soft green, blue and grey to emulate the effect time has made on natural elements within our environment. The striking, jagged lines seen on Wall evoke the harsh process of erosion. While Soil and Garden highlight the way a landscape can slowly alter and transform over a period of time, owing to the result of climate and our natural surroundings. The rugs can be customised to any size. Visit: www.stepevi.com

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Soil

Interiors Monthly August 2016

Wall

Great British Colour Take the great outdoors home with Myth and Moor.

A contemporary new collection of woven wool carpets inspired by the colours of Britains rugged coastline, wild moors and unspoilt countryside. By The Fire

Woodland Walk

Windy Jaunt

Trinity Hill

Now In Stock made in GREAT BRITAIN

<W ÅVL W]\ UWZM KWV\IK\ aW]Z )`UQV[\MZ +IZXM\[ Area Manager or call us: 01297 32244 email: sales@axminster-carpets.co.uk

www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

of o f

I’ve travelled far for this one

LIVING AND DINING

High street bonus The solid wood collection

Jual is moving into new territory Jual is to significantly widen its product offer with fully assembled and solid wood ranges. This is a step away from its signature Curve design and will be exclusively available on the high street, and not be sold online. The first range is Maria with eight dining and occasional pieces. Jual says it has tried to cater for high street retailers by offering all the pieces fully assembled on next day delivery. The second new range sees the company move into new territory with a solid wood collection. ‘We’ve never offered a solid wood range, so launching this collection could be seen as a little risky, however we feel the time is right to expand our ranges to try to accommodate a wider audience,’ says Alf Powell, Jual md. ‘We have really taken on board what our customers have said to us over the years and tried to bring two ranges to the table that hopefully address our previous shortcomings as far as our product offering was concerned.’ The company will be exhibiting both ranges at September’s AIS show. Visit: www.jualfurnishings.co.uk

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

Maria

Point-of-sale to point sales YOUR WAY! FREE advertising for you with any display stand bundle over £100 Leading UK supplier Stroolmount are offering free advertising with any display stand bundle over £100. Their exclusive award-winning products include Quickclick’s Interchangeable Glide System. Stroolmount protect floors from chairs constant scraping and cut noise up to 75%. They minimise stress, so furniture joints aren’t fatally weakened. They help your back when moving hefty furniture. THEY PROTECT BUSINESSES TOO: FELT ROLLS HELP SHIELD RETAILERS AND FITTERS FROM EXPENSIVE DAMAGE CLAIMS.

Free advertising Your brand and details on www.Stroolmount.co.uk. Your website’s Google ranking will improve as it’ll be linked. Customers can pinpoint you on Google maps and click straight through

Marketing drives sales to your store •

1 million+ views of ‘At Home with Sarah Beeny’, ‘ Inside Out with Phil Spenser’ and Trade magazines with Stroolmount features

• •

1 million Stroolmount views expected of At Home’s Autumn/Winter magazine alone. 1500+ Stroolmount competition entrants received 10% off voucher to spend on our products in stockists.

Can you afford to turn away all that potential demand?

Example

A Standa rd stand co Self-adhesive fe mes com lt plete packets of assort with 90 ed sizes This cos

If you advertise in a local church magazine for £110, you’d just have a one-off advert to limited numbers who may buy, but probably won’t. Or instead have a brand new display stand product bundle from Stroolmount.

www.stroolmount.co.uk info@stroolmount.co.uk Call: 01942 271271 Stand M9

ts £1 Vat -RRP 10 plus £325.50

Stroolmount See us @ Stand A2

Stand 4A1

QUALITY DESIGNS, FULLY ASSEMBLED, DEL

JUAL LAUNCH TWO BRAND NEW, HIGH STREET EXC

Introducing the Maria Dining and

2FFDVLRQDO UDQJH 7KLV UDQJH LV À QLVKHG in a soft, warm shade of walnut and is produced using only the best quality materials. The high gloss black or grey inserts although subtle are effective in their role of breaking up the walnut and adding a bit of colour. The range truly is well thought out and ZLOO ORRN JUHDW RQ UHWDLOHUV VKRS Á RRUV and consumer homes alike. The true beauty of this range however is that Jual can deliver your sold goods using their tried and tested next day delivery service - there is a difference though.

Maria 1500, 1300 TV stand, Tall Cabinet and Coffee Table

This range is delivered

FULLY ASSEMBLED! On top of delivering this range next day AND fully assembled you will not be able WR À QG WKHVH SURGXFWV RQOLQH ANYWHERE!

Maria Dining Table, Chairs and Sideboard

HIGH STREET EXCLUSIVES BY JUAL….BECAU

IVERED NEXT DAY, EXCLUSIVE TO THE HIGH STREET

LUSIVE RANGES AT THE AIS SEPTEMBER SHOW

SOLID WOOD - CABINET TV STAND, COFFEE TABLE AND LAMP TABLE

SOLID WOOD - ANOTHER JUAL IN THE CROWN

-XDO DUH DOVR GHOLJKWHG WR EH ODXQFKLQJ WKHLU À UVW 6ROLG :RRG UDQJH 7KH 1DWXUDO 2DN À QLVK FRPELQHG ZLWK WKH EODFN SRZGHU FRDWHG OHJV give the units a nice blend of a modern yet traditional look. This range again is only available on the HIgh Street and is delivered Next Day. Jual can even deliver direct to your customers home.

“We really have tried to take on board comments from our retailers and tailored this range to suit the needs of the High Street” Julie

SE BRICKS AND MORTAR MATTER

Powell Director at Jual Furnishings.

January Furniture Show NEC 22-25 January

EXHIBITIONS

Cementing its position With the NEC as its home for another seven years, JFS is bigger and better Celebrating a seven-year deal with the NEC, the January Furniture Show is gearing up for a larger and better event in 2017. ‘Underlining our confidence in the future of the show, the seven-year commitment cements the show’s position as the UK’s biggest and best furniture and furnishings event, with the NEC as its home,’ says Laraine Janes, JFS director. Hosting another strong line up of more than 450 exhibitors, there is 10% growth on 2016. New exhibitors Ekornes, Yeh Bros and Malini, will join names such as Parker Knoll, Westbridge, Alstons, Duresta, Sherborne, Furnico, Breasley, Bentley Design, Rauch, Ashley Manor Upholstery, Gallery Direct, Buoyant and Ercol, showcasing everything from cabinet, upholstery and beds to soft furnishings and giftware. From Sunday 22 to Wednesday 25

There will be more than 450 exhibitors

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January across five halls at the NEC, visitors will get the chance to see all the latest innovations, collections, offers, promotions and sales support which will be key to business success over the next 12 months. ‘There’s been a trade furniture exhibition in January at the NEC for the past 26 years, and it continues to be the right venue at the right time for exhibitors to meet retail customers from across the UK. Its transport links, countrywide connectivity, suitability and scale of the halls and the accessibility for exhibitors are why almost all the UK’s

Right: Westbridge will be among the companies in Hall 1

important trade events take place there. And, adding another layer of nationwide connectivity will be the HS2 terminal opening at the NEC in 2023,’ says Janes. The 2017 show will see Hall 5 as the major destination hall offering its strongest line up of commercial big hitters for many years; Hall 4 will host international cabinet brands while Hall 3 will be the place to visit for furnishing accessories. Hall 2 will feature top end international contemporary furniture, while Hall 1 remains a destination for high end exclusive ranges. Visit: www.januaryfurnitureshow.com

introducing

graphite

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Autumn

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RETAIL

Artistic spirit Habitat’s latest collection is aimed at making a statement Husk wingback armchair; Abban cobalt throw; Boston striped duvet cover and pillowcase; Billie curved oak double bed; Martin black conical table lamp; Radius bedside table

‘Continuing our mission to bring unexpected design to the high street, AW16 focuses on a collection of very individual pieces and champions the talents of our London design team,’ says Polly Dickens, Habitat creative director. ‘This isn’t a collection that hangs together around one central look or theme – instead we’ve designed over 250 products in-house to enhance our existing collection, inject interest and surprise as well as fill spaces in the range that needed a particularly special design. We’re looking at strong shapes, extraordinary hand techniques, clever detailing and bold colours. This is the season of the statement piece – celebrating uniqueness and individual expression.’ This season’s colour palette incorporates much earthier, richer tones alongside Habitat’s signature brights. Chestnut, grey, mustard and milk chocolate tones bring an organic element that combined alongside walnuts, coppers and leathers give a moody sophistication. ‘Designed by Matthew Long, the Copeland bed is a ‚‚‚

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Left: Sena vase with handle; Fenick vase; Koyaba large bowl, jug, and shallow bowl; Splatter throw; Santiago objet; Tamerton vase; Splatter silk and velvet cushions

Below: Havi scratch pattern mug; Rouben line detail vase; Larke oak veneer coffee table; Hayton oak structured coffee table; Bruni large curved coffee table, curved walnut side table, and curved black side table

Dates for your diary â&#x20AC;Ś Now in its third year, this successful trade show will again be at the International Centre, Telford and will feature beds & bedroom furniture, upholstery, cabinet, home office, mirrors, pictures, lighting, accessories, software. A must visit one stop furniture event.

Tuesday 11th October 9am to 5pm Wednesday 12th October 9am to 4.30pm A 2 day event for all furniture retailers An event from

Please pre-register at

www.theautumnfurnitureshow.co.uk

RETAIL Left: Colby corner group sofa; Harri quilted cushion; Abstract embroidered cushion; Collette metal rod pendant; Dashes hand-knotted rug; Atlas modular wave shelf; Cielo layered stripe vase; Diego hand-painted drip vase; Rezzo yellow glaze vase; Kiata mouth-blown large vase in green; Kiata mouth-blown small vase in orange

Koyaba hand-painted large bowl; Elzora chalk white bowl with handles; Saori Vietnamese handpainted striped vase; Havi scratch pattern bowl; Andalucia serving bowl with lid; Elzora chalk white serving bowl; Koyaba hand-painted jug; Havi scratch pattern mug; Cabini scalloped glasses in turquoise and purple

modern interpretation of a traditional four-poster design stripped right back to a linear red metal framework. The curved cube outline appears to float on underset feet and makes a dramatic statement for the bedroom alongside the minimalistic Parkinson clothes rail.’ Misty is a statement armchair designed by Laure Grezard. Its curvaceous body is contrasted by the skinny black metal legs to give a cool retro feel and is available in bold block colour or monochrome dogtooth check. For rugs, designer Martha Coates has created a range of artworks that have been translated using very different production techniques. From a modern take on a traditional Moroccan boucherouite rug and vibrant screen printed dhurries to abstract gun-tuft statement designs and luxurious handknotted rugs in a more neutral palette. Hand-knotted designs are a new, high end route for Habitat with intricate and textural designs that can only be achieved through this technique. ‘Five years ago walnut was virtually non-existent in the Habitat portfolio but today the material is one of our most popular finishes. Giving a warm, sophisticated feel, we’ve used this in coffee tables, bookcases and new seating for AW16 and achieved very different looks,’ says Dickens. The Oregan dining chair is a simple design showing off highly skilled workmanship with retro rope seating

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Seymour three-seater brushed cotton sofabed; Harri quilted cushion; Splatter screen-printed cushion; Hayton oak structured coffee table; Connor red mug; Abaya grey and white ceramic vase; Abaya blue and white ceramic vase; Ernie narrow bookcase; Kiata mouth-blown small vase in orange; Marmo orange ribbon vase; Cielo layered stripe vase; Quentin geometric rug; Achille pendant shade

RETAIL Misty armchair and footstool in teal; Quentin geometric rug

Hastings slimline shelf; Colby corner group sofa; Harri quilted cushion; Dashes hand-knotted rug; Hastings gloss coffee table; Mars metallic vase; Thea metallic base vase; Ben curved metal rod pendant, Hastings set of nest tables Diego hand-painted drip vase; Kiata mouthblown small vase; Rezzo yellow glaze vase; Marmo orange ribbon vase; Kiata mouthblown large vase in green; Cielo layered stripe vase

Patsy large copper mirror; Isabel curved three-seat sofa in orange; Maggie saffron mohair throw

giving a cool Quaker feel. In contrast, the Hastings walnut collection uses the material in a sleeker, slimline way – moving away from the mid-century feel for a more contemporary effect. ‘We’ve looked at the grid motif in a variety of ways – translated from handdrawn sketches in tableware to precise domino grids in textiles and into three dimensions with the Tron-like Atlas modular storage unit with its flowing outline,’ she says. ‘The look of studio glass is a trend we’ve seen rise in popularity over the past few seasons and for AW16 we’ve introduced our most expansive collection of coloured glassware. Working with a small producer we’re bringing really highly skilled studio quality glass to the high street with a 1970s inspired colour palette.’ Bedding has also been expanded with the youthful orange Noah set, a bold Yves Klein blue inspired version of the bestselling Washed range from Portugal and a modern take on a houndstooth pattern with the Warren jacquard bedding with 200 thread count and piping finish. ‘Lighting is getting graphic with striking linear designs that hero the bare bulb trend and play with shadow and light. The skinny black line is a key look across lighting from oversized statements such as the Ben and Collette designs to the Zelie and Martin shade,’ she says. ‚‚‚

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

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RETAIL

Lamba grey sheekpskin footstool; Copeland four-poster bed; Warren dogtooth throw; Becton flock cushion; Parkinson clothes rail; Brockely hand-woven rug

A series of coffee table designs have been added using materials from walnut and glass to sandblasted oak and acacia wood. Looking at the luxury end of design, with modular designs of the Quinn and Bruni tables alongside the floating Enzo walnut coffee table to sit with the company’s most luxurious sofa designs. ‘Our travels continue to inspire our design team and we continue to hero the skills of craftspeople from around the globe. Reactive glazes, hand-turned shapes and mark-making give completely unique products with a personal story to them,’ explains Dickens. ‘A stunning Jackson Pollock exhibition in Milan was the inspiration behind this idea which we’ve translated across textiles and ceramics for AW16. This loose, painterly look felt so appropriate for Habitat that we’ve used several handwritings from different artisans to achieve various effects. It’s such an emotive technique that celebrates creativity, colour and artistic spirit – ideas fundamental to the Habitat studio. The stand out pieces for me are the Odela collection for which we worked with a small Sicilian workshop that specialises in hand-painting. Each piece is hand-made with individual finishes making every piece unique,’ she adds. Visit: www.habitat.co.uk

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Patsy large copper mirror; Nottingham copper floor lamp; Apex faceted glass table lamp; Taka large earthenware vase; Fenick colour drip vase; Willis fine check rug; Enzo walnut slatted sideboard

Vince oak dining chair; Drio oak dining table; Ben curved metal pod pendant; Elzora chalk white dinner plate and bowl; Havi noodle bowl; Forno hand-blown glasses; Elzora chalk white side plate; Andalucia serving bowl with lid; Saori Vietnamese hand-painted striped vase; Hans jewel tone rug

WWW.THEFLOORINGSHOW.COM

Image: Moduleo

NEW PRODUCTS • EXCITING DEMONSTRATIONS • FUTURE TRENDS

OVER 170 EXHIBITORS ACCESSORIES

ADHESIVES

ARTIFICIAL GRASS

BLINDS

CARPETS

CARPET TILES

CONTRACT FLOORING

CORK

LAMINATE FLOORING

LVT

MEDIA

RECYCLING

RUGS

SERVICES

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TRAINING

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VINYL

WOOD FLOORING

RETAIL

Making memories Argos has set out four trends for its AW2016 Heart of House collection

Scandi Retreat ‘AW16 sees an outstanding mix of four key trends in the home. Scandi Retreat encapsulates relaxed Scandinavian living with icy blues, neutral greys and chunky textures at the forefront of the trend with accents of brushed metal and teal,’ says Alexei Cowan, Argos head of trends. The Weymouth range balances rustic authenticity in the wood with a clean, modern finish. The edges are soft but the grain tells a story – it’s style-led but functional, a modern family must-have.’ Yarn dye blues and whites make the Aldeburgh range unfussy and relaxed while the simple stripes and embroidered pillowcases create a tactile finish, being hand-made and effortlessly Scandi. ‘Marble, wood and glaze with unglazed finishes capture the rural element of Scandi Retreat; one imagines a hunter gatherer collecting materials to create the items and each piece looks to tell a story about its creation,’ adds Jessie Barrell, Argos designer.

Weymouth cabinet and Elvington wool rug

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Above: Oakington dining and coffee tables, Charcoal dining chairs Right: Aldeburgh bedlinen and Dorset bed

RETAIL

Clockwise from top left: Kent living and dining; Kent bedroom; Farnham bedlinen; Cranbrook; Blakeney ceramic table lamp

Forest Lodge Forest Lodge blends nature-inspired homewares with woodland references and a warm, earthy palette on a natural background with accents of berry red and moss green. ‘The Forest Lodge range offers comfort and style with a beautifully weathered and worn vintage style finish. Best styled with country-style accessories, it embraces the imperfections made from memories in the home,’ says Cowan. ‘The Kent range offers a stylish solution to keep rooms clutter free. The grainy wood, antique bronze handles and the chunky shapes make it a timeless classic and a perfect backdrop to a colour palette of deep berries and earthy moss greens to complete the Forest Lodge trend.’ ‚‚‚

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RETAIL

Floral Escape Floral Escape is the perfect trend for soft, feminine colours with chalky greys, delicate nudes and tonal pinks providing a pretty palette for blossom and confetti style patterns with intricate embroideries.

Refined knits, pretty edging and floral patterns showcased in various art-ways create an elegant Floral Escape, with the floral Darcy chair being a clear champion of the feminine and classic trend.

Darcy chair and footstool

Button detail chair

Grandeur Grandeur fuses traditional neo-classical references with modern, sophisticated styling using a calming colour palette of champagne, oyster, silver and gold with darker coloured furniture and luxurious home accessories using embellishment and fine line detailing. ‘Decadence and detail are the main ingredients for Grandeur. The damask pattern is exclusive to Heart of House. Sumptuous and luxurious, it’s best served with accents of gold, velvet and mirrored surfaces,’ says Cowan. Visit: www.argos.co.uk

Zinnia bedlinen

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Torella bedlinen and Velvet bedspread

SOFTWARE

Taking tablets MasterPiece can now be used on more devices Customers will be impressed in their homes by the professional presentation of the new version of MasterPiece, suitable for iPads and Android tablets. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;There is a clear attraction here for those who have already invested in a tablet, however, the new version has a further benefit by saving to the Cloud, so jobs are backed up and immediately available to colleagues back in the store,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Charles Pearson, MasterPiece System md. The new version has many of the usability benefits of the traditional PC-based MasterPiece. For example, drawing and measuring of rooms is done the same way as when using paper and pencil, so evenings will no longer have to be spent wading through a backlog of plans. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The traditional desktop MasterPiece continues to provide a feature rich capability for organisations that do commercial or new-build work or require detailed tile planning for complex product sets, like Amtico and Karndean,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he adds. Visit: www.masterpiece-system.com

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Interiors Monthly August 2016

FINAL POLISH

Fundraising doubles in charity golf event’s diamond anniversary year In its diamond anniversary year, the Kidderminster Carpet Manufacturers National Charity Golf Tournament went fantastically well. Once again it took place at Kidderminster Golf Club, where it has been for all of the 60 years. ‘The course was in impeccable condition and our thanks must go to the ground staff who worked so hard to get it to championship condition for us. While it did rain a little on the second day, the first day’s golf went so well it didn’t really matter,’ says Shaun Lewis, organising committee chairman. ‘The turnout for this special year was tremendous with 30 teams playing on the first day and 18 teams playing on the second day.’ The winners on the first day were Solent Wholesale 2, comprising: Martin Emm (captain), John Gulliver, Lee Sheppard and Lee Clapson, and on the second day The Rangers, another Solent team, won. ‘The evening “Alfresco Dinner” was unfortunately rained upon and so was held inside. It’s fair to mention here the food was not the hottest but at least the hotel reduced the cost to us, which meant more money could go to the charities. The rest of the evening went well and everyone had a good time. The evening was attended by 126 people and everyone was so generous both with the table raffle and then the auction,’ says Lewis. ‘Probably the auctioneer, Mike Dobson, should consider this as a new career, as it seemed he could twist most people’s arms for more and more money, even if they were his own sales team. ‘At the end of the two days an amazing £23,000 was raised for the charities, more than double the amount of the previous year.’ Half of the money will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, and the other half will be split equally between four local Kidderminster charities. ‘I cannot start to explain how much of a difference this money makes to the charities we give to. To be part of this event in its 60th year is truly humbling,’ he says.

The winning Solent Wholesale 2 team

Mr Tompkinson general manager Mike Dobson, left, presents the winning team with its cup, with Shaun Lewis right

‘Without our main sponsor, Mr Tomkinson, the other sponsors, including Interiors Monthly, the committee and, more important, the trade in the form of retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers, this event could not take place. The

generosity of the trade is just unbelievable and it makes me proud to be part of it,’ adds Lewis. Next year’s 61st Kidderminster Carpet Manufacturers National Charity Golf Tournament will take place at Kidderminster Golf Club on 16-17 May.

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

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