Interiors Monthly August 2018 by Interiors Monthly

AUGUST 2018

Awards The winners

Retail AW18 trends

Any baker will tell you... it’s all about the ingredients. No matter how good a cook you are, or what oven you have, the ingredients are the key to a successful bake. At Sealy, we feel the same about beds. We’re so proud of what goes into our mattresses we now show you our ‘recipe’ - a complete list of measurements and ingredients (offering a full explanation for each ingredient) for every single bed in our core brochure range on our website. It’s not a British Standards requirement, like with food labelling, it’s just something we want to do; go above and beyond what’s required, as we have nothing to hide. Just like good cooks, we don’t like waste. Ten years ago, only 15% of the waste produced in the production of Sealy beds was either recycled or sent to energy recovery. Today, we are Zero to Landﬁll from site. Transparent with regard to our ingredients and waste policy that’s why we’re clearly the world’s No.1 bed brand.

www.sealy.co.uk

EDITOR’S COMMENT

The aftermath of the heatwave As the weather returns to a more seasonal norm, will shoppers rediscover their love of shopping? For years retailers have used the weather as an excuse to try and explain a period of poor trading. For the past few weeks (yes, it does feel like a lot longer) retailers have had very good reason to blame the hot weather for a shortage of shoppers and sales. Unless it was an emergency purchase, such as a broken mattress or a lift-and-rise chair for an infirm relative, most people preferred to first enjoy the sun, as being a British summer they feared it would not last, then sought to keep cool as temperatures climbed rather than go shopping for big-ticket items. The stores I’ve been in lately were virtually free of shoppers and those that were visiting were looking to get out as quickly as possible. Thankfully as I write this temperatures are forecast to get back to something more like normal and hopefully the attraction of shopping at non-air conditioned retail parks will return. But the question remains, how much of the delayed purchases will now be bought and how much will be delayed that bit longer? Company founders can sometimes get a bit more leeway if something goes wrong, but this was not the case at mattress firm Eve, where Jas Bagniewski departed after the company admitted it had lost focus on its core markets and the UK would not now go into the black by the end of the year. Decisive action by chairman Paul Pindar. It was interesting at the recent Manchester Furniture Show how many exhibitors were taking a longer term view that it was a marketing exercise about reaching new stockists rather than writing in the order book. Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Interiors Monthly Awards, the details of which you can read from page 31 onwards. All are richly deserving of their awards and many thanks to all of you who voted. David Guyan, md of London retailer Mr Carpet was the winner of the hamper.

INTERIORS MONTHLY AUGUST 2018

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NEWS 4

Victoria sees profits rise again

Gallery shakes up branding

12 Eve founder leaves after loss of focus

FEATURES 16 New products 20 Service 22 Retail

AW18 trends at Habitat and Argos

28 Design

The best of New Designers

31 Interiors Monthly Awards 2018

The winners are revealed

122 Beds and bedroom

On the up

124 Preview

The Flooring Show

130 Review

ACG Platinum Event

136 Outdoor

Taking the sun Editor: Andrew Kidd

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

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

Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird Sealy: bringing transparency to beds www.sealy.co.uk

T: 01565 631 397 E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

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

Representative in India: Amarjeet Singh Gianni T: 0091 98390 35458 E: as_gianni@yahoo.co.in

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 Truprint Media © Interiors Media Limited ISSN 1756-2236

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

NEWS

Victoria profits up again Victoria has seen its core profitability increase for the fifth successive year but acquisition expenses and redundancy costs hit pre-tax profits. The flooring group saw underlying EBITDA jump by 42% in the year to 31 March 2018 to £64.7m, while sales rose by 29% to £424.8m. Pre-tax profits fell from £18.8m to £13.4m as the group spent £11.2m on acquisition advice and reorganising UK operations. Of this £5.8m was associated with the purchase of Keraben last November. The UK reorganisation has cost £4m, but this was less than expected. ‘Victoria saw another record year in 2018 and the group continues to go from strength to strength,’ says Geoff Wilding, Victoria executive chairman. ‘In addition to focusing on increasing our top line, this was the fifth consecutive year of growth in underlying earnings

per share, free cash flow, and operating margins. ‘The group continues to focus on growing in scale through acquisitions, with the completion of both Ceramiche Serra and Keraben during the year. There remains an enormous market opportunity for Victoria to expand in the UK and internationally, by organically growing margins and enhancing earnings within our existing business, as well as by acquisition, where we believe opportunities will make a meaningful contribution to the group. ‘We took advantage of challenging conditions in the UK to grow our market share by remaining very competitive on price. Initial pressures on margins arising from the decision are being relieved by solid gains in production efficiency from the manufacturing reorganisation project and, together with our increased market share, have placed Victoria in very good stead for the months and years ahead.’

DFS warning DFS warned shareholders that profits will fall as the hot weather has kept shoppers away and products failed to arrive from the Far East. The group says ‘in the fourth quarter to date, exceptionally hot weather, including over key trading weekends has led to significantly lower than expected order intake. Over the period we have also experienced disruption outside of our control to ships bringing made-toorder products from the Far East. ‘Within the core DFS business, total like for like delivered revenues has therefore been c3% lower than last year, over the 23 weeks to 7 July 2018, and c4% lower over the 49 weeks to 7 July.’ It warned that despite cutting costs, profits for the full year would be below last year’s EBITDA of £82.4m. ‘We continue to expect that the furniture retail market will remain

BGNFS confirmed Next year’s Buying Group’s National Flooring Show has been confirmed for mid-May. The show at Cranmore Park, Solihull will take place on 14 and 15 May. Visitors requiring overnight accommodation are advised to book early because of exhibitions taking place at the nearby NEC.

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Order intake is ‘significantly lower than expected’’

challenging over the next 12 months, given ongoing reduced consumer confidence levels, although we would expect some alleviation of current short-term demand effects. ‘Our previous investments in our supply chain and the recent acquisition of Sofology, together with progress expected at Dwell and Sofa Workshop,

will provide benefits to earnings that we expect to help mitigate the challenging sales environment. ‘The group has historically capitalised on adverse trading conditions to build our market position and we continue to believe that our cash generation and long-term growth prospects will drive attractive returns for our shareholders.’

Storey moves from AM Upholstery manufacturer Ashley Manor has seen its third senior management change in recent weeks. Mike Storey, sales director is to leave after 18 months and rejoin G Plan as commercial director. ‘Mike has made an immediate impact

to our business and I would personally like to thank him for his hard work and dedication. I wish him the very best,’ says Mark Smith, Ashley Manor md. Last month Scott Coggan was named as design director and in June co-founder David Lee stepped down as ceo.

H&V are a leading carpet manufacturer based in Belgium. We deliver direct from Belgium to the U.K supplying full rolls only, without a minimum order quantity. Delivery is 5 working days from receipt of order. Contact your local sales agent below for further details and sample books. Representation

North West, 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 Norman Gray 07860 495649 Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire Adam Nicol 07885 738975 South Wales, Bristol & Avon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Herefordshire Emma Rees 07920 837422 London, Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, South East Jon Marsh 07976 795821 Zac Marsh 07828 663325 Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire Richard Cooper 07860 525 245 Belgium Office Johny Peeters 0032 475 71 08 69 0032 513 20 54 3

Carpets to dance about!

H&V Carpets NV, Nijverheidsstraat 26, Meulebeke, West-Vlaanderen, 8760 Belgium Email: handvuk@gmail.com

people

NEWS Julian Cox is to return to AIS as director of furniture designate on 6 August. In the spring Cox was named as head of buying at Furniture Village as the retailer shook up its buying team. Cox has previously worked at AIS as furniture controller for two-and-ahalf years. Henry Tadros has become the fourth generation of the founding family to join the board at Ercol. He has worked for the company for the past six years and has been in charge of international retail and contact sales for the past five. Serene Furnishings has recruited Andrew Smith as sales agent for Lincoln and East Anglia following the retirement of Lorraine Selby. Anthony Quinlan has become North West sales agent for its Serene Living division.

Gallery Direct shakes up its beds branding Gallery Direct has merged its Dreamworks Beds subsidiary into its main business. The move will see the Dreamworks brand replaced by Gallery branded products and a new brand introduced in the Autumn. The Dreamworks’ sales team will be combined with the Gallery Direct sales force. ‘The integration makes perfect sense. Dreamworks Beds has the manufacturing site and skilled team but has not had the resources to really develop the product offer. A strategic restructure under Gallery will provide that platform with our warehousing, logistics, design and photography, trade show presence and website,’ said Peter Delaney, Gallery Direct md. ‘It is a proactive re-alignment, keeping the first-class manufacturing skills at Dreamworks Beds and combining it with the sales and marketing and operational efficiencies that Gallery can offer, reducing

First for Rivelin Luxury outdoor furniture manufacturer Rivelin has become the first outdoor furniture company to achieve a Manufacturing Guild Mark from The Furniture Makers’ Company. Founded in 2014 in Rotherham, Rivelin specialises in the design and production of readymade and bespoke outdoor gas fire tables. The FMC auditors were impressed by Rivelin’s dedication to new product development and innovation, specifically the design of its own gas burners that sit within the tables, which has been driven by the company’s small in-house design team. The award sees the number of Manufacturing Guild Mark holders rise to 17. ‘Everything that we make is made here in the UK and we design our own products and gas burners. The challenge in our Rivelin makes outdoor gas fire tables sector is to combine beauty, performance and longevity in the very harsh outdoor environment. We believe we meet all three requirements and to be recognised as a company of distinction by an institution as prestigious as The Furniture Makers’ Company is wonderful,’ said Robert Smith, Rivelin director.

Interiors Monthly August 2018

costs and putting us in a good position to look after customers’ needs for years to come. ‘It will benefit both Dreamworks Beds and Gallery customers. For those who already trade with both companies, it will simplify ordering and invoicing, as everything will be done through Gallery, and for those who only trade with one, it offers a broader catalogue of home interior pieces.’

Beds will carry the Gallery branding

100 for Tapi as it raises more funds Flooring chain Tapi was due to open its 100th store on 2 August. It came after the company raised almost £10m from shareholders. The chain issued 5,8437,66 shares valued at £1.45 and £1.65 per share, bringing the total to 303,793,28 shares. Investments ranged from £660 to £5m, and raised £9,641,223.90. From 2-7 August customers at the new Milton Keynes branch will receive up to 50% off a range of products, followed by another 50% off their bill at the till (fitting excluded). ‘Being named manager of the 100th store is an incredible honour and one that I and the whole team are

excited about. The celebratory discount is mind-blowing, and I imagine we will have a lot of people queuing on the morning of the opening to take advantage of Tapi’s generosity,’ says Paul Brown. ‘To be opening our 100th store when big retail giants are closing confirms that we are ticking the right boxes, and we will continue to do this as we grow. Everything from our products to our staff and in-store experience is different from the norm, and we are excited to bring that uniqueness to Milton Keynes. The launch event discount is also pushing boundaries as one of the most generous ever offered,’ says Martin Harris, Tapi ceo.

NAEC, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire 2nd & 3rd OCTOBER 2018

A spectacular two day trade event Open to all furniture buyers & bed retailers – Register online now for your free admission ● ●

2 Halls featuring over 80 exhibitors

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Vivendi Lectern Stand

Double Warranty Assurance

The latest addition to the Vivendi collection is Verve and Ardour. An exciting new duel weighted heathers which is a brand new hard wearing solution dyed Nylon. Available on lecterns from your local Area Manager.

NEW 2018 Look out for Ardour and Verve Associated Weavers www.vivendi-carpet.co.uk Sales: 01422 431100 Email: salesuk@awe.be

C O L L E C T I O N A Q U A R I U S Invictus Aquarius Lectern Stand The latest addition to the INVICTUS brand is the new Aquarius collection featuring the Modern High Performance Polyester ranges Indus and Dorado. Available on lecterns from your local Area Manager.

NEW 2018 Look out for Dorado and Indus Associated Weavers www.invictus-carpet.co.uk Sales: 01422 431100 Email: salesuk@awe.be

NEWS

Bagniewski leaves Eve after loss of focus Jas Bagniewski, ceo and co-founder of mattress etailer Eve has left the business. The company said it had lost focus and was changing its strategy. The company has also expanded its retail presence with Dreams introducing its products. Sales for the first half of the year were 61% higher at £18.6m, but short of expectations. ‘Trading patterns in the first six months of the year have experienced greater volatility than originally expected, which in part reflects the challenging backdrop for consumer spending. They also reflect the fact that key growth initiatives have been launched at the latter end of the half and as such are yet to generate a meaningful financial contribution,’ says the company. ‘In addition, management has made some strategic missteps, underestimating what is required to develop a meaningful footprint across continental Europe, while losing focus on creating an aspirational sleep brand in core markets.’ The company said it was abandoning its plans to launch in ‘multiple new countries’ in favour of ‘prioritising greater penetration in its core growth markets’, likely to be its three largest markets: the UK, Germany and France. It said it would not recover the sales in the second half and its UK operations would not achieve profitability by the end of the year. Abid Ismail, cfo has become interim ceo. ‘We have fallen short of our own and the market’s high expectations and as a result have taken the tough decision

‘Perfect storm’ leads to Nasons consultation Canterbury independent furniture retailer Nasons is undertaking a consultation with staff over the future of the business. ‘The retail market is going through unprecedented change and the challenges for Nasons have continued throughout the year. Along with other high street names, Nasons has been hit by a perfect storm of increasing costs, rising business rates and fierce competition which

is hitting sales,’ said Andrew Nason, Nasons chairman. ‘It is a brutal environment and despite the best efforts of everyone at Nasons, the company faces an uncertain future. These consultations will look to explore every option and to hear from every member of staff. All ideas are welcome and no conclusions have yet been drawn.’. The company has appointed business and financial advisers Kreston Reeves.

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Sales rose in the first half of the year

to make a management change,’ said Paul Pindar, chairman. ‘Jas has, as one of the founders, been a driving force for this business and has much to be proud of. He leaves with the board’s best wishes for the future. In tandem with the search for a new ceo we will be refocusing all of our efforts on strengthening the Eve brand in our core markets,’. ‘While we do not anticipate a near-term improvement in the external environment, we have a healthy net cash position, our trading continues to far outstrip that of the market and should be underpinned by company growth initiatives including the Dreams partnership that we expect to benefit the traditionally stronger second half. ‘We remain convinced that the sleep market will continue to transition online, that the opportunity to build a new brand of size and strength is significant and that Eve is well placed to achieve this.’

BIG invests Beauflor and BerryAlloc owner Beaulieu International Group has strengthened its international position with purchases in Canada and Australia. BIG has bought flooring manufacturers Beaulieu Canada and Beaulieu Australia, which will be integrated into its Flooring Solutions business unit. The two companies have a combined turnover of more than €150m. The deals are part of BIG’s strategy of achieving sales

of more than €2bn, of which €1bn comes from flooring. The group says that Beaulieu Canada and Beaulieu Australia will benefit from the size and scale of an international player with global resources in order to further strengthen their ambitions and growth plans. With the addition of the two companies, BIG will have more than 5,000 employees worldwide. Beaulieu Canada’s purchasing office based in China will also become part of BIG.

Best Flooring Manufacturer

Product of the year

Best Customer Service

Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

Essenzo Solitaire The essense of soft touch luxury

Essenzo Solitaire, re-defining the market in super-soft touch luxury. As current trends move towards soft touch luxury, Solitaire stands out as the ultimate in soft touch luxury and bleach cleanable practicality. Solitaire is available in 12 on-trend plain tones manufactured using Essenzo SuperSoft fibre using an extra resilient (2-ply)2 yarn construction. This elegant Saxony is bleach cleanable, mothproof, available in both 4m & 5m widths and features an extra soft Combi-bac backing plus a Free 20 year wear & stain warranty. And with Aria, Spirito and Charme added to the Essenzo collection, everyone can enjoy super-soft touch luxury at affordable price points. Rethink your definition of soft touch luxury and explore Essenzo today.

www.furlongﬂooring.co.uk

Sales: Preston - 01772 696 787

Dartford - 01322 628 707

Gloucester - 0845 520 0800

NEW PRODUCTS

5 1 Hyder Living’s Harmony is a handcrafted bedframe in a stylish modern combination of velvet-style grey fabric and tempered mirrored glass. Ideal for contemporary homes, Harmony’s simple lines are elegant and assured, working to create a bedframe that holds a sense of luxury without feeling fussy or over-designed. It is available in 4ft 6in and 5ft options. Visit: www.hyderliving.com 2 The lines of The NTP Collection from Kettle Interiors are influenced by classic Danish design. Indeed, the new collection shares its blueprint with The NT Collection, this time presenting pieces for dining, occasional and bedroom in a beautiful dove grey paint with contrasting tops in light oak. Tel: 01536 444 960

Interiors Monthly August 2018

4 Designs from the Mad Men collection now rank among the best-selling rugs from Louis de Poortere, with the SS18 The Cracks pattern (pictured) also recently entering the manufacturer’s top 20. Mad Men is a series of bold and powerful rugs in an artful blend of high-gloss polyester and cotton chenille. Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

3 Cormar Carpet Company has re-launched its wool twist Home Counties Plains range with nine new colours, increasing the choice to 18 fashionable shades. Made from 80% New Zealand wool, 10% tuftbond and 10% polypropylene, Home Counties Plains 1/10th gauge carpet comes in 42oz and 50oz pile weights and 4m and 5m widths Visit: www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

5 Building on the success of The TT Dining Collection, Kettle Interiors has launched The TT Bedroom Collection, featuring the same combination of beautiful paint finishes and contrasting lime-washed oak tops. Available in Old White and Millstone Grey, the range is finished with chrome cup handles, making seriously good-looking furniture that’s versatile enough for any style home.  Tel: 01536 444 960

The Noble & Stripes Collection A classic 5/32nd cutpile, The Noble & Stripes Collection has been updated with brand new colours and a more elegant, narrower stripe then before. Available in 11 contemporary plain colours and three coordinating stripe colourways.

UPDATED COLOUR BANK & IMPROVED STRIPE NOW AVAILABLE

For further information visit: www.baltacarpets.com

NEW PRODUCTS

6 Barcelona Rugs’ Cleta collection is inspired by the city’s favourite transport: the bicycle. The design features wheels against a contrasting background. It is available in two versions, with a white background and coloured lines or a colour background and white lines. The rug can be personalised. Visit: www.barcelonarugs.com

neutral geometric form in sound-absorbing thermo-formed material with fabric shell, the internal ribs creating a delicate chiaroscuro effect. The lamp can be personalised in a combination of shade colours. Visit: www.luceplan.com

7 B&B Italia’s Fiore is a series of outdoor tables, round and square, by Naota Fukasawa, available in two heights and in white or greige cement. Visit: www.bebitalia.com 8 New to the Luceplan catalogue, Farel introduces an iconic dome shape lamp, a

Interiors Monthly August 2018

9 Cassina has expanded its Cotone collection with an aluminium dining table with oak or marble top, a wooden chair and a smaller version of 2017’s dining chair. The table has four sizes and a square version and is available in seven colours. Visit: www.cassina.com 10 Pro-Screed Gold is the two-part levelling and smoothing compound from Floorwise. High quality powder and latex liquid combine to make Pro-Screed Gold the go-to bag and bottle levelling and smoothing choice. There is no need to prime, meaning installers can reduce time spent on site, with rapid setting and excellent flow adding to its ease of use. Visit www.floorwise.co.uk

Britain’s Biggest & Best Bed Show!

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If you’re in beds, you’d be mad to miss it!

SERVICE

Richard Renouf

Method or end result?

If you never see the installation, should it worry you? Which is most important: the end result or the way it was achieved? I’m working on the judging sheets for this year’s Carpet Fitter of the Year Competition, to be held at The Flooring Show in September, and it’s an important question. If the fitted kitchen units are plumb and the worktops level, isn’t that enough? If the carpet or vinyl looks fabulous and is not going to come loose, surely that’s a good job done? And if, like most retailers, the installation process is something I never get to see, why should I be concerned about it? Some years ago I received a phone call from a very angry customer. She happened to be one of the trainers in Newmarket at the time and George had just delivered her new suite. He and his assistant had not taken off their shoes and there were now muddy footprints all over her new white carpet. Sorry hadn’t been good enough. It was only a 20 minute drive and I parked in the stable yard, the noise from the gravel alerting the tethered

Using pickers instead of levelling the floor

Interiors Monthly August 2018

dogs to my arrival. It took three rings of the doorbell to rouse a response, but eventually I heard hurried footsteps and creaking hinges. ‘Oh, sorry, I’d forgotten you were coming! It’s alright, it turned out to be just rainwater and now it’s dry there are no marks on the carpet at all.’ The door closed as quickly as it had opened and I turned to get back in the car. If something so simple could cause a complaint, think of the possible issues that could cause concern to a customer during the fitting of some furniture or flooring. Is it the end result or the way it was achieved that matters? I’ve heard trainers telling carpet fitters that how they carry out the job doesn’t matter. If the fitter could get a good result using a knife and fork or a chainsaw (I hope they were joking), who’s to say that’s wrong? I think my Newmarket customer would not have been the only one! What kind of impression do your installers give to your customers? Do

Avoid making footprints

they look professional, do they have the right tools for the job and are the tools in good condition? Do they work with your customers, minimising inconvenience as much as possible and not assuming they can use the customer’s toilet without permission, or ask for a cuppa whenever they feel like it? Do they carry out their work professionally and look like they know what they’re doing? And when their work is taken up at the end of its life, will it still give the best of impressions when the hidden workmanship is revealed? With the recent changes in the General Data Protection Regulation, do they look after the customer’s paperwork so that it’s not left lying around where other customers or passers-by might see it? There’s no doubt the process is just as important as the end result. How well do you know what’s going on? Visit: www.richard-renouf.com Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

The Wool Carpet & Rug Awards 2018 Q U A L I T Y, S T Y L E , I N N O VAT I O N

Sponsored by Campaign for Wool, in association with British Wool, the Wool Carpet & Rug Awards celebrate excellence in wool carpet and rug manufacture.

The awards ceremony will be held during The Flooring Show, on Monday 17th September 2018 at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 5.30pm. Entries close Friday 17th August. For more information, email awards@campaignforwool.org

RETAIL SMALL SPACES ‘The Design Studio has looked at a series of modern designs created specifically for when space is tight. Small footprint, multifunctional furniture with light colourways, thin outlines and designs that are easy to move are key. Each piece is constructed with enduring materials to ensure these remain with you from home to home.’ Left: Bumble dressing table £250; Hester dining chair £95; Marley mirror with shelves £95; Maluku bamboo mirror £65; Rafi table lamp £25

Design hero: Clemence sofa (right) designed

by James Cottingham, from £1,400. ‘Everything about this family sofa is oversized which gives it an impressive character with its high luxe finish in velvet. Extra deep seating, plump rounded upholstery; it’s a modular design too, so you can still have this luxe look in spaces where access is restricted.’

INDUSTRIAL EDGE

Room service Habitat’s AW18 collection is guided by nine looks. Kate Butler, Habitat head of design, introduces the season’s trends. Visit www.habitat.co.uk

‘Raw, black metal is a key material this season and we have introduced this industrial influence across the collection with a range of accessories. In furniture, the Ringo dining table by Matthew Long makes a strong industrial statement as it juxtaposes a sandblasted solid pine wooden top with an impactful metal sandcast base inspired by warehouse architecture.’ Cinders smoke glass triple light £180; Ringo dining table £995; Tabitha black metal dining chairs £150

JAPANESE INFLUENCE ‘A return to simplicity typifies the hyper-compact Belami table which nods to a Japanese design aesthetic. This design with its pale wood construction exudes calm and maximises a sense of light and space so that it doesn’t overpower a small room. Belami comes with benches which can be easily tucked away underneath when not in use.’

Belami ash dining table and two dining benches £495

ECCENTRIC GLAMOUR ‘The extrovert of our collection, The Fox is the alter-ego of a more muted rattan chair designed for the SS18 collection. This was about injecting some fun and adding in a real “love or hate” Habitat statement piece. Made by hand and covered completely in a dark grey shearling, this nods to a 1970s era of hedonism and fun.’ Fox shearling armchair designed by Matthew Long £1,995; Tabatha side table £275

Interiors Monthly August 2018

RETAIL

MODERN FOLK PATTERN

LUXE LAYERING ‘One for the

‘A series of bohemian-inspired patterns from designer Martha Coates across laid-back textiles and hand-painted ceramics. The tone is youthful, eclectic and energised with pops of colour and reworks of retro pattern. Tiger Face is a particularly beautiful new design.’

maximalists out there. This look layers together a combination of high finish, contrasting materials such as marble, highly polished metals, leathers and elegant woodwork for a high-impact luxe look. Richly textured, hand-woven textiles bring warmth and personality.’

Top row: Tiger Face rug £350; Quartet kilim £350; Bazaar flatweave rug £180. Bottom row: Auguste red wool rug £500; Hartley flatweave £180; poufs £110

Elkin four-seater chaise leather sofa £4,995; Hamilton oak sideboard £895; Django wool rug £250; Ferguson rug £250; Tokki marble-effect side table £250

Design hero (inset): Sabine bedroom range designed by Matthew Long,

Design hero (inset): Onda aluminium coffee table designed by Matthew

six-drawer chest £795. ‘It is our modern take on a look inspired by the Ibizan countryside. The oak designs are identified by exaggerated turned wooden feet, rounded edges and use of a dramatic wood grain patina.’

Long, £495. ‘Each of these tables is handmade in India with a hand-beaten top that gives it a rippled effect. It has a great futuristic feel but with an organic edge that brings it back to the most traditional of crafts.’

NATURAL COOL (right) ‘A calming palette of neutrals underpins this look which hints at quite a minimal Scandi vibe but is punctuated by pops of industrialism for a contemporary, warehouse edge. Here there’s a focus on stripped timbers, wood grain and a return to simple, natural patinas and materials within furniture.’ Austin oak shelving £495; Austin oak dining table £595; Austin oak dining bench £395; Seinfield woven blocks rug £350; Musgo large vase £50; Perola vase £45

Design hero:

Patton open shelving, from £395. ‘Patton is our new modular range of industrialinspired shelving that can be used across all areas of the home – as modern kitchen larder or office library. We’ve recently seen a real demand for storage that “shows off” rather than hides.’

CURVES (far right, top) ‘The use of curves is an emerging trend especially in furniture design, with the softening of corners giving a

Clockwise from above: Natural Cool; Curves; Silhouette

more fluid, rounded profile. The Design Studio has incorporated this concept into several furniture pieces, including the Dakota coffee table designed by James Cottingham in figured walnut, which juxtaposes a rounded top on an angular base for a 1960’s American vibe.’ Etta extending dining table £695; Baco dining chair £180; Etta oak sideboard £695; Mosaic flatweave rug by Martha Coates £250

SILHOUETTE (above) ‘The mood is highly refined, richly atmospheric, using a dark-on-dark palette that relies on texture for visual interest, with glossy metallic for a high-end finish.’ Etta extending dining table in black £750; Talia dining chair £95; Alexander rug £250; Nona yellow dinner set £110

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

RETAIL Everyday Luxury is ideal for those who enjoy classic pieces to make the home feel comfortable and timeless. In the bedroom and living room, the furniture has been designed to create a serene ambience that is minimal yet warm. Argos Home pushes its crisp aesthetic approach with a pale palette using chalky and subdued hues, giving a delicate and airy feel.

Global style A tour through Argos Home AW18 ‘Our in-house design and buying teams have drawn inspiration from across the world, creating exciting and original ideas and themes that have shaped our AW18 range,’ says Andrew Tanner, Argos Home design manager. ‘This season Argos Home offers six design themes that each bring a unique appeal into the home. Rural Retreat expresses an autumnal countryside feel, whereas Urban Escape and Everyday Luxury create a calming ambience in a softer palette. Nomadic Travels has global, bohemian appeal, Midnight Opulence focuses on luxurious furniture and accessories, while Apartment Living offers smart, space-saving solutions.’ Visit: www.argos.co.uk With new additions to the existing collection, Apartment Living (right) evokes a modern, contemporary feel. The range is functional, clever and ideal for small living spaces with its unfussy lines. The Angel chair is the perfect example of a smart, sophisticated product that can add a pop of colour in the room.

To truly embody an autumnal countryside feel, Rural Retreat (left) blends rustic materials with cosy knits and handcrafted accessories, with shades of grey, deep beetroot and mustard dominating the AW18 collection. The range includes pieces for the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom. Designed in-house, the collection features plaids, tweeds and faux fur mixed with printed patterns and fine embroidery to create a classic look for the home. The sturdy pieces of furniture, like the Argyll chair, are meticulously created with character and craftsmanship. 

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s come home!

New Tomkinson Berber, now produced back in the UK.

P: 01827 831450 W: www.manxtomkinson.co.uk E: sales@manxtomkinson.co.uk

RETAIL The Urban Escape collection (left) is inspired by the concepts behind Hygge living, the Danish word to describe a moment of escapism, calm and tranquillity. The collection celebrates minimal design and incorporates well-loved accessories to create a serene environment within the home. The gentle palette of eucalyptus and mint greens, cool blue and dusky pink encourages relaxation. Organic textures and soft geometric patterns mixed with cool greys work well for the bedroom. In the living room and dining room, the trend expresses modest minimalism with a focus on modern comforts.

Inspired by a lavish attitude, Midnight Opulence (below) is a glamorous range that focuses on grand furniture and luxurious home accessories. The fusion of decadent brass, dark woods and embellished fabrics offers a rich sense of luxury within the home. The beautiful blue velvet sofa is a particularly plush piece that takes centre stage with its immaculate looks. Complemented by mixed metallic finishes and statement pieces, Midnight Opulence reflects quality and confidence, ideal for those with a sophisticated taste.

The bohemian Nomadic Travels collection takes inspiration from around the world and captures the contrast between old traditions and new influences. A blend of patterns, materials and finishes allow you to layer with texture and simple forms across furniture and accessories. The use of earthy matte palettes paired with stained wood furniture create conversational pieces for the home.

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Under the Telenzo Edel umbrella we are proud to introduce the brand new Atmosphere Collection. This synthetic collection consists of 3 brand new saxony style products called Breeze, Whisper and Cloud; from standard to luxury. We are proud to put Telenzo Carpets on the map, not only as D TXDOLÆ¬ HG ZRRO VXSSOLHU EXW DOVR DV D TXDOLW\ VXSSOLHU RI YHU\ OX[XULRXV VRIW WRXFK FDUSHW ZLWK HJJVKHOO PDW Æ¬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

Images: Mark Cocksedge

DESIGN

Bright young things New Designers saw the cream of the country’s design graduates show their talents. Here are highlights of the interiors winners. Visit: www.newdesigners.com Sainsbury’s Home & Argos Home Award (Week One): Lucy Beckett, Leeds Arts University 'Lucy demonstrated a strong use of colour, combining tactile hues, sensitive mark making and conversational print. Lucy's portfolio was diverse and showed an ability to be creative through different styles in handwriting… we loved the innovative palette, lightness of hand and original creative flair.' Prize: £500 and mentoring from Sainsbury's and Argos design studio Kingfisher Design Talent Award (Week One): Charlotte Munson, Loughborough University ‘Demonstrated a good sense of colour, technical ability and varied handwriting, whilst articulating the story with a commercial focus.’ Prize: Six-month paid internship with the Kingfisher design team W’innovate & Wilko Award: Tasha Warren, Birmingham City University ‘A strong portfolio with refined compositions, fresh use of colour and a clear working process.’ Prize: £1,000 and a two-week work placement 

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Clockwise from top left: Tasha Warren, Charlotte Munson, Lucy Beckett, Mac Collins

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DESIGN Top, clockwise from left: Jiawei Sun, Madeleine Gill, Adele Marie Bottom, from left: Alexander Hay, Emily Edwards, Tamara Emanuel, Jan Waterston

Romo Award for Innovation in Design and Colour: Tamara Emanuel, Nottingham Trent University ‘We were particularly impressed by Tamara's expressive painting and fluidity in style, combined with her innovative layering of textures and considered use of colour.' Prize: £500 and paid internship of up to six months at Romo’s design studio

Belmond Award: Mac Collins, Northumbria University ‘Informed by the ideals of Afrocentrism and the aesthetics of Afrofuturism, Iklwa is a throne to inspire empowerment. Visually intense, Iklwa’s dramatic composition asserts the power of its sitter. An incredibly talented designer whose product embodies the timeless, luxurious and soulful nature of Belmond.’ Prize: £1,000 and commission to design a product for Belmond

Harlequin Award: Emily Edwards, Leeds Arts University ‘Beautiful use of colour with an expressive drawing style and varied hand.’ Prize: £1,000; three-week internship at a Harlequin design studio.

100% Design Award: Jiawei Sun, Kingston School of Art ‘The Magneto floor lamp and pendant light was selected for its playful design that offers versatility in its function. We were impressed with its visual confidence and commercial potential.’ Prize: Stand space at the Emerging Brands section of 100% Design

Sainsbury’s Home & Argos Home Award (Week Two): Madeleine Gill, Northumbria University ‘Madeleine showed an amazing ability to research into disposable cutlery and think about how plastic impacts on our planet; not only this but Madeleine is a talented furniture designer, tabletop designer and a forward thinker who Argos believes will help design products for our future generation.’ Prize: £500 and mentoring from Sainsbury's and Argos design studio Made.com Talentlab Award: Adele Marie, Nottingham Trent University ‘The Alessia sofa is the kind of product that reflects the needs of people's multi-use spaces today and a product we can imagine in the Made collection.’ Prize: Five hours of mentoring with a Made.com designer

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Country Living One Year In (Week Two) Associate Prize: Alexander Hay Design, One Year In ‘Alexander represents the new generation of young designers and makers embracing traditional crafts. We loved that his work is inspired by the British countryside. Excellent commercial strategy – building relationships with key design companies and developing different ranges, handmade and manufactured.’ Prize: Stand space at The Country Living Spring Fair 2019 London Design Fair Associate Prize: Jan Waterson, One Year In ‘We were taken aback by the level of craftsmanship evident in the Velo chair. A considered response to the material and a seamless design.’ Prize: Stand at London Design Fair

AWARDS

Julian Bowen

Salerno Oak Bedroom Range

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AWARDS

You have made your choices and decided who the winners of the Interiors Monthly Awards 2018 are. The companies below, whether retailers, manufacturers or suppliers, were chosen for their first class performance. Over the following pages you can read more about many of the category winners. Congratulations to all of them. Best Furniture Retailer (1-3 stores): Fishpools Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores): Floor Coverings Best Furniture Retailer (4 plus stores): Dreams Best Flooring Retailer (4 plus stores): SCS Best Online Retailer: Loaf Best UK Furniture Manufacturer: Whitemeadow Best UK Flooring Manufacturer: Furlong Flooring Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer: Wiemann Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer: Balta Best Furniture Buying Group: AIS Best Flooring Buying Group: SMG Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket): Harrison Spinks Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-Market): Sealy Best Bed Manufacturer (Value): Breasley Best Carpet Manufacturer: Cormar Best Bed Manufacturer (Adjustable): Furmanac Best Rug Supplier: Think Rugs Best Bedroom Manufacturer: Nolte Best Laminate Manufacturer: Quick-Step Best Dining Room Manufacturer: Willis & Gambier Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer: Woodpecker Flooring Best Living Room Manufacturer: Rowico UK Best Underlay Manufacturer: Ball & Young Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury): Ashley Manor Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer: Westbridge Best Vinyl Manufacturer: IVC Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury): Ekornes Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer: La-Z-Boy UK Best LVT Manufacturer: Karndean Design Flooring Best Recliner Manufacturer: himolla Best Accessory Supplier: Gallery Direct Best Flooring Accessory Supplier: Interfloor Best Children's Furniture Manufacturer: Steens

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Best Flatpack Furniture Manufacturer: Furniture to Go Best Home Entertainment Supplier: UK-CF Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer: Sanderson Best Mattress Protection Provider: Protect-A-Bed Best Lighting Manufacturer: Elstead Lighting Best Furniture Wholesaler: Julian Bowen Best Flooring Wholesaler: Mercado Best Customer Service (Furniture): Julian Bowen Best Customer Service (Flooring): Associated Weavers Best Business Support (Furniture): Greenwood Retail Best Business Support (Flooring): Flooring One Best Marketing Support (Furniture): Silentnight Best Marketing Support (Flooring): The Metro Group Best Software Supplier: Retail Systems Best Furniture Exhibition: January Furniture Show Best Flooring Exhibition: The Flooring Show Best Product Protection Provider: Guardsman Best Warranty Provider: Castelan Group Best New Supplier: The Great Chair Company Best Furniture Website: Parker Knoll Best Flooring Website: Moduleo Innovation of the Year (Furniture): National Bed Federation – Due Diligence Testing Innovation of the Year (Flooring): Unilin – Rigid LVT EDITOR’S CHOICE Product of the Year (Furniture): Natuzzi – Furrow Product of the Year (Flooring): Beauflor – Skyline Digitally Printed Vinyl Flooring Brand 2018: Lifestyle Floors Sustainability (Furniture): Hypnos Sustainability (Flooring): Carpet Recycling UK Outstanding Performance (Furniture): Calligaris Outstanding Performance (Flooring): Victoria

AWARDS

Loaf Best Online Retailer Floor Coverings Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores) Having won the award in 2015, Dry Drayton, Cambridge independent Floor Coverings has reclaimed its title as Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores). The company has the largest showroom in the Cambridge area and with more than 3,500 samples in-store and its suppliers list reading like a Who’s Who of the flooring industry, consumers will find the floor for them, no matter their taste. And scores of testimonials from customers attest to its focus on excellent customer service.

Dreams Best Furniture Retailer (4 plus stores) Dreams saw sales rise 7.2% to £300m in the year to 24 December 2017, with like-for-like sales growth of 3.3% after 2016’s 14.1% growth. It maintained its EBITDA pre-exceptional margin of 14.8% while pre-tax profits rose 7.2% to £29.2m. ‘Our results for 2017 reflect our ongoing investment and commitment to make,

The past year has been one of growth and expansion for Loaf. Last month it opened its sixth showroom, in Solihull. In May it opened in Wilmslow and March saw it open in Guildford. In the year to 31 March 2017 sales jumped by 28% to £34.5m while pre-tax profits rose by £864,000 to £3.79m. Loaf launched in 2008 after founder Charlie Marshall found the experience of buying a mattress too complicated, The product range now covers mattresses, beds, upholstery, cabinet, lighting,

ScS Best Flooring Retailer (4 plus stores)

curtains and blinds and accessories. The company previously won the award in 2014.

Fishpools Best Furniture Retailer (1-3 stores)

ScS has seen strong growth in its flooring sales and has average orders significantly above that of the market leader. In the year to 29 July 2017 flooring sales rose by 5% to £39.9m, with average orders increasing by 3.5% to £629. And the growth continued into 2018. In the six months to 27 January, sales rose 5.7% to £21.3m as average orders increased to £676. With a flooring offer of carpets, rugs, vinyl, laminate and LVT, carpet prices range from £5.99 per sqm to £99.99.

Next year will see the 120th anniversary of Ernest Fishpool borrowing £85 and opening his store in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. By 1906 he had moved to the site on the town’s High Street that it still occupies. Today the company is still family owned and at 62,000sqft the store is ‘the largest in the south-east of England selling quality furniture’. This summer the store received a makeover as it prepares for its next major milestone.

sell and deliver the most comfortable beds across the UK. We have continued to provide market-leading quality, value and choice alongside a first-class customer experience,’ said Mike Logue, Dreams ceo. ‘While the UK consumer economy continues to face challenges, this set of results puts us in a strong position at the outset of the year. We continue to see significant interest in the UK mattress market and remain confident in our ability to execute and deliver our strategy,’ Investment included eight new stores, taking the number to 190 and 23 store refurbishments; £1.8m on its website (online sales rose 15% over the year);

two new home delivery centres and extending its Oldbury factory, increasing production capacity by nearly a third. Dreams achieved top place in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100.

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

AWARDS

Whitemeadow Best UK Furniture Manufacturer

Bottom left: Bossanova sofa Bottom right: Louis bed frame Below: Merida chair

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Whitemeadow is the largest independently owned upholstery manufacturer in Britain, and supplies many of the UK’s blue chip high street brands and premium independent furniture retailers. Situated in the heart of the upholstery hub of the country, Whitemeadow began life in 1994, handcrafting products in its Nottinghamshire factory. Fast-forward to today and it is proud to maintain its commitment to craftsmanship, but now on a much larger scale. Expansion has allowed it to produce more but has never extinguished the commitment to keeping all of the company's products handcrafted in local factories. Whitemeadow employs over 550 colleagues over six sites within a two-mile radius, totalling more than 170,000sqft of manufacturing space. Entrepreneurial spirit is at the core of the company, and its independence allows it the freedom to react quickly and offer the essential flexibility needed in the upholstery sector. It also allows Whitemeadow to be agile in its creativity, successfully manufacturing a number of different product categories, including sofas, bed frames, sofa beds and accent pieces including chairs, footstools, chaises and ottomans. It isn’t limited to a particular style either: it is determined to push the boundaries. Rather than producing a singular structured house style, it offers designs appealing to a wide spectrum

of customers, with styles ranging from timeless classics through to the pure contemporary. ‘Our customers trust in our experience, and we’re really proud to give our clients this confidence, supplying beautifully designed furniture that sits in the heart of their customers’ homes,’ says Paul Wesson, Whitemeadow sales director. Having been recognised in the London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain and Europe several times, Ian Oscroft, Whitemeadow md says he is thrilled to receive this award. ‘We are delighted to have scooped this prestigious honour. Whitemeadow has won several awards over the years, but this one is extra special for two reasons. One, because it is from such a highly regarded and well-respected publication which has a great deal of credibility in the industry for setting the agenda. And two, because it was voted for by readers of the magazine, who are our customers, which shows that we are continuing to do the right things by innovating, being brave with our design ideas and giving the industry the service and product quality that it needs. 'This is a huge honour and it is testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole team here at Whitemeadow, who take such pride in producing great British furniture which continues to push the boundaries of design and drive industry trends.’ Visit: www.whitemeadow.com

W W W.W H I T E M E A D O W. C O M

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AWARDS

Furlong Flooring Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

Bottom left: Design Elements Salsa Bottom centre: Essenzo Charme 992 Mist Bottom right: Natural Solutions Vesta LVT in Live Oak

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘We are absolutely delighted to have received back-to-back awards for Best UK Flooring Manufacturer,’ says Mike Symonds, Furlong Flooring director. ‘Our business has evolved in recent years to reflect changes in the industry. We are now very much focused on providing a complete flooring product offering to our customers in addition to leading service levels. ‘Our Regency Carefree carpets, manufactured in Northern Ireland, continue to be the best in the industry in respect of appearance, wear and warranty. We have such confidence in our carpets but we continue to invest, develop and monitor their performance so that we maintain this position. Our customers require products that will build and maintain their reputations and this what we give them.’ In the past year the Design Elements vinyl portfolio has been extended to include a compact prayer book stand and felt back ranges. ‘This is still an important part of the market and one we continue to invest in. Our stand solutions display the products in a consumer-friendly way to make selection a simpler process. Most importantly we have stock on the shelf to fulfil those orders,’ says Symonds. Hard flooring is an increasingly growing market and Furlong Flooring

has significant experience in this area. ‘Our Natural Solutions branded product portfolio has expanded significantly in recent years and is now available across the UK. Wood flooring has long been an area of specialism and continues to grow. A strong portfolio of contemporary laminate products has been selected to expand choice and provide a value alternative. ‘This year we have also launched our three-product LVT range to the independent market with much success. This is a growing market in the UK and we are confident that our products, in conjunction with a great stand concept, will deliver exactly what retailers are looking for. ‘Increasingly businesses are choosing Furlong Flooring because of our commitment to service. Our commitment to stock means that our three UK distribution centres can fulfil orders with 98% stock accuracy at the point of order. Our commitment to our own vehicles and our own drivers means that 99.8% of our orders are delivered on the requested delivery day at the same time. ‘Our commitment to product quality means that consumers get the right products every time.’ Visit: www.furlongflooring.co.uk

Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

Proud to be recognised for our manufacturing excellence and expertise. A huge thanks to Interiors Monthly readers for voting Furlong Flooring the Best UK Flooring Manufacturer for 2018 for the second year running. With last year’s success, it shows we continue to ‘tick all the boxes’ and be the supplier of choice for retailers.

www.furlongﬂooring.co.uk

Sales: Preston - 01772 696 787

Dartford - 01322 628 707

Gloucester - 0845 520 0800

AWARDS

Wiemann Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer

Clockwise from below: Cayenne, Kansas and Sydney

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘We’re honoured to be awarded Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer for the sixth year in a row,’ says Simon Hewitt, md of Litmus Furniture, UK and Irish agent for German bedroom producer Wiemann. ‘I can’t thank all those who voted for us enough. We are thrilled and delighted to know that so many of our customers have that sort of confidence in the products and services we offer. ‘Design, style, innovation and practicality are all factors that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to creating a popular bedroom furniture range. But what’s key for a successful business is excellent customer service.’ Since the January Furniture Show Wiemann has launched six exciting ranges, three finishes and further lighting innovations. Its award-winning Cayenne range has been a particular hit with retailers thanks to its unique dual-depth wardrobes, providing consumers with a practical way of squeezing in a bit more storage space, especially around a bed. The manufacturer has also seen great interest in Sydney, a sliding robe collection in semi-solid oak, providing a more traditional feel to a bedroom. Kansas, a new take on bestseller Loft, is also a favourite with retailers. It includes a selection of smart innovation

features, including the one-touch, autoopening hinge mechanism, thought to be a unique feature among current bedroom furniture products. Another new feature is the auto on-off shelf strip internal lighting. ‘If you’ve missed our recent product launches, you can catch up with us at The Irish Furniture & Homewares Show from 18-21 August, or at our Derbyshire showroom in Long Eaton during the Autumn Long Point show from 17-19 September. We'll also be at The Minerva Autumn Furniture Show at Stoneleigh Park, near Kenilworth, from 2-3 October,’ says Hewitt. ‘It’s important to remember that our success is dependent not just on great products but on great service too. We never forget that we must make dealing with us as easy and trouble-free as possible. There’s no better measure of service than customer feedback: there’s no better positive evaluation than when customers come back for your products because they appreciate what you’re offering. ‘Our sales team ensures that all our customers are fully supported and looked after. They are all vastly experienced and are all well respected by the retail trade.’ Visit: www.wiemannuk.co.uk

Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer winner for the sixth year running!

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Bedrooms of distinctive style, quality and value

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AWARDS

Balta Carpets Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer

Right: Soft Noble and Stripes Far right: StainSafe Heritage Heathers Xtron Above right: Made in Heaven Aurora

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘We’re delighted to have spent more than a decade at the top. That’s right, this is the 11th straight year we’ve been voted your Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer and for that we would like to say a huge thank you to all the readers of Interiors Monthly. You have recognised not only our diverse array of carpet ranges, but our efforts to provide you with exceptional service, which keeps you coming back to us year after year,’ says Balta Carpets. ‘With the launch of Made in Heaven, a new generation of supersoft polyester carpets that offer exceptional comfort and stain-resistance, we’re continuing to innovate and provide our retailers with carpets that provide technical excellence, quality and value. Our StainSafe collection, the heart of Balta Carpets for many years now, is kept fresh with new introductions in Soft Noble Deluxe and Ultimate Noble, as well as several new roll lines arriving in time for peak season. ‘Then there is the impressive Leonis range of supersoft polypropylene carpets that has been enjoying success across the country. With high strength for busy homes, the Xtron twist carpets have also enjoyed recent prominence in stores. ‘Of course, we can’t rely on product innovation alone to stay ahead of the field, so we are equally focused on making sure our service is the very best. From a dedicated UK sales desk and with an

impressive logistics network, we can provide fast processing and reliable delivery, whether cut-length orders or full rolls for warehouses. Using the quieter summer months to build stock, we’re working with independent retailers and members of leading buying groups, and have built a reputation for being a trustworthy partner. ‘With great product, huge choice, excellent value, strong brands and exemplary service, we hope to continue our winning streak into next year and would like to thank all of our customers for their continued loyal support.’ Balta, tel: 0032 5662 2211

Award winning service for over a decade For 11 straight years, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been your favourite Overseas Flooring Supplier. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to say thank you. We work hard to provide the service you need and carpets that deliver your customers quality and value. This recognition is testament to our efforts and is hugely appreciated by everyone at Balta.

For further information visit: www.baltacarpets.com

AWARDS

Cormar Carpet Company Best Carpet Manufacturer

Right: Last month the company rebranded Bottom left: The 130,000sqft Hemel Hempstead distribution centre Bottom right: Apollo Comfort in Earl Grey

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Winning Best Carpet Manufacturer adds another element of success to a notable year for the Cormar Carpet Company, which recently unveiled a new look: the first corporate update in more than a quarter of a century. ‘To be voted Best Carpet Manufacturer for the sixth consecutive year, by the readers of Interiors Monthly, is an incredible achievement,’ says David Cormack, Cormar marketing director. ‘This year we’ve made huge investments in the business that take us forward as a dynamic and leading-edge player in the market so it’s great for the team to be recognised once again for their hard work and determination.’ At the start of the year, Cormar opened the doors to a new 130,000sqft distribution centre in Hemel Hempstead, which consolidated and strengthened its national distribution network across the South of England. The multi-million pound infrastructure houses two cut-length machines and a sortation

system which allows Cormar to stock up to 2,500 rolls of carpet. Last month, the company launched its new look as the Cormar Carpet Company, reflecting its ongoing specialism in carpets. The intention is to bring to the brand more of a home furnishing style and drive traffic through to retailers. ‘We are still maintaining our core values: family-owned and British made and the brand will continue to be supported with high-performing products, excellent customer service and an efficient delivery service,’ says Cormack. As one of the leaders in residential carpet manufacturing, Cormar has been working hard to expand its portfolio and push the boundaries in carpet style. The latest addition to the company’s easy-clean family is the Apollo Comfort range, made with a new softer Excellon polypropylene fibre that brings a premium feel to an affordably priced range. It is also re-launching the popular wool twist range Home Counties Plains. ‘We’ve been in business for more than 60 years and customer satisfaction is still our number one priority. Being recognised as the Best Carpet Manufacturer by retailers is a real honour’, adds Cormack. Visit www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

AWARDS

The Great Chair Company Best New Supplier

Right: Barrington in Kenya Bronze Below: Malmesbury in Kaleido (LtoR) Thunder, Ochre, Sunset, Calypso and Petrol Below right: Compton in Isla Charcoal

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘The Great Chair Company is honoured to have been voted the Best New Supplier by Interiors Monthly readers. Just six months from our launch at the January Furniture Show we have seen a truly outstanding reaction to a very simple niche product offer’, says Mark Symes, The Great Chair Company director. ‘Firstly, orders were placed within the first 15 minutes of the January Furniture Show, then the invitation to become AIS and Minerva approved suppliers, adding more than 20 new accounts every month to total just over 170 before the Manchester Furniture Show. Then came the news just prior to the show of this award and then over 30 new accounts

signed at Manchester taking our total retailers to over 200. ‘There is much more to do, we have had teething problems, but one element stands out time and time again: our products are well designed and very commercially priced. ‘Our chairs are today’s fashion accessory and being bold with fabric designs and colour has paid off. We like to say we are having fun with fabric but in truth we are just having fun. ‘We won’t stand still: we have already added eight new fabric and leather options and we would like to invite all the fabric suppliers out there to show us vibrant, exciting and unusual fabrics, as our customers love them and we love using them. We will continue to create a look that’s so very different from the mainstream whilst maintaining terrific value. ‘We are in a fashion business and our products must reflect today’s trends. From the reaction we have received, you agree. ‘Thank you to all the readers who voted us Best New Supplier: that was very generous of you and we look forward to building on this year’s explosive launch and continuing to push the boundaries, delivering great value, driving on with energy and enthusiasm and at all times enjoying the ride.’ Visit: www.thegreatchaircompany.com

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AWARDS

Julian Bowen Best Customer Service (Furniture)

Above: Scarla marble-effect coffee table Below: Grace low sleeper with underbed Below right: Mayfair bed

Interiors Monthly August 2018

For the fourth year in a row, the readers of Interiors Monthly have recognised Julian Bowen as the industry’s leading customer service provider. This is a significant vote of confidence from a broad customer base, reflecting the company’s focus on attention to detail across all areas of the value chain and supported by consistent investment, training and a loyal staff. Julian Bowen’s entire proposition is designed to make the customer experience as smooth, simple and enjoyable as possible. The business aims to deliver flexible solutions to meet the changing needs of its diverse customer base, and this is evident from the point of initial design, through production and on to shipping, storage and distribution. ‘There is no such thing as a typical customer, and it’s our job to work as hard as possible to ensure that each one gets the service they both need and deserve. This stretches to bespoke product development, one-off project work and numerous distribution options,’ says Emmett Lenaghan, Julian Bowen md. Customers can receive goods in the way that suits them best, from direct container to multi-drops through the company’s large commercial fleet, or DHD via a door-to-door, room-of-choice service. An experienced team provides a full assembly service when requested. Overnight collections continue to grow as the customer base recognises the importance of shorter lead times to the end consumer: Julian Bowen offers a rapid turnaround on all orders received by 2pm which sees them picked, labelled

and loaded by a dedicated team onto the customer’s carrier the same day. Availability levels remain crucial to customer satisfaction, and Julian Bowen’s commitment to a large stock holding is significant, with £6m of finished product held in the company’s 150,000sqft central warehousing facility in the East Midlands. This is augmented by significant investment in both IT systems and specialist stock control personnel, which allows the company to boast an average in-stock position of 95% across its entire range and enables its customers to receive stock data in multiple formats and timeframes (hourly if required) to give absolute real-time transparency on stock levels at the individual SKU level. Julian Bowen’s long-standing customer service team know their own business and that of their customers well. The company is rightly proud of the team’s courtesy, helpfulness and efficiency, which is crucial in making the customer experience as satisfying as possible and which is supported by ongoing training and a constant evolution of business processes to enhance efficiency. ‘While it is clear that the furniture industry is seeing unprecedented change, from our perspective, as ever, the customer needs to be the focal point of everything we do,’ says Lenaghan. ‘We strive to make their lives easier by giving them products they know will be of the highest quality at the best prices, and will be in stock, and to ensure they know they can rely on us at every turn.’ Visit: www.julian-bowen.co.uk

Julian Bowen Limited

Hamilton Bedroom Sonoma Oak Finish

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

Associated Weavers Best Customer Service (Flooring)

Above: Invictus Right and far right: iSense

Interiors Monthly August 2018

For the second successive year Associated Weavers has been named as the winner of the Best Customer Service (Flooring) award. Associated Weavers has a justifiable reputation for an original approach to carpet manufacturing and retailing. The development of Invictus throughout 2017 and this year is a prime example, and August sees the addition of the Aquarius collection to the brand: a modern take on super-soft polyester, in the form of the Indus and Dorado ranges. The company is just as confident that another recent brand, Vivendi, will carry on receiving industry plaudits. It was created to meet the increasing consumer demand for products that perform faultlessly in every room in the home and this year is being strengthened by the addition of three new ranges. ‘We’re so confident that Vivendi will meet and exceed your expectations, we’ve given it our best-ever double warranty assurance of 25 years for stain and wear issues – another valuable selling point for retailers,’ says Simon Lewyckyj, Associated Weavers commercial director. It’s not just an extensive product range that makes the company stand out. It has also established a reputation for market-leading displays, incorporating

stunning lectern units and graphics, to stop customers in their tracks. Plus, many of its ranges are available in multi-width variants of 2m, 2.5m, 3m, 4m and 5m to add to their practicality and appeal. ‘In part we are able to achieve and maintain our standards by being very selective about the high street partners that we supply. The more well known a retailer is with its customers, the more those consumers expect to receive reputable and reliable products. Weknow that the Associated Weavers offering lives up to these expectations. We treat every customer as our most important. From the minute our sales team is contacted, to the ensuing delivery logistics, we make every effort to provide an enviable service,’ he says. Last year saw the results of radical improvements to the company’s transport fleet, with deliveries now being made twice a week for both rolls and cuts. Deliveries to Northern Ireland and the more remote areas of the UK have also been improved. ‘Service is the keyword at Associated Weavers. It’s this that keeps the company at the forefront of the carpet world. Thank you to everyone who voted for us,’ he adds. Visit: www.carpetyourlife.com

NEW 2018 Look out for Dorado and Indus Associated Weavers www.invictus-carpet.co.uk Sales: 01422 431100 Email: salesuk@awe.be

AWARDS

AIS Best Furniture Buying Group

The Royal Oak cabinet range, beds from Relyon and upholstery from Parker Knoll are among the products exclusive to AIS members

Interiors Monthly August 2018

AIS is the leading furniture and home buying group in the UK and Republic of Ireland with the principal objective to increase the profitability of its retail members. That it has won this award on 10 occasions is evidence that it delivers on that to its members. Collective buying power, group leverage and influence mean that its members can buy products on better terms, get various rebates and take advantage of many other benefits such as procurement savings that all add to the bottom line. Members are diverse in their scale and market positioning but all gain advantage from being part of AIS. Among them are some of the leading independent furniture retailers and department stores in the country such as Jarrold, Sterling, Ponsford, Stokers, Glasswells and TR Hayes of Bath. Furniture is the biggest sector of AIS with a focus on exclusivity and enhanced margin. In upholstery this centres around exclusive models from brands such as Parker Knoll, G Plan and Duresta. In beds there is a collective exclusive range under the Dreamworld brand from leading manufacturers such as Relyon and Sealy. In cabinet AIS owns the Stag and Ducal heritage brands with ranges targeted at different demographics. All this, coupled with supplier and AIS rebates, makes the strongest overall proposition of any buying group.

Whilst AIS is primarily member focused it believes in strong supplier relationships for mutual benefit and has a dedicated partnership trading team to help both members and suppliers achieve a profitable and efficient working relationship, and negotiates service-level agreements to ensure service and quality levels are achieved. Although furniture is core to what the group does, with two furniture shows and two specialist bed and bedroom furniture shows a year there are many other supporting product categories in areas such as soft furnishing, linens and homewares that members can access to complete their customer offer. Additionally, there is also the specialist, award-winning Flooring One division that can offer membership on a standalone basis or as part of AIS. Away from product, the AIS procurement team works to save members money in areas such as card payment charges, insurance, utilities, energy saving, equipment and vehicles, and AIS goes beyond its core remit in other services such as marketing, photography, personnel and training. There is no compulsion for members to buy any particular product or take part in any initiatives. AIS values the independence of its members as a strength and looks for strong, quality independents to make it stronger for all of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mutual benefit. Visit: www.aistores.co.uk

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading furniture & home buying group since 1987

For more information please contact: Peter Mallinson t 0121 711 2200 e peter.mallinson@aistores.co.uk www.aistores.co.uk

AWARDS

SMG Best Buying Group (Flooring)

SMG has introduced the Pure Carpets and Pure Flooring brand for members, who receive regular updates

Interiors Monthly August 2018

SMG is celebrating its 50th year supporting independent retailers, and being awarded Best Buying Group (Flooring) by Interiors Monthly readers is the icing on the cake. This longevity can be attributed to the fact that SMG has something for every retailer, large or small, long established or just starting out. Members run their business as they see fit but gain advantage from a very comprehensive package of benefits. With the group now representing more than 380 retail outlets in the UK, not only is SMG regularly adding to its flooring proposition, it offers members the opportunity to link sell furniture, curtains and bedding as well as providing a comprehensive business support package that is second to none. Independent retailers are attracted to joining SMG as the group guarantees that members can retain their complete independence but at the same time benefit from preferential discounts, rebate schemes and promotions from a comprehensive range of approved suppliers. Not only that, they can access products from any approved supplier via SMGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Purchasing Scheme,

even without a direct account. SMG supports retailers in selling branded supplier product with excellent discounts, promotions and rebates but as well as this, retailers are offered the opportunity to de-brand as much or as little as they wish in store. Retailers have the opportunity to develop their own bespoke branding featuring their store name, with artwork designed and POS supplied by the group to the retailerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specification. Retailers have the additional opportunity to purchase contemporary SMG own-branded unitary under the Pure Carpets and Pure Flooring brands. In line with SMGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core principles, member retailers decide how they want to run their own business with as much or as little retail support as they require. As ever, SMG is always evolving and offering its members more and more benefits to membership. The key driver for SMG has always been to create profitable partnerships between members and approved suppliers. They have the same goals and SMG is able to deliver more sales and greater profitability for both. Visit: www.smg-group.co.uk

1. SMG’s SMG’s Special Pricing Pricing 2. SMG’s SMG’s Rebates 3. SMG SMG Monthly Special Special Promotions Promotions 4. SMG’s SMG’s Award Winning Winning Business Business&&Marketing MarketingSupport Support 5. Access to products via SMG unique Central Purchasing System 6. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo SMG Own Brand made up from the bestselling products from oomany of the best suppliers 7. Support with bespoke rebranding to suit your needs

Giving strength to the independent SMG The National Furnishing Group 9 The Markham Centre, Station Road, Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4PE Telephone 0118 932 3832 Fax 0118 930 4515 Email info@smg-group.co.uk Web www.smg-group.co.uk

AWARDS

Greenwood Retail Best Business Support (Furniture)

Greenwood Retail held promotional events at Herbert Lewis, Chepstow and Nasons, Canterbury

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘It is again with honour that I accept this award – Best Business Support (Furniture) – on behalf of all the team here at Greenwood. Thank you all so much,’ says Bernard Eaton, Greenwood Retail md. Greenwood has been at the forefront of professional retail sales promotion in the UK and Republic of Ireland since its foundation in 2002. Deploying Greenwood’s highly effective sales strategies along with its copyrighted powerful 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 the company’s 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 Greenwood’s clients are members of AIS and Minerva. ‘The uncertainty of Brexit continues to cause a significant downturn in big ticket and non-essential spending. It’s no coincidence that we are experiencing record enquiries. We are now almost fully booked for 2018 and well into 2019,’ says Eaton. ‘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.’ Visit: www.greenwoodretail.com

FOR BEST RESULTS CHOOSE GREENWOOD

A SIMPLE MESSAGE TO ALL THE INTERIORS MONTHLY READERS WHO VOTED FOR GREENWOOD…

THANK YOU! Please allow Greenwood 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 for best results. 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 Business Support (Flooring)

Below right: Support includes the marketing manual and rug manual

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘We are delighted to have been voted the Best Business Support (Flooring) by readers of Interiors Monthly. 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,’ says Mandy Powell, Flooring One office manager. ‘Flooring One provides a comprehensive membership and business support 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 in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The group has close to 350 members with a combined retail turnover of more than £2bn out of around 1,300 stores. It supports independent retailers from single high street shops to flagship department stores as well as specialist retailers. The business support provided covers a large range of items including a comprehensive marketing manual with roomset images, lifestyle photography and advertising templates. It also produces a rug manual featuring

bestsellers and on-trend designs, again with beautiful photography. Images are available on a DVD to support retailers with all their marketing requirements. ‘We are supported by a dedicated, proactive member marketing division that offers a variety of services to members. The division regularly produces material such as seasonal and event POS themes, as well as customer-facing leaflets and brochures, many of which can be customised. There are also online specialists who can advise and help with digital marketing support,’ says Powell. In addition, the group’s procurement team acts on behalf of members on any not for resale product or service category such as insurance, utilities, energy saving, equipment and vehicles, an excellent business support package. ‘We also hold an annual flooring show in May, where over 60 of the leading brands converge for the Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show, showcasing the latest in carpets, rugs, laminates, woods, vinyl, LVT, underlay and accessories. The show takes place at one of the UK’s premier exhibition venues, Cranmore Park in Solihull. ‘Our sincere thanks to Interiors Monthly readers for their votes and support.’ Flooring One, tel: 0121 713 4454

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

11 12 13 14 15

Proud winner Proud winner of of the the Best Best Marketing Business Support â&#x20AC;&#x201C;- Flooring Flooring 2018 2016 Support 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: 4HUK` 7V^LSS Flooring One

Flooring One t: f: 0121 713 4451 e: THUK` WV^LSS@flooringone.co.uk

AWARDS

The Metro Group Best Marketing Support (Flooring)

The Metro marketing team completed the Horwich Carpets installation in a day

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Launched in 1979, The Metro Group is a buying group that represents independent flooring retailers. For more than 20 years the group has also recognised the importance of assisting retailers in marketing the products they sell. Following the introduction of Metro’s own label, Carpet 1st, in the mid-1990s the group has constantly looked for ways to support retailers and the sale of not only own-label products, but any products to help members make a profit. Metro’s marketing service in 2018 is at its most comprehensive yet, with a dedicated marketing team who not only assist with flooring displays but also any possible project that a retailer may wish to undertake. From a label to a poster, all printwork is designed and produced in house at subsidised rates covering almost anything a

member requires. Of course Metro’s members are spread across the entire UK and work has been carried out from Aberdeen to the Isle of Wight and Northern Ireland. The group prides itself on allowing members to retain their independence and having a bespoke marketing service allows members to pursue their own marketing identity while being supported by the group with more than 30 years of advertising and marketing experience. Work is carried out remotely and/or on site with a fully equipped marketing vehicle with display and sign-making printers and access equipment, allowing the team to work on site and at height if required. The group has continuously invested in equipment and facilities to make sure no job is too large or small to handle. One such job is for Horwich Carpets in Bolton. Horwich was looking to enhance the appearance of its showroom on a busy main road location. A new 9.75m LED lit pan sign was designed and fabricated by the group’s marketing team and fitted using all of their own equipment in one day, despite the rain. Not every job is this large though… from a price card to a full size sign Metro does it all, providing the most versatile and diverse marketing support scheme available today. Visit: www.carpet1st.co.uk

AWARDS

Sealy UK Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-market)

Top right: Naturals Kentmere Below left: Activsleep Ortho Posture Firm Support Below right: Posturepedic Premium Austin

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Transparency to customers and care of the environment are of the utmost importance to Sealy UK. The brand has recently taken steps to satisfy consumer demands with two new initiatives: the launch of an ingredient list for all brochure models and a zero to landfill policy. In a move to become completely transparent, Sealy’s ‘ingredient list’ features a full product declaration. The initiative takes inspiration from food labelling, allowing buyers to educate themselves on the ethical and quality components that go into making a Sealy mattress. Environmental footprint is another issue important to the bed brand and, where practical, Sealy seeks to exceed regulatory requirements and minimise adverse environmental effects caused as a result of its activities or products. The

impact of its operations is continually assessed and through minimising the use of materials, resources and energy, Sealy has pledged to reduce wastage to the lowest practical level whilst pursuing a policy of zero to landfill and aims to design products in such a way to minimise their environmental effect in production, usage and disposal. ‘It is remarkable and illogical that you get more information about the contents of a bag of crisps than for a mattress that may cost you more than £1,000,’ said Neil Robinson, Sealy UK sales and marketing director. ‘At a time when consumers are expecting full product disclosure on everything they buy, we felt that it was time to be completely transparent about exactly what goes into our mattresses.’ Visit: www.sealy.co.uk

Sealy beds are handmade in the heart of Cumbria, on the edge of the Lake District. When you create something in such beautiful surroundings, it’s a constant reminder that you want things to stay that way. In the UK, we currently produce over 200 million tonnes of rubbish each year. This includes everything from commercial and industrial to household waste but only a percentage of this is recovered – the rest is sent to landfill. The impact in dumping everything into landfill areas is evident; air pollution, ground water pollution, soil and land pollution, landfill fires, financial costs and of course, health implications. So what does ‘Zero to Landfill’ actually mean? The ultimate aim of this philosophy is to prevent any waste material produced within an organisation going to landfill, which in turn offers a more sustainable route to resourcing for future generations. At Sealy, we have been making positive steps to change that over the past decade. Ten years ago only 15% of the waste produced in the production of our beds was either recycled or sent to energy recovery. Today, we are Zero to Landfill from site. Our goal is to make our nation ‘Deeper Sleepers.’ We believe that, along with our beds containing state of the art technology and unsurpassed comfort, the knowledge that your bed has been manufactured under a Zero to Landfill policy will help you rest a little easier.

www.sealy.co.uk

AWARDS

Breasley Best Bed Manufacturer (Value)

Breasley has seen significant growth in the boxed mattress sector

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Breasley is delighted to have won the Best Bed Manufacturer (Value) award for 2018. ‘This is a huge recognition for our Uno brand, and for the quality of our products,’ says Darren Crowshaw, Breasley joint md. ‘We have re-invested nearly £1m at our Derby factory over the past year, including a state-of-the-art vacuumpacking machine with the highest specification in the UK, able to roll and fold mattresses up to 35cm deep. ‘Plus, we have our unique RFID technology for full traceability from raw materials through to warehouse to offer our customers complete peace of mind. ‘On top of this, we have a 10-year guarantee on all our Uno products, from the entry level Uno Junior through to our new Uno Natural Affinity collection, which we showcased at last month’s Manchester Furniture Show. ‘This continued investment in technology means that we remain at the forefront of our industry and the market leader in vacuum-packed mattresses.’ Visitors to the Manchester Show also had the opportunity to have a sneak preview at the some of the revamped Uno vacuum-packed models which will be launched this autumn. Stylish new cover designs update the look and feel of the collection, keeping the range

fresh and on-trend for its retail partners and the end consumer. ‘Uno has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2016,’ says Crowshaw. ‘Earlier this year we launched the Breathe boxed mattress under the brand, and now the natural pocketsprung collection featuring wool, silk and cashmere and three spring counts. ‘We have experienced the boxed mattress market as being very buoyant, and we see significant growth in this sector. ‘It is no longer just an online offering, and we are giving retailers the chance to embrace this market and make healthy margins on good quality, value for money products.’ Visit: www.unomattress.co.uk

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AWARDS

Think Rugs Best Rug Supplier

Below left: Boho 8280 in rose and cream Below right: Hong Kong 3661 in grey and yellow Right: Havana 2349 in green and pink

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘Everyone at Think Rugs is extremely pleased to have won this year’s Best Rug Supplier award. We are tremendously proud to have won this award for five out of the last six years: as this award is voted for directly by the retailers it is one of the most special and important to us. We would like to to thank all who voted and every single one of our customers for their constant support and business,’ says Sam Tippett, Think Rugs director. ‘At Think Rugs we pride ourselves on providing a speedy, efficient and friendly service to every one of our customers. We

understand that customers need a quick and easy service to make the ordering process a simple part of their business day. We will endeavor to continue to work hard to ensure our customers are always receiving the best possible service as well as an outstanding product range.’ Think Rugs regularly works with designers and suppliers and works hard to create an extensive, on-trend and great value product range. Another product launch is just around the corner with more than 100 new products being unveiled in its 2018/2019 brochure. New ranges include Boho and Morocco, both taking inspiration from the traditional Moroccan styles created in the Atlas Mountains; Havana, a bright and vibrant tropical theme in Think’s heavyweight frieze polypropylene quality; new design additions to its top-selling Hong Kong range and new on-trend colours in Royal Nomadic, Polar, Brooklyn and many more. ‘All these and more are due to be launched at The Flooring Show in Harrogate from 16-18 September. Come and join us in Hall M on Stand M26 to view all our new launches and to find out for yourself why we have been named Best Rug Supplier for five out the last six years,’ says Tippett. Visit: www.thinkrugs.co.uk

AWARDS

Sanderson Best Fabric/ Soft Furnishings Manufacturer

Bottom left: Menai Blue Bottom right: Embleton Bay

Below: Embleton Bay Above and far right: Menai Blue

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘Sanderson is delighted to have received the award for Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer and would like to thank all of the readers of Interiors Monthly,’ says Rebecca Craig, Sanderson design manager. ‘To complement the fabric and wallpaper range, I am excited to announce that we are now starting to roll out the new My Sanderson paint chart of 154 colours, as part of which we are introducing 50 new colours.’ In 1900 Arthur Sanderson introduced a small collection of paints to complement his wallpaper and fabric collections. Now, more than a century later, Sanderson has 154 colours in a selection of finishes that can be used throughout the home. From traditional to contemporary interiors, this timeless palette has been designed for homes where style matters. Its craft is important to Sanderson, so it tints all its paints in-house, in the same facility where it manufactures its wallpapers. Seamlessly blending

enduring heritage with modern-day family life, this easy-to-use palette effortlessly complements the Sanderson wallpaper and fabric collections. This move sees the introduction of 50 new paint colours to augment the 154 colour paint chart. ‘We have updated our colour range and added 50 new shades to complement our most recent collections and hero designs such as Woodland Walk, Waterperry, Art of the Garden, Embleton, Chiswick Grove and Elysian. The colours were all mixed and painted by hand in the studio, allowing us to create our own unique palette. ‘Key changes include freshening up the yellows and greens to link in with our Botanical ranges, adding in a selection of greys and teal shades, more coastal blues and sophisticated floral shades. This range offers something for everyone, from modern brights through to chalky mineral shades, inspired by nature and perfect for family living,’ adds Craig. Visit: www.stylelibrary.com

EMB LETON B AY

Discover the latest fabric, wallpaper and paint ranges at stylelibrary.com/sanderson

AWARDS

Protect-A-Bed Best Mattress Protection Provider

Above: Cotton, Cool and Cloud mattress protectors Right: Protect-A-Bed’s Partnership Promise

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘Being recognised as the Best Mattress Protection Provider by the readers of Interiors Monthly is an excellent testament to our dedicated work in this category. Everyone at Protect-A-Bed would like to thank the readership for this award and we will continue to show excellence throughout the rest of 2018 and beyond,’ says Paul Lake, Protect-A-Bed marketing manager. ‘Our promise to our retail partners is simple: we will dynamically grow sales within this category. The success of this promise has been proven and is definitely a contributing factor for the award.’ Protect-A-Bed is a global leader in healthy sleep products and has more than 35 years’ worth of experience in this sector. This has helped Protect-A-Bed build a framework for success through its Partnership Promise, which consists of six elements: trust, marketing, product, display, training and service. ‘Looking at our products, our mattress protectors offer the highest quality protection using materials such as Tencel, bamboo and our unique new Nordic Chill fibre. Plus all the mattress protectors come with a bundled, simple-to-sell product and mattress anti-stain guarantee programme of up to 15 years. However the most important foundation of our promise is trust,’ says

Simon Zamet, Protect-A-Bed ceo. ‘Awards such as this send ripples through our sector. It shows that our retail partners trust us completely, but greater than that, they truly value our ability to significantly increase sales. The award is testament to multiple flourishing partnerships with our retail partners. However, we know we can always drive greater growth for existing partners or new and that’s exciting.’ The company’s sales training promise provides confidence and a structureproviding platform, making sure every member of a retailer’s sales team is an expert in mattress protection. Combining this with an award-winning service support and an innovation for new in-store display systems, the Partnership Promise to partners generates success. ‘The future is looking extremely positive with the launch of a new retail display system that has revolutionised the in-store offer. Successful trade shows throughout the year including the January Furniture Show, Minerva Furniture & Bed Show and most recently the Manchester Furniture Show have proven that retailers want to work with the best in class in this category, which as the award shows, is Protect-A-Bed,’ adds Lake. Visit: www.protectabed.co.uk

BUILDING TRUST ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS; GROWING SALES TOGETHER. MARKETING ETING

PRODUCT

TRUST ST

DISPLAY

SERVICE

TRAINING TRA A

Contact Protect-A-BedÂ® to unlock your full sales potential. sales@protectabed.co.uk | 02087310020

AWARDS

Woodpecker Flooring Best Solid/ Engineered Wood Manufacturer

Right: Wembury Honey Oak Far right: Brecon Warehouse Oak Above right: Berkeley Cellar Oak

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Woodpecker Flooring is delighted to be again recognised by the readers of Interiors Monthly as Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer, and would like to thank everyone who voted. Darwyn Ker, Woodpecker md is thrilled by the invaluable support of Woodpecker customers. ‘We are honoured to be awarded in this category for another year and receive it with much appreciation. It demonstrates our commitment to our customers and the confidence they put in us in return. We are dedicated to providing excellent service and expertise in every area of wood flooring as we continue our journey. ‘The new Woodpecker catalogue is out this month, bringing a flurry of new and exciting products, cutting-edge designs and colours to accelerate us through the rest of 2018 and into 2019. We can’t wait to share the new innovations and look forward to exciting times ahead.’ Highlights of the new catalogue include pale, unfinished-look woods, dusky dark tones and extra width 240mm boards. Extra rustic designs capture the distinctive look and feel of real reclaimed timber, and on-trend shades join the parquet collection. Chevron-inspired flooring is new to the Wembury laminate range, along with a selection of light, modern colours. Woodpecker is also launching a new

collection of moisture-resistant laminate floors suitable for any room in the home, including bathrooms. The 12 new designs of the Brecon collection have a built-in underlay, can be laid onto most existing subfloors and easily click together. In the accessories range, Woodpecker’s new wall clips mean that any tongue and groove floor can be clad onto the wall for an impressive feature. Fitting wood flooring on stairs is neat and stylish with the Stair Pro product, and scratch repair solutions mean it’s even easier to keep Woodpecker floors in tip-top condition. Visit: www.woodpeckerflooring.co.uk

AWARDS

Rowico UK Best Living Room Manufacturer

Below: Tate, industrially inspired Bottom: Lowry, a firm favourite Below right: Rowico at the Manchester Furniture Show

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘Rowico UK would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who voted for the company as Best Living Room Manufacturer in this year’s Interiors Monthly Awards. We are extremely pleased to receive this incredible recognition for the past two years, as it means a huge amount to us all,’ says the team. ‘We continue to pride ourselves on the products we design, develop and manufacture so it’s great to be recognised for all our hard work.’ Rowico was back at this year’s Manchester Furniture Show showcasing The Art of Furniture: a modern, stylish portfolio with a focus on art and design. Contemporary chairs completed the new look. Tate is an expansion of Rowico’s industrial styling. Featuring on-trend brass metalwork with nutmeg metallic surfaces, Tate launched exclusively at this year’s show in a charcoal and gunmetal colourway. The collection

also expanded to include dining tables, bookcases and sideboards. Lowry is the more established collection within the contemporary portfolio, while Picasso takes its inspiration from the company’s Scandinavian roots, highlighting the elegant simplicity of the table and drawing attention to the finish. Available in both a natural and a smoke finish, Picasso is designed for open-plan, modern day living. Rowico’s new collection Oxford took pride of place at this year’s show. A dining collection featuring reclaimed tops in co-ordinating monochrome tones with panel detailing, the range comprises of a 1.8m dining table, sideboard, coffee table, console unit, lamp table and bench, all highlighting the architectural-inspired framework. It also launched additions to its dining chair collection, increasing the different variants to more than 40. Visit: www.rowico.co.uk

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STROOLMOUNT IS A ONE-STOP SOLUTIONS SHOP: SELF-ADHESIVE FELTS: ( ZOVY[ [LYT OPNO X\HSP[` HU[P ZJYH[JO ZVS\[PVU [V J\ZOPVU ÅVVYZ MYVT OLH]` M\YUP[\YL (]HPSHISL WYL J\[ VY VU H YVSS QUICKCLICK GLIDES: ( T\S[P H^HYK ^PUUPUN SVUN [LYT ZVS\[PVU L_JS\ZP]L [V :[YVVSTV\U[ 0[Z JSPJR PU PU[LYJOHUNLHISL HUK YLWSHJLTLU[ IHZL NSPKLZ OLSW WYV[LJ[ ^VVK SHTPUH[L ]PU`S JHYWL[ HUK [PSLK ÅVVYZ FURNI-GLIDES: ;OLZL 7;-, NSPKLZ OLSW OLH]` M\YUP[\YL L]LU YLJSPULY ZVMHZ to slide easily across carpet. MOVE IT PADS: ( [LTWVYHY` ZVS\[PVU ZV VUL WLYZVU JHU LHZPS` NSPKL OLH]` furniture HJYVZZ OHYK ÅVVYZ HUK JHYWL[

Stroolmount don’t sell directly to the public: they point them to a stockist from their website. www.stroolmount.co.uk: sales@stroolmount.co.uk

C AL L : 0 1942 2 71271

BEWARE OF CH EAPER, INFERIOR ALTER N ATIVES “Unlike som

e others,” says Gill, “our felt is 5mm thick so it’s thic ker and our adhesi ve is proven to be stronger than m ost, so you can rely on it.”

Picasso, the art of dining

+44 (0)1249 821 748 rowico.co.uk

AWARDS

Willis & Gambier Best Dining Room Manufacturer

Above: Boston is a twist on Scandi design Right: New Maze dining table Above right: Hadleigh dining table

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Willis & Gambier would like to thank all the Interiors Monthly readers who voted it Best Dining Room Manufacturer The company has been busy developing new ranges for 2018 that encompass Willis & Gambierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ethic of lifestyle furniture collections. The new dining ranges include New Maze, Boston Dining, Hadleigh Dining and three new Universal collections, all now available and in stock for immediate delivery. New Maze is a move on from the successful Maze dining collection: keeping the original Maze design and simply refining it by slimming down the scale and upgrading the finish with a durable Rubio Monocoat oil. This finish has the benefit of being easy to wipe clean and provides a protective waterproof layer. Hadleigh Dining is a modern design that includes slatted fronts and the use of glass, with smaller pieces for the everyday home. Boston Dining is a twist

on a Scandi design with selected pieces finished in blue-black oil, with woven back panels. Visit: www.willisgambier.co.uk

NOW IN

STOCK

Available for immediate delivery

NEW ES G RAN 8 201

Thank you to Interiors Monthly Readers, who have voted us BEST DINING ROOM MANUFACTURER

Willis Gambier (UK) Limited, Samson House, Morley Way, Woodston, Peterborough PE2 7BW | Tel: 01733 318 400

www.underlay.com

The Brand Leader

t: 01536 200502

Ball & Young - Best Underlay Manufacturer Cloud 9 - Underlay of the Year

h e at -18t g t ro th d a Har 16 n er sta â&#x20AC;? ur how mb o it te S Vis ng Sep i r loo -24 F 0 he M2 T â&#x20AC;&#x153; nd sta

May you always be on Cloud 9 The Brand Leader

AWARDS

Gallery Direct Best Accessory Supplier

Bottom left: AW18 mirrors Bottom centre: Bohême cushions Bottom right: AW18 relaxed seating

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Gallery Direct has once again won the Best Accessory Supplier. Its extensive product directories include a huge selection of mirrors, textiles, home decor and furniture, featuring creative design and inspirational styling. To widen its offering still further, as part of the Spring Summer 2018 collection, Gallery Direct added rugs, candles, candle holders and photo frames to its catalogue. ‘We would like to thank all the readers of Interiors Monthly who voted us Best Accessory Supplier,’ says Peter Delaney, Gallery Direct md. ‘We are delighted to have won this award again: it is testament to the ongoing hard work of the design team. We are continually striving to offer an extensive range of desirable and affordable products.’ January saw the launch of a vast array of new items across all categories, and over 420 more new products will be introduced at the Autumn Fair, keeping its catalogue fresh and exciting. The AW18 collection includes mirrors, textiles, home decor and occasional furniture. ‘Developing a new collection of this size involves a huge amount of

work, from initial ideas through to final sign-off, as well as all the logistics and administration involved. As with all our products, materials, form and scale are carefully selected or every item utilising the team’s expert knowledge and experience, to ensure they are desirable and practical,’ says Mat Penney, Gallery Direct product director. ‘We are determined to continue leading the marketplace, so ongoing development is vital to stay ahead of trends and the competition.’ On the textiles side, following the success of the rugs that were launched in January, the AW18 collection will feature a new selection to add more choice, and the range of pouffes and floor cushions is being extended. An array of pendant lights and table lamps will also be introduced, along with a varied selection of home accessories, and Gallery Direct’s extensive range of diverse and individually designed mirrors is being added to. An unusual selection of occasional furniture pieces to add personality to rooms will complete the new line-up. www.gallerydirect.co.uk

www.gallerydirect.co.uk | T 01795 439159

WINNER BEST ACCESSORY SUPPLIER Award 2018 Launching over 420 new products for AW18. Make a statement with our stunning range of accessories, available exclusively online and in our DÃ©cor directory. Thank you to all who voted.

2 - 5 Sep 2018 Hall 02 | Stand 2C05-B04

AWARDS

Interfloor Best Flooring Accessory Supplier

There are many famous quotes about the importance of attention to detail, such as ‘It’s attention to detail that makes the difference between average and stunning.’ This is a great one for anyone involved in the flooring industry, where great floorcoverings are made even greater by the right accessories. Interfloor prides itself on its expansive range of almost 1,000 quality flooring accessories: through the Gripperrods and Stikatak brands its catalogue provides the ultimate one-stop shop for the professional installer as well as the DIY consumer. ‘Being voted by our customers as the Best Flooring Accessory Supplier is a clear endorsement of our commitment to giving them whatever they need in terms of quality products, at the right price, via a robust and reliable supply chain. We are very grateful for their continued support and thank them for taking the time to vote,’ says John Cooper, Interfloor ceo. ‘The new Gripperrods Premier range of trims shows we are continually

Below: Gripperrods Professional Bottom: Gripperrods Premier Bottom right: Gripperrods Premier POS

developing new products to give them the edge when it comes to providing finishing touches that turn a good job into something exceptional.’ The Premier range includes an on-trend brushed steel nickel or an elegant bright

Interiors Monthly August 2018

chrome that will co-ordinate well with other home accessories, light switches and door handles to ensure a seamless finish. Both are available in six specialist trims designed to provide the perfect solution for all types of flooring. Gripperrods, one of the best known flooring brands in the UK, offers quality, consistency and reliability through its range which also includes carpet gripper, heat seaming tapes, single and doublesided tapes and tools. Synonymous with the manufacture of carpet gripper, Gripperrods is now the only major manufacturer in the UK. The brand is known and trusted by consumers and the flooring trade throughout the world. Interfloor’s Stikatak accessories brand offers an edging to suit all types of floor. The metal edgings are available in polished aluminium, anodised gold, matt gold, matt silver and solid brass, and a unique clip system makes them suitable for joining two flooring types of different heights or level. ‘Consumers are looking for quality finishing touches to their new flooring and our accessories brands allow retailers to provide trims and other products that will make the difference for the consumer and boost their profits,’ adds Gary Cowley, Interfloor sales director. Visit: www. interfloor.com

The perfect finishing touch for any new floor

GripperrodsÂŽ Premier Floor Edgings provide an exceptional finish to premium flooring installations. Available in two finishes; brushed steel nickel and chrome to suit modern, luxurious interiors.

Best Accessory Supplier

Counter-top or wall mounted point of sale displays are available for use in-store

For more information please call 01706 238810 or visit interfloor.com

AWARDS

Ekornes Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury)

Below: Stressless Dining Bottom left: Stressless E700 Bottom right: Stressless Metro

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Norwegian furniture manufacturer Ekornes is delighted to accept this Interiors Monthly award. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longevity has helped to make Stressless a globally celebrated brand. Being one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest consumers of leather, purchasing from tanneries all over the world, the award acknowledges the brand's innovative Nordic designs, sustainable practices and perfected craftsmanship. Ekornes constantly creates furniture that exceeds expectations in comfort and utility. In 2018 it expanded its product range with the launch of Stressless Dining: leather and fabric reclining dining chairs and beautifully designed dining tables to accommodate both casual and formal gatherings. This new range has allowed the Stressless brand to progress by extending the modern living and dining space, strongly backed by the support of UK independent retailers. In addition, Stressless E-series is ideal for modern living with a range of low-back modular sofas. The models in this series have simple lines and classic proportions, making this the perfect choice for those seeking the very best of contemporary Scandinavian design. These designs further complement the trend of combining living and dining

space, creating an open-plan feel, an area that Stressless now sits comfortably in. Creating the ultimate comfort experience has taken decades, with more than 80 years of craftsmanship registered in Sykkylven, the home of Ekornes. Beginning as a mattress manufacturer in 1934, founder Jen Ekornes started a revolution in his coastal town by transforming the farming community into the heart of Norwegian furniture manufacturing. The pride of Ekornesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; heritage is reflected in its designs and close attention to detail. The majestic peaks and boundless fjords also play a significant role, inspiring the company to value the environment and naturally manufacture all their products in Norway. Despite being the largest furniture manufacturer in the Nordic region, Ekornes reuses materials to meet needs, such as recycling wooden beech from chair bases to heat its factories. Celebrated for its daily efforts to provide furniture that lasts with a minimal ecological footprint, being green is a way of life for the company. Ekornes is now expanding into a fabric range in the UK and Ireland, offering two wool fabrics, Stressless Calido and Silva: a completely new feeling of comfort. Visit: www.stressless.com

AWARDS

himolla Best Recliner Manufacturer

Right: Monaco by himolla

‘We’re delighted to have collected the Interiors Monthly Best Recliner Manufacturer award for a record fourth time. Delighted but not exactly surprised – our insistence on design, craftsmanship and creative technology has put us in a leadership position for three decades. In fact, we recently celebrated our 70-year Platinum Anniversary,’ says Sandra Spranger, himolla UK and Ireland country manager. ‘Awards aren’t the only prestigious additions to our collection, however. Our latest Monaco range of corner group, chaise end and wall-free sofas bring a feel of international design to any contemporary lounge, in a wide range of consumer-pleasing fabrics and sleek leathers. ‘They’re clever too. They can be left or right-hand facing with soft or medium seat options and adjustable headrests and seat angles. Available as fixed or reclining, the width and depth of Monaco sofas vary when combined and reclined. Customers also have the opportunity to upgrade to touch-of-a-button power operation, using mains electricity or an optional battery pack that does away with trailing power cables. ‘The combination of cool aesthetics, superlative quality and relaxing features will prove a winner with himolla customers. And may just help us collect our fifth award next year.’ Email: sandra.spranger@ himolla.com

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

We take your opinions as seriously as your comfort.

We are grateful to all who voted himolla best recliner manufacturer for the fourth year running. Could it be our new Albatross integrated recliner range with heart balance position and smooth powered footrests will motivate you alll to vote us number one again?

For further stockist information please contact info@himolla.com

AWARDS

Karndean Designflooring Best LVT Manufacturer

Below from left: WP419 Fabrica; ST16 Grey Riven Slate; KP132 Washed Scandi Pine

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Karndean Designflooring was set up 45 years ago as a small business working out of the family home. Although the business has grown over the years to become respected and renowned across the world, it remains family owned and dedicated to providing imaginative and innovative luxury vinyl flooring with a focus on high quality, realistic designs and excellent customer service. ‘We are delighted to receive this recognition for our wood and stone LVT designs and would like to thank our retail partners and the interiors industry for their continuing support,’ says Scott Cochrane, Karndean Designflooring retail sales director. ‘Our designers travel across continents exploring diverse environments to find inspiration for Karndean’s authentic designs. From England’s working quarries to the ancient forests of Europe, the remote Australian outback and beyond, we take pride in sourcing original products that we can use to create stunning interiors. Incorporating the natural features and intriguing forms of each material into flooring designs, we are able to replicate the natural variation of materials without the practical

limitations of real stone or wood.’ Warm underfoot and compatible with underfloor heating, Karndean flooring is recognised for its realistic designs and durable, easy-clean quality finishes. Karndean Designflooring has added a wide range of designs to its collections this year. The popular Knight Tile and stylish Opus collections have both been extended with new contemporary designs which include light, neutral tones and statement slates, limed oak wood, shuttered concrete and limestone. ‘Our collections are designed to be extremely versatile, enabling decorators to take on the latest trends including Scandi, industrial and country styles,’ says Cochrane. ‘With the trend to match designs room to room in open-plan spaces, our ranges now include smaller plank designs which can be placed alongside full-length planks or laid in herringbone, block or brick design to bring style and interest to any room.’ Karndean Designflooring offers more than 250 designs, including glue-down, loose lay and rigid core ranges, all inspired by nature and designed to last a lifetime. Visit: www.karndean.com

Inspired by nature.

Fu m o

SP 21 6

Designed for living.

Lifetime guarantee

Combine nature and design with our new Opus collection and create authentic ďŹ&#x201A;oors your customers will love for a lifetime. T: 01386 820200 | www.karndean.com

Available in a wide range of designs, colours, textures and formats Can be personalised with design strips or complementary borders

AWARDS

Steens Best Children’s Furniture Manufacturer

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Steens for Kids was launched in 2009 and has gone on to be a resounding success, featuring consistently at the top of the company’s sales figures. With its unique feature of being able to take a starter bed and convert to tot’s, child and teen bed and back again, Steens for Kids has proved a huge hit with families and a commercial success for Steens’ retail partners. Steens for Kids is not the only children’s furniture produced at the factory in Denmark, with many lines developed specifically as own-label products for Steens’ retail partners. This ability to offer ex-stock collections or design, develop and produce from first concept, is a great strength of the business. There is no intermediary and everything is manufactured at the factory in Denmark: other factories’ products are never supplied as Steens products. ‘This award is fantastic recognition for the skills and expertise of all involved at Steens. Of course it starts with a great

commercial product but it takes so much to arrive in the position we find ourselves,’ says Alan Cozens, Steens Group UK md. ‘From the design studio to the master craftsmen in the development team, the production teams and sales teams, it takes everyone working together to deliver consistently great product and service. Backing this up is our commitment to ensure all our products comply with the relevant safety standards and our materials are ethically sourced. It’s a great combination that’s a proven hit with our retail partners. ‘With IMM Cologne not too far away, we are busy developing new ranges to launch globally at the show. All areas of domestic furniture in bedroom, living and dining will be covered, with exciting new globally inspired designs. Included will be stylish and commercial children's bedroom furniture ensuring continued success in this key area, an area we intend to focus on and grow significantly.’ Visit: www.steensgroup.com

STEENS GROUP

WE ARE SO PLEASED THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US

BEST CHILDREN’S FURNITURE MANUFACTURER 2018

We are ecstatic to receive this award for our dynamic Steens for Kids range a range that can grow with a child from Tots to Teens. • The perfect pick and mix bedroom collection • Premium Danish quality • 5 colour versions • Produced in Denmark

ORDER HOTLINE / 01489 778890 EMAIL / sales@steens.dk www / www.steensgroup.com

AWARDS

IVC Group Best Vinyl Manufacturer

Below: Ultimate Expressions Stuttgart Below right: Luxury Classics Brandon Above right: Bubblegum & Liquorice Sagres

Interiors Monthly August 2018

With the Leoline and Avenue cushion vinyl floor brands, IVC Group offers UK retailers the latest trend-driven looks in specifications that deliver great value. The company’s heavy investment in development of new collections and decors is a driver in its success, and its product teams are constantly observing the latest interior styles and finding ways to translate them on the floor. Avenue’s Bubblegum & Liquorice collection is one of IVC’s most popular floors, regularly featured in magazines, blogs and on Instagram. Bubblegum & Liquorice has been in the spotlight for good reason, reflecting as it does the resurgence in classic diamond checkerboards and patterned tiles. Bringing these to market quickly helps retailers to demonstrate they are on top of the latest styles. It is also important that collections have longevity, so IVC makes sure that designs work for the future too. Leoline’s Luxury Classics typifies this with designs that owe much to current trends while standing as genuine classics in their own right. From classic French limestone to the oak herringbone of Stuttgart, this is a range packed with looks that never date. For homeowners, cushion flooring has many advantages, including easy

fitting and easy maintenance, and IVC is continually looking for ways to improve on this. With backings that add sound absorption or thermal insulation and the SuperGuard wear layer that stops scuffs and stains while making floors easy to clean, both Avenue and Leoline are ready to bring their performance not just to bathrooms, but kitchens, living spaces, bedrooms, hallways and conservatories too – in fact, anywhere there is a need for a floor that will stand up to family life. The group has also taken strides in improving the aesthetics of modern cushion vinyl. Natural Look & Feel has long been cherished for its impressive authenticity, but the introduction of V-groove technology sets a new benchmark. Featuring on new designs in Avenue’s Ultimate Timber collection, it gives a deep embossed groove on the edges of the plank to give the design an even more original appearance. As IVC continues to innovate and be the first to market with designs inspired by the latest home trends, you can rely on it to provide high-quality products that bring homeowners the very best floors in the category. IVC would like to thank the readers of Interiors Monthly who recognised its efforts and voted it Best Vinyl Manufacturer once again. Visit: www.ivcgroup.com

IVC Group is the world’s fastest growing producer Ȓǔ ɮǣȇɵǼ ˢȒȒȸǣȇǕِ áǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ǔƏȅȒɖɀ nƺȒǼǣȇƺ ƏȇƳ ɎȸƺȇƳ‫ٮ‬ǔȒƬɖɀƺƳ ɮƺȇɖƺ ƬɖɀǝǣȒȇ ɮǣȇɵǼ ˢȒȒȸ ƫȸƏȇƳɀً ǣɎ ƫȸǣȇǕɀ Ɏǝƺ ǼƏɎƺɀɎ ǼȒȒǸɀ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺ ǝȒȅƺ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ƫƺɀɎ ǣȇ ƳɖȸƏƫǣǼǣɎɵ ƏȇƳ ƺƏɀƺ Ȓǔ ǼǣɮǣȇǕِ ǔǔƺȸǣȇǕ ȅɖǼɎǣȵǼƺ ɯǣƳɎǝɀً ɀɖȵƺȸƫ ƬȒȅǔȒȸɎً ǼȒɯ ȅƏǣȇɎƺȇƏȇƬƺ ƏȇƳ ƺƏɀɵ ǣȇɀɎƏǼǼƏɎǣȒȇٕ nƺȒǼǣȇƺ ƏȇƳ ɮƺȇɖƺ ɮǣȇɵǼ Əȸƺ ȸƺƏƳɵ ɎȒ ɎȸƏȇɀǔȒȸȅ Əȇɵ ǝȒȅƺ ɯǣɎǝ ǕȸƺƏɎ ƬȒǼǼƺƬɎǣȒȇɀ Ȓǔ ƫƺƏɖɎǣǔɖǼ ˢȒȒȸǣȇǕِ

www.avenuefloors.co.uk

www.leoline.co.uk

AWARDS

Guardsman Best Product Protection Provider

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Your customers have more choice than ever before. Information, temptation and inspiration can be found everywhere. So having an edge over your competitors is essential – and delivering outstanding customer service is something that can set you apart from the competition and win you business. However, we can no longer simply rely on word of mouth recommendations. Online review websites are becoming more and more popular, and few of us make significant purchases without first researching the company we are buying from. Online reviews enable your customers to quickly build an opinion of you as a business, based on other customers’ experiences and views, so it is essential that you keep customers singing your praises. Guardsman recognises the significance of customer opinions and the influence they can have over another customer’s purchase. As a result it has vowed to build and maintain customer satisfaction ratings to match and reflect the service customers expect from their retailer. ‘Research has shown that consumers are likely to spend 31% more with businesses who have positive reviews,

so demonstrating our high standards of customer service on sites like Trustpilot is imperative for us,’ says David Evans, Guardsman sales director. ‘We know the financial value that furniture protection plans can add to a retailer’s business, so supporting the sales process through training and our own exceptional customer service is key to building a mutually beneficial relationship.’ After seeing its highest year of customer satisfaction, Guardsman is confident in its ability to protect the reputation of its retail partners by providing consumers with a positive claim journey. ‘We know that the experience the customer has with us is a direct reflection on the retailer which in turn impacts repeat custom, so the customer remains at the heart of all we do,’ says Evans. ‘With 85% of customers trusting online reviews as much as a personal recommendation, maintaining industry-leading customer satisfaction is something we and our existing partners are incredibly proud of,’ adds Phil Griffin, Guardsman md. Visit: www.guardsman.co.uk

85%

of consumers trust online reviews as o much as a personal recommendation.* m

So, who do you trust to match your level of service? uk.trustpilot.com/review/guardsman.co.uk

Find out more: 01235 444 700 info@guardsman.co.uk

*Bright Local, 2018

AWARDS

Castelan Group Best Warranty Provider

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Castelan Group is delighted to have been voted Best Warranty Provider and would like to thank all those who took the time to vote. ‘This is the third year in a row that Castelan has been voted as best in class by the readers of Interiors Monthly for either our products or our warranty offer. It is testament to the way in which we have set out to deliver an offer that provides a great customer experience whilst adding value to our clients’ businesses. And there’s more to come,’ says Martin Napper, Castelan Group chief executive. Castelan continues developing its systems to enable more and more to be done online. This is something that the customer is demanding and it has seen a huge increase in the use of its online claim function. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this results in a better customer journey by reducing the length of the claim and giving the customer the ability to book an appointment directly with one of its furniture technicians. ‘Whilst we believe in keeping all channels open for the customer, we are well placed to keep pace with the way in which customers wish to interact with us. We also continue to focus on all regulatory and compliance

developments, making sure our retail clients are kept fully informed on all governance issues such as IDD and GDPR,’ says Napper. ‘As the only national furniture warranty provider with a fully employed in-house compliance department we have ensured that our clients are informed of developments immediately so that they can plan for the future.’. The company has continued to attract new partners in recent weeks and seen schemes launch with Loaf, Office Outlet and a number of independent retailers. ‘The great feedback we are getting from clients and their customers mean that more and more businesses are turning to us to provide and develop their service offering through a warranty product. Our expertise is rooted in furniture but our adaptability as a business means we are able to offer schemes across furniture and electrical – as in the case of Office Outlet. ‘In addition to new business, we have renewed and extended contracts with a number of national retailers further demonstrating the confidence our existing clients have in our ability to deliver a compliant and sustainable warranty product,’ says Napper. Visit: www.castelangroup.com

AWARDS

Retailsystem Best Software Provider

‘It’s an unbelievable honour to have won this prestigious award for the 10th year in a row and it fills me with pride and gratitude for the incredible hard work of the Retailsystem team,’ says Stephen Smith, Retailsystem co-founder. ‘Even more than that I am grateful to the hundreds of furniture and bed retailers that we have had the pleasure and honour of working alongside over the past 14 years. Without their feedback, ideas and requests, Retailsystem would not be the class-leading tool for independent retailers that it is today.’ A good example was the recent introduction of GDPR. ‘It was a chaotic time,’ says Smith. ‘We had been on this as a project for 18 months awaiting definitive EU guidelines and when they arrived they were massively open to interpretation.’ But the Retailsystem team had also been speaking to its customers for their input and with this implemented a GDPR solution that it says is the perfect tool for furniture and bed retailers, giving them control over how they communicate, about what and most importantly logging the consent of customers whilst keeping data secure with state-of-the-art encryption. The growth of Retailsystem over the past few years has delighted Smith: the company has increased staff numbers

Interiors Monthly August 2018

in programming, support and sales. ‘We are always looking forward: to stand still is to die in this sector. Our customers need us to give them the information they require to streamline their processes, quickly and simply whilst being cost-effective: we never lose sight of that.’ So what of the future? ‘We have some exciting developments in the pipeline for launch through 2018-2019 – not just things that we say are good, but modules and improvements that our clients have requested. We don’t have the monopoly on good ideas. ‘As a business we pride ourselves on being a team, and that team includes our hundreds of clients, so once again thanks to all who voted for Retailsystem. Visit: www.retailsystem.com

For ten years...

AWARDS

Mercado Best Flooring Wholesaler

Right and far right: Mercado deals with more than 70 suppliers from 16 countries Bottom: Envy is a new carpet range

100

Interiors Monthly August 2018

‘On behalf of all Mercado employees, I am delighted and proud to accept the award of Best Flooring Wholesaler as voted by Interiors Monthly readers. I would like to thank the three main areas of our business,’ says Adrian Laffey, Mercado md. ‘First, our suppliers: we trade with over 70 suppliers from 16 different countries. Our close relationships allow us to develop new products quickly and take ideas from concept to the retail store within weeks. Launching new products on a regular basis keeps our offering at the forefront of today’s fashion trends. Our suppliers constantly invest in new products, while innovative POS materials are allowing us to continue to grow market share. ‘Second, all Mercado employees: each and every member of the Mercado team has a part to play in the success of our

business, from answering the phones to cutting and picking orders and then ensuring they are delivered on time every time. I thank all for their hard work and endeavours, they are the true winners of this award. Once again my thanks to all Mercado employees all over the country. ‘Finally I would like to thank all our customers. We acknowledge that they have a choice of where they can place their orders and it is our role to offer the highest level of service, depth of product offering and comprehensive stockholding. ‘Our customers, who are principally the independent flooring retailers and flooring contractors, are at the sharp end of the business. To receive this award as voted by them makes it extra special. On behalf of Mercado, thank you.’ Visit: www.mercado.co.uk

AWARDS

Julian Bowen Best Furniture Wholesaler

Above: Torino dining set Below left: Stamford dining set Below right: Max bedroom set

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Julian Bowen has been voted Best Furniture Wholesaler. It is the seventh consecutive year that the company has won this award, and testament to the Julian Bowen team’s determination to deliver the highest quality furniture at great value for money, supported by industry-leading customer service. ‘The consumer environment remains challenging and structural change across the industry appears to be accelerating. At Julian Bowen we feel the best way to support our customers is to offer a consistent and reliable proposition and to ensure that dealing with Julian Bowen is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We are both grateful and proud that our customers continue to show such confidence in us and we are working hard constantly to improve all aspects of the proposition that we offer,’ says Emmett Lenaghan, Julian Bowen md. The company continues to invest across the business, with further strengthening of the supply chain through an expanded team of international quality control personnel across Asia and Latin America, and senior additions to its stock control, finance, account management and marketing teams. Innovation remains the lifeblood of the business. New products launched over the last two years already represent a sizeable proportion of Julian Bowen’s growing turnover, while the newness pipeline is the largest at any point in the company’s history and likely to support

further growth over the coming years. These products spread across all of the company’s key categories, through bedroom, living and dining, occasional and children’s. Children’s furniture remains a real strength of the business and the January 2018 launches have proved incredibly successful, notably in the highly functional Orion bunk, which is finished in an on-trend Sonoma Oak and which is soon to be launched in a Pure White finish to meet customer demand. Similarly, the Pegasus Highsleeper – which uniquely maximises the space in a single bed footprint with pull-out wardrobe, desk, shelving and numerous cubby holes – has been extremely well received. Customers can look forward to further developments in this area over the next year. While all aspects of the business have developed and grown significantly in recent years, the Julian Bowen team believe that the driving forces behind success and a job well done remain the same. ‘It’s all about our customers. Everything we do is geared towards making sure that they are happy: with the product that we produce, the value that they receive and the support that we give them. They deserve the best and we to will continue to challenge ourselves to raise the bar in every aspect of what we do,’ says Lenaghan. Visit: www.julian-bowen.co.uk

AWARDS

Parker Knoll Best Furniture Website

‘At Parker Knoll we are delighted to have been chosen by Interiors Monthly readers as Best Furniture Website,’ said Meisha-Grace Nicely, Parker Knoll head of marketing. ‘As a brand that always puts consumers to the fore, we know experience is key. Therefore ensuring all of our channels consistently deliver excellent service whilst providing a seamless customer experience is

Interiors Monthly - Parker Knoll Ad - Classic Cover - 153x216-2.pdf 1 24/07/2018 14:37:39

Design 1801

imperative and we are committed to ensuring this level of service continues. ‘Our commitment to developing a leading edge experience extends across the whole of our business. Today, with over 149 years within the industry, we remain dedicated to continually refreshing our ranges by bringing the latest in innovative and stylish designs, whilst providing ultimate comfort. At this year’s January Furniture Show we launched a range of model extensions across all collections alongside new ranges of fabrics that pair beautifully with any sofa and chair in the range. ‘We are very proud of our latest collections and as we move forward into September shows, we will be launching additions and updates to our LifeStyle collection alongside a fabulous new range of fabrics for AW2018.’ Visit: www.parkerknoll.co.uk

The best of British sofas and chairs of the highest possible quality.

www.parkerknoll.co.uk

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk

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AWARDS

Moduleo Best Flooring Website Following the success of its popular Moduleo Moods room visualiser, Moduleo has won the Best Flooring Website for the second year running. The leading LVT manufacturer has rolled out the visualiser feature on its award-winning website, across its entire product range, and it has seen great success. The online platform allows customers to get a better idea of what their new floor will look like before committing to a purchase and can be used to view flooring solutions from the Impress, Transform and Select collections. ‘We’re increasingly seeing high demand for flooring solutions that complement not only the project setting, but the individual tastes of the customer. Being able to preview what a floor will look like before it’s in situ meets this demand as it can help ensure the pattern and shades chosen will have the desired finish,’ says David Bigland, Moduleo UK and Eire md.

Shoppers can see how their room will look before buying

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The room visualiser also allows users to select different shades and patterns from the collections in a number of typical domestic and commercial settings. Inspired by Moduleo Moods, the range that offers customers a creative studio in which they can combine 10 new formats, the online platform has experienced month-on-month success and is heralded for its ability to bring about new design concepts and inspiration to otherwise routine refurbishments. As well as being able access the popular visualiser feature, Moduleo also hosts its catalogue of commercial case studies on the website, including the recent refurbishment of a former Phillips office block in Colchester into a luxury residential apartment building. Around 5,000sqm of Moduleo flooring was specified for the Crown House Homes scheme, a 13-month refurbishment project set to complete this summer. Visit: www.moduleo.co.uk

Express yourself with Impress® Floors of unparalleled realism for unprecedented creativity. Updating our Impress range, Moduleo bring you a new selection of Naturally impressive and Expressive ﬂoors. Authentic wood and slate patterns will leave the timeless mark of nature on any interior, while our abstract designs allow you to create a unique look only possible in LVT ﬂooring.

For more information and samples please call 01332 851500 or email salesuk@moduleo.com

moduleo.co.uk/impress

AWARDS

January Furniture Show Best Furniture Exhibition

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Winning the Interiors Monthly Best Furniture Exhibition award for the second year running has made the team behind January Furniture Show immensely proud. Over 500 UK and international exhibitors showed their new and bestselling designs at the winning 2018 event. More than 20,000 visitors attended, including retail buyers from chain, department and independent stores, as well as contract and leisure buyers, interior designers and internal specifiers. The show is now firmly established as the UK’s premier furniture and interiors trade show and planning for the 2019 event, which takes place on 20-23 January at the NEC, is well underway. ‘There is nothing better than the acknowledgement of your peers and we are delighted to win the Interiors Monthly Best Furniture Exhibition Award, especially as we were up against competition from the likes of IMM in Cologne,’ says Cleere Scamell, JFS event director. ‘Gaining recognition from Interiors Monthly readers is testament to the dedicated efforts of Laraine Janes, Theresa Raymond and our committed team. It also reflects the continued

development of the event and its relevance to whole of the furniture industry – suppliers, buyers and all levels of the market. ‘Respect and thanks must go to Laraine and Theresa who took a big decision to establish a new January show for the industry four years ago. They revitalised it and continued to progress it by listening to what the industry said it wanted. That sentiment and work ethic will continue into 2019 and beyond as we continue to deliver a strong event for whole of the UK furniture industry.’ Exhibitor bookings for the 2019 January Furniture Show are already high and new signings include Silentnight and Hartmann. Over 85% of the 2018 exhibitors have signed to return next year, including Parker Knoll, Ercol, Ego Italiano, Duresta, Sits and Gallery Direct. Visit: www.januaryfurnitureshow.com

5 Halls | 4 Days | 1 Must-Attend Show Book your stand today at januaryfurnitureshow.com

Image courtesy of Westex

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AWARDS

National Bed Federation Innovation of the Year (Furniture)

Below: 50 products will be tested a year Above right: Retailers can receive free POS

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‘We are delighted that our new Due Diligence Testing Programme has earned the accolade of this year’s Interiors Monthly Innovation of the Year (Furniture) award,’ says Jessica Alexander, National Bed Federation executive director. ‘This is a terrific endorsement from the trade of our efforts to raise standards and say a resounding “No” to rogue traders.’ The NBF’s random testing programme of both member and non-member products has been developed to strengthen its Code of Practice. Up to 50 mattresses, bases and headboards annually will be purchased on the open market and put through their paces against the Code’s criteria. Products will be subject to flammability tests, then cut open and specifications checked against marketing claims. Textile composition labelling information will be looked for and enquiries will be made about chemicals and other featured treatments to ensure compliance with REACH and biocides regulations. ‘The NBF’s Code of Practice, with its comprehensive, regular audits – compulsory for all NBF manufacturer members – has resulted in massive strides in raising standards, improving awareness and tightening procedures in bed manufacturing in the UK. All this helps to level the playing field for reputable manufacturers doing the right thing. But we realised we needed to do more to further strengthen trust in the NBF Approved Mark,’ said Tony Lisanti, NBF president. ‘We hope the Due Diligence Testing Programme will take our fight against rogue traders to the next level. We believe it’s a robust enhancement to our Code of Practice audit process.’ Although there is a proportion of purely randomly selected products, some will be purchased for testing as a result of credible ‘tip-offs’ or concerns from third parties; or, in the case of NBF members, where previous Code of Practice performance has been less than A-rated. Test results will be shared with all companies, member and non-member.

More serious findings could be reported to trading standards. Reports will be issued periodically but companies and products will not be specifically identified – unless the results are sufficiently serious, which may lead to informing trading standards; and, in the case of NBF members, to suspension or expulsion. Retailers who want to show their support for the NBF’s efforts to raise industry standards – and are sourcing at least 50% of their stock from NBF members – can do so by becoming an NBF Retail Supporter and making use of free POS packs. These include window and in-store stickers and labels for individual products, artwork for adverts and posters, plus videos for social media. Visit: www.bedfed.org.uk

Award for Innovation of the Year

‘Due Diligence Testing’

Let’s Put Rogue Traders to Bed Rogue traders continue to steal business from legitimate bed manufacturers and retailers. They dupe people into buying products that are simply not what they claim to be.

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AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Beauflor – Skyline Product of the Year (Flooring)

Giant Oak 979M

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Beauflor’s Skyline is an exclusive designer collection with elegant and sophisticated colour and detail never seen before, produced with digital printing technology. It has extra large planks and tiles with no visible repeat pattern. The Skyline collection is made with state-of-the-art digital printing techniques, generating a selection of exclusive wood planks, marble and tile designs. The collection is available in 4m wide rolls that offer a new dimension in colour definition, design and performance, offering super-strong

qualities and durability. The advanced printing technology has enabled the design team to develop striking designs in extra-large sizes with no visible repeats. This is impossible with conventional printing techniques. The collection has four ranges: Giant Oak with seven oak shades; Marble in black and white recreating marble found in Volakas, Greece; Coney Island with five shades of polished concrete, and Victorian Oak, a combination of oak planks and Victorian tile designs. Visit: www.beauflor.com

Supersized designs with no visible repeat

The stunning Skyline collection made with the latest state of the art digital printing techniques, generating a selection of exclusive wood planks, marble and tile designs. This collection is available in 4m wide rolls which offer a new dimension in colour deďŹ nition, design & performance giving you super strong qualities and durability.

AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Lifestyle Floors Flooring Brand 2018

Bottom left: Summit Twist Bottom right: Herringbone Oak Right: Wriggle Monochrome

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Lifestyle Floors was launched in 2010 to independent flooring retailers in the UK. The brand has come a very long way in eight years. ‘Lifestyle Floors came into being during the “beige craze” when every range that we launched, be it LVT, carpet, vinyl or laminate – even our displays – was, you guessed it, some form of beige,’ says Inga Morris-Blincoe, Lifestyle Floors general manager. This was followed by the ‘grey wave’. ‘Now, we are launching beautiful, design-led ranges that feature amazing colours and designs. We’ve also branched out into providing the marketplace with affordable door bars in an array of colours never before seen in the flooring market. ‘Our displays are ground-breaking, their usability and attractiveness forever changing the game for manufacturers vying for space in retail outlets. ‘Yet despite our passion and love for our brand, and all of our work, sweat and tears, it has been the independent

retailer and their wholehearted support of our endeavours that has made us who we are,’ adds Morris-Blincoe. Visit: www.lifestyle-floors.co.uk

BRAND OF THE YEAR

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AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Calligaris Outstanding Performance (Furniture)

Below: Liberty stackable chairs Right: Coco lounge chair Far right: Circles occasional furniture

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This year Calligaris is celebrating 95 years of furniture making. Through this long journey, founded on an ongoing commitment to quality and innovation, the once-small chair manufacturer has become the largescale production company it is today. The keywords are ‘maximum flexibility’. Catering to the trend of increasingly fluid spaces, freedom of use is the characteristic shared by all the new Calligaris seating projects, without a clear distinction between pieces designed for hospitality projects and products conceived exclusively for the home. This underlying idea has given rise to a flexible and diverse collection of products that can have many lives and be beautiful and functional in many different environments. For the 2017 financial year, the family-owned group saw EBITA grow from €18m to €20.6m and to €22.7m including the purchase of upholstery and bed manufacturer Ditre Italia. Sales rose 6.3% to €140m. Visit: www.calligaris.com

AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Hypnos Sustainability (Furniture)

Below: Hypnos supports school tree planting projects Below right: Beds can be recycled thanks to their design

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Luxury British bed manufacturer Hypnos is celebrating after claiming a much-coveted Interiors Monthly award. Renowned for crafting bespoke beds for retailers, interior designers and the hospitality industry alike, Hypnos has won the Sustainability (Furniture) award in recognition of its dedicated commitment to low-carbon ethical manufacturing and sustainability. The achievement is a renowned symbol of excellence in continuous waste and energy reduction. Every Hypnos bed is handmade, without the need for energy-dependent machinery, using the finest globally sourced, natural and sustainable fibres, including fibres made from recycled plastic bottles. The business only uses FSC or PEFCT certified timbers that have been sourced from managed forests with full traceability, which means that all beds are 100% recyclable at the end of their life. Hypnos’ wider responsible approach is also emphasised as the first bed maker in the world to comply with the rigorous PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality standard, with this industry-leading position resulting in Hypnos being carbon neutral for the last seven years. ‘As a business which prides itself on ethical trading and creating beds made from natural and sustainable materials, we are absolutely delighted to have won

this award and been recognised in this way. An accolade such as this is a great way of cementing our commitment to the environment and signals that our sustainable ethos is completely embedded within the business,’ says Chris Ward, Hypnos group marketing director. ‘Our responsible focus to the environment and to the communities we operate in also sees Hypnos getting involved in exciting tree planting projects in local schools, as well as active engagement with careers and skills fairs through our apprenticeship and Young Enterprise schemes. Our involvement in international sustainability projects includes supporting the reduction of deforestation in Brazil and helping to supply clean water in Uganda, reinforcing our commitment to creating a low carbon world.’ With sustainably designed bed production at the core of the company’s values, its sustainable credentials also extend to aftercare. The business offers retailers a full disposal service for old beds, with Hypnos’ sister company The Furniture Recycling Company deconstructing beds to create recycled raw materials for re-use in other industries. This responsible approach results in 100% landfill avoidance and offers a green and responsible way of disposing of old mattresses and bedding. Visit: www.hypnosbeds.com

A W A R D - W I N N I N G C O M E S

A S

S T A N D A R D

The pursuit of perfection â&#x20AC;&#x201C; beautiful handcrafted pocket spring beds, with a Royal Seal of Approval and an unrivalled 10 year guarantee. Hypnos offers exquisitely tailored beds; sublime comfort; a choice of design options; a commitment to sustainability; a strong consumer brand and excellent support. Contact us to discover our luxurious mattress collections and perfectly made storage solutions.

www.hypnosbeds.com T: +44 (0) 1844 348200 | E: sleep@hypnosbeds.com Hypnos is proud to be Carbon Neutral, complying with PAS 2060.

Handmade in Britain with a 10-year guarantee

AWARDS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Carpet Recycling UK Sustainability (Flooring)

Below left: Laurance Bird addresses members of this year’s Carpet Recycling UK annual conference Below right: The Carpet Recycling UK 2018 award winners

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Founded in 2008 by leading UK carpet manufacturers and distributors, Carpet Recycling UK is leading the way for sustainability in the flooring sector and celebrating after claiming a muchcoveted Interiors Monthly award. Marking its 10th anniversary this year, the industry-backed association for recycling and reusing waste carpet helps all types of organisations to find new alternative and sustainable disposal outlets for waste carpet. Its core funders are Cormar Carpets, Lifestyle Floors/ Headlam, Brintons Carpets, DESSO, ege, Milliken and Balsan. By helping flooring retailers, contractors and fitters to recycle or reuse their installation offcuts, uplifted carpets and carpet tiles, Carpet Recycling UK is acting as a ‘catalyst for sustainable change’ within the flooring sector. Backed by strong support from its core funders, members and the wider flooring sector, Carpet Recycling UK has inspired and facilitated the recycling of one million tonnes of waste carpet in its first decade: equivalent to approximately 400million sqm of carpet or 57,000 football pitches. ‘Winning this award is a great feather in our cap,’ says Laurance Bird, Carpet Recycling UK director. ‘As we strive to increase awareness within the industry of the need to recycle carpet and encourage more carpet manufacturers

and retailers to join us, clinching this award serves to reinforce our position as a leader for voluntary producer responsibility. ‘We are delighted and proud that our efforts over the past 10 years have been recognised in this way. Awareness is growing and we are pleased to have seen a steep increase in retailer/contractor membership in recent months. ‘Our journey continues and there is still so much we can do collectively to divert more and more carpet from landfill. We are committed to making carpet recycling a convenient and cost-saving option for as many flooring companies as possible.’ A major benefit for Carpet Recycling UK members is a reduction in their disposal costs to landfill, as well as the ability to enhance their green credentials with customers. Demonstrating to consumers that their waste carpet offcuts can be given a second life in a new product, underlay for example, helps to increase positive perceptions among the public, increase loyalty and win new business. Around 400,000 tonnes of waste carpet arises each year in the UK. Last year, 168,000 tonnes were diverted from landfill, representing a diversion rate of 42%. Carpet Recycling UK’s target is 60% by 2020. Visit: www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

BEDS AND BEDROOM

Left: Mimi Cesar Above: Perfect 7000

On the up Millbrook Beds has seen major growth Millbrook Beds has come a long way in just one year. Since The Bed Show in 2017 the brand has continued to show strong performance, working with major retail accounts, private contract and public sector accounts. Focus on the independent retail business has meant a 35% sales increase on the previous year. In January 2018, Millbrook appointed Mark Hughes as sales director. His first remit was to appoint five new sales agents, including one for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: the first time that the company has had a presence in Ireland in more than 10 years. ‘When I look back to 2 January and then where we are now, it is far beyond my wildest expectations. I recognised quickly that Millbrook is a uniquely positioned business, with the ability to supply products from a multi-platform manufacturing base, offering technically innovative mattresses, due to an enormously talented team based in Southampton,’ says Hughes. ‘My first role was to develop a driven, well respected and knowledgeable sales team that were able to take on the challenges of 2018 in this ever-changing retail landscape. Having restructured the sales division, I could then hit the ground running and since that point we have been inundated with factory visits: more than 70 accounts so far. ‘In each case our customers have been overwhelmed with the heritage, product, quality and capability of the business and everyone leaves with the enthusiasm and excitement that we project and have ourselves. The response has been

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nothing short of phenomenal, confirmed by the commitment our customers have given Millbrook Beds with extensive floor model displays. These are exciting times, and I am loving it.’ Millbrook’s concentrated marketing efforts this year have seen campaigns hitting the end consumer across multiple platforms and giving the brand much better consumer recognition than before. Facebook alone has directly reached nearly one million people. Millbrook Beds is proud to sponsor England & Great Britain Hockey (Men & Women), Team England at the Commonwealth Games, Parkrun and the World Cycling Revival. These partners all promote a healthy and active lifestyle and have given Millbrook a vehicle to connect the importance of a great night’s sleep, in a good quality bed, with enhanced performance the following day. Next month England rhythmic gymnast Mimi Cesar will be performing on the company’s stand at The Bed Show. Visit: www.millbrook-beds.co.uk

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The Flooring Show Harrogate 16-18 September

PREVIEW

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Oneflor will make its Harrogate debut

Texture, colour, ambience, finish, performance: you’ll find all these and more at The Flooring Show, which takes place from 16-18 September in Harrogate. This is where flooring in all its forms is given the starring role. The show, which has been enjoying a resurgence in visitor numbers in recent years, is widely recognised as the UK’s national flooring event, and this year marks its 56th edition, a record performance for a business-to-business trade exhibition. The perfect show for flooring retailers and contractors, The Flooring Show also attracts plenty of interest from fitters keen to spot new products and offers, and specifiers and designers for whom the show delivers a great overview of what’s new and who’s new as well as excellent networking opportunities. Visitors will be able to book a free 30-minute guided Trend Briefing at the show. Led by Laura Greenwood of specialist forecasters Scarlet Opus, each session will give an overview of key global consumer and design trends that will affect the flooring market the coming months and in 2019. On Tuesday morning, 18 September, the show will be hosting a networking event for interior designers to meet the flooring designers from key exhibiting companies. It’s a perfect chance to hear what developments are underway from the teams creating them. This event is

Interiors Monthly August 2018

Starring role The event will host more than 50 new exhibitors supported by the SBID, but non-members are welcome to attend. Cormar Carpet Company will be introducing its new collection together with its updated B2B portal; Karndean Designflooring will be launching three Art Select wood designs chosen from the deciduous woodlands of Europe and North America, and there will be more from Furlong Flooring, Cavalier Carpets, Westex, Abindgon Flooring, Interfloor and Distinctive Flooring among others. European participants include Dutch company Condor Carpets, H&V Carpets

Visitor numbers have grown in recent years

and Moduleo from Belgium and Barth1873 from Germany. Barth1873 is one of more than 50 new exhibitors, including William Armes (Dandy brand); Oneflor-Europe, the LVT brand from Belgium; the Portuguese family-owned and operated Ribadao Designs, and Bautech Flooring UK which delivers industrial and decorative floors including micro-cement, terrazzo and resin. 

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The Flooring Show Harrogate 16-18 September

PREVIEW

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Far left: Lano’s Cashmere Luxe Left: Ulster’s Beaumont Bottom: Pro-Tek’s WPC

Bajong will unveil Montana Superb, a 2,900g per sqm saxony in 10 modern colours. J2 Flooring will launch an own label concept where retailers or wholesalers can have exclusively branded LVT. New colours and POS will also be debuted. Pashmina and Pashmina Luxe, part of the Halcyon collection, is Lano’s first foray into polyester qualities. Joining Cashmere and Cashmere Luxe – both crafted from supersoft polypropylene – Pashmina widens Lano’s supersoft offer. Touchdown will be expanded with Serenade: a 60oz soft-touch saxony made from stain-resistant polypropylene, in 16 modern colours and in 4m and 5m widths. The new Pleasure, part of the X Concept collection, uses polyamide type 6.6 to give better resistance to stains than standard type 6. MasterPiece Systems will show new features to its software including further support for the selling process, including capture of customer signature on screen and ability to preview terms and conditions; invoices can be generated for all sales, not just those where fitting is needed, and further automation of costing function to reflect the costing rules of your individual business, designed to avoid mistakes of omission and give rapid costing in the home. Pro-Tec will debut its waterproof WPC LVT measuring 7mm to 8.5mm in thickness and comprising seven individual layers. The commercial-grade

Interiors Monthly August 2018

wear resistant layer is 0.7mm thick, with a UV anti-scratch finish. Below the fade-resistant décor layer and top layer, a highly stable and 100% waterproof core – with glueless locking system – sits above a IXPE foam underlay base. Five collections offer a total of 40 designs, in wood and tile effects, with matching four-sided bevelled edges and a complete range of matching WPC vinylwrapped accessories. Mayne Computer Technology will be demonstrating the latest updates to its Mosaic cloud software. Ulster Carpets will unveil Terraen, a Danish-inspired cut and loop carpet. The designs in Terraen reflect familiar surfaces found in both urban and rural settings, from concrete castings to forest floors, with four depths of tone in natural, light grey, classic stone and

velvety shadow shades. Ulster will also be showing the new colours added to some of its most popular ranges including York, Wilton, Braeburn, Beaumont, Country House Collection, Tazmin and Habitus. William Armes will show new POS for coir outdoor mats, Washamats and the Kilkis mats and runners. Disney rugs in display boxes will be launched along with promotions on rolls of coir and carpet protector. Visitors will also be able to see the finalists of the Wool Carpet and Rug Awards on show before the winners are revealed. Sponsored by The Campaign for Wool in association with British Wool, the third year of the awards will see 14 awards presented, including the hall of fame award. Visit: www.theflooringshow.com

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The Flooring Show Harrogate 16-18 September

PREVIEW 2017’s finalists were tasked with handstitching a double-sided bullnose step

The title of NICF Carpet Fitter of the Year will be decided at the show. The initial entrants were reduced to 16 semi-finalists who competed for the six places in the final at a two-day competition in June. (Former winners cannot enter.) While this year’s challenges have yet to be confirmed, in 2017 the platform test was a stretch fit carpet around a central pillar and a corner obstacle with a low overhang and acute angles. The second test was a double-sided bullnose step to be handstitched. The competition will be judged by Ian James, former NICF president and 2005 European Floorlaying Championship winner; Richard Renouf, independent consultant and Jeff Hardy, former master fitter and CFOTY winner. The competition takes place in the Kings Suite on 16 and 17 September, with the winner revealed at 4.30pm on 17 September.

Byron Terrett received his 2017 CFOTY trophy from Wendy Adams, The Flooring Show organiser and Ian James, head judge

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Six of the best Leading fitters will battle it out for the top title

Darren Ash

Dan Evans

‘I have been in the flooring industry for 36 years and proudly have master fitter status in carpet, vinyl and laminate. I long ago realised the benefits of keeping up to date with current standards and regularly partake in training and assessments to continue to offer my customers the best possible service. ‘I have been a CFOTY finalist the past two years and have met many likeminded and talented people, a number of whom have become good friends. ‘Having entered CFOTY in 2016 and reached the finals, I felt compelled to enter again in 2017 and was very proud to be a finalist for the second consecutive year. Now, in 2018, I find myself in the finals once again – quite an achievement against great competition.’

‘My uncle first introduced me to this career. I’ve worked in the trade for over 16 years with him and other family members. I now run my own business fitting all different kinds of floorcoverings. I enjoy the challenge of bespoke designs and complex installations, ensuring the specifications is met and fitted to the highest standard. ‘I attended my first FITA course in 2008 and developed a taste for training. Since then I have achieved master fitter status in a range of flooring types. I pride myself on keeping up to date with current standards. I am delighted to be a finalist for the second year running, showing the enthusiasm I have for my craft. I am looking forward to competing alongside some highly skilled fitters and am thrilled to have this opportunity.’

PREVIEW

Tony Newall

John Wright

‘I have worked in our family business since I left school. I went to Kidderminster College on a YTS scheme. Since then my brother Steve and I have taken over the business: I fit the carpets and Steve runs the shop. ‘I enjoy the CFOTY competition as you get to meet people who are bringing the trade forward and who actually care about the quality of their work. At the same time there’s the opportunity for bringing yourself on and the chance to keep up to date with all the latest methods and products.’

‘I have been involved in the flooring trade since I was a child through our family business. My grandfather was a floor layer and an upholsterer to trade. He was followed into the trade by my father, other family members and myself. ‘I started to work in the family firm when I left school. I was taught to complete a job to the best of my ability, work hard and prioritise customer service and satisfaction. ‘I joined the NICF to meet and work with other like-minded people who also have a passion for the trade, and I haven't been disappointed. I’ve made some great friends and learnt loads along the way. ‘This is my first time entering CFOTY. I've really enjoyed the whole experience and I'm proud to have made it to the final and to be part of this great showcase for the trade.’

‘I have been a carpet and floor layer for 27 years. The moment I walked into that first house, I knew I'd found a job I loved and I still feel as passionate about it now. ‘I've done my best to keep up to date with training and product knowledge. Joining the NICF has given me even more passion to learn and to provide the exceptional service our trade can offer. ‘When I first heard of CFOTY in the early 1990s, it was something I aspired to. It was an honour to get to the final last year: the greatest honour of my career. This year the final holds a new meaning for me as my son Cameron has now entered the trade as my apprentice. ‘It fills me with even more pride to take part with five of the best carpet fitters in the UK and I'm sure I will gain more knowledge from these exceptional fitters to pass on to my son.’

Jamie Nelson ‘This is my second time entering CFOTY. Having made the semi-finals last year, I am delighted to go a stage further this time. A massive thank you to my long-suffering wife and ever supportive kids for listening to me harping on about gripper spacing and power stretching! ‘My wife and I own a furniture and flooring business in Stranraer. Gilly runs the shop whilst I control the flooring. Our main fitting business is carpet and LVT. We even have our own fitting bay in the heart of the carpet department to help customers understand the process and possibilities. ‘I'm proud to have made the final and hope to promote the importance of training in the industry by giving a top-quality performance.’

The Flooring Show Harrogate 16-18 September

Dan Jones

The platform test in 2017 included an overhanging obstacle to be cut and tucked

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ACG Platinum Event Warwick

REVIEW Visitors praised the intimacy of the event

Platinum success ACG held its first suppliers exhibition After the show there was time to relax

22 suppliers took part

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Visitors could easily discuss matters

REVIEW

Buying group ACG held its Platinum Event supplier show and gala dinner at the Slate exhibition and conference centre in Warwick on 30 June. Some 22 of the group’s suppliers attended the show, including Abingdon Flooring, Adam Carpets, Associated Weavers, Axminster Carpets, Ball & Young, Balta, Brockway, Cavalier Carpets, Cormar Carpet Company, Distinctive Flooring, Furlong Flooring, Himalaya Carpets, Interfloor, Kingsford, Larsens, Penthouse Carpets, Telenzo, Ulster Carpets, Victoria Carpets, Westex Flooring Excellence, Whitestone Weavers and Woodpecker. Complimentary tea, coffee, drinks and pastries were served throughout the day in the centre of the room, allowing members and exhibitors to refresh without having to leave the hall, and lunch was served in the hall, helping members to maximise their time seeing suppliers. The show began at 9.30am and finished at 3pm when the group held its AGM at the Radcliffe Hotel next to the centre. Over 100 ACG members attended, and in the evening a drinks reception, sponsored by the exhibitors, was followed by a gala dinner. This was followed by dancing with a live band until late in the evening. It was the first time ACG has put on an exhibition like this and it was really well received. The atmosphere was busy and buzzing and there was a positive, friendly vibe. Members’ feedback included that the show was laid out well in a beautiful venue and that it was nice to be able to visit all of the suppliers and catch up with some they hadn’t seen for a while. Others welcomed the introduction of a more intimate show, a personal show with familiar faces; all the products were relevant, and it was good to speak with the exhibitors openly about pricing as it was an exclusive members event. Richard Moore, ACG executive director said he was extremely pleased with the event, saying it had been a very successful show for members and exhibitors and there was a strong possibility of it becoming an annual event. Visit: www.acgcarpets.com

ACG Platinum Event Warwick

The exhibitors sponsored the drinks reception

Visitors could enjoy the view from the terrace

In the evening visitors and exhibitors returned to the main hall for the gala dinner

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ACG Platinum Event Warwick

REVIEW Members saw Associated Weavers’ Pioneer Deluxe and Supreme, which is a new addition to their Special Edition collection, for the first time. Pioneer is a solution-dyed nylon Saxony and Twist combination offering modern heather tones. Also on show was iSense Ourania and the new Invictus ranges Indus and Dorado. Visit: www.carpetyourlife.com

Westex showed off its rebranding to Westex Flooring Excellence: a sleek new contemporary look which the retailers loved. It also expanded its Silken Velvet collection with 40 colours in three qualities: Vogue, Chic and Debonair. Soon to come is a new LVT and a custom woven range. Visit: www.westexcarpets.co.uk

Stand for success Meeting the exhibitors Cormar Carpet Company showcased its new Apollo Comfort range to members: a deep, soft-pile quality and the latest in its budget priced Apollo collection. Also presented for the first time was a new selection of colours in the 80% New Zealand wool Home Counties Plains range with greys and neutral shades. Visit: www.cormarcapets.co.uk

Cavalier’s Select-ern is a lectern with a difference: retailers can select the most appropriate ranges for their stores.

Cavalier had special offers on POS for ACG members. It showed the three-ply 8th-gauge wool range Icon; the 100% polyester Silken; the 100% polypropylene Elements, and the 100% wool loop Millstone, together with the 100% woven polypropylene Stria. Visit: www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk

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REVIEW

Furlong Flooring launched its dryback and click LVT offering to ACG members under the exclusive Finesse branding with Imperial (20 decors), Regal (19 plus four herringbones) and Royale (13 embossed in register decors). The Taurus Twist roll stock carpet range plus Charme, an entry-level soft Saxony, and Vivace a two-ply heavyweight Saxony were also on show. Visit: www.furlongflooring.co.uk

Interfloor showcased its new Gripperrods Premier floor edgings which are available in brushed steel nickel or chrome, which co-ordinate well with other home accessories, light switches and door handles to ensure a seamless finish. Also on show was a specialist collection of Duralay underlays and adhesives for LVT. Visit: www.interfloor.com

Balta offered members a sales incentive of a four-day cruise on the Queen Mary 2 to Hamburg. Smart Tokyo is a solution-dyed nylon with plenty of greys, natural tones and some colours; Smart Vienna is a striking nylon velvet and Smart Ottawa is a soft polypropylene with extra-resilient yarn. Visit: www.balta-carpets.com

Penthouse Carpets’ relationship with ACG began with the Colourcade tombola, offering five ranges, but this has now been extended to include a further six ranges, with plans to add more. The products can be displayed on wall units, lecterns and tombolas and are also available in pattern books, branded with either the Penthouse or ACG livery. Visit: www.penthousecarpets.co.uk

ACG Platinum Event Warwick

Ball & Young had an exceptionally busy stand, the focus being on Cloud 9 ECO Cushion for artificial grass. Carpet Cushion (1.2tog), the 11mm rubber underlay for use over underfloor heating, received a lot of attention for the additional comfort under foot, along with the new Floorline range of stick-down metal profiles. Visit: www.underlay.com

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REVIEW

introducing

graphite

carpet underlay

Woodpecker showed its contemporary range of naturally inspired floors, with more stylish grey tones, popular parquet and extra-rustic designs launching with the new catalogue in early August. Its new Brecon collection brings a waterproof laminate to the range. Visit: www.woodpeckerflooring.co.uk Telenzoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soft-touch Atmosphere is made from two-ply Spheron yarn in three qualities: Breeze (900g weight and 11 colours), Whisper (1,500g and 10 colours) and Cloud (1,900g and eight colours) in 4m and 5m widths. Twister, displayed as a small sample book on the rear of the Atmosphere display unit, comes in eight bright colours in the Breeze quality and 4m width. Retailers chosen to become stockists also receive marketing support with window adverts, display cards and a promotional campaign. Visit: www.edel telenzocarpets. co.uk

When what you really really want is a strong selling good all-round domestic underlay which delivers a healthy margin Graphite is the way to go!. Graphite is a fine, robust, utility underlay representing superb value for money and which is already a firm favourite with many Retailers and Distributors throughout UK and Ireland.

Abingdon showed its next generation Stainfree Twist and Ultra combination in a new 10th-gauge format: the original version was the very first two-ply polypropylene of its kind in the UK in 1990. This fourthgeneration version is now available in a finer twist finish in 20 colours, multiwidths and a fleece backing. Visit: www.abingdon flooring.co.uk

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FULLY RECYCLABLE SIMPLE, QUICK AND EASY TO LAY DESIGNED FOR GENERAL DOMESTIC USE EXCELLENT SOUND REDUCTION PERFORMANCE LIGHTWEIGHT ROLLS EXCEED H&S EXPECTATIONS IDEAL FOR USE WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS

Graphite is part of the Novostrat range of polyethylene foam based underlays for wood, laminate and carpeted floors. Underlays for every application - from the highest performance to utility â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and to suit every budget.

tel: 00353 61-339287 www.novostrat.com info@novostrat.com

REVIEW

Victoria lines

ACG Platinum Event Warwick

Wentworth Twist and Wentworth Saxony were among Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s introductions

New ranges launched Victoria Carpets showed its new range Burford Twist, an 80/10/10 British wool range available in 4m and 5m widths in 11 on-trend colours. With a fine twist finish this 50oz product is designed to give ACG members outstanding value. Victoria also launched EasiCare Wentworth Twist and Wentworth Saxony, each available in seven colours and 4m and 5m widths, with a slight soft finish and 100% bleach cleanable. For ACG, Victoria is launching two polypropylene ranges designed to represent excellent value to the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s members. Exquisite is a 41oz finer spun yarn 100% polypropylene in eight colours with a silky feel. The 62oz Extreme Twist and Saxony comes in 16 colours and a choice of 4m and 5m widths. Visit: www.victoriacarpets.com Smart choice branded ranges were on display

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OUTDOOR

Taking the sun Molle combines Florentine workmanship with modern styling Essential and elegant, Officinacianiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest outdoor furniture collection Molle captures the attention and fascinates by its clean and refined line, characterised by a decorative structure in iron, bent by hand, galvanised and powder-coated. The collection offers the pleasure of living outdoor spaces with aesthetic sense and personality as it combines traditional Florentine craftsmanship and the search for a contemporary design. The range includes a three-seater, armchair and two sizes of glass-topped coffee tables in a spectum of colours. Visit: www.officinaciani.it

The iron Molle is hand bent and then galvanised and powder coated

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( ) Sales and Marketing Director We need a high calibre individual with a proven track record of success in a competitive market. You will need effective vision, leadership, communication and motivation skills to drive sales forward and deliver profitable and sustainable growth. Marketing role: To enact current marketing plans and develop future strategy aimed at achieving mutually agreed objectives. Work directly with design personnel and managing director on range development. Sales role: To lead, manage and motivate an established external sales team including European agents, together with responsibility for internal sales office staff. Direct Key customer involvement and responsibility. Attractive salary package. Based in West Midlands. Our family owned and managed company has a long-established reputation for uncompromising quality and creativity in providing a premium service to our retailers and our growing contract customer base.

To apply, please forward your career details, together with a covering document setting out your relevant experience to the Managing Director, Chris Adam, Adam Carpets Ltd, Greenhill Works, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, Worcs, DY10 2SH or email: md@adamcarpets.com

* + +

! "#" $$ % & ' ' '

Perfectly Matched Colours Red Underlay & Gripperrods Professional The premium quality of our Colours Red underlay coupled with our exceptional Gripperrods Professional gripper ensures only the best results every time. With complete convenience for ﬁtters and ultimate under-foot comfort for your customers, they are the perfect match for the perfect ﬁnish.

For the best results everytime, recommend Colours Red & Gripperrods Professional.

interﬂoor.com 01706 238 810