Interiors Monthly August 2024

Awards 2024

The winners Retail Pink is the colour

New owner, same direction?

The king is dead, long live the king: flooring retail has a new market leader, but what is its

future course?

It’s not until you read the list of 218 Carpetright stores that won’t reopen, add in the 54 that Tapi has taken on and the 80-odd that didn’t survive the 2018 CVA, that you think: how did it ever get to that? Even allowing for changes over the years, that many stores was overkill. At least action was taken six years ago, before Meditor decided it was a gamble worth taking, but for Talal Shakerchi, Meditor’s boss and renowned poker player, this was one gamble that hasn’t paid off.

The hacking of the chain’s systems in April which left it unable to sell anything was the final nail in the coffin (it was lucky not to be closed then), but by then Meditor had obviously decided not to invest any more. Last December, Carpetright transferred 70 UK and 42 EU trademarks and 39 domain names to immediate parent Nestware: not a sign that anybody was holding out much hope for the flooring chain, more we’d better look after any available assets. (Three months later, part of the process had to be repeated as a number of trademarks had been left out, some numbers were wrong, and the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland only accepts paper documents.)

There is also another gamble in Tapi’s deals between Nestware and adminstrator PwC: public opinion. In the aftermath of hailing the saving of 300 jobs, the BBC allowed public comments on the story. The abuse directed towards the Harris family (basically it was a stich-up), Carpetright (the staff are lazy and deserve no better) and the sub-contractor fitters (crooks, the lot of them) was shockingly ill-informed and nasty.

Given this reaction, despite the fact Tapi is honouring cash and debit card deposits for the stores it has reopened, while urging those who paid by credit card or finance to ring the bank and then come back in to re-order – and the obvious reputational damage from its failure – you have to ask the true economic value (not the emotional attachment to names) of the brand. And what will the stores be? Tapi clones under a different name or a budget ‘rival’?

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JULIAN BOWEN The Louis Black Fluted Range

Carpetright leaves £80m debts after collapse

Carpetright had debts to suppliers, customers and landlords of £80m when it collapsed.

The Times reported that about £24m was owed to suppliers; £30.9m to ‘other creditors’ including customers; and other debts totalled £15.6m. Liabilities stood at around £81.7m. These figures are expected to be confirmed when administrator PWC communicates with creditors, as soon as 29 July.

Tapi has taken on 54 of Carpetright’s stores and

struck a deal with former parent company Nestware for intellectual property, including the Carpetright and Harris Carpets brands.

The 54 branches employ 308 staff.

The remaining 218 branches (including concessions) will not reopen and Carpetright’s head office will close once operations are wound down. 1,018 jobs will be lost.

Tapi is funding a service that will offer free employment workshops covering CV preparation,

These stores form the Tapi/PwC deal: Basildon; Birmingham –Erdington; Bishopbriggs; Bristol – Longwell Green; Camborne; Camden; Carmarthen; Cheadle; Chesterfield; Chichester; Chippenham; Clapham Common; Coventry – Airport Retail Park; Cramlington; Croydon; Dumbarton; Dumfries; East Sheen; Edinburgh – Hermiston Gait; Epsom; Farnborough; Friern Barnet; Haywards Heath; Hemel Hempstead; Hereford; High Wycombe – Loudwater; Holloway; Hove; Ipswich – Anglia Park; Lancaster; Leeds – Kirkstall; Maidstone; Mansfield; New Malden; Newbury; Newmarket; North Shields; Norwich – Sprowston; Peterborough; Plymouth – Marsh Mills; Southampton – Hedge End; Stockton; Swindon – Bridgemead; Teddington; Trowbridge; Truro; Washington – Armstrong; West Wickham; Weston-SuperMare; Weymouth; Whetstone; Wimbledon; Woking and Yeovil. The Chessington and Croydon warehouses are also included.

interview skills and job search strategies to Carpetright staff. Staff are reported to not have been paid for June and July.

Tapi has told customers with outstanding orders at the branches it has taken on who paid by cash or debit card that it will honour deposits, but those that paid by credit card or finance must seek a Section 75 refund and then place a new order. Those that have outstanding orders at now-closed stores will become unsecured creditors unless they obtain a Section 75. Fitters have been told they will also be treated as creditors. PwC was due to publish details on how creditors can make a claim on its website by 29 July.

In December, Carpetright’s intellectual property, including the brand of John Lewis’s flooring concessions operator The Flooring Room, was transferred to Nestware.

PwC was called in by the group to handle Carpetright’s

sale before it was appointed administrator. The chain had been hit by a cyber attack in April which had left it unable to place consumer orders, effectively bringing forward the decision to move to the administration process.

Talal Shakerchi, an internationally successful poker player, took ownership of the flooring chain in 2019. Carptright turned to him to secure emergency funding through his venture capital company Meditor, before it bought the chain’s £30m bank debt and became its largest shareholder. Shareholders were then faced with little choice but to accept its below stock-market valuation offer of £15m which saw Meditor take full control.

This Spring saw Teneo hired in an effort to cut costs. It presented a package that would save £22m a year by cutting 70 staff across head office, IT, warehousing and field management.

The Croydon store is one of 54 that will transfer to Tapi

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Bedsteads up, pocket sprung down – research

Bedsteads are enjoying a resurgence, foam mattresses have overtaken pocket springs in shoppers’ popularity and local authorities are struggling to collect old mattress.

Some 27% of all purchases in 2024 were mattresses and bedsteads together, up from 24.5% in 2023 and 22% in 2022. They are especially popular with the 16-24-year-old age group, 43% choosing them; and with 25-34-year-olds (37.5%). But older age groups have lost interest, only 15% of the over-55s opting for this combination (down from 22% in 2023), according to the NBF’s latest consumer survey of 1,000 adults who bought a new mattress or bed in the past 12 months.

Roll-up mattresses continue to lose favour year-on-year, only 24% choosing this option compared with 27% two years ago.

Foam mattresses saw an increase from 38% to 43% of the total, with pocket spring options slipping to second place

ScS exits fitted flooring

ScS has released about £30m of flooring sales to other retailers by exiting the fitted-flooring market.

The move is the first significant product development at the chain since it was bought by Italian upholstery retailer Poltronesofà for £99.4m last October.

In the past financial reporting periods ScS had streamlined its flooring offer to improve competitiveness and upped in-store sales conversion rates by 7%.

Flooring has not been abandoned entirely by the chain: it still lists a choice of 129 rugs online.

Protect-A-Bed quits UK market

Mattress protection company

Protect-A-Bed has stopped trading in the UK market. The company’s UK head office closed earlier last month.

with 42%, although the age split of younger buyers opting for foam and the over-55s for pockets still holds. Memory foam increased from 45% to 48% as the comfort layer of choice, while natural fillings account for less than 10%.

Mattress only purchases top the bill at 55% (up from 53%) while divan sets dropped to 17% of the total compared to 21% last year.

The mean price paid across all sizes and types of mattresses and beds was £595, up from £565, with the vast majority – 76% – spending up to £799, and 43% paying less than £400, down from 46%.

Just 10% of shoppers said they had their old mattress collected by their local council, compared with 15% two years ago. Some 17% reported having their old mattress taken away by the company delivering their new one, up from 14% of buyers – although it was the over-55s who were more likely to opt for this.

£250,000 investment

Furniture and flooring retailer

Richard Grafton Interiors has invested £250,000 in its flagship store.

The investment sees it enter new product sectors as it looks to meet demand.

Since opening the showroom on Harrogate’s The Ginnel 12 years ago, it is seen growing demand for kitchen installations so has now included a luxury kitchen roomset for the first time, complete with pantry

and larder. The ground floor also features a ‘snug’, showcasing the company’s hand-crafted cabinetry and designer furniture, including a bespoke media cabinet.

The first floor comprises a bedroom and dressing room and a formal sitting room. It also incorporates a design hub to enable closer collaboration within the design team.

The company also has showrooms in Wetherby and Ilkley, and employs 28 people.

La-Z-Boy: reviews for trees

Recliner brand La-Z-Boy UK has joined independent consumer review company Feefo, which sees up to 50 trees planted a month.

The platform’s new sustainability feature, Treefo, means that every time someone leaves feedback, a tree is planted.

Feefo has partnered with Ecologi to source its tree planting projects, which aim to restore landscapes worldwide.

Upmarket outdoor furniture brand Janus et Cie has opened a flagship London showroom.The brand, sister company to Cappellini, Cassina, Ceccotti Collezioni, Luminaire, Karakter, Poltrona Frau, Zanotta and Luxury Living Group, has opened on the city’s Fulham Road.

To mark the opening, garden designer Alexander Hoyle designed plantings inside the showroom and in its surroundings.

Flagship display

RECRUITMENT

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If you have both online and quarter page recruitment advert in our magazine, the cost will only be £250!

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Deflation slows for furniture but reaches six-month mark

Household furniture retail prices again dropped in June, although the rate of deflation again slowed.

Prices fell by 2% in the month, according to ONS data, down from the 2.7% and 2.9% drops respectively seen in April and May.

The fall was the sixth consecutive drop.

Prices for garden furniture again reflected June’s disappointing weather and retailers’ desire to offload stock, with prices 19.5% lower.

Prices for lighting edged up by 0.9%, while furnishing

peopleMartin Harris, Tapi founder and retail md has resigned from his role as a director of the flooring chain.

Harris set up CWH Projects in 2014 to begin work on Tapi, with CWH changing its name in June 2015. Harris was chief executive of the retailer until James Sturrock, former Eve Sleep boss joined in May 2020. He left in December 2023 to join pet food maker Bella & Duke.

Steve Depport, Metro Group operations manager, is to retire from the buying group. Depport, who joined in September 2012, will retire next winter. The group says his successor will be ‘the driving force behind the continuing success and development’ of the group. Before joining Metro group, Depport was group sales manager at Brintons for nine years.

Paul Groves has become sales agent for the Midlands for Breasley (UK).

fabrics and curtains saw a pick-up in prices, with the inflation rate rising from 2.9% to 3.6%.

Retail prices for flooring saw a significant drop in June, as deflation trebled.

Prices were down 0.9%, according to ONS data, after the previous monthly 0.3% drop.

A year ago prices were rising at 9.1%.

Changes to carpet and rug prices were ‘negligible’, while other flooring saw deflation leap from 1.6% to 4.1%.

A year earlier the inflation rate for this sector was 10.3%.

Headlam confirms first half loss

Headlam has confirmed that it will see an underlying loss of about £16m for the first half of the year.

The loss is in line with the warning issued to shareholders in May.

UK sales will be down 11.3% in the six months to the end of June and by 15.9% in Continental

Europe.

‘The strategic growth initiatives have continued to perform well, with revenue from larger customers and trade counters continuing to grow, with the latter now exceeding £100m on a rolling 12-month basis,’ says Chris Payne, Headlam

August launch for Sophie Conran upholstery

Sophie Conran is to launch a branded upholstery collection as part of a drive to significantly increase the brand’s presence in the interiors market.

John Lewis will be the first to retail the new offer. Conran has appointed Three60 Brands to oversee extended licensing.

‘The first category we are entering is sofas.

Sophie Conran and John Lewis first partnered nearly 20 years ago, launching her celebrated

Portmeirion porcelain range. We have built on that success by extending into sofas and armchairs with the fantastic Cocobella collection, launching under the Sophie Conran for John Lewis brand on 5 August,’ says Chris Evans-Pollard, Three60 Brands founder.

‘‘We then plan to enter all “home” categories, from bedding to lighting, outdoor to kitchens, and everything in between.

‘It’s a huge a privilege to be working with the

chief executive.

‘While current market conditions remain challenging, we are pleased with the early progress we have made on accelerating our simplification and integration of the business, together with the development of exciting improvements

to our customer offer and service.

‘We remain confident that our strategy, and the changes we are making, will strengthen Headlam over the medium term, ensuring that we are well placed to take the opportunity when the market recovers.’

amazing team at Sophie Conran to expand the brand into even more interior categories in the UK and major international markets.’

‘We are thrilled to be working with Chris at Three60 Brands. I’ve been licensing my brand for more than 20 years but we are more excited than ever about the future. We look forward to working closely with Chris to extend into new categories and build on the success we’ve had in many international markets,’ says Conran.

Sophie Conran: ‘excited about the future’

THE UK’S PREMIER FURNITURE EXHIBITION

16TH  18TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Located in the famous furniture town of Long Eaton, just one mile from Junction 25 of the M1.

View the latest collections from over 30 leading UK and International brands of Upholstery, Cabinet, Bedroom and Lifestyle accessories.

Exhibitors and showroom locations are available to view on our website. www.longeatonguild.co.uk

Not on our mailing list? Please send your name, address and email to:

2 1

3 4 5

1 The Constantino chair, designed by Shinsaku Miyamoto, is the newest proposal by Ritzwell and a perfect embodiment of the brand’s philosophy. The formal elegance that distinguishes this piece is the fruit of a successful combination of Japanese sensitivity and contemporary style. Visit: www.ritzwell.com

2 Artek’s The Forest Collection, developed in collaboration with design studio Formafantasma, will be launched next month. United by a shared passion for preserving Finnish forests and addressing the impact of climate change, the collection celebrates the beauty of imperfection by embracing the natural variations in birch wood. The collection features a selection of classic Alvar Aalto furniture such as

stools, tables, chairs and benches. Visit: www.artek.fi

3 Made in Belgium, for a floor of exceptional quality made with the latest in technology, Moduleo Roots is a luxury vinyl collection that makes the aspirations of homeowners possible. With 130 different floors that embrace the latest trends and celebrate the classics, Roots brings the ability to combine different styles and bring self-expression to the floor. Visit: www.moduleo.co.uk

4 Echoing Lamborghini’s iconic and daring DNA, the third volume of the Zambaiti Parati wallcovering collection encapsulates material elements such as carbon fibre, capturing the essence of headlight contours and the signature hexagonal shapes that define the supercars. Featuring

hallmark Lamborghini colours such as yellow, the collection will imbue residential settings with a bold, dynamic flair.

Visit: www.zambaitiparati.com

5 LeoLine’s textile-backed floors use a backing composed from 100% recycled material, including Social Plastic from Plastic Bank. Under the Plastic Bank initiative, communities across Indonesia, Brazil and Egypt gather unwanted plastic, exchanging it for life-improving benefits including health, work and life insurance, digital connectivity, grocery vouchers, school supplies and more. LeoLine uses this Social Plastic in its textile backing alongside other downcycled plastic, stopping unwanted plastic entering the oceans and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Visit: www.leoline.co.uk

COUNTRY COLLECTION

Elegance of wool, practicality of a modern man made yarn

Available in 3 designs – Herringbone, Linear and Weave in 6 colourways with a soft fleece backing and comes in a 2.5, 4 & 5m widths. Suitable for all areas of the home, covered by the Stainfree for life guarantee and has a 10 year wear warranty.

6 Bonaldo’s Louver Table gradually reveals itself from every angle, offering a unique perspective with each new viewpoint. The table’s three legs create a sense of vitality, interacting with the light to produce captivating visual effects that make them appear either slender or imposing, with light curves or generous shapes, depending on the viewing angle.

Visit: www.bonaldo.com

7 This year’s The Flooring Show promises to be a big one for Abingdon Flooring as the UK carpet manufacturer brings new entries into the market and introduces colour updates that keep its StainFree, Love Story and Wilton Royal carpets at the forefront of stylish affordable carpets for today’s home. On a new-look stand, it will show retailers how its reputation for great value remains at the heart of its new

market entries, and how it is responding to the growing need for carpets that provide a more sustainable buying choice.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

8 The Ecorugs display from Louis De Poortere is now ready for stores looking to make the most of the more sustainable rug range. With the launch of a dedicated display unit for Ecorugs, retailers can now make more of the collection in-store. The smart and compact unit holds swatch books of Ecorugs, while powerful graphics carry the messages of this pioneering rug offer.

Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

9 With its welcoming open arms, Eilersen’s Cone invites you to sit back and relax. The curved surfaces and soft shapes create a feeling of well-being

and comfort. Yet the chair is much more than just its attractive exterior: with its gently curved back and armrests it is also highly functional, supporting the body in the most ergonomic way possible.

Visit: www.eilersen.eu

10 When the pressure to deliver value is on, there is always a temptation to seek out products to satisfy the customer’s desire for the lowest possible installation costs. But Floorwise warns that this isn’t always the best strategy, particularly when those ‘affordable’ underlays compromise quality and longevity. Often untested in line with British Standards, these products may drive down cost in the short term but at what price to your reputation in the long term?

Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

If you’re looking to raise the bar with your shop floor display, look no further than the British manufactured range of Furnico products. Our range of both traditional and contemporary styles, available in a wide range of eye catching fabrics, are sure to be a great addition to any shop floor.

Suppliers of handmade furniture to retail 01282 869888 • ukmanufacturing.orders@la-z-boy.co.uk

A good reputation

Your fitters play two vital roles, so their availability may affect your business

THE RETAILER Fludes Carpets

It’s now that time between the summer holidays and the autumn pick-up in sales, when there’s traditionally a lull in the market. But this year, post-election, there seem to be some green shoots of recovery. Most likely, these are purchases that have been delayed – particularly in the case of LVT and other high-quality products – and customers now feel more confident in spending out.

This time last year we enjoyed a great run of sales from July through to the end of September, so we have big targets to achieve and need to maximise this slight uplift.

In years gone by, you could expect to have your fitting diary completely full, with barely a space to offer, certainly from September onwards. Last year we were

taking orders for pre-Christmas fitting until the second week of December. This year things are different again. Many fitters are taking the opportunity created by the opening of fitters’ trade counters to buy carpets and LVT for their own customers. They’re likely to have access to wholesalers. It does appear that these trade counters are aiming at the building industry, but there will be some effect on retailers. Businesses who are employing fitters on a sub-contractor basis may find they have less availability than previous years. They may also find themselves losing orders to fitters who have the advantage of lower overheads and don’t have the same needs of a strong cash flow as larger businesses, who have longer lead times between taking the order and

receiving payment from the customer.

Good fitters are essential to the success of any flooring company. They spend a significant amount of time in the customer’s home and provide a lasting impression of the business, so it is essential your fitters are a good ambassador of your business.

The uncertainly over Carpetright’s future is likely to result in some additional availability of fitters, and the independent flooring retail business should see an increase in footfall fairly shortly. It really depends on how the situation resolves itself. Over the past few days we have had former customers of Carpetright in the store looking for an alternative flooring retailer they feel that can trust. This is where reputation comes into its own.

Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets owner

F. Ball’s System LVT range is a comprehensive subfloor preparation system that helps you achieve the best results when installing LVT floorcoverings. The range includes the full system of products that flooring installers need to ensure a perfect installation every time. Use the right products from the System LVT range and follow our installation guidance for a lifetime guarantee. Not only is the installation protected but so is your reputation. Find out more: f-ball.com/systemlvt

Are you sure? Richard Renouf

Check complaints that have not – or appear not to have – been resolved or you could be wasting money

Driving to a trendy (aka expensive) area in central London is not my idea of fun. Not only does the traffic make journey times longer than expected, there’s the issue of finding parking when you arrive. I had been asked to do an inspection at the London home of a retired American journalist. When I called to make the booking she was at another of her homes in Spain, so the visit had to be arranged for a time when she would be in the capital some weeks ahead. On the morning, she called me to check my arrival time, and when I pulled into the residents’ bay outside to get a parking permit from her, I learned she didn’t have one. Instead, her husband had to direct me to the nearest available parking, which was a tidy walk away – and added £9 to the travel costs. Fortunately I was able to drop off my inspection kit so I didn’t have to carry this from the car.

Mrs B checked how I liked my tea and as I got back a fresh mug was waiting for me and she insisted that I sit down to drink it so she could tell me her story before I got on with my inspection work. The story lasted longer than my tea, but as she recounted the events, I started to realise that the suite I’d come to inspect had already been replaced.

‘May I check something with you?’ I asked. ‘Am I right in thinking that the damaged suite is no longer in your conservatory and that what you have now is a replacement that is perfect?’

‘Yes, of course, there’s nothing here for you to see, I don’t know why they’ve sent you.’

With her permission I took some photographs of the replacement suite –more to prove I had been there than anything else – and after a little more conversation I made my way back to the car and to my next appointment.

The paperwork showed that Mrs B’s

Mrs B was one of the few people who knew her complaint had been resolved

complaint had been going on for a very long time. The emails and other correspondence went back more than 18 months. As I re-read these documents I could see how the dispute had been passed from one person to another several times, so the person who had called me in had not been dealing with the matter for long, and had not taken the time to check through everything to understand the full story.

Perhaps events had not been reported, assumptions had not been checked, Chinese whispers had taken place or the agents dealing with Mrs B simply could not be bothered to take time to understand what had taken

place. The fact is, the complaint was resolved but nobody seemed to know and money was now being wasted.

I contacted the solicitor who had asked me to carry out the visit. He was very embarrassed and went away to look into this further with his client. I don’t expect to hear exactly what went wrong, but I would recommend any business to take a careful look at any complaint that is not – or appears not to be – resolved in a timely manner. The solution may be obvious.

Visit: www.richard-renouf.com

Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

Next generation

New Designers once again spotted the graduate designers to watch in the coming years. Here are the interiors winners.

New Designers recognised the cream of graduate designers for the 39th year, across fashion and costume; contemporary design crafts; textiles; ceramics; glass; jewellery and precious metalwork; furniture; product design; industrial and

spatial design; graphic design; illustration and animation; motion art; digital art and game design.

New Designers not only provides graduates with a crucial platform to showcase their creativity and the fruits

THE NEW DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD RUNNER-UP (WEEK ONE)

Holly Munro, Edinburgh College of Art: The Kerama Lighting Collection

‘I conducted research on the Kerama Islands in Japan, finding inspiration in their vibrant coral reefs. I’m passionate about using natural materials and exploring sustainable options. With a deep love for interior design and enhancing living spaces, I focus on creating pieces from recycled metal that are fully recyclable and easily disassembled.’

Prize: £750 cash prize

NEW DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD RUNNER-UP (WEEK TWO)

Josephine Drew, BA (Hons Product Design, Edinburgh College of Art: Coop bowl

Drew repurposed eggshells – 11.7billion of which are discarded annually in the UK – by mixing them with algae and water to create a paste that hardens like ceramic. She painted the inside of the bowls using egg yolk and kaolin paint. Intended as a table centrepiece to spark discussion about sustainability and waste, judges described her work as ‘a poetic solution to a massive problem of food waste’.

Prize: £750 cash prize

of their labour from the past few years, it also stands as a real destination for discovering inspiring new talent and ideas, offering an insightful glimpse into the future of design.

Visit: www.newdesigners.com

THE HABITAT FUTURE DESIGN AWARD

George Almond, BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design, Nottingham Trent University: Dondo rocking stool and Lever floor lamp

The Dondo stool offers a playful twist on traditional rocking furniture, focusing on tipping between two relaxed seating positions rather than continuous rocking. Designed to engage core muscles and promote better seating posture, it is ideal for children who tend to lean back in chairs. Crafted from European ash, it combines aesthetic appeal with ergonomic functionality. Similarly, the Lever floor lamp – also crafted from European ash – explores steam-bending as a design process, emphasising its physical benefits over conventional uses. The lamp’s adjustability is facilitated through a clamp-like mechanism, strategically designed to utilise opposing forces, creating a lever that prevents the arm from sliding when angled. Its tension-based construction allows for effortless adjustments without the need for disassembly or removal of components.

‘We enjoyed George’s storytelling and lateral thinking. His sensitivity to materials and refined beauty highlights his passion and playfulness of product,’ said the judges.

Prize: six-month paid placement at the Habitat design studio

Coming soon...

New for Autumn 2024, our best selling Universal range will be updated and we will launch a new collection; Universal Design. Coming to UK stores soon.

HALLMARK CONNECTION AWARD

Olivia Gonsalves, BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design, London Metropolitan University: Metamorphosis

Struck by society’s obsession with immediate consumption and production, this collection of work challenges our perception of value and what is important. It addresses the disconnect we have with everyday materials, transforming them into beautiful objects. Fascinated by coal, the designer highlights its preciousness. The collection explores expressing the essence of wood over long periods through both natural and man-made processes. The judges said: ‘We loved the narrative exploration of organic matter in Olivia’s work. 300 million years’ worth of material evolution edited and beautifully crafted into a series of witty and profound pieces.’

THE HABITAT FUTURE DESIGN AWARD – TEXTILES, PRODUCT AND SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN

Lucy Martin, Falmouth University: Garden of Memories

’My interiors collection is drawn from my own memories, nostalgia and symbolism, encoded with fun colours and personal connections. I’ve explored a variety of mediums and hands-on processes, including block printing, screen printing and hand painting. I particularly enjoyed the slow, sustainable processes like natural dyeing and using natural print paste. The collection features a mixture of wallpapers as well as textiles made from natural fibres and linen,’ says Martin.

The judges said: ‘Loved the use of colour, placement and bold stylised elements in her prints. Her portfolio showed a great talent and breadth of handwriting.’

Prize: six-month paid placement at the Habitat design studio

MADE.COM STAND OUT DESIGNER AWARD

Oscar Parkinson, BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design, Kingston University: Riso printed paper lights

This project celebrates riso printing on cartridge paper, using a risograph machine with soy-based ink to print one colour layer at a time, creating unique light effects. The print is hidden inside the light fixture, revealed only when the light is turned on, and remains blank when off. The assembly is handmade, featuring a turned pine base with an interchangeable light.

Prize: mentoring from the Habitat design studio and a six-month paid placement

THE TOM FAULKNER AWARD FOR DISTINCTIVE FURNITURE DESIGN

Millie Whitrow, BA (Hons) 3-D Designer and Maker, Staffordshire University: Family Tree

Prize: paid internship at the Hallmark creative studio

The chair embodies the nostalgia of mismatched furniture at family gatherings. One chair, in particular, holds sentimental value, recalling memories of the designer’s great-grandfather’s use, with the worn wood telling its history. The design pattern, influenced by the eclectic mix of chairs and tables, reveals intriguing details throughout. The chair’s construction includes oak legs and an ash back and base, blending a sense of past and present in its craftsmanship.

‘Great story, thoughtful design, beautiful detail.’

Prize: £1,000 cash prize and tour of the Tom Faulkner workshop

DESIGNED FOR THE FURNITURE AND FLOORING TRADE

NEW DESIGNERS ND SELECTS AWARD

Masao Rong

Rong takes a hands-on making approach to his practice. He works with materials of storytelling and traditional crafting techniques. Built on historical studies and ethnography, he creates objects that reproduce the culture of a place and communities. For instance, The Tree is a set of furniture made from coppiced sweet chestnut wood harvested in Surrey. Each object is made from one single tree trunk, hand-split and joined by local coppice workers. Finished with layers of lacquer and then sanded to smooth, the natural texture of the wood is preserved whilst splinters are removed.

‘Masao is a multi-disciplinary artist who adopts a tactile approach in his creative practice. He works with storytelling materials and traditional crafting techniques, aiming to weave them into a contemporary context and create new narratives. Inspired by historical studies and experimental processes, he creates sculptural objects that delve into the human–nature relationship, cultural identity, repair and care, and social production.’

Prize: exhibition space at Future Icons Selects 2025

THE LAURA ASHLEY LIFESTYLE AWARD

Anna Eynon, Swansea College of Art: The Water Edge Collection ‘My work celebrates the nature and beauty of British wetlands, centred around biophilia and bringing nature and happiness into our spaces. The collection is split into two: a home collection and a bespoke maximalist mural, using screen printing for the former and stitch and laser cutting for the latter,’ says Eynon.

COLE & SON AWARD FOR FUTURE DESIGNERS

Elspeth Munro, Loughborough University: In every direction ‘My collection is based on my parents’ life journey together, from Yorkshire to Oman and Kew, as well as the ceramics they collected along the way. It is a printed textile collection with a focus on wallpaper, aimed at the luxury market. The maximalist collection combines a variety of traditional prints and features some of the most extravagant designs. Throughout the development process, I experimented with different illustrative styles, ranging from wacky to more simple designs, which is essential for creating a maximalist collection,’ says Munro.

The judges said: ‘High level of creativity and originality. Beautiful use of colour, storytelling. Strong passion for art and design.’

Prize: £1,200 endowment and a tailored six-month paid placement and mentorship at Cole & Son

THE SANDERSON DESIGN AWARD

Zumrad Khamidova, University Centre Colchester: Eco Couture ‘I created prints and garments inspired by traditional, historical prints from Uzbekistan. My collection features a variety of techniques including hand printing, discharge printing and digital printing. I also incorporated textile techniques like couching stitch and tatting using sustainable fabrics such as jute, along with flocking and hand embroidery,’ says Khamidova:

‘This textile designer’s work boasts creativity, energy and excellence. Their mastery of technique and bold use of colour demonstrate exceptional skill and vision, with a diverse and forwardthinking approach delivering innovative outside-the-box designs. We’re excited to see what Zumrad can do with our amazing archive which delves back to 1860,’ says award sponsor Sanderson. Prize: 12-month paid internship at Sanderson

‘We love the subject matter and interpretation of the print across the range – a beautifully commerical home interiors collection,’ said award sponsor Laura Ashley. Prize: £1,000 for the brand to purchase the winning artwork and IP to add to Laura Ashley Archive, plus paid internship for one month at Laura Ashley head office

NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR NETWORK

1 Neil Smith Ltd Glasgow, G4 0TX Tel: 0141 552 1141 sales@neilsmithltd.co.uk

2 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Belfast, BT15 3GU Tel: 028 9075 3202 salesbelfast@pfl.ie

3 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Dublin, D12 E540 Tel: 00353 (0)1 626 3913 salesdublin@pfl.ie

4 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Limerick, V94 RR2C Tel: 00353 (0)61 227 100 sales@pfl.ie

5 Lakes Flooring Supplies Kendal. LA9 5RR Tel: 01539 726500 sales@pucflooring.co.uk

6 Preston Underlay Centre Ltd Preston, PR1 1PN Tel: 01772 556345 sales@pucflooring.co.uk

7 Birch Distribution Leeds, LS10 1AG Tel: 0113 244 4363 l.sales@birchdistribution.co.uk

8 Birch Distribution Hull, HU7 0XD Tel: 01482 826654 h.sales@birchdistribution.co.uk

9 Hathaway Flooring Manchester, M17 1EB Tel: 0161 872 8003 sales@hathawayflooring.com

10 Cornerstone Flooring Doncaster, DN3 3FE Tel: 01302 835117 Fax: 01302 302542 cornerstonefloor@btconnect.com

11 Birch Distribution Sheffield, S9 5PH Tel: 0114 243 1230 s.sales@birchdistribution.co.uk

12 Woodall Brothers Ltd

Shrewsbury, SY1 3JE

Tel: 01743 441584 sales@woodallbrothers.co.uk

13 Floorwise D & J Ltd Southam, CV47 0DR Tel: 01926 814922 sales@fwdj.co.uk

14 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Gloucester, GL2 5HY Tel: 01452 223355 info@blflooring.co.uk

15 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Bristol, BS2 9SH Tel: 0117 955 5454

info@blflooring.co.uk

16 Salesmark West Ltd Amesbury, SP4 7LN

Tel: 01980 880933 mail@salesmark-west.co.uk

17 Salesmark Lancing, BN15 8UN Tel: 01903 750522

sales@salesmark-floorwise.co.uk

18 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abbot, TQ12 6TR Tel: 01626 835935 sales@fitwell.co.uk

19 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth, TR15 1SS Tel: 01209 214344 sales@fitwell.co.uk

20 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Cambridge, CB23 8UD Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk

21 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7ER

Tel: 0345 899 1000

sales@stsflooring.co.uk

22 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd

Basildon, Essex, SS14 3DW Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk

23 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd

Croydon, Surrey, CR0 4WP

Tel: 0345 899 1000

sales@stsflooring.co.uk

24 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd

Orpington, Kent, BR5 3SS

Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk

HEAD OFFICE

Floorwise Group Ltd.

Floorwise House, 22 High Street, Kegworth Derby, DE74 2DA, UK

Tel: +44 (0)1509 673974 wiseup@floorwise.co.uk

Pink is the colour

Jaipur Rugs has transformed part of Chelsea into the City Palace

NEW LAUNCH: RETAILER PORTAL

We are proud to announce the launch of our new retailer portal, designed to streamline your experience and enhance efficiency.

We are committed to providing a simple, convenient platform that meets your business needs seamlessly.

Scan the QR code or visit customerportal.hughmackay.co.uk to register

Access Anytime, Anywhere, Any Device:

The new portal will allow you, as a valued customer, anytime access to your account on any device, empowering you to manage your interactions with Hugh Mackay at your convenience.

Pricing Information: Stay up to date using our live pricing feature, providing real-time pricing information to make informed purchasing decisions. Additionally, accessing invoices on the portal will simplify financial management.

Streamlined Order Placement:

The portal will streamline the order placement process, allowing you to place orders quickly, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in transactions.

Order Tracking:

The portal will offer enhanced order tracking functionalities, allowing you to monitor the progress of orders seamlessly.

ADORE YOUR FLOOR

India’s largest handmade rug manufacturer has opened a London showroom. Jaipur Rugs has opened a 3,562sqft space at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.

The entrance of the showroom has been inspired by the form and colour palette of Jaipur’s The City Palace, which is renowned for its multiple arches. The colour of the entrance was selected to

match the pink tone that the palace –and the city more widely – is known for.

Jaipur Rugs is a social enterprise that has developed into a global luxury brand, with 85% of its weavers being women. Started with just two looms in 1978 by founder Nand Kishore Chaudhary, the family-owned company has also become India’s largest network of artisans, with 40,000 craftspeople

working across 7,000 looms.

‘The entrance unfolds onto a striking modern black and white diamondpatterned floor, setting the stage for an immersive experience. Upon entering the store, visitors are immediately transported through the archway and are bathed in an enveloping palette of pink and white, adorned with delicate hand-painted linework,’ says Greg

Foster, Jaipur Rugs artistic director.

‘ There is a restrained colour scheme internally, predominantly featuring a matte finish which is a deliberate minimal choice that ensures the vibrant hues of the rugs and carpets take centre stage. This backdrop elegantly highlights Jaipur’s heritage through various historic furniture pieces and objects.

‘The minimalist approach creates a space where the textures, colours and stories of Jaipur’s legacy are the true focal point, allowing each rug to weave a narrative of resilience, tradition and cultural richness throughout.’ Visit: www.jaipurrugs.com

Sit on your bag

Philippe Starck and Cassina have marked three decades of collaboration

To mark 30 years of working together, Philippe Starck has created Somewhere El-S with Cassina, evoking elements and sartorial details from elegant travelling.

‘In the middle of the desert, waiting for your chauffeur, it is always good to sit on your bag,’ says Starck.

Based on three ottomans – two in a square shape and one rectangular, which can also be used as a daybed with or without a backrest – and an armchair, Somewhere El-S stands out for the distinctive design of its seat, which in its uniqueness hints at various references: from bag to suitcase to a gift draped in wrapping paper.

The upholstery is presented in two variants: a type of leather characterised by a very thick texture in three shades, and fabric – either monochrome natural and black, or with an ethnic pattern designed by Starck.

The armchair evokes an immediate sense of craftsmanship thanks to its backrest made of hand-woven natural saddle leather, designed to enhance comfort and make Somewhere El-S ideal for relaxing. The seat recalls the distinctive square ottoman and comes with one, two or no armrests.

Visit: www.cassina.com

Elevate Your Line-Up

Meet the Savannah Electric Swivel Recliner – the perfect mix of luxury and functionality. Available in four stylish options, it offers high-density foam comfort, a smooth electric recliner mechanism, and integrated footstool. The Savannah Recliner combines elegance and ease, making it a must-have for any home

Don’t Miss Out

Enhanced

GNG is to bolster its Komfi selection next month

As anticipation builds for the Bed Show next month, GNG Group has debuted several new products. Renowned for its commitment to quality, sustainability and cutting-edge technology, GNG is set to showcase the latest additions to its Komfi mattress collection, promising to meet the evolving needs of consumers and retailers alike.

Leading the line-up is a range that integrates the latest advancements in sleep technology. Building on the success of previous ranges, this new collection features enhanced materials designed to provide exceptional pressure relief and spinal alignment, ensuring a comfortable and healthy sleep experience. These mattresses are engineered to deliver superior support and durability while maintaining the eco-friendly ethos that GNG is known for.

Each mattress in the new range is upholstered with a luxurious, breathable cover that ensures a cool, dry sleeping surface, perfect for hot summer nights.

GNG is also proud to introduce significant improvements to some existing ranges. These enhancements include advanced support systems that cater to different areas of the body, providing gentle cradling for the head and neck, firm support for the lower back, and pressure relief for the hips and legs. This approach helps to reduce tossing and turning, contributing to a

deeper and more restful sleep.

Additionally, the improved mattresses are equipped with advanced cooling technology. This not only regulates temperature and minimises motion transfer but it also adds an extra layer of cooling comfort, making it ideal for those who tend to overheat during the night. With options ranging in tension, there’s a mattress to suit every preference and sleep style.

‘We are incredibly excited to unveil these new products and improvements at the Bed Show. Our in-house team has worked tirelessly to develop mattresses that not only meet but exceed the expectations of today’s discerning consumers. The new ranges embody our commitment to innovation, sustainability and superior comfort,’ says Richard Gretton, GNG commercial director. Tel: 01924 950 300

GNG will bolster its Komfi offer at the Bed Show

Chris Lester All of Ireland.

Edward Bacon North West & East Midlands.

Alan White Scotland.

Jason Hillier South East & East Anglia.

Nigel Hillier South West, South Wales & West Midlands. Tel: 07971 484550 nigel@nhillier.co.uk Please

Tel: 00353 87 7779993 chrislester2000@gmail.com

Tel: 07976 061173 edward.bacon@icloud.com

Graham Dickinson North East & Yorkshire. Tel: 07734 853473 grehamd@aol.com

Tel: 07733 883611 alan.arredi@btinternet.com

Tel: 07876 508913 rosethornagencies@outlook.com

komfi.com A division of the GNG Group. NHS Approved Supplier www.gnggroup.co.uk

Email: richard.gretton@gng-group.co.uk Telephone: 01924 950 300

Durable meet stylish

Furlong’s latest launch is the structured loop Mojave

Furlong Flooring has launched Mojave, an innovative, structured loop pile carpet, designed to meet the needs of consumers who seek both style and durability in their flooring choices. Mojave is tufted with 100% Easycare polypropylene yarn, making it an excellent option for those who require a stain-resistant and lowmaintenance carpet.

Mojave carpets are made to withstand high traffic, making them ideal for hallways and landings. Furlong’s exclusive Easycare fibres ensure these loop pile carpets are not only robust but also adaptable to various living environments. With 10 on-trend colour options, homeowners can find the perfect match for their decor.

‘If you love the stylish look of a loop pile carpet, you’ll love the Mojave carpet. Our goal was to create a carpet that combines durability with the practicality

and easy maintenance of synthetic fibres,’ says Ian Collacott, Furlong Flooring UK sales director.

Mojave carpets come in 4m and 5m widths and are moth-proof and bleach cleanable, ensuring longevity and ease of care. The carpets feature a heavy blue felt backing that provides exceptional comfort underfoot and also allows for installation without an underlay, making it a budget-friendly option.

The range has a 5/32-gauge construction, resulting in a dense and robust pile. This is rated for Class-23 heavy domestic use, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

‘The versatility and durability of Mojave carpets make them an excellent choice for any space requiring a resilient flooring solution. We stand behind the quality of the Mojave collection. With a 10-year domestic warranty, customers

can enjoy these beautiful and practical carpets for years to come,’ says Collacott. Manufactured by Regency Carpets in Northern Ireland, the Mojave collection benefits from high and reliable stock levels.

To enhance the customer experience, Furlong Flooring has recently launched its Room Viewer visualisation tool.

This innovative tool allows users to see exactly how each type of flooring will look in their space, providing a realistic preview and aiding in the decisionmaking process.

Furlong Flooring is dedicated to sustainability and Mojave reflects this commitment. Manufactured using 43% green energy, these carpets are free from volatile organic compounds, promoting a healthier indoor environment.

Visit: www.furlongflooring.com

your space

What to expect

Exciting brand-new brands being showcased such as our bleach-cleanable, spill, stain and splash resistant Easy Living carpet and our Easy Natural wool range which has been highly praised by customers

We hope to catch you at Frannie’s Bar on the Our fantastic new colorways for our Alva (LVT)

15th-17th of September.

Pulling out the stops

With relaunches, new concepts and a sneak preview, Lano continues to deliver

Flanders Flooring Days may feel like it has only just passed, but Lano is certainly not sitting on its hands when it comes to adding to its portfolio of products destined for the UK market in the coming months, with some on show at The Flooring Show.

The relaunch of evergreens Star Twist and Heather Twist has been a success. These qualities, which have been running for more than 30 years, have been given a modern touch without compromising their classic look.

Scala is a well-known name in the industry, and the addition of the unique Scala Combinations concept to the existing Scala Solutions has taken the quality family to a new level. With Scala Combinations, Lano shows that carpet can be really fun. The contemporary designs can be combined to your heart’s content and Scala Combinations sports two different finishes: a standard backing and an impervious backing especially for the healthcare sector.

The high-end segment X: A touch of Luxury was also officially launched

this year with a unique suitcase and matching POS. Quality and colour are key here and the diversity in qualities ensures there is something for everyone. The collection also introduces three ensō qualities, 100% recyclable, and the special ecological felt backing makes this quality easy to cut as a rug without special orders.

Harrogate will steal a march on the rest of the world in September, with the presentation of the SmartStrand Living Colours III collection, which will be officially launched in early 2025.

‘Although we assume that everyone knows by now that this is the best carpet in the world, we are happy to reiterate this,’ says Heidi Debakker, Lano R&D and marketing manager. ‘SmartStrand has more than earned its reputation over the years, and for the new collection we have pulled out all the stops. Those who want to see the interior design trends for the next three years should check out the Lano stand, with a bold collection that will make you instantly happy.’

As a broadloom carpet manufacturer, Lano also offers a custom carpet service. All the qualities and colours from the X: A touch of Luxury and SmartStrand collections are available as made-to-measure rugs. Customised according to customer demand, there are two different edge finishes to choose from, and rugs are backed with a thick non-slip felt backing.

Visit: www.lano.com

Star Twist

Lagoon

JULIAN BOWEN

The Louis Black Fluted Range

AWARDS

You have made your choices and decided who the winners of the Interiors Monthly Awards 2024 are. The companies listed below, whether retailers, manufacturers or suppliers in the interiors industry, 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): Housing Units

Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores): Greendale Flooring

Best Furniture Retailer (4+ stores): Furniture Village

Best Flooring Retailer (4+ stores): Kristoffersen Carpets

Best Online Retailer: Argos

Best UK Furniture Manufacturer: Whitemeadow Furniture

Best UK Flooring Manufacturer: Abingdon Flooring

Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer: Wiemann

Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer: Condor Carpets

Best Furniture Buying Group: AIS

Best Flooring Buying Group: Metro

Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket): Hypnos

Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-market): Highgrove Beds

Best Bed Manufacturer (Value): Sweet Dreams

Best Bed in a Box Manufacturer: Emma – The Sleep Company

Best Bed Manufacturer (Adjustable): Jay-Be

Best Sofa Bed Supplier: Kyoto

Best UK Carpet Manufacturer: Cormar Carpet Company

Best Rug Supplier: Think Rugs

Best Bedroom Manufacturer: Forte

Best Laminate Manufacturer: Quick-Step

Best Dining Room Supplier: Devonshire

Best Solid/Engineered Wood Flooring Supplier:

V4 Wood Flooring

Best Living Room Supplier: Core Products

Best Underlay Manufacturer: Interfloor

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury): Alpha Designs

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer: Lebus Upholstery

Best Vinyl Manufacturer: LeoLine

Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury): Stressless

Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer: La-Z-Boy UK

Best LVT Manufacturer: Invictus

Best Recliner Manufacturer: himolla

Best Accessory Supplier: Gallery Direct

Best Flooring Accessory Supplier: Floorwise

Best Outdoor Furniture Supplier: Maze Outdoor

Best Outdoor Flooring Supplier: Alternative Flooring

Best Rigid Floor Manufacturer: COREtec

Best Flatpack Furniture Supplier: Core Products

Best Mattress Protection Provider: Mattressgard

Best Furniture Wholesaler: Julian Bowen

Best Flooring Wholesaler: Kellars

Best Customer Service (Furniture): Julian Bowen

Best Customer Service (Flooring): Victoria Carpets

Best Business Support (Furniture): BFM

Best Business Support (Flooring): Greendale Carpets & Flooring

Best Marketing Support (Furniture): NBF

Best Marketing Support (Flooring): SMG

Best Trade Association: BFM

Best Retail Software Supplier (Furniture): Ordorite Software

Best Retail Software Supplier (Flooring): Computers For Flooring

Best CGI Software Supplier: Orbital

Best Retail Display/POS (Furniture): Iconography

Best Retail Display/POS (Flooring): Associated Weavers

Best Furniture Exhibition (UK): Bed Show

Best Flooring Exhibition (UK): The Flooring Show

Best Furniture Exhibition (Overseas): imm Cologne

Best Flooring Exhibition (Overseas): Flanders Flooring Days

Best for Sustainability (Furniture): Harrison Spinks

Best for Sustainability (Flooring): Ball & Young

Best Furniture Component Supplier: Leggett & Platt

Best Flooring Component Supplier: F Ball

Best Warranty Provider: Castelan

Best Product Protection (Furniture): Guardsman

Best Product Protection (Flooring): Stroolmount

Best Website: Furlong Flooring

Best Retail Finance Provider: V12 Retail Finance

Best Product Testing Provider: SATRA

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Innovation of the Year (Flooring): Easi Sisal – Victoria Carpets

Innovation of the Year (Furniture): Catifa Carta – Arper

Outstanding Performance (Flooring): Likewise

Flooring Brand of the Year: Tredaire

Product of the Year (Flooring): Country – Abingdon Flooring

Lifetime Achievement: Jessica Alexander, NBF and WCFM; Dids Macdonald, ACID

AWARDS

ARGOS

Best Online Retailer

Its presence on practically every significant high street across the country may be a thing of the past, but Argos remains a significant player in the furniture market. Swapping shops for Sainsbury’s kiosks saw the chain move online, developing a USP for low-cost delivery (or a visit to the supermarket) and lead times superior to many rivals. Its sister brand Habitat plays a key role in delivering exclusivity.

FURNITURE VILLAGE

Best Furniture Retailer (4+ stores)

Furniture Village continues to set the benchmark for family-owned and run furniture retailers across the country. And having recently opened its 56th branch – in Lincoln – its reputation is reaching a wider business audience.

It was named Retail Family Business of the Year and London and South East Family Business of the Year at the 2024 Family Business of the Year Awards, and was runner-up in the Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year category.

‘Furniture Village is a family business bursting with the energy, passion and ambition of its founder, which continues into the current generation and the leadership team. Like all great family businesses it achieves success by creating and sustaining a holistic culture for the business that serves the needs of all its stakeholders,’ says Paul Andrews, Family Business United co-founder.

GREENDALE FLOORING

Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores)

Torquay’s Agatha Christie may be the Queen of Crime, but there is no mystery why the town’s Greendale Flooring is a leading retailer: its customers love it.

Founded by Tony Perkins in 2009, its online reviews are fulsome in their praise for the quality of product knowledge, service, fitting and after-sales. ‘From start to finish an outstanding customer experience’; ‘Tony went above and beyond with the help we needed and we were grateful for his expert guidance. The fitting team were nothing short of excellent’; ‘Absolutely brilliant service, I cannot recommend highly enough’; ‘I have used Greendale Flooring on a number of occasions over the years because quite simply they are fantastic’ and ‘Wonderful customer service. Good prices and great quality’ are just some recent comments. All reviews are five-star.

In 2017 Perkins expanded along the English Riviera, opening Dartmouth Flooring. Unsurprisingly its customers are equally effusive in their praise.

Appropriately the company takes full advantage of its buying group membership: Greendale Carpets.

HOUSING UNITS

Best Furniture Retailer (1-3 stores)

2024 is the store’s second success in this category. It completed its five-year refurbishment plan a year ahead of schedule with the installation of its 1,800sqft contemporary European furniture department earlier this year, increasing the space dedicated to furniture to more than 60,000sqft.

The store has also seen a new beds and bedroom department inspired by travel; a modern living department offering furniture and accessories: a ‘one-stop shop for urban living’; and the main Emporium furniture department saw the removal of the previous low ceiling to create a sense of light and space, and 1,600sqft dedicated to Dutch brand Eichholtz, with seven roomsets.

KRISTOFFERSEN CARPETS & FLOORING

Best Flooring Retailer (4+ stores)

In 2022, Kristoffersen scooped this award, but this year there is a significant difference: Norrie and Kim Kristoffersen retired from the six-store retailer in February 2023. Managers Daniel Stuart, Lee Ross and Chris Stevens took control of the company and have largely kept things as they were.

‘We’ve kept on doing what we do – concentrating on our customers,’ says Stuart. ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’

WHITEMEADOW

Best UK Furniture Manufacturer

‘To feel the support and confidence from our customers means a great deal to all of us at Whitemeadow. We’re continuously looking at ways we can improve, from our new designs through to our customer service and our day-to-day production methods. Being one of the few remaining privately owned manufacturers, we value accolades like this greatly, and sharing it with the wider business means a lot,’ says Dan Oscroft, Whitemeadow sales and marketing director.

This year marks Whitemeadow’s thirtieth in business. ‘We’ve developed our company into one with strong market knowledge, manufacturing skills and fully equipped factories, and we’re thrilled that our customers agree. I’d like to thank our customers and readers who voted for us, we’re delighted to win this award and it’s very much appreciated.

‘After a positive start to the year at the January Furniture Show, with plenty of newness welcomed by our customers, we’re thrilled to continue offering trendaligned sofas with broad appeal. Our very first Whitemeadow Edit made an appearance at the Manchester Furniture Show this year. It was a good opportunity for a mid-year catch-up with our customers and to showcase a refined yet impactful display that we were proud of.

‘We’re always looking towards the future, and we’ve been working behind the scenes to improve systems within our factories, researching what’s next within the trends landscape and drawing up new designs. We’re gearing up for what we anticipate to be a busy Autumn, and we’re excited to hit the ground running when the time comes.’

Visit: www.whitemeadow.com

Top right: Elton Right: Romeo

ABINGDON FLOORING

Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

Proudly making its Wilton Royal, Love Story and Stainfree carpets in Britain, Abingdon Flooring is delighted to have been awarded Best UK Flooring Manufacturer by the readers of Interiors Monthly.

The UK has a long history of carpet manufacturing and Abingdon Flooring continues to uphold this today, making its carpet ranges in the UK and proving that British manufacturing can compete with the best on quality and value. Employing a workforce of more than 300 people, Abingdon Flooring has the capacity to produce over 20million sqm of carpet every year.

Whether the classic style of its Wilton Royal wool-rich carpets, the indulgent luxury of Love Story polyester styles or the practicality of Stainfree polypropylene, homeowners can enjoy the fact that their new Abingdon Flooring carpet has been made in the UK.

‘Manufacturing products for the home in the UK is broadly considered the domain of handcrafted or high-end luxury goods, but we’re demonstrating how it is possible to make high-quality carpets in the UK and compete with the best in affordability. At every price point we’re showing that proudly making in Britain is not only viable but a way to

success,’ says Charlotte Coop, Abingdon Flooring head of marketing.

In fact, it’s UK manufacturing that is leading to many innovations in Abingdon Flooring’s product line. The company’s Centre of Development and Excellence is housed within its South Wales production facility, allowing for the rapid prototyping and trialling of new technologies and developments, with fast deployment into finished products.

The centre lets Abingdon Flooring be the first to introduce collections to drive the industry forward. The Stainfree Country Collection is an example, featuring a new polypropylene yarn with the aesthetic qualities of natural wool. With a fully equipped testing laboratory, the centre also helps Abingdon Flooring deliver excellent on-going quality control.

Abingdon Flooring has been making carpets in the UK since 1967 and moved to its South Wales production site in 1982 to allow for a completely integrated manufacturing set-up, including dyeing and print lines. Expanding production capacity over the next decades, in 2019 it opened a high-speed backing plant to ensure it could continue to meet the growing demand for its British-made carpets.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

WIEMANN

Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer

German bedroom manufacturer Wiemann is delighted to top the polls for an unprecedented 12th year in a row in the Interiors Monthly awards 2024.

The company, with headquarters in northern Germany and a UK-based sales and customer service team, is proud to be named Best Overseas Manufacturer.

‘We are delighted that once again Wiemann has been endorsed by UK readers and would like to thank everyone who voted for their support. This represents a big well done to our entire team, whether that’s in Germany – including our designers, factory staff and distribution team – or our UK-based sales, delivery, installation and customer service colleagues,’ says Kai Schwenke, Wiemann UK export sales manager.

‘We are over the moon! To be voted by the industry as Best Overseas Manufacturer by Interiors Monthly readers is both humbling and an honour. This is the 12th time we have been honoured with this accolade, but we never take it for granted and it is just wonderful to have won again,’ says Simon Hewitt, md of Litmus Furniture, Wiemann’s sole agent for the UK and Ireland.

‘Colleagues across the business all work extremely hard to produce and deliver amazing products which are beautiful, practical and excellent quality. To be consistently recognised for this is

pleasing and much appreciated. I would like to add my thanks to Kai’s to everyone who voted for us.’

Wiemann has a long history of producing excellent quality, contemporary bedroom furniture and is particularly known for clever design which offers a total bedroom solution to any size or style of home. It celebrated the 20th anniversary of working with Litmus in December 2023, a partnership that has seen the UK and Ireland become well established as Wiemann’s largest export market.

‘These awards show that our products and customer service are heading in the right direction. We will take confidence from the backing to carry on working to become even better. Wiemann is a tried, trusted and reliable brand, qualities that are so important in today’s climate and that we value highly. We are delighted with feedback from the market, which suggests that retailers especially appreciate our reliable delivery and installation service and our five-star customer service,’ says Hewitt.

‘Some of our latest ranges have been particularly popular, with Denver and new for 2024 Lagos proving to be hits. Monaco continues to be a solid bestseller, with new accessories added all the time.

‘The team is about to embark on a busy Autumn of trade exhibitions. We are excited to show off our products and catch up with friends and customers, new and existing, in the coming weeks.’

The next chance to see Wiemann will be in Dublin at the Irish Furniture and Homewares Show from 25-27 August, then at Autumn Longpoint 16-18 September, Bed Show 24-25 September and Autumn Minerva 8-9 October.

In addition, Wiemann has two permanent showrooms at Harlow, Essex, and Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire and appointments to view at either location can be made by emailing enquiries@wiemannuk.co.uk. Visit: www.wiemannuk.co.uk

Below: Denver Middle: Lagos Bottom: Monaco

Lagos from Wiemann

CONDOR GROUP

Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer

‘We are over the moon and cannot thank the readers of Interiors Monthly enough for voting for us as Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer. Winning it twice in a row confirms our position and the path we have taken. The commitment of our determined professionals, combined with the wonderful heritage of our brands and region are at the heart of our business. The direction taken by our family business has always led to a lot of innovation and efficiency, beautiful products with a sustainable touch at an affordable price. We are proud that readers recognise this and we continue to uphold these values,’ says Kim Koning, Condor Group marketing manager.

Condor Carpets launched many new highlights during the Flanders Flooring Days in May, including the revised, crowd-pleasing Revolution (now with rPP yarn at no extra cost); the innovative EcoClean collection with rPET yarn, and the first products with #tide content. This features at least 25% rPET yarn

from #tide Ocean Material. The Swiss company collects ocean-bound plastic waste in Thailand and elsewhere by collaborating with local fishermen who can barely live on real fishing due to pollution. By collecting plastic waste together, they receive fair compensation and help clean up their environment. The waste is then recycled and turned into products, including carpets. A win-win solution for people and nature.

Besides the regular collections, Condor Carpets also offers a wide range of tiles, contract flooring and new LCL products. Thanks to investment in Myriad and LCL machines, it can bring the highest quality and most modern products to the market with beautiful designs, providing the group with the ability to produce every type of flooring.

Condor Group will again be exhibiting at the Majestic Hotel as part of The Flooring Show, where it will demonstrate its latest innovations, including special developments for the UK.

Visit: www.condor-group.eu

Below: Revolution

Bottom: Gamma

Bottom right: Saffron

CORMAR CARPET COMPANY

Best UK Carpet Manufacturer

For the 12th consecutive year, Cormar Carpet Company is delighted to be voted Best UK Carpet Manufacturer by readers of Interiors Monthly. Receiving the award again is a great privilege and the company would like to say a huge thank you to all its customers, suppliers and colleagues for their ongoing support over the past year.

With more than 65 years of carpet manufacturing experience from its mills in Lancashire, Cormar Carpet Company has built up an award-winning portfolio of carpet ranges. A cornerstone of its success is the dedicated team working diligently behind the scenes to ensure top-tier service for retail, wholesale and contract customers.

The family-owned business has made substantial investments over the past year, launching five ranges into the market. Among these, the Easy Clean loop Primo Textures has gained rapid popularity. As its first synthetic loop pile carpet, it represents a significant milestone and a strong addition to the loop market for the company. The year also saw the relaunch of the popular Inglewood Saxony and Sensation ranges, both now available in a refreshed palette of colour options.

Cormar’s award-winning trade portal, launched in 2011, continues to grow, with more than 66% of customers

placing orders online. A recent survey revealed that more than 90% of users consider it the best in the industry. This year, enhancements worth over £100,000 were made, including a new pending deliveries area and functionality improvements to the after-sales area.

The company has also expanded its distribution fleet with the acquisition of 10 new trucks and 15 demount boxes, all equipped with the latest technology and safety features. This investment maintains its high standards of quality, efficiency and safety.

Additionally, Cormar continues to advance its manufacturing process, particularly with enhancements to its backing plant. These have led to significant gains in quality and customer satisfaction, prompting ongoing investment to further elevate reliability and excellence.

‘Being awarded Best Carpet Manufacturer for the 12th consecutive year is a tremendous honour for everyone at Cormar Carpets. Our substantial investments this year have propelled us forward as a dynamic leader in the market, so it’s great for the Cormar team to be recognised once again for the hard work and determination that they have put in,’ says David Cormack, Cormar marketing director.

Visit: www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Thank You from

Best Carpet Manufacturer 2024

We are delighted to be voted the UK’s Best Carpet Manufacturer by readers of Interiors Monthly for the 12th consecutive year and would like to say a huge thank you to all our customers for your ongoing support.

Website:

HYPNOS Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket)

As Hypnos celebrates its 120-year anniversary, the British bedmaker and Royal Warrant Holder of 95 years is focused on delivering on its vision and values and building a legacy for the future.

‘I am excited for Hypnos and the team to be recognised in the Interiors Monthly awards, particularly as the Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket). We are focused on the customer experience to ensure our products appeal to the market in their design and handcrafted comfort and quality,’ says David Baldry, Hypnos group md.

Hypnos started the year with new launches: the new luxurious Legacy collection and the plant-based Eden Project mattress collaboration, as well as a new website designed to support consumer and retailer journeys.

‘The website has made it easier for consumers to discover and be inspired by the Hypnos brand but also to find the right product quickly,’ says Struan Robertson, Hypnos head of digital experience. ‘In fact, website exits to retailer has increased by over 70%, and pages visited by 77%. The key focus is making sure consumers find a store with the mattress choices they are interested in and have the best experience, thus providing our retailers with valuable, interested leads and web visits.’

The website also offers a new userfriendly retailer portal to access assets.

A great Hypnos experience at POS, whether in-store or online, starts by the provision of a comprehensive training programme for store colleagues

and improving in-store displays to explain Hypnos’ key differences in terms of USPs, including heritage, handcraftsmanship, ethical sourcing and the value of its partnerships.

The new Eden Project Collection is supported by its own POS materials, with exotic plant-based fibres to engage with consumers, just as the Eden Project itself captivates its visitors and supporters.

Hypnos has appointed a senior management team, a new fd, and Stephanie Yule has been appointed as people and customer experience director, leading improvements in quality and service, supported by an investment of more than £1m in a new ERP system to optimise operations and drive even greater customer satisfaction. Working with global leaders IFS, the first phase is complete, and other customer-focused improvements will be developed.

Hypnos has also made changes to its logistics and delivery fleet, appointing global logistics partner DFDS at the beginning of 2024. Routes have been optimised with a focus on reducing its carbon footprint through driver training and a switch to HVO fuel this summer.

‘We are leaders in mattress making and our sustainable and responsible ethos runs throughout the business, driving change for the benefit of people and the wider environment,’ says Baldry.

‘I am extremely proud of what the Hypnos team have achieved this year, and to receive this award from our retailers is a fantastic result. Thank you.’ Visit: www.hypnosbeds.com

Eden Project Collection

Handcrafted

SWEET DREAMS

Best Bed Manufacturer (Value)

Sweet Dreams is celebrating. Not only has it taken home the Interiors Monthly Award for Best Bed Manufacturer (Value) for 2024, it is preparing for an exciting rebranding journey.

For years, Sweet Dreams has been a go-to for quality beds, exceptional service and unbeatable value. Now it is strategically shifting gears to project an image that reflects premium quality, coupled with the same stellar service and value proposition.

‘On behalf of our company I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the readers who voted for us. This award win couldn’t have come at a better time. It serves as a powerful validation of our existing strengths while paving the way for a more upscale brand identity,’ says Nick Williams, Sweet Dreams sales manager.

Sweet Dreams is capitalising on this momentum by launching a new product catalogue at the upcoming Bed Show. ‘This will be a showstopper, brimming with a comprehensive range of new beds, mattresses and stylish bed frames,’ assures Williams.

Also not to be missed is the 2024 collection of UK-made upholstery, showcasing the company’s commitment to craftsmanship and homegrown excellence. And Sweet Dreams isn’t stopping there. The company is deeply

invested in building a sustainable future. It is pouring resources into upgrading machinery and materials, aiming to solidify a more eco-conscious manufacturing base.

‘This dedication to environmental responsibility aligns perfectly with the growing consumer demand for ethical and sustainable products. Furthermore, we recognise the importance of readily available products. We are doubling down on our commitment to UK coverage and maintaining short lead times. This ensures that customers across the country can receive their dream beds quickly and efficiently.

‘The Interiors Monthly Award win is a resounding testament to Sweet Dreams’ dedication to quality and value. This, combined with the strategic rebranding efforts and unwavering commitment to sustainability, positions us for continued success in the highly competitive bed market. With a fresh new image, a compelling new product line and a focus on environmental responsibility, Sweet Dreams is poised to provide a truly differentiated sleep experience to its customers. This award is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Wait to see what dreams it weaves next,’ says Williams.

Visit: www.sweetdreamsuk.com

Anise

The Bed Show will see the new ‘showstopper’ catalogue

Lord accent chair

JAY-BE Best Bed Manufacturer (Adjustable)

‘I’m really proud to accept this award on behalf of Jay-Be and would like to thank the readers of Interiors Monthly We constantly strive to raise industry standards and push the boundaries of what we can achieve, so an award like this, voted for by our retail partners, really means a lot,’ says Roger Durrans, Jay-Be ceo.

‘We’ve certainly been busy over the past year. We’ve introduced robot racking into our warehouse to maximise storage capacity; we’ve launched a whole new range of premium sofa beds, and developed a range of sustainable Enhanced mattresses. But arguably our most exciting achievement has been the launch of our new Modern Folding Beds. These represent a major step forward for us. After years of research, development and significant investment

in our UK factory, we believe our new Folding Beds raise the bar for comfort, health and sustainability.

‘As well as looking great, and offering superb performance, they have been engineered to facilitate the streamlining of production processes, so we can increase output using less space and less energy. Altogether, these improvements have made our goal of expanding internationally much more achievable.

‘Receiving this award recognises the hard work and passion we pour into every aspect of our business. Thank you again to the readers of Interiors Monthly.’ Visit: www.jaybe.com

KYOTO

Best Sofa Bed Supplier

‘We’re really thankful to everyone who voted for us and for the ongoing support from our loyal customers this year – it truly validates the dedication and effort of the entire Kyoto team. This has been another transformative year for us as a business and we have been taking our customers’ feedback on board to broaden our product range, allowing us to appeal to both online and physical store markets. Our commitment to delivering welldesigned, high-quality products at the right price remains strong: something that we are certain will come across in our new ranges launching soon,’ says Nick Cancea, Kyoto md.

‘We are continually evolving as a business, from designing and sourcing exciting new products to researching innovative sofa bed mechanisms. We remain dedicated to developing designs that reflect our signature blend of functionality and comfort. Our goal is to offer more options, solutions, and versatility across all departments, ensuring we become the preferred strategic partner for our customers’

business needs. With this in mind, we have expanded by adding new warehouse facilities to better meet the needs of our growing customer base –a huge milestone for our business.

‘The past five years have been pivotal to our future success. We have focused on growing our brand presence, products, people and processes, which we believe are the cornerstones of building a successful business. Throughout, we have stayed true to our strengths and core values, further developing our unique signature and expanding our product offerings.

‘We aim to be partners to our customers, acting as an extension of their own in-house teams. This approach, along with our exceptional customer service, timely delivery, and competitive pricing, has contributed to our success. We are incredibly grateful to the readers of Interiors Monthly for voting us as the Best Sofa Bed Supplier. Thank you for your support and trust, here’s to many more years of working together.’

Visit: www.kyoto.co.uk

Top right: Arthur Below: Alex Below right: Blaire

HIMOLLA Best Recliner Manufacturer

‘We feel humbled and encouraged by this great honour. This is fantastic, thank you. Our quality, contemporary design and line-up precisely tailored for the British market proves that sustained excellence is possible. It is imperative for himolla to earn your trust, keep in touch and be a real partner on which you can lean. No nonsense, no compromises in support, service and quality. The products are carefully developed and crafted for sensible customers for long-term use. We would like to see our products as trusted family friends who will never yield. In other words, our success is your success,’ says Tamara Harty, himolla head of design, product and marketing.

For this purpose, a fresh, bold and entirely new stand was implemented at January Furniture Show. The line-up was strictly designed for the UK market, reflecting a holistic approach to reach British customers.

‘himolla holds its UK customers in highest regard and has fostered exceptionally close and trusted business relationships in the UK for

decades now. Since 2018 innovation has taken himolla beyond all expectations. himolla has navigated uncharted territory of comfort, functionality and contemporary design. himolla is offering real design must-haves and timeless classics with a firm grasp of where we started. This unique marriage of capability and composure distinguishes every piece of furniture proudly bearing the himolla badge,’ says Harty.

‘After first testing any himolla furniture, customers are pleasantly surprised. himolla sofas and recliners are wonderfully soft and well-proportioned, with a pleasingly simple appearance overall. What is astonishing is how comfortable and flexible himolla furniture is. The seating experience is particularly delightful. In terms of sustainable production, with minimal waste and the use of sustainable materials, himolla meets the responsibility owed to future generations.’

himolla pairs innovation with its unique brand of luxury, as well as exclusivity, traditional craftsmanship and modern digital technologies. This was demonstrated with the UK collection at JFS. Lupo, a new model, is well featured in himolla’s marketing efforts this year, while Loona is a chic Cumuly Comfort design.

The Solo recliner offers contemporary design with competitive pricing, and Leo and Louis are tailored for taller or larger customers and feature heartbalance functions as well. Azure and Prado combine fresh designs, new features and refined technical designs. A great variety of surfaces, materials and new colour palettes can fulfil every customer’s need.

Visit: www.himolla.com

Top right: Juniper Below: Prado Bottom: Loona

Highgrove is delighted to win not one, but two Best Bed Supplier awards from two of the UK’s leading trade Furniture publications – Interiors Magazine and Big Furniture.

The awards are made more special because they were voted for by our customers and recognise the hard work and dedication of the entire Highgrove team in continually striving to achieve the highest standards of quality and service.

So, a big thank you to those customers that made us your number one and also to our employees, suppliers and all stakeholders who share in this success.

What’s not to love?

THINK RUGS Best Rug Supplier

It is with great honour that Think Rugs reflects on being named Best Rug Supplier. This prestigious award, determined by the votes of readers like you – enthusiasts and professionals who discern the subtleties of style and quality – is not only a milestone but a reaffirmation of its vision and efforts.

From its beginnings as Oriental Carpets & Rugs to its evolution into Think Rugs, its mission has been to craft not just products but pinnacles of design that resonate with both contemporary trends and timeless traditions. This accolade from Interiors Monthly readers is a testament to the creativity, dedication and hard work of the entire Think Rugs team. It highlights the commitment to excellence and innovation in providing superior products and services to clients.

‘This recognition fuels our ongoing pursuit of excellence and our commitment to you, our customers and partners, who are integral to our achievements. As we celebrate this honour, we also look forward to continuing to set the benchmarks for quality and design in the rug industry, ensuring that each piece we create enhances the spaces it inhabits,’ says Sam Tippett, Think Rugs director.

‘This summer marks an especially exciting chapter for us, as we expand our catalogue significantly, introducing nearly 500 new SKUs. This ambitious rollout includes a breakthrough in our product offerings – over 200 new SKUs within our innovative washable rug ranges. These include Bay, Coral and Whisper, all fully machine washable. This development is particularly notable as it addresses a growing demand for stylish, yet practical solutions for busy modern homes. Our enhanced washable rugs embody our commitment to both aesthetic appeal and functional design, ensuring that they can seamlessly

integrate into any living space while offering the ease of maintenance today’s consumers increasingly expect. This expansion not only demonstrates our continuous drive for innovation but also reinforces our role as a leader in the rug industry, ready to meet diverse consumer needs with quality and creativity.

‘Amidst this expansion and innovation, our dedication to exceptional service remains paramount. We have made substantial investments in our IT and automation systems to enhance our operational efficiencies and customer service capabilities. These allow us to seamlessly integrate our systems with those of our customers, facilitating smoother transactions and more responsive service. Whether it’s handling inquiries, processing orders or ensuring timely delivery, our upgraded systems enable us to meet our customers’ needs with speed and precision, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our operations.

‘As we reflect on this journey and celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved, we recognise that none of it would have been possible without our valued customers. Your trust and support have been the cornerstone of our success, inspiring us to innovate and continually improve our offerings. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and for the feedback that has helped shape our products and services. Thank you for being a part of our story. We are excited to continue this journey with you, exploring new designs that enhance every space Think Rugs touches.

‘As we celebrate this award and our new product launches, we remain committed to our core values of customer service, innovation and quality, ensuring that Think Rugs continues to be synonymous with excellence in the rug industry.’

Visit: www.www.thinkrugs.co.uk

Top left: Coral Top right: Lyna Below: Tidal

STRESSLESS Best

Leather Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury)

Stressless has been challenging the conventional way of making furniture for five decades. The desire to understand the science of comfort and movement was realised in 1971 when it introduced the first recliner designed to meet the body’s need for movement and support. Today, the brand’s recliners, sofas and dining chairs are assembled in its factories through a combination of advanced technology and hand finishing to the leather and fabric covers.

Constantly questioning the norm in order to push design boundaries and

innovate, Stressless releases models every year to diversify and expand on the collection of timeless bestsellers. This summer this is Stressless Erik, crafted to order at the Ekornes factory in Norway to deliver unparalleled comfort and style.

Stressless Erik is a luxurious recliner with a nod to mid-century styling that provides sumptuous comfort with an ergonomic fit. The exclusive look is highlighted by a supple top cushion with double stitching. The pulling enhances the soft visual appearance and minimises potential issues with bagging. An adjustable headrest can supply an additional 10 cm to the back height, if required.

Exceptional comfort is obtained by using a curved seat mould, combined with a soft top cushion. It is available in small, medium and large sizes and five different base options, including a home office base for the ultimate home study.

Stressless Erik perfectly matches the recently launched Stressless Anna sofa, with both models sharing the exclusive detailing with double stitching. The timeless design is a perfect choice for any living room. The selection of Scandinavian-style sustainable fabrics and sumptuous leather gives consumers the freedom to choose a unique combination of colours and materials. Visit: www.stressless.com

Top right: Stressless Eric and (below) a detail

Norwegian design Since 1971

With a nod to mid-century design, New Stressless® Erik echoes a classic silhouette into a contemporary, deeply cushioned, luxury recliner with an ergonomic fit. Combining vintage charm with a touch of modernity, premium detailing is highlighted by a supple top cushion with double stitching and the adjustable headrest can add an additional 10 cm to the back height if required. On the inside, you will find all the usual innovative Stressless® comfort technology

LA-Z-BOY UK

Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer

High-quality genuine leathers in a range of colours and finishes have helped La-Z-Boy UK to win the Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer award. The awards are voted for by Interiors Monthly readers and aim to celebrate the very best suppliers in furniture, flooring and accessories.

La-Z-Boy UK has always prided itself on offering consumers a wide range of choice when it comes to leatherupholstered products. All its leather upholstery options are 100% genuine leather and great care is taken to select the very best hides for each finish.

Recent developments have included offering the price-fighting Calda leather range across all the Far Eastmanufactured collections. Calda, which is La-Z-Boy UK’s most competitively priced leather, was initially only available on the Paris collection to gauge its popularity with both retailers and

consumers. The decision to roll it out across the collections will mean more consumers can now potentially afford to opt for leather upholstery when choosing their sofa or recliner.

‘It’s great to be recognised for the variety of leathers we bring to market. There is a lot of work that goes on in the background to select the very best leathers for our products and it is always encouraging when this is noticed and appreciated by both retailers and consumers,’ says Andrew Nuttall, La-Z-Boy UK head of sales independents.

La-Z-Boy UK offers six different finishes of leather: Calda, Dolce, Mezzo, Moda, Ranch and Tutti. With each leather range coming in its own set of colours, this means retailers can offer 62 different leather upholstery options to customers.

The Calda collection is available in 18 different colourways, while Mezzo has a choice of 22 shades including bold options like Mustard, Tango and Bordeaux for people looking to make a statement with their furniture.

The Tutti leather is available in seven distinct colours, while Dolce comes in six, Ranch in five and Moda in four. Consumers wanting to get a feel for how the different leathers will look on the furniture of their choice can use the customisation feature on the La-Z-Boy UK website. As well as being able to see what each colour and finish looks like on the product itself, there is the augmented reality feature View in Your Room. This allows people to visualise what their sofa or chair will actually look like in their living room, using the camera app on their mobile device. Visit: www.la-z-boy.co.uk

Top: Harrison Below: Dixie Bottom: Paris

Anna - Classic comfort with a twist. USB charging, heated seats, customisable in a wide range of leathers and fabrics. Available as static, manual, or power recline with optional power head tilt. Recline, relax and recharge.

Anna

INVICTUS

Best LVT Manufacturer

Invictus Luxury Vinyl Flooring is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, with Best LVT Manufacturer its latest accolade.

Launched in 2019, Invictus Luxury Vinyl Flooring quickly became a trade favourite. A passion for flooring through product knowledge and an eye for great design have enabled Invictus to become a challenger to be reckoned with in the world of luxury vinyl flooring. Keeping a close watch on trends and innovations in terms of colour and textures, Invictus succeeds in standing out from the crowd with creative and contemporary flooring for the residential and commercial markets.

Whatever the required style, there’s an Invictus floor for every home. There is a choice of a large variety of designs, including true-to-nature wood planks, eye-catching parquets, realistic stonelook tiles and intricate patterns to make a bold statement with.

These distinctive designs offer plenty of character and elegance while also providing excellent wear resistance thanks to the Scratchmaster top layer and waterproof properties, meaning the flooring is never out of place, not even in the kitchen, bathroom or hall.

On top of the general benefits, some products have specific features such as: embossed in register, infinite repeat XL planks and the one-plank click system for parquet. These unique characteristics reinforce the look and feel of the design and complete the finish of any interior.

An impressive selection of products are highlighted further with an outstanding selection of unmissable retail displays that will become the icing on the cake of any store. The black and bronze designs and striking artwork just add to the attractiveness of the brand.

Invictus’ name is no coincidence: in Latin it means invincible and it will meet all that is expected of a great floor, delivering on all fronts.

Visit: www.invictus.co.uk

Top right: French Oak Linen with coordinating carpet Below: Highland Oak Frosted Below right: Highland Oak Roasted

DEVONSHIRE

Best Dining Room Supplier

Devonshire is proud to receive the award for Best Dining Room Supplier. With its roots in pine manufacturing dating back 32 years, Devonshire now imports and wholesales cabinet furniture around the UK from its 200,000sqft warehouse and offices in Bideford, Devon.

With its own fleet of vehicles, thirdparty pallet service and a DHD partner, Devonshire offers flexible delivery solutions, while maintaining more than £3m of stock on site, keeping lead times to a minimum.

With a strong background in bedroom furniture, the company has been working to fortify its dining and occasional offer in recent years, introducing new ranges in a mix of materials such as sintered stone and glass, as well as the more traditional styles it is known for.

‘To have our dining offer acknowledged with this award, and in such a high-profile category, is a real testament to the hard work that the Devonshire team have been putting into product development, quality control and customer service. Many thanks to everyone who voted for us.,’ says Nicolle Hockin, Devonshire md.

Devonshire has launched three ranges this year, with another following at this year’s INDX show later in August. Wiltshire Oak is a country cottage-style washed oak dining and occasional collection,

with popular quirky pieces such as the tall display unit standing out from the crowd. Wiltshire Painted follows the same design as the dining, but as a painted version only available in bedroom. Both of these ranges have been received well by the trade, with their traditional shape but contemporary finish being a timeless addition to any shop floor.

Also launched earlier this year was the Scandi-style Bergen range, a minimalistic collection that relies on its superior finish and simple elegance, with a pop of colour on the dining chairs to add interest and liveliness. Bergen is available in bedroom and dining, with stock arriving in the Autumn.

Launching at INDX is Lydford Oak, a bedroom range extending from Devonshire’s best-selling Lydford Painted collection, which won an award for Outstanding Supplier Product this season. The stand-out piece is the Quad wardrobe, an imposing piece perfect for advertising and increasing footfall, as well as being a good seller due to its numerous storage options.

‘We are still very much focused on product development, currently taking particular inspiration from the Australian market and tweaking it for the UK, which has been fun to explore,’ says Hockin. Visit: www.devonshireliving.co.uk

Top: Lydford Painted Below: Wiltshire Oak Bottom: The Bideford warehouse

Vermont

Wiltshire

QUICK-STEP

Best Laminate Manufacturer

Quick-Step is delighted to have been crowned Best Laminate Manufacturer by readers of Interiors Monthly. For more than 30 years, Quick-Step has led the laminate category through innovation to become one of flooring’s true household names. Now, with collections that excel in refinement and elegance and offer the ultimate in carefree living, Quick-Step continues to raise the bar.

The new Capture waterproof collection is the best of Quick-Step’s laminate flooring range. A waterproof floor that has Scratch Guard protection and Uniclic installation, it offers faultless performance and excels in recreating nature, for a floor that looks just like the real thing. So good is the new Capture collection that it captures every nuance of visual and textural detail, for a laminate floor that is refined, elegant and true to nature.

‘The whole team at Quick-Step is thrilled to have won this award, particularly as it is given by the people that trust in us to bring the very best

flooring products to the market. We have worked incredibly hard to make sure that our laminate floors are industryleading and matched this to first-class service. The result of all this effort is that the Quick-Step brand is trusted by consumers and retailers alike and this is something we are incredibly proud of,’ says Niall Cassidy, Quick-Step sales regions manager UK & Ireland.

Quick-Step first introduced laminate flooring in 1990 with a simple idea: a cheaper, easier-to-maintain alternative for traditional wood flooring that looked just as good. Now, after 30 years of striving for perfection, it is fulfilling this ambition with laminate floors that are technically superior and impossible to distinguish from real wood. However, as a long list of innovations has shown, Quick-Step never stops improving, and only one question remains for the future: what’s next for the world’s leading laminate flooring brand?

Visit: www.quick-step.co.uk

Top: Classic Havana Oak Natural Below: Capture Brushed Oak Warm Natural Below right: Capture Patina Oak Brown

CAPTURE

Capturing nature’s beauty

A laminate floor collection marked by refinement

Enjoy the realistic look and feel of wood in every knot, crack, grain and joint. Capture is the new water and scratch resistant laminate floor by Quick-Step. This collection comes closer to real wood than you ever thought possible. With 18 designs to choose from, there’s a perfect match for any home. quick-step.co.uk

Brushed Oak Brown

LEBUS UPHOLSTERY

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer

‘We are delighted to receive the Interiors Monthly Award for Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer. It is especially satisfying knowing that this has been voted for by the readers, who recognise the value, quality and strength of product the company offers. A big thank you to everyone who voted for us in the awards process, we really appreciate the amazing support,’ says Karl Walker, Lebus Upholstery md.

While Lebus is unique in size and scale, operating from its own 250,000sqft fully integrated manufacturing facility in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, it has been operating in a difficult market.

‘2024 has been a very challenging environment for the whole upholstery sector, testing the strength and resilience of the commercial proposition. Consumers

clearly look for value in difficult times and the Lebus offer has proven to be perfectly positioned to meet these challenges.

‘We are are prolific developers of new and exciting products. The recent introduction of storage and sofa bed corner units is just one example that demonstrates the flexibility and capability of the manufacturing facility. The eclectic and broad product offer reflects many sectors of the upholstery market, giving us a unique commercial offer,’ says Walker.

‘We thank our customers for recognising the quality, exceptional value and service which we provide, and being a UK manufacturer we look to their support of a real home-grown, employee-owned manufacturer.’

Visit: www. www.lebus.co.uk

Right: Melrose Below: Spencer Below right: Harriet

V4

Best Solid/ Engineered Wood Supplier

Magnetic wood flooring might sound improbable, but V4 has made it a reality. In collaboration with IOBAC, pioneers of adhesive-free magnetic flooring technology, V4 has introduced a new collection of engineered wood floors to its extensive UK-stocked ranges of sustainably sourced hardwood.

V4Magnetic is all about design versatility. Offering options in both universal herringbone parquet block and wide plank, the two formats can be installed together to create effective zones in open-plan areas with borders and inlays, while maintaining a continuous finish throughout the space. This flexibility allows designers to craft dynamic and visually appealing environments without sacrificing the elegance and warmth of wood flooring.

As with all V4’s floors, this collection is produced only with wood felled or harvested from well-managed forests and comes with FSC 100% certification. This commitment to sustainability ensures

that each floor not only looks beautiful but also supports responsible forest management practices.

The collection was designed primarily for modern workspaces that rely on versatile metal raised-access flooring to allow for expansion and workspace flexibility. Traditionally, this has limited the choice of floorcoverings to carpet tiles and similar removable options. However, V4Magnetic offers the perfect wood solution with full magnetic bonding. If required, it can be easily removed to gain access to underfloor networking.

V4Magnetic features a flexible ferrite high-strength magnetic base, creating a robust magnetic wood flooring solution. Combining strength and flexibility, its innovative tongueand-groove mechanism and magnetic grip ensure secure, stable and easily removable wood flooring. This adhesivefree system promotes sustainability through improved circularity, reduces installation time and costs, and protects sub-floors, making it ideal for both commercial and residential use.

Installation is straightforward and efficient. The flooring is easily and securely installed directly onto metal raised access floors. Individual wood planks can be lifted using a suction lifter for immediate access to services beneath the access flooring. This adhesive-free installation method protects the access floor, keeping it clean and free from adhesive contamination.

Whether for a bustling office or stylish home, V4Magnetic offers a versatile, durable and eco-friendly option that redefines what wood flooring can achieve. Visit: www.v4.co.uk

Above right: The new floor at Farsound Aviation’s HQ features MA112 V4Magnetic Natural Oak flooring

Below: The floor can be installed and removed over raised access flooring

CORE PRODUCTS

Best Living Room Supplier

Best Flatpack Furniture Supplier

Core Products is not only celebrating its success in the Interiors Monthly awards but expanding its offer into garden and home this month.

delivery: we are really excited about this and delighted to share the news with Interiors Monthly readers.’

‘Winning the Interiors Monthly Best Living Room Supplier and retaining the Best Flatpack Furniture Supplier award for 2024 is a real tribute to everyone in our organisation who work so hard to make it possible. We are alI so proud of the fact that readers voted for us. While we have been supplying the trade for almost 30 years with our own designs of flatpacked furniture, it is only recently that we expanded our living room offer and it is now the fastest growing sector of our product portfolio. For this to be recognised again with these awards reassures us we are developing products customers want in their homes,’ says Stuart Wallace, Core Products director.

‘We have noted a trend towards casual dining for the home, especially furniture that can be used indoors or outdoors, as patios and gardens become a natural extension of the living space.

‘Whilst our plans are for the years ahead, I can reveal the initial launch has been brought forward, with stocks now available here in the UK for quick

‘Rimini garden and home furniture is a completely new concept from Core: tables and chairs that can be used either inside or outside, a great way to enjoy afternoon tea in the sunshine, or indoors if you prefer the shade. Based on our popular Aspen designs, these sets are made from moulded plastic in a selection of subtle colours. They are very versatile, easy to clean, and the mouldings contain a special UV inhibitor to maintain their colour longer. We have launched these in a selection of summertime colourways that blend effortlessly indoors or outside. Stocks are now available here in the UK for quick delivery, so you can maximise your sales on the sunny days ahead.

‘Living room is becoming a much more important aspect of Core’s product collections, and for summer 2024 we have added to our ever-popular Corona and Aspen collections. Corona is a favourite and without doubt the best value solid wood furniture around. The new live-edge dining tables, benches and chairs with antique finish solid wood tops and a choice of contrasting grey or black legs add a fresh new perspective to an enduring design. With space at a premium, the further expansion of the range of Corona breakfast sets and compact dining sets are welcome additions to our stocked lines.’

Aspen dining offers a modern, compact and affordable answer for consumers looking for style and value. Introductions include round dining tables and special value dining sets with easy-to-clean woodgrain-effect tables and complementing upholstered chairs.

Curve is a new range of casual living pieces. The wood designs feature soft rounded edges and a subtle light white wax finish that accentuates the natural characteristics of the wood itself.

Visit: www.coreproducts.co.uk

Top left: Aspen

Top right: Cala Below: Lattice Bottom: Augusta

ASPEN TABLE & CHAIR SETS

CORONA GREY DINING

CORONA WHITE DINING

CORONA BLACK DINING

CORONA GREY SHOE BENCH

RIMINI CALA BISTRO SET

RIMINI LATTICE BISTRO SET

LEOLINE Best Vinyl Manufacturer

The team behind LeoLine, including the brand’s dedicated area business managers, merchandisers and support staff, are delighted to have been voted as the industry’s Best Vinyl Manufacturer by readers of Interiors Monthly

With cushion vinyl floors that set the benchmark for affordability, practicality and style, LeoLine has built a reputation as a market leader. In 2022, the brand launched its new identity with a vision to ‘make rolled vinyl the contemporary and savvy way to create the floor you want’. Since then, it has brought new collections to the market that fulfil this vision, and it continues to make cushion vinyl a great proposition for homeowners looking for a floor that’s affordable and doesn’t compromise on design.

This is best shown in the new Woodline range, which captures the popularity of painted wood floors and adds its own unique touch. With LeoLine’s ‘endless’ design, Woodline makes it easy to get a striking painted-floor look in any room, adding the brand’s trademark affordability for a really accessible, high design look in all kinds of home.

‘We’re thrilled to once again be voted as the Best Vinyl Manufacturer. It’s not only a reflection of the effort we put into developing our collections but also testament to the continued efforts of our area business managers, merchandisers and support staff to serve our loyal network of retailers across the country,’ says Stuart Reeves, LeoLine UK sales and marketing director.

For the future, LeoLine will soon to launch a new Premium Display option for stores looking to capitalise on its strong branding and appealing flooring options. Shown at May’s INDX National Flooring Show, the display is a freestanding wall unit that ‘floats’ LeoLine’s stylish floors, featuring built-in lighting to highlight the product. It comes with a range of enhanced service benefits, including being the first to receive new product updates; a dedicated brand manager; premier retailer listing on the LeoLine website, and exclusive access to incentives and promotions.

Once again, LeoLine has proved that creating unique floors for everyone’s personality and giving retailers the service and support they need for belief in the brand is a winning formula. Visit: www.leoline.co.uk

Top: Woodline Uniwood Below: Novus Helsinki Bottom: Studio Casa Padua

Floors as unique as you are

LeoLine is ready for the colour, vibrancy and variety of every space. Drawing upon our flooring know-how, we’re making cushion vinyl the contemporary and savvy way to create the floor you want. After all, everybody deserves their perfect floor.

MAZE OUTDOOR

Best Outdoor Furniture Supplier

After a seven-year hiatus, Maze made a triumphant return to the Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition (SOLEX), and it was nothing short of spectacular. Its reappearance at the prestigious event was marked by the unveiling of its stunning 2025 Collection, a testament to its commitment to innovation and excellence in outdoor living solutions. The event also provided an invaluable platform for reconnecting with longstanding partners and forging new relationships with potential collaborators.

The 2025 Collection, which received rave reviews from attendees, epitomises Maze’s dedication to blending style, functionality and sustainability in outdoor furniture. Each piece is meticulously designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers, ensuring they can enjoy the outdoors in unmatched comfort and elegance. The positive feedback and enthusiastic reception from both industry professionals and consumers reaffirm Maze’s belief that this collection is set to redefine outdoor living in 2025.

SOLEX was not just about showcasing its latest innovations; it was also about strengthening existing relationships and

building new ones. The company had the pleasure of reconnecting with longtime trade partners and meeting new ones, and discussing how collaboration can create exclusive ranges that align with their brand visions and values.

These discussions pave the way for exciting joint ventures that will benefit all parties. Maze’s commitment to understanding and meeting the unique needs of its partners is a cornerstone of its business philosophy, and the SOLEX exhibition provided the perfect setting to reinforce this commitment.

Maze’s recognition as winner of the Interiors Monthly Best Outdoor Furniture Supplier further solidifies its position in outdoor living solutions. The award not only acknowledges Maze’s commitment to innovation but also underscores the growing significance of outdoor living in today’s market landscape.

Maze is poised to build upon these successes by continuing to evolve and push the boundaries in outdoor living solutions. The enthusiastic reception at SOLEX and this prestigious award serve as powerful motivators as Maze continues to provide excellence.

Visit: www.maze.co.uk

ALTERNATIVE FLOORING

Best Outdoor

Flooring Supplier

British flooring brand Alternative Flooring believes that a carpet Is never just a carpet, and championing the beauty and variety of carpets, rugs and runners has been its mission from the very beginning. Chosen as winner by Interior Monthly’s readers for Best Outdoor Flooring Supplier, the brand is delighted to welcome another innovative range to its Anywhere collection that is celebrated for its stylish yet functional use for both outdoor and indoor.

Crafted using recycled PET yarn, (rPET), Anywhere Ca-rPET is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional yarn. The process involves collecting, sorting, cleaning and melting the bottles to create fibres that are spun into yarn. Anywhere Ca-rPET boasts a softly spun texture that feels great underfoot. Part of the Anywhere range of synthetic carpets, rugs and runners, it is available in 4m and 5m widths and suitable for use indoors and outdoors.

By mimicking the beauty and natural appearance of sisal, rPET yarn produces carpets with exceptional longevity, leading to less frequent replacements and lower resource usage. In addition to its practical benefits, repurposing plastic waste into aesthetically pleasing floorcoverings minimises environmental harm. With 50 bottles needed to produce 1kg of yarn, and that amount needed for 1sqm of Anywhere Ca-rPET,

this innovative solution is both efficient and sustainable.

Durable and long lasting, Anywhere Ca-rPET is the ideal choice for high-traffic areas or made as a stylish yet functional rug and runner, plus there is no need to worry about accidental spills, as it is stain resistant. Anywhere Ca-rPET, although hard-wearing, remains soft and tactile underfoot, allowing for greater design flexibility for eco-conscious homeowners and businesses. Anywhere Ca-rPET's rugs with a stylish Anywhere border have a unique ability to withstand the elements, allowing them to remain outside all year round without the need for stowing away, unlike many other outdoor rugs.

‘We are absolutely thrilled to be launching the Anywhere Ca-rPET range, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and innovation. This pioneering manufacturing process, which harnesses the usage of recycled plastic, highlights our dedication not just to crafting eco-conscious flooring solutions but to fundamentally transforming our relationship with the planet. By choosing Anywhere Ca-rPET, our customers are not just selecting a product; they are joining us on a journey towards a more sustainable future. Together, we are laying the groundwork for change, one floor at a time,’ says Lorna Haigh, Alternative Flooring creative director. Visit: www.alternativeflooring.com

CORE TEC

Best Rigid Floor Manufacturer

‘As a relative newcomer, with a product that does things differently, it’s such an honour to receive this award for the third year running. We’re a small team at COREtec and we’re so grateful that our retail partners have voted COREtec the best rigid floor once again.’

COREtec was invented in the USA back in 2012 and quickly became the American market leader by creating and defining an entirely new flooring category. 2016 saw Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet company, acquire COREtec and the brand was launched in mainland Europe.

‘COREtec in the UK is an even younger business and we love how close we are to our customers. The beauty of COREtec comes not just from what you can see and feel but also from what you

don’t hear and what you can’t see. We pride ourselves on the most beautiful designs and the most realistic surfaces, but that’s just the start. Step onto any COREtec floor and the unique properties of our composite SoundCore mean the sensation underfoot captures the feel of a natural floor. This SoundCore and our natural cork backing also give great acoustic performance.

‘All this luxury is topped with confidence and durability, as every COREtec floor is 100% waterproof, R10 slip-resistant, suitable for all areas including conservatories, approved for use over underfloor heating, and backed by our lifetime guarantee in domestic installations and a 10-year guarantee in commercial settings. Add to all this that COREtec can be installed over uneven subfloors or existing floorcoverings and requires no glue or permanent fixing.’

COREtec is available from UK stock in a multitude of formats and finishes, with 115 flooring designs across three collections. The 8mm Naturals and Essentials collections offer wood plank designs in three lengths and three widths; herringbone planks in three sizes; multiseries woods in various designs, and contemporary stone tile designs in five different formats. The 15mm XL-End collection is unique in almost every way, with 2.1m long planks, a 0.8mm wear layer and 3mm of cork backing.

‘Thanks again to all our customers old and new, and we look forward to seeing you all soon.’

Visit: www.coretecfloors.com

Top right: Jura Below: Windsor Below right: Lumber

MATTRESSGARD

Best Mattress Protector Provider

‘It’s no accident that Mattressgard has won this award for six consecutive years,’ says Paul Aiston, Mattressgard md. ‘It is both an honour and a privilege to be recognised by the readers of Interiors Monthly again. We are immensely grateful for their votes and continued support. Mattressgard, which specialises in creating award-winning mattress protection products, has been at the forefront of innovation for almost two decades. Being the provider of the UK’s best range of mattress protectors, our aim has always been to provide retailers with the best opportunity to provide value-for-money, meaningful and profitable products to complement their core sales of beds.

‘Winning this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and this recognition not only validates our efforts but also inspires us to strive for even greater excellence. For us, winning means that our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction resonates with our customer base. It motivates us to push boundaries and set new standards in our industry.

‘The past year has been a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs, and saw us navigating a landscape altered by global social, political and regulatory disruptions. Despite these hurdles, we focused on innovation and resilience and continued to invest in the systems, people and products that permit us to stay ahead of the competition. This investment allows us to pivot in response to market and consumer demand, and that combined

with the excellence of our products sets us apart and ahead of our competitors.

‘Mattressgard stands stronger than ever and we have expanded our market presence and built a loyal customer base who appreciate our commitment to quality and support. Mattressgard continues to stay ahead in providing the best and most diverse range of mattress protectors and training support to its many customers. Our team is more passionate and driven, continuously seeking ways to improve and innovate. In the pipeline, we have several exciting projects and product launches planned.

‘We believe our success in topping this category is due to several key factors. First, our unwavering commitment to quality. Second, our focus on customer satisfaction. We listen to our customers, understand their needs and tailor our products and services accordingly. And we are constantly exploring new ideas and trends to keep our products relevant and presented in the most attractively packaged, commercially viable way.

‘We invite you to visit our website to explore our range of products and learn more about how we can add value to your business. We are excited about the future and remain committed to continuing our mission of providing innovation and quality.

‘Thank you once again to the readers of Interiors Monthly for your support, which means the world to us, and we look forward to bringing you yet more exceptional products in the years to come.’

Visit: www.mattressgard.co.uk

GALLERY DIRECT

Best Accessory Supplier

Gallery Direct is the winner of this year’s Best Accessory Supplier award: its third consecutive triumph.

‘The team here at Gallery is delighted to have won this award, and we would like to thank everyone who voted for us. It is a real team effort pulling together collections, so the award is testament to everyone’s hard work,’ says Michael Baxendale, Gallery Direct design director.

Gallery Direct’s catalogue offers a wide and varied selection of accessories including soft furnishings, wall decor, decorative accessories and lighting designed to complement its furniture collections. It already includes a fantastic range of products and Gallery Direct is adding to this with the launch of new decorative accessories and textiles this month.

The new accessories include vases, lanterns, sculptures, baskets, bowls, faux plants and dinnerware. Amongst these is a range of large statement pieces, including the stunning Alda lanterns which will be offered in three sizes, ranging from 63cm-82cm tall. These statement lanterns will look fantastic individually or grouped together.

Organic shapes are an on-trend look, and Gallery Direct’s new dinnerware, which is offered in a choice of two glazed finishes, is perfect if you are looking to follow this trend. There’s also a range of pumpkin and mushroom inspired pieces to add an autumnal look to a room.

On the textiles side, new products include cushions, throws, bedspreads, doormats and tableware. The cushions and throws are perfect for snuggling up during autumn and winter and include lovely textured finishes, chenille, faux fur and chunky knits. The throws offer a selection in a larger size than usual, which are ideal for using on beds.

Gallery Direct’s wall decor catalogue features more than 400 mirrors, with more in the pipeline to expand the offering further. And it is working on the SS25 Collection, which will feature an exciting range of new lines across different product categories.

To find out more about all Gallery Direct’s products, take a look at its website, where you can see all the individual lines as well as browsing the online catalogues. www.gallerydirect.co.uk

Below: Ribbed faux fur throw Bottom: Alda lanterns Bottom right: Higgins mirrors

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FLOORWISE Best Flooring Accessory Supplier

Floorwise is delighted to have been awarded Best Flooring Accessory Supplier by the readers of Interiors Monthly. With a complete range of installation products, from subfloor preparation to underlays, profiles and tools, there’s no doubt that Floorwise offers an unrivalled selection of accessories, ready to be the start of a fantastic floor.

Diamond Grippers, are fitters’ favourites. Rising up the ranks is F377 Supertac Contact Tape – the perfect solution for bonding PVC trims and skirtings.

Developing unique formulations and specifications to maximise quality and value, while also sourcing tools from the world’s top brands and manufacturers, Floorwise has become synonymous with products that provide longevity and reliability. So far, this year has seen the launch of products in the Pro-Screed subfloor preparation range, the 9mm XL9 Diamond Carpet Gripper, and the introduction of black and space grey finishes in the Reflections and Zenith profile ranges.

Of course, installation accessories like the bestselling F599 Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive and 100% dichloromethanefree F597 Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive, along with the legendary range of

‘We’ve been supplying the industry with excellent quality accessories for more than 40 years, and in that time we have established products that have become favourites for retailers and fitters across the country. That doesn’t mean that we stop looking for ways to improve on our products, and our latest introductions show this perfectly – including new Reflections finishes to match the latest trends in sockets, switches and door furniture and a less harmful way to tackle fixes. These continuous innovations ensure we stay at the forefront of the flooring industry,’ says Richard Bailey, Floorwise md.

The Floorwise accessories range is available at distributors across the UK, Ireland and Europe. The expertise and locality of Floorwise distributors ensures that its customers are met with the best in independent service.

Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

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LEGGETT & PLATT

Best Furniture Component Supplier

At Leggett & Platt, advanced bedding and furniture technology is combined with hard work and determination to provide comfort products to customers around the globe. Its innovation and commitment to a sustainable future has yielded superior results – including being named the Best Furniture Component Supplier by Interiors Monthly.

Leggett & Platt would like to express its sincere appreciation to readers of Interiors Monthly and its own customers on receiving this prestigious award.

‘We maintain a continuous mission to enhance lives and energise comfort through advanced components, technology and machinery. We also offer empowering and rewarding careers, and work to bring about a more comfortable and sustainable future. To win an award such as this validates the relentless determination our employeepartners provide daily. On behalf of everyone at Leggett & Platt, we thank you,’ says Adam Ball, Leggett & Platt Springs UK commercial manager.

Leggett & Platt is an established partner of choice for bedding and furniture companies seeking to source consistent quality components manufactured by a secure local supplier, whilst also gaining the operational and lower working capital advantages of its value-add and supply chain solutions. It works closely with key customers and suppliers to create close, mutually beneficial commercial partnerships.

As a leading supplier of spring and wire-related components, its products

often include technologically advanced features or utilise technologically advanced processes in their production. However, its offerings extend beyond the highly innovative. Leggett & Platt also provides a host of generic, volume-based products that are not patent-protected. Products and processes are subject to continuous improvement as new technology is developed.

‘Leggett & Platt continuously invests in new products and improved production processes to keep it at the forefront of the market. Its operational management is superb at streamlining costs to deliver higher value propositions and remain competitive,’ says Paul Hindle, Leggett & Platt Springs UK sales manager

A key aspect of the company’s success in providing award-winning components throughout the European market is Leggett & Platt Springs UK – a leading manufacturing facility filled with the bedding and furniture industries’ most advanced production capabilities.

Leggett & Platt Springs UK is in a continuous state of evolution. It adapts, improves and innovates to meet the demands of the industry and deliver advanced comfort technology and support to customers across the international market. The ‘global, yet local’ approach and ‘borrowed proven technologies’ mindset allows it to deliver world-class professionalism and diverse, award-winning components to energise the bedding and furniture industries.

Visit: www.beddingcomponents-intl.com

Right (l-r): Adam Ball, Paul Hindle

F BALL AND CO

Best Flooring Component Supplier

With a history stretching back more than 135 years, F Ball and Co is a leading manufacturer of subfloor preparation products and adhesives for the flooring industry. It has a long track record of innovation focused on the creation of next-generation products to help flooring professionals work to ever higher standards.

The company has developed highperformance smoothing compounds for a range of general purpose and specialist applications, including fast-track installations, for use over underfloor heating systems and preparing flexible subfloors of metal and wood. Its repair and finishing compounds help ensure a perfectly smooth subfloor finish to optimise the appearance of finished installations.

F Ball’s adhesives range includes products for practically every type of decorative floorcovering. Continuous investment in research and development, supported by dedicated on-site laboratories and testing facilities at its Staffordshire headquarters, enables the company to develop additional functionality for existing products, as well as creating entirely new formulations with revolutionary combinations of properties.

Subfloor preparation products include a range of solutions for identifying and dealing with subfloor moisture to avoid floor failure, including moisture measurement tools, liquid waterproof surface membranes and loose-lay

systems for creating a barrier between newly installed floorcoverings.

The company’s products are delivered daily through its network of more than 186 wholesalers throughout the UK and Ireland. On-site support is provided by regional technical representatives, while its technical service department is on hand Monday to Friday to answer questions about subfloor preparation and floorcovering installation.

So confident is the company in its products that it guarantees that they will perform for the entire lifetime of a flooring installation, as long as the advised subfloor preparation and installation procedures are followed.

F Ball also produces the flooring industry’s leading guide to floorcovering and adhesive compatibility: the Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG), which lists adhesives recommended for use with over 6,000 floorcoverings produced by more than 200 manufacturers. A constantly updated version is available on the F Ball website and as a mobile app, which is free to download.

Visit: www.f-ball.com

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STROOLMOUNT Best Product Protection (Flooring)

Stroolmount has won the Interiors Monthly award for Best Product Protection (Flooring) for the sixth year in a row.

‘This is a tremendous achievement for a family-run specialist protection company that prides itself on the quality of its products and the quality of its service. Since we started in 2007 we’ve stuck to a very simple formula: we’re 100% committed to supplying the very best products and accessories and giving you the same level of service as if you were our own family,’ says Gill Finch, Stroolmount md.

Stroolmount has flooring protection needs covered for retailers, manufacturers, architects and interior designers. Its Self-adhesive Felts are superior quality furniture tips, with stronger adhesive and thicker felt than many others. For longer term protection, the award-winning, interchangeable Quickclick Glides protect floors, reduce noise and reduce stress on furniture joints: ideal for dining chairs that are scraped back and forth.

‘We also have Furniglides, so you can move the heaviest furniture, even recliner sofas, without scarring your flooring. And our Move-it Pads are fitters’ best kept secret: they slide furniture around like it’s on ice.

‘With solutions from just 1p, it’s best to act before you scratch,’ says Finch.

The company has added repair kits to its offer, with a choice of hard or soft wax. The hard wax kits contain a range of hard waxes to give an instant repair to manufactured wooden floors, laminate floors and solid wood table tops. The soft wax kits are suitable for solid wood furniture, veneer furniture and artificial surfaced furniture. Slight flooring scratches could be repaired by soft wax, but hard wax is preferred and longer lasting. The Light, Medium and Dark furniture repair kits have various shades of wax, making it easy to build up the right shade to match the scratch by combining different coloured wax. Visit: www.stroolmount.co.uk

Right (l-r): Self-adhesive Felts; Protect and Care POS

GUARDSMAN

Best Product Protection Provider (Furniture)

The Guardsman team is ‘thrilled and deeply honoured’ to be awarded the Best Product Protection

Provider (Furniture) 2024 by Interiors Monthly readers. ‘This accolade is a testament to our dedication and passion for delivering exceptional furniture protection insurance and care and repair products. Winning this respected award for the eighth time is a significant milestone for us, and it fills us with immense pride and gratitude,’ says Mark Potter, Guardsman md (pictured).

‘Firstly, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the readers of Interiors Monthly: your votes have validated our hard work and commitment to excellence. The time and effort you took to support us reflect the trust and confidence you place in our services. We are incredibly grateful for this recognition and promise to continue upholding the high standards that have earned us this accolade.

‘We also want to express our sincere appreciation to our valued

retailers and technician networks. Your partnership and collaboration have been instrumental in our success. The relationships we’ve built with you are the foundation of our achievements, and your support has been unwavering. We are grateful for your belief in our vision and capabilities.

‘We must also extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff members. Your hard work, expertise and dedication are the driving force behind our success. We are incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the passion and professionalism you bring to your work every day. This award is all of ours to share.

‘For the Guardsman team, being recognised as the leaders in furniture protection and care products is a momentous achievement, since it underscores the industry’s acknowledgment of their innovative solutions, their observance to the continual regulatory changes and responsibility to compliance and their excellent customer service. We have always strived to provide our retail partners and their customers with the best possible – and relevant – care options for their furniture, ensuring longevity and beauty in every piece. This award motivates us to continue to create new standards in our industry.

‘The team is committed to its mission of delivering first-class furniture care solutions, continuing to innovate, improve and expand the Guardsman offerings to meet and exceed the expectations of retail partners and customers. This award is not just a recognition of past efforts but also a beacon guiding future endeavours.

‘Once again, thank you, Interiors Monthly readers for this remarkable recognition. Your support – along with our technician network and staff members – has been invaluable. We look forward to continuing this journey together and achieving even greater heights in the years to come.’

Visit: www.guardsman.co.uk

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CASTELAN

Best Warranty Provider

‘Once again, we are delighted to have been voted Best Warranty Provider by the readers of Interiors Monthly,’ says Martin Napper, Castelan ceo. ‘This is now the eighth consecutive year that we have won this award, and we are hugely grateful to all who took the time to vote for us. We do not take your support and trust for granted and we continue to strive for improvement, so you can have the very best products and services to offer to your customers.

‘We have continued to develop our insured protection plans to ensure that they offer the highest level of cover available from any provider today. This means great value for the consumer, great outcomes when they come to the point of making a claim, and increased customer satisfaction ratings. For your colleagues, the plans are simpler to explain and have fewer exclusions to remember: and that builds confidence right through the process. We continue to do all of this whilst being cognisant of the requirements of our regulator, the FCA, which looks to all of us to “act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers”.

‘Our technicians play a huge role in being the face of our business and we are delighted with the feedback we get from customers who need their expertise. With more than 100 technicians, we have all areas of the UK and Ireland covered and are delivering an average lead time within five working days in most areas.

This is the kind of service that your customers have come to expect, and we are committed to growing our network of technicians as the volume of our work increases. We make 120,000 home visits per year and we are experts in all types of furniture products and repairs.

‘We offer a range of small, medium and large Care Kits for leather, fabric, cabinet and carpet. We have a great range of PremierCare branded kits but can also brand to your own identity with logos and images. These products offer tremendous additional value to the customer as well as increasing your average transaction value: a win-win situation. We also offer a range of mattress protectors, which again are a valuable add-on product when selling beds.

‘We would be delighted to talk to any retailer looking to partner with us for protection plans, care products and service provision and explain why we are consistently voted the Best Warranty Provider,’ Visit: www.castelan group.com

METRO

Best Flooring Buying Group

In the 45 years since Metro conceived the idea of pooling buying power to compete against the national chains, a lot has changed in the marketplace and the group is focused on members keeping their independence.

No longer just looking to achieve the best terms and prices, Metro also assists its members to sell the best performing products in the marketplace at a profit.

What has been developed is a group of independent retailers from the smallest one-man operation to multiple-outlet businesses. Retaining independence is important to Metro members, who are always given the opportunity to participate in group activity, which is always optional and very rarely compulsory. This allows them to use all of the best benefits of membership while being 100% in control of their own businesses.

Metro’s marketing service takes the individuality of each member one step further. Each retailer does things differently, despite sharing a similar marketplace, and every retailer operates from differing types of premises. They also market themselves individually and have demands and needs that change at a variety of times. That’s why Metro’s marketing service is completely bespoke: taking whatever project a retailer is looking to create and making it happen from a huge range of options.

When working at distance the marketing team attempt to group jobs together by location. One recent trip

saw the team visit The Carpet Gallery in the Wirral and Rodgers of Frodsham for vehicle graphics; Horwich Carpets for window frosting and Greens Carpets in Wigan for internal and external tray signs. All jobs were completed in only two working days and one overnight stay.

The other benefit of being on-site is that the retailer can have future projects measured and discussed ahead of a return visit, as the number of options are vast.

The ability to work on a huge range of projects means that there is very little that the marketing team can’t do. From design to manufacture and installation, almost every aspect of the work is done in-house.

Visit: www.carpet1st.co.uk

Top and far right: Greens Carpets in Wigan saw new signage Below: Rodgers of Frodsham’s van received a facelift

JULIAN BOWEN Best

Wholesaler (Furniture)

Julian Bowen has been recognised as the UK’s best furniture wholesaler for 2024, marking an outstanding thirteenth consecutive year of receiving this prestigious accolade. This notable achievement underscores the company’s steadfast commitment to delivering highquality furniture at exceptional value while ensuring unmatched customer service. The team remains resolutely focused on maintaining excellence, consistently meeting customer expectations and setting new standards in the industry.

these is the Icaria chair, crafted from rattan and oak with a subtly reclined backrest and slender carved arms, which embodies effortless elegance as a standout piece in any living room. The recently launched Padstow rattan beds, available in oak or black with intricately woven rattan headboards, are also available as an ottoman.

‘We are immensely proud to be voted the UK’s Best Wholesaler (Furniture) for 2024. This esteemed award is a testament to our team’s commitment and effort, and it holds great significance for us as a business. It serves as a powerful motivator to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence. This recognition inspires us to keep evolving and delivering innovative products, reinforcing our commitment to growth and innovation in the industry. Our success is built on the relentless pursuit of quality and customer satisfaction, and we remain dedicated to exceeding expectations and setting new benchmarks for the future,’ says Emmett Lenaghan, Julian Bowen md.

In 2024, the business has consistently demonstrated its dedication to innovation in furniture design by introducing cutting-edge products that cater to diverse customer preferences and anticipate emerging industry trends. This is illustrated by the expanded occasional and bedroom collections, which exude modern sophistication. Notable among

The company has ambitious plans to unveil more than 200 designs across all home furniture categories this year, with new products released to retailers monthly. In parallel, it has consistently prioritised sustainability, making significant strides in advancing eco-friendly packaging practices. The company is now taking a major step by eliminating plastic and polystyrene from its packaging materials and transitioning to a plastic-free approach. This initiative underscores its commitment to environmental stewardship and marks a substantial move toward a more sustainable future, reflecting the dedication to reducing environmental impact as the company continues to evolve.

The team at Julian Bowen extends sincere gratitude to its customers for their ongoing support and votes, which drive the company’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. It is focused on setting new industry standards with a strong emphasis on sustainability and customer satisfaction. This dedication ensures that every aspect of the company continues to evolve and lead the way for the future.

Visit: www.julian-bowen.co.uk

Top right: Icaria chair Below: Archer home office chair

your space

In the last five years, Kellars has developed into a powerhouse in the commission-made manufacturing world. With six depots, a dedicated fleet of 51 vehicles - including artics, curtain siders, and lorries - and 113 experienced employees, we have grown significantly. We offer a portfolio of eight exclusive and recognisable brands. Combined with a wonderful customer base, this has made us truly unique within the wholesale market.

Kellars Flooring Brands

Our history:

We started in Stockport with one warehouse, three drivers, three reps, and three warehouse employees. This has expanded to 24 reps, four regional sales managers, and a key accounts manager, enabling us to service the north, south, east, and west from five distribution hubs, totalling over 300,000 square feet of warehouse space.

Establishing our identity, we have invested in our unique brands and developed our portfolio to deliver stylish carpets and flooring. Our commitment to our

customers has led to significant investment in our polyester yarn offerings. With eight of our ranges made from polyester, these products provide the softness of nylon with the durability to withstand bleach cleaning—ideal for family-friendly flooring. Our Easy Living brand combines luxury with practicality, ensuring spills, stains and splashes can be easily cleaned, keeping the flooring looking as good as new.

Where

we are now

Over the past five years, we have launched a variety of popular products, many at the Harrogate Flooring Show. Here, we showcased our brands to consumers and received highly positive feedback - possibly helped by Frannie’s Bar and the after-party! The Harrogate Show has been instrumental in our success and our winning this award due to our ability to showcase our full portfiolio and each year, showing our customers our development.

Join us this year on the 15th to the 17th of September at stand A17 for your chance to win some epic prizes on spin the wheel.

Despite the constraints the market faces, we are proud to say we have launched nine new products this year to date, making us the industry leader in new product launches. This includes seven new carpet ranges (all bleach-cleanable), doubled colorways for our Alva (LVT), a brand-new luxury Allora Luxe (SPC), and three new vinyl products.

We have also updated our point-of-sale (POS) offerings with new stand types, which have been highly praised for providing customers with a more seamless experience.

BEST FLOORING WHOLESALER 2024

The future

What are we planning on achieving?

• To be one of the largest flooring suppliers in the industry.

• To achieve national coverage across the whole of the UK (currently not supplying to the southwest and south coast).

• To continue developing and increasing our range of natural based products.

• To continue to meet customer demand for design and colour palates, bringing you want you to see in your home.

Finally, from all of us here at Kellars, we want to thank you, our customers, for voting for us as ‘Wholesaler of the Year’ and helping us win this award. Here’s to more bleach-cleanable, family-friendly, luxury flooring!

JULIAN BOWEN Best Customer Service (Furniture)

Julian Bowen has won the industry’s Best Customer Service (Furniture) award for the tenth consecutive year, as voted by the readers of Interiors Monthly. The award reflects the collective effort of the entire Julian Bowen team, including dedicated sales and customer service, logistics and distribution teams. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in every interaction, ensuring that each customer receives personalised attention and prompt solutions.

‘As a team, we are proud to be recognised with this award for another year. This consistent achievement highlights our commitment to customer satisfaction, the cornerstone of the business. This recognition motivates us to keep improving our product fulfilment and quality service to consistently exceed our customers’ expectations,’ says Emmett Lenaghan, Julian Bowen md.

Julian Bowen is on a mission: focused on delivering accessible and efficient delivery solutions to meet a wide range

of customer needs. This has driven substantial advancements in order management and supply chain support, both domestically and on a global scale. By continuously refining these processes, the company ensures each product meets the highest standards of quality and reliability, offering exceptional value across all price points. As the company evolves, it remains committed to adapting to changing demands and delivering excellence at every touchpoint.

A key element of Julian Bowen’s customer service is seamless coordination across various departments, ensuring a streamlined and efficient customer journey. The company prioritises ongoing staff development, investing heavily in training, IT infrastructure and warehousing teams to deliver operational support. A significant focus is on stock control and distribution. It has enhanced its CRM capability with the introduction of advanced systems such as the innovative Halo platform. This incorporates live chat and customer feedback options, significantly boosting customer satisfaction by offering multiple communication channels and improving visibility for customers and the business.

Julian Bowen’s commitment to excellence is evident in its customer service and operational efficiency. The JPOP portal introduced 12 months ago has been a success and is now utilised by over 80% of the customer base. By constantly refining its processes and enhancing the customer experience, it remains a leader in the industry, delivering exceptional value for money and setting new benchmarks for service excellence. Visit: www.julian-bowen.co.uk

Top right: Boston hallway stand with bench Below: Miami stone-top dining table

Your solution to early careers recruitment and training

My Furniture Career is a new early careers recruitment and training website offering employers of all sizes in the UK furniture and furnishing industry a specialist platform to recruit new talent and access a comprehensive directory of training providers to upskill employees.

Benefits include:

A FREE jobs board connecting industry and job seekers

Vacancies will be promoted to a database of 1000s of jobseekers

Access to hundreds of training providers UK-wide Free resources to support recruitment and training best practice.

BFM Best Business Support (Furniture)

Best Trade Association

British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) is celebrating after a double win: Best Business Support (Furniture) and Best Trade Association. The two accolades shine a spotlight on the work BFM has been doing to support its members across the furniture industry.

‘To be recognised by the readership of such a well-respected title as Interiors Monthly is a fantastic achievement and I am grateful to each person who cast their vote. I’d also like to congratulate the team at BFM, whose hard work has been recognised with these two prestigious awards,’ says Phil Spademan, BFM md.

The Best Business Support (Furniture) Award reflects BFM’s commitment to providing information, advice and services to members, including its Trends reports and analysis, which offers insight into key factors such as sales, labour costs and material prices. Based on regular in-depth surveys of its members, the Trends series helps identify long-term patterns as well as setting a data-driven baseline for industry forecasting.

BFM members can gain more insight into specific subjects via events such as in-person round-table workshops, regional meetings and webinars on topics including fabrics and fire regulations, Planet Mark, exporting, apprenticeships and tech solutions.

‘We are delighted to have been recognised for this award. It is a clear endorsement of the work we have been doing to ensure our members access to a variety of benefits and services. To also be awarded Best Trade Association 2024 is a real honour. The BFM team works incredibly hard to help our members boost their businesses and promote the excellence of British-made furniture on a wider scale,’ says Spademan.

Membership of BFM has expanded in recent years, with full membership

for manufacturers and associate membership for associated suppliers or services, and approved retail membership for retailers that sell furniture products made in the UK by British manufacturers.

This year, BFM built on that foundation further with the introduction of the Furniture Components Expo, providing a platform for companies across the supply chain to come together and showcase their products and services to manufacturers and retailers. The Expo also featured in-depth seminars and discussion panels on subjects including fire safety, automation and exports. Its success has led to the date being set for the next FCE on 19-20 March 2025, again at Telford International Centre.

Earlier this year, BFM hosted its Future of Furniture Awards, which recognise member companies that excel in education, sustainability and ESG (environmental, social and governance) reporting, as well as presenting a prize for Sustainability Champion.

‘Awards are key to highlighting great work and it’s a pleasure for BFM to celebrate this double success. I’d like to thank the readers of Interiors Monthly for recognising our achievements.’

BFM has represented the interests of the country’s furniture industry for more than 75 years. Member benefits include money-saving activities such as discounts at the January Furniture Show, access to special rates through affinity services, and help with regulatory cost avoidance. Members also have access to a wide range of information and statistics to help run their business efficiently, and BFM can offer specialist advice, particularly of a technical or legal and commercial nature, which is not necessarily readily available to small and medium-sized organisations.

Visit: www.bfm.org.uk

Above: Phil Spademan, BFM md; Joanna Privett, BFM membership engagement manager and Joanna Audley, BFM marketing and communications manager celebrate

GREENDALE Best Business Support (Flooring)

After winning Editor’s Choice Flooring Brand of the Year in 2023, Greendale Carpets & Flooring has followed that by winning the Best Business Support (Flooring) in 2024.

‘I think it’s fantastic that the readers of Interiors Monthly have voted for us as the best in this category,’ says Eamonn Prescott, Greendale Carpets & Flooring chief executive.

‘We have long been recognised for the support that we offer our members – from our one-stop shop for orders with virtually all the leading industry suppliers, to our own warehouse full of stock for the exclusive use of our members, to our dedicated sales and customer service team on hand, solely for Greendale members.’

It’s much more than that as well. The Greendale website has its own portal where members can place their orders. The customer service team handle any complaints that the member has with any of their suppliers, and staff members regularly visit suppliers’ factories to keep abreast of the latest developments.

Greendale also has its own merchandising team and van to carry out installations all over the UK.

‘Our team at Hereford has more than 100 years of collective experience with the group,’ says Rachael Thomas, Greendale office manager. ‘We know our members and their families, they are friends as well as customers. As such, we will always go that extra mile for them, and they know and appreciate that.’

Greendale was established in 1962 and is the only buying group that is also a cooperative. It is owned by the members, for the members: a not-for-profit mutual trading company.

‘The way the company is set up and operates, it is always about what is best for the member and what we can do for the member. We are always looking to what to do next, how we can get better. We are giving the members the best service and support we can. That’s what makes this recognition so special,’ says Prescott.

Visit: www.greendalecarpets.co.uk

Below: Greendale makes regular factory visits

Below right: The award is the group’s second in two years

New

and

Exclus

ive to Greendale members

NATIONAL BED FEDERATION

Best Marketing Support (Furniture)

Best Furniture Exhibition (UK)

‘We are delighted that the NBF has not only been awarded Best Marketing Support (Furniture) for the sixth year running, but our annual trade exhibition, the Bed Show, has again clinched Best Furniture Exhibition UK in the Interiors Monthly awards,’ says Tristine Hargreaves, NBF executive director.

‘From our regular newsletters, marketing toolkits and downloadable calendar and videos to the free POS and digital supporter pack for our NBF Retail Champions, we work hard to support the bed trade, and winning Best Marketing Support (Furniture) is a testament to this.

‘Since beginning in 2010, the hugely successful Bed Show has provided a high-quality but cost-effective platform for NBF members to showcase products to valued bed retailers and specifiers. We are excited to open our doors to the trade for the Bed Show from 24-25 September and the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on the first evening.

‘Thank you to all the retailers who voted for us: we truly appreciate their support and are thrilled they value ours in return.’

The NBF has been a hive of activity this year, with no sign of the trade association – which represents UK and Irish bed manufacturers and their suppliers – slowing down. Following the success of last year’s membership testimonial video and the addition of several new members, it is busy creating its next promotional video to shine a light on its supplier offering. This will feature the voices of several NBF supplier members as puppets, designed to draw the audience in with humour. It hopes to unveil the video in time for the Bed Show.

The NBF welcomes new members, including bed manufacturers, their suppliers, and brands that manufacture beds, mattresses and related products through NBF members and sell B2B to

UK and Irish retailers. Alongside its renowned Code of Practice, its active sustainability programme is one of the most significant achievements in recent NBF history, including the establishment of the NBF Circular Economy Committee; the publication of the EcoDesign Principles guide; working alongside the government, and monitoring mattress disposal through its end-of-life surveys.

In May, the NBF marked two years since the launch of Pledge for Our Planet and its assessment tool. These resources help signatories stay aligned with their sustainability goals at company and product levels, preparing the industry for future legislation and market changes.

The trade association has updated its Introduction to Beds course with the latest consumer research data, providing valuable insights into purchasing trends, popular product types, replacement cycles and more. Comprehensive data breakdowns are exclusively available to NBF manufacturer and supplier members, while headline results about consumer habits are available for the broader bed trade in the Introduction to Beds course. The resource, free on the NBF website, can support new starters and current staff when added to the workplace induction and training process.

Bed retailers that predominantly stock NBF-approved brands can benefit by joining its Retail Champions scheme. Retail Champions receive a comprehensive, free benefits package that includes a POS pack with swing tickets, window stickers and digital assets. Successful applicants also receive a free listing on the NBF consumer website, Bed Advice UK, and exclusive access to enter the NBF Bed Industry Awards. This year’s winners will be revealed at the Bed Show Gala Dinner on 24 September. Visit: www.bedfed.org.uk

Top right: A new video is in the offing Below: Introduction to Beds has been updated

Boost your credibility with the National Bed Federation

If you stock predominantly NBF-approved member brands, join the NBF Retail Champions scheme today

Find out more and apply for free today: bedfed.org.uk/resources/retail-champions-scheme

Support new starters with the

Start your journey today at bedfed.org.uk/resources/training

SMG Best Marketing Support (Flooring)

SMG has always been about supporting the independent retailer, and being awarded Best Marketing Support (Flooring) by Interiors Monthly readers is a fabulous validation of that principle.

This year SMG has been working extremely hard to offer its members all the tools they need to encourage customers to support local independent retail, through a package of marketing tools for retailers to use in-store. The aim is to promote the fantastic service a customer receives when they shop with an independent flooring store. Knowledge, advice, expert fitting and post-purchase customer service for peace of mind – it’s not just about price.

‘We are thrilled to receive this fantastic award from Interiors Monthly readers. Our Support Local Independent Retailers campaign has been extremely well received and we will continue to ensure our members have everything they need to grow and strengthen their businesses,’ says Linda Thomas, SMG head of operations.

‘This latest initiative is just another reason why independent retailers are attracted to joining SMG: the group guarantees that members can retain their complete independence yet at the same time benefit from preferential discounts, rebate schemes and promotions from a comprehensive range of approved suppliers. Not only that, but members can also access products from any approved supplier via the SMG Central Purchasing Scheme, even without a direct account.

‘Retailers also have access to contemporary unitary under the Pure

Carpets and Pure Flooring brands, for which they can choose products to feature from a comprehensive portfolio of top sellers, even without having a direct account with the supplier.’

In line with SMG’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. With the lowest membership fees of any group and no requirement for retailers to attend meetings or events, retail members have total freedom to run their business however they wish, just with more profit. The key driver for SMG has always been to create profitable partnerships between members and approved suppliers. Both have the same goals and SMG continues to deliver more sales and greater profitability for each.

‘With all of these benefits, SMG really does have something for every retailer.’

Visit: www.smg-group.co.uk

Supporting local independent retailers has been at the centre of SMG’s marketing this year

ORDORITE

Best Software Supplier (Furniture)

‘Winning the Interiors Monthly award for Best Software Supplier (Furniture) for the third year in a row is an incredible honour,’ says Stephen Connolly, Ordorite Software Solutions ceo.

‘It reflects our team’s hard work and dedication, and our clients’ trust in us. We are committed to continuing our journey of innovation and delivering top-tier solutions that drive success for our clients.’

Ordorite takes pride in delivering cutting-edge software solutions tailored specifically for the furniture and bedding industry. ‘Our dedication to innovation is at the heart of our success: it is our drive to continuously enhance and develop our products to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our software boasts a range of powerful features designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency and drive business growth.

‘One of the standout features Ordorite offers that is so popular with our clients is the Vision IQ reporting tool, which empowers users to create bespoke reports that perfectly fit their requirements. This level of customisation ensures that businesses can gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions with ease. Additionally, our warehouse management software and inventory management software have proven invaluable to customers who need robust solutions for tracking and managing stock, optimising warehouse operations and reducing costs.

‘Marketing tools within our software suite help businesses effectively reach and engage their target audience, while our mobile applications offer flexibility and convenience for on-the-go

management. Our logistics and shipping software, including integration of the powerful Shipster shipping software, ensures seamless and efficient delivery processes. What’s more, our POS systems enhance the customer experience by providing fast and reliable transactions.’

The OrdoConnect platform is a key feature at the heart of Ordorite, bringing all modules together. Launched in 2023, it takes all the benefits from each of the many Ordorite modules and centralises them in a single hub, allowing users to view all areas of the business at once. It uses a combination of latest generation technology and advanced algorithms to take the strain. Ultimately, the company’s aim is to enable clients to receive the benefits of Ordorite immediately and get a return on investment quicker.

‘We extend our heartfelt thanks to the readers of Interiors Monthly and our loyal clients for their continued support and votes for this award. Your trust and feedback are invaluable to us. This award reflects the genuine satisfaction and trust of our valued clients and industry peers. Winning this award for the third consecutive year is proof of our commitment to excellence, innovation and continuous development.

‘We aim to continue our growth and product development but also our team: we will be hiring for the UK and Ireland in customer success and R&D roles in the coming months. If you are one of our clients who voted for us, we thank you. If you aren’t a client yet but are “Ordorite curious”, then we’d love to have a chat about how Ordorite can help you, or give you a brief overview of the system.’

Visit: www.ordorite.com

LATEST SOFTWARE FEATURES

Carman powered E-commerce website AND B2B Portal

The Carman powered e-commerce website and B2B Portal offers an off-the-shelf framework, customised to your business, giving an affordable hassle-free solution for B2B and trade sales online.

Unlike regular E-commerce websites, with various components to consider like invoicing, integration into software packages, and the regular updates of product or service catalogs, these are all handled by our API and driven from Carman.

Live stock and inventory is shown, giving their customers a real-time view of what can be purchased and collected or dispatched the same day. You are not just limited to flooring, any item can be sold through the system in this way.

The Carman powered e-commerce website and B2B Portal is functional on all displays. Optimized for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, and laptops screens of all sizes.

CARMAN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

Carman Business Intelligence powered by Microsoft Power BI is an industry first, and we are very proud to have embarked on the joint project with the University of South Wales and its data scientists.

Combine your existing Carman data with the Carman Business Intelligence package to stay ahead of the competition and drive digital transformation, enabling the analysis of your Enterprise data for in-depth data visualisation and reporting.

Additional features include access to sales and cost analysis data such as heat maps displaying average sales value, products, trends, and the total value of sales within a chosen postcode area. Carman Business Intelligence reports can be refreshed daily, or even hourly.

With Carman Business Intelligence, our customers can gain a comprehensive view of their organisation’s data and translate it into insights about their processes, this foresight can enable improved and strategic business decisions.

OUR CARMAN PRICING MATRIX

SOLUTIONS

Carman, Cloud-based flooring business management solutions. Fully customised packages available to tackle problems faced by flooring professionals

Carman customisation and personalisation

Cloud infrastructure setup PC/Laptop/Mobile/Tablet/Printer setup

Create, track, and manage unlimited quotes, customers and orders

Access to Carman communications pack with innovative, multi award winning marketing & contact features

Access to Carman Companion mobile application (IOS & Android)

Xero accounting software API link and SAGE & QuickBooks import functionality via Excel/CSV

Carman internal diary with IOS/Android Carman Companion integration

Access to Carman Site Manager for commercial and contract users

Access to Carman Stock Manager & Stock Movements

Real-time stock visibility, desktop & Android

Dedicated account management team

Creation and support for multiple companies and/or company locations under one account

Carman cutting table manager

Carman distribution manager

Dedicated supported and maintained cloud server

Advanced warehouse management via desktop and Android application

RETAIL

For retail users holding minimal stock.

ERP

For small to medium stockholders and multi-site operations.

ENTERPRISE

Large scale, multi-site stockholders with multiple storage and dispatch networks and retail stores.

ORBITAL VISION

Best CGI Software Supplier

‘We are over the moon and cannot thank our clients – and the readers of Interiors Monthly – enough for voting for us as Best CGI Software Supplier for the second year running. It’s truly so rewarding to be recognised by the furniture industry as one of, if not the leading CGI agency in the UK for furniture and interiors,’ says Alice Clarke, Orbital Vision sales and marketing director.

‘We’re the one-stop shop for the industry when it comes to imagery and marketing collateral, which is something we’re incredibly proud to shout about, as this is something most other agencies cannot provide. Even some of the biggest companies in terms of manpower can only provide their clients with model builds and product cut-outs. The diverse skill set of our Orbital team means that we’re able to provide our clients with everything they need to sell a product online: still imagery, animations, photorealistic lifestyle shoots, 3D product configurators, web design, sales collateral, the list goes on! As our team is UK based – something that seems to be a rarity these days – and in Long Eaton, the UK’s centre for furniture, we know our clients’ target audiences and styles down to the finer details.

‘As our bread and butter is creating the most photorealistic 3D fabrics, materials, products and shoot locations, we wanted to test how much we can impact the customer journey with the help of CGI. The use of technology is only increasing within the interiors world. The industry is gearing up for a new age of selling. We’ve

been working hard developing our 3D product configurator. This has increased our clients’ sales by an average of 30% and has had a great impact on their online presence.

‘Our platform allows users to endlessly customise a product. The size, body fabric, piping, buttoning, leg colour and scatter combinations can all be changed to fit your own personal style. Our 3D configurator uses 3D, 360deg models, so users can see every detail of a product, at any angle. Shoppers can also view products in their own home with our app-less AR feature, so they can test out whether a product fits the space without having to make a purchase. Customer expectations are better managed thanks to this, and our clients see a reduction in return rates of up to 80%.

‘As another year has passed, we love to sit back and reflect on everything we’ve achieved. From growing our team and client base, to investing in the newest technology and building our library of digital assets, we’re constantly pushing ourselves to see what we can achieve. We’re thrilled to see what the rest of 2024 brings, what projects we’ll work on and who we’ll begin, or continue, to develop excellent professional relationships with.’ Visit: www.orbital.vision

ASSOCIATED WEAVERS

Best Retail Display/POS (Flooring)

Priding itself on attractive branding and striking visuals, Associated Weavers’ Invictus brand, always the centrepiece of promotion, has once again been recognised for its POS and retail displays. Associated Weavers stands out from the crowd as to UK-presence, branding and in-store solutions. The Invictus luxury vinyl flooring concept and display are no exception to that rule. The attractive branding and visuals will be the highlight of any store, immediately attracting the customer’s attention thanks to the eye-catching elegance of the black and bronze displays.

The Invictus interactive Premium stand has re-invented the in-store display and brings a tool with an intuitive digital module that is sure to offer a great customer experience, guiding customers through an efficient and fun purchase process. The symbiosis between traditional samples and digital journey is previously unseen in the flooring business.

This display, along with a modern, innovative island stand and toastrack display, completes Invictus’ powerful in-store presence.

With a new tower stand concept shortly being introduced to retailers, Invictus continues to deliver innovative display solutions that perfectly showcase the brand in all retail environments. Visit: www.associated-weavers.co.uk

Recently Awarded BEST FLOORING RETAIL DISPLAY

Contact your area manager for more details

INVINCIBLE DISPLAYS WITH INVICTUS

Associated Weavers stands out from the crowd as to UK-presence, branding & in-store solutions. The Invictus® luxury vinyl flooring concept & display are no exception to that rule, the attractive branding and visuals will be the highlight of any shop

The Invictus® interactive Premium stand has reinvented the in-store display and brings a tool with an intuitive digital module that is sure to offer a great customer experience and guide customers through an efficient and fun-to-do purchase process. The symbiosis between traditional samples and digital journey is unseen in the flooring business. This display along with a modern, innovative Island stand & toastrack display completes the impactful instore presence of Invictus®.

THE FLOORING SHOW

Best Flooring Exhibition (UK)

Earlier this year The Flooring Show announced its expansion into Hall Q: a decision that sees the show footprint grow by 30%. Such growth is testament to the resilience of the flooring industry and cements the show as the UK’s largest and market-leading flooring trade event.

Open to everyone in the flooring industry including retailers, contractors, fitters, architects, interior designers, specifiers and project managers, this is an unmissable event for anyone within the flooring industry. This year’s dates are 15-17 September, at its much-loved home – Harrogate Convention Centre. With more than 300 brands exhibiting, The Flooring Show 2024 is the ultimate destination for flooring professionals.

The Flooring Show’s exhibitors span the breadth of the flooring industry, from carpet to adhesives, underlay to software, and LVT to machinery. The names that visitors know and love will be returning to support the three-day show, bringing with them new ranges across all types of flooring for the retail and contract markets. Suppliers include Abingdon Flooring, Adam Carpets,

Associated Weavers, Ball & Young, Bostik, Cavalier Carpets, COREtec, Cormar Carpet Company, Kellars, Furlong Flooring, F Ball and Co, Hugh Mackay, Interfloor, Lifestyle, Likewise, Penthouse Carpets, Tarkett, Westex, and Victoria Carpets & Design Floors.

There are also plenty of new names this year including Floormart, Bjelin, T-Build Floors, Evolve Flooring, Fablon Fine Carpets & Rugs, Juvern, Floor Master, Peri UK, Tuftco, Rinos and Alsa Flooring.

The Demo Zone, Fitter of the Year competiton, Wool Trends Centre and LVT pavilion will all be making a return. New addition The Design Spotlight will be debuting in Hall Q in response to the demand from architects, interior designers, property developers and specifiers in search of the most unique, design-oriented residential and contract flooring solutions on the market.

Registration for The Flooring Show is now open, meaning you can secure your complimentary passes by heading online, providing fast-track access to the show, letting you skip the queue on arrival.

Visit: www.theflooringshow.com

FLANDERS FLOORING DAYS

Best Overseas Exhibition (Flooring)

‘Receiving the Award for Best Oversees Exhibition (Flooring) from Interiors

Monthly readers is the icing on the cake, after a successful third edition of Flanders Flooring Days’, says Peter Vanbrackel, exhibition organiser XPO Group manager. ’Our organisation would like to thank the readers of this leading magazine for nominating our unique and innovative concept, combining showroom visits with an international Hub in Kortrijk.’

Flanders Flooring Days is one of a kind. Its first edition was organised during the pandemic by several industry leaders. Flanders is globally renowned for its flooring industry, and manufacturers are located mere kilometres from each other, making it easy to visit several in a day. That is what the exhibition’s founders set out to do: in 2022 they joined forces to organise a flooring exhibition in their own facilities. Visitors could see and feel the products for themselves.

Fast-forward to the third edition: the event has grown significantly and attracted a host of international visitors as well. In 2024, European manufacturers were also welcomed and were invited to exhibit in The Hub in Kortrijk. ‘New to this edition was a free shuttle service between showrooms and The Hub, and

the possibility to schedule appointments at the showrooms. This way visitors could see several manufacturers in East and West Flanders and in The Hub in a short span of time’, says Isabelle Fruy, Kortrijk Expo content manager.

In the flooring industry, you need to see, feel and hear a product to appreciate it. In a world that is increasingly digital, meeting face to face is what makes the difference in business. Flanders Flooring Days is the perfect event to get to know the faces behind the flooring. Hosted in hospitable Flanders, the organisers stress the Burgundian character of the event. A cultural excursion or dinner with business partners, old and new? Opportunities abound. To top it off, there is Flanders Flooring Night, a gala event to network and celebrate a successful edition.

The success of this third edition is evident from its numbers, which have grown from 14 to 52 exhibitors, Flemish and international. It welcomed 3,474 visitors from 78 countries. Flanders Flooring Days has grown into a successful platform for the high-quality European soft and hard flooring industry and will continue in 2025, from 2-5 June, with additional exhibitors in The Hub. Visit: www.flandersflooringdays.com

Below: The 2024 show took place in showrooms and at The Hub

FURLONG FLOORING

Best Website

Furlong Flooring has added another feather to its cap by winning the prestigious Best Website award from Interiors Monthly. This accolade, determined by the publication’s dedicated readership, is a testament to Furlong Flooring’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the digital space.

The revamped website offers a seamless and enhanced user experience, and has been meticulously designed to cater to the diverse needs of Furlong Flooring’s clientele, including homeowners, contractors and interior designers. With an intuitive interface and robust functionality, it exemplifies the company’s forward-thinking approach.

Navigating the new Furlong Flooring website is a breeze, thanks to its clean, modern design and intuitive layout. The site features a comprehensive navigation menu that allows users to quickly find the information they need, whether they are looking for specific flooring products, company news or customer support.

One of the standout features of the new design is its enhanced product search functionality. Users can easily filter products by type, colour, material and other specifications, making it simpler than ever to find the perfect flooring solution. Each product page is rich with detailed descriptions, high-quality images and technical specifications, ensuring customers have all they need to make informed decisions.

Understanding that knowledge is power, Furlong Flooring has integrated a wealth of resources into the website. These include an extensive library of guides and articles on flooring trends, installation tips and maintenance advice. Additionally, the website offers downloadable brochures and technical data sheets, catering to both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

The website is optimised for all devices, providing a seamless browsing experience whether accessed via desktop, tablet or mobile. The fastloading pages and secure, user-friendly interface reflect Furlong Flooring’s dedication to superior customer service in the digital age.

This customer-centric approach is evident in the website’s design and functionality. The Request a Sample feature allows customers to order samples of their favourite products directly online, facilitating the decisionmaking process. The improved Find a Retailer tool helps users locate nearby Furlong Flooring stockists with ease.

Furlong Flooring’s award-winning website is more than a digital storefront: it is a comprehensive resource designed to provide an unparalleled customer experience. This recognition by Interiors Monthly readers highlights the company’s dedication to leading the way in the flooring industry, online and offline. Visit: www.furlongflooring.com

V12 RETAIL FINANCE

Best Retail Finance Provider

‘At V12 Retail Finance, we are thrilled to be awarded Best Retail Finance Provider from Interiors Monthly readers for the sixth consecutive year. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and customer satisfaction in the retail finance sector. Winning this award for six years in a row is no small feat. It reflects our dedication to providing top-notch financial solutions that meet our customers’ evolving needs. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure we offer systems and service that the retailers who work with us and their customers can trust,’ says Andrew Phillips, V12 Retail Finance md.

‘Our success is driven by our continuous pursuit of innovation as well as never losing sight of what makes us stand out. Over the past six years, we have continued to partner with and support retailers in the furniture sector and beyond. We really care about our partners and their customers, and we’ll never stop going over and above for

them, delivering unparalleled value not only through our retail finance solution but through our exceptional service.

‘At the heart of our achievements is our customer-centric approach. We believe that understanding and addressing the unique needs of our customers is key to our success. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to maintaining the high standards that have earned us this recognition. We will continue to innovate, adapt and grow to meet the changing needs of the retail finance market. Our goal is to keep delivering exceptional value and service to our customers, and we are excited about the future.

‘We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our loyal retailers, and to all those Interiors Monthly readers who voted for us, for their continued trust and support. This award reflects our collective efforts, and we are proud to share this success with all of you.’

Visit: www.v12retailfinance.com

SATRA Best Product Testing Provider

SATRA‘s furniture and floorcoverings testing facility is an international centre of excellence for assessing the safety, quality and durability of retailers’ and manufacturers’ products.

With more than a quarter of a century of experience testing products for the furnishings industry, and impressive ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, SATRA has become established as one of the market leaders in the testing of domestic and contract furniture, beds and mattresses, and flooring.

‘We are delighted to accept the award for Best Product Testing Provider. Knowing it has been voted for by our customers makes this achievement even more significant and we would like to thank everyone who voted for us,’ says Martin Heels, SATRA divisional manager of furnishings and chemistry.

‘Our focus on customer care and communication, coupled with the dedication, expertise and enthusiasm within our testing teams, has undoubtedly been instrumental in achieving this award.’

SATRA is an Approved Body for the

certification of flooring under the Construction Products Regulation and assists with the UKCA marking process. Under current government guidance, the UK will end recognition of the CE mark in Great Britain at the end of June 2025 for construction products. SATRA continues to help flooring manufacturers to prepare for this deadline.

Assessing products for the UK domestic market, where all domestic upholstered furniture must meet the Furniture and Furnishings (fire)(safety) Regulations, is a key part of SATRA’s testing service. This is in addition to testing upholstered furniture for use in contract situations against specifications such as BS 7176.

The durability and safety testing of products including seating, tables, wardrobes, cabinets and beds has seen a surge in enquires during 2024. The dedicated furniture test hall can assess a wide collection of products to an impressive range of standards. This includes domestic, contract, outdoor and furniture for the educational sector.

In addition to the physical and flammability testing capabilities, SATRA also boasts an extensive chemical testing laboratory to assist with customers’ restricted substances testing, to demonstrate compliance with legislation such as REACH and POPs.

‘SATRA has established many strong working relationships with retailers, manufacturers and trade associations and offers a depth of knowledge regarding testing standards and legislation. We welcome our customers to visit our ISO 17025 accredited laboratories to discuss testing requirements and witness testing. It is wonderful this is appreciated and has been recognised by our customers through this award,’ says Heels. Visit: www.satra.com

VICTORIA CARPETS & DESIGN FLOORS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Innovation of the Year (Flooring) – Easi Sisal

Best Customer Service (Flooring)

‘We are delighted to have won the 2024 Best Customer Service (Flooring) award voted for by Interiors Monthly readers and would like to say thank you to everyone who voted for us. This recognition is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team at Victoria and we are incredibly proud to be acknowledged for our excellent service. We take great pride in our ongoing commitment to providing outstanding customer service and meeting our customers’ highest expectations,’ says James Caldwell, Victoria Carpets & Design Floors sales director.

‘We are also honoured to receive the Editor’s Choice Innovation of the Year (Flooring) for our stunning new Easi Sisal range. Winning one award is exciting, but we are truly delighted to have won two.

‘Our stunning new Easi Sisal is our first range that can be used both indoors and outdoors, allowing for a seamless extension of your interior design. It is a collection of 12 woven carpet designs across four colourways. Available in a

4m width and complete with a 20-year wear warranty this is the perfect range for busy homes wanting the look and feel of a natural sisal carpet but something a little easier to look after, as it is made from 100% EasiCare polypropylene.

‘Crafted using waterproof yarn, and enriched with UV protection, these carpets are weather-resistant and can even be jet-washed, making this the perfect addition to any outdoor living space. Whether you choose to carpet within your home or create a centrepiece rug on your patio, Easi Sisal will certainly add a touch of class to any home.

‘We are excited to showcase this stunning new range at The Flooring Show in Harrogate. Visit the Victoria stand to see our recently updated LVT collection, now simplified to focus on dry-back products, with the spotlight on Embossed in Register products and featuring a range of new, on-trend colours for a strong and quality offering. We look forward to seeing you there.’ Visit: www.myvictoria.co.uk

Top right: Victoria Carpets & Design Floors’ customer service team. The company is celebrating two awards Below and below right: Easi Sisal

LIKEWISE GROUP

EDITOR’S CHOICE Outstanding Performance (Flooring)

‘The Likewise Group is proud to receive the Outstanding Performance (Flooring) Award for a second consecutive year from Interiors Monthly and would like to say a huge thank you.

‘Likewise has been establishing its distribution network with the opening of a new facility in July this year for A&A in Manchester, which enlarges the capacity for the North of England. This is consistent with the group’s aspirations to create a business with sales of well in excess of £200m,’ says Likewise.

‘The ongoing investment in sales and marketing is well placed to continue to increase market share. With 139 delivery vehicles providing a next-day

service nationwide, and a team of more than 100 experienced sales people focused on servicing customers on a daily basis, the business has developed rapidly during the last two years and the foundations are now in place to build a substantial business in the UK flooring industry, maximising relationships with its manufacturing partners along with flooring retailers and contractors.’

Many new flooring ranges and displays from Likewise Floors, H&V, Floors by Lewis Abbott, A&A, Delta Carpets and Likewise Rugs & Matting will be showcased on Stand M28 at The Flooring Show in September.

Visit: www.likewiseplc.com

Top right: Likewise displays

Below: Floors by Lewis Abbott’s Huckleberry

Below right: Floors by Lewis Abbott’s Sensibility

Another giant leap for underlay

We are very proud to have been voted Best Flooring Brand and Best Underlay Manufacturer of the year by the readers of Interiors Monthly.

Our bold mission to put the Tredaire name at the forefront of customers’ minds continues. contact us about groundbreaking retailer support.

Feels like nothing on earth.

Don’t miss out Contact your Territory Manager for more information and your mission pack.

ABINGDON FLOORING

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Product of the Year (Flooring)

Bringing the natural look of wool with all the practicality and easy living of Stainfree, Abingdon Flooring’s Country Collection is the Editor’s Choice Product of the Year (Flooring).

For some, the look of wool carpet is just too hard to resist as the perfect addition to a period townhouse or historic country cottage, and with the ability to create a sense of elegance in modern homes too, wool carpet’s appeal is unyielding. However, a price premium and worries about care in a busy family home mean that many will look to alternatives.

With the launch of the Country Collection, Abingdon Flooring has answered these worries with an

affordable carpet that recreates the look of wool carpet with all the practicality of a Stainfree lifetime stain warranty. Using a specially developed Stainfree yarn that combines a matt lustre with a Berber fleck, Abingdon Flooring’s designers have created three textured loop styles to enhance that classic wool carpet style.

Linear, Herringbone and Weave designs capture the charm and rustic texture of chunky wool loop carpets, adding sophisticated detail with subtle textured patterns. Each carpet comes in a range of beige tones and restful neutral grey hues like Elephant.

‘The Country Collection is a first for Abingdon Flooring and so we’re delighted to have been given this award. The yarn’s impressive matt effect and clever Berber fleck show just what’s possible with the latest generation of bleach-cleanable fibres. We think these chunky loop piles look every bit as good as their wool counterparts, but they are bleach cleanable and more affordable. What’s more, the Berber fleck is also great at covering up dust and dirt between vacuuming,’ says Charlotte Coop, Abingdon Flooring head of marketing.

As with many other carpets from Abingdon Flooring, the Country Collection is proudly made in Britain. Coming in widths of 2.5m, 4m and 5m, the collection delivers value in every size of room. The range is now available for stores on a dedicated POS lectern. www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Top right: Herringbone Paloma Below: Weave Biscotti Below right: Linear Berber

COUNTRY COLLECTION

Cut from a different cloth

We’re passionate about making luxury mattresses and beds in the most responsible way. And for us, that means caring where everything comes from. It’s why we grow natural comfort fillings on our Yorkshire farm, weave fabrics in-house and make our own award-winning springs.

Our unique approach to luxury bed making makes us different. It’s why each and every one we lovingly handcraft is proudly cut from a different cloth.

HARRISONSPINKS . CO .UK

Battle to be the best

Overcoming the semi-final challenge

Take five of the country’s leading flooring fitters and one Fitter of the Year award. The result: two days of effort, skill, concentration and some mystery

What began with a questionnaire on 1 February will reach its climax on the second day of The Flooring Show: Fitter of the Year. After the answers were sifted, 10 semi-finalists were revealed, from which over two days at FITA Training Centre in Loughborough, in June, five

finalists emerged. They will discover their next challenge on the first morning of The Flooring Show, and have until 2pm on the second day to complete the task. The winner will be announced at 4.30pm. Hayden Barr, Chris Farbrother, Ryan Hughes, Stephen Johnson and Danny

DARREN ASH

‘I live in Malvern, Worcestershire where I run my own flooring business. I currently have master fitter status for naturals, carpet, LVT, laminate and domestic vinyl. I enjoy carpet most and this makes up most of my work now.

‘I started in the industry straight from school and have been privileged to work alongside some great fitters, many of whom have become lifelong friends. I heard of Fitter of the Year as a young apprentice and have always been drawn to the challenge of showing the skillset I’ve learned along the way.

‘Away from flooring, as a family we do many activities together, usually involving horses or dogs. I’d like to thank the organisers for their hard work and wish everyone good luck.’

Thornley were the other semi-finalists, while Ian James, Richard Renouf and Brian King return as judges. This year, the competition – whose sponsors include Interiors Monthly – centres on carpet, with LVT returning in 2025.

Visit: www.nicfltd.org.uk

RICHARD LONG

‘I am absolutely delighted to have reached the final of the carpet edition of FotY for the third time. I love this competition and everything it does for the trade, bringing fitters together from all over the UK.

‘I’m hoping that the experience I gained in 2019 and 2022 will make everything more familiar this time around. I’m used to the dayto-day work, which is totally different to competition work. It’s very rewarding from a personal point of view.

‘In my spare time I like climbing in the Scottish Highlands, and if I’m not on the hills you’ll find me on a golf course. Good luck to all the other finalists. May the best hands win!’

STEVE WHITBURN

‘Ever since I started as an apprentice at Allied Carpets in Birmingham, the Fitter of the Year competition has caught my imagination. I now live and run my flooring business in Torquay, Devon. The move there six years ago started the journey in my career that has led to this point. I realised that relocating would mean promoting myself and my work, so I joined the NICF. After some initial training I gained master fitter status for carpet and caught the bug, and have been pushing myself and my standard constantly higher.

‘I feel really honoured to be part of this year’s final as I’m competing with an exceptionally talented group of fitters. I wish everyone the best of luck in this year’s final task.’

JONI REEVES

‘I am delighted to be included within the final this year. As a regular visitor to The Flooring Show, watching the FotY finals, it will be great to be on the other side of the fence. I am particularly looking forward to the Judges’ Challenge, as completing a task using only the material at hand is the sort of thing I love to do. Good luck to my fellow finalists – let’s see if we can make this year’s competition the best yet.’

GARETH WILLIAMS

‘I’ve been in the flooring trade for more than 20 years, starting my career in a carpet and furniture store. After working for myself for the majority of my career, I am now the domestic manager at Corfloors in Launceston, Cornwall. The most enjoyable part of my job is the satisfaction of seeing the end result and making customers happy: it’s unmatched.

‘I’ve been a member of NICF since 2007, and this year I entered the FotY competition for the first time to challenge myself and compete with the best in the industry. It’s an honour that the quality of my work has been recognised and I’m thrilled to have made it to the final. I look forward to the opportunity to further showcase my skills in the competition.

‘Thank you to the NICF, and good luck to the other finalists.’

Unmissable inspiration

The UK’s largest seasonal retail showcase for home, gift and fashion will have plenty on offer

Autumn Fair, the UK’s largest seasonal retail showcase for home, gift and fashion, returns on 1-4 September, offering retailers the opportunity to shop from over 800 of the leading and most imaginative brands in the marketplace.

As the largest event for retail’s peak season, welcoming over 12,000 purchase-ready buyers, Autumn Fair is an unmissable showcase for buyers. With a wealth of new and captivating products from the most coveted brands in retail – over 30% of which show exclusively at Autumn Fair – buyers will not only discover the latest home decor designs but also 10 definitive product sectors. including the latest in gifts, greetings, stationery, candles, beauty and well-being, and accessories.

The show offers an unparalleled journey through style, innovation and design, allowing visitors to experience the future of homeware, occasional furniture, decorative accessories and gifts in Home, Living & Décor and The Summerhouse, where emerging trends

and timeless elegance come together.

With its eye on emerging trends, the sector offers a coveted, curated showcase of diverse styles, from Scandinavian and rustic chic to artisanal and quirky.

Visitors to The Summerhouse will also find new collections from One World, Tommy Franks, Deluxe HomeArt,

Blooms by Samuel Baker, plus heritage favourites from Hot Tomato, Bronte by Moon, Inis Energy of the Sea, and Edge Company. Chalk UK makes its debut in The Summerhouse, adding to the excitement and diversity of offerings.

New to the show, The Otters Brook Collection will debut its collection

THE SUMMERHOUSE

‘With its keen eye on emerging trends, The Summerhouse offers a coveted showcase of a diverse range of styles, from Scandinavian and rustic chic to artisanal and quirky. Be inspired and immerse yourself in the beauty and style of this sector and discover a curated selection of much-loved and new lifestyle brands,’ says Gareth Watkins, Autumn Fair key account director.

Dutch Decor, a leading European source for stylish home textiles, returns with a new range of cushions and throws designed and sourced from India and the Far East. Known for luxurious fabrics and sustainable practices, Dutch Decor showcases a palette of beige tones and popular teddy materials this season. The brand is committed to sustainability, holding certifications including Oeko-Tex Standard 100, the Better Cotton Initiative and the Global Recycled Standard.

Hoii, Dutch Decor’s sister brand, takes quality and design to new heights with luxurious cushions and throws inspired by global cultures, architecture and art, featuring vibrant patterns and handmade finishes.

Casa Verde, known for its long heritage and collaboration with UK institutions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the National Trust, is excited to launch its new AW24 collection at Autumn Fair. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, Casa Verde has thrived, delivering beautifully designed products from its base in Mallorca to the UK market.

Visitors can discover the Basque Glass collection, inspired by the rural life of Spain. This collection features thick glass pieces with tiny bubbles, combining simplicity with elegance. The new Antique Silver colourway of the Pear Decorations and the Silver Sardine Decorations are highlights of this season’s Christmas collection.

My Gifts Trade will return exclusively to Autumn Fair in 2024. Alongside its bestselling products from prestigious brands such as Costa Nova, Que Rico, and Cosy Homes, My Gifts Trade will launch new must-have brands this September. With this season’s collection, immerse yourself in a curated range that brings together the opulence of luxe deco, the vibrant allure of Marrakesh, the golden hues of autumnal glow, the indulgent pleasures of gourmet, the elegance of glassware, and the embrace of a cosy home.

Now distributing Tokyo Design Studio, My Gifts Trade brings the leading European brand of Asian tableware and giftware to the UK. Inspired by Japanese culture and craftsmanship, Tokyo Design Studio offers handcrafted tableware primarily manufactured in Japan. These unique products, complemented by tea sets and chopsticks, are perfect for both tableware and gifting, appealing to the growing interest in Asian cuisine at home, and the brand is already a favourite in renowned European stores such as Galeries Lafayette, La Rinascente and Bijenkorf.

of interior design products created to bring a touch of luxury into any space. Handcrafted ceramics, decorative tabletop pieces, distinctive wall art, feature-size mirrors, realistic faux flowers and statement occasional furniture pieces create a unique collection – a hybrid of classic British living with Nordic influences and a sprinkling of Chinoiserie.

New this season, Autumn Fair is exclusively collaborating with Faire, the world’s leading online trade show, to bridge the gap between online and offline buying. You’ll get access to unique products, simplify your buying process and get discounts on Faire and Autumn Fair exclusive products at the show.

Faire will help hundreds of exhibiting brands take orders on its platform from retailers attending the show, and help retailers experience the power of Faire for online wholesale buying. The collaboration aims to make buying inventory and connecting with brands more efficient, flexible and pleasant than ever. Faire will also be offering an exclusive discount to Autumn Fair’s retailers, with 50% off and free shipping on their first order.

Visit: www.autumnfair.com

Central stop

MFS returned with its relaxed manner which showed no signs of having ever been away

Whitemeadow

The Manchester Furniture Show returned to Manchester Central from 10-11 July after a hiatus of five years, and with its renowned friendly and relaxed atmosphere showed no signs of having ever been away.

The show offered Rise n Design the opportunity to showcase its hand-made and unique resin products, which take two hours to make and three weeks to cure. As the business seeks to develop a homeware range and expand into creating bigger artworks, it viewed MFS as a way of increasing trade partnerships.

Lebus returned to the show for the first time since 2017. The show provided a mid-year incentive for the company to premier more products than those first seen at the January Furniture Show. For Oscar, the emphasis is on size, scale and comfort whilst maintaining better value for money. Jazz is a tweak on an existing product which saw new sizes and scales finished with an Oxford edge, whilst the Eastly range is a sofa bed described as ‘rent proof’. Lomaz is Lebus’ smaller and more compact offering and Layton sported a superjumbo cord finish.

Cófra made its event bow at MFS and director Christina Byrne outlined the company’s ethos in sourcing oak furniture from Ukraine with a 45-day lead time and two weeks for delivery, despite the difficulties of the ongoing conflict. The company uses two factories in Lviv, which have had a considerable

amount of investment in recent years and boast a workforce with a large female contingent.

New Trend Concepts sought to feature three of its key ranges, starting

with the Marbella two-seat recliner and sofa bed which, when down, has space for additional cushions at the head of the bed. Aimee is a more compact twoseat sofa bed but, like Marbella,

Rise n Design

Cofra

NEWCASTLE

We are thrilled to introduce the Newcastle collection, where industrial chic meets versatile functionality, creating standout pieces for any space.

FTG your one stop shop, with more than 1500 high quality, best-selling furniture pieces. All in stock for Next Day Delivery. Discover more on www.furniture-to-go.co.uk.

the folding mechanism keeps the seat cushions in situ, meaning there is no need for them to be stored elsewhere when the bed is in use. Sospiro is a three-seater, two-seater or chair recliner. Another company exhibiting at MFS for the first time was Sofa Connections. Belfry is a new variation on an existing range, and Blakedown is the newest offering in the range. With many fabric suppliers on its books, the company seeks to provide bespoke offerings for customers including colours and dimensions.

Whitemeadow highlighted The Whitemeadow Edit, a curated collection of favourite designs but in fresh colours and new fabrics. For example, the Elton range was displayed as an L-shape design with light-touch colour scheme, super-neat edges and a modular aspect that emphasised the multiple possibilities the range offers. Nomad, shown in a fresh blue fabric, combines super-soft cushions and a reclining aspect for ultimate luxury.

Alpha Designs highlighted its Go Configure range, including Benni and Otis, where potential customers can scan a QR code on a sofa and be taken to a website that shows, with touchscreen options, exactly what shape, colour and fabric is available – all whilst sitting on the sofa in the showroom.

Buoyant Upholstery showcased lower set sofas that provide the same level of comfort and style as its regular designs but give a room the appearance of being bigger.

Visit: www.thefurnitureshows.com

Alpha Designs

New Trend Concepts

Buoyant

Wanted Estimator / Sales Person

Must

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Otley Unit C3, Otley Mills, Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 3EE 01943 462742

Hat-trick

Three new ranges proved a hit for La-Z-Boy UK

Visitors to the Manchester Furniture Show were the first to see three ranges launched by La-Z-Boy UK.

The iconic motion furniture brand unveiled Bella, Douglas and Broadley at its stand at the event in July. Both Bella and Douglas come with the option of adding heated seats, a power headrest and lumbar support on its power recline models. Available in a wide range of both fabrics and leathers, these two new collections include two and threeseater sofas, as well as an armchair and matching footstool.

Broadley is the latest addition to La-Z-Boy UK’s Made in Britain range and is manufactured at the brand’s factory in Lancashire. The fabric-upholstered collection offers customers the choice of adding a piping effect to suit their taste, and the power recline model comes with USB and USB-C charging ports.

‘The event was a great success and we gathered positive feedback on both the new collections and the latest covers being displayed at the show, which included a new leather and a two-tone fabric. It was a pleasure to be back at Manchester Furniture Show. The team is now looking forward to 2025’s January Furniture Show and being back at Manchester Furniture Show next year,’ says Andrew Nuttall, La-Z-Boy UK head of sales independents.

Melinda Whittington, La-Z-Boy president and ceo was a special guest at the event, delivering a keynote speech at a brunch held by the Women in Furniture Network. A passionate advocate of women’s advancement

within the industry and of diversity in the workplace, Whittington shared her inspirational journey and insights from her career to a packed audience.

She was also able to talk about the steps that have been put in place within La-Z-Boy to help women thrive within the company. These include the Women’s Employee Resource Group, which was set up to support and represent women’s needs in the workplace.

Whittington joined La-Z-Boy in 2018 as senior vice president and cfo and became ceo in 2021. She started her career working in finance within the consumer products industry, holding senior roles at Kraft Foods Group and Allscripts Healthcare Solutions.

The show was a further opportunity for retailers and other visitors to find out more about the brand’s Long Live the Lazy marketing campaign, which has included a TV advert celebrating the need to take time out and relax. Visit: www.la-z-boy.co.uk