Interiors Monthly February 2023

comfortable

himolla is one of the UK’s leading upholstered furniture manufacturers and their recliners are packed with market-leading innovation such as independent headrests, backrests and footrests so your perfect seating position is only a button press away. A 5 year guarantee gives you confidence in the quality and durability of their recliners and they only select the finest leathers, fabrics and woods so we guarantee you will not sit in anything as comfortable as a himolla chair. Bestsellers and also novelties are available as manual or electric armchairs and the Winter Sale has begun!

2022 ended with a record month for furniture and flooring enjoying a huge annual rise

I have to confess I was a bit shocked when I added up the ONS sales figures for furniture and lighting, and flooring. I had expected flooring to show a decent increase but thought that given the cost of living crisis, political chaos and grumbles from retailers and suppliers about footfall in 2022, especially the second half, furniture might be more concerning.

Not a bit of it.

Furniture and lighting ended the year up 15% on 2021 and with a record month. Yes, inflation accounts for a very large proportion of that increase, but it shows that despite the price increases there were enough consumers prepared to pay those higher prices. Inflation has been dropping since August but still remains in double digits.

As for December – well, the old record wasn’t just beaten, it was blown away. In the 444 months since January 1986, when ONS began recording comparable data, monthly sales had never before broken through the £1.6bn barrier: December was £1.81bn. That was 43% higher than December 2021. While there were differences in product availability and closing of order books for pre-Christmas delivery, that’s a heck of a difference.

And if Bensons’ comments regarding the winter sale (following the pattern of Q4’s 7% increase) are reflected across the industry, it seems 2023 hasn’t got off to a bad start at all.

Flooring sales figures have been pretty astounding postpandemic, but to finish 40% ahead of 2021 is breathtaking. Here inflation has generally been running at a lower rate than furniture (apart from LVT) so sales have gone up about 25% to 30% in real terms.

It may be that the lockdowns fundamentally changed how people think about their flooring – it’s no longer the afterthought once sofa and curtains have been bought – and they are prepared to spend more than they used to.

And Vince, happy retirement.

INTERIORS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2023

18 Sustainability

Powering up

Customer

20

28 Rugs

32 B eds and bedroom Giving, options

36 Carpet

Another addition to the family

41 Preview

London Fabric Show, MIFF, IFEX

44 Review

January Furniture Show, Heimtextil

49

Editor: Andrew Kidd

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

Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden

M: 07976 122 150 E: tboden@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird

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

Carpet, flooring advertising: Joanne Paull

M: 07817 624 922 E: jpaull@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Representative in India: Amarjeet Singh Gianni

T: 0091 98390 35458 E: as_gianni@yahoo.co.in

Record spend on furniture and lighting as flooring sees annual 40% increase

Shoppers spent record amounts of furniture and lighting in December, as annual sales recorded an above-inflation increase.

Consumers in England, Wales and Scotland spent £1,812,263,000, according to Office for National Statistics’ first estimate of December’s sales.

This is 14.58% higher than the previous record month of March 2022.

Sales were 18% higher than November 2022, and 34.2% up on December 2021. The record month saw sales 18.3% higher than December 2020 and 20.2% higher than December 2019.

In the 444 months since January 1986, when ONS began recording comparable data, monthly sales had never before broken through the £1.6bn barrier, let alone £1.8bn.

Total sales for the year reached £16,649,619,000: a

15.1% rise on 2021.

Consumer spending on flooring dropped below £200m for the first time in a year in December as the traditional slowdown kicked in, but annual sales soared.

Consumers spent £194,366,000: the first time sales had dropped below £200m since December 2021, but still 3.2% ahead of that month.

Sales were 24.3% lower than November 2022.

Sales were 188% higher than December 2020 and 41% higher than December 2019.

Of the 444 months since January 1986, when ONS began recording comparable data, December 2022 ranked as the 141st highest.

Sales for 2022 totalled £2,778,939,000, an increase of 40.6%. The figures are not seasonally adjusted, do not take inflation into account and are subject to revision.

Bensons sees Q4 growth amid online boost

Bensons for Beds grew sales in the fourth quarter of 2022, helped by higher in-store sales values and more online sales.

Like-for-like sales grew by 7%, a pattern the company says has continued into the winter sale.

Online sales grew by 41% and are now double that of pre-pandemic sales.

The performance of Eve Sleep –bought in October – was described as ‘encouraging’.

‘Our performance over the quarter provides a good indication that our investments across the business are beginning to bear fruit. We have made big steps towards our goal of becoming a market-leading omnichannel retailer, reflected in the rise in sales at an important time of the year. Although we expect the market to remain challenging, we remain well placed to navigate the year ahead,’ says Nick Collard, Bensons ceo.

End of the line for Argos in Eire

Argos is to close its Irish stores in the summer. Parent company Sainsbury’s says the investment needed to modernise the 34 stores, which employ 580 staff, was ‘not viable’ and the money could be better invested in the rest of the group.

The majority of the stores will remain open until 24 June. Customers in Ireland will no longer be able to pay for orders via the Argos website or place orders via its home delivery service after 22 March.

‘We understand this is difficult news for our customers and colleagues. As with any major change to our business, we have not made this decision lightly and we are doing everything we can to support those impacted. On behalf of everyone at Argos I’d like to thank our colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners for their support to our business,’ says Andy McClelland, Argos Ireland operations manager.

Down… and up: retail inflation rates remain unpredictable

The annual retail inflation rate for furniture fell again in December but it rose for flooring.

The rate fell from 13.2% in November to 12.1%. The rate has dropped each month since August.

In December 2021 the rate was 12.5%.

The rate for garden furniture dropped from 13.5% to 12.2%, the sixth consecutive drop.

Retail flooring inflation jumped to double figures in December, reversing recent falls.

The rate for carpets and flooring jumped from 9.3% to 10.5%: the highest figure in at least a year.

Smooth flooring was responsible for most of this increase, leaping from 14.6% to 19.7%: the highest rate since May’s 21%.

Carpet and rugs also saw a higher rate of price increases, with inflation jumping from 8.6% to 9.4%, again the highest rate for at least a year.

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Aura, Puddle Duck with Universal 55, Nimbus Cloud

Long joins Dreams while FV boosts board

Dreams has strengthened its management with two highranking appointments, while Furniture Village has promoted a host of senior executives to its board.

Emma Long joins Dreams as chief customer officer, responsible for the bed chain’s retail and customer service teams. She was previously customer change director at DFS.

‘I’ve always admired how Dreams consistently puts the customer at the forefront of everything it does. By listening to customers and putting their needs first, Dreams has created an unrivalled level of customer service. I look

Emma will play an important role in maintaining Dreams’ relentless focus on our customers, drawing on her wealth of experience from some of the country’s biggest retailers,’ says Jonathan Hirst, Dreams ceo.

‘Dreams also wouldn’t be the business it is without our colleagues, which is why we’ve introduced our first head of people role. Shelly’s experience in delivering successful people strategies for retail businesses will be invaluable.’

At Furniture Village the appointments come weeks after the Harrison family became sole shareholders. Peter Harrison, Furniture Village chief executive has moved to the full-time position of executive chairman. Charlie Harrison takes on the position of md.

Nick Hipkiss, who held several key operational roles within the business and was HR director, succeeds Harrison as commercial director. Eamon Wynne, previously finance director, has become cfo, while Mike Broughton remains as chief information officer.

After 20 years at the chain, Claudia Cooper has been appointed as multi-channel director. During the past few years, Cooper led the move into multi-channel marketing and communications.

forward to working with the customer service and retail teams to continue Dreams’ success,’ she says.

Shelly Dickinson has become Dreams’ first head of people and will be responsible for its people-first strategy. Most recently, she was the head of people at McColl’s.

‘I’m delighted to welcome both Emma and Shelly on board. Both will be great additions to our executive team.

David Ayers has become operations director, taking responsibility for both fulfilment and customer care, while Stephen Sing becomes director of customer experience.

‘Our senior team has consistently delivered year-on-year commercial growth whilst successfully delivering against our ambitious strategic plans. It is their combination of knowledge, experience and commitment that continues to ensure Furniture Village remains ready for its next phase of growth,’ says Peter Harrison.

Return of Domotex: ‘So super’

The organiser of the first Domotex exhibition in three years has hailed the positive response and ‘energetic spirit’ of the flooring show.

‘We are overwhelmed by the positive response as well as the energetic spirit

of this year’s Domotex. The atmosphere in the halls is so super – exhibitors and visitors alike are delighted to finally come together again at their industry trade show to meet face to face, exchange ideas, make new contacts and close deals,’ says Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Domotex global director.

‘What also pleases me is that the quality of visitors is outstanding. After all, the decision-maker share is 80%. Those who come to Domotex come with very specific intentions.’

About half of the buyers placed orders with exhibitors during the show and two-thirds of trade visitors said they would return in 2024.

imm cologne to revert to January

The imm cologne exhibition is to return to its traditional January timing in 2024. This year’s event was rescheduled to June. The 2024 show will also open on a Sunday, rather than the traditional Monday. The show will take place from 14-18 January, with the traditional public days not returning.

‘We welcome this early decision on future dates. The announcement will make planning easier for our manufacturers. There is strong support in the industry for an imm cologne in January: the event has been a firm fixture on the calendar for decades,’ says Elmar Duffner, Association of the German Furniture Industry president.

Emma Long becomes Dreams’ chief customer officer

Domotex saw ‘energetic spirit’

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Just £6,000 to be repaid after £30,000 stolen to fund gambling habit

A former Tapi deputy manager who stole more than £30,000 from the chain to fund his gambling habit has been told he must repay £6,000, and avoided being sent to prison.

Daniel Salmon, 26, worked at the Basingstoke branch when he stole £31,313 between 19 July and 3 August 2022 by refunding money from the store’s card machine six times to multiple bank cards owned by him, Winchester Crown Court was told.

The first refund was for £685 and the sixth was for £8,650.

‘The transactions were discovered by the company and as a result, the company’s South director Antony Brown came to the store on 5 August.

‘While Mr Brown was there, Salmon admitted what he had done. He said the refunds increased in size as he realised they were not being monitored. The first refund was for £685 and the sixth refund was for £8,650,’ prosecutor Holly Fagan told the court.

‘He told Mr Brown that he did the refunds from the card machine rather than the computer system, knowing that it wouldn’t notice that way. He had the

ability to reset the card machine to zero. So, at the end of the day, Salmon would do that and then transfer the money to his bank card and then again reset it to zero. That additional transaction was not picked up sometimes.’

Salmon was terminated from his job on 5 August and was interviewed by police in September, when he admitted that he used the money to fund his gambling. He told officers that once he realised how easy it was to steal, his intention was to continue until he was caught.

The court was told that Salmon was seeing a counsellor, but neither the counsellor nor his family and friends knew about his gambling at that time.

He admitted to police that he would pay back the money if he could, but he had lost all the money to gambling.

Salmon had earlier pleaded guilty to theft at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court.

Earlier in 2022 he was given a community resolution and was told to attend a victim awareness course for another offence, after he admitted to taking out three credit cards in his partner’s name without her knowledge.

Salmon, who represented himself,

told Judge Susan Evans he was sorry for his actions and had not gambled since 5 August, and that he was seeing a private counsellor twice a week and has resolved the problems with his partner.

The judge said there was a ‘realistic prospect of rehabilitation’ and sentenced Salmon to a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 a month to his former employer, starting last month.

ScS gets snug with Snug

Snug has become the latest interiors etailer bought out of administration by a bricks-and-mortar rival.

ScS has paid £875,000 for the sofa-ina-box company’s brand, domain names, website, IP and stock.

Founded in 2018 by Robert and Peter Bridgman, Snug had sales of about £20m in 2022, after seeing pandemic sales jump.

ScS says it sees ‘an opportunity to add Snug concessions to the group's stores, providing the brand with significantly improved national visibility and penetration’.

It added: ‘Snug’s strong brand and differentiated digital-first offering will complement ScS's existing proposition, further diversifying the customer base and increasing market share. Snug’s innovative approach to social engagement and digital marketing will be an asset to the wider ScS business while Snug will benefit from the group's expertise, supplier relationships and scale.’

Snug’s 53 employees will join ScS.

The deal follows Next’s purchase of Made, and Bensons buying Eve Sleep as the etailers struggled to adopt to stores reopening and cash-flow issues.

Third store unFurled Multi-functional spacesaving furniture retailer Furl has opened a third store in London. The Carthusian Street, Clerkenwell store follows in the footsteps of the Chelsea showroom on King’s Road and the flagship Swiss Cottage showroom.

The company specialises in sofa-beds, storage beds, wall beds, storage sofas and dining furniture.

RECRUITMENT

If you are looking to recruit staff for your furniture or flooring stores, looking for sales staff or reps for your manufacturing outlet, then INTERIORS MONTHLY offers a great package!

Our online package is just £175. Your advert will appear in our jobs section on the website until the position is filled or you ask us to remove. Our weekly newsletter, which is mailed every Thursday to 7000 industry professionals, also includes a list of these latest jobs.

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

Costs for larger recruitment adverts are available upon request.

Please contact Jarrod on E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

T: 01565 631 397

YOUR 2023 SUCCESS STRATEGY?

5 ESSENTIAL WAYS TO MAXIMISE YOUR SALES AND PROFIT

● ADVERTISING – Most advertising does not work very well. If yours isn’t, stop wasting your money now. Don’t blame the media, blame the message. Re-design your advertising in a benefits-orientated-style. Call Greenwood for effective copywriting know-how.

● PRODUCTS – Be ruthless with your precious floor space. If a product or collection isn’t performing after being given a fair trial, then clear it and replace it with a faster selling line. Test and measure the selling potential of all your products in a Greenwood Sale.

● SELLING SKILLS – Get good at selling. Most retailers don’t employ a proper retail sales process for big ticket goods. The most successful ones do. Invest time and money in quality sales know-how. Call Greenwood to arrange an effective sales training course for your team.

● COMPETITION – Check your competition to find out what they are offering. Avoid all-out price wars. Outperform your competition on the most relevant beneficial points including choice, quality, value and service. Call Greenwood to mystery shop your competitors.

● PROMOTION – Promote your business effectively. Every good retailer from Aldi to Harrod’s does. Consider using a Greenwood Sales Promotion to increase sales, turn stock into cash and win future market share, while protecting your profit at the same time. Call Greenwood!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GREENWOOD SALES...

1 Wittmann’s mirror Ouvert, designed by Note, is encased in a leather frame, lightly padded to add sculptural depth. Four seams in twin-needle stitching set at fixed positions emphasise the proportions while highlighting the outstanding level of craftsmanship. An instantly likeable home accessory, the mirror either leans casually against the wall or can be elegantly hung.

Visit: www.wittmann.at

2 Abingdon Flooring has revealed a new visual identity for its made-in-Britain Wilton Royal collection. The new-look POS brings Wilton Royal in line with its fresh and modern brand and brings unity across the Wilton Royal, Love Story and Stainfree collections. Showcased on displays for Royal Charter Deluxe and New Royal Windsor ranges, the identity also highlights the natural qualities of wool carpets.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

3 ADP recently completed an installation project for Kährs at its showroom in Bedfordshire’s Wrest Park – where Downton Abbey was filmed. Because of the historic nature of the house and grounds, and the need to work around film crews, the ADP team worked hard to install one Platinum display and four Modular displays of luxury vinyl tiles, negotiating a lengthy walk from the car park and four flights of stairs.

Visit: www.adp-distribution.co.uk

4 Looking to recommend an underlay with superb insulation to a homeowner worried about their energy bills? Maxi from Floorwise is an EHD+ 11mm recycled PU underlay that’s among the brand’s best thermal performers. With a 3.5tog value, it maximises the insulation ability of carpet and underlay, as well as providing great underfoot comfort and lasting support.

Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

5 Mogens Lassen was commissioned to create a coffee table by a merchant in 1941 but Jäger never went into production. Since finding the archival design Menu has spent two years ensuring its version is true to Lassen’s original drawings while meeting modern needs for durability.

Visit: www.menuspace.com

STAND 7A30 - B31 5-8 FEB

Join us at Stand 7A30 - B31 for a look at our stunning new SS23 Collections. The introduction of our new furniture such as the Eton, Madison, Highgrove and Skylar, along with our Casual Dining Collection have further enhanced our Furniture ranges, developing a fully rounded collection of products to suit all budgets and bring any interior to life.

With an offering of over 6,000 lines in our collection across seven categories, we’re proud to say we’re the complete home and outdoor supplier.

Scan

Take care Richard Renouf

Common sense can prevent many accidents involving furnishings

When I was 18, Red Harper appeared to me to be rather old. His rugged face was wrinkled and his white hair and moustache showed very little of the ginger pigmentation that had given rise to his nickname. What was most striking, however, were the missing fingertips. The mark of a true wood machinist, allegedly. It gave me a healthy fear of sawblades and cutters, and it was the reason why I decided to go on a first aid course, funded from my student grant, to ensure I would know what to do if I or anyone else had an accident in the workshop.

Health and safety is better now, even if at times it can seem overburdensome, and many fingers have been saved by improved technology and more considerate working practices. I’ve not needed to use my first aid skills on myself for anything more than a plaster, but I have always kept my certificate up to date, and have had plenty of opportunities to help others. I have even saved a few lives.

But furnishings can be dangerous, and in my role as an expert I’ve been asked to give evidence in a number of cases where clients have been injured, in some cases seriously. All due to issues that should not have arisen.

A young mother, holding her weeksold infant, went to sit on a chair in a retailer’s display. It was a classic steelframed cantilever chair with cane seat and back. But it was missing some of its rubber feet, so it slipped away at the vital moment. Mum instinctively protected her baby. She suffered serious back injuries as she crashed onto the base of her spine and was unable to work again. (A side note – I have not jokingly pulled a chair away from anyone since.)

A woman was preparing a meal at home when a wall cabinet fell and broke her shoulder. The cabinet had

only been held by screws screwed directly into a plasterboard wall, without any fixings – which still would not have been enough, but would have been better – and without any anchoring into studwork or masonry.

An elderly man fell as he went to sit down in the restaurant on a ferry. He suffered a stroke, but did the stroke come before the fall or as a result of it? The ferry company had 200 chairs in a storage room for me to look at because they did not want to risk another incident if the chair had been the cause.

A young woman reached for her mobile. It had fallen between the mattress and frame of her adjustable bed where she had been sitting up. The head end dropped as she twisted round to reach underneath. She could not get out and she could not make a phone call for help. Fortunately she

was able to get her toddler to dial 999 on her landline and was freed by the ambulance crew.

They’re great stories to tell, and I’ve seen people wince when they’ve heard them. But none of these incidents should have happened. Professionalism, common sense and a bit of care is all it would have taken.

Visit: www.richard-renouf.com

Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

One thing led to another…

Still searching

Our correspondent is still looking for the ‘new normal’ while trying to avoid The Difficult Customer

THE RETAILER Fludes Carpets

Over the past year I have written about a few ‘hot topics’: price rises, long lead times on delivery, shortage of fitters, manufacturers not collecting cardboard tubes, just to name a few. I looked back over these articles recently, and I think it’s true to say that the search for the ‘new normal’ continues.

Things are different in many aspects of our industry – for example, the continued growth of Victoria plc, the building of Floorwise into a significant supplier, the search for alternative colours to beige and grey, and the ‘must-have’ LVT and laminates in herringbone designs.

Some of things that have not changed are the shortage of fitters, the closure of small retailers (sometimes due to leases ending) and also the difficulty of the present squeeze in disposable income, not only for retailers but also for our customers. And the steady rise in the cost of flooring products.

The last few months of 2022 brought a surge of sales, particularly in November, which helped to make the year’s figures look a lot better than we expected. It was almost like the times of old, when pre-Christmas increases helped to define how successful a business had been in the previous year.

Throughout last year and continuing into this year, we have seen a lot more of ‘The Difficult Customer’. Here’s an example: this particular Difficult Customer came into our store and already knew what they wanted. They had seen this carpet online and it fitted the bill as far as they were concerned. They showed us an image from a screenshot… and the quality of the picture was so poor, it was hard to identify if the floorcovering was carpet at all.

We showed the customer a selection of carpets and identified one that looked

very similar to the one in the picture. They asked if we could do a quote and if the quote would be free, and the process began. We sent an email to the customer and gave them the price. They replied, asking us to explain why our cost was much higher than the one online. We explained that, as no one could be sure the carpet was the same one, a fair comparison was not going to be easy.

We asked The Difficult Customer to get a sample from the online company, which they did. When they returned to the store, a quick comparison showed that our in-store product was considerably better than the online one. The customer could not be convinced that this was so. They asked us for the copy of the quote

back and were cross when we refused to include the room sizes. That was that, we thought.

However, a week later they emailed and asked if we would fit the carpet they had bought for them. We respectfully advised them we could not.

This year, avoid The Difficult Customer at all times!

Over Christmas we had serious flooding in one of our stores. We lost all of the flooring and the wall units. Last year I wrote about how we choose what goes where in our stores and how to select a display to show the best of a selection. So, it’s back to the drawing board.

I will let you know how things go.

Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets md

The Difficult Customer was not happy

Powering up

Solar panels form a central part of Caldeira ‘s new headquarters

Cushion manufacturer Caldeira could be exporting 1MW of renewable electricity to the National Grid by the end of the year if it presses ahead with an expansion of its solar panel project.

The panels are part of a £3m investment in an 85,000sqft headquarters on a three-acre site on the Knowsley Industrial Park, Merseyside which replaced its former rented premises.

The roof has the capacity to house about 2,300 solar panels that would generate up to 1.2MW of electricity, which would allow Caldeira to export 1MW.

The first phase of the project, to generate 500KW of energy, saw the first 292KW of capacity switched on in December and the next approximately 224KW is expected to be added in March.

A decision is expected on installing the

units that will be let to other companies.

The move has allowed the company to increase production capacity to more than a million cushions a year, two-thirds of which are exported.

‘We are proud that Caldeira has made this investment in renewable energy, and this should make a significant improvement to our business and to the Knowsley Industrial Park,’ says Tony Caldeira, Caldeira md.

‘We are lucky in that our building’s longest axis is due-south facing and our roof slopes are between 16 and 30 degrees, near-perfect conditions for solar power generation in the UK –even with our weather. We also have a dedicated substation and transformer on-site, with a large power capacity, as years ago our site was used to make

‘Over time the investment should be a good one, as we have found a potential solution to sell the surplus renewable energy generated to our incoming tenants, with any balance to be sold back to other local businesses via the grid. With the price of energy where it is at the moment, this investment makes financial sense as well as environmental sense.

‘It’s also important that we have been able to help and inspire other local businesses to undertake similar projects and I hope that it won’t be long before having solar panels on large industrial buildings becomes the norm.

‘Our customers love what we’re doing too as this investment makes our cushions good for the home and good for the planet. This investment

Further investment in solar panels will be decided in the autumn

TO ALL FURNITURE BUYERS A

16 – 17 MAY 2023

At NAEC STONELEIGH, WARWICKSHIRE

Comprehensive range of exhibitors

Easy to access venue Free parking Complimentary lunch

Relaxed environment to view the new season’s arrivals under one roof

We welcome new exhibitor enquiries

www.springfurnitureshow.co.uk

Calm and cuddly

CIRCUMFLEX

The neutral palette of Circumflex creates a calm and collected feel. Textiles are inspired by fashion tailoring, and mix plain colours with geometrics and abstracts. Arcs and sculptural roundness can be found in furniture, lighting, dinnerware and accessories. Triston is inspired by fun furnishings of the 1970s.

Below: Triston sofa in Mink fine chenille £975

Far left: Bronx upholstered bed £699-£799; Erika ottoman £299; Conway bedside table £225; Bali lightshade £175

Left: Crafted oak-effect dining table £299; set of two Hewitt dining chairs in Tweedy Plain Light Natural fabric £299

Top left: Deep Feelings, Silver Cloud

Top right: Wild Silk, Treasure Island

Bottom left: Wild Silk, Gun Metal

Bottom right: Lasting Romance, Truffle

EMPORIUM

The Emporium trend brings a mixture of bright and bold fabrics, trims and prints, with soft, rounded ‘cuddle’ shapes in upholstery, and accent chairs in plush velvets.

Above: Emporium rug from £75; Gosford large curved sofa in Juniper velvet £2,475

Top left: Ezra dining table £525; set of two Stella dining chairs £250; large Bobble

Chic glass vase £42; Next Ultimate Multi-Surface paint in Plum Purple £38

Top right: Albury armchair in Fuchsia soft velvet £550

Natural inspiration

Six themes inspire Sofology’s SS23 offer. Visit: www.sofology.co.uk

Cultivating a sense of stability and balance, symmetry and minimalism helps to restore our sense of calm.

inspired by the coastline and architecture of

wave

CHECKERBOARD CHIC A considered interpretation of a classic design offering a relaxed, friendly feel with a fresh and approachable colour palette. Titan two-seater pillow-back sofa in Festival Cream Natural Mix

MAKING WAVES A look

the Mediterranean, incorporating a

motif for a contemporary twist. Mimi three-seater in Aspen Blue £1,329; Mimi round footstool in Toronto Beige £349.

£1,249; Titan footstool in Titan Apollo Stone £499.

RETREAT ROOM

Essence three-seater in Essence Monde Grey/Grey Mix £1,799.

Reach new heights.

Pinnacle is the luxurious new StainSafe® carpet by Balta that reaches new heights in quality and value. Available in many rich shades, this made in Britain carpet is a practical answer to luxury carpet in today’s family homes.

Contact your Balta representative for more details.

MUTED GRAPHICS A colour-confident design concept, using mixed materials in a considered graphic scheme to create a cohesive, mood-boosting space. Finchley two-seater in Drift Plum

living

BOHO VILLA Laid-back breezy

inspired by Balearic design using textured natural materials and walls softened with textiles. Cordelia loveseat in Utah Blonde £1,399; Cordelia footstool in Utah Blonde £449.

3D TEXTURE Chunky boucle fabrics, in-relief surfaces and sculptured linens form an effortless look with standout detail. Marble Arch two-seater sofa in Marble Arch Cologne Plain Ivory Mink Mix £1,849; Marble Arch footstool in Marble Arch Cologne Plain Ivory All Over £449.

All Over £899; Titan footstool in Titan Apollo Stone £499.

A GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE FOR LUXURY VINYL TILES

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The best

At Domotex, the Carpet Design Awards again recognised the world’s top rugs. Here are the winners. Visit: www.domotex.de

BEST FLATWEAVE DESIGN

Original rug design demonstrating the flatweave technique. Winner: Tulu, Manglam Arts. Finalists: Flow, Studio Potato; Gondolas, Selam Carpet & Home.

BEST INTERIOR

A high-end customisation project or rug installation. Winner: Modular (Amity) by Emily Forgot, Floor_Story. Finalists: Knots Rugs x Shelter, Knots Rugs; One Hundred Birds, One Hundred Flowers, Wendy Morrison Design.

BEST COLLECTION

Contemporary traditional or transitional design collections demonstrating a common theme. Winner: Trails, M2Rugs. Finalists: Supergraphics by Studio Shand for Cadry’s; Cosmic Check by Kangan Arora, Floor_Story.

BEST MODERN DESIGN DELUXE

Original contemporary design showing optimum use of materials. Winner: Green Agate, Ashtari Carpets. Finalists: Hudson Black and White, Knots Rugs; M/M (Paris) for TAN(China).

BEST MODERN DESIGN SUPERIOR

Original contemporary designs showing optimum use of materials. Winner: AAD…Enclosure of Life, Saraswati Global.

Finalists: Rainbow, Jaipur Rugs; Ourika Valley, Bazar du Sud.

BEST TRANSITIONAL DESIGN

A new rug that interprets traditional designs for a contemporary audience. Winner: Talisman Hand-knotted, Wendy Morrison Design. Finalists: Kubla, onyx, New Moon Rugs; Hmong, Manglam Arts.

BEST STUDIO ARTIST DESIGN

Original small-scale production design from an artist or designer. Winner: Omaggio a Maria Lai: Legarsi alla montagna, Joias. Finalists: Lady in Rug, House of Rubber; Shore, Tania Johnson Design.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

A rug that is produced with a low carbon footprint and/or incorporates ethical practices. Winner: Taufa, Jaipur Rugs. Finalists: Typewriter Collection, MUM’s; Diamond Root Rug, Diamond Carpets.

A moment

Arcade games inspired the new collection

What is a moment in the virtual world? The works of Frankfurt-based artist Raphael Brunk serve as the basis for Jan Kath’s Insert Coin collection

Screenshots of arcade computer games form the starting point for Brunk’s work, whether in the form of a nocturnal boulevard featuring colourful neon

signs, a deserted beach in the morning, or the frozen scene of an exciting chase through the streets of Miami, which Andreas Gursky’s master student digitally edits.

The computer’s algorithm dissects the images in such a way that the subject is no longer recognisable. Broken down

into all its pixels, the shot ultimately becomes the colour palette of something completely new and serves as a knotting template for a rug.

Kath interprets this template, bringing the roughly 1.7million pixels back into the real world – knot by knot.

Visit: www.jan-kath.com

Runswick Bay Vision

Runswick Bay

Made from PET recycled plastic bottles

Sleepeezee has donated a further £57,000 to help fund a hospital helipad

A cheque of £57,000 was presented to The Children’s Hospital Charity, the charity that supports Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, by mattress and bedding company, Sleepeezee and its brand ambassador, Dame Jessica EnnisHill last month, to help funding towards a new helipad for the trust.

The donation was amassed via sales of Sleepeezee’s Jessica mattress range, where £20 of each sale goes towards the hospital. Sleepeezee has raised £132,000 for the hospital so far and plans to continue the initiative in 2023.

Sheffield Children’s Hospital is a dedicated Major Trauma Centre and is one of only five dedicated paediatric MTCs in England. It is the only MTC in South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire that receives children under 16 years of age and is open 24 hours a day, every day. The new helipad will mean the hospital can get critically ill or injured patients to the right place, with the right team, and provide vital early care.

Young patients enjoyed a visit from Dame Jessica, who spent time sharing her story with children on the wards and showing her 2012 gold Olympic medal, while Steve Warren, Sleepeezee md received an insight into the hospital’s working, including wards and specialist

services. Sheffield Children’s Hospital provides a comprehensive range of care for children and young people in Sheffield and beyond, from health visiting and school nursing through to highly specialised world-leading services.

‘As a proud patron of The Children’s Hospital Charity and a Sleepeezee ambassador, it was a joy to visit the wards and present this impressive donation. Being able to contribute to a hospital that provides such an excellent level of care to children and their families

is a pleasure and I am delighted the money is going to the appeal to fund a much-needed helipad,’ says Jessica.

‘Our partnership with Jessica and the hospital, which we know is incredibly close to her heart, continues to go from strength to strength and we’re thrilled to be back for another year. Seeing first hand the invaluable work the Children’s Hospital carries out is an honour and we hope our donation achieve its ambitions for the new helipad,’ says Warren. Visit: www.sleepeezee.com

£132,000 has now been donated from sales of the Jessica collection

Steve Warren, Sleepeezee md and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill present the cheque

Quality comfort, naturally

LEAVE THE REST TO US

Options

Ecofoam can be recycled at end of life

As concern for sustainability and recyclability continues to grow, the Komfi collection from UK mattress manufacturer GNG Group has been designed to provide retailers with a range of environmentally friendly options. With most models featuring Ecofoam, developed in-house by GNG, the range meets consumer demand for products with a reduced carbon footprint. Ecofoam is made from 100% recycled and re-engineered foam. The long-term benefit of an Ecofoam mattress comes when it reaches the end of its natural life, as it can be entirely recycled.

Ecofoam is also resilient and durable, and naturally dust-mite resistant, making it ideal for use in mattresses. Offering excellent body support, it features throughout the NBF-approved Komfi mattress collection and has a 10-year warranty.

The diverse Komfi collections comprise the Active, Sensory, Rhea and Unity ranges. Featuring ViscoGel and pocket springs, the Komfi Active collection offers a range of six mattresses.

The luxurious Sensory range is designed with the latest mattress technology to aid the very best sleep. The three hybrid models feature up to 3,000 pocketed springs, whilst the Trio combines layers of innovative materials to provide a sumptuous level of comfort and support.

The Rhea collection of 11 mattresses has been developed with sustainability

and end-of-life recycling in mind. A combination of 100% recycled foam, polyester with Japanese technology and individual pocket springs helps prevent end of life mattresses going to landfill, instead putting them back into the recycling chain.

Unity is the latest range to join the Komfi offering: an affordably priced vacuum-packed mattress collection. Unity delivers the benefits of Ecofoam, and all models have a removable and washable soft knitted cover.

As an NBF member, GNG supports

the association’s goal of 75% of new mattress sales being diverted from landfill by 2028. Consumers want and need the ability to dispose of their old mattresses responsibly and safely, and Ecofoam is helping them to do this.

The company has also signed up to the NBF’s Green Pledge for Our Planet, further demonstrating its commitment to reducing its impact on the environment.

With all mattresses made in Britain, customers are assured of fast and efficient delivery times.

Tel: 01924 950 300

Rhea

New addition

Cormar Carpet Company has added to its Easy Clean collection with Trinity

Made with 100% Excellon polypropylene and produced using a two-ply yarn, Cormar Carpet Company’s Trinity is a heavyweight carpet designed for high traffic areas of the home, and comes with a 10-year stain and wear warranty.

Available in 4m and 5m widths, the range is available in 14 tri-colour heather shades, including a deep copper (Russet), charcoal grey (Jet) and chocolate brown (Autumn Trail), accompanied by classic neutral beiges and greys.

‘Our Easy Clean collection continues to grow in popularity as a reliable and hardwearing choice for family homes. We’re excited to expand the collection this year to offer an even wider choice of durable, low-maintenance carpets at great value and in a popular colour palette to suit every homeowner’s needs and style,’ says David Cormack, Cormar marketing director.

Cormar produces its extensive range of carpets at its two Lancashire mills. It delivers across the UK and Ireland from its distribution sites in Hemel Hempstead and Bury, using its fleet of more than 70 vehicles.

With a trade portal and dedicated, experienced sales and customer service team, Cormar offer retailers 24/7 access to ordering, delivery tracking and online account management, as well as servicing its customer base through a team of over 30 sales representatives. Visit: www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Building on success

himolla has added bold and progressive models

‘When we launched the recliner S-Lounger series in the UK it instantly became fast selling and desirable and brought a whole new generation of British customers to us. We have followed it up with bold and progressive new recliner models: S-Lounger Seine, Easy Swing 8956 and Easy Swing 8957. And the exciting new sofa model Cumurex Calypso 6290 is out now too,’ says Tamara Härty, himolla chief creative officer.

‘himolla recliners are available with all the bells and whistles. The relax function is electrically or manually adjustable. There is an electric-powered recline function, foot and headrest, a lift-and-rise option on the recliner only, and 360degree swivel is an option as well. Sitting in these recliners is like

being cocooned and embraced by them. Numerous variations, different sizes, accents, colours, fabrics, leathers and base variations are available. New fabrics and leather in fresh and bold colours round things off.

‘The products’ unique personalities are accentuated by distinctive design, well thought-out and proven features and maximum individuality for customers, making them both highly desirable and seriously comfortable. Visually compelling, they wear their design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment.

‘The himolla portfolio now spreads from modern design must-haves to timeless classics. The new himolla is respectful of its past but not harnessed

by it. It is a new collection for a new age, tailored specifically for Britain.

‘While it’s incumbent on me to be aware of what’s going on in the market, I don’t take any notice of the competition when it comes to design and features. Our distinctive design strategy and brand architecture is, in our view, absolutely right for the himolla brand. Considerable thought has gone into its creation. Clearly, we have to be flexible enough to respond to external factors that could impact that approach, but generally we are not interested in following the latest fashions. Trends come and go. We are interested in a long-term approach. It’s critical to earn and keep the trust of those you work for: our customers.’

Visit: www.himolla.com

Easyswing 8956 and 8957

Cumurex Calypso 6290

S-Lounger Seine

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE & skills to be LVT FITTER OF THE YEAR 2023?

THE 2023 COMPETITION FORMAT IS AS FOLLOWS:

1). * You do NOT need to be an NICF member to enter this competition. Applicants must be aged 18 years or over on 30 April 2023. NICF Council members and previous LVT Fitter of The Year winners are excluded from entering.

2). Deadline for entry is 23:59 on Sunday 30 April 2023.

3). Entrants are initially required to complete a questionnaire giving the most full and accurate answers possible. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on the answers provided and 10 fitters will be selected to progress to the Semi-Final practical trials.

4). The Semi-Finals will be held on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 June 2023 (five fitters per day) at the FITA Training Centre, Loughborough. Five fitters will progress to the Final competition.

5). The briefing information for the five finalists will be supplied digitally in August.

6). The Final is at The Flooring Show, Harrogate, on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 September 2023.

The Final will be held at The Flooring Show, Harrogate, 17-18 September 2023

Fitter of The Year LVT 2023 Competition is kindly sponsored by

national institute of carpet & floorlayers

Good foundations

Up-to-date training can give a design edge

When it comes to ensuring that flooring meets the standard of other design features such as furnishings and fittings, following best practice in subfloor preparation and flooring installation is as important as the floorcovering selection itself.

‘Living up to expectations for the appearance and longevity of flooring installations requires an understanding of subfloor preparation in order to create a super-smooth base that will optimise the appearance of new floorcoverings. Flooring adhesives need to be selected for their compatibility with different floorcoverings, as well as specific performance features. It is also essential to know how to avoid common causes of floor failure, chief of which is still unmanaged subfloor moisture, and flooring retailers should be able to advise how certain processes and products can help achieve optimum results when installing floorcoverings,’ says Tim Green, F Ball and Co head of training.

‘For these reasons, both flooring and design professionals would benefit from receiving an induction in the basics of subfloor preparation and floorcovering installation.

‘Flooring professionals should strive to continuously improve and develop their knowledge throughout their careers. This has become particularly necessary as advances in technology have accelerated the development of

subfloor preparation products and adhesives with advanced properties and applications.’

For example, advancements in adhesive technology have enabled F Ball to create a specialist, solvent-free, vinyl adhesive with pressure-sensitive characteristics that can hold floorcoverings in place over a wide range of temperatures. Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause floorcoverings to expand and contract significantly, resulting in tenting and gaps at the edges over time. This is often an issue in heavily glazed areas subject to solar gain, such as rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Similarly, combinations of new, fast-drying levelling compounds, waterproof surface membranes and adhesives mean that contractors can now install floorcoverings in as little as a day, helping to meet increasingly demanding time constraints.

‘Having a good knowledge of the range of new products available will also help in choosing the optimum

FREE TRAINING

product for a particular job and avoid compromising the finished appearance of an installation,’ says Green.

‘For example, particular vinyl adhesives are recommended to avoid visible trowel serrations showing through thin vinyl floorcoverings or to facilitate the creation of complex designs and patterns, an advantage when installing LVT. There are also levelling compounds that are designed to withstand heavy loads and high foot traffic, and others to accommodate movements in subfloors of metal and wood.

‘People invested in flooring need to keep abreast of wider changes affecting the flooring industry too. For instance, calcium sulphate screeds are increasingly common in new builds and require specific treatment to ensure against floor failure. In such cases, traditional cement-based levelling compounds may not be suitable and the use of a compatible calcium sulphate-based levelling compound is often recommended.’

Visit: www.f-ball.com/training

As a market leader in subfloor preparation products and adhesives, F Ball believes that it has a responsibility to promote industry standards and best practice and, by extension, the positive reputation of the flooring industry. This is why flooring professionals of any skill level can attend free training courses at the F Ball Centre of Excellence, the purpose-built, state-of-the-art training centre at the company’s Staffordshire headquarters.

F Ball offers a variety of training options

Unique

London Fabric Show returns this month

A visit to the London Fabric Show provides a unique opportunity for UK buyers to meet some of the world’s most innovative fabric suppliers, all bringing their latest designs for upholstery and soft furnishings.

Organised by the BFM, the show continues to attract new exhibitors. Crypton, Medoks Tekstil, Eurotex and Sleek Editions are among those joining this year’s line-up. World-renowned brands returning in 2023 include Tavelmo, Edinburgh Weavers, Festino, G-Tex and Morgan Fabrics.

A visit to the event will provide retailers, furniture manufacturers, upholsterers, interior designers and

specifiers the opportunity to review, select and network with their peers in a fabric boutique designed for them.

The London Fabric Show is held at the ILEC Conference Centre in Earls Court on 28 February and 1 March, with the format including private showrooms on the exhibition floor as well as new catering options on the show floor and at the on-site restaurant and pub. The venue is close to public transport and has on-site car parking.

‘As the trade association representing the furniture industry, we are committed to bringing quality fabrics from around the world to the UK furniture market. It’s an opportunity for buyers to see creative

and innovative designs, seek out and meet new suppliers, revamp their existing product lines, and be bold in their choices of fabric to enhance their respective brands to surprise and delight customers,’ says Sean Holt, BFM md.

Fabrics on show will include wools, tweeds, velvets, cottons, linens, chenille, silks, leathers, faux leathers, backing fabrics and FR treatments.

The show is by invitation only, enabling exhibitors to showcase their products directly to a key professional audience, as well as offering plentiful opportunities to network with colleagues across the industry.

Visit: www.bfmfabricshow.uk

The show will return to the ILEC Conference Centre

Return to KL

MIFF starts off the South-East Asian exhibition season

Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) is ready to welcome global buyers from 1-4 March, with leading Malaysian exporters and manufacturers headlining the show to provide fresh opportunities to rebuild inventory and business after Covid-19. There are no pandemic restrictions for international arrivals, as Malaysia abolished all rules from 1 August 2022 since reopening borders in April.

MIFF remains the most global – and largest – B2B furniture and furnishings event in South-East Asia, and will showcase more than 500 exhibitors from Malaysia and abroad bringing their latest products and new lines, including

design trends to suit lifestyles and workspaces reshaped by the pandemic.

Buyers can network face to face with Malaysia’s best-known global suppliers including Poh Huat, Ecomate, Favourite Design, Latitude Tree, Luxury Sleep, Mobilia International, SWS, Oasis and Wegmans. Widening the product attractions is a host of foreign exhibitors, with companies from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

‘MIFF is very excited to resume its traditional annual cycle. It marks a milestone for international furniture trade and signals our commitment to support the recovery of the global

furniture eco-system and future growth. MIFF 2023 will deliver much-needed opportunities to revitalise businesses and make it a great win-win for exhibitors and buyers,’ says Tan Chin Huat, MIFF founder and chairman.

MIFF is also the largest export platform for Malaysia-made furniture, in particular solid wood furniture, which saw robust export levels in 2020 and 2021. The positive trade momentum was evident at the special hybrid MIFF 2022 held in July. Over 10,000 buyers from 94 countries and 192 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions made a beeline for the show – the first in-person furniture exhibition to reopen in Asia in two years.

A big draw of MIFF is that it features under one roof the largest showcases of Malaysian solid wood furniture and export quality products from the furniture hub of Muar, and the biggest selection of office furnishings in SouthEast Asia.

Highlights in 2023 will include: International hall for foreign exhibitors; Muar hall; MIFF Office featuring the largest collection of office furnishings in the region; designRena lifestyle floor, curated exclusively for top Malaysian manufacturers; xOrdinary showcase to highlight the works of Malaysian young designers, and MIFF Furniture Design Competition for young talent, with the theme ‘Post Pandemic Workspace Furniture’.

Visit: www.miff.com.my

Ivorie International

Titov

Doubled

The Jakarta show will be twice as large as in 2022

One of the largest international trade exhibitions in South East Asia for the furniture and craft industries, Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX) returns next month. The 8th edition takes place on 9-12 March at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo), Kemayoran, with the theme Redefine, Inspire, Innovation.

IFEX 2023 aims to present a variety of designs, innovations and the latest expertise, with a focus on displaying the unique beauty of Indonesia’s natural resources. In this worldwide marketplace, IFEX will feature more than 500 exhibitors promoting various furniture products, woodcraft furniture, rattan furniture,

outdoor furniture and other unique decoration products. IFEX consistently showcases superior products from within and outside Indonesia that have been attracting buyers for many years.

IFEX 2023 will be held in a venue twice as large as last year, with a total area of 60,000sqm, and will occupy the whole space. It will present an increasingly diverse selection of premium products made using the best materials and Indonesian craftsmanship, from highquality, verified and curated furniture companies. IFEX opens a door to the international market while maximising the domestic market by extending an

invite to local consumers. IFEX only serves delicately curated products to highly qualified buyers.

At IFEX, buyers can also engage in business networking and business matching programmes, where buyers are paired with exhibitors based on buyers’ stated interests. There will be thousands of visitors in attendance, from more than 112 countries.

Indonesia is well known for its hospitality, and accordingly IFEX offers a warm welcome to local and international buyers from all over the world for a comfortable and pleasant experience.

Visitors may pre-register on the official IFEX website before 8 March, for free admission and for a special deal on accommodation at one of the show’s partner hotels. A free shuttle service is available from the airport to the venue for those with a buyer’s ID badge, and visitors can also enjoy the International Buyers Lounge at JIExpo during the event. The IFEX team will be on hand to offer any additional assistance, to enhance the experience of visiting buyers during the event. In addition, invited buyers are invited to an exclusive buyers’ and exhibitors’ night.

To enter Indonesia, international buyers are required to be fully vaccinated and in possession of an international vaccine certificate, passport and visa (E-VOA), and must download the PeduliLindungi app on arrival.

Visit: www.ifexindonesia.com

The show will have more than 500 exhibitors and be twice the size of 2022’s event

Return in style

After pandemic interruptions and rescheduling, January Furniture Show returned to the NEC in January

Birlea Furniture unveiled the Disney Home range at the show. The collection includes Disney’s biggest brands including Mickey & Friends, Minnie Mouse, Disney Princess, Spider-Man and Marvel Avengers. Included

within these franchises are beds, bedsides, tables and chairs, storage units and shelving.

Over the past six months Birlea has been developing the range in partnership with Sourcebynet. As

well as the bedroom range, gaming and occasional chair ranges have been created. The gaming range features Darth Vader, R2D2, Avengers and more, while the occasional chairs include Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.

‘Being associated with the world’s biggest brand is credit to the hard work and growth here. We hope that this is the start of a long-standing relationship. We look forward to expanding these ranges, introducing an innovative new era of this beloved franchise through captivating products,’ says Chris Moore, Birlea sales and commercial director.

Buoyant Upholstery found its return to the NEC a winning one with a constant flow of visitors keen to see its latest products. More than 20 designs were on show as it continues to widen its offering into new areas.

Celebrity Motion Furniture was showing off its new baby: the Cloud Zero three-motor riser/recliner has been nine months in

Birlea’s Disney Home

Buoyant’s Sully

development. The third motor allows for a tilt position, extra lift capacity (up to 30stone) and is available across all of Celebrity’s models and fabrics.

The Performance Plus easy-clean fabric has three options: Wyvern, with a 40,000 rub cycle; Derwent, with a 50,000 rub cycle and top-of-the-range Avon, which has a 90,000 rub cycle and also protects against viruses and bactera.

Gallery Direct debuted the Madison living and dining collection – with a

twist. Designed to offer a 'new traditional' look with a timeless, elegant style and a modern touch, the ninestrong range with Mindy wood veneers and marquetry has a grey/brown finish (described as coffee) to give a sophisticated look to a room.

The range is made up of an extending dining table; two-door, one-drawer sideboard; three-door, three-drawer sideboard; coffee table; drum side table; demi-lune table; side table; extending round table and chair.

The twist: change the finish to a tonal mid brown and you have Highgrove.

Gwinner’s Atena plays with the cool charm of lacquer and highlights the natural beauty of wild oak, oak and walnut with the option of selected contrasts, and is also available in grained wood.

Julian Bowen unveiled Mallory, its first FSC-certified range. The contemporary bedroom collection has a light finish and steel handles.

Kristensen:Kristensen’s Amelia dining table is available in a choice of

12 finishes and four edges, in sizes from 160cm to 280cm as well as additional 50cm leaves. Bespoke lengths are also possible.

Lebus showed a host of introductions with the emphasis on value, alongside a green push with Magnolia. It features foam-free fillings using recycled bottles under the evolve brand and recycled fabrics.

Orbital’s latest 3D Product Selector attracted attention from visitors. ‘We can install this on any retailer’s website and people are really interested,’ says Rob Walker, Orbital md. ‘Just click on the product and you can change the fabric, colour and pattern.’ Once shoppers have decided on an item, they can download a barcode, film their room on their phone and place the piece of furniture in it to see how it looks and fits.

Polish garden furniture manufacturer Poom made its debut in the UK market at JFS and the first day was encouraging, with several orders secured. ‘We do well in Europe: Germany, France,

Gwinner’s Atena in Anthracite lacquer and natural walnut

Jullian Bowen’s Mallory

Gallery Direct’s Madison Lebus’ Pasha

Kristensen:Kristensen’s Amelia 

Spectator - This manual, handle-operated rocker recliner comes in five different colours and there are even two handy cup holders built into the chair for added convenience and comfort so now you’ll never miss a moment of the match.

Switzerland and Austria. Today is our first contact with British customers and we were a little nervous. But everyone has been lovely, especially about the quality of our ash wood,’ says Marion Wiodkowski, Poom sales director.

Poom (think of the word upside down and reversed) was founded around a decade ago specialising in cushions and textiles, but expanded into garden furniture during the pandemic. The look is cool and minimalist: the mid-century modern inspired Ribbon set has been awarded a Design Award by the Polish Ministry of Culture.

Sherborne highlighted Comfi-sit, a collection of sofas and recliners with a wide variety of movement options. Available in soft cover and leather, there are two fixed chairs and six recliners. The sofas offer four fixed options and four recliner models. There are also two lift-and-rise recliners.

The company also debuted the liftand-rise Cartmel, available in standard and knuckle versions, both in four sizes. Cartmel is Sherborne’s first model to

feature lateral support cushions.

Shire Beds launched a range of four more environmentally friendly mattresses: EverLife, with the motto of ‘Feels Good, Does Good’. The mattresses (1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 pocket sprung) are made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled polyester, all traceable back to source, and are recyclable at the end of life.

‘The EverLife range is 76% recycled and an important step on our journey to ensuring we have more sustainable products within our offering,’ says Fara Butt, Shire Beds sales and marketing director. ‘The next stage is developing a totally recycled mattress.’

For Sweet Dreams the emphasis was on upholstery, especially sofa-beds. Bowland is a compact sofa available as a three and two-seater and armchair, with the option of studs and the sofabed option.

Barrow is one of the company’s more contemporary shapes, again available as a three and two-seater and armchair, and the sofa-bed option.

The new Dunsop has a two-fold pull-out action, while the existing Burghley saw the addition of a sprung interior sofa-bed.

The exception to the rule was the compact Cliviger sofa, available as a three and two-seater and armchair but no sofa-bed option.

Westbridge sought to strike a major blow for sustainability with its Full Circle concept. All aspects of the components in the extensive upholstery collection are recyclable or reusable at the end of life.

No staples are used during manufacturing; the sofas can be dismantled into the component parts for servicing or recycling; all fabrics are eco-friendly and there is a 10-year guarantee on the sofas. The arms are removable for ease of delivery.

The project works with all shapes and fabrics and the company says there has been no compromise on quality or comfort: the sofas felt as comfortable as the company’s previous collections. Visit: www.thefurnitureshows.com

Sherborne’s Comfi-sit

Sweet Dreams’ Cliviger

Focus

Core Products concentrated on value alongside casual dining

Core Products unveiled its 2023 product offer at the January Furniture Show, with the emphasis firmly on delivering even better value for money products.

‘With the pound in everyone’s pocket under so much pressure it is more important than ever to focus on ensuring our product offer is just what consumers are looking for in style, quality and price,’ says Stuart Wallace, Core director.

‘To achieve this we have concentrated on having consistent inventory available for quick delivery on all our popular product lines, and prices were subjected to a late as possible price review to take account of the most recent movements in production costs, exchange rates and transportation. This has enabled us to offer a significant number of reductions or last year’s prices held on most lines.’

Amongst the highlights was a new selection of casual dining sets that reflect the changing use of downstairs space.

Linea is made from solid wood with a wood and grey wash finish. Alongside table and chair sets there are also bench sets and compact high-level dining sets.

The revitalised Aspen dining collection offers a mix and match selection of tables and chairs. The chairs are available in a comfort option, fully upholstered in a choice of covers or a practical, easy-toclean option, ideal for busy households. All are manufactured from moulded plastic with tapered metal legs.

With demand for white finished furniture showing a resurgence, Core expanded its Corona White collection into downstairs, with a selection of dining and occasional pieces in solid wood. The compact Lido range in high gloss white has proved so popular it has been expanded to encompass standard size bedroom and downstairs pieces, along with focal point TV units.

The new range of Boston downstairs

pieces is aimed at consumers seeking a more traditional look. In real wood with a dark lacquer finish, it is embellished with antiqued brass-effect hardware. All of the products are held in stock in the UK for delivery direct to customers or to stores. There is no need to carry stock as all Core stock is supplied unbranded. A full inventory is available to authorised sellers alongside its online ordering facility.

Visit: www.coreproducts.co.uk

Corona real wood white sideboard

Aspen mix and match table and chairs

Linea casual dining furniture

Lido TV wall unit

Boston

Choose Core. Choose award winning flat packed furniture. Choose quick delivery. Choose 335 price freezes, 82 price reductions and 66 exciting new products for 2023. Choose vast UK stock holdings with no minimum order on trade or direct home delivery. Choose furniture designs perfected over 20 years. Choose first class after sales support. Choose Core.

630 555

2022

Quartet

Four ranges made their debut

German bedroom manufacturer

Wiemann launched four ranges and updated seven collections at the show, as well as winning top prize in the Furniture Awards Global Player category.

Denver, a sliding and hinged VIP collection, offers decking-effect feature doors and the latest colour options, combining contemporary chic with intelligent use of space. It is available in Graphite, Bianco Oak and Champagne, among others. The decking overlay can be the same colour or a contrast.

Split is a contemporary sliding and hinged range that features a smoky opaque glass panel incorporated into the slider. Another VIP offering, Split is available in Graphite and Pebble Grey.

Monaco 5000 is designed to add polish and practicality to walk-in wardrobes. With no doors, and in multiple width

and configuration options, Monaco 5000 offers a design solution to kitchen and bathroom spaces as well as bedrooms.

Mainau is designed for bedrooms where space is at a premium. In a traditional wood finish, it has sliding or hinged doors, with the latter also in a narrower 197cm width, making it an ideal choice for loft conversions, for example. Visit: www.wiemannuk.co.uk

Perfect bedrooms start with Wiemann

Global reach

Heimtextil returned to its traditional slot in the calendar

Pip Studio’s La Campagna

FEATURES

DUAL BATTERY OPERATED

CORDLESS MAGNETIC HANDSET

LIGHT WOOD ARM CASING

CHARCOAL IMPORTED LEATHER/MATCH

IOWA SWIVEL RECLINER & INTEGRATED FOOTSTOOL

The organiser of fabric, bedding and textile exhibition Heimtextil has hailed the event’s internationalism after it returned to its traditional January slot for the first time since the pandemic.

Some 44,000 visitors and 2,400 exhibitors from 129 countries gathered in Frankfurt. The top visitor countries included Germany, Italy, Turkey, the US, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Pakistan, India and Greece.

‘Heimtextil made a powerful return to January and set all the signs for success as a barometer for the trade fair business year – with an outstanding degree of internationalisation of 129 participating nations,’ says Detlef Braun, Messe Frankfurt director.

‘The outstanding internationality proves that in times of geopolitical challenges, Heimtextil is the most important place to be for the global home textiles industry – both for new business contacts and market opportunities as well as for the redefinition of supply chains and important cooperations to overcome production bottlenecks.’

The latest product from polyester fibre supplier Advansa’s sustainable Eco Origin programme is Dacron Re-Comfort, which consists 80% of flakes from recycled plastic bottles and 20% of pre-consumer textile waste. Textile waste from the textile industry is processed. then converted into raw materials, resulting in a sustainable filling fibre that provides softness and warmth in duvets and firm support in pillows.

According to the company, 99% of recycled polyester is made from bottle flakes. Bottle-to-fibre recycling has significant sustainability benefits. The global non-profit organisation Textile Exchange is challenging the textile industry to increase the percentage of recycled polyester from 14% to 45% by 2025. Advansa says it will support the goal by using additional recycled textile scraps as a raw material for polyester fibre production.

Bedding House collaborated with the Van Gogh Museum to mark the institution’s 50th anniversary. The golden anniversary is being celebrated with a bouquet design, composed of individual flowers from different flower paintings from the museum’s collection. This includes flowers from works such as Irises, Bottle with Peonies and Blue

Delphinium, Vase with Chinese Asters and Garden Lilies, Sunflowers and Almond Blossom

The collection of limited-edition products includes duvet covers, kimonos and cushions featuring these individual flowers in a composition reminiscent of Van Gogh’s original works.

DecoTeam highlighted Green Affairs as its 2023 theme, which focuses on sustainability in all its facets, with an emphasis on natural textiles, sustainable creation and recycling processes, and on functional energy-efficient benefits. The company presented three style trends: Modern Elegance, Pure Simplicity and Summer Vibes.

Modern Elegance is appealing in its elegant colours, designs and structures. Coupled with a touch of luxury, this elegant modernity is implemented by

Above: Höpke interpreted Pure Simplicity as did Unland (above centre)

Above: DecoTeam’s Apelt and Paulig brands interpreted Modern Elegance, as did Höpke and Paulig (top right)

the group’s Apelt and MHZ brands.

Pure and stylish, Pure Simplicity brings comfort to modern living environments in monochrome colour concepts – soft and sensual in atmospheric off-whites, cream shades, cappuccino tones and light greys. This modern Scandinavian feel-good look is presented by the Erfal, Buchheister and Unland brands.

Summery floral and retro prints from Indes Fuggerhaus in combination with colour-intensive velvets, as well as the pattern mix of summer fabrics from Englisch Dekor in expressive colours, give the Summer Vibes theme a casual atmosphere. They create a cheerful summer mood at home all year round.

Temperature-control fabric producer Outlast looked to appearance and

performance for its new Grover. The textile uses a sparkling yarn to give it a classy look. Without any use of silkworms, and the chemical residue that can be associated with them, Grover has an elegant satin look. Despite its fine texture, Grover has a high heat-absorption capacity, reducing perspiration among sleepers. Visit: www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

Bedding House’s Gentle Escape

Moooi’s Museum of Extinct Animals

Christy has introduced Rose and Fuchsia towels ahead of this year’s Wimbledon Championships

The anniversary collection from Bedding House features flowers from Van Gogh’s paintings

Dacron Re-Comfort

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

A known brand for on-trend solid wood and ceramic products, Indus Valley are pleased to announce that they are recruiting for the role of National Sales Manager. The ideal candidate will be experienced in similar roles within the furniture industry and be driven, selfmotivated and dynamic. The successful candidate will be responsible for growing our independent business and managing the sales team.

A competitive package inc. company car will be offered. To apply, e-mail a CV and covering letter to: Atul Joshi, Managing Director atul@indusvalley.co.uk

We have just dropped ALL prices for 2023!

Makasi Imports Ltd supplies the UK’s largest range of high quality, driftwood style teak root furniture and home accessories. If you would like a trade login to purchase from our website please email your company details to info@makasiimports.co.uk

www.makasiimports.co.uk

If you are looking to recruit staff for your furniture or flooring stores, looking for sales staff or reps for your manufacturing outlet, then

includes a list of these latest jobs.

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

Costs for larger recruitment adverts are available upon request.

End of an era

Vince’s retirement closes a chapter – and opens another

Vince Holden, Hugh Mackay md has been planning his retirement since September 2022, gradually reducing his working time to allow the business to adjust and prepare.

He has now decided that the time has come for him to hang up his pattern books following an illustrious career spanning 46 years, starting in retail, passing through frozen food

Vince Holden, Hugh Mackay joint-md has been planning his retirement since 2022, gradually reducing his working time to allow the business to adjust and prepare. has come for him to hang up his pattern books following an illustrious career spanning 46 years, starting in retail, passing through frozen food and

culminating in the giddy heights of the carpet industry, where he has firmly established himself as a legend.

football analogies have entertained and educated countless people over the years, but behind that affable exterior is a fiercely competitive man with strong commercial acumen and creative flair, which has allowed him to drive the

and culminating in the giddy heights of the carpet industry, where he has firmly established himself as a legend. His jovial persona and endless football analogies have entertained and educated countless people over the years, but behind that affable exterior is a fiercely competitive man with strong commercial acumen and creative flair, which has allowed him

Hugh Mackay business forward over the past decade.

to drive the Hugh Mackay business forward over the past decade.

Paul Anka wrote, “And now the end near,” and on 31 January the curtain down on Vince’s official career in the trade. He will be greatly missed and I know that you will all join me in wishing a very long, happy and healthy retirement – and a new chapter,’ says Stephen Donlan, Hugh Mackay md.

‘As Paul Anka wrote, ”And now the end is near,” and on 31 January the curtain came down on Vince’s official career in the trade. He will be greatly missed and I know that you will all join me in wishing him a very long, happy and healthy retirement – and a new chapter,’ says Keith Morgan, Hugh Mackay sales director.