15 minute read
Upholstery
Icons
From left: FK, Foster 502, 369 and Fabricius make up Black Edition
Black is back in a special collection of classics
As symbols of identity, icons act as signposts throughout our lives. Their unique nature makes them a lighthouse in a sea of sameness. And not only because they are so recognisable. Icons awaken our emotions and establish values. When it comes to iconic pieces of furniture, it is above all the classics of modernity that impress us with their beauty, their harmony and their completeness. Icons do not age. Their influence does not decrease with time – by contrast, it increases as they endure. There is nothing more sustainable in life than an icon.
Colours too can be iconic. Or noncolours. The image of Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is unforgettable. Black is a classic, the epitome of elegance, ease and style. From Konrad Adenauer’s limousine to James Bond’s tuxedo – certain objects are only imaginable in black. Artists including Kasimir Malewitsch, Pierre Soulages and Mark Rothko use black as a medium of abstraction. And for Lucio Fontana, the non-colour represents the end and the beginning: in essence, eternity. The painter and sculptor Anish Kapoor recently secured the artistic rights to a specific black, Vantablack, which absorbs 99.9% of light and makes structures ‘disappear’ to the eye.
Black is also never just black – the colour is surprisingly versatile. Black is ubiquitous in design, because it creates contrasts with every other colour. It underlines contours, defines forms, and is both statement-making
Foster 502 sofa and chair
and understated at the same time.
Walter Knoll has chosen six designs to present in uncompromising black: the FK chair; 369 armchair; Fabricius sofa and armchair; and Foster 502 sofa and armchair, crafted from matt black, powder-coated steel and soft black leather as its Black Edition.
Design as a discipline developed only cautiously in the Germany of the 1950s, but the 369 quickly attracted international recognition for the way in which it captured the spirit of the time. It did no less than change the design language of an era. Its contemporaries came from Scandinavia, the Bauhaus and the Avant-Garde. Its flowing lines and sculptural silhouette were a complete novelty, standing in stark contrast to the straightness of the time.
The FK, by Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm, was presented to a large audience for the first time at the Cologne Furniture Fair in 1967. The clearly thought-through shape of the chair and its unmistakable independence amazed the public, who were fascinated with the design. The Danes were still developing, trying things out, finding their place in the world and in design. Ready to leave what already existed behind them in order to create something ‘now’. The FK signalled an evolution of modernism. The shell chair was emblematic of a new design language, and became a symbol of modern design. Fine lines, clear contours: every point of the FK is defined. Its graphic silhouette – a recurring characteristic of many icons – presents volume and lightness on a three-pointed crossed base. At the time, completely new materials made the shell technically possible.
A dispute between Fabricius and Kastholm saw the partnership break up and this gave Fabricius fresh impetus and drive: a desire to always be the best. The trained carpenter took this time and opportunity to work on every aspect until it was perfect, and in 1972 his eponymous creation Fabricius was revealed. In the highly graphic, linear armchair, everything that did not seem necessary was omitted but without sacrificing comfort.
The collaboration between Walter Knoll and Norman Foster began with the furnishing of the Reichstag in Berlin in the mid-1990s. While this laid the foundation stone, the design of the ARAG building in Düsseldorf in 2002 marked the birth of the Foster 500 series. The clarity, calm and expressiveness of the design was entirely novel at the time. The Foster 502 series is craftsmanship at its finest. The appearance and combination of the seams is art in itself. The shape of the upholstery, the precision of the leather cubes, and the matt chrome-plated steel frame give the design an aura of something special. The harmony of leather and steel is immediately apparent. The shape endures – nothing can be added or taken away – in a reflection of its design values. Visit: www.walterknoll.de
FK chair
369
Fabricius sofa
Get fitting
The range of underlays, tools and accessories is extensive
Floorwise is home to a wide range of floorcovering installation products, designed to bring you reliability and your customers lasting quality and excellent value. Across its portfolio of floorcovering installation solutions, Floorwise provides everything needed to complete fitting work to the highest standard: from Pro-Screed Gold for a smooth and level subfloor to adhesives, underlay, gripper, profiles and a range of specialist products for wood, laminate and LVT floors.
The range is backed by a nationwide network of local distributors across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
‘Our local approach to nationwide coverage has long been a key in our service offer to customers, seeing us win many industry awards over the years. By offering products that deliver in quality and value, our distributors ensure your customers are provided with a high standard of work, while supporting you through expertise and service that goes beyond the ordinary,’ says Richard Bailey, Floorwise md.
With a complete range of subfloor preparation and adhesives, formulated to deliver reliable results, Floorwise provides a great base for any installation. Pro-Screed Gold provides a smooth, level finish ready to receive any flooring, with adhesives such as F555 All-purpose Flooring Adhesive providing great grab and a high-strength bond.
‘Diamond Gripper is famed for its tenacious hold and can even deal with the latest in plush Saxony carpets powerstretched on super-thick PU underlay. In nail and stick-down varieties, Diamond Gripper comes in a range of pin lengths.
‘For underlay, we have an unrivalled range including recycled PU, sponge rubber, combination felt, rubber crumb and specialist options for LVT, wood and laminate. Much of the collection is made in the UK and all meet relevant British Standards, so you can be assured of underlays that are up to the challenge, whatever the price point,’ says Bailey.
‘Once that new carpet, wood, laminate or LVT floor is fitted, our finishing products come into play. Whether a simple and smart finish with Classic, colour-matched profiles for popular wood effects, or the premium look of Reflections matching to switches, sockets and door furniture, each profile delivers excellent value and quality. Individually wrapped and boxed to prevent damage in transit, they are the go-to addition to any fitter’s arsenal.
‘Along with a great selection of tools, including leading brands and the Floorwise range of made-in-Sheffield steel blades, your local Floorwise stockist makes floor fitting as easy as possible.’ Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk
Beach time
Above left: Beach House display Above: Ocean 8 V4 Java Light Grey
Ocean+ is BerryAlloc’s latest collection to take advantage of its water-resistant technology
BerryAlloc introduced hydro+ in 2008, making it the original pioneer in 100% water-resistant laminate floors. Ocean+ is the company’s latest collection to take advantage of this technology, bringing a laminate floor that’s completely safe for every room in the house, even bathrooms and kitchens. A hydrophobic coating is applied to all sides of the plank during manufacturing to repel water from joints, combined with airtight locking systems to make Ocean+ completely water-resistant.
There are four different specifications: Ocean 8 V4, Ocean 8 XL, Ocean 12 V4 and Ocean 12 XL, consisting of two abrasion class levels (Class 32 for Ocean 8 and Class 33 for Ocean 12) in 190mm x 1,288mm and 241mm x 2,038mm formats.
In Ocean 8 V4, the laminate collection makes use of BerryAlloc’s DuoLoc click install system. The other specifications use a combination of DuoLoc on the long edge and 5G on the short edge.
The collection features wood and stone designs, offering a choice of modern and classic styles. From elegant oaks to rustic woods full of knots and cracks, there are 30 original looks to suit any interior, including a stylish stone design and the unique Retro Chic tile.
The wood effects of Ocean+ are available in a range of natural structures to enhance the surface of the floor. The highlight is the deep wood structure, an ultra-deep embossed texture and super-matt finish that brings the knots and cracks of grains to life. In more classic looks, BerryAlloc turns to its wood and real wood structures.
Supporting the collection is the Ocean+ Beach House display.
‘The Ocean+ Beach House has been made to communicate the collection’s water-resistant technology, life-like wood designs and premium quality in a way that feels fresh and exciting. It’s a deliberate departure from the more traditional display approaches seen in the industry and it captures the uplifting feel of summer, delivers a strong message, makes the collection stand out and becomes a real talking point in store,’ says Scott Arundell, BerryAlloc regional sales director.
Centred around three toaster racks that display the collection’s 30 decors, as well as an additional module that shows the two plank sizes and thickness, the Ocean+ Beach House is a pagoda-style lit structure that comes with a range of additional features. From a surfboard carrying the collection’s main USPs, to a comfy lounge chair, vases with dried flowers and plants – everything is included to create a laidback summer vibe all year round.
‘We’re really excited to present the Beach House concept as it is unrivalled in the market. In-store concepts have become increasingly popular as they provide a neatly packaged solution, but they are not without their problems. Often tasked with displaying many different collections all with unique selling propositions, they ultimately become more about the brand than the product shoppers are actually buying.
‘The Beach House display is a twist on the in-store concept that focuses less on the fundamentals of brand and solely on what benefits the collection brings to the end consumer. The product message stays in primary focus, while the fun, off-beat approach to communicating it makes the Beach House a hugely attractive proposition that is sure to become a destination for shoppers.’ Visit: www.berryalloc.com
Ocean 8 V4 Gyant Light
Transform Azuriet
Transform Chester Oak
Seasonal challenge
Floors are likely to need to be robust this summer
With holidays abroad still uncertain and the availability of UK getaways limited, it is likely the home will once again become the centre of summer for many this year. Adapting once more to be the space in which families cherish time together, homes are likely to become stages for barbecues, birthday parties, annual celebrations and family gatherings.
With an array of cleaning challenges arising from such events, including increased footfall, spilled food and drink, and children’s toys underfoot, having a robust floor ready to deal with the ‘unprecedented summer’ is important – and Moduleo flooring is ready with a host of benefits that make it well equipped for the seasonal challenge.
Today’s luxury vinyl flooring gives homeowners the opportunity to get creative and choose from a range of different styles, patterns and colours. Substance is never sacrificed for style, however, and floorcoverings are both scratch and stain-resistant, meaning they’re capable of dealing with the ins and outs you’d experience at a child’s birthday party, or the dropped food and drink of a barbecue.
Moduleo’s Transform is the company’s best-selling collection thanks to its versatility, with the range offering several shades in both stone and wood styles. Designs such as Moduleo Transform Classic Oak offer a traditional timber plank style that helps to brighten a room. Perfect for lounges, bedrooms or hallways, the planks have a soft, warm feel, excelling in acoustic comfort and coming complete with a protective wear layer to tackle everyday life effectively.
Retailers can communicate the benefits of ranges such as Transform by focusing on the expansive selection of styles on offer in addition to the flooring’s robustness. Designed as a floorcovering that will stand the test of time, LVT is easier to maintain than its natural counterparts and is simply perfect for families with a busy lifestyle. Tel: 01332 851 500
Transform Verdon Oak
Clean and fresh
Karndean Designflooring’s latest guest blogger transformed her bedroom
Rebecca McCaughan in her newly revamped bedroom featuring Karndean Designflooring, Art Select Storm Oak parquet
Rebecca McCaughan lives in a self-build family home on the spectacular north coast of Northern Ireland and shares the story of her new home and family life on Instagram at @selfbuildnorthcoast.
‘I live with my partner Jason, son Eli and pug Bailey in our bespoke fourbedroom home on the coast. When we built our house in 2020 we originally opted for a plush light-grey carpet in the master bedroom. Unfortunately, our small dog, who sleeps in the bedroom, had a few accidents and no matter how much it was cleaned I always felt the smell lingered. I wanted to replace the carpet with something that would be waterproof and pet-friendly but also stylish.
‘My interior style is traditional with a modern twist so I naturally turned to Karndean. I love the classic look of wood panelling and traditional-style floors like parquet but I also like to include some modern factors in my furniture and styling. My favourite colour palette is a relaxing mix of greys, nudes and taupe.
‘When it came to choosing which style of flooring would suit our bedroom I had a good idea in mind of what I wanted. I knew for certain I wanted a wood effect in a herringbone pattern. Colourwise, I wanted something to tie in with the room’s grey colour scheme but something that would also add warmth. The ashy grey tones and textured finish of Storm Oak from Karndean’s Art Select range was perfect and it comes in a choice of parquet and full-sized planks.
‘The transformation has totally changed our master bedroom. The process was very simple: we ripped up our old carpet and had a levelling screed laid. Then a day later our Karndean floor was fitted. I couldn’t believe the difference it made to the room.
‘The new floor works perfectly with our family lifestyle. With a small house-dog and a toddler I couldn’t ask for better. The floor is comfortable and warm to walk on, and any spills or accidents are super-easy to wipe up. As the flooring is waterproof, there’s nowhere for germs to hide, so smells don’t linger – and our home always smells clean and fresh.’ Visit: www.karndean.com
Hitting the ground
Pattern books and display stands have been updated
The revamped Ultragrip is reaching stores
Following a complete makeover earlier in the year, the new-look Ultragrip brand is being rolled out to 855 retailers at lightning speed.
‘This is one of Beauflor’s most important new product launches. Our designers have put a huge amount of work into creating some daring, bold and colourful new designs, which are set to take the market by storm. Over the last few months people have been forced to spend more time in their homes; now they are focused on improving them. As we move into the summer months we expect Ultragrip sales to soar,’ says Michèle Bruynseels, Beauflor marketing director.
Described as ‘The ultimate in luxury vinyl flooring’, the new Ultragrip range consists of six collections. In addition to the bestselling Pro XL, Contract XL and Xtreme collections, there are three new ranges: Entice, which is inspired by Victorian and Portuguese tiling motifs; Eminence, where some XL Plank sizes have been added to make this traditional wooden floor look even more authentic; and Empress, where luxurious marble and concrete designs sit alongside more traditional tile effects.
‘As you would expect from such a major re-launch, the new brand is going to be actively marketed online and supported in-store by a completely new suite of POS materials. The all-new pattern books have been designed to help customers picture how the designs will work in their home, by the extensive use of roomset photography,’ says Bruynseels.
‘The updated display stand makes it easy for customers to browse by range and colour, and it has an eye-catching header board that shouts out the unique selling features of the Ultragrip brand, namely that it is ultra-hygienic, ultra-slip-resistant, ultra-durable and ultra-water-resistant.
‘We aim to have updated the POS in all of our existing retailers by mid-July. If for any reason you have missed out on a call, or would like to book a visit with our merchandising team, please reach out to your local sales rep and we’ll make sure you’re included in the updates. We are confident that it will help you to transform your sales,’ says Bruynseels. Visit: www.ultragripbybeauflor.co.uk
Roomsets help customers to envisage how a design will look in their home
