Interiors Monthly May 2020 by Interiors Monthly

MAY 2020

Upholstery Come on a journey

LVT

Sense of style

Art Select

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Style • Colour • Comfort

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Anticipating the new normal Shopping will return, but it will be different for a long time yet INTERIORS MONTHLY MAY 2020 Firstly, I hope you and your loved ones are well. Secondly, huge thanks to Associated Weavers, Balta, Karndean Designflooring, Furniture To Go and Penthouse Carpets for their support, which has enabled us to produce this issue. And, of course, our support to those companies that have been making products for the NHS and those that have been converting production to items such as masks and visors (more of which you can read on the website). Thanks also to those who very kindly shared their experiences of the impact coronavirus has had on their businesses (see p20-21). If you’d like to tell your story, email or ring me. I’d love to hear them, and I’m sure others would too. The past week or so has seen a lot of coverage of when we might come out of lockdown. While the idea is obviously some way off (so still no haircuts for a while), it will happen at some point. But it will be different: social distancing will have to be maintained for a long time. As we have seen at supermarkets, it can be done. As the Carpet Foundation pointed out in its letter to the Government, customer visits can be arranged by appointment; limits can be introduced in terms of the number of customers in store; social distancing can be easily continued and hand sanitisers put in place. Such measures are probably going to be needed anyway to encourage people that shops are safe places to visit. As Germany moved to reopen some businesses, leading virologist, Professor Melanie Brinkmann, of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research – Germany’s largest academic institution dedicated exclusively to infection research – told Der Spiegel: ‘A large part of the population has not realised the extent of the situation. At the moment people see that some measures are being relaxed, conveying the impression that the entire lockdown will be lifted step by step and we can soon return to living as normal. We are still at the beginning of the pandemic: many forget that.’ Keep well.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS 4

CF calls for retailers to be allowed to reopen

Share issue raises £64m for DFS

Emma founders sell majority stake

FEATURES 10

Awards Vote to decide the Interiors Monthly Awards winners

New products

Service

Retail How coronavirus has affected companies, water fights and escaping from Brazil

Upholstery Take a journey

Carpet Looking forward, luxury, making a difference, all together

LVT Hero room, expansion

Accessories Finishing touch

Review Salone, BGNFS

Final polish

Editor: Andrew Kidd

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

MAY 2020

Advertising: Joanne Paull Karndean Designflooring’s Art Select Prairie Oak SM-RL20 with DS06 5mm design strip.

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Upholstery Come on a journey

LVT

Sense of style

Art Select

Inspired by French parquetry, designed for luxury interiors

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

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NEWS

CF calls for independent flooring retailers to be allowed to reopen The Carpet Foundation has written to the Government calling for independent flooring retailers to be able to reopen or it will face the UK carpet industry ‘bleeding dry to the point of extinction’. The industry body has contacted the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, as well as Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock. ‘“World-leader” is an all-too-often made claim by organisations. However, when it comes to manufacturing carpet, the UK can honestly say it is a world-leader. From the Kremlin to the White House, Hong Kong airport to luxury yachts, not to mention over 50% of all UK households, when it comes to carpet, UK-produced carpet is the preferred choice. That said, we are a big-ticket item and are usually first in and last out in difficult times. The retail landscape is littered with big-name casualties,’ says the letter. ‘The one beacon of hope is independent retailers. Contrary to the retail norm of recent years, independent retailers have prospered, so when it comes to a return from the UK retail lockdown, we would urge ministers to look positively on the UK carpet industry and independent retailers in particular.’ It says that retail carpet sales are c£2bn; independent retailers operate on the high street and in the hub of local communities; the majority are family businesses steeped in the local community and shop sizes are small, which

means social distancing is not an issue because it is rare for there to be more than one couple in a carpet shop at any one time. Appointments could easily be made over the phone, and while the fitting of carpet requires admittance to a house, it is easy to social-distance. In addition, spending so much time at home recently is making people see things they would like to redecorate or replace – such as carpet. After a tough, Brexit-dominated period, sales of flooring were up 9% in January according to BDO research, clearly demonstrating that there was/is pent-up demand. ‘We are also as an industry closely linked to construction – indeed, contract sales are worth well more than the £2bn of retail carpet sales. While it is excellent to hear that the Government wants manufacturing to continue, carpet manufacturers cannot continue stockpiling carpet, adding millions to their balance sheet, if they don't have a route to market to sell them. ‘We are not a sexy industry but we do play a vital role in manufacturing, and we tend to be – certainly on the production and supply side – northern and Midlands-based as opposed to southern. ‘By not allowing smaller independent shops at least to open up, you would not just be putting a handbrake on the industry – you would be actually stopping it and bleeding it dry to the point of extinction. We have no doubt many “Mama and Papa” operations would not survive, so leading to more empty shops on the high street.’

More Scrabble, fewer sofas: John Lewis sales drop 17% John Lewis has seen shoppers turn their attention to technology, food preparation and looking after children since lockdown began. The chain also said it had formulated plans for a 35% drop in sales. ‘Trading has been mixed. With stores closed, we have seen a significant spike in our online sales, which are up 84% year-on-year since the middle of March. The highest demand has been in areas linked to working and living at home like technology and food preparation but also in looking after and entertaining our children and keeping fit,’ says Sharon White, John Lewis Partnership chairman. ‘However, these are some of our less

Interiors Monthly May 2020

profitable lines. We are buying more Scrabble but fewer sofas. Overall, sales are down 17% year-on-year since the middle of March, and down 7% year-onyear since 26 January. ‘Our worst-case scenario for the full year assumes significant sales decline between April and June, and weak sales thereafter. This would result in a sales decline of around 35% in John Lewis, around double the current level, while at Waitrose it would result in a more modest decline of less than 5%.’ In a letter to staff, White said its cash and investments of £900m were broadly the same as six weeks ago and it had access to a further £500m of borrowings.

‘But with such unprecedented trading volatility we have a range of actions we are ready to take to secure the financial sustainability of the partnership,’ she says. The business rates holiday will save the group £135m. Other steps include: lowering planned stock intake; reducing operating costs, including cutting back on marketing spend by close to £100m; cutting capital and investment commitments by £200m; furloughing more than 14,000 employees; negotiating regarding rent relief, and working with its banks to consider how extra flexibility can be provided. The executive team and board are taking a 20% pay cut for three months.

NEWS

DFS boosts liquidity with share issue DFS has raised £64m by issuing new shares and secured further bank borrowing of £70m. The group issued 19.9% more shares while the new 12-month banking facility is in addition to its existing £250m facility maturing in August 2022. It says it has had successful discussions with landlords and suppliers to reduce monthly outgoings and now expects this to be less than £14m a month, down from its previous forecast of £15m. It has furloughed 5,000 employees while the board has taken a 20% cut in salaries. From 25 March to 19 April it sold £7m of sofas online. DFS and Sofology are continuing to receive deliveries from Far East suppliers and Dwell has been sending accessories to customers. It says it will ‘restart sofa deliveries once it is clear there is a safe and workable approach for two-person installations into customer homes’. ‘The mitigating actions we have taken, alongside the new financing arrangements and placing, significantly increases the financial resilience of DFS for the months ahead,’ says Tim Stacey, DFS chief executive. ‘Alongside these actions, we also greatly appreciate the support and efforts from our loyal employees, committed suppliers and understanding landlords.’

Administration for Lombok Furniture retailer Lombok has gone into administration after attempts to sell it failed, with its 43 staff made redundant. ‘In line with many retail businesses [Lombok] struggled as a result of the economic climate, changing consumer behaviour and spending habits. We also

can’t ignore the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had in this instance,’ says Brian Burke, Quantuma jointadministrator. ‘The pressure on nonessential retailers is at an all-time high, making it somewhat impossible for a company in this position to recover. Despite our efforts,

we have been unable to conclude a sale up to now. However, we are still actively looking to sell the brand and its IPR, and would urge any interested parties to get in touch.’ Lombok, founded in 1998, previously went into administration in 2009 and 2011

MFS cancelled

The Manchester Furniture Show has been cancelled for 2020. The July exhibition’s venue Manchester Central has been converted to a temporary hospital – NHS Nightingale Hospital North West – with 750 beds. ‘This has not been an easy decision, as we understand how important a strong summer sales event is to the furniture industry,’ says Cleere Scamell, Clarion Events event director. ‘The 2021 edition will be a special opportunity for the industry to come together in better times, with new, enhanced sectors. Over the coming weeks I will outline plans for supporting the industry with resources and virtual product launches.’

End for Cath Kidston UK stores Cath Kidston’s 60 UK stores will not reopen, after a pre-pack administration by its owner Baring Private Equity Asia. The homewares and clothing label will sell online, by concession and through other retailers. Some 908 staff will be made redundant, with 32 retained. ‘While we are pleased that the future of Cath Kidston has been secured, this is an extremely difficult day as we say goodbye to many colleagues,’ says Melinda Paraie, Cath Kidston chief executive.

Luigi Feltrin, Arper founder and honorary president, died on 5 April. He was 85. He founded Arper in Monastier di Treviso, Italy in 1989, together with his sons Claudio, Arper president, and Mauro. Over the years the company has established itself as a global furniture brand with an international design presence, creating chairs, tables and furnishing for community, work and home.

Interiors Monthly May 2020

IMAGE: GIOVANNI GASTEL

Arper founder Luigi Feltrin dies Feltrin visited the company daily and never failed to share his passion and sincere admiration for the brand and its products with everyone. He led a dynamic life, full of challenges: he moved to Piedmont when he was young, then to Switzerland. He finally returned to Veneto to begin his entrepreneurial journey, initially dedicated to the processing of leather – building the foundations for

Arper’s materials knowledge and expertise. Today Arper has 260 employees, a turnover of €72m, 92% export, and 12 showrooms worldwide. ‘My brother Mauro, my son Giulio and particularly I were lucky enough to work alongside my father. The past 48 years have enriched me in a priceless way, because with a mentor like him, one can only get better and better,’ says Claudio Feltrin.

NEWS

Administration for Brighthouse Rent-to-buy furniture and electricals chain Brighthouse has gone into administration. Grant Thornton has been named as administrator of the 240-store chain, which employs 2,400 staff. In October 2017, the company was fined almost £15m by the Financial Conduct Authority for not acting as a ‘responsible lender’. It said some customers were given rental agreements despite being unable to realistically afford to make the repayments. In January, the chain said it was under pressure from dealing with additional mis-selling claims. The chain saw profits crash after the FCA imposed more detailed consumer application requirements as part of a wider investigation of the sector. This saw a major drop in new customers.

Knight to remain at ScS helm David Knight, ScS ceo is to postpone his retirement. He had told the upholstery and flooring chain in January he wanted to retire and gave his contractual 12 months’ notice. Now he has agreed he will not leave before the end of July 2021, and will stay in the job beyond this date if finding a successor takes longer. Separately, the chain has abandoned its proposed interim dividend for May. ‘Despite the strength of our balance sheet, the board feels that it is appropriate to suspend payment of the interim dividend. At a time when the UK government is supporting ScS, it seems inappropriate to use the cash for anything other than protecting the financial strength and resilience of the business,’ it says.

Investment group buys majority stake in Emma German investment group Haniel has bought a majority share in mattress-in-a-box company Emma – The Sleep Company. Haniel, which had sales of €4.5bn in 2019, has bought 50.1% of the company. Emma co-founders Manuel Muller and Dennis Schmoltzi will retain a 24.95% stake each and will continue to run the company. ‘With Emma, we are very pleased to have won a young, innovative and at the same time fast-growing UK sales have jumped company with many unique selling propositions for the further transformation of our portfolio,’ says Thomas Schmidt, Haniel ceo. Haniel was founded in 1756 and remains family owned. It has six divisions, each of which is independently run, including mattress ticking manufacturer BekaertDeslee. Others include packaging equipment manufacturing, fish processing, metals, marketing and electronics. Its UK arm Emma Mattress saw UK sales almost double in the first quarter of this year, and says coronavirus is having no impact on business. UK sales grew by 83%. Quarterly sales figures were not disclosed. Sales in the first half of 2019 were £18m. ‘2019 has been a record year with revenues of €150m worldwide. The figures of this year’s first quarter demonstrate that we are fostering our leading market position in the UK, not only within the bed-in-a-box segment but also in the traditional mattress industry in general,’ says Mueller. Group profitability rose 58%. ‘Our business strategy is proving its strength, value and sustainability as we keep growing in our fourth year at an outstanding pace whilst operating profitably since 2017. We have no plans to slow down, and in fact see a stronger opportunity in the current climate of reduced competition and increased online traffic to seize a faster growth rate. We forecast further market consolidation and drop-outs later this year,’ says Benjamin Quiroga-Rivera, Emma Mattress co-founder.

Profits will return, says Wilding ‘Once the storm has passed, people will again want flooring and revenues and profits will recover quickly for businesses in a position to respond to renewed demand,’ believes Geoff Wilding, Victoria Group executive chairman. ‘There is no doubt in our minds that Victoria will survive the induced disruption we presently face and, whether it lasts three months, six months or even longer, we do not want to lose that time in executing our business plan.’ Wilding says the group is ‘well positioned to weather

this storm and the likely outcomes. All that can be done, is being done. ‘We have a strong balance sheet, motivated and talented operational management, fully developed contingency plans covering scenarios of varying severity and duration, and geographic diversity of end markets and manufacturing facilities. ‘Operational management are acutely aware of the absolute need for cash preservation and to stay “ahead of the curve” in terms of reducing costs ahead of any revenue declines.’

Sturrock steps down James Sturrock is to step down as ceo of Eve Sleep and be succeeded by chief marketing officer Cheryl Calverley. Sturrock is to leave his role on 12 May to take up a new job but will remain at the company as a non-executive director. He joined Eve in September 2018 with the task of halting the firm’s cash burn and instigating a turnaround plan. Calverley was the first of the new management team recruited by Sturrock in December 2018. ‘The timing is right to make this transition. Eve is well advanced on the path to profitability,’ says Sturrock.

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AWARDS

Once again in the Interiors Monthly Awards, we want you to tell us which retailers, manufacturers and suppliers are the best in the interiors industry. As ever, the criteria to base your vote on is entirely up to you. Download a copy of the entry form from www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk, email akidd@interiorsmonthly.co.uk or complete the email questionnaire we’ll send you. As well as having your say, casting your vote gives you the chance to win a superb hamper from Fortnum & Mason. Voting closes on 30 June. Here’s a reminder of the winners of the 2019 awards. Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores): AJ Rogers & Sons Best Furniture Retailer (1-3 stores): David Salmon Best Flooring Retailer (4+ stores): SCS Best Furniture Retailer (4+ stores): Dreams Best Online Retailer: Argos Best UK Furniture Manufacturer: Whitemeadow Best UK Flooring Manufacturer: Furlong Flooring Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer: Wiemann Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer: Balta Best Furniture Buying Group: AIS Best Flooring Buying Group: ACG Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket): Hypnos Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-Market): Sealy Best Bed Manufacturer (Value): Silentnight Best Carpet Manufacturer: Cormar Carpet Company Best Bed Manufacturer (Adjustable): Adjustamatic Best Rug Supplier: Think Rugs Best Bedroom Manufacturer: Nolte Mobel Best Laminate Manufacturer: Egger Best Dining Room Manufacturer: Skovby Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer: Woodpecker Flooring Best Living Room Manufacturer: Rowico UK Best Underlay Manufacturer: Interfloor Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury): Ashley Manor Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer: Westbridge Furniture Designs Best Vinyl Manufacturer: IVC Group Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury): Ekornes Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer: La-Z-Boy UK Best LVT Manufacturer: Karndean Designflooring Best Recliner Manufacturer: himolla Best Accessory Supplier: Premier Housewares

Interiors Monthly May 2020

Best Flooring Accessory Supplier: Ball & Young Best Children's Furniture Manufacturer: Steens Best Flatpack Furniture Supplier: Core Products Best Home Entertainment Supplier: Jual Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer: Morris & Co Best Mattress Protection Provider: Mattressgard Best Furniture Wholesaler: Julian Bowen Best Flooring Wholesaler: Floorwise Best Customer Service (Flooring): Associated Weavers Best Customer Service (Furniture): Julian Bowen Best Business Support (Flooring): SMG Best Business Support (Furniture): Greenwood Retail Best Marketing Support (Flooring): Flooring One Best Marketing Support (Furniture): NBF Best Software Supplier (Flooring): Computers for Flooring Best Software Supplier (Furniture): RetailSystem Best Flooring Exhibition: BGNFS Best Furniture Exhibition: January Furniture Show Best Product Protection Provider (Flooring): Stroolmount Best Product Protection Provider (Furniture): Staingard Best Warranty Provider: Castelan Group Best New Supplier: Orbital Best Flooring Website: Karndean Designflooring Best Furniture Website: Sleepeezee Best Finance Provider: V12 EDITOR’S CHOICE Product of the Year (Flooring): Associated Weavers Flooring Brand 2020: Cormar Carpet Company Furniture Brand 2020: Parker Knoll Sustainability (Flooring): CRUK Sustainability (Furniture): Silentnight Outstanding Performance (Flooring): Ulster Carpets Industry Contribution: The Metro Group

AWARDS

Who gets your vote? RETAILERS TO COMPLETE ONLY Best Customer Service (Furniture) Best UK Furniture Manufacturer Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer Best Furniture Buying Group Best Accessory Supplier Best Lighting Manufacturer Best Mattress Protection Provider Best Bed Manufacturer (Luxury) Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-market) Best Bed Manufacturer (Value) Best Bedroom Manufacturer Best Dining Room Manufacturer Best Living Room Manufacturer Best Children's Furniture Manufacturer Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer Best Luxury Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer Best Luxury Leather Upholstery Manufacturer Best Flatpack Furniture Manufacturer Best Furniture Wholesaler

Best Underlay Manufacturer Best Flooring Accessory Supplier Best Vinyl Manufacturer Best Luxury Vinyl Supplier Best Flooring Exhibition Best Flooring Website Best Flooring Wholesaler Best Software Supplier Best Finance Provider Best Business Support (Flooring) Best Business Support (Furniture) Best Marketing Support Innovation of the Year Best Recliner Manufacturer Best Home Entertainment Supplier Best Warranty Provider Best Product Protection Provider Best New Supplier Product of the Year Best Blinds and Shutters Supplier Best Rigid Floor Manufacturer

Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer Best Furniture Exhibition

SUPPLIERS TO COMPLETE ONLY

Best Furniture Website

Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores)

Best Customer Service (Flooring)

Best Flooring Retailer (4+ stores)

Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

Best Furniture Retailer (1-3 stores)

Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer

Best Furniture Retailer (4+ stores)

Best Flooring Buying Group

Best Online Retailer

Best Carpet Manufacturer Best Rug Supplier

Email your nominations to: akidd@interiorsmonthly.co.uk Name: ......................................................................................................................................................

Best Laminate Manufacturer

Company:............................................................................................................................................

Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer

Position:................................................................................................................................................ Tel: .................................................... Email: ........................................................................................

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NEW PRODUCTS

4 2

1 Woodsense by Ragno is the new woodlook stoneware collection inspired by salvaged antique beams and wooden boards. It comes in four extremely natural colours: two warm – Beige and Marrone – and two cold – Avorio and Grigio. It is available in 25cm x 150cm; 19cm x 150cm and 20cm x 120cm sizes and an outdoor version too. Visit: www.ragno.co.uk

sun-bleached colour: March Yellow. Visit: www.massproductions.se

2 Vincent van Gogh’s obsession with yellow flowers and sunlit fields inspired Massproductions when launching their outdoor furniture range in a brand-new

4 In a palette of 12 timeless tones, from classic ruby through to beige and modern greys, Balta Carpets’ StainSafe Provincetown offers a great range of colours

Interiors Monthly May 2020

3 Kvadrat has added to its Raf Simmons fabric collection with Silas (pictured top, with Sonar and Pilot) made from 75% wool and 25% nylon – offering an exceptional volume and softness which is the result of a complex finishing progress. Visit: www.kvadrat.dk

for any homeowner looking for a carpet that’s easy to live with and which can endure busy family life. Wherever it’s found, from living spaces to hallways and bedrooms, Provincetown brings a classic twist look. Tel: 00 32 5662 2211 5 Brokis’ Bonbori outdoor light has a stainless steel base in a choice of matte metallic colours. Thanks to a subtle set of openings, laser cut and paired with the lightly tinted opaline glass shade, Bonbori diffuses a peaceful light. Visit: www.brokis.cz 

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6 Magic Circus Éditions has designed the Balloon collection in collaboration with Venini to create lights of Murano glass, mouth blown, with brass or nickel fittings. Balloon defies gravity with its haute-couture, weightless designs. Are they giant beehives or helium-filled balloons from our childhood memories? Visit: www.magic-circus.fr

7 Amaryllis (pictured) and Primrose, from the recently launched Eternity range from Balta Carpets, promote the best in supersoft, stain-free and durable nylon carpets. Eternity takes inspiration from the natural world and uses the latest in yarn technology to cope with the rigours of modern home living. Visit: www.eternity-carpet.com 8 Frag’s Riviera is an armchair displaying hints of modernism in its use of metallic tubing, while a contemporary decorative influence comes from the burnished brass finish and the combination of hide-covered cushions and the saddle leather on the seat base and back. Visit: www.frag.it 9 The square forms the basis for Jan Kath’s Yantra collection. Coloured squares are nested inside one another in the designs to give each carpet its own visual magnetism, defining the central point of any room. Yantra is knotted by hand in workshops in the Agra region of India. Customers can choose the size they require as well as the colours. Visit: www.jan-kath.com 10 Turri’s Milano collection plays on the contrast between different materials: metal for the bases and leather for the upholstery. The bed, supported by a light frame in curved metal, is characterised by an ample, enveloping and comfortable headboard. The same materials are used for the bedside tables, the pouf and bench, as well as the console and chest of drawers. Visit: www.turri.it

Interiors Monthly May 2020

2020

NEW FOR

N W

INCETO V O

N CETO

12 TIMELESS COLOURS

Classic style for modern living. Provincetown is the latest style to grace our famous StainSafeÂŽ collection of bleach cleanable carpets. A classic 1/8th gauge cut pile with a 20 year StainSafe promise, Provincetown delivers an enduring carpet in family homes.

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SERVICE

Richard Renouf

Fits perfectly

Companies need to be accurate when describing products It was time for a new suit. I’d worn out the knees of my trousers, yet again, due to all the time I’d spent crawling around inspecting the undersides of dining tables, the rubbish tips behind kitchen plinths and the unevenness of floors. Something special was called for. Perhaps even a suit specifically made for furniture and flooring inspections. I decided to speak to a bespoke tailor in Savile Row. ‘Of course we can help, sir,’ he said. He took out his tape measure and his assistant jotted down the figures. It was remarkable how different my left side was to the right: I’d clearly made the right decision. I explained what my work involved and, after much reassurance that all would be fine, I arranged to call back two weeks later for the fitting. When I arrived I was taken into the tailor’s workroom. There was an assortment of legs, sleeves, pockets, lapels and other suit components spread out on the workbench. ‘This is the arm that would suit your right side,’ said the tailor. ‘It’s from our best-selling suit. For the left, how about this one?’ He held up

Kitchens are rarely bespoke

Interiors Monthly May 2020

A unique suit was promised

a sleeve that looked slightly smaller. ‘It’s the perfect size, and I think we can match it with the right trouser leg so it won’t look out of place. And how about this for your left leg?’ By the time he finished, we had an agglomeration of parts from seven different suits which he proposed to sew together to create my bespoke outfit. It

would be unique, of course. But it would also be unacceptable, so perhaps it’s as well that I made this story up and it isn’t true in the way that I told it. But it’s true in many other ways. The idea of bespoke furniture, or a bespoke kitchen, is commonplace. But in the majority of cases the designer is assembling a selection of standard units to fit the available space, with adjustable filler panels to close any gaps. It’s as bespoke as my tailored suit, ie not bespoke at all. There are very few companies who will take a measurement and make units to fit, rather than make the measurement fit their units. And if we ask whether the furniture is hand-made we walk into another minefield. Most hand-made furniture makers use machines, often the same ones that are used in mass production. And when it comes to upholstery, I haven’t come across any, during all the manufacturer visits I’ve done, that didn’t involve a high proportion of hand skills. It could all be considered ‘hand-made’, and in the absence of an accepted clear definition there are always going to be

SERVICE

Everyone has a different opinion on comfort

companies who use this confusion to their advantage. One of our biggest retailers has already done so, claiming its upholstery is ‘hand-made in Britain, not mass-produced’. I can’t disagree with half that sentence. Earlier this year The Guardian published the story of a customer who bought a ‘solid ash’ table by mail order and it was found to be a 7mm layer of ash (I’d call that a veneer, but apparently there’s no clear definition for maximum thickness of a veneer) glued onto plywood. If it had been flooring, it would have been described as ‘engineered wood’, but the retailer had been creative and argued that it was solid wood all the way through so the description was justified. There are similar examples in the rulings of the Advertising Standards Authority, which are published and available on its website. The ‘solid oak’ legs made from oak blocks glued together (‘laminated’) and then wrapped with an outer layer of oak to look like a solid component, indistinguishable from solid oak to the average consumer. This was in fact one of the arguments used

to justify the description: if the consumer wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, where was the deceit? Consumer law is designed to protect consumers from such deceit. They should be able to rely on descriptions applied to furniture and flooring – and every other product – and it is against the law to mis-describe what you sell. The examples that reach the press, and all too often the courts, bring our trade into disrepute and reduce consumer confidence. Not all descriptions are easy to check out, however. Comfort is subjective, for example. It’s a personal perception: what’s comfortable for me might not be for you, and vice versa. So when I encounter claims such as: ‘Your comfort’s assured’, ‘supportive luxury’, and ‘superbly comfortable’, I don’t find it surprising that customers want to take action when they prove to be the exception. And it’s also not surprising that I can’t provide any evidence to prove their discomfort or otherwise. In the past six months I’ve carried out several double inspections and even a triple. A visit to the customer to inspect

what they received and a visit to the shop to inspect what they saw and tried out. And in the triple, a trip to the shop’s warehouse as well, where part of the consumer’s suite was in storage because they’d bought a new one, they were so disappointed. If there’s a mismatch between what the customer saw and tested and what they received, it’s a simple issue to sort out. But where the customer has simply not tested things thoroughly before placing their order, the trader’s claims may not be enough for a successful court action. If they now find the shop model just as uncomfortable as the one they have, they have clearly got what they ordered. In the early 1990s, Qualitas set out a series of standard definitions of furniture and flooring terms to avoid confusion, accidental or otherwise. Perhaps we should be updating this so that we’re all speaking the same language, and it’s one the customer understands and trusts. Visit: www.richard-renouf.com Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

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A UK brand since 1964

EXPERIENCES

Pandemic

Responses to the impact of coronavirus THE MANUFACTURER Core Products You may have seen the BBC2 programme Race Across the World, where intrepid travellers attempt to transverse South America on a limited budget and timescale? My experience of lockdown was akin to it. While most exhibitions have been cancelled or postponed in plenty of time to avoid the journey, not so Brazil’s Movelsul, scheduled for mid-March. When Stuart Wallace, Core Products director and I set off from the UK, coronavirus was starting to take hold, but there were no restrictions at the airports and Brazil had yet to be affected. What we had not anticipated was being 5,000 miles from home when the pandemic crossed all geographical borders. Initially we visited our suppliers and everything was normal – until the Friday before the show, when reports of the virus reached us. With just 48 hours to go, the show was cancelled, shops and hotels were closed and regional flights were grounded. Brazil is made up of a number of regions, each locally governed, and ours was not affected so we thought we would be OK. But the situation was escalating rapidly in the rest of the world and international flights were in disarray. Stuart managed a seat on

Mike Rowley and Stuart Wallace planting trees in Brazil

an earlier flight back, I was booked for a few days later, but still I had no real concerns. The following lunchtime, armed police in the nearby town imposed a complete lockdown without warning, insisting we all leave the premises whilst closure notices were posted and doors locked. Thankfully I was allowed to stay at the hotel but no visitors were allowed in or out and internal flights were grounded. Just five guests remained: I hope you all made it back safely. My escape involved a drive over the border to the next state to catch one of the

few flights not cancelled back to Sao Paulo for a flight to the UK. The international airport was chaos, with lines of stranded travellers trying to book any available flight out of the country: the flight to the UK was full with every nationality possible. Everyone was so delighted to be heading home there was a round of applause on touchdown. Only on leaving a virtually empty car park onto a deserted motorway did it hit home to me how much our world had changed in just 10 days. Mike Rowley, Core Products ceo

THE SALES AGENT Malcolm Nix Furniture Associates Having worked with the dedicated Italian Gradi family at Gradi Living for 15 months, we expected 2020 to be a different year – but not in the way it has turned out. Along with the rest of the industry, 2019 saw us weathering the effects of Brexit, while making significant design developments and specification updates: 2020 was to be the year these were established, along with further exciting product additions. Spring was to see renewed show-van activity, with the Scottish show in April and then in June an At Home exhibition in the Tuscan hills where Gradi is manufactured, not far from the beautiful city of Florence. Instead, myself and my UK sales agent colleagues are in lockdown, unable to communicate with our retail friends and

Interiors Monthly May 2020

partners. In Quarrata, the factory sits silent, the balance of our order book going nowhere. There has been a noticeable delay to outstanding payments which has added a further negative short-term impact. Whilst the governments here and in Italy have promised support to businesses and the self-employed, there is no tangible evidence of this yet. After significant investment and high levels of planned activity, our ambitions for 2020 lie in the balance. Our team are keeping in touch, remaining positive and looking forward to returning to the market once the situation allows. We need to see positive steps soon, as do the retailers we serve and support, before lasting damage makes the recovery so much more difficult. As a small, agile artisan business,

Gradi has been able to implement a cost and cash saving programme for now, but is very aware that even once the doors open the return to normalised trading levels may take some time and will need marketing support and initiatives to encourage this. On the plus side my house has never been so clean, my wardrobe and drawers never more sorted, the cars never more shiny. The dog is happy to receive the extra walks and our full-time company but misses playing with the grandchildren – as do we. For now, all we can do is follow the guidelines and prepare as best we can for a resumption of trade when the doors of retail are allowed to reopen. Malcom Nix, Malcom Nix Furniture Associates owner

EXPERIENCES THE RETAILERS Fludes Carpets In the first two months of 2020 we felt that things were gradually improving: the two years of Brexit anxiety followed by three months of election uncertainty were behind us and business was slowly on the way up. What we didn’t know was that something even worse was almost upon us. It started with washing your hands and singing happy birthday twice. Then getting all the staff together and talking about how to maintain a good level of hygiene in the stores. Lots of anti-bac wipes for the surfaces, computers and phones; disposable gloves and hand gel for the sales staff and estimators. Then ensuring that customers were happy with our estimators to visit. By the second week of March customers were calling us and putting estimates and fittings on hold, promising they would rearrange new dates when things were ‘back to normal’. It was soon apparent that social distancing was the precursor to something more serious and we began discussing when we would close the shops. We had already started to wind things down, securing stores and putting a six-month cashflow projection

together, speaking to our landlords and beginning to try to preserve cashflow, when the Government made the decision for us. The swift announcement that there was to be support for business coincided with our plans to examine all avenues of saving on costs. And so we decided to furlough the majority of our staff. This combined with the scrapping of business rates for this year and the possibility of grants based on business rate levels meant that that the projected cashflow looked a lot better. The big question was – and remains – how long is this for? The fact that the job retention scheme was to last for three months (now four months) surely gives us a starting point. It looks like a return at the end of May or early June is the earliest scenario. And when we get back, will customers be willing to come to us now that things are “back to normal’? Then came the corona business loan option, which has been re-jigged a number of times. How many small businesses will choose to borrow and have a debt hanging over them for five years plus, and then also have to put a personal guarantee on the

loan? Although this has now been waived for loans of up to £250,000 the questions are: do I need this, how long is this going to last, will I be able to make the repayments? Everyone will need to make a decision based on their own situation. Some people may be approaching retirement and take this opportunity to close down, others will be taking a long-term view. I feel confident that we have done all we can with regard to looking after our staff, mitigating expenses and future planning, but it’s frustrating that after two years of difficult trading, we looked like getting back on track and are now in a worse situation. I am uncertain of what the future holds for all of us: retailers, manufacturers and customers alike, and concerned for our staff, their wellbeing and their future if things last longer than anticipated. But I am hopeful that we will keep in good spirits and return to our shops full of desire to get selling again. I hope that all of our colleague retailers are well and manage to navigate the next few difficult months. Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets md

support British business with a £330 billion loan system… We originally applied on 24 March through our bank, which we have been with for more than 15 years. Our account manager knows our business quite well, and gets copies of our year-end accounts that have, at least for the last seven years, shown a very healthy business making significant profit. So you would expect the bank to really want to lend to us as the risk would be minimal, as the Government would be underwriting 80% of the loan? After filling out so much more paper along with full cashflow forecasts, we still, as of 22 April, have no decision on the loan. What worries me is if I am struggling to get a loan, how will so many other businesses get approved? We don’t know if it’s the bank or the Government holding things up, but this loan system needs fixing quickly as it’s not fit for purpose. On a very positive note, we received, within days of applying, a £25,000 grant from the local council, which again I take my hat off to the Chancellor for as this was very welcome. We made sure before we closed that we had every client’s flooring in our warehouse so that when we are allowed to open we

can move quickly to get orders installed. I believe that for the first six weeks of opening, at least, we will be extremely busy with existing orders. I am personally feeling good about the long-term (two to three year) outlook as I believe when a vaccine is found, things will return to normal and our business will continue to grow. It will be hard work for the next 12-18 months, though, as we will have to limit the amount of clients in our very large showroom and all staff will have to take lots more precautions such as wearing gloves and masks and using antibacterial gel. You do appreciate life a lot more being off work. With my wife and two small children, we have spent lots of time playing board games, having water fights in the garden with the neighbours, Zooming friends and family, home schooling and early morning jogging with my son. It’s a much slower way of life and that might partly continue when we return. We have been getting emails from existing and future clients wishing us well and saying they are looking forward to seeing us soon, which really does bring a smile to my face. Taro Strowgger, Floor Coverings owner

Floor Coverings We shut the showroom on 24 March (my birthday) and furloughed all our 11 staff and contacted about 50 clients to say that their installations wouldn’t be taking place on the dates booked as we had to close. The vast majority of clients were very understanding and although we couldn’t give them a future installation date nobody cancelled their orders, so we have a full diary of work to carry out upon our return. It’s a very strange feeling having to close a business you have built up for the last 24 years, not knowing when you will be reopening or if you ever will. We run a tight ship at Floor Coverings so there wasn’t a huge amount of disposable income activities I could reduce – the only things I could really save money on were cancelling our skip and recycling for the foreseeable future. Of course as we are closed, electricity, phones, fuel bills etc will be much lower. My biggest worry was how I would pay all my staff, especially if we were closed for six months and no sales were coming in. It was a massive relief when the Government announced the furlough system and I think this was a brilliant move by the Chancellor. Now to the promise that they will

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UPHOLSTERY

DS-580

On a journey de Sede’s latest designs involve travel, but at home While we may be dreaming of travel, with de Sede’s seating collection as your dream destination, you can relax perfectly at home instead. It doesn‘t take much more than a perfect piece of furniture – the kind de Sede just happens to build: free from frills, in the best quality and committed only to you – so you can unwind, sit or lie down, just being, or enjoying a fine drink, reading a great book or listening to your favourite music. The sumptuous seat and back cushions give de Sede’s DS-748 its distinctive appearance, the lush armrests providing perfect relaxation for shoulders and arms while the slot-in cushion offers additional comfort. The folds visible on the seating surfaces are characteristic of the DS-748, as are the discreet and restrained legs that make the sculpture seem to float in space. With DS-580, de Sede imagines travel of a different type: time travel, with a modular reinterpretation of the leather classic DS-P from 1971. It allows the option of adapting the sofa to individual needs: the extendible seat can be comfortably enlarged, and the user sinks into a soothing landscape of relaxation. In its form and function, the elegant refreshment of this de Sede classic

Interiors Monthly May 2020

proves an all-rounder, equipped with lush cushions and radiating a timeless presence. The modular construction can be expanded flexibly to create appealing, individual compositions for connoisseurs. With forward sliding surfaces, these comfortable seats can be enlarged. Meanwhile, the striking modern buttoning and the soft cushions ensure comfort. In his first design for the company French designer Patrick Norguet continues the time-travelling, here, back to the Belle Époque with the addition of the French Touch. It is the combination of straight contours and proven comfort that makes DS-175 a style icon. The seating surface positioned on a platform and the filigree supports appeal for their stylish simplicity. Inspired by classic elements and modern combinations, this item of furniture brings a centre of calm to a space, all the while aiming to serve as a timeless icon of style. DS-414 – the evolved form of the DS-343 wing chair – travels with you, as it adapts to the movements of the person seated. With DS-414, the design does not follow the classic seating construction that stops at the backrest; instead, it extends up to the height of

the pelvis. If the user leans backwards, the backrest element, from the pelvic height up, automatically moves with them – without any mechanical effort, and solely as a result of the change in posture. DS-414 can be positioned anywhere around the home, making the joys of

DS-414

UPHOLSTERY DS-175

dining even more pleasurable and the fun of company even greater than before: the proven movement mechanism actively supports the spine, promoting better posture and making everything a delight: dining, discussing, reflecting – even working at the table is suddenly a great deal easier. Stefan Heiliger ranks among Germany‘s best-known furniture designers. As the son of Bernhard Heiliger, one of the most important German sculptors of the post-war period, he always knows how to give his furniture designs a sculptural appearance. For more than 30 years, he has been thinking about sitting – and for Heiliger, the focus is not just on functionality and ergonomics but on healthy pragmatism, too. This furniture is largely destined not for museums or galleries but for serial

production, and the person who will make him or herself at home on it. The flowing, curved forms transform his seating furniture into sculptures that are certain to offer pleasure and relaxation for those who sit on them. His creation, the DS-266, offers movement and is not a place to sit or lie down: it’s a hybrid that permits both at once: slight shifts in bodyweight or gentle pressure to the backrest always

result in the shape and benefits desired. A closer look at DS-266 will also reveal a clenched fist in the sitting position that transforms into an open hand when used as a recliner. Visit: www.desede.ch

DS-266

DS-748

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CARPET

Provincetown

Looking forward

Newport

Balta has been expanding its collections Balta Carpets is taking every possible precaution to protect the wellbeing of its colleagues and the wider community, while also making sure it is supporting its customers at this challenging time. From inspiring homeowners with dedicated websites for its brands to developing ranges for launch later this year that will help retailers through peak trading times, Balta Carpets wants to make sure that the UK retail carpet industry gets back up to speed as soon as possible. Throughout the early part of the year, Balta Carpets has been working hard to bring several updates to market, including additions to the Leonis and StainSafe collections, the launch of the Eternity brand and a fresh new look for its long-running Satino PA line. Leonis saw the addition of Newport. Introducing more depth to the collection, this new 1/8th gauge Saxony carpet upholds the easy maintenance nature of the brand, delivering bleach-cleanability and a 20-year StainSafe guarantee against common household stains. StainSafe’s Provincetown has a palette of 12 tones from traditional ruby through to modern grey, with a classic matt finish for a more traditional look. It has a 15-year wear warranty and a 20-year StainSafe warranty. As demand for the luxury look of PA styles continues to rise, Balta Carpets’ new Eternity collection boasts lifetime stain-resistance and light-fastness, bringing practicality as well as luxury.

Interiors Monthly May 2020

Made with Balta’s Imprel Finesse SD yarn that sees colour run right through the fibre, Eternity is initially available in two styles: Primrose and Amaryllis. Offering different pile heights and weights but sharing the same palette of 12 rich and vivid colours, Primrose and Amaryllis allow consumers to choose style based on affordability or use. Satino has been given a marketing facelift, with a new website, lectern graphics and an updated tombola. The collection has also been expanded with the introduction of Cascade, using the more delicate sheen of Imprel Opal yarn

for a subtle silk effect. Now offering a choice of five qualities, including updated colour palettes on Royale and Romantica, Satino delivers PA styles at a wide range of entry points, ensuring retailers benefit from more choice. As thoughts begin to turn towards life after lockdown, the developments and innovations continuing to be made by Balta Carpets ensure retailers are supported with the very latest in valueorientated carpets, ready to help them to take on the pent-up consumer demand expected later this year. Tel: 00 32 5662 2211

Romantica

CARPET

Feel it

Softissimo offers underfoot luxury

As you get out of bed, the first thing you want your feet to feel is luxury. And with a pile height of 14.5mm and a pile weight of 1,800g per sqm (2,530g per sqm in total) that is what Softissimo delivers. The Associated Weaversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Saxony is made using its iVerse polyester yarn for

excellent bounce-back and a carpet that is soft, durable and bleach cleanable. Available in 10 shades, from greys to cream and pink to beige, Softissimo is available in 4m and 5m widths and is suitable for living rooms too. It uses the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FusionBac premium carpet

backing, made by fusing together a fleece layer and a woven polypropylene backing. This makes the carpet easy to install and improves both heat and noise insulation, as well as extending the life of your carpet. Visit: www.carpetyourlife.co.uk

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CARPET

Making a difference The use of Econyl yarn is helping to clean the seas Sedna carpet is soft, luxurious and durable. It is made with Econyl regenerated nylon, a yarn made from recycled waste material such as old carpets and abandoned fishing nets collected from the bottom of the sea. Sedna thus helps to save thousands of beautiful sea creatures like sea turtles, dolphins and seals that will no longer get stuck in this life-threatening waste. It is estimated that 640,000 tons of fishing gear is lost or abandoned in our oceans each year, accounting for onetenth of all marine litter. Each year, more than 100.000 sea animals are trapped and killed in those nets. Carpet manufacturer Associated Weavers is aware of the important role it can play in the journey towards a more sustainable use of plastics. Along with Healthy Seas and Econyl it is on a mission to clean the seas of marine litter.

Interiors Monthly May 2020

CARPET

There are two Sedna ranges in the UK: Varuna (here and opposite) and Yara (below)

By collaborating with the fishing industry and farms and with the help of volunteer divers from Healthy Seas, ghost fishing nets are being collected worldwide. Then, along with other waste, including old carpets that otherwise end up in landfill, they are regenerated into nylon yarn through the Econyl process. This yarn can be reused time and time again while maintaining its quality. Sedna carpets use the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ECO FusionBac backing, which is made from recycled PET bottles and can also be recycled at the end of its life. A dedicated POS unit is available and Associated Weavers has also invested in social media to help reach its target consumers and drive footfall. Visit: www.sedna-carpet.co.uk

640,000 tons of fishing gear is lost or abandoned each year

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CARPET Prism

Springtime

Test of time

Penthouse Carpets is dedicated to working for the independent retailer As part of Great Britain’s rich textile history, Penthouse Carpets has been manufacturing quality tufted wool carpets since 1972, when its founder John Hawker first started out. Using only the finest blends of wool, Penthouse Carpets crafts its carpets to the highest quality standards, setting the benchmark for style, comfort and durability. It is passionate about providing a product that meets today’s

demanding, ever-changing family needs. Located in Rochdale, Lancashire, in the heart of the Pennines, its committed workforce of 80 each own a share of Penthouse Carpets. That means everyone is on board in maintaining the highest standards of quality and the friendly, efficient service that its loyal customers have come to expect. It continues to invest in its production facility, and most importantly in its

Crofter

Interiors Monthly May 2020

dedicated team, to ensure the consistently reliable performance that lies at the heart of its core values. The experience, pride and expertise of its workforce means there is no doubt that a Penthouse Carpets’ carpet is a wool carpet of exceptional quality. With a continuous design development programme, it ensures that its collections meet the needs of the consumer: it has recently invested in the re-colouring of the popular Stateside range, along with the Quartz and Prism ranges – not to mention the launch of Crofter, its hugely successful, nine-colour Berber twist. Understanding the needs of its retailers, it guarantees full width: that means its 4m and 5m wide carpets will never leave you short. Using only naturally sustainable jute on all its wool carpets creates a stable but flexible backing that is synonymous with Penthouse Carpets. Taking its manufacturing waste and recycling it into its Ecofelt underlay underpins the company’s environmental policy and commitment to sustainability. Penthouse Carpets is dedicated to working for the independent retailer, where confidence in your supplier really matters, supporting your business for the future. Visit: www.penthousecarpets.co.uk

LVT

Hero room

Above: Cara Sutherland shows off Karndean Designflooring’s Knight Tile in Pale Limed Oak

Karndean Designflooring has collaborated with interiors blogger Cara Sutherland Karndean Designflooring has partnered with interiors blogger Cara Sutherland as part of her living room makeover. Having recently moved to a beautiful new-build cottage, Sutherland was looking to enjoy the practicality of a Karndean Designflooring floor in her family living space at the same time as achieving her own sense of style. ‘With two small boys and a dog around, the pale grey carpet looked lovely but just didn’t work for us so I was keen to find an alternative that wasn’t just stunning to look at but could cope with everything my energetic family can throw at it. When we bought the house it is was already completely built so we didn’t get to choose any of the interior,’ she says. Having opted to visit a Karndean Inspire Studio, Creative Flooring in Berkshire, Sutherland already had an idea of what style of flooring she would like and chose a herringbone laying pattern with a decorative edge of one tile. ‘The Pale Limed Oak in a small plank from Karndean’s stylish Knight Tile collection works really well against our furniture and the flooring in the hallway. Pale Limed Oak also comes in a matching full-length plank but we loved the character of the herringbone pattern. ‘I had toyed with the idea of a grey floor but I felt this complemented the

space better. The honey tones of Pale Limed Oak perfectly balance the softness of Farrow and Ball’s Pigeon paint and the cosy sofas. Our living room is the hero

room of our home. I really love it. It feels so much more practical and so much more “me” in here now.’ Visit: www.karndean.com

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LVT Victorian Treasure in Charcoal

Perfect match

The Invictus brand has been expanded to luxury vinyl flooring Since its launch in 2015, Invictus has been the a key reference in the UK market for comfortable broadloom carpet. With its dense pile, Invictus carpet will make you prefer the carpet to the sofa. Associated Weavers, the maker of Invictus carpet, now presents Invictus luxury vinyl flooring. With the same attention to quality, the same eye for exclusive designs, and a unique performance level, Invictus luxury vinyl is the perfect match to Invictus carpet. Associated Weavers stands out from the crowd as to UK presence, branding and in-store solutions. The Invictus luxury vinyl flooring concept and display are no exception. The attractive branding

Interiors Monthly May 2020

Consumers can use the online room visualiser

LVT

Snowdon Slate in Volcano

Cottage Oak in Honey

Designers Parquet in Duchess

and visuals immediately attract customers’ attention. Associated Weavers has reinvented the in-store display and brings a tool with an intuitive digital module that is sure to offer a great customer experience, guilding customers through an efficient and fun-to-do purchase process. The symbiosis between traditional samples and digital journey is previously unseen in the flooring business. ‘Invictus luxury vinyl flooring brings a well-balanced collection of 84 SKUs: wood, stone and parquet designs in dryback and rigid click. When it comes to delivering a great performance, nothing beats Invictus luxury vinyl flooring. The name is no coincidence: in Latin ‘invictus’ means invincible,’ says Gavin Pugh, Associated Weavers md. ‘Invictus is sure to meet all your expectations. Whatever your decorating style, there’s an Invictus luxury vinyl floor for every home, from contemporary to country, townhouse to urban loft. Choose your preferred style and let it guide you towards the floor that is just right for you. For even more inspiration, use the online room visualiser.’ Visit: www.invictus.co.uk

Lovely Limestone in Pearl

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ACCESSORIES

Finishing touch

The correct accessory can make all the difference Gripperrods Premier profiles branded estimator roll

Interfloor, the UK and Europe’s largest manufacturer of flooring accessories, prides itself on providing quality products that take newly installed floorcoverings to the next level in terms of performance, as well as creative POS materials that help drives sales for retailers. ‘Our goal is to add value for our customers, providing high-quality products that enable them to be successful. We achieve this by doing more than just distributing products. We are focused on providing customers with better products, better brands and better service. We have a suite of marketing materials including eyecatching in-store POS displays as well as tools suitable for home visits,’ says

Decibel

Interiors Monthly May 2020

Palladium underlay

Gary Cowley, Interfloor sales director. Recent additions to the POS materials for Interfloor’s successful high-end Gripperrods Premier profiles range is a branded estimator roll, ideal for use during home visits to show customers how these high-quality metal profiles are the perfect finishing touch for their chosen new flooring. The estimator roll

contains samples of the profiles, available in brushed steel, nickel and chrome finishes, which are suitable for joining floors of different materials, different heights and between doorways. A sample box and wall-hangings are also available, designed to give retailers an upsell opportunity as they complete their in-store sales process. ‘Our Premier metal profiles have been a huge success with everyone since their launch. Our POS makes it very easy for retailers to offer their customers a choice of trims and upsell this luxury option, whether they are selling in-store or at the customer’s home. We’ve been delighted with the feedback to date,’ says Cowley. Interfloor’s Decibel is a unique, noise-reducing construction solution that is designed to be embedded within the sub-floor and is suitable for refurbishment and new-build projects. Already very popular in construction, Decibel products are certified and extensively tested to European standards. This innovative method can offer a saving both in cost and weight, whilst giving excellent acoustic benefits. It’s a method that will become increasingly popular in the coming years both in the UK and across Europe. Visit: www.interfloor.com

REVIEW

Living Divani’s modular version of its Floyd-Hi sofa

Views of Milan

Highlights of what would have been introduced at Salone. Visit www.salonemilano.it

Borzalino’s Ground coffee tables feature a gold or silver mesh between two glass panels of various colours

Cattelan Italia’s Premier Crystalart Drive table has a base in titanium, graphite and black-embossed lacquered steel. The top and extensions in 12mm glass have artistic decorative printing.

Ritzwell’s Mo Bridge desk (and stool) combine leather and wood and are available in several finishes

Sanwacompany’s Diverse Life with Compact modular kitchen furniture can also be used in other rooms: each single element can be inserted in different positions and used as worktop, bench, dining table or countertop

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REVIEW Kenneth Cobonpue’s Sage has velvet draped over the frame like a leaf leisurely resting on the earth

EMU’s Carousel has three versions of a lounge armchair and four of a dining armchair

Antolini’s Python Black granite can be used on the floor, worktops and walls

Actiu’s Noom 50, has a variety of options, including the company’s first fully upholstered chair

Marioni’s brass and ceramic Sunset bookcase and room divider takes its inspiration from the firm’s lighting collection

Interiors Monthly May 2020

SCAB Design’s indoor and outdoor chair Si-Si comes in several styles

REVIEW

Bosa’s animal collection now includes Bernardo the panda, created as a head of a tribe determined to fight to defend all other animals

Aran Cucine has updated Erika, one of its top-sellers, with more customisable options and finishes

A metal oval is the centrepiece of Trussardi’s Oval armchairs, chairs, pouf, coffee and side tables

Angelo Cappellini’s Degas collection includes a table with inlaid top and wooden chairs

The design of the legs of Alias’s Ago table provides more space for those sitting

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna’s NYNY storage unit is attached to the wall and the range includes a bedside table and a sideboard

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REVIEW The walnut frame of Bentley Home’s Newent envelops the sofa

Tako, Japanese for octopus, is the name of Maruni’s collection of solid wood chairs and tables, with the curvature of the backrest and armrests of the chair reminiscent of the profile of the sea creature

The XL version of Fabita’s Comodo kitchen trolley includes a hot plate Lema’s Lucylle chair, dining chair with armrests, high and low stool and lounge chair has solid oak-dyed ash legs

Interiors Monthly May 2020

Flexform has created an outdoor version of its 2011 Grandmere sofa

REVIEW

Dedon’s Mbarq takes the idea of an indoor alcove outdoors

Formitalia’s Glamour collection includes the Emy sofa, Keen tables and Jacqueline armchair

Baxter was due to debut the Baxter Gallery concept where parts of the collection can be glimpsed from room to room

Conte’s Ivonne Royal bed, Iron Baso side tables with marble tops, Corbusier bench and Chelsea chest of drawers and Circo mirror

Jumbo Collection’s Louis XV style Wallace chest of drawers and Intrigue mirror

Tonino Lamborghini Casa’s modular Frame upholstery

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REVIEW

Gianfranco Ferre Home’s Matric collection has been expanded to include occasional tables

Rimadesio’s Francis table is available in rectangular, round or square shapes with a die-cast aluminium frame in 40 finishes and the top in five different materials

Opera Contemporary’s Taylor metal bookcase has a mixture of wood, leather and marble shelves

Maxalto’s Aurae has a distinctive L shape on its sides

Porro’s Romby armchair sees a solid wood truncated cone base combined with swivel seat

Interiors Monthly May 2020

Giorgio Collection’s Mirage chaise uses Madagascan Mowingui wood, blanched, stained and covered in a polyester finish

Henge’s Big Bang table embodies the fineness and preciousness of a piece of high jewellery

REVIEW

The wooden frame of Etro’s Ceylon curves outwards recalling colonial furnishings

JCP Universe’s Selen vase is made from Selenite with a stainless steel tube

Lapalma’s Aaron combines an upholstered seat and swivel top

Terraforma’s Eleven is characterised by linear shapes made of large tubular frames that can be wrapped in braided nautical rope or upholstered with unpadded outdoor fabric or different combinations of padding

Roberto Cavalli’s Darlington has been updated with new colours Lithos Design’s Anemone tiles evoke the sea and are available in green and pink/brown shades

Potocco’s LYZ chair collection includes a variety of styles

B&B Italia Outdoor has taken the principles of upholstery and applied them to the outdoor with the Hybrid

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REVIEW

Building on the recent successes of its collection overhaul, Lano is launching further qualities to its Touchdown Collection. Serenade Rustique, Fairfield Silk and Fairfield Silk Elite featuring its Eccelena Silk Fibre would have made their UK debut at this year’s event. The main attraction on the Lano stand would have been the first UK presentation of The World’s Most Forgiving Carpet – the new Smartstrand Forever Clean collection. Visit: www.lano.com

Since acquiring the Polish rug manufacturer in 2015, globally renowned carpet company Brintons will launch Agnella into the UK, expanding its homewares offering. The launch comprises nine collections. Each rug is made by skilled craftspeople using the latest in weaving technology and British or New Zealand wool to create individual pieces that will last for years to come. With hundreds of designs from traditional through to contemporary, the rugs will add a touch of style and comfort to any space. Visit: www.brintons.co.uk

Group dynamics

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show was among the events cancelled. Here are some highlights of what you would have seen.

Balta Carpets’ Eternity, a new collection of super-soft, solution-dyed nylon carpets with lifetime stain-resistance, is supported by a lectern that captures the appeal of the range that brings everything a modern home needs. Using Balta’s Imprel Finesse SD yarn, where colour runs right through the fibre, Eternity has a palette of 12 enduring neutrals and modern pastels. Available in two qualities: Amaryllis and Primrose, the collection comes in a fine 1/10th gauge Saxony pile with Balta’s Twinback, a dense needle-felt backing that boosts underfoot comfort for even more luxury. Twinback also makes installation easier thanks to better flexibility. Tel: 00 32 5662 2211

Interiors Monthly May 2020

Brockway Carpets is launching three Lakeland Herdwick styles to complement its original three award-winning stripe, check and plain loop ranges. Made of 100% undyed wools highlighting the Herdwick fleece’s uniquely natural pigmentation, the new carpets include three versatile textures – a flatweave chevron, a four-ply chunky loop and a three-ply twist. All are available in the five established modern rustic shades. The appearance and rugged durability of the carpets results from the natural resilience of one of Britain’s best loved and hardiest sheep breeds. Soft and cosy underfoot, the eco-sustainable carpet is backed with Brockway’s pioneering Envirobac system. Visit: www.brockway.co.uk

Cavalier Carpet’s new Select-A-Swatch POS puts a stylish end to swatches lying on the floor. Following extensive development and many prototypes, the company is now able to offer you the perfect solution for the storage of Cavalier swatch books. Visitors to The Flooring Show will have seen the system, where it met with a lot of interest and even generated orders prior to going into full production. The modular wall-mounted panel design allows you to display up to 12 Cavalier products within just 1m of wall space. Visit: cavaliercarpets.co.uk

REVIEW

Gooch Oriental’s Toros collection would have been showcased at the show. Already hugely successful for the company and a long list of high-end retailers, it is available in eight options and in stock in numerous sizes up to 340cm x 240cm. These are classic contemporary designs with beautiful lustre and each piece is hand-finished and washed, with three of the options being over-dyed to create an antique effect. The rugs have a high-low pile and are made using 43% shrink acrylic and 57% viscose. The range is being expanded because of its popularity. Visit: www.goochluxuryrugs.com

Ulster Carpets would have been showcasing new designs in its Natural Choice collection and new colours within its luxurious wilton range, Ulster Velvet. Celebrating the diversity of artisan skills and reflecting cultural references from across the world, six designs are being added to its ecofriendly Natural Choice collection. The range is made from 100% natural, undyed wool to minimise the impact on the environment. Introducing a new take on the classic Ulster Velvet range with the launch of eight new colourways, this wilton carpet delivers wool-rich flooring at its finest. Visit: www.ulstercarpets.com

Celebrating the understated tones found in natural limestone by introducing five stone designs to its modern Korlok collection, Karndean Designflooring was looking forward to offering a first look at its new palette of silvery and warm mid-greys, muted and soft neutrals and honey colours. Designed to offer quicker installation times and added acoustic benefits, it is the first time the brand has added stones to its click and lock rigid core portfolio. From the striking charcoal-grey tones of Volcanic Black to the elegant Frosted Stone (pictured) with its beautiful chalky limestone effect, there’s a tone to match traditional and contemporary interiors alike. Visit: www.karndean.com

An ability to create innovative and popular rugs, carpets and runners continues to drive the Louis de Poortere collection. The Belgian company’s new 2020 rug offer includes the contemporary, colourful and abstract Gallery collection (including Dorado, pictured), while Da Mosto uses high-lustre polyester yarns to create an aged effect in a new medallion design. Introduced to the Atlantic Collection, Monetti is a series of Claude Monet inspired rugs that use the blurred intensity of iconic paintings such as The Water Lily Pond as its muse. Monetti consists of six contemporary colourways, from the vibrant Hibiscus Red through to subtle monochromes of Giverny Beige. Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

Since 1980, Elliott Anti-Slip has been the sole importer of the AKO range of rug underlay and anti-slip materials. Rug underlay is a core part of the company’s range. It is confident that it offers the most comprehensive range of anti-slip rug underlay products available in the UK, and that it can supply products to suit any rug or floor combination and most budgets. Its products are suitable for underfloor heating, are easy to cut to the desired size, washable and most importantly, they will stop rugs from slipping. Visit: www.antislip.biz

Victoria Carpets will continue to introduce several new ranges this year including EasiCare Heartlands Ultra, a true heavyweight carpet in 1/10th gauge twist pile and two-ply. Available in a mix of 16 plain and heather tones, Ultra will meet the demands of every room in today’s home. It will also extend the family with EasiCare Heartland Heathers, a move away from traditional ‘salt & pepper’ heathers, introducing a finer heather effect in 12 subtle, elegant tones. Tel: 01562 749 300

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FINAL POLISH

Happy times

Around 70 guests attended

Shaun Lewis retired after five decades in the carpet industry After 50 years in the industry, Shaun Lewis retired from Brockway Carpets last month. Shaun joined Tomkinson Carpets in 1970 and steadily worked his way up the ladder, eventually becoming national sales manager in 1985. From there he moved to Victoria Carpets in 2001, where he was appointed first as national sales manager then sales and marketing director in 2004: a position he held for 10 years before joining Brockway Carpets as sales director. Around 70 invited guests from across the industry including current and ex-colleagues, customers, suppliers and competitors attended a ‘surprise’ celebratory luncheon in his honour at the Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel, Kidderminster on 12 March. ‘When entering the room to rapturous applause from his audience, it’s fair to say that Shaun probably for the very first time in his long and distinguished career was truly lost for words and clearly very humbled,’ says Steve Glover, Brockway Carpets sales manager. ‘Around four hours were spent with guests enjoying lunch and chatting and often reminiscing about the “good old days”. ‘After brief speeches by me and John Duncan, his former boss at Victoria, Shaun took the floor for one last time to thank everyone for making the surprise event so special and memorable for him, before he picked up his pattern books for one last time and departed into the afternoon sunshine.

Interiors Monthly May 2020

‘Shaun and his wife Carolyn have recently sold their long-standing family home just outside Kidderminster and are retiring to Port Isaac in Cornwall. I’m sure

everyone in the trade who has known and had dealings with Shaun over his long career will be wishing them both a very long, happy and healthy retirement.’ Shaun Lewis: his flooring career spanned five decades

Romantica

Things don’t always follow the design

Life

There may be times you need

have in mind

CAN

often throw some curve balls

HELP

We will always be there for

YOU The Furniture Makers’ Company the furnishing industry’s charity

The Furniture Makers’ Company has been supporting the welfare of employees in the interiors and furnishing industry for more than 100 years. If you or someone you know is in need of financial support, let us help. Visit our website www.furnituremakers.org.uk/assistance or contact 020 7256 5558

This advertising space was generously donated by Interiors Monthly in support of The Furniture Makers’ Company’s welfare campaign. The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers’ Charitable Funds incorporating the Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association is a registered charity in England and Wales (no. 1015519) and a registered company (no. 02759359) in England and Wales

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