INTERIORS AND INTERIOR DESIGN - The latest trends

DRU POLO GAS STOVES BRING WARMTH AND COMFORT TO CORNISH HOTEL SUITES

DRU Fires, in partnership with leading Cornwall fireplace dealer Kernow Fires, has supplied five DRU Polo balanced flue gas stoves for the new beach lofts at one of Cornwall’s leading hotels. Watergate Bay Hotel on the north coast of Cornwall, originally designed to a be a railway terminus hotel, has been developed over the last 20 years into an inclusive year-round destination.

Its spectacular clifftop setting and location just a short hop from Cornwall Airport Newquay makes it a primary choice for travellers from all corners of the UK and beyond. T he recent closure of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant on the site paved the way for the £1.4 million development of the seven new beach lofts by contractors GSI and interior designers Dynargh Design, right above the beach. Described as ‘surf-in surf-out’ accommodation, the lofts have floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic sea views.

All have been designed to feel like modern city lofts, with warm textures and sustainable materials. High energy efficiency The DRU Polo gas stoves were chosen by Dynargh Design for their contemporary design, fitting in with the overall design and aesthetic of the beach lofts. In addition, they were selected for their A energy rating, 92% efficiency and the convenience of gas with easy remote-control operation.

They have all-year-round use and are suitable for chilly autumn days and cool summer evenings. Their balanced flue system offers flexibility of installation, as they require no chimney and only need proximity to an outside facing wall. This enables them to be installed in the living space, bedroom or bathroom subject to the design of each individual suite.

The beach lofts were completed in time for Cornwall’s peak 2021 tourist season, which has been hugely successful due to many more people taking their holidays in the UK during the Covid 19 pandemic. Impressive outlooks and sustainability - Kernow Fires owner Simon Breckon commented: “We’re pleased to have contributed to the success of the beach lofts and have seen strong growth in Cornwall’s domestic and commercial fireplace markets this year.”

Watergate Bay Hotel CEO Will Ashworth said: “The beach lofts are our best rooms. They are sized very generously and the interior design represents our new approach to contemporary Cornish beach living.” Dynargh Design director Matt Hulme said: “The lofts have some of the most impressive outlooks of any hotel in Cornwall. But the interiors also needed to have enough appeal in the winter, when it’s dark at 5pm, that it feels warm, natural and enticing.”

Sustainability was also an important factor in the design. “Getting active in the beautiful natural environment is at the heart of the Watergate Bay experience, and we’re committed to minimising the environmental impact of our design choices,” adds Will Ashworth. For further information visit: drufire.com, kernowfires.co.uk & watergatebay.co.uk

OBSIDIANA COMPAC WINS INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARD

Obsidiana COMPAC, a unique surface made from 100% recycled glass, has won a prestigious FX International Design Award at an online ceremony recently held in London. The panel of 28 renowned judges said Obsidiana COMPAC was ‘practical, beautiful and sustainable’ and awarded it first place in the surface’s category. COMPAC is the first manufacture in the world to produce this material which uses 100% recyclable glass in the production process and the product itself is 100% recyclable at the end of its life cycle.

The creation of Obsidiana COMPAC underpins the company’s long-term commitment to produce safe, circular, sustainable and environmentally friendly products developed by their highly skilled R&D team. Launched in 2020, Obsidiana COMPAC has already achieved notable recognition by gaining Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze™ accreditation - an international accreditation that assesses products and manufacturing processes to ensure they fulfil the premise of the circular economy.

Judges at the KBIS exhibition in America were also impressed with Obsidiana COMPAC and the company’s overall commitment to the environment awarding it first place in the sustainability category. Obsidiana COMPAC, combines beauty and versatility with performance and can be used for a wide range of applications including kitchen worksurfaces, wall cladding, splash backs, shower trays and vanity units.

Since the company’s inception over 45 years ago, COMPAC have been totally committed to the environment and have led the way by using renewable energies in the production and manufacture of products, harvesting rainwater and recycling it for use throughout their factories, using organic resins and planting thousands of trees as part of an ongoing reforestation programme. https://en.compac.es/obsidiana/