JULY 2021

Retail
Pared back

Beds and
bedroom
New directions

IT MAKES MORE
SENSE TO MAKE
IT MODULEO ®

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 EDITOR’S COMMENT

Make hay while

the sun shines
As consumers continue to spend on
their homes, the sector is enjoying
extraordinary sales performances INTERIORS MONTHLY JULY 2021
As we have seen from ONS figures and trading updates, the
furniture and flooring sectors have had a great time of things INSIDE THIS ISSUE
since non-essential retail was allowed to re-open. Despite
longer lead times and higher prices, consumers seem NEWS
determined that they will have that new sofa, bed or carpet, 4 DFS sees recent orders almost double
even if it’ll take them a bit longer than they’d like. 8 Duo secure £7m of investment funding
Some of the figures are truly extraordinary: DFS has seen
10 Victoria expects no let-up in demand
recent orders almost double compared with 2019; flooring sales
in May were 60% higher than in 2019 and furniture sales were
more than a third higher. And the likelihood is there is still more FEATURES
domestic spending to come as the prospect of millions of us 14 New products
booking an overseas summer holiday looks remote. The great
18 Service
unknown is how long will it last: enjoy it while you can.
Across the country retailers continue to open stores, defying 20 Experiences
the naysayers who have long written off high streets. Yes, No need to panic
there has been a fundamental shift online that isn’t going to 22 Sustainability
suddenly reverse itself once the pandemic is over, but for Making use of new technology
products where feel, touch and seeing the true colour are such
important aspects, the vast majority of shoppers will want to 24 Retail
visit a store in person for their interiors buys. Some serious Letting the products do the talking
Internet research will be done first, of course, so you need to 28 Beds and bedroom
make sure your online presence is top-notch, and consumers New sectors, protection, modular space, material matters
will probably spend less time in-store having narrowed their
40 Rugs
options during that research.
Nature first
Locally I walked past three bed stores just a few doors apart
from each other. The windows of all – a national chain, a 46 Upholstery
regional chain and a three-store independent – were filled with Black is back
posters promoting a 60%-off sale. No attempt to differentiate 56 Preview
themselves or, in the case of the national retailer with Manchester Furniture Show in Harrogate
manufacturing capability, to promote quick delivery at a time
of long lead times. It seems that old habits die hard. 66 Trade products and services
Many thanks to all of you who voted in the Interiors Monthly Software, CGI, fillings, care
Awards 2021. I look forward to revealing the winners in the 76 Review
August issue. Summer Furniture Show

Editor: Andrew Kidd

JULY 2021
T: 01273 930 029 E: akidd@interiorsmonthly.co.uk
Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden
M: 07976 122 150 E: tboden@interiorsmonthly.co.uk
It makes more sense to make it Moduleo: Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird
the smart choice in luxury vinyl flooring T: 01565 631 397 E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk
Visit: www.moduleo.com Carpet, flooring advertising: Joanne Paull
M: 07817 624 922 E: jpaull@interiorsmonthly.co.uk
Retail Representative in India: Amarjeet Singh Gianni
Pared back
T: 0091 98390 35458 E: as_gianni@yahoo.co.in
Beds and
bedroom Published by Interiors Media Limited
New directions

Minerva House, Kinnings Row, Bordyke, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1NP

IT MAKES MORE E: enquiries@interiorsmonthly.co.uk
SENSE TO MAKE Registered in England no. 6397722
IT MODULEO ®
Print: Knockout Print Design by Truprint Media
The smart choice in luxury vinyl flooring © Interiors Media Limited ISSN 1756-2236

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 3
 NEWS

DFS sees business at

almost twice 2019’s levels
DFS has seen recent trading at almost twice pre-pandemic
levels. Orders in the 10 weeks to 6 June were 92.1% higher
than in 2019. Orders for the 23-week period were 14%
higher than 2019, and 10.4% higher for the 49-week period.
The group says profits will be at least £105m this year,
despite 21 weeks of lockdown closures, and supply chain
and raw material disruptions. It says it has gained a further
2% of market share of a growing market, and the most
recent order growth will underpin next year’s results. It has
scenarios where underlying profits will be between £66m
and £96m, well above analysts’ forecasts, it adds.
Since stores re-opened in April, online penetration has
settled 1%-2% above pre Covid-19 levels, at about 19%, it
says. It expects a final dividend of 7.5p in September.
‘This performance once again reflects both the underlying
resilience of the group and the tremendous support from
our colleagues, who have worked with huge dedication and
commitment throughout the pandemic. Our aim is to lead
sofa retailing in the digital age by building a truly integrated
retail model that allows us to drive market share gains
ahead of the competition. We will continue to invest in key
strategic initiatives such as our digital channels, our
showrooms and our Sofa Delivery Company final mile logistics
capability, along with new investment in UK manufacturing
and capacity, and expansion into other home categories,’
says Tim Stacey, DFS Group chief executive.

SCS upbeat Sales boom continues for furniture and flooring

ScS saw orders jump by
79% between April and June
compared with the same
period in 2019, limiting its
annual decline to under 10%.
Orders from 4 April to
12 June were 370.8% higher
than 2020, when stores were
closed for much of the period.
Orders from 24 January to
3 April were 86.2% lower than
2019, 82.9% lower than 2020.
Combined orders for the
46-week period were 9.5%
lower than in 2019 and 10.6%
higher than 2020.
The chain plans to restore
the dividend from July.
Furniture and flooring both
enjoyed significant monthly
sales increases in May,
compared with 2019 sales.
Initial estimates from the
Office of National Statistics
show that average weekly
sales of furniture and lighting
in England, Wales and
Scotland reached £372,441,000
during the month. This is a
21.2% increase on April 2021.
Sales in May were 3.78 £372.4m was spent on furniture and lighting
times those of May 2020,
when all non-essential retail Flooring retailers saw Sales in May were 5.8 times
was closed. average weekly sales reach the figure for May 2020.
Compared with May 2019 £45,677,000. This is a 8.5% Compared with May 2019,
sales were 34.9% higher. rise on April 2021. sales were 60% higher.

Made for the market

Made.com had a relatively flat star
to life as a plc after June’s £775m
flotation. After seeing a sharp drop in
value in the first day, shares recovered
in later weeks and at the time of
writing were 0.5% above its 200p
flotation price.

4 Interiors Monthly July 2021

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 NEWS

Piglet and Bedfolk secure

£7m in investments
Soft furnishings retailer Piglet has secured a £6m investment,
while bedding retailer Bedfolk has secured £1m.
Active Partners has invested in Piglet as it looks to reach
new markets.
Jessica Mason launched Piglet in 2017 with a collection
of stone-washed flax-linen bedding, before expanding into
sleepwear, table linens and curtains. Piglet’s parent company
Sextant recently issued 24.6% of new shares, suggesting a
valuation of around £24m.
As well as selling online its ranges are available through
Selfridges, John Lewis and Fortnum & Mason. In addition to
its UK operations, it has a second base in Illinois following
rapidly growing demand for Piglet linens in the US.
‘From starting the business in my mother’s garden shed
to reaching tens of thousands of customers with an ever-
expanding range of products, it’s been an incredible
experience so far. We’re thrilled to have Active Partners on
board, whose focus on community-first brands and
experience with founder-led businesses has already proven
invaluable, to take the next step of Piglet’s journey together,’
says Mason.
The Cotswold Company majority shareholder True has
invested £1m in bedding retailer Bedfolk. The funds will be
used to expand its collection and invest in staff and
marketing, it said.
Founded by husband-and-wife team Nick and Jo James
in 2018, Bedfolk set out to simplify the bedding purchasing
experience, providing its customers with a curated collection
of ethically produced luxury bedding at an affordable price
point. The retailer’s products are manufactured in Portugal.
Bedfolk recently issued almost 12% of shares, suggesting
a valuation of about £8.5m, which would value the James’s
stake at about £5.8m.
‘Nick and Jo have successfully built a strong brand identity
in the “wind-down” space that sets it apart from its
competitors – a space which has only become more popular
with consumers in the past year,’ says Claire Cherry, Pure
investment principal.
‘We see that consumer behavioural change will continue
to gravitate towards relaxation in the home, in line with
growing emphasis on good mental and physical health. Our
sweet spot is finding businesses operating at the precipice
of changes such as this, combined with great founding
teams. We believe we’ve found this in Bedfolk.’

Arlo & Jacob joins TCM fold Flooring Superstore

Upholstery chain Arlo & Jacob has joined
the TCM Living portfolio after the
company bought it from its directors.
Mark Smith, TCM Living chief executive
and Julie Smith bought Arlo & Jacob
from administration in May 2020, with
the blessing of TCM Corporation, TCM
Living’s Thailand-listed parent company.
TCM owns Alstons, Ashley Manor, AMX
Design and Alexander & James.
The chain plans to launch a flooring
The chain has introduced a quick delivery range, available in two weeks
collection later this year, utilising the
skills of TCM Corporation.
‘I am pleased with the progress that
has been made since Julie and I acquired
the business just over a year ago.
Bringing it into the TCM Living Group is
the logical next step now that the
business is on more solid foundations
and can leverage and benefit from the
wider group’s buying power, skills and
know-how,’ says Smith.
continues expansion
Flooring Superstore has continued its
expansion, passing the 30-store milestone.
The chain reached 25 branches in
January, and has since opened stores
in Basingstoke, Carlisle, Hull, Lincoln,
Norwich, Orpington and Reading as it
looks to add 25 outlets this year. Catford,
Kidderminster, Plymouth and Stevenage
are the next scheduled to open.
‘We are seeing lots of firsts with the
new stores, such as having a presence
in areas such as Humberside, Cumbria,
Lincolnshire and Norfolk for the first
time,’ says Chris Barber, Flooring
Superstore chief retail officer.
‘Our strategy is built on opening in
areas with large conurbations and on
busy retail parks with high footfall where
we can make our own contribution to
the local economy in these areas.
‘The south-east and greater London
are among our key target areas, but
there are several other large urban and
retail centres on our radar,’ he adds.

8 Interiors Monthly July 2021

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 NEWS

Garratt to
Victoria: demand leave BFM
set to carry on
Nick Garratt, BFM md, is to leave the
furniture manufacturers trade association.
He told the association’s management
board that he wants to leave the role at
Victoria has told shareholders it anticipates current demand can be ‘sustained the end of the year.
for the foreseeable future’. ‘As we look ahead to a post-pandemic
‘Trading continues to be very strong across all of Victoria's geographies and world, the BFM is in a strong position –
product groups, with double-digit percentage increases over 2019. Encouragingly, and Nick has had a huge part to play in
leading indicators, such as housing transactions, savings rate and consumer navigating the association through these
confidence, suggest that the current high levels of consumer demand for difficult times. He will be a very hard act
Victoria's products will be sustained for the foreseeable future.’ to follow. The board and members of
The group says it has been able to mitigate raw material cost increases by BFM all wish Nick well for the future,’ says
raising prices and negotiating with suppliers. It repeated that it expects further Brian Ahern, BFM chairman.
acquisitions soon. ‘It has been a privilege to be part of
‘In my 30 years in the industry, I have never known it to be busier at this time BFM and to serve the association as md
of the year. Our continually enhanced service proposition has proven to be the over the past three years. I am very
cornerstone of the company's growth trajectory. Victoria’s production is running proud that BFM is in a strong position as
at full capacity and some factories have orders taking all their output through I prepare to step back from day-to-day
until autumn. We are outsourcing some production to ensure service standards operations and enjoy more time with
are met and market share gains sustained,’ says Philippe Hamers, Victoria ceo. my family,’ Garratt says.
‘Our management team’s depth of industry experience and entrepreneurial
initiative has proven invaluable as we have been able to overcome the risk of
potential raw material shortages by leveraging our long-term relationships, size UK debut for Noble Souls
and extensive knowledge of supply chain options. I am confident shareholders Timothy Oulton has opened its first
will be very pleased with the way the business is performing this year.’ standalone UK Noble Souls stores, on
London’s King’s Road and Tottenham
Court Road.
‘As we expand our brand, we’re excited
to open the first bricks-and-mortar
Noble Souls galleries where people can
come and immerse themselves in the
whole experience. The Noble Souls
concept is about giving you permission
to relax and truly let go. In a home, these
pieces of furniture become a hearth, a
place where you can reconnect with each
other more deeply, or even just with
yourself. I think the appeal of things that
are natural, simple, trustworthy,
extremely comfortable and beautiful is
what people want to fill their homes with
at the moment,’ says Timothy Oulton,
David Woodward, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company greets the team founder and creative director.
The collection was first introduced at

Cyclists smash Step 2 It target Timothy Oulton stores in 2018.

Five cyclists who braved the elements
and rode 200 miles from Axminster to
London across three days have smashed
their fundraising target and raised
almost £12,000 for The Furniture Makers’
Company’s Step 2 It campaign.
The ride started on 18 June, with
cyclists Ben Burbidge, Hayden Davies,
Peter Hooper, Alan Styles and Paul von
der Heyde, and David Dewing as
support van driver having overnight
stays in Salisbury and Godalming, and
arriving at Furniture Makers' Hall,
London on 20 June at 1pm.
The group had initially set themselves
the target of raising £7,500 for the
charity but upped their goal to £10,000
just prior to the challenge.
The total currently stands at £11,800
and donations are still coming in. One of the stores is Tottenham Court Road

10 Interiors Monthly July 2021

The Bed Industry Awards
are BACK!
Enter your company for a prestigious NBF Award today

Manufacturer Awards Retailer Awards

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 NEW PRODUCTS
1 4
1 Grand Majestic is the new high pressure
floor from BerryAlloc, celebrating the
majesty of 30cm x 2.4m planks in a floor
that’s for homes and businesses that like
to think big. Featuring BerryAlloc’s
AluLoc locking system for a floor that’s
easy to fit, Grand Majestic’s extraordinary
proportions are no more difficult to install
than regular click flooring.
Visit: www.berryalloc.com
2 Eilersen’s Aton was designed by Jens
Juul Eilersen, who was aiming for a soft,
rounded sofa with a modern, classic feel.
He has created many of Eilersen’s designs,
typically relying on classic dimensions that
14 Interiors Monthly July 2021
give the furniture a distinctive character.
‘Another key feature is that Aton is dressed
in simple garb, with as few seams as
possible,’ he says.
Visit: www.eilersen.eu
3 Designed by Michele De Lucchi, Float is a
modular sofa system from Stellar Works
that presents cushions supported by a
seemingly invisible structure, as if they are
floating on air. A double layer of cushions
provides optimal comfort and strength,
while a crossbar containing them runs back
and sideways, supporting the headrest
elements and giving structural integrity.
Visit: www.stellarworks.com
4 Artek has added to its Atelier collection
with the Atelier bar stool, available in two
heights and six colours. A simple seat
made of solid wood, the Atelier bar stool
is a study in precision craftsmanship. Light
and compact, it weighs about 4kg.
Visit: www.artek.fi
5 Talenti Outdoor Living’s Slam
collecction, designed by Ludovica and
Roberto Palomba, includes modular sofas,
ottomans, coffee tables, armchairs and
dining tables and demonstrates that the
utmost elegance can be achieved with
the refined minimalism of the designs.
Visit: www.talentisrl.com 
18-21 July 2021 Harrogate, North Yorkshire

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 NEW PRODUCTS

6 7

8
6 With 144 colours to choose from and over
20,500 possible combinations, Louis de Poortere’s
Richelieu Classic runner programme is certainly not
without choice. The custom Richelieu programme is
now a fully interactive online experience, allowing
users to easily try out any combination available,
before downloading their favourite colourway in
a PDF that can be used to build their dream runner
in store.
Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

7 The Floorwise range of stair nosings, PVC profiles,

skirtings and trims provides installers with solutions
9
made to the highest quality standards for long-lasting
performance. All options are listed in a brochure
covering the comprehensive collection. Alongside the
brochure, the sample presentation box contains
physical examples of the nosings, skirtings, covers,
formers and profiles available.
Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

8 Zanotta has added a trio of coffee tables to its

2017 Tweed collection, matching its shapes, materials
and finishes. The tables are shipped flatpack with just
four components: top, legs, screws and feet.
Visit: www.zanotta.it

9 Pulpo’s Bent dining table combines polar opposites:

glass and marble. A light, transparent base made of
glass supports a solid top made of white, black or
green marble. Playing with transparency, exciting
textures and a simple silhouette, Bent is a visually light
10
but incredibly stable table that invites you to dine.
Visit: www.pulpoproducts.com

10 As a tribute to Sunday, the day of rest, Pianca’s

Domenica bed invites you to recline and relax in
a solid, warm and protective embrace. One single
continuous line draws a delicate, organic silhouette,
with a choice of a metal or upholstered base.
Visit: www.pianca.com

16 Interiors Monthly July 2021

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ST Y L E | C O LO U R | C O M F O RT
 SERVICE

Richard Renouf

Hotting up
Complaints are increasing as consumers are unwilling
to overlook anything they feel is not right

Good summer or bad summer? I don’t
want to try and predict the weather,
but I will make a prediction about
complaints. Things are going to hot up.
Last year’s summer was record-
breaking, at least for my work. I carried
out far more inspections in August than
ever before in a single month. But
already this year, May was 7% busier
and things are not slowing down.
In spite of the many supply problems
and shortages of materials in the
construction industry, there is a boom
going on because locked-down
customers are trying to make their
prisons – sorry, I mean homes – more
comfortable. They can’t escape on
holiday, and they’re not willing to
overlook anything they feel is not right.
Spring may not have been the best,
but even in March the sun was hot
enough to warm flooring to temperatures
above 40degC. The flooring I’d been
asked to test was a click-together LVT,
and you may know that LVT is
susceptible to temperature variations.
The warmer it gets, the more it expands,
and this has to be taken into account
when fitting so that there is adequate
room around the entire perimeter for it
to spread into.
In this particular case the gaps had not
been left, so the flooring simply buckled
and the joints began to break.
If the summer hots up, temperatures
above 60degC are not uncommon, so
good fitting and the right underlay are
essential.
Recently I was called in to look at a
similar problem in a customer’s holiday
home. The location, overlooking a
sandy bay enclosed by rugged cliffs,
was idyllic and the sun was shining
brightly, as one would hope in such a
place. The heat was causing the flooring
to bubble. But the customer couldn’t
believe it was due to heat.
‘It’s even happening in this rear
corridor,’ he said, taking me through
a door to a dim passage leading to a
back bedroom. He looked back towards
the front of the house and gestured
with his arms.
‘Look at this, there’s no sunlight here.’
In the low-angled light filtering in at
the front end, the flooring looked more
bubbled than where it was heated. I
walked up and down. The bubbles
didn’t move. They were in the subfloor
and showing through the vinyl flooring.
I guessed that the builder had been
working in the dark when he laid this
area of screed.
When the customer told me he had
the same problem with the same flooring
at his home 150 miles away, I declined
his request to detour on my way home
to take a look. I knew what I'd find.
I hope the floor layer his builder
recommended will sort both jobs out.
Whatever the weather, I’m sure the
customer will be back for a break very
soon, but even if he doesn’t, he’ll be
looking at faulty flooring unless the
fitter puts things right, and that’ll
doubtless spoil his enjoyment –
whichever home he is in.
Visit: www.richard-renouf.com
Richard Renouf is an independent
furnishings consultant

Checking the temperature The bubbles were obvious even in the shadow

18 Interiors Monthly July 2021

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 EXPERIENCES

Don’t panic
June saw history repeat itself with lower sales than in recent months,
and forward planning is very difficult, our correspondent says

THE RETAILER
Fludes Carpets
June was a month when, to a certain coloration, though, which had already been be until we arrived on the day. Second, if
extent, we were governed by the weather. planned before lockdown, and it is good we fitted the flooring, we would then take
In the past when we had quiet weeks, to see blues, reds, greens and soft pinks as on responsibility for anything that went
we’d say: ‘It’s too hot to sell carpets,’ or an alternative to beige, grey and silver. wrong with it. Finally, it is just not profitable
‘It’s too wet for customers to come out in For the second year running, we lost the for our business to get involved with this.
this,’ and so on. The weather has certainly Buying Groups National Flooring Show at We try to explain this to customers, but
had some effect on sales, as has the half- Solihull. It is a shame because this is a great some are not happy.
term break, but there does seem to be a event that helps us with planning product With the reduction in sales in the last
slowdown in business during June. And changes for the next year and allows us to two weeks, it also seems that customers are
don’t forget that we have the Euros 2020 easily compare many products all under more aware of the possibility of pushing
football on, to be followed by the Olympics! the same roof. It’s also a great opportunity for extra discounts and asking us to check
Checking back over the last four years, to talk to other retailers about business in stock before ordering. It appears they are
we have always seen a drop
in sales figures in June from
higher levels in April and
May. So perhaps
it’s more a case of ‘Don’t
panic, Captain Mainwaring,
don’t panic.’
Having enjoyed a healthy
level of sales in the past
12 weeks causes a few
headaches: a warehouse
that is now crowded with
carpet and has little room
for cutting up hall, stairs and
landing carpets to plans,
and no space in the fitting
book for the next four to five
weeks. This combined with
the continued problems of
getting deliveries on time
from suppliers makes forward
planning a precarious matter. Shoppers found other things to do during the sunny weather
And the challenges don’t
stop there. Underlay and ancillaries are general and to get a feel for how things aware of our problems with supply and
starting to be harder to get and then only are going in our industry. I hope it will still availability and want to ensure they are not
at significantly raised prices. We have be possible to have a show at Harrogate, let down. I would not like to be working in
chosen to increase stock levels of both to but with this virus situation it is difficult to the sales teams of our suppliers, I imagine
ensure we have enough, and to cushion plan too far ahead. they get quite a lot of earache from us
the effect of higher prices. Having said that, In the last month or so, we have had retailers. It is not really their fault that
we are seeing price rises for many of the quite a few more enquiries from customers items are out of stock or late in arriving. So
products we sell, across most suppliers. who have purchased flooring products perhaps we should cut them some slack.
Talking to sales reps, it seems there are online and want us to fit them. There are Let’s hope for a change in the weather
unlikely to be any major product launches several problems with this. First, we would soon!
soon. We have got some changes in have no idea how big the fitting job would Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets md

20 Interiors Monthly July 2021

 Where quality & durability become reality
SCOTLAND EAST MIDLANDS NORFOLK, SUFFOLK, N LONDON & HOME COUNTIES SALES DIRECTOR
JOHN STUART STEVE FURNISS CAMBS, NORTH ESSEX DAVE MARNEY KEITH MORGAN
M: 07860 565 200 M: 07773 384 787 TO BE CONFIRMED M: 07794 221 443 M: 07710 701063
E: johnrstuart@btopenworld.com E: furnissagencies@btinternet.com T: 01429 892555 E: d.marney@sky.com E: keith@hughmackay.com
E: sales@hughmackay.co.uk
WEST MIDLANDS CENTRAL LONDON MANAGING DIRECTOR
NORTH EAST & CUMBRIA
DEAN STANLEY NICK WOOD VINCE HOLDEN
BECKY GIBBONS SOUTH WALES, BRISTOL, &
M: 07572 758 010 M: 07976 945 505 M: 07900 262 434
M: 07970 491 215 GLOUCESTERSHIRE
E: dssalesagencies@gmail.com E: nick@essentialflooring.co.uk E: vince@hughmackay.com
E: rebann2@btinternet.com PAUL POWELL
OXFORDSHIRE, WILTSHIRE, M: 07968 186 150
YORKSHIRE NORTHERN IRELAND MANAGING DIRECTOR
HAMPSHIRE E: paulpowellagencies@gmail.com
JOHN ALSOP GARY O’BOYLE STEPHEN DONLAN
ANDREW JEFFERIES
M: 07860 572 220 M: 07831 220 675 M: 07973 378 127
M: 07831 457102 SOUTH EAST & SOUTH LONDON
E: alsopagencies@yahoo.co.uk E: goboyle@ntlworld.com E: sdonlan@viewlogistics.co.uk
E: adj.agencies@gmail.com DAVE BOWMAN
M: 07786 265 072
LANCASHIRE & NW SOUTH WEST & DORSET REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
E: david@dabflooring.com
JOHN ROSTRON BRENDAN HART LARRY WHITE
M: 07973 733 208 M: 07850 130 221 M: 03862 594 126
E: johnrostronagencies@hotmail.com E: ba.hart1@yahoo.com E: thelarwhite@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T W I T H H U G H M A C K AY

W W W. H U G H M A C K AY. C O. U K
PA R T O F T H E M A C K AY G R O U P
 SUSTAINABILITY

Canteen has an Accoya top

Latte is made from recycled

Seasonal challenge
plastic with hemp fibre

Swedish bio-composite tech meets VG&P’s eco credentials

Very Good & Proper has debuted its CO2 footprint. Using this bio-composite performance and sustainability. No other
first outdoor furniture collection technology repurposes a waste stream timber offers the same combination of
comprising the Latte chair and a new and introduces a renewable, agricultural stability, durability and versatility. This
outdoor version of its Canteen Table. ingredient into VG&P’s production. engineered wood is sustainably sourced
The collection features the world’s first The quality of the bio-composite means with FSC certification and has minimal
furniture made with bio-composite that the chair’s plastic can be recycled environmental impact throughout its
technology from the Swedish company again – a full commitment to circular lifecycle, from production, through its
Trifilon, which combines recycled plastic economy principles. use, right the way to the end of its life.
with hemp fibres to considerably lower The Trifilon bio-composite of the The Canteen Outdoor Table resembles
the CO2 impact of production. Latte chair has a C02 footprint of 0.235 the indoor version, featuring a simple
The company has been committed to C02-eq/kg, substantially lower than a and utilitarian design. The legs are
sustainability since its inception, with an typical plastic chair. composed of recycled powder-coated
approach based on four core principles: The Canteen outdoor table features aluminium with matching support rails.
longevity, quality first, manufacture a treated Accoya top: proprietary Latte and Canteen are manufactured
locally and re-use. VG&P believes that modified wood that has become the in the UK.
the most sustainable products are those timber industry benchmark for Visit: www.verygoodandproper.co.uk
that are designed and made to last, and
that materials are a valuable resource to
be used carefully and responsibly.
Trifilon uses a special technique to
wash and treat the fibres from the hemp
plant and because the fibres are
exceptionally strong, it uses them to
reinforce the recycled plastic, making it
stiffer and sturdier.
The bio-composite Latte, which has
been tested for outdoor use, also reduces
the chair’s CO2 footprint drastically.
First, its recycled component repurposes
a plastic that has already been used,
thus removing the need of new plastic
being shipped from factories in far-off
countries. Additionally, the plants used
to produce the hemp fibre will capture
carbon from the air while they grow,
further reducing the product’s final Both table and chairs are made in the UK

22 Interiors Monthly July 2021

wiseup to floorwise
quality&value guaranteed
tools profiles adhesives & screeds

gripper underlay nosings, PVC skirting

You can rely on our nationwide network of floorwise distributors

to bring quality and value to all your flooring installations.

Stay in touch @floorwisehq

 RETAIL

The store is on Madrid’s Golden Mile

Pared back
Gandia Blasco Group has opted for a no-frills
approach for its new flagship store in Madrid
24 Interiors Monthly July 2021

If ever there was a store designed to let
the furniture and rugs speak for
themselves, rather than distract the
viewer with the surroundings, Gandia
Blasco Group’s new flagship store in
Madrid has to be a strong contender.
Its brick walls have been painted
white, with a handful of brand images
and logos; the wooden ceiling is black
and the floor grey cement, evoking
an omnipresent colour in the group’s
Valencia headquarters. But when you are
situated on the city’s Golden Mile in the
Salamanca district, a little less dressing
up helps you stand out from the top-end
stores and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The 3,230sqft space is an open-plan
semi-basement at 28 Ortega y Gasset,
created by the group’s design department
in collaboration with MUT Design, which
has previously designed rugs and
furniture for the group. Its three brands –
Gandiablasco, GAN and Diabla – sit
alongside each other.
The opening coincides with the
group’s 80th anniversary. Today, Gandia
Blasco Group continues to put design
at the service of innovation, led by the
second and third generation of the
family: José A Gandía-Blasco Canales,
president and creative director of the
group, and his children: Alejandra, the
company’s deputy creative and
communications director and creative
director of Diabla, and Álvaro, vice-
president and commercial director.
RETAIL
Gandiablasco’s outdoor spaces and
furniture are reinterpreted with the
latest designs including Luca Nichetto’s
Onde, Søren Rose’s Capa, Mayice Studio’s
Buit and Made Studios’ Bosc, alongside
classics such as the Picnic and Clack!
chairs and hammocks by Gandía-Blasco
Canales, which showcase some of the
new colours and fabrics from its wide
range of finishes.
Texture, colour and eclectic shapes in
rugs and accessories fill the GAN space.
Representative elements from series
such as Bandas, Garden Layers, Nuances
and Mirage by Patricia Urquiola; Ply, by
MUT Design; Backstitch by Raw Edges,
and Canevas by Charlotte Lancelot, are
displayed on the floor and walls, 
www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 25
 RETAIL

showing the infinite possibilities of the

different materials and artisanal production
techniques. Under creative director Mapi
Millet, GAN, founded in 2008, is heir to
the original textile business of the group,
which began as a blanket manufacturer.
Established in 2018, Diabla is its most
casual brand and specialises in the
design of light and accessible outdoor
furniture and accessories. Its trademark
style proposes other ways of enjoying life
outdoors in any environment at any time
of year, especially in small spaces. Grill by
MUT Design, ARP by Made Studio, Lilly
by Democràcia Estudio and Plisy Up by
Alejandra Gandía-Blasco are among the
new designs on show.
Visit: www.gandiablasco.com

26 Interiors Monthly July 2021

 BEDS AND BEDROOM
New look
Product categories are being entered after a rebranding
Millbrook Beds has rebranded to
allow the introduction of new product
categories and brands. The group has
become Millbrook Bed Company, with
a tagline of ‘The Experts in Sleep’, with
Millbrook Beds, Chittenden & Eastman,
Eclipse International, Nemo and
Nemoflex as brands.
‘A new group-level structure enables
us to venture into new markets such
as memory foam and to use new
technologies without diluting the
existing Millbrook Beds brand. It
provides clarity for our trade customers
and our end consumer along with clear
brand definition and positioning for
each of our ranges. The Experts in Sleep
tagline gives us an umbrella for some
serious mattress innovation and creative
thinking, which is designed to offer
something for everyone and in turn
28 Interiors Monthly July 2021
increase our market share,’ says Ross
Thurston, Millbrook Beds Company
operations director.
Chittenden & Eastman was introduced
earlier this year with the Hampton range,
featuring American styling designed to
appeal to a younger consumer. It has
now been joined by the first Eclipse
International bed, Laguna, as the group
enters the memory foam sector.
Laguna features Five Zone Air Flow
memory foam, which is designed to
allow airflow around the body, avoiding
the overheating often associated with
memory foam. Three models are available:
Laguna 20, Laguna 40 and Laguna 50,
featuring 20mm, 40mm and 50mm
memory foam respectively and a choice
of 1,000, 2,000 or 3,000 pocket springs.
Zonal quilting of a knitted Tencel cover
gives a tighter quilt pattern at shoulder
Laguna by Eclipse International
and hip to provide the sleeperwith
extra support in the important areas
where the body rests on the mattress.
‘The launch of the Eclipse International
brand into the UK market represents a
significant step for Millbrook Bed
Company and moves us into the ever-
popular memory foam market with
a competitive starting price point of
£999. We have not previously ventured
into this market, and our partnership
with Bedding Industries of America
has enabled us to introduce our first
range of luxurious memory foam
mattresses, providing the levels of
comfort and support our traditional
handmade mattresses are known for,
while appealing to a completely
different consumer with a fresh new
USA-inspired style,’ says Thurston.
Visit: www.millbrook-beds.co.uk
 I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z
T H E E X P E R T S I N S L E E P Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

DESIGNED IN THE USA

HANDMADE

HANDMADE IN THE UK

For further information call 023 80 866111

millbrook-beds.com

millbrook sleep technolgy for earth & ocean

 BEDS AND BEDROOM
The average person
sweats up to a pint
of fluid a night
Shall not pass
Protectors can keep mattresses and sweat apart
‘The average person sweats up to a pint
of fluid a night. With mattress fillings
being highly absorbent, your mattress if
unprotected will absorb hundreds of
pints of sweat in its first year of use
alone. All of our mattress protectors use
a Miracle Membrane, which is waterproof
yet breathable and allows body heat to
easily pass through. It will also prevent
any sweat entering the mattress. The
protectors are machine washable,
meaning you can keep your sleep zone
healthy and hygienic,’ says Paul Lake,
Protect-A-Bed national sales manager.
‘Every Protect-A-Bed protector also
includes a 10-15-year product guarantee
The mattress protectors are guaranteed
30 Interiors Monthly July 2021
and when bought with a mattress, a
10-15-year anti-stain guarantee. What’s
more, Protect-A-Bed will have the
mattress professionally cleaned to the
customer’s satisfaction or buy the
customer a new one if it was bought
with a protector that subsequently fails.
This promise is significantly powerful
and is at the core of our philosophy.
‘It’s in both the store’s and the
customer’s interest to purchase Protect-
A-Bed mattress protectors. Our speciality
is driving in-store performance, so linked
mattress and mattress protector sales
are extremely high. The customer
benefits from a healthy and hygienic
The mattress protectors are machine washable
sleep zone while the store benefits from
increased sales revenue. Every customer
who walks through the door, if buying
a mattress, needs to buy a mattress
protector. It’s in their interest to do so
for many reasons.
‘We actively look for what consumers
desire and our Therapeutics range aligns
directly for those looking to enrich a
healthy sleep experience, with copper,
graphene and charcoal embedded within
the protectors to increase and enhance
the sleeper’s wellbeing. Protect-A-Bed’s
innovative technology will now combine
materials that have been known to help
many with joint relief and relaxation,
mineral absorption, a healthier immune
system and heart health. This is a must-
have range for all of our existing retail
partners and bed retailers who want to
offer their customers the best possible
sleep experience.’
Earlier this year Protect-A-Bed merged
with Hollander Sleep, one of North
America’s leading manufacturers of
high quality synthetic and natural-filled
bedding products. ‘The merger is an
extremely exciting time for Protect-A-
Bed, and we can already see excellent
new product developments. Hollander
has an impressive market dominance in
North America, due to the success of
both licensed and non-licensed bedding
products. The first new development is
a superb range of bed sheets, using the
same graphene, copper and charcoal
featured in our Therapeutics range.’
Visit: www.protectabed.co.uk
 BEDS AND BEDROOM
Back in the saddle
New collections have been successful and Mlily is returning to events
‘Like many businesses, the furniture
industry has had its fair share of ups and
downs over the last 18 months. With the
cancellation of worldwide trade shows,
businesses have had to result to plan B
to survive the global crisis. Changes to
logistics, consumer behaviour and
operations costs have challenged us all in
these unique and unprecedented times,’
says Chris Thomas, Mlily vice-president
global marketing and PR.
‘Despite these struggles, Mlily has
continued to go from strength to
strength through the challenges of the
global epidemic. The launch of the new
Premier collection just before the
32 Interiors Monthly July 2021
pandemic took hold proved a success.
Even though many of our key customers
have been closed for months on end,
we achieved significant growth last year,
and we are confident of doing the same
again this year. We’ve also backed up
the Premier collection with the launch
of an Internet collection that has a
different story to our core Premier
products but still has the same Mlily
quality that enables consumers to make
simple selections, and retailers to make
margin on a quality, trouble-free product.
‘We’ve tackled the issues by continuing
to do everything we can to support our
customers, including ramping up
The company has seen growth in the past year
stockholding in order to ensure we
maximise sales during the periods we
have been able to trade. Mlily has thrived
in the furniture industry by bringing new
technology and innovation to provide a
healthier night’s sleep and lifestyle to
customers around the world, and we
look forward to carrying that ethos with
us into the future alongside our retailers.
‘Our partnership with Manchester
United is stronger than ever, working in
cooperation with the players and sleep
scientists to provide health and well-
being tips across social media to help
enhance lifestyles in lockdown. As the
country opens back up once more, we
look forward to pursing the benefits of
research and innovation via Manchester
United to deliver new, recovery-enhancing
products that ensure both the players
and the general public get the deep
sleep they need to perform at their best.
‘We are looking forward to the
Manchester Furniture Show and the
opportunity to bring England and
Manchester United legend Bryan
Robson to our stand, as well as the
Ireland and Manchester United hero
Denis Irwin. After months of restrictions
and anticipation, we look forward to
showcasing our new ranges and to once
more be at the forefront of innovation
within the industry.’
Visit: www.mlily.uk
 BEDS AND BEDROOM
Design made easy
Zero allows users to create their own configurations
Emuca’s new Zero modular space
management system offers endless
possibilities in terms of structures and
elements and does not require any tools
or screws for assembly.
Designed by Alegre Design, Zero
incorporates a new technical solution
developed by Emuca which supports
modules, shelves and hanging bars.
‘This system has been devised to
make people’s lives easier by giving
them all the elements they need and
a simple assembly process so that
34 Interiors Monthly July 2021
they can install and mount the system
themselves according to their space
and requirements, without any screws
or tools or the need for specialised
technicians. The design allows everyone
to create their own custom-made
solution,’ says Marcelo Alegre, Alegre
Design founder.
‘Our work built on a new technology
for attaching hardware to a vertical
profile made by Emuca. We have
integrated this technical solution into
the design to create Zero, together with
The system requires no tools
the mechanism that allows this
technology to be incorporated into
the system’s profiles. We have also
designed the supports, the profile
and all the accessories to create
three-dimensional structures.
‘With a simple gesture, the support
mechanism can be introduced into
the opening, moved along the profile
and automatically locked. What’s more,
it locks into place even more securely
as the weight placed on it increases.’
Visit: www.emuca.co.uk
 21 - 22 Sept 2021 | Telford
Bringing The Bed Industry Together Again

Mattresses | Divans | Bedsteads | Headboards | Pillows

Futons | Sofabeds | Tickings | Fillings | Springs | Foam
Machinery | Components

NEW for 2021 - Supplier Innovation Zone

www.bedshow.co.uk
@TheBedFed
 BEDS AND BEDROOM
Natural flair
Straw has joined Porro’s range of materials
A bed with an intimate and compact
shape, Porro’s Byron consists of three
elements: the padded bed frame slightly
raised from the floor, the soft headboard
cushions where you can linger reading
before falling asleep, and the straw-
weave screen that seems to embrace
and protect the space.
The lines are soft, the edges rounded,
36 Interiors Monthly July 2021
and the screen adds sophisticated detail,
with a black-stained solid ash frame
that encloses a straw weave featuring
a graphic black-and-white houndstooth
pattern. It is a balance between the
contemporary and the past, concrete
and abstract.
Porro’s new Curry sofa with reduced
depth – a transformation of the Curry
Byron
Byron: sculptural
daybed presented in 2018 – is the
perfect size for a bedroom. With a
sculptural silhouette and strong graphic
impact, the design draws inspiration
from the East. The structure in solid
black-stained ash becomes the frame for
the arms and backrest in black dyed
woven straw.
Visit: www.porro.com
Curry
 Textile Supply Solutions
Relax, we have you covered with high quality upholstery fabrics. A bold,
bright and beautiful colour range, or contemporary cool.

Immerse your mattress with our quality tickings, including Knits, Damasks
and Borders. We have the vision and expertise to help you create your
perfect mattress collaboration.

Incorporating Atlanta Spring, our very own quality pocket springs

manufacturing facility, with 100% customer satisfaction on products, delivery
and service.

Stockholding at our 100,000 sq ft of warehouse of pocket and bonnell

springs, ready for a quick delivery using our own transport.

The core of our business thrives on quality of products with a high level of
customer service which cannot be beaten.

Tel: 01924 431350 | Email: info@fotex.co.uk

Fotex Limited | KC House | 24 Bretton Street | Dewsbury | West Yorkshire | WF12 9BJ

TRADE ASSOCIATION MEMBER

 RUGS

Nature first
GAN’s 2021 collection has several inspirations. Visit: www.gan-rugs.com

Samuel Wilkinson’s Echo has a repeating pattern of crosses that appear to subtly vibrate: the outer strokes of each cross represent
the reverberations of the central dots, which stand out as small flashes in lighter shades. The rug is available in red and green.

Inma Bermúdez’ Roots collection has four kilim models, with jute weft and cotton warp. In each of its versions,
the shape of the square creates a pattern that is repeated at different scales and rhythms to represent a fabric,
a material or a slight variation in colour – always within the natural tones of the jute: ochre, beige or brown. 

40 Interiors Monthly July 2021

Stroolmount

Advertising feature: Stroolmount

switches to the
Manchester
Furniture Show
in 2022
Like lots of things at the moment, we’ll have to wait a bit longer…
Stroolmount has reluctantly made the difficult decision to skip
exhibiting at this year’s Manchester Flooring Show in Harrogate.
Stroolmount will now be part of next year’s show. ‘So we’ll see you in
2022 back in Manchester instead,’ says Gill Finch, Stroolmount md.
‘Plus, you can see us this year on 1 July at CFJ Live and and also at
The Flooring Show in September.’

Reliability you’ll love, innovation that’ll surprise you

Family-run Stroolmount is the trade’s favourite specialist protection
supplier. It continues to support businesses with superior quality
and exceptional service. ‘We’re known to go the extra mile, with
innovative solutions
such as Furniglides
so you can move
even the heaviest
furniture, even recliner
sofas, without scaring
your flooring. And our
Move-it Pads are fitters’
best-kept secret – they
slide furniture around like
it’s on ice,’ says Finch,
Award-winning
protection from
just 1p
Nowadays we all want pro-
tection. It helps give us
certainty and confidence. So
choose the best protection you
can: Stroolmount.
Stoolmount’s Self-adhesive Felt is superior quality, with stronger
glue and thicker felt: it insists on a hefty 5mm thickness, while many
others skimp with just 3mm.
For longer-term protection, go for hardwearing, award-winning
Quickclick Glides. They protect floors, reduce noise and reduce stress
on furniture joints: so they’re ideal for all furniture, especially dining
chairs and kitchen stools that are scraped back and forth.
Quickclick Glides have different interchangeable glides for different
flooring: carpet glides, tile glides, wood/laminate glides – plus there’s
even a special anti-slip glide. They’re great for when you want to
change your flooring or you’re moving chairs, for example, to a room
that has a different type of flooring. You can just click out the existing
glide and click in a new glide type.
See the full range in Stroolmount’s new brochure free inside this
issue of Interiors Monthly.

Just email enquiries@stroolmount.co.uk with whatever you need, or if you’ve a query or you just want more information.

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 41
 RUGS

Diamond, by Charlotte Lancelot, is a mainstay of GAN’s outdoor collection: now it has come indoors, swapping recycled PET for hand-tufted wool. The rugs
are available in the green/grey (pictured), blue/brown and orange/wine colour combinations that have been added to the outdoor products (below).

Thanks to the use of undyed wool, the commitment to using locally

sourced materials and production centres, and to the manual production
in small workshops in India, Made Studio’s Pure exemplifies GAN’s
vocation for sustainability and social and environmental respect

Natural Arty uses undyed wool as it combines its air of

abstract paintings with a discreet and minimalist style

42 Interiors Monthly July 2021

Theflooringshow.com
TheFlooringShow FlooringShow

Image courtesy of Kellars

REGISTer NOW
tHEFLOORINGSHOW.COM
New Product Launches
Demonstration Zones
Design Trends
The flooring show
19-21 september 2021
HCC, harrogate
 BUYING GROUPS

Road trip
The Countryside Flooring Company received new
signage, as did Hugo’s Café and Happyland play area

Preston to Sussex to Cornwall (and home) is all in a week’s work

One of the main benefits of Metro option was to remove the sign and take so that labels and graphics can be
membership is full access to the group’s it back to Metro’s Sign Studio to refit ordered remotely. Products including
bespoke and subsidised marketing with new acrylic, vinyl and vastly superior hard floors and LVT can then be
service. As each independent retailer LED lighting. rebranded without the need for a
runs a business its own way, Metro The next trip of the week was all the 900-mile round trip.
appreciates this and offers solutions for way down to Cornwall for a visit to The The type of premises, product offering
almost every scenario. Carpet Shop in Bodmin. As a recently and market positioning of its members
In one week last month the marketing recruited member in late 2020, it was varies hugely, but Metro has the capacity
team travelled from the north-east to looking at ways to boost the appearance to meet each member’s business needs,
Lancashire, to Sussex, to Cornwall and of the business but also to change over no matter how extensive or basic – from
then home. all in-store products to Metro’s own a 10m external sign to a price label.
The Countryside Flooring Company in brand, Carpet 1st. Visuals will be created Metro takes care of it all. Quite literally,
Forton, near Preston was the first stop for new signage and internal displays, no job is too big or too small.
and old, outdated signage was replaced. plus an ordering system will be set up Visit: www.carpet1st.co.uk
As part of a re-allocation of space, its
successful Hugo’s Cafe has used some of
the excess flooring warehouse to open a
soft play area for children and this received
a new look. Both sides of the business
now share the site and all displays and
signage complement each other.
The following day it was a 250-mile trip
south to deliver four Carpet 1st
own-label displays to Carpet 1st Flooring
in Chichester. While there, the team
took measurements and details for an
upcoming refurbishment of displays.
Then it was a short trip over to
Rustington, to Highdown Carpets, to
look at the option of replacing or
refurbishing its existing shop sign.
Although time had taken its toll on the
lighting and acrylic infills on the sign,
the metal structure was in pretty much
perfect condition, so the obvious Highdown Carpets’ shop sign will be refurbished

44 Interiors Monthly July 2021

Sq M
 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 a medium of abstraction. And for Lucio structures ‘disappear’ to the eye.
signposts throughout our lives. Their Fontana, the non-colour represents the Black is also never just black – the
unique nature makes them a lighthouse end and the beginning: in essence, colour is surprisingly versatile. Black
in a sea of sameness. And not only eternity. The painter and sculptor Anish is ubiquitous in design, because it
because they are so recognisable. Icons Kapoor recently secured the artistic creates contrasts with every other
awaken our emotions and establish rights to a specific black, Vantablack, colour. It underlines contours, defines
values. When it comes to iconic pieces which absorbs 99.9% of light and makes forms, and is both statement-making
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 non-
colours. 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
Foster 502 sofa and chair
Soulages and Mark Rothko use black as

46 Interiors Monthly July 2021

 UPHOLSTERY

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
FK chair
combination of the seams is art in itself.
The shape of the upholstery, the
and understated at the same time. completely new materials made the precision of the leather cubes, and the
Walter Knoll has chosen six designs shell technically possible. matt chrome-plated steel frame give
to present in uncompromising black: A dispute between Fabricius and the design an aura of something special.
the FK chair; 369 armchair; Fabricius sofa Kastholm saw the partnership break up The harmony of leather and steel is
and armchair; and Foster 502 sofa and and this gave Fabricius fresh impetus immediately apparent. The shape endures
armchair, crafted from matt black, and drive: a desire to always be the best. – nothing can be added or taken away –
powder-coated steel and soft black The trained carpenter took this time and in a reflection of its design values.
leather as its Black Edition. opportunity to work on every aspect Visit: www.walterknoll.de
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
369
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, Fabricius sofa

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 47
ACCESSORIES
Get fitting
A wide range of floorcovering installation products are on offer
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
48 Interiors Monthly July 2021
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 power-
stretched 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
The range of underlays, tools
and accessories is extensive
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
 WOOD AND LAMINATE
Beach time
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
50 Interiors Monthly July 2021
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.
Above left: Beach House display
Above: Ocean 8 V4 Java Light Grey
‘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
 For those
‘splash & dash’
moments.

/ ocean+.
100% water-resistant floors, fully protected thanks to our pioneering
hydro+ technology. Back in 2008, BerryAlloc was the first company
to bring this innovation to laminate flooring. Our Ocean+ collection
contains authentic, lifelike wood designs and realistic embossing, with
high levels of abrasion and scratch resistance. Available in two sizes
and thicknesses: something for everyone.

BerryAlloc
North: Richard Comboy South: Ross Tooth
T + 44 7496 293150 T + 44 7949 151269
richard.comboy@berryalloc.com ross.tooth@berryalloc.com

berryalloc.com water resistant laminate.

 LVT
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
52 Interiors Monthly July 2021
Transform Azuriet
scratch and stain-resistant, meaning
they’re capable of dealing with the ins
and outs you’d experience at a child’s
Transform Verdon Oak
Transform Chester Oak
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

Clean and fresh
Karndean Designflooring’s latest guest
blogger transformed her bedroom
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 four-
bedroom 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
LVT
Rebecca McCaughan in her newly
revamped bedroom featuring
Karndean Designflooring, Art Select
Storm Oak parquet
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
www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 53
 VINYL

Pattern books and display

Hitting the ground

stands have been updated

The revamped Ultragrip is reaching stores

Following a complete makeover earlier help customers picture how the designs ultra-water-resistant.
in the year, the new-look Ultragrip brand will work in their home, by the extensive ‘We aim to have updated the POS in
is being rolled out to 855 retailers at use of roomset photography,’ says all of our existing retailers by mid-July.
lightning speed. Bruynseels. If for any reason you have missed out on
‘This is one of Beauflor’s most ‘The updated display stand makes it a call, or would like to book a visit with
important new product launches. Our easy for customers to browse by range our merchandising team, please reach
designers have put a huge amount of and colour, and it has an eye-catching out to your local sales rep and we’ll make
work into creating some daring, bold and header board that shouts out the sure you’re included in the updates. We
colourful new designs, which are set to unique selling features of the Ultragrip are confident that it will help you to
take the market by storm. Over the last brand, namely that it is ultra-hygienic, transform your sales,’ says Bruynseels.
few months people have been forced to ultra-slip-resistant, ultra-durable and Visit: www.ultragripbybeauflor.co.uk
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 Roomsets help customers to envisage how a design will look in their home

54 Interiors Monthly July 2021

 Ultra Hygienic | Ultra Slip Resistant | Ultra Durable | Ultra Water Resistant
F or more in fo rm a tion a bo ut this stun ni ng new Ul tr agr i p col l ecti on vi si t www.ult ragripbybeaufl o r. c o . u k
MFS, 18-21 July, Harrogate PREVIEW
New home
Manchester Furniture Show has relocated for this year
La-Z-Boy UK will be showcasing its latest
ranges on Stand C24, Hall Q of the
Harrogate Convention Centre. This will
be the first opportunity since before the
pandemic that retailers will be able to
experience La-Z-Boy’s products and
ranges in room settings and appreciate
what they could look like in their
customers’ homes.
The new ranges have something to
appeal to all tastes, whether you’re
looking for more contemporary models
with a slimmer profile, models with
Cassia
56 Interiors Monthly July 2021
an air of opulence and accentuated
curves, or more traditional styles. All
reflect La-Z-Boy UK’s Live Life Comfortably
slogan and use its renowned fabrics.
It will also be exhibiting its new swivel
chairs, designed to be an extremely
versatile piece offering a luxurious but
practical seat within a home office set-up,
or a stylish and comfortable statement
piece in a flexible living space. An
additional aspect of the new pedestal
chairs is the rechargeable battery, which
means the power recline feature can be
Sloan
Adam
used anywhere in the home without
needing to be near a plug socket.
‘We’re really excited for retailers to
get a proper look at and experience our
new collections at the Manchester
Furniture Show. The Covid-19 pandemic
has meant that opportunities to
showcase our furniture ranges in person
have been very limited and this is a great
chance for suppliers and retailers to
come together again,’ says Tristan Pyke,
La-Z-Boy UK head of sales.
Visit: www.la-z-boy.co.uk
 MAIA

Exhibiting at the Manchester Furniture Show

18th - 21st July

Harrogate Convention Centre

King’s Road
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG1 5LA MADE IN THE UK
 Not just
a sofa
Your customer is not just
buying a La-Z-Boy sofa,
they’re investing in…

- A place to relax
- The heart of the home
- Time with family and friends
- A place of comfort
- Their wellbeing

Visit us at the Manchester Furniture

Show, 18th-21st July at the Harrogate
Convention Centre, Hall Q C24 to
experience our new ranges

Anderson
www.la-z-boy.co.uk
MFS, 18-21 July, Harrogate PREVIEW
Ruby celebration
LDP Group has continued to grow as it approaches its 40th anniversary
LPD Group has been trading for almost
40 years, with its anniversary this
September. Even throughout the
pandemic, LPD has committed to its
customers and has continued to grow,
which it is extremely grateful for. Very
much still a family-run business, it prides
itself on an innovative, high-quality
product offering. Recognising the
important role that its trading partners
and customers play and developing
trusted, long-term relationships is an
integral part of LPD’s business. It is proud
to have many customers that have been
there from the start, as well as gaining
new partners every day.
LPD Furniture’s dedicated staff have a
wealth of experience and knowledge.
The established buying team continually
strives to source premium products
from a variety of manufacturers, while
ensuring that each piece delivers
excellent value for money. From beds to
coffee tables, sideboards to occasional
chairs, dining tables to home office,
recliners to bathroom cabinets, the
60 Interiors Monthly July 2021
Hoxton bedroom and Halston bed frame
collection has products to suit all rooms
in the home, for both adults and
children. All tastes are covered, from
contemporary and traditional, and it is
always striving to follow the latest trends
as well as provide staple classic pieces.
LPD has a stress-free direct despatch
service to further enhance its all-round
offering. Having its own team of trusted
delivery drivers not only limits the risk of
damage in transit, but also enables it to
offer a door-to-door service of three to
five working days to most of mainland Toulouse
UK. Its dedicated home delivery team
look after orders from the word go, to
ensure a smooth, successful delivery.
For the times when you are open and
LPD is not, or your customer needs an
answer urgently, you can check stock,
price and incoming dates, and place
orders, on its live stock portal. You can
also get invoices and credit statements
at your convenience, further enhancing
the seamless process LPD Furniture offers
to make its partnerships successful.
Visit: www.lpdfurniture.co.uk Belgravia in cappuccino
AZinchome
�· accessories & gifts
www.ZincHome.co.uk

Discover Our Trends

Vases & Bowls

Our ranges are extensive, with
designs, colours, and styles to suit
every home. High quality porcelain
and ceramics are at the heart of our
beautiful designs.

Light Up the Room

A stunning selection of glass wind
lights, candleholders, and
Lanterns, complemented by our
exclusive metallic luxury candles

Home Decor and Gift

Choose from our fabulous range of design
sculptures, artwork, and giftware.
Exclusive designs and amazing choice.

Visit with us at Harrogate for our Exclusive Show Offers

Visit us online at www.ZincHome.co.uk
MFS, 18-21 July, Harrogate PREVIEW
Harrogate Convention Centre

Buoyant’s Blaise

Come on in!
MFS has been chosen as a test event
Since 1909 Buoyant has led the way negative NHS lateral flow test at least their respective NHS body.
in the manufacture of upholstered 48 hours before attending. The consent required from all show
furniture, producing high-quality, For those registered with a GP in participants to opt in to the event
design-led product with an emphasis England, proof of a negative NHS lateral research programme and NHS Test and
on comfort. Its design and production flow test taken within 48 hours prior to Trace will be sent to all registered buyers
processes, as well as its years of attending the event can be displayed and exhibitors individually.
experience, blend together seamlessly via the NHS app, SMS text or email. Proof ‘With the backing of the Government,
resulting in unique, quality furniture. of vaccine can be displayed via the NHS public health bodies and our key
‘There is no doubt that we have all app, NHS website or by downloading customers we can see that the appetite
witnessed the craziest year or so of our and printing off a PDF. and enthusiasm are there for an
lives. As we start to return to normality Those attending for multiple days may in-person buying and selling event.
we are excited to be exhibiting our need to do a second lateral flow test, as There is great excitement from both
products again and are looking forward they must have a negative result within exhibitors and visitors to reconnect in
to welcoming all our loyal customers 48 hours prior to attending any day. Harrogate,’ says Zoë Bonser, Clarion
to this year’s Manchester Furniture Show Buyers from Scotland and Wales can Events portfolio director.
in Harrogate. Stay safe and we hope to show their vaccine status via a PDF from Visit: www.manchsterfurnitureshow.com
see you all at the show,’ says Mike
Aramayo, Buoyant md.
Gala will return to the show, in a
range of upholstery models. Lorien is a
modern interpretation of a wing-back
chair and is available as a fixed chair,
reclining chair, footstool, and two-seater
and three-seater sofas.
No social distancing or masks will be
required at the exhibition. The show,
and the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival,
have been selected to be a pilot event
in the third phase of the UK Government’s
events research programme. This will
mean no restrictions on visitor numbers
or the need for social distancing or
protective masks.
However, those attending the show
will need proof of two vaccinations at
least two weeks prior to attending, or a
Gala’s Lorien

64 Interiors Monthly July 2021

 Four bar Hexham
This variant to the established
eight bar Hexham spindle aims to
give a cleaner, more contemporary
look yet remains also able to cross
over into traditional. A winner with
painters.

Oak Hamburg Carver

Jet Hopsack Seat

Oak Loire Chair

Hexham Eight bar
Natural Hopsack
Our highly popular eight bar back
plain spindle back chair is where
modern meets the best of Victorian
simple. Equally at home in town or
country dining settings. Available in
beech or oak.

Hoop back Windsor Hoop Carver

An enormously popular and
stylish hoop back with elegant
good looks and features, robust
enough even for contract. This
is a quality beech chair that fits
many bills.
We have taken a classic Georgian
style an adapted it for modern
living. The ageless lines evoke
their traditional background but
also harness a more modern edge.
Great as a stand-alone chair in its
own right or a carver complement
to our hoop or Hexham’s.
 TRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Does your website
create the same feel
as your store, or leave
your customers
frustrated?

Care and attention

Give your customers a great experience, no matter where they engage
‘Have you ever walked into a retail store website? In the omnichannel world customers with the same level of
only to promptly leave? The store was the visual and aesthetic flow is key. Do preparations as you do in-store. Are
“not what you thought it should be”. what you can to make the online/offline “in stock” and “on display” marked
Now think of a website for a retailer – journey seamless and consistent. correctly? Integration with your EPoS
maybe your own website even. What ‘Merchandise it. Think about the level makes this automatic.
happens if you visit a retailer’s website of care and attention that goes into ‘As I said, don’t forget the obvious.
and it feels the same way? Blurry, setting the sales floor for a big week or Make it match. Merchandise it. Flag
cluttered, poorly designed, a hodgepodge weekend. Are you doing the same to in-stock and on-display – all fundamental
of everything that isn’t easy to use? You your website? You moved the sofa and to keeping your website aligned with
“bounce”. You click away. Gone. Never to chairs to the main showroom for a your retail business. Bring it alive.
return,’ says Jesse Arke, RetailSystem reason. Remember the funnel. Make sure Remember that store you exited? Make
president. you’re doing the same on your website. sure your consumers don’t feel that way.’
‘Retailers need to think about their Home page. Section pages. Meet Visit: www.retailsystem.com
website as a direct extension of the main
showroom. Retailers need to engage
consistently. Here are a few things you
need to pay attention to.
‘Are the basics correct? Store hours and
locations accurate? Telephone numbers
and email addresses correct and
prominently displayed? It seems so basic
but you would be surprised how often
the obvious is overlooked.
‘Does it match? Does your website feel
like your store in terms of typefaces,
colours, logos, products? Think of it this
way: your customers open the door to
your store and are greeted by all things
visual. Stand at your front door and
absorb what they see. Now go to your
website. Is it the same experience?
Signage? Colours? Logos? Are those
primary goods on the showroom floor
displayed on the home page of your If you’ve promised quick delivery, you must deliver

66 Interiors Monthly July 2021

Optimised for furniture and bed retailers
Specific tools and features that will help
you to grow your business.

Cloud-based EPOS
Adding items made easy
Real-Time Activities
Any device. Anywhere.
Anytime.

Seamless Omnichannel.
That is WebSystem by Shopify!
Single database for all your content
Real time access of products and stock
Fully EPOS integrated
Fully managed product catalogues

Time to “Unify” your retail business!

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www.retailsystem.com/uk/ 0131 440 7607 info@retailsystem.com

 TRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Scenes can be completed quickly and easily updated

Look now
CGI can save considerable time and money
During the first lockdown Neil Buckley- scenes. This equates to CGI imagery to trial it, and as long as the CGI company
Jensen was struggling to get images of costing around 80% to 90% less than is as good as it claims to be, clients will
Indesign Furniture’s latest products. He traditional photoshoots. The cost and keep coming back for more. Especially
tried some computer-generated image time we save has been incredible.’ when a client sees how easy and cost-
(CGI) providers but wasn’t completely Depending on the complexity of the effective CGI visualisations can be
happy with the results so he set up furniture models, how many are required compared to traditional photoshoots.
Chilli Pepper Designs. Barely a year later to be made and the setting they need ‘Because we understand furniture,
the company has become a specialist in to go into, the whole process can be and have done many furniture photo-
the interiors sector. completed in anything from a couple of shoots previously, we apply our
‘CGI gives you unparalleled flexibility, days to around a week – depending on experience to creating a CGI scene and
huge cost savings, and you can take the amount of amendments a client know what a client wants and requires
your products to market right away in a might make. instantly. Many CGI companies will
fraction of the time you would associate And if the scene has to be updated, render a bottle on Monday, for example,
with a traditional photoshoot. With CGI, for a Christmas promotion, for example, headphones on Tuesday and work on
we can prototype a visualisation of your this can be done in a couple of hours furniture on Wednesday. We don’t.
product rather than sampling and the and the cost will be minimal because We use our expertise from furniture and
need to ship, you can test the images the setting and the models have been interiors and apply it to creating CGI
with your clients to gauge interest and created previously. imagery to suit. We are essentially
avoid wasting resources and producing ‘Covid-19 has been the turning point specialists in furniture and interiors.’
excess inventory and associated for CGI imagery. Companies have started Visit: www.chillipepperdesigns.co.uk
emissions,’ he says.
‘With our furniture company, we used
to commit to photoshoots regularly. The
costings and time involved in setting
them up were outrageous. Members of
our team would be searching and talking
to agencies for the shoot locations,
organising the logistics and manpower
for getting the products to the location,
organising for props, booking stylists,
hiring a photographer… All of these
aspects associated with a shoot come at
a real cost.
‘With CGI, all of this trouble and
time and requirement for personnel
disappears. All we need to create hyper-
realistic imagery is product line drawings,
swatches and inspiration for room

68 Interiors Monthly July 2021

 WWW.CHILLIPEPPERDESIGNS.CO.UK

SERIOUSLY WHY
WOULD YOU NOT
USE CGI?

Compared to traditional photoshoots, CGI gives you

COST SAVINGS | ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY IMAGES | COMPLETE CONTROL
 TRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Fibreline offers cushion fillings

in fibre, feather and foam

Cool Blue
PET bottles become cushions

Fibrefill Blue re-uses the equivalent of 100 plastic bottles in a cushion

Fibreline recognises the need to offer
cushion manufacturers an environmentally
friendly solution using recycled plastic.
In the past 70 years the world’s
consumption of plastic has increased
dramatically, creating huge waste.
Bottled water has become an important
source of this plastic waste, along with
other plastic items. Fibreline has found a
way to use the waste by converting the
equivalent of 100 plastic bottles into a
cushion: Fibrefill Blue. And Fibrefill Blue
is itself 100% recyclable.
Plastic pollution has become one of
the most pressing environmental issues
of the day as rapidly increasing production
of disposable plastic products overwhelms
the world’s ability to deal with them.
Plastic pollution is most visible in
developing Asian and African nations,
but many developed countries have
low recycling rates and have trouble
collecting discarded plastics.
Modern life would be unrecognisable
without plastics, but the convenience
that plastics offer has led to a throwaway
culture that reveals the material’s dark
side. Today, single-use plastics account
for 40% of the plastic produced every
year. Many of these products, such as
plastic bags and food wrappers, fulfill a
use for mere minutes, yet they may
persist in the environment for hundreds
of years. Plastic rubbish has become so
ubiquitous it has prompted efforts to
write a global treaty negotiated by the
United Nations.
Fibreline hopes that in some small way
it can help by offering manufacturers an
eco-friendly alternative: Fibrefill Blue. It
also believes it has achieved a trinity of
superior cushion fillings in fibre, feather
and foam cushions.
Encore buyers now have the ultimate
choice. With the launch of Encore Foam,
Fibreline feels confident that it can now
offer the very best in foam, fibre and
feather cushion interiors. Following on
from Encore Fibre and Encore Feather,
Fibreline’s latest breakthrough in foam
cushions is Encore Foam. Fibreline
believes Encore Foam to be the ultimate
foam cushion. It is constructed from
100% foam and achieves its remarkable
properties through a combination of
foams and a clever interior profile.
Visit: www.fibreline-ltd.co.uk

Encore Feather Encore Fibre

70 Interiors Monthly July 2021

2021 5th Oct 9 – 5
6th Oct 9 – 4.30

● Over 80 exhibitors
● FREE parking
● FREE lunch
● Central location at
Stoneleigh Park,
Warwickshire

Registration is now open

www.theautumnfurnitureshow.co.uk
 TRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Technology helps
Retailers have live stock information, a wider
pool of products and no update concerns
It’s a Friday and while catching up on admin you
spot an email in your junk folder from a supplier.
This informs you of a reduction in the price of a
chair. While it has been selling well for you, the
manufacturer wants to clear stock. You decide you’ll
order 20 and update your website, adjusting the
price slightly to reflect the reduction. As you do so,
you are called to the shopfloor. When you finish with
those customers you remember to order the chairs
through the supplier’s online ordering facility. You
are then delighted to see you’ve already sold two.
Over the weekend the pattern continues and by
Monday morning 18 of the 20 have been sold.
Then the sales rep phones: he’s sorry but they
can’t supply you with those chairs you’ve sold. That
email had been in your junk folder since Thursday
morning and by the time you placed the order, all TradeAxis creates a catalogue of suppliers’ products
50 items had been sold to other retailers. So you are
obliged to go back to your 18 customers and explain,
refunding those that don’t want a voucher or to pick
something else. Frustration all round.
For users of TradeAxis this would never have
happened as stock reports are live. TradeAxis links
with RetailSystem’s EPoS system and if the supplier
makes a change to a product, such as the lead time,
a fabric being temporarily unavailable, finishes, sizes
or updated images, this is almost instantly reflected
on the retailer’s EPoS system and website. Your sales
staff then have up-to-date information while
running through the order process in store. The link
also ensures the order arrives at the supplier in the
correct format ready to process. As changes appear
automatically, retailers can save valuable hours on
website updates. This is also a major benefit for
suppliers as TradeAxis handles the updates. Retailers can browse at any time
TradeAxis also gives retailers a wider pool of
products to select from. Retailers that don’t have an
account with a supplier can still browse the offer
and request to become a stockist. The system will
also ensure that retailers have the correct pricing for
their business.
Art by RH45, Complete Colour, Corndell Furniture,
Global Home Furniture, Sweet Dreams and Vogue
Beds are among the suppliers already using
TradeAxis.
Retailers that don’t use RetailSystem will be
provided with it free of charge in order for them to
place orders via TradeAxis, which can handle
accounting, invoicing, scheduling and delivery for
the supplier, or allow them to download the data
to feed to their existing systems.
Visit: www.tradeaxis.org Updates are automatic

72 Interiors Monthly July 2021

 F Edmondson & Sons – European Furniture Transport
Specialising in the collection, distribution and delivery of high-quality furniture throughout the
UK and Europe for manufacturers, retailers and private clients.
F Edmondson & Sons is a family-owned company with a proud heritage spanning six decades.
We offer nationwide delivery service, bookings for all deliveries, home and trade deliveries, full
and part loads, receiving containers and re-delivery of goods.

For further information and to discuss your requirements

please call +44 (0)1524 382211
Or email sedmondson@edmondsonfreight.co.uk

Product Data
Management

Give your Stockists the Edge.

Your product catalogue should be an investment
in growing business. Not an expensive
maintenance project. Retailers
Can’t cope with constant price increases
Bring your products to Furniture Buyers, in real time.
and content changes?
Prices updated with one click, so everyone is up to date,
Reps, Agents and Retailers. We can manage the content of your largest
suppliers, taking the hassle out of constant
New products listed with buyers and Salesforce updates, freeing up time to do what you do best.
instantly, with images, prices and stock availability.
Online ordering portal supplied Free of Charge to your Live catalogue data feeds that populate your EPOS
current retailers. and power your website.
Digital brochures for your Salesforce that are Our huge data lake carries the content of
instantly updated. hundreds of suppliers products.
No upfront cost - No uploads - We do all the All from a single database, with NO upfront cost
heavy lifting ... What’s not to like? and a simple 30 day rolling agreement.

www.tradeaxis.org info@tradeaxis.org 0203 865 3015 x 201 07809 709 609

 TRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Bespoke
Steely creates products to meet customers’ needs
Steely is a family firm manufacturing
products from tubular steel, with all
work from metal preparation through
to powder coating and dispatch carried
out at its Manchester premises.
Since 1970 Steely has set itself apart
from its rivals by incorporating customers’
needs in its designs, rather than making
off-the-peg products. Products are
purpose-made to customer operations.
For the furniture sector this includes
sofa trolleys, upholstery stands, a bulk
mattress mover, mattress display rack,
mattress trolley, sack trolley, bed display Steely produces everything in-house in Manchester
stand, weighted mattress islands and
warehouse mattress racks. often be difficult to know where to start. and therefore has control over lead
All these years on, Steely is supplying With Steely, you buy direct from the times, price and quality. It works closely
customer with purpose-made trolleys, manufacturer, meaning you can be with customers at every stage to ensure
table and metal products economically, confident of getting the right design for that they are completely satisfied,
meeting all expectations. your needs, an uncompromising focus including visits, demonstrations and
When looking for purpose-made on quality and on-time delivery. Steely economic prototypes.
materials-handling equipment, it can does all the manufacturing in-house Visit: www.steelyproducts.co.uk

Tested and Proven...

In furniture warehouses

• Reduce manual handling • Increase organisation • Reduce stock damage

• Increase efficiency • Proven in UK warehouses • Specialist furniture products

Contact Steely
t: 0161 702 7002 e: sales@steelyproducts.co.uk w: www.steelyproducts.co.uk

Designed to work... Built to last

 HOLBORN

2-Seater in Graphite Fabric

Ottoman in Patterned Fabric

This fixed sofa set combines timeless style and a sleek
design making it perfect for any home. Button back detail
gives this sofa a beautiful designer look.

Available as a 3-Seater, 2-Seater, Chair and Ottoman, the

Holborn helps to create a comfy but stylish living space.
This set also inclusive of patterned scatter cushions.

Available in Graphite and Silver fabric with Light legs.

Chair in Silver Fabric

GFA

2
YEAR
WARRANTY

UK MADE
T: 01291 645080 | F: 01291 645099
E: SALES@GFA.UK.COM | W: WWW.GFA.UK.COM
 REVIEW
The return
Large face-to-face furniture trade exhibitions are back
The Summer Furniture Show saw large
face-to-face furniture trade exhibitions
return in style. A total of 54 exhibitors
gathered at Telford International Centre
on 15-16 June to present new and
best-selling product to nearly 1,000 key
buyers and decision makers over the
course of the two days.
Work started on a hot Sunday
afternoon during the England football
match but the stand builders and event
staff didn’t mind – they were just excited
76 Interiors Monthly July 2021
to be there. And from the moment the
doors opened at 9am on Tuesday and
the buyers came flooding in, their hard
work was rewarded.
Everybody respected the adapted
working conditions and thoroughly
enjoyed meeting friends and colleagues
in person to catch up, talk business and
plan trading for the second half of 2021.
All of the exhibitors made a big effort
to present their products to a high
standard, the vast majority of product
54 exhibitors took part
being seen for the very first time.
As a result, every buyer said they got
something positive from the show.
As the show wound down, all of the
exhibitors were happy with their efforts,
with a lot of orders needing to be put
into production, and the sales teams
have weeks of leads to follow up.
The show’s sister event, the Autumn
Furniture Show, takes place at Stoneleigh
Park, Kenilworth on 5-6 October.
Visit: www.thesummerfurnitureshow.co.uk
 Your one stop shop
for furniture care
Staingard can maximise your profit on every sale,
with outstanding, value-added products.

Staingard, market leaders in the provision of care plans and care

products for the furniture, beds, flooring and automotive industry.

gliptoneeurope.com leathermasteruk.com mattressgard.co.uk floor-gard.com staingardsanitisers.co.uk

For more information call 01244 888 658, email sales@staingard.co.uk

or visit our brand new Staingard Group website - www.staingard.co.uk

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

Our online package is just £175. Your advert will

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

If you have both online and quarter page

recruitment advert in our magazine, the cost
will only be £250!

Costs for larger recruitment adverts are

available upon request.

Please contact Jarrod on

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

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renu® underlay uses ethically sourced and 88% would choose a carpet underlay that
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