Sweden Design kingdom 2 Furlong Flooring ; Elegance First choice flooring for every room The signature wool-inspired twist, with a D - new colour bank and an 1,800g pile weightci Furlong Flooring All your flooring solutions under one roof FIRST CHOICE FLOORING FOR EVERY ROOM www.furlongflooring.co.uk Cen ere ee ee MRR PES ou we M sy EYLIn usta few days'time shoppers in England, Wales and Scotland willbe allowed to retum to ‘non-essentiat'retallers. Northern lneland has to wait a bit longer, with the lockdown restrictions not due to be reviewed until 15 Apri. As | write this, retailers will be making final preparations to re-open and hoping that they do return. ‘There have been many suggestions that there willbe a boom tn retaling as shoppers flock to stores to get thelr hands on products they haven't been able to buy over the past few ‘months. Hopefully thisis true, ast seems any money set aside fora summer holiday this yar isnot going to be used fr that purpose. But as DFS and Se5 ~ and im sure many others - have demonstrated, consume's have been able to buy products: they have bought them online. ‘The switch to accepting making major purchases online ‘means the belief that people had tsi or lie ona sofa or bed before buying no longer holds true. DFS has an order bank way ahead of what it would normally, despite not having had any stores open fr months, andthe lkes of Emma and Eve (which has been abe to get close to break-even) have been enjoying sales success. While DFS is adamant it needs physical stores and online John Lewis has taken a different view on the growth of Internet sales and plans to close four department stores and four At Home branches. Until the Government finds the courage to resolve business rates ita situation thats likly to be repeated across many more high streets and etal pars. Rettenchmentis certainly not on the agenda at Vitoria, Wich has raised €250m to fund its next acquisitions And based nits previous deals you can guarantee it won't pay a penny = fora cent~ over the odds frits targets. ‘The death of Zeev Aram, at the age of 89, ends a link to the ppopularsation of modern furniture design inthis country. In the 1960 Aram wert to Milan to discover the products he wanted to sell Hopefully wellallbe abe todo the same in September Re oh Lng ee Fencraca taneng 1 0 2m along Boing’ Fegan the symone woaknsped ti, has a nee colour bank ar 18005 pile weight. £7-01273 930029 aliddeinteiosmonthiveouk § Furniture advertising (North: Jarrod Bird ! Carpet, flooring advertising: Joanne Paull 5 TODS] 98360 35458 Eas glannigyahoocoin EDITOR’S COMMENT INTERIORS MONTHLY APRIL 2021 NEWS 4 DFS expects profits to top £105m_ 8 Victoria raises €250m acquisition war chest 12 Zeev Aram: 1931-2021 FEATURES, 16 New products 22 Service 24 Experiences ‘re we nearly there yet? 26 Retail High summer tends 34 wT Inspire, hybrid life the ight stuf, core success 42. Underlay Long-term thinking, the finish 46 Upholstery Anticipation building abridge, letine 52 Rugs Fabric meets flooring 60 Storage Making use of wal space ‘Trade products and services Protection, care, software, sales training, regulations Design Stepping up in Stackholm 62 Editor: Andrew Kidd Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden MLOV76 122 ISDE thodeneirtenorsmonthlycouk ‘01565 631 397 E porogirrerorsmonthiycouk [Nc O7817 624 922 Epaulleinttionmorihlycouk Representative in India: Amarjeet Singh Gianni ublshed by imtiors Mei Lived nerve Howse, Ranings Row Borys, Tonbridge, Kent HS 1 Erenguesainterorsmonthy. cou feared a Englund na 97732 Slater: Medic Led BN 175006 www.interiorsmonthly.co.ukNEWS Stacey expects DFS full year profits to top £105m Despite its stores being closed, DFS sil hasan order bank {£65m higher than normal to work through, reflecting its online success. DFS sales rose by 219 to £454.9m and profits dimbed £3596 to £143.2m in the six months to 27 December. Foam shortages and shipping disruption limited sales growth at subsidiary Soflogy to 10.3% at £112.6m while profits were Lup 35.5% to £31.3m. Online sales jumped from 18.4% of sales to 25.7%. ‘Group pre-tax profits rose from £15,9m to £72.1m helped by the drop-through effect of high revenue growth, cost >CHITTENDEN & EASTMAN TAOS T pata ee Ren MILLBROOK BEDS Plat to eer PENN ew) east ars lm us information call 023 80 866111 Ss ene enc ea eB ATsVICTORIA 2 www.myvictoria.co.ukFrom next month Victoria Design Floors will be rolling out the sample update for the Tapestry boards on their Distinctive Flooring dual swing arm and waterfall stands. FEESER as tt shown to the market at Hartopat in 2018 where t won the Flooring ra for cmoothe: ue to lunch in §/2020, thc pandemic stooped the company Feces, bultcy or now roca to sar to rll dese wale coc how the mortat rats to rie Eotection up of 20 different patterned mosaic style Tapestry comes in boxes of 32, 9”x9” tiles Which various designs can be made. As well sing used on their own, they can also be id matched with complementary 9”x9” yFe18" tiles to help create unique floors for ‘cuistomers. They can even be paired with idseape Wildwood planks should someone want to mix planks and stones together. aldwell, Sales Director for Victoria spets and Design Floors said: We are delighted that we can now get out into ‘the market with Tapestry. We know it's been a ing but we now have a fantastic new product, supported by our national sales team, point of sale supported via ‘our in-house merchandisers, dedicated marketing support and the ability to help our retailers add value to grow their businesses. ‘We're very fortunate that we have been able to. z Grow our sales team during lockdown and have ‘welcomed three new members into the team. Now is a brilliant time to start working with Victoria Design Floors and any retailers interested in partnering with us should get in touch. We currently have a promotion on our dual swing arm stand, we can offer preferred terms and are >< passionate about supporting bricks and mortar retailers. Anyone wanting to find ‘out more should call the Victoria Design Floors sales office on 01862 749 300, ‘or email sales@myvictoria.co.uk. Www.distinctiveflooring.co.uk20 NEW PRODUCTS 6 {6 Colé alia hae extended is A-Line range with the introduction ofa side table, an ideal accessory next to the bed as nightstand but aso in the livingroom or hallway sa supporting surface and storage. Visit: wwrm.coleitalia.com 17 Tato has reissued Ignazio Gardella Falina lam in satin white or shiny green polyarbonate and aLED. It can be fixed tothe ceiling with a cable or rigid tubular lament. The metal components are available in brass, chrome satinfiished nickel o satinfnihed bronze, Visits woractatoitain.com {8 Completing the Quickstep Maser Installer programme at the Academy for Excellence in Flooring helps installers to unlock range of business benefits As the only QuickStep approved installers, profesionals holding the prestigious Master Installer card are able to enjoy a range of exclusive business benefits, most notably a manufacturer-backed lftime waranty on workmanship. Visit: wuru.quick-step-academy.couke {9 Standing out forte versatility anc capability on 8 wide range of subfloors, Flaorwise's Pro-Screed Gold ‘we-part smoothing ad leveling compound leaves 2 ‘lawless irish ready for foorcoveringsin just four hours Molsture-tolerant and suitable over OPM, the syst doesnt requir primer making it even farterto use Visit: wurufloorwise.co. ‘10 Found on BerryAlloe’s Pure and Style vinyl collections DreamClic’s innovative 360deg locking system i up to 50% faster to Install than other click systems. The four-sided system s more versatile to, 50 that DreamClick equipped floors can beinstalled Inalmost any laying pattern you can imagine. Visit: wwrucberryalloc.com Interiors Monthly April 2021RS? LY 2 WINNER 2020 Hand made in the UK from the finest British and Cashmere wool, the M; EVERYTHING'S EASY WHEN YOU SLEEPEEZEE SLEEPEEZEE.COMSERVICE i ‘tewas my mum who spotted it, about ‘three months after it was laid’ sald Mrs H, pointing to the marks that could be clearly seen in the sunlight flooding through the glass doors at the end of the kitchen. Tt must be from the dog's paws, so the flooring is clearly faulty! ‘Sure enough, there were some deep scratches in the surface ofthe lik-together LVT flooring. Some were single marks and others looked as ifthe dog had pawed away atthe surface for several minutes. There were aso some ‘mall depressions which looked as if they were from flakes of grit that had been trodden underfoot. Tim often asked to look at flaring hich is scratching or marking more than the customer thinks is acceptable. My way of dealing with this s to change my camera lens to one specially made to take pictures very close up (within 112mm of the surface) and then to study these on the computer screen back in iy office. also askifthere is a spare tle ‘or plank left over and, if so, | wil take this away with me for testing, to see if it dents or scratches more than other products ofa similar type. Accustomer's home will give a general clue about the way a customer cares for 2 product, but when it comes to flooring, leven the most fastidious customers can, inadvertently, do things that cause ‘damage. Not using a door mat (especially {for doors to the garden) or not putting {elt pads under furniture ate common Issues. lavold making subjective judgments based on such observations ‘as much as possible. The more abjective Information | can obtain, the better. But there was something different about Mrs H’scratehes! The wear layer of the flooring was undamaged. Whatever caused the marks had nat scraped any of the surface away, and this is usualy what happens. So Interiors Monthly April 2021 Richard Renouf ‘The surface was semingly scratched started looking around at other areas of the flooring. The different types of scratches were present all over, | discovered. Either the familly dog had been very boisterous, or | needed to find another cause. There were no spare tls, so | asked Mrs H for permission to remove one of ‘The dog was not to blame In the doghouse oy What was behind ed mysterious scratches? the kitchen plinths and test an out-of- sight area. She agreed, but when | took offthe plinth and looked carefully atthe area behind, there were even marks where the flooring had been hidden. | couldn't replicate them even with heavy pressure from a titanium tool or the blade ofa knife old Mrs H what l thought, and that | needed to find a sample of the flooring that had never been used. | went stright from her home to the store where she hhad bought t and asked to see an unopened pack. The first tle out of the pack had the same markings LVT flooring is rately left smooth = Itneeds a surface texture to provide atip and prevent slips. On wood-effect patterns the embossing is often a wood- drain effec, but for this marble tle design the manufacturer had chosen to simulate the scratches of a pet. It would have quietly done its job, unnoticed, if It wast for Mes H's mum, Visi: wwwcichard-enoutcom Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultantFeatures & Benefits 100% Luxury Millsoft Polypropylene Easy Maintenance with this Bleach 7 nue Cleanable Corpet a Heavy Domestic Suitability Stylish collection of 8 modern colours Peace of mind with our Wear & Stain WarrantiesEXPERIENCES Are we nearly there yet? It's been a long haul but there are better times on the horizon, says our correspondent THE RETAILER Fludes Carpets Where has the past ear gone? Has anyone been able tomove foward and have we learned anything dating the shutdowns? How has your business performed the ‘ireumstances caused by the pause button that the coronavirus has pressed? “This last period of trading since Chstmashas seen a (vr slow) increase insales and in consumer wilingness to ‘engage inthe process of buying footing We areal probably hoping and expecting things to return to normal quite quickly ater we ae outofackdown. The Government and the Bankot England are suggesting that we can expect ‘good rate of business growth, which should gain pace during the autumn. We mmusthope thatthe vacineroltout hasan impactand weaved ary further large-scale ‘outbreaks ofthe virus that could tigger further disruption -Atthe moment although we are stiltakng sales, our key concern is whathappens next— when we take an ‘order and go to deal with ordering the flooring and arranging a iting date. Are ‘manufacturer in good shape to deal with ‘the potential evel of orders particulary Wisse blessom ater lockdown ends? Interiors Monthly April 2021 in terms of delivery dates and accuracy of the deliveries? We have seen dates being pushed back and wrong items being delivered anit i difficult to arrange collection notes with suppliers when this happens. Normally our local reps would be ableto help, butthey are furloughed inthe main. tis going to take the manufactures «fair bitof time to get back to normal, and when they do there ae other hurdles too. The past few weeks have een pices ‘going up on most flooring products This is ‘due tothe increased cost of raw materials, delivery and distribution as wellasa rise in production costs. nitsel thisisnot a bad thing. nation wall benefit the whole industry and help to improve tumover levels However, iftoo mary people go for envy discounting strategy a result, toget the orders, the value ofthe product will decine.Itends up withthe customers paying one retaler against another and inevitably the gros profit willbe reduced. ‘Another factor facing retalers stat. for 2 couple of years now, smooth floors are taking a growing portion of flooring sles Many carpet fitters have become carpet and floerng ters, and some only wish tofRLVE. There seems tobe a shortage of new carpet fitters. Does this mean that we wil havea shortage of itersin future? We all know that in most cases, the Intemet prices for supply only. The customer as to find thei own iter and that wll ade further incentives for ters to take on limted work for shops and more \workfor themselves, Internet usage has surged over this past 12 months soitseems sensible to follow the crowd and increase our presence online to encourage people to come to Fludes. We arelooking carefull atthe ‘option of increasing our sales levels by ‘becoming more prominent online in our catchmentarea. Ws have already seen 8 favourable eve ofcustomers wanting to shop lecally and suppert ther local family Dbusinezeso this sone ares to pursue. ‘After 12 months of stop-start trading, dealing with customers by appointment and trying to grow sales through a greater online presence, we ae edging towards 12,Apail We can only hope that this realy is it we've survived the pas year and that the year ahead willbeas good as predicted ‘Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets md >RETAIL does it Habitat has identified four trends for high summer. Visit: www.habitat.co.uk ‘ouTDooR Whether abalzony tenace or aren space, Customers ae tuning thei attention to extetioe design, seeking year-round products that enable them to spend more ime outdoors More and move acts ate moving outside, om sting ith 2 coffee in the mocring to working fom 2 gatden office and ate watching the sun go oven with a lasso win. ‘Never before ave we cherished our outdoor spaces as mucha these past few months An ‘ray of bright outdoor nshings willadd a pap of colour toa garden that wil shine trough Fagard ofthe weather Reto solar-powered lighting wilted the daylight hours, we Interiors Monthly April 2021 designs sch asthe nested Ipanema coffee tables can be extended whist entertaining and eat stored away when not in use! says Dish Radia, Habitat senior buyer outdoor uritre ‘DESIGN DETAIL: SLATTED BAR SET, £150 > ‘Acentioustion ofthe home bar phenomenon the garden bars highly sought-after pice, with online searches soaring by 68% this year ‘ead. Fr those ght an outside space the ‘Slted Bar Set extbits a nartow design th bar stots tha side nelly undermeath The see framework and said acaci wood table op ceatea contemporary usa esthetic which sakes for tking contast against lealy backcronsays RadaHUGH MACKAY carpets Welcome Back! From the team at Hugh Mackay Hot off the press: New Website ISCO e ater Visit our new website to see our We've been busy during lockdown, COTA ae atta omer CCEEY Cocos ita atmcnrcceent Mets htd BEN Co rT Nc mM Mea ter Loree OnE a look at our longstanding options Bele TOR CIM eC C am eS to see how we can update them for Poet cr tact cr wc s i Eca ore need BCT ne cd Cacao Paar ymca = eae ccucaneie oa sean Geese Sane, soe oe ate Gs oe eee ech eee i, AE, ele ess geet. Soe Grea cite, eh Cee po ee _ SDESh Nes) EN (ES Fela Ud Rone cent Pd ee nee nites teers Scares Raspapsihel Praag ee Pree aden sd Pee ue Pee ne sells Hee ec eo . Spar, oe ea ae eae ees Eanes oe coe nintees a ee Seren er eed 2Z@@ WWW.HUGHMACKAY.CO.UK sm nesRETAIL LUXE ofa boutquehote nterspersing sumptuous velvet upholstery with ashes of gle brass and slver Accessories re key, ith elegant objects and layers soft contemporary glamour and sophistication. ‘Customers are turing to plump, rounded Upholstery in pace af he stark sthouertes and sharp lines of mieimaist designs. This mave towards gan curvaceous shapes that eet the natural weed has ‘92ined momentum throughout the past year as we cave cocoaningpilow-tke forme tot insta sense of confor: and rangi, aye Rachas Fell Habtat tying manage furniture ‘Lustrous cut-vevet cushions 2482 luusous ish oa space teal for layering, thetnelets taupe nd cea palette hete sifted by an elegant sheen nd sate intertocking geomet pattern, Pr wath sumptuous fax turthrufor the ulsmate cosy nght ny Anna Cress Habitat buying manager, home ving DESIGN DETAIL: DAISY VELVET cHatse, 350» “he tinct shouete of the chaise longue haslong been associated with ‘grandeur and opulence. Asan occasional Piece it offers playful jurtapositon Denween sophisticated statement design ‘nd informal ened use. Weve revived this oni form with a madert-dy eign approach, fing its hours heritage ith simplifies aesthetic nspred by Scandinavian principles. The generously curved back sts above lek tapered lege {and.as the name suggests created for lounging’ says Fel > Interiors Monthly April 2021oodman chairs FAR Pls Aik Dee heniees Peace ene eines chairs | tables | components | frames www.woodmanchairs.co.uk nim al 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. Hexham Eight bar 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. Pec eer neater Hoop back 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. Windsor Hoop Carver 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 catver complement to our hoop or Hexham’. oodman cAdairs chairs | tables | components | frames www.woodmanchairs.co.ukRETAIL APARTMENT LIVING A continuation of the Spring/Summer 2021 cellection the new cookahop and tabletop collections feature 2 simple monecwome plete Injected wih pos of bunt orange. Reflecting Habits met-en so \BLE SYNTHETIC GRASS AND CARPET Our synthetic grass and carpet have been performing excellently on durability tests for many years. Whether for sports fields, gardens, terraces or interior decoration, Lano stands for an exceptional lifespan. ing 4 ens® synthetic grass ranges: ORGANIC® WILDER Lano Ce ieneRETAIL ARTISAN Marying playful aray of tactile materials with a harmonious palette of soft earthy hues the Arisa eallection encourages tan eclectic ot lane approach to ting Characerised by embroidered textes, lightweight wowen atta and artsnal stear-bentfumishings, te handcrafted feelot the collection shapes a caleing nd comforting ner. "TRENDING: RETRO REVIVAL ‘Stepping say tom the sleek minimal of previous years, customers re nereningly opting for ostalge, etodnspre pieces that channel casual comfort and champion natural mater 1970einepted designs have een a ge resurgence in recent rmanthe with aan and bombo favoured for thet abity to balance sek ines wth ‘rustic handerated tok’ sa Fal [DRINKS CABINET, £300 "As we conte carve ou spacesin our home not any fo work but sot relax and nweing, pce that enable ut channel fur fovourte rs and restaurant a in Increasing demand Within the desk Scand trevor of the Halden Drinks Cabinets compact storage for coke gases, bots nd bar tole. A contemporary take on 3 ‘deste 19708 ter, the cabinet features 3 ce chewon nay design ad recessed handles. lm wooden legs lighten the piece. and the simple fat top design creates ‘orage ideal fr smaller seting ye Anat Tanner, Habla eign manager, homme nd ure, 32 Interiors Monthly April 2021Karndean Train with us At the Karndean Designflooring Training Academy we have courses ‘and workshops for fitters of all abilities, whether you're aiming to improve your basic skills or looking to learn more sophisticated floor laying techniques. The perfect fit (Our 3-day fitting courses cover floor preparation and installation of all Karndean flooring formats. We also offer one-day workshops for an intensive guide to the preparation and installation of floating floors, Heritage Collection installation and the creation of bespoke motifs and designs. Discover more at karndean.com/trainingLWT [Above left: Ruste Oak Srown Above: Rustic Osk Do ony Below: Englch Oak Inspired Tarkett’s latest collection has been developed for the UK market Though you may not be aware, Tarkett VT formany ofthe best-known national projects. Featuring a commercial grade Is one of the leading suppliers of LVT retail outlets and supermarkets (055mm wear layer and offered in a throughout Europe. Even in the UK its Tarkett’ Inspiration UKeollectionis specially selected range of oak and likely that people walk on a Tarkett floor manufactured in mainland Europe and __-mineral colours ideal for UK consumer ‘more often than they realise ast provides stocked in the UK for fast turnaround —_taste preferences, Inspiration brings together 12 colours all avallable in either standard size or a 10cm x S0em mini plank for creating herringbone and other decorative effects “The double format in terms of tle and plank sizes allows us to further address the trend for creative blends of colours and textures present in the commercial market that we see gaining popularity with consumers today, says ‘Stephen Kemp, Tarkett UK & Ireland residential sales director. “There are many different flooring design layouts which are made possible withthe Inspiration collection = various Jdeas for creative options that can be realised to remarkable effect. The colours and formats are designed to work harmoniously alongside one another. “Tarkett UK and our distribution partners have committed to having stock on the ground in the UK at this dificult time, which should help us all tespond te the market recovery that we all ope will be very soon indeed: Visit wwrwtarkettco.uk Interiors Monthly April 2021+ Leu) ollection oe LUXURY DESIGN TILES Cease ean eo Inspiration By Tarkett Commercial LVT now in stock 0.55 commercial wear layer Planks, tiles and herringbone formats ie a ‘Samples and brochures available now es MADE IN EUROPE, STOCKED IN UK a a eed Sees eee Ree Sy peer ean Available from stockLWT life New work patterns will see a shake-up of homes ‘As the world gradually gets closer to ‘normality, spring signals a change in the ar and brings fresh impetus for renovation, DIY and general interior design projects. This in turn means consumers willbe seeking products to transform their homes into enticing new spaces. Alongside, we can expect to see a shift to hybrid working following the easing of lockdown measures, with people dividing their week between the home and the office - and the need to accommodate work space in homes could also seea shake-up of living space In general as rooms are repurposed for ew functions. LVT gives homeowners the ‘opportunity to get creative and choose from a range of different styles, patterns and colours when adapting their home. Moduleo's Transform is the company’s best-selling collection thanks to its versatility, withthe range offering several shades in both stone tile and wood plank designs Scratch and stain resistant, these floorcoverings make spring cleaning a dream and boast Interiors Monthly April 2021 benefits that customers will enjoy throughout every season. Designs such as Transform Classic Oak ‘and Chester Oak offer a traditional timber plank style in ighter and darker shades, Suitable for bedrooms office spaces and hallways alike, these planks also come with the added benefit of a soft and warm feel, excelling in acoustic comfort and complete with a protective wear layer. ‘Transform Jura Stone lightens a room and provides a more contemporary fel. This tlle style can complement both the bright, striking colours of feature walls as well asthe more subtle tones found In bathrooms and kitchens. Vis: wwwmoduleo.couk#£moduleo: Design Floors IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO MAKE IT MODULEO® The affordable choice in luxury vinyl flooring, Moduleo* offer an impressive and inspiring choice of designs and colours. Providing the style, durability and ease ‘of maintenance customers want plus the extensive support retailers value and appreciate, choosing Moduleot makes a lot of sense all round. MORE _| MORE MORE . DESIGNS | COLOURS | AFFORDABLE Discover more at moduleo.co.ukLWT The right stuff F Bf Styecohond F49 Hybrid Ps presse sensitive temperaturetoerant adhesive Is tied tonal LVT na roor th leigh windows, which may result in solar gain Pressure-sensitive adhesives are ideal for the installation of LVT When installing LVTit is useful to have the benefits of pressure-sensitive adhesives, which afford high initial tack and a ong open time. Now, thanks to Innovations in adhesives technology, pressure-sensitive adhesives are available with a range of additional features that help maintain the appearance of flooring Installations overtime. Pressute-sensitive adhesives are ideal forthe installation of LVT because they form an instant grab upon contact, so once positioned, tles or planks won't ‘move about as fiters work. They also offer an extended open time, reducing the risk of late placement and making them ideal for where more complex designs or patterns are being created. ‘These adhesives are typically allowed to dry toa permanent tack before placing the flooring. They are designed to give both a strong initial tack and high bbond strenath, which increases as the floorcovering is subjected to trafic. The fitter can go over the adhesive with a roller pre-coated with adhesive to flatten the ridges formed by trowel application, Interiors Monthly April 2021 reducing the incidence of serrations shadowing through thin vinyl flooring. High temperatures or extreme temperature fluctuations can cause floorcoverings to expand and contract significantly. This can be the case in conservatories or rooms with floor celling windows that are subject to solar ‘gain. This can lead to unsightly tenting and gapping atthe edges of LVTs. Wher installing floorcoverings in such ‘areas, a temperature-tolerant adhesive should be used. These develop the high bond strength required to hold floorcoverings securely in place when subject to extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuations. However, temperature-tolerant adhesives have traditionally been wet-lay, and flooring professionals requiting this type of adhesive have had to forgo the advantages of pressure-sensitive adhesives. In recent years, advancements in hybrid polymer adhesives enabled the UK’ leading manufacturer of subfloor preparation products and adhesives {or floorcoverings, F Ball, to create Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS, a high- performance vinyl adhesive that combines both pressure-sensitive and temperature-tolerant characteristics Styccobond F49 isa water-based vinyl adhesive that develops the extremely high bond strength and dimensional stability required to hold vinyl floorcoverings firmly in place in areas exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations: from minus 20degC to plus {60degC. Whilst providing high initial tack, the adhesive allows loorcoverings to be lifted and repositioned in the initial stages of drying, making it great choice for installing tiles and planks, intricate patterns and bespoke designs that need. precise alignment, Since its launch, Styecobond F49 has also been approved for installing vertical flooring accessories such as skirting, ‘capping and coving. An alternative to contact adhesives, this means It allows you to use one adhesive to install both floorcaverings and flooring access Unlike contact adhesives, the hybrid adhesive only needs to be applied to onesurface, and the same properties that ‘make It deal for creating intricate designs allow forthe repositioning of vertical flooring accessories during the early stages of drying. Styccobond F49 is also resistant to water, allowing itto be Used in areas subject to water and high humidity, including wet rooms. Itis highly recommended to check the compatiblity of particular floorcoverings and adhesives Fitters should consult the adhesive manufacturer's Recommended ‘Adhesives Gulde or see the floorcovering manufacturer's instructions. Just as important for ensuring flawless results when installing LVT Is subfloor preparation, and the first step in any floorcovering installation should be to make sure that the subfloor is sultably sound, smooth and dry. This should Involve a moisture test to determine relative humidity levels. Where relative humility levels within the subfloor are above 75%, a moisture management solution, such as a waterproof surface membrane, will be required to prevent, LVT Left The high compressive stuength and selFleveling properties of heavy leveling ‘Compounds such a F Balls Stopgap 300 HD. Ui ereate a perfectly sooth ace for VT excess subfloor moisture attacking floorcoverings and adhesives, causing the LVT to de-bond. This is stil the leading cause of floor failure. Following this, the application of a heavy-duty evelling compound with high compressive strength and excellent selt-levelling properties is recommended to create a perfectly smooth base for the installation of LVTs, preventing Imperfections in the subfloor shadowing through floorcoverings. In most cases, the priming is required beforehand to promote adhesion of the chosen levelling compounds and stop the rapid drying of levelling compounds when applied over absorbent subfloors Italso prevents pinholing, caused by tiny bubbles resulting from the slow escape of alr from the subfloor, which bburst on reaching the surface, leaving small pinholes or craters as the levelling ‘compound cures. This can affect the final appearance. Only after following these steps should Floorcoverings be installed using a chosen adhesive. Visit: ware ballcom F ls Styccabond F48 PLUS temperatare tolerant adhesives used to sal loorcoverings ina conservatory www.int smonthly.co.uk 39LWT Above eft: Karedesn Designforing Van Gogh Gey Brushed Oak Above: Konda Desgoring chaged Bamwend Core support Simplicity of fitting could see a boom in rigid core products Kamdean Designficoring is forecasting core also offers enhanced acoustics to fallin love with ourhomes again, Cosy a tend for rigid core formats as reduce sound transfer to rooms below. _ living Isa trend to look out for post homeowners continue to renovate Kamdean has recently updated its lockdown and we expect to see more post lockdown, Van Gogh collection to intreduce anew sophisticated parquet flaoring which ‘With independent retallers about to flexible mult-format approach with brings a quaranteed sense of elegance. re-open their doors this month, we are _fulktength plank designs available in Now available in a new Van Gogh rigid expecting rigid core formats to offer both a rigid core and glue-down fitting _core format, herringbone floors can be allifeline of support to retailersfacing __ format. This includes four new small: achieved in less time even wihen faced pressure to service the demands of plank (708mm x 177mm) herringbone _with challenging subflooss'says Coyle. consumers looking to achieve a beautiful designs: Grey Brushed Oak, Warm Vist: www.karndean.com floor ahead of the summer'says Stella Brushed Oak, Golden Coyle Kamdean Desgrontng nalonal Srahed Onkand shoged EN h real ales manager Barmiood.avalabletn SS ap Cy CJ ‘Being a familiar click-and:-tock ‘a mix of warm wood and 5 instalation method tmeans levels cooley tones Gtintalescanferigdcreforsond Hs Cecand lock gd = pothsttnse aspect guedown cote potaoae ane teperence rao gheshomeomers—incues Kock ina theopton io vod the majruphesl popular 57mm xtrom Sfestrsne sor prepnation and teinsped by he tejoyanattatne LT foor sooner’ underaad tone fund Torndenisidcoreforatcheis natural imestone andlcsinoplacewthoutthe se of "The ncesed tne bahesveaneI5K Core echncleey __spentathome cut the mension be ted oer mastesing pandemic andthe cent Sibfoo's orboardsorcrmics With) foleathehomeasa hub a range of colour-matched scotia designs and sanctuary space has to add the perfect finishing touch rigid left many of us looking to ‘arndean Desiglooring Van Gogh Glden Buthed Oak Interiors Monthly April 2021FLOORLINE METAL EDGINGS & ACCESSORIES BY BALL GYOUNG — Oe eet an Ce Seca ar ary riety of profiles, in silver SESE Ted ere ur Peon ica kaa) ae Cad > G ~ J Pal & Young Ltd aR eeUNDERLAY Long-term Products can be green in more ways than one ‘Many people think about the impact the carpet they choose might have on the environment, but not always the underlay. Fortunately, there are options fon the matket that can help retailers to get homeowners thinking about the impact of their underlay selection 100, by bringing products that use recycled materials; says Richard Balle, Floorwise md. ‘Made in the UK from post-industrial recycled foam, the Floorwise PU underlay collection isa sensible choice for homeowners considering the Impact of thele purchases, Other underlays make 2 great option too, with the brands Vigour and Champion using recycled car tyres, Duet using recycled rubber and wool felt, and Symphony ~ another woo! felt ~ delivering recycled materials. Interiors Monthly April 2021 But i's not just UK manufacturing and recycled content that marks these out as environmentally aware products. ‘One of the biggest environmental challenges facing the retall flooring Industry is in the disposal of unwanted products. With homeowners generally ‘only changing thelr carpet when it becomes worn, it s important to realise that the underlay can make a huge difference to the longevity ofthe carpet Extending the life ofthe carpet by as much as 40%, a good quality underlay keeps the floor out of the waste stream for longer Regardless of material composition, density s an indicator in long-term performance, with higher density products providing better long-term resilience. So, for the ultimate n carpet longevity oF in areas exposed to high footfall, SHD+ or UHD+ options in Floorwise’s PU or rubber crumb line-ups are the best option. Under heavyweight carpets, recycled rubber and felt products provide the support needed to ensure the carpet doesnt ruck as the underlay compresses over time. “The underlay’ roe isnot solely comfortit hasan important part to play Inthe long-term value of the carpet by guarding against premature replacement because of wear. Made in the UK from recycled materials where possible, and with plenty of density options to extract ‘maximum performance from any ‘budget, Floorwise underlays can help homeowners towards a better long-term flooring choice, says Bailey. Visit wnwfloorwisecouka ‘za floorwise The ultimate underlay collection Rees NCR Mee Cee the floorwise underlay collection c longevity, quality and value wih = Ue anette a eae ae Rema eee te ee ie eA se Sool Se ata gee Le] Pore Mes Reg oes asc ea ee Ree ote Pee nee aime etc a) Get the new undertay broch nd. bution Pd Ce wisep@ wwwfloorwis:UNDERLAY Underlay can ptienty peer ened Patadium The finish ee Underlay can provide the feel and performance homeowners want rT stability and for retailers keen to demonstrate their Tee F nerarsing comment ta the data wich ean mcoanl plusexceptional”_edgings have been a huge sucess wth 44 Interiors Monthly April 2021eT ay el Low tog underlays for ~~ underfloor heating See en 035 pir ee Ruy o | DPE Cece Tl ey “Not stable fr lectremat stent systems O80) | in ar MADE IN THE UK ROO -Xi-e OM i ooo)UPHOLSTERY Anticipation Sherborne has new products for re-opened stores ‘Sherborne Upholstery s eagerly avrating the re-opening of furniture stores in England on 12 April, providing this goes ahead as scheduled. After the tremendous level of sales achieved last autumn following the lockdown, the company is confident that pent-up consumer demand will fuel another ‘mini boom period in the weeks ahead. Like all upholstery companies, it faced unprecedented material shortages Inthe autumn, which caused disruptions to Its production plans, withthe lack of foam in particular necessitating a full Week's factory closure ~at a time when the company had a record order book rofulf, “One of the other difficulties has been the mounting cost of raw materials, with major increases in foam, hardwood, MDF and recliner actions being the chief issues. The cast of foam increased four times in the space of three months, Below: Keswick Fight Albany 46 Interiors Monthly April 2021 amounting to a total increase of approximately 30%, all relating to the rapidly escalating cost ofthe two main constituent chemicals. am pleased that this issue has been highlighted in the press and raised in the House of ‘Commons, with the hope that when the chemical prices fll again we shall see rapid and significant reduction In the price of foam; says Chris Fort, ‘Sherborne Upholstery chaltman and joint ma “The cost of recliner actions has also rocketed of late, with a near 35% overall Increase due to cost hikes in the price of steel. Mote recently we have ‘encountered severe container delays hich could have jeopardised the artival of recliner actions, but thanks to prudent planning this has not affected delivery times in recent weeks. “In iew of the much-anticipated upsurge in demand we have been Leather wil bacome an option on Roms (above), Resnick Albay rom May working rapidly through the large order book to bring down lead times and, ensure that customers will receive much faster delivery once shops re-open. “We have also been busy developing exciting new products and enticing ‘new fabrics for introduction in May. ‘These include, by popular demand, leather versions ofthe successful Roma, Keswick Classic and Albany ranges. In addition, a completely new recliner/suite range will be launched to enhance our already extensive selection’ ‘Anew generation of eco-friendly Aquaclean covers has been developed ‘and Sherborne has chosen a cross: section of these to add to Aquaclean display carousels. “Three further ranges of chenille fabrics will also be added to the selection, which use a high percentage of recycled materials. Vise: www sherborneupholsterycaukAlongside coping with all the trials and tribulations of the last. twelve months we have been ‘beavering away’ in the background to bring you a number of exciting new product launches this spring. These include, by popular demand, new Leather versions of our successful Re a, Albany and Keswick Classic ranges and will also feature a brand new product range. Many vibrant new covers are also being introduced including three co new ranges of eco-friendly Aquaclean fabrics, so please check our website from the end of May for full details. Sherborne Upholstery Limited BZ Z BEM Telephone: 01274 882633 sales@sherborne-uph.co.uk SteerOneRs www.sherborneupholstery.co.uk (including Product Customiser to view all Fabrics and Leathers)UPHOLSTERY Building a bridge A new online service links upholstery clients with specialist craftspeople Trying to draw together technology with traditional craft comes with significant challenges. But It has not fazed founders of upholstacom Petra and Vernon Gadsby, who believe that the upholstery and soft-furishing sector can greatly benefit froma litle technology Injected Into its heart. ‘The idea to create upholstacom came to light in 2017 after Petra, who trained as an AMUSF upholstery student withthe British School of Upholstered Furniture, started her own upholstery and soft-furnishing business. Specialising In the more traditional side of the craft, she soon began getting enquiries that ‘were beyond the areas she wished to pursue, and quickly realised that these requests would be of value to other local tupholsterers working in those specialist ‘areas. From that the upholsta.com concept of bringing potential cents ‘and highly skilled craftspeople together ‘was born. The website allows consumers to find how they can have chairs or sofas re-upholstered or re-covered by local upholsterers. “The primary focus was to develop 2 system that directly {supports local upholstery ‘and soft-furnishing businesses, alongside reducing unnecessary landfill waste and carbon footprints, by re-using and re-upholstering existing furniture, Potential clients ‘wanting upholstery work ‘completed instantly saw ‘the benefit of such a ‘The wabste connects upholterersand consumers _ system. Not only di it Interiors Monthly April 2021 Petra and Veron Gadsby ‘make them feel good about ‘doing the right thing’ for the environment, it also reduced the complexity of tying to find Lupholsterers for specific work’ says Petra, “The rea challenge was breaking down the deep-rooted resistance to the se of technology and the importance of an online presence in tandem with the traditional craft. It quickly became apparent that the system could not be intrusive but had to be complementary to the systems that upholsterers were already using. And it has. “Since its launch in September last year, upholsta.com has proven to bea wonderful alternative to traditional marketing channels, by focusing specifically on the sectors target audience ~ 25% of which maved online Jn 2020 alone. I's the only specific upholstery and soft-furnishing marketing funnel in the UK, a place where clients and craftspeople who are passionate about quality can interact and look to future-proof treasured items for the next generation to enjoy: Visit: warwupholsta.comConnect with your local Upholsterers & Soft-Furnishers Uy Taree R Cel)UPHOLSTERY Woe Oe withers SS Lifeline Fibreline has developed a cushion filling using recycled plastic Inthe past 70 years the worlds world had grown to more than seven __other items. Fortunately Fibreline has consumation of plastichas increased —_billon people and produced over found away to convert the equivalent dramatically: hal ofall pasties ever 320milion tons of plastic Thsissetto of 100 plastic bottles into a cushion: manufactured have been made inthe double by 2034, FlbreFill Blue. last 15 years. In 1950 the werld had a Bottled water isa significant source Plastic pollution has become one of population of 2Sbillon and produced of plasticwast, along with single-use _the most pressing envitonmental issues 1.Smilion tons of plastic In 2016 the _ straws, cutlery, food containers and ofthe day, as increasing production of Interiors Monthly April 2021disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’ ability to deal with them. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations. However many developed countries have low recycling rates and have ‘trouble collecting discarded plastics Plastics made from fossil fuels are Just over a century old. Production and development of thousands of new plastic products accelerated after World War I, so transforming the modern age that many areas of lfe would today be Unrecognisable without them, Plastics revolutionised medicine with Ifesaving devices, made space travel possible, lightened cars and jets ~ saving fuel and pollution ~ and saved lives inthe form. ‘of helmets, incubators and equipment for lean drinking water. The conveniences that plastics offer, however, led to a throw-away 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, are utilised for ‘a matter of minutes, yet they may persist in the enviconment for hundreds of years. Fibreline hopes itcan help in some small way by offering manufacturers an eco-friendly alternative. Following on from Encore Fibre and Encore Feather filings Fibrelin’s atest breakthrough in foam cushions is Encore Foam. Fibreline believes Encore Foam. Encore Foam UPHOLSTERY to be the ultimate foam cushion. It is constructed from 100% foam and achieves its remarkable properties through a combination of different foams and a very clever interior profile. Encore Foam was developed in conjunction with customer feedback. (On the back of the success of Encore Fibre and Encore Feather, customers wanted to seea similar quality step in {100% foam cushion. They wanted the uniform look and recovery of foam bout with the soft sit of fore. ‘Traditional foam core seats have relied on high-loft polyester wadding to add plumpness and a soft sit. But this Inevitably results in the fibre fattening overtime and causing bagginess in the cover. Fibreline developed a 100% foam topper with a CNC cut profile to provide loft and softness as well. The removal of any fibre from the product produces a very uniform look, with 2 soft sit, but with great recovery performance. As with Encore Fibre, Encore Foam was put through rigorous testing at FIRA before being awarded the FIRA Gold award, "We feel we have completed the trinity of upgrade cushion fillings says Richard Prudhoe, Floeline md. ‘Now with FibreFl Blue, manufacturers have a great choice. And remember, Encore cushions are made here in the UE, in Yorkshire. We lke to think we are atthe forefront of cushion production technology, and our production line now includes robot technology, never before used by a foam converter, which allows production to be even more cost effective. "Demand for Encore cushions continues to grow exponentially More and more retailers are seeing the advantages and are demanding cushions containing Encore for theit ranges "With the increasing pressure on all within the supply chain to operate lean. businesses, working on just-in-time deliveries, our ability to supply all three ‘main fling components requited for ‘sofa means that customers can place ‘one order with one supplier, and receive one delivery, with one delivery note and one invoice to process. This leads to efficiencies for the customer, and also enables us to offer very competitive pricing across al filings, as they arrive on one vehicle! Vise wor belie It. couk www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 5152 Suminagash Togetherness Riviere and Zoffany have combined to create the fabric company's first rug collection Riviere and Zoffany had used each other's products in photo shoots for years and established a relationship based on a shared appreciation of contemporary luxury design. Riviere was given exclusive access to Zoffany’s archive and over the past year created sic designs. ‘The collection, which Is hand-knotted In Nepal using Tibetan wool and botanic silk ean be customised in any colours, sizes and shapes. Suminagashis undulating pattern \was inspired by an original document from the archive. Representative of the ancient Japanese art of marbling with Ink on plain paper its name translates to ‘floating ink’ Its combination of > >> Interiors Monthly April 2021colours and pattern induces calming shadows and silken highlights. effect that will transform any space into Tumbling Blocks is an historical 2 relaxing retreat patchwork pattern contemporised with Talsho is one of Zoffanys most artistic brushstrokes. Finely shaped cubes popular designs, and the rug features lavish lotus leaves intricately hand-woven lin 150knet quality using a wool and silk mix. The result showeases the complexity, depth of colour and beauty of hand-crafted rugs. Kanoko isan abstracted and softened zigzag design Inspired by 2 19303 Japanese Shibori document from the archive. The striking pattern creates a true statement piece to enliven and create a focal point in an otherwise neutral scheme, Jigsaw isan interpretation of the Zoffany monogram, broken into jigsaw. like pieces and placed to create an abstract artwork The beauty ies in the simplicity ofthis design: the minimalist patter is highlighted withthe play of pile heights and textures. The low loop ‘Tibetan wool and sik background juxtaposes raised hand-trimmed wool and silk eutple. With Moon Silk, transparent clouds slightly obscure a full moon ~a desi originally created using highly pigmented pastels aid down In layers and then sanded to create a textural (ground. It is woven ina combination of textures to create delicate painterly Interiors Monthly April 2021 elevate the original Zoffany wallpaper, Creating the illusion of movement and. ltregularity, replicated in the rug. Vist: wurwcrivieerugs.comCARPET RECYCLING U eet eta ees la le Join Carpet Recycling UK to help make the UK carpet sector more sustainable! With the help of Carpet Recycling UK, our members and wider network diverted 277,490 tonnes of waste carpet and textile flooring from landfill in 2019, approximately 65% of the total carpet waste arising in the UK. How can you help to increase this? C. Carpet Recycling UK is a not-for-profit membership association set up in 2008. A. Weare an association of 110 member companies from across the carpet supply chain. R_ Werespond and advise on best practice for reuse and recycling of commercial carpet waste. P We provide support and advice to flooring manufacturers, contractors and retailers. E Members are encouraged to demonstrate their progress by entering our awards. T Tonnages diverted from landfill are independently verified and reported regularly. 'W_ Waste carpet and carpet tiles can be used again, ask us how our members can help. A Weassess companies’ waste to find the most feasible and best recycling options. S Wedemonstrate and promote sustainability in design for recycling T Tellusyour story so that we can help you! E Talktousat our events —join our network! MOVING CARPETS FROM WASTE TO RESOURCE Contact Carpet Recycling UK Carpet Recycing UKis @ not for profit organisation funded companies across the supply chain to develop more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for carpet waste. Our ability to network with our mem bers helps to provide you with the most feasible solutions to send your waste up the waste hie and prevent waste being sent to landfill, Please visit our website for 2% more information, 2007 2019 www.carpetrecyclinguk.com ce . GGin Botop writin, CORMA® DEST ege BEB wit. CAM Pee Lets‘WOOD AND LAMINATE “Tbs Floor Ss avalalein a varity of desis A new story Stories Flooring has added Timba to its offer Stories Flooring has introduced a materials. Their durability is credited ‘The Leeds-based supplies, formerly ‘SGengineered wood collection tolts —«toaselection of high-qualityfinishes: ——_—known as Lifestyle Flooring UK, offers product range. The Timba Floor SG ‘customers can choose from stained, an online trade account. collection is one of the sector’ latest brushed, lacquered and olled surfaces. Visit ww.storiesflooring.couk Innovations, and is offered in some of the most sought-after colours and designs on the market. ‘The 5G installation system is the leading feature ofthis range, with the ceagy-to-it mechanism ensuring a fast and simple installation. It an also be Installed alongside underfloor heating, creating a warm and comfortable feel underfoot. Available in multiple widths, the planks are 1mm thickand are tough {enough to be used in commercial and domestic environments. They also come Ina beautiful choice of designs, ensuring there is something to suit every room. ‘The collection is also environmentally friendly. Constructed in Europe, the planks are made from locally sourced Interiors Monthly April 2021business systems na sani > else ut the competion ENHANCE YOUR BUSINESS ‘vies x sees: cose to one! ord maroon ne . Frematecgnce Wheterpan abershescorirstre Company Dynamics Software helps vine x: uy niyatce ferbe nove cone pte ord businesses take control of sales and scesssrateyor company more encant Provdng scoseo manage customer service, freeing Up sxe sme. su cor snes syrers ergs and svat sere crinitel we locos longtaerdatenamveneopton more time to concentrate on grOWtH ou tusiness scwisor and support team have assisted many different types of company throughout the UK and Ireland. We G R 0 W | N STO RE & 0 N Ll N have the expertise to suggest a better way of working using our 7 flexible software. There are many unique features and reports, built into our software, that can help make your people more efficient, and give them the right tools to perform their job, better. A complete business solution, including website integration & B2B, job costing, CRM and work in progress. It handles all types of product, including items, packs, rolls, options. and maketoorder. fe ?BEDS AND BEDROOM CHARCOAB IN| = OhSee Add on Mattress protection can add vital extra sales ‘Now isthe perfect opportunity to grow retail sales in your bed department. With the UK Government's plans to re-open ‘non-essential retall this month, focusing (on every customer who walks through the shop door has never been more Important. Maximising every sales vital’ says Paul Lake, Protect-A-Bed national sales manager. ‘Asa business we are constantly looking to help drive sales for al of our retall partners. Protect-A-Bed mattress protectors offer a perfect opportunity to Increase the average order value and ‘row sales. I's in the interest of both the store and the customer to purchase Protect-A-Bed mattress protectors due to ur unique 100 15-year clean-or-replace product guarantee. Put simply if one of Interiors Monthly April 2021 ‘our protectors fails, Protect-A-Bed will professionally clean amattress to the ‘customer’ satisfaction or buy the ‘customer 2 new mattress as long as the mattress was bought with the protector. This promise is significantly powerful and is at the core of our philosophy. Our specialty is driving in-store performance through the Platinum Club, so inked mattress and mattress protector sales are high. ‘Since launching the Platinum Club reward system the results have been ‘excellent. Both existing and new partners have joined and are benefiting from the focused approach to growing sales. In addition we are focused on advancing the mattress protection ‘category to new levels ‘The Therapeutics ange estures charcol copper and graphene of innovation. Qur innovative TV display bays and the Therapeutics range are perfect examples, “The Therapeutics range features copper, graphene and charcoal embedded within the protector to Increase and enhance the sleepers wellbeing It combines materials known, to help many with joint relief and relaxation, mineral absorption, 2 healthier immune system and heart health, as well as anti-ageing properties. “The range isa must-have for our existing partners and bed retailers who want to offer thelr customers the best possible sleep experience: Visit www protectabed co.ukPUT THE MARKET LEADING BRAND TO WORK FOR YOU LAUNCHING THE NEW THERAPEUTICS RANGE Including Cooling Copper, Soothing Graphene and Purifying Charcoal Mattress Protectors... PROTECT-&BED Contact Protect-A-Bed® to unlock your full sales potential. Pehl c lo PLEO Pa)STORAGE Shelf confident Make the most of wall space Core Products may be best known for Its flat-packed furniture but for more than 30 years it has built an enviable reputation as one of the UK’ foremost suppliers of shelving and storage products. “Natural wood shelving remains as popular as ever with a wide variety of ‘great value styles. Every one is made from sustainably sourced natural pine, supplied pre-sanded ready for easy finishing to the consumer preference. Inaddition toa range of shelf and cube wall kits there is a selection of handy 60 Interiors Monthly April 2021 storage products such as shoe benches ‘and storage shelving, ideal for garages ‘or hobby rooms, and even shelf boards for the keen diver. All are supplied individually wrapped in protective film ‘and come with all the fittings you need says Mike Rowley, Core Products ceo. For a more contemporary look Core offers a vast selection of shelf kts in hardwearing finishes including wood, {os matt and metal effect. Each one Is ‘supplied complete with brackets and ‘even wall fixings suitable for most uses. Bathrooms and kitchens are catered for with tempered glass shelves that feature chrome-effect clamp fixings. “Our selection of versatile wall furniture offers more imaginative ideas, with a | — [A wide selection of styles are on oer varied selection of display shelves in ‘metal, nautical and industrial styling. Shelving kits are more popular than ever as they offer a variety of cubes and shelves, enabling endless display Configurations all in one affordable pack Customers can also use multiple kits to create their own stylised wall display’ says Rowley, Tel-01738 630 555Dead RANGES NEW | op FORE 2021 (eee . HARVARD fem MALE -S1!} Moaet RCo le lol gelol ac Mem Lg www.coreproducts.co.ukTRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Onward PremierCare has been refreshed and new regulations prepared for ‘Aswe approach the lifting ofthe UK pandemic lockdown, the whole of the furniture industry is hoping for a return to normality, as wells having hundreds of customers visit and purchase new items. With a fair wind and no further disruption to retail operations, we are all praying for a good trading performance forthe rest of 2021;says Martin Napper, Castelan ceo, During the last few months Castelan hhas been preparing its clients for the changes in FCA regulation that wil impact the sale of furniture insurance products going forward. With the reporting of Value Measures commencing (on 1 July, its imperative that all furniture insurance schemes reflect good value for customers. This means excellent coverage, very high claim acceptance rates, higher average claim values and, very few customer complaints, ‘Al of the improvements we have ‘made will provide your customers with {an excellent insurance product ~ one that your sales team will love to sell All of the above changes are achievable Premiere hasbeen made easiet or consumers to understand because of our fully integrated IT systems, Which providea market-leading online ditectly intoour technician diaries within literature - making it cleaner, clearer and claims handling process.Wenow have minutes of submitting thelr claim, simpler to explain and, more importantly, ‘over 8494 of dams submitted online, “"Wehave also taken this opportunity to forthe customer to understand. To with claimants booking appointments refresh the PremierCare brand.across our complement the insurance product, we have a new and refreshed range of leather fabric, cabinet and carpet care kits further enhancing the value proposition for you and your customers. “May take this opportunity to wish the whole ofthe furniture sector, and beyond, all the best for 12 April and % eo er i services that will see us continue to be your trusted partner of choice. "We are providing our clients with the best furniture protection programme in the market place - providing your u ~ customers with the best levels of ™ coverage and excellent customer value! Castelanhasintoducedneweare kis Visit: www.castelangroup.com 62 Interiors Monthly April 2021ae acer NL Simply the best furniture protection programme giving the highest levels of cover andrestomer value. To find out how we can help your business call our Business Development Team on 07748 100 254 or email sales@castelangroup.com Your customers love us too! & Trustpilot BEnoe CASTELAN GROUPTRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES @ awe Evolved The pandemic created an opportunity to refocus Last year was a struggle for many businesses and the progression into 2021 hasn't seen much ofa let-up, but David Evans, Guardsman sales director, couldn't be prouder of his team. ithas been incredible to witness how rapidly and effectively the whole company adjusted to home working. Within just tone day we had more than 60 team members working remotely to continue providing quality support to our customers and retail partners’ he says. Like many businesses, Guardsman had to review, revise and create several new processes to adjust to the new way of working. Ths, coupled with a reduced team after staff were furloughed, meant Ithad to refocus. It would have been easy for the group to down tools and le low until normality resumed, but instead it seized the chance to develop and evolve. The past few months have seen the furniture protection plan provider develop Innovative, intuitive new platforms. It took the opportunity to further invest in ‘a new customerfacing claim portal, as Well as a brand-new web platform. “Tem very happy to say we used the Interiors Monthly April 2021 lockdown wisely. We really took the time to-assess the customer journey and our newly developed portals just one of the Initiatives that has enabled us to make significant improvements to the user experience. Were sure that the new platform will give our retall partners even more confidence in us as thelr partner of choice? The new customer portal will not only allow customers to access their insurance documents and change personal data but it also brings them 24/7 access. Through the porta, customers will be able to log new claims, receive ongoing updates and even settle a claim, We have recognised our customers! needs and reacted to bring them a platform that delivers; says Evans. ‘Alongside the portal ‘comes our revamped website, making it the place to go forall things furniture care. The website showeases a new, contemporary aesthetic, The company has developed ts customer portal and website and features specialist care products, care tips and furniture buying guides; he ads. ‘The new digital initiatives show our commitment to meeting customers needs. I's widely known that our mission Is tobe the protection plan partner of choice for furniture retailers and we are confident that our Improving the customer experience proves our dedication to achieving this. Its our job to make the retailer's job easier and we are committed to taking all the steps to accomplish that Visite www guerdsman, co.ukMaking a claim with Guardsman has become child’s play... ...come and see what else is new. * Trustpilot ad | Oh SA CCR ecu La ET una LeTRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES = Maximise margins Manufacturing in-house brings advantages ‘As the country heads towards the end of lockdown, and with the predicted retall boom on the horizon, there has never been a better opportunity to partner with Staingard to maximise your business margins, Regardless of your offer, value-added products with tangible purpose can enhance every sale and keep customers'furniture looking great for years to come; says Paul Alston, Staingard md, ‘Unlike many care kt suppliers to the furniture industry, we manufacture our own care kts at our UK factory, ensuring continuity of supply, consistency of quality and flexibility of design. Staingard cate kits are available for leather, fabric, od Interiors Monthly April 2021 carpets cabinets and mattresses, plus ‘ur outstanding care kit for headboards and upholstered bed frames. We can tallor the kit to sult your needs, and for that personal touch we can manufacture not only to your brand but to your complete design “Staingard care plans, withthe most comprehensive terms and conditions ‘of any policy in the UK can provide that complete peace of mind for your customers with varying levels of cover to suityour business. “To complement the care plans, or tobe used asa stand-alone product, Staingard protectors offer reassurance for the owners of earpets and fabrics Staingard has a ange of care products ‘matress protectors and cre plans within a busy home environment. ‘Mattressgard, our extensive mattress protector range, has been developed with specialist textile producers around the world, and substantial stock is held at our distribution centre for rapid delivery, as is our Floorgard range with the ever popular ‘recliner cup’ a product that makes moving heavy recliners simplicity itself “By manufacturing care kits in-house, and working clasely with manufacturers Inthe industry, we have ensured that we can supply products at costs where ‘outstanding margins can be achieved, yet the retal price remains competitive! Vise www staingard co.ukstaingard) Back to Business As the end of lockdown approaches and your stores reopen, with Staingard you 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. at rd)» mattressgard> flogsgardy staingard> satis 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 websi www-.staingard.co.uk Rated ‘Great’ on & TrustpilotTRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Integration is vitally important "We ate fortunate to work with many of the most successful Independent furniture retallers in the UK. However, for many of our clients the integration between thelr increasingly Important ecommerce website and thelr legacy back-office reall system is an ongoing struggle. The most forward thinking ‘are looking for new solutions; says Wayne Robbins, Iconography director. ‘In response we have developed and launched a new unified commerce software platform, OMNIS, which provides ecommerce, EPOS, CRM and 2 suite of retail management functionality The kay is that OMNIS isa single coherent entity using one database, which does not require integrations to move data (product, price, promotion, stock, lead times, customer orders, goods received etc) between online and offline reall systems. Removing the need for Integration creates so many operational advantages for retailers, “Unified commerce delivers agile and progressive retailing for the 2020s and consigns to the dustbin the day-to-day Integration related isues and limitations we know many retalers experience We hhave worked with the legacy software providers in the furniture sector. Here are just a handful ofthe isues raised ‘Canyou check from your end ifwe have the same issue as earlier inthis ticker? I's Interiors Monthly April 2021 Just we uploaded a lt of items yesterday that havent reached the website. ve noticed X softwore automatically patched ast night and am wondering ifthe patch +has affected the ile sent to the web?” “The lead times on merged products are ‘notpulling through and tis only taking the lead time for one ofthe products in the ‘merge. have used the ¥ chair asan ‘example. would need the different colours for the chaisto pull through as they all have diferent lead times’ ‘ust realised we havea separate function in place to send in-store payment divectly to X software, however its X-software that is rejecting the order with the following message being returned! Sales order number = 432942 Delivered! ‘Tenabled new ranges yesterday alernoon. | notice the feed has updated twice since | enabled these ranges and yet they stll haven't come through tothe website. will upload screenshots of the ranges from X software so you know what names to look out for” ‘We have a couple of tems that for some ‘reason are showing the out of stock lead times on the product page (and also on overlays), but they have fee stock in both Xsofeware and CMS: ‘Thave come in this morning and all the ‘main categories and subcategories have ‘been disabled - please can someone ‘re-enable them asap? And explain why ‘The eonography team pictured before oronavins has developed OMNS this has happened? “Orders have stopped coming down to X software om our website. You will need to contact Xas 0 why they are not downloading. "ve attached the XML for each order to this ticket If that's useful! ‘The above is a snapshot of our client support portal ~ just some ofthe day: to-day difficulties that fragmented and disjointed systems cause furniture retailer. Dealing with frequent Integration issues wastes time, reduces ‘morale, may mean disappointment for the customer, and certainly distracts staf from more productive activity. Asa retailer you will have higher operational costs - you will need more staff, more ser licences, move support and sa forth = |ust to stand still All this because your legacy software was never really designed to cope effectively with retal In 2021; says Robbins. Vise wwwiconography.co.uk ‘The company'sfees- Anew, unified retail ecosystem Enterprise eCommerce + EPoS + CRM ~ Retail Management #retaildarwinism ‘Omnis isa pioneering new retail solution that has been driven by brands & niche retallers looking to the future, Asingle database eliminates any integration issues between outdated systems, instead proving a cloud based ‘omnicommerce retail solution fi for the 21st century. OMNIS O- by iconography Vit eonography.co.uktfurnture <2) 01460 25853070 TRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Future times Are you ready for the next phase? ‘Asa retaller you must be wiling and ready to make significant changes and Investment to position your retall bbusiness for its next phase. You must have people that can do this. You also reed the right technologies, and to ‘meet the customer wherever they wish to engage with you, says Jesse Akt, RetailSystem president “Unfortunately, most etalers have taken a relaxed posture towards reqular technology investments ~ this is where ‘most need to really dig in withthe right POS and website platform. You don't need to break the bank, but you da get what you pay for. There is no“go cheap and expect miracles” option. Identify the must-haves and be realistic when It comes to your budget Its perfectly possible for even the smaller retailer 10 {get something good for a reasonable ‘monthly investment. ‘Be cautious of companies that offer 2 solution that “does it all”: ike unicorns, such a thing does not exist. Understand, Your needs and measure your choices Interiors Monthly April 2021 against that dont let shiny and exciting lead you off the path. Also, be wary of ‘companies that seem to have all the right words and say all the right things yet have no-one on staff that has ever ‘Worked in your industry. How can they really understand or elate? Their business is tech, not etal, and they often ‘won't know what questions to ask But yyou do know your business. Stay true to ‘what you know and let them talk technology. Ihave been doing this for 21 years in the furniture and bed industry ‘and have unfortunately seen too many retailers duped by big words. ‘Always be looking forward where technology is Involved, The chances are that the EPOS you just selected ~ or that Web platform - was the right choice, but develop the mindset of maximising that investment and making it core to the future viability of your business. Start looking at your website as a consumer would look at it, not as the business owner, Piek 10 items that you right aspire to purchase ifyou were Your staff must be one team, nt two ‘ customer. What does that entice experience look ike? Where do you get stuck? What doesn't work smoothly? All of it matters. Would you be put off by anything? Most consumers start online but will hopefully end up in store! advises Akre “Too many retailers have a store staff” and then ‘the web people" Guess what, you have one team and they should all be fully versed in your entire business. am primarily speaking about the shop floor. Does your sales team in-store know your website and all the things on it land promoted there? Does your webs team do all it ean to reflect what is happening in-store? Omaichannel - ot whatever you want to callit~also applies to the store and its staff. Ther not online and offline - that isa legacy mindset. There isa digitally empowered retailer, meeting the customer wherever, whenever, with the toolsand training necessary to engage and delight and convert. And you can be that retailer! Vist wurwretailsystem.comOptimised for furniture and bed retailers. Specific tools and features that will help you to grow your omnichannel business * Cloud-based EPOS. No painful software installs and updating. Get the latest updates and improvements automatically Real-Time Activities. Run your day - across all your users and locations knowing it all is happening real-time * Any device. Anywhere. Anytime. Never worry about needing the right device | to access RetailSystem Awarded ‘Best Software Supplier to the Furniture and Bed Industry’ for 12 consecutive years 2009-2020 www.retailsystem.com/u 0131 440 7607 info@retailsystem.comLove will tear us apart? Or will the coming together tear us apart? ‘The fact is that flooring and furniture are foes, not friends. While opposites attract, if you love your flooring, it's best to keep a little distance between them. At Stroolmount our Protect & Care range of specialist protec tion features a heart sign. This symbolises the care needed so that when flooring and furniture cosy up together, they don't rub each other up the wrong way: only scrapes, scratches and scars can come of that. So at Stroolmount. our superior Self-adhesive felt is Smm thick protection, more than double the protection of some skin flints. Our interchangeable Quickclick glide system makes it easy to ‘swap over protective glides for different flooring types (Our ingenious Move-it Pads can save back muscles, the hassle of insurance claims and £1000s in expensive repairs. (Our Furni-glides mean heavy furniture moves across hard floors and carpet like magic - making cleaning and redecorating a breeze. From the best Rug Underlay to Repair Kits and Radiator Pipe Rosettes, Stroolmount has it all to keep your floor flawless. stroolmount.co.uk or visit to see Stroolmount at eo] PORNITURE | wesisyecom S$ Love your floor? S EXPO SHOW | 202 ‘enamenee Thuraday Manchester Furiture Show The Flooring Show sy 2001- ntne Jhiies0%m 2001- Sane 2 september 212021 Tel: 01942 271271 Stroolmount www.stroolmount.co.uk — sales@stroolmount.co.ukTHE LEANING TOWER OF FURNITURE PISA, LEA flove:! tect floors, furniture, backs ‘As well as protecting furniture, the cushioning layer in Movesit Pads protects floors from scratches, scrapes, scars and dents. Move-it Pads also protect the backs of the person pushing, plus the ears of everyone else around. Exactly the same could happen to your furniture Ifyou try pushing it without Move-it Pads from Strooimount.co.uk ‘Thousands of fibres in the carpet pull together to anchor the feet of your furniture. The friction means any pushing is transferring most of the So now it's easy to clean or rearrange a room with force into the floor. The results can be fatal. Your no screeching, scratches, struggle or back pain, furniture then leans at a dangerous angle as the GEANaETS eh vouenal-or + office furniture» Cabinets even baker * Wardrobes » Sideboards * Dining tables + Chests of drawers * Welsh dressers No more rugby teams: Movexit Pads mean that only one person is needed to move heavy furniture. You just pop a pad under each leg and your furniture glides over almost all types of floor. It also works brilliantly on carpets ~folling those fiendish fibres. The optional self-adhesive felt attachment protects smooth wooden, Move-it Pads come ina deluxe bag, so you can store them safely after use until needed again, jome: Everyone needs to move heavy furniture at some stage, 50 Move-it Pads are handy to have in every home, rade: flooring laminate and tiled flooring, Plus, it even installers, furniture deliverers, ‘works on ceramics and anti-slip vinyls. in-store display designers, furniture removers: they can move furniture quickly and easily with Move-it Pads. SANDRA -MAIDSTONE, For more information about Move-it Pads or to see the demo video, please contact us: 01942271271 sales@stroolmount.co.uk www.stroolmount.co.uk Stroolmount74 TRADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES = Greenwood has changed ts model fr atuacting ‘cows since the pandemic wth improves ress New direction The pandemic has prompted a fresh approach to sales events InJuly 2020, when the first lockdown took both the client and the Greenwood dared to hope for.To beat the usual, ended, sales promotion company team by surprise. Instead of generating _ normally very impressive Greenwood Greenwood Retall launched its frst 80%, the sale raised 150% ofthe normal, results by another 50% on top was Covid-era sales event, ‘with some pre-Covid-era Greenwiood sales target. incredible’ says Eaton, trepidation Ill admit'says Bernard Eaton, “To make 90% was the most we had Greenwood had been forced to Greenwood Retail md ‘Considering the fear and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, plus the fact that Greenwood sales ace all about crowds within stores, the issue wasn't Just the social distancing, it was whether people would even be willing to attend a busy indoor sales event. So, have to say twas with great courage that our client James Fraser, Blackbridge Furnishings md chose to proceed with the sale atts Elgin, Moray branch? Eaton felt sure the Covid-modified ‘marketing campaign would work = he Just did not know how well. So it was ith cautious optimism that he estimated the sale might generate about 80% of ‘a normal sale target. What happened Interiors Monthly April 2021