SURFACE FEATURE

LOOK BENEATH THE SURFACE…

You wouldn’t think a surface can ultimately dictate the look and feel of an interior, but when you consider its application then you’re looking at floor and wall tile solutions, work surfaces, countertops, splashbacks and panelling to name a few!

Most of the development over the past 5 years has come in the form of materials: how it looks and the practicality of it. However, future trends suggest the market will focus more on how we incorporate material into the home: as surface materials constitute as a large visual and practical element in the kitchen.

If we start there, then it is the more atypical surfaces like sintered stone, marble and composite surfaces alongside impactful tones and texture that are winning out in the kitchen. Natural wood effects with sawn finishes or embossed features are being used to add warmth in the kitchen, with textured rustic finishes on trend for areas of relaxation and socialising.

As we enter 2017, Stephen Moss, Managing Director of MaxTop, has noted a few emerging worktop trends: “At MaxTop we have noticed the number of people upgrading from laminate to quartz rose steadily throughout 2016. This trend looks set to continue in the year ahead as the quality and value of materials becomes an important consideration. Previously, quartz was seen as a luxury kitchen surface, perhaps out of the price range of the average household, but the development of composite surfaces is opening the possibility of natural stone as an option for both kitchen and bathroom surfaces. The upgrade from laminate to natural stone can greatly increase the grandeur of the room for a relatively modest price increase.”

David Bigland, Managing Director of luxury vinyl flooring manufacturer, Moduleo UK and Eire, also gives his key flooring predictions for 2017 and says: “2017’s hero trend will be geometric

“2017’s hero trend will be geometric design with a huge rise in consumers already opting for this quirky and eccentric look throughout their homes."

David Bigland, Managing Director, Moduleo UK and Eire.

MaxTop Quartx, Black Onyx Sparkle

design with a huge rise in consumers already opting for this quirky and eccentric look throughout their homes. Traditionally, consumers implemented geometric shapes into their interiors through wallpaper and accessories. However, since the launch of our Moduleo Moods collection last year, we’ve had an incredibly positive response to our triangle, hexagon and diamond shaped tiles in particular. Moduleo Moods offers customers a creative studio in which they can combine ten brand-new flooring formats. Up to 110 unique wood and stone-effect designs can be created using the wide range of tile shapes available. Geometric flooring offers a striking, contemporary finish which takes centre stage to provide a creative and sleek ambience."

Jeremy Redshaw, Manufacturing Manager at PWS Worksurfaces comments “Textured surfaces, such as leather-

"The development of composite surfaces is opening the possibility of natural stone as an option for both kitchen and bathroom surfaces. The upgrade from laminate to natural stone can greatly increase the grandeur of the room for a relatively modest price increase.”

Stephen Moss, Managing Director of MaxTop

finish granites, can add contrast and depth to either gloss or matt kitchen cabinetry. They are also becoming popular to enhance the characteristics of rustic-styled doors. Whilst there is a shift away from black worktops there is a trend towards lighter tones of black, with various hues of rich greys, such as charcoal and steel as demonstrated by our stunning new Sinuous White granite. There are a plethora of greys, in various shades and finishes that can indicate a natural stone, or in some cases a concrete effect. The trend continues for man-made surfaces that replicate natural stone, such as marble-effect quartz. Not only does this emulate the look of marble but it has all the inherent practical benefits of a composite. Combining materials and finishes continues to be popular, where a neutral base can be used for the majority of the worktop, such as a solid grey with feature pieces, such as splashbacks or breakfast bars being in a more striking finish to make a greater contrast. Technical developments include quartz moving on to materials such as Dekton and porcelain-based compositions which have greater thermal and practical benefits. Alongside this the introduction of alternative textures and the flexibility to create a range of shapes and thicknesses with quartz helps to differentiate from the less-versatile laminate.”

Colour also provides great interest in the kitchen and can really awaken a worktop, splashback or piece of flooring by simply varying its tone and/or pattern. MaxTop predict monochrome tones are the go-to options for surface solutions this season and MD, Stephen Moss confirms “This year we’re anticipating a rise in popularity of grey, black and white tones in the kitchen. These colours can work to varying degrees, whether it's entire

Wilsonart, Earthstone solid surface, Gemini

cabinets, worktops or appliances, or subtle hues coming through in various details and accents such as kitchen accessories. While black and white have always been popular finishes, 2016 saw demand for grey products surge and we expect that demand for grey surfaces of all shades, to be a key trend for 2017. To cater for this demand, we offer MaxTop Quartz in Anthracite, Black Onyx Sparkle, Diamond White Sparkle and Warm Grey finishes. These tones can work in either a traditional or modern kitchen environment and provide a stylish, memorable environment throughout the year.”

Moduleo also agrees that grey tones are going to be massive throughout 2017 and are prepared for the demand, “In 2017, we’re anticipating the popularity of grey flooring to continue to grow. In recent months, grey has proven to be the goto choice for those looking to decorate their bedrooms and living rooms. The look is traditional with a modern twist, and is ideal for creating a comfortable and welcoming environment all year round. The Blackjack Oak 22937 from our Transform collection provides a stunning finish and, as it’s available through Moduleo Moods, it comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes.”

David Bigland, Managing Director of Moduleo UK and Eire, continues on to say “Our Impress collection features registered emboss and provides the ultimate in realistic and nature-inspired design, but with the added benefits of luxury vinyl such as increased durability, excellent heat and sound-insulation, and an easy-to-clean finish. Impress features five wood designs with 22 colour options, in both dryback and click.”

Whether your customers wish to upgrade from laminate worktops to quartz, favour the bespoke route over off-the-rack, or just want to inject as much tone and texture into the room via surfaces then there is a solution for you. Just remember: the modern homeowner is looking for product and brand reliability so make sure the surface you recommend is durable and low-maintenance to ensure as little followup care as possible.

Final word goes to Wilsonart's Ruby Kiernan, Marketing Executive, Worktops

Moduleo, MO-209, Hexagon Random Hard, TR Jura Stone

Wilsonart, the worktop specialists ‘..we are delighted to be part of the BiKBBI family’

When it comes to worktops we’ve got it covered, from versatile laminates to seamless solid surface, to our newest introduction Zenith, 100% waterproof ultra-thin solid laminate. Install our stunning collection of worktops with ease, step by step guides and videos available to help you along the way, and no need for specialist tooling. Wilsonart - the installer friendly worktop company.

To find out more about Wilsonart or the worktop collections Visit: www.wilsonart.co.uk | Contact us: +44 (0)1388 774661

Wilsonart-uk WilsonartUK @WilsonartUK

Wilsonart, Zenith Solid Laminate, Pyla

who says "Now known as the hub of the home, the kitchen area plays a critical part in our everyday lives from social entertaining to quality family time. Holding an important role within this, the worktop, it must not only look fantastic but also be able to endure the demands of day to day use. Consumer buying behaviours reflect this, with a shift towards premium, higher performing products." She added "Design trends continue to see marbles and concretes take centre stage, natural rustic planked woods are still prominent but there is a move toward warm Scandinavian woods. From naturally rough to super silky smooth, textures are becoming even more of a focal point in the overall worktop specification. Material mix concept is still strong, now complimented further with the trend toward thin format worktops."

WILSONART BECOMES BiKBBI SPONSOR

Wilsonart, a truly global brand, is the latest highly prestigious business to demonstrate its faith in the credo of the BiKBBI by becoming a sponsor with immediate effect.

Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces is a world leading manufacturing and distribution organisation that have been designing and developing decorative surfacing solutions for 60 years. With its headquarters based in Austin, Texas, it manufactures and distributes highpressure laminate, Quartz, solid-surface and other engineered surface options for use in residential and commercial spaces across multiple applications, including kitchen worktops, furniture and wall panelling to name a few.

Its two UK based business units Wilsonart UK and the hugely established Bushboard, specialise in creating beautiful surfaces for both domestic and commercial projects, from its signature materials solid surface, laminate and the newly launched Zenith solid laminate. The company feels that its product range, whether applied for worktops, breakfast bars, splashbacks and upstands for the kitchen or for engineering the very best solid surface solutions for a whole multitude of commercial applications is manufactured with genuine passion.

Speaking on behalf of Wisonart UK, Nick Jones, Head of UK Sales said, “We are delighted to sponsor the BiKBBI, the opportunity that it presents is tremendous. Having been inspired by Damian Walters, we have no hesitation in becoming a member of BiKBBI and look Damian Walters said on behalf of the institute, “I’m thrilled to welcome such a prestigious company to the BiKBBI by way of sponsorship and it’s a fantastic endorsement of the market acceptance of our organisation and its membership. We look forward to jointly creating new and exciting training and development opportunities for our members with the Wilsonart UK team.”

forward to contributing to the continued development and professionalization of the K&B market. Installing solid-surface materials in a domestic environment is not a task for the unskilled and therefore developing closer working ties with accredited BiKBBI installers, including training and sharing of information will create a ‘win-win’ scenario for us all.

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