Inex November 2016

NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE 39 inex-online.com Download the Inex app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search ‘Inex-online’

in[sight]

ex[rated]

in[spire]

ex[pose]

Fernando Rodriguez, Co-founder of Aaron Stewart Lifestyle, talks to Inex about how he and his partner Aaron met and how they came to a decision to open their two businesses

Outdoor living is high on the agenda for many of today’s homeowners and the incorporation of an outdoor, functional kitchen seems to be taking a step forward

Situated on a cliff-top, in a history-rich location, above Northern France’s picturesque coastline stands Hotel Castelbrac, France’s ‘perfect paradise’

Taking reference from the sultriness of the 1970s, KOKET’s Nahema chair reflects the brand’s panache exquisitely with intricate detailing and the highest attention to detail

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3 EDITORIAL

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Editor in Chief: Hannah Frackiewicz hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Editorial Assistant: Rebecca Kemp rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com Digital Advertising: Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Michael Abrahams michael@mixedmediainfo.com Studio Manager: Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com Production: Jack Witcomb jack@mixedmediainfo.com Production Assistant: Sofia Franchi sofia@mixedmediainfo.com Artworker/Sub-editor: David Perry david@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts: Simone Jones simone@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director: Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher: Mixed Media Information Pear Platt, Woodfalls Farm, Gravelly Way, Laddingford, Kent. ME18 6DA Tel: 01622 873229 Fax: 01622 320020 Terms and Conditions No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photography or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literacy, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearence or non publication of any advertisement.

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ith comfort and wellbeing the mantra for today’s interior design schemes, hoteliers, business owners and restaurateurs all strive for the ‘ultimate design’. Within workplaces, restaurants and hotels, comfort should be at the forefront of the design to help entice and retain guests and employees.

Wallcoverings, accessories and decoration all take a front seat in the design of these spaces, but often disregarded is the furniture. Beside aesthetics, it’s been established that highquality seating improves posture and boosts productivity within the workplace, however the organisation of these seating arrangements appear to require a revision. With the dated panorama of rows of desks, chairs and meeting rooms fading fast, businesses need to revisit their arrangements and introduce ‘workplace culture’ into their schemes. Turn to page 28 to find out more.

The same concept applies to restaurants and hotels. Whilst maximising space may be at the top of every hotelier and restaurateurs’ wish list, comfort and practicality should take precedence to create popular spaces that visitors want to frequent time and time again. There’s a wealth of seating designs available for schemes today to suit every need and budget, for inspiration turn to page 34. For further inspiration, the much-awaited Sleep event returns this November, offering thought-provoking conference sessions and inspiration for hoteliers and interior designers. For a preview on this year’s show, turn to page 22.

Elsewhere in this issue, Dagmar Holub, Founder of Designer’s Atelier, talks us through her company’s Kaleidoscope collection, KOKET reveals its Nahema Chair, Indian Ocean explains how to create the ultimate outdoor living scheme and Fernando Rodriguez explains what inspired him to open up Aaron Stewart Lifestyle, alongside his partner, Aaron Stewart.

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Top left: Dagmar Holub, Founder of Designer’s Atelier, talks readers through the company’s print collection, The Kaleidoscope collection Cover: Inex immerses readers in a sense of serenity with a tour of Hotel Castelbrac Top: Inex puts Fernando Rodriguez, Co-founder of Aaron Stewart Lifestyle, in the limelight Above: KOKET’s Nahema Chair is inspired by the sultriness of the 1970s

I hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget, you can also access all of Inex’s features and product inspiration at your fingertips via the magazine’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘Inex-online’ on the App Store or Google play.

Rebecca Kemp rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter: @INEXonline Download the INEX app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search 'Inex-online'.

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Contemporary, elegant and stylish, Lyndon Design’s tables collection is versatile and adaptable, perfect for any interior.

THE TABLES EDIT Head Office T: +44 (0) 1242 584 897 London Showroom T: +44 (0) 20 7253 0364 E: sales@lyndon.co.uk www.lyndon.co.uk Part of Boss Design

5 CONTENTS

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NOVEMBER DIARY

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INSPIRE Inex immerses readers in a sense of serenity with a tour of Hotel Castelbrac. Situated on Northern France’s picturesque coastline, this cliff-top hotel is the definition of serene.

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INSIGHT This month, Inex puts Fernando Rodriguez, Cofounder of Aaron Stewart Lifestyle, in the limelight.

Here, he explains how he and Co-founder Aaron Stewart met.

22

SLEEP PREVIEW Sleep returns this year to inspire and educate hoteliers and designers. This year’s theme, ‘The Science of Tribes’, is an approach to design that identifies social groups based on shared values, lifestyles and aesthetic preferences.

24

EXRATED The kitchen is the heart of the home, and has been for many years. However, there has been a recent movement amongst homeowners for outdoor living and taking this to the next level is the incorporation of an outdoor kitchen.

26

EXPOSE KOKET’s Nahema Chair made an appearance at this year’s Decorex International. Inspired by the sultriness of the 1970s, this design is indebted to KOKET’s Creative Director, Janet Morais, who began her design journey with old archives.

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COMMERCIAL FURNITURE Oliver Ronald, Sales and Marketing Director at The Boss Design Group, explains why culture is so important within a workplace and discusses why the archetypical scene of rows of desks, chairs and meeting rooms is a fast-fading affair.

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FLOORS The end of the year is nigh and it’s time to start thinking about next year’s interior trends. Here, David Bigland, Managing Director of flooring manufacturer Moduleo, explains which designs will take a front row seat for flooring design in 2017.

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RESTAURANT Today’s restaurant customers are looking for so much more than ‘somewhere to eat’. In this issue, Lyndon design explains how to overcome the challenge of choosing the right seating for the ultimate dining experience.

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ACCESSORIES Dagmar Holub, Founder of Designer’s Atelier, talks readers through the company’s recently unveiled print collection, The Kaleidoscope collection. Here, she explains how she and up-and-coming Textile Designer, Ewelina Mlynarek, came together to produce the collection.

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AUDIO VISUAL Cyberhomes runs through its latest project for a dedicated cinema/gaming room as part of a refurbishment for its client’s detached home in Hertfordshire. Amalgamating the latest 4K technology with aesthetically-pleasing acoustics, the company has produced an idyllic gamer’s paradise.

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Top: Cyberhomes

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has seen an increase in the number of high-

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end homes that are specifying a dedicated home cinema room Middle: The Aspect Work Hub from Boss Design offers intimacy and privacy for individuals working in solitude Bottom: Moduleo has had an incredibly positive response to its triangle, hexagon and diamondshaped tiles

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The secret of a memorable night’s sleep

Hypnos ‘secretly’ knows that it is a supremely comfortable bed that is at the heart of a truly memorable night’s sleep.

With over 100 years experience of making made-to-measure beds, using the finest natural materials, and with a Royally Approved reputation for hand crafting the most comfortable beds in the world, it is no surprise that Hypnos beds and their sublime comfort can be found in the finest homes, palaces and hotels.

T: +44 (0) 1844 348200 | E: designer@hypnosbeds.com | www.hypnosbeds.com Hypnos is proud to be Carbon Neutral, complying with PAS 2060.

7 DIARY

Ideal Home Show at Christmas Olympia, London 23-27 November This year’s Ideal Home Show at Christmas sees Laurence LlewelynBowen and, new for 2016, Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead from 2LG Studio on hand to inspire specifiers.

With a large selection of top brands at this year’s show, there’s something to inspire everyone for Christmas interiors. idealhomeshowchristmas.co.uk SBID Awards 2016 The Dorchester, London 25 November Following the announcement of the 2016 SBID Awards finalists, the public votes are now in and amalgamated, and on 25th November SBID will reveal the new winners of the much sought-after SBID Award trophies.

With increased entries from 43 countries worldwide, this year’s edition is set to be the most globallypresented awards yet. sbidawards.com

art miami Wynwood Arts District, Miami 29 November – 4 December art miami is a leading international contemporary and modern art fair that takes place each December, attracting more than 82,000 collectors, curators and professionals.

Entering its 27th edition, art miami remains committed to showcasing the most important artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries in collaboration with a selection of the world’s most respected galleries. artmiamifair.com

East London Design Show Brick Lane, London 4-7 December The East London Design Show (ELDS) is an annual event that brings together the best of the UK’s independent interior and product designers all under one roof. ELDS is the event to discover tomorrow’s talent, with over 38 brand new designers joining the show this year. eastlondondesignshow.co.uk

The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair Chelsea Old Town Hall, London 11-13 November Handmade in Britain 16: The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair is celebrating its 10th anniversary of the Christmas event at the beautiful Chelsea Old Town Hall. Over three days, the event will celebrate the best in high-end design and craftsmanship from over 100 UK-based designers/ makers. handmadeinbritain.co.uk

blickfang Zürich Zürich, Switzerland 25-27 November The month of November marks 20 years of blickfang shopping in Zürich. blickfang has been inspired and shaped by the independent design world and has conversely left its own impression. The keen eye for unique ideas and young talents sets blickfang apart from other design fairs and makes it worth a visit. With 40% of exhibitors new to this year’s blickfang Zürich and Swiss design idols exhibiting alongside these newcomers, this year’s show is one not to be missed. blickfang.com

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8 INSPIRE

The perfect paradise Not many of us have ever found a place with an irrefutable imprint of serenity.

However, design brand BRABBU recently succeeded and became bewildered by the quiet atmosphere of paradise in the North of France at Hotel Castelbrac. Here, Inex takes readers on a tour of this unique hotel inspired by the sea and the different eras which compose its extensive history.

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his area not only offers remarkable historical sightseeing in its towns and villages, but also an exceptional place to spend a lovely weekend nearby. This terrific destination is home to some of the finest prehistoric landmarks in the world and its proximity to the sea is conducive to tranquil reflection and meditation.

The extraordinary beauty of this French coastline consists of many beaches, fishing villages and islands.

In the heart of such a glorious, history-rich location, Hotel Castelbrac is set on a beautiful cliff-top amongst the wild, dramatic coastline which characterises Brittany, France’s northwesternmost region.

The architectural backdrop is absolutely astonishing. It is said that when British Colonel, Robert William Hamilton, set eyes on it in 1872, he exclaimed “What a bric-a-brac”,

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due to the architectural layout of the villa, a composition of several mismatched buildings. However, the charm of this private mansion seduced the Crimean war hero and he bought it to be his own residence. Soon the transformations began, with the aim of giving it the appearance of a British castle with an elevation, battlements and stables overlooking the street. The English were avid naturalists and the colonel installed large glasshouses in the garden that he called his “green houses”.

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Above: Sandra Benhamou and Léonie Alma Mason took on the project of transforming Hotel Castelbrac’s interior in 2012 Left: Hotel Castelbrac’s inspiration was an Art Deco style mingled with the sea Right: Throughout the hotel, Art Deco features are projected in many elements

The colonel’s wife, Charlotte-Marie Hamilton, who is said to have been a very fashionable lady, immediately took charge of the interior. Her inspiration was the English movement ‘Arts and Crafts’, the equivalent of Art Nouveau in France, while giving a feminine twist to the somewhat masculine architecture of the mansion. When Designer, Sandra Benhamou, in collaboration with Interior Designer, Léonie Alma Mason, took on the project of transforming this hotel’s interior in 2012, they had the same challenge.

Sandra comments: “I wanted to create a warm atmosphere; a female lightness. Maybe this architecture has

something masculine, and I have brought in femininity and gentleness.”

The challenge was to keep the place authentic while “projecting it into modernity,” says Sandra Benhamou, who refused to “fall into the trap of nostalgia”. She decided to keep the old character of certain elements (wooden ceilings, a fireplace, beautiful stairs), to re-do others identically (woodwork, parquet floors), while

bringing everything a touch of “quiet sophistication and assumed eclecticism”.

The inspiration was an Art Deco style mingled with the sea.

Consequently, throughout the hotel we see Art Deco projected in elements, such as ironwork, the central staircase, and smaller details such as door handles, switches, faucets, headboards and frames.

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10 INSPIRE

Léonie Alma Mason, a talented former student of Camondo, was able to provide a very open vision as a result of her many voyages and interests in contemporary art, set design and photography. With a passion for “atypical detail”, Castelbrac allowed Léonie to find historical decorative elements within the interior, such as caisson ceilings above the reception desk and woodwork arches above the entrance stairs. The spirit of the hotel’s reception is bemarked by “kindness, expertise and serenity”.

There are plenty of reasons why Castelbrac doesn’t look like a hotel, but rather a villa of the era, revisited in history, that we may dive into with delight. The reception is set on the original entrance of Castelbrac, which was discovered by chance during construction.

After descending a flight of stairs we arrive at the hotel’s reception and immediately find a large room with original wooden ceilings opening out to the sea through wide bay windows, where Sandra Benhamou’s aim was a “warm and cozy” atmosphere in bottle-green woodwork, plaid fabrics and houndstooth armchairs.

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Above: The first peculiar object is the KOI cocktail table from furniture brand, BRABBU Left: These Koi scales on the sides of the tables shine and reflect in the brass surface, similar to the sun glistening across the clear water Right: Léonie Alma Mason, a talented former student of Camondo, was able to provide a very open vision as a result of her many voyages and interests in contemporary art

11 INSPIRE

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12 INSPIRE

Left: There are plenty of reasons why Castelbrac doesn’t look like a hotel, but rather a villa of the era, revisited in history Below: At Castelbrac, everyone can appreciate the “beauty of nature” Bottom: In the heart of such a glorious, history-rich location, Hotel Castelbrac is set on a beautiful cliff-top

Access to the reading lounge on the lower floor is by a stairway lined with a custom-designed, black metal railing.

The vast room extends to a large terrace overlooking the sea and is the cosy heart of Castelbrac. This is an ideal place for reading, watching the sea, meditating, and where you can fully enjoy a place that will recharge the soul.

A library in dark wood, armchairs in antique pink and saffron velvet, ottomans and benches, covered with tortoiseshell motif fabric from Le Manach, and curtains with palm patterns help create “an atmosphere conducive to serenity, relaxation, and conversation”.

Furthermore, a cosy restaurant with carefully chosen furniture is situated on the terrace, overhanging the sea and the Clare de Lune promenade. Close to this attractive spot, the ‘Aquarium Bar’ was built within the former aquarium museum. The bar, lit by gold leaf suspension lamps, is glittery granite, dressed with wave patterns in metallic silver tones.

The first peculiar object of its interior design is the KOI cocktail table from furniture brand, BRABBU. Highly appreciated for its decorative purposes, the table possesses a recurring symbol of Japanese culture. These Koi scales on the sides of the tables shine and reflect in the brass surface, similar to the sun glistening across the clear water – a perfectly subtle marine reference for the bar’s aquarium inspiration.

At Castelbrac everyone can appreciate the “beauty of nature”, as if opening a treasure chest. It’s only natural that the signature of Hotel Castelbrac has become “soul heaven”. brabbu.com « INEX-ONLINE.COM

Conference Awaken your mind Europe’s hotel design conference brings together top level insight from international speakers exploring cruise hotels, art in design, the future of virtual reality and more.

Register now and save £30 using code SLP19 at www.thesleepevent.com

The Hotel Design Event

Founder Partner and VIP Host:

22-23 November 2016 The Business Design Centre, London

Official Media Partner:

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Supported by:

22-23 November 2016 The Business Design Centre, London

Organised by:

14 INSIGHT Left: Fernando has the most fun designing master bedrooms Below: Fernando’s goal in life, since a small boy, was to become a designer

Beyond interior design ‘Lifestyle curators’, Aaron Stewart and Fernando Rodriguez, first met in New York City. The pair were encouraged to join forces in 2012 and, shortly after, in 2013 the couple’s flagship store, Aaron Stewart Home, was unveiled. Following this, the pair discovered Aaron Stewart Lifestyle. Here, Inex talks to Fernando about how he and Aaron came to meet and what inspired the pair to open up their exquisite brands.

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aron Stewart Lifestyle was an organic transition to the design field from Fernando and Aaron’s flagship store, Aaron Stewart Home. The store has every category you can imagine to decorate and accessorise a home, from furniture to bedding, becoming a platform to create turnkey projects to residential or commercial projects. A New York City-based, high-end residential developer was undertaking a project in Puerto Rico and asked Fernando and Aaron to be the ‘brand ambassadors’ and create an entity for this new project. The developer asked the pair to complete five model units, two lofts, each with their own personality and style the pool area, lobby, fitness centre and resident’s lounge. It was an amazing challenge and the pair’s results were fantastic. Three years later, the couple have finished 25 residential and commercial projects in San Juan, the Virgin Islands and New York.

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What inspired you to become an interior designer?

We like to call ourselves ‘lifestyle curators’. Aaron was the Creative Director for Sferra, a luxury bedding brand, and the VP of Product Design for the home category at Martha Stewart Omnimedia – Michelle Entine, our Senior Designer, comes from Martha Stewart Omnimedia as well. We feel that our backgrounds in product design and luxury brands have given us the opportunity to travel the world and use our experiences in developing concepts that are beyond interior design. We develop a ‘personality’ to every job; a story to tell, everything has a purpose and a story behind it.

How did you and Aaron meet?

Aaron and I met in New York City.

We were working for luxury brands and serendipity was our friend. We had a mutual vendor that wanted to introduce us. She felt we had a lot in common, however we met before she had the opportunity to introduce us, making the story the mantra to our lives together. What is meant to be will come to you no matter what the circumstances are.

Things that are meant to be, are meant to be – period. We have been together for nine years.

Aaron Stewart Home came first, we were tired of the hectic lives and demanding jobs that kept us working non-stop. I am from Puerto Rico, so on vacation to see my family, my sister suggested we join forces and open a home store in Puerto Rico. We made a decision in the December of 2012 and by November 2013, Aaron Stewart Home opened its doors to the public.

15 INSIGHT

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Left: Aaron and Fernando like to purchase art from local artists and use as many local manufacturers as they can Below: The master bedroom is the room Fernando spends the most time designing

Please can you tell us a bit about your professional career?

My goal in life, since a small boy, was to become a designer. It was in my blood; my grandfather was a fashion designer. He went to Pratt Institute in New York City and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

However, my family wanted me to study business; so I did. My career has been a diversity of corporate jobs in the pharmaceutical industry throughout my 30s. At 40, new to New York City, I decided to shift career and follow my dreams and get into the fashion world – not an easy task at 40 and new to NYC. But my focus and perseverance opened up doors to work for luxury brands like Tory Burch, and during my last two years in New York I was the Associate Publisher and Fashion Director for Manhattan Magazine. I worked directly with all the big, luxury fashion brands like Chanel, Prada and Louis Vuitton, among others. It felt like I finally made it in the fashion world with a perfect combination of fashion and business.

Opening Aaron Stewart Home and Aaron Stewart Lifestyle has allowed me to do all the things that I love; run the companies, but also design spaces with the team. It is truly a wish come true.

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Do you have any favourite rooms that you enjoy designing?

Every project is different and it requires an open mind. You are dealing with the needs and requests of the client, but at the end of the day, it is your job to guide them to what will be best as an end result.

The most fun is always the master bedroom. This is the room we spend the most time in and it has to be perfect to recharge batteries. To create a space that gives you that result is the most gratifying.

Do you have any exciting collaborations in the works at the moment?

We do. We are working on three collaborations that will launch in late 2016/early 2017. We can’t talk about the categories, but we can tell you they are with international companies that will allow us to be trendsetters in four key home categories.

What advice would you offer newly-qualified interior designers?

My advice is universal, not only for interior designers, but also for anyone that wants to succeed in anything.

Be humble, you will make mistakes, learn from them and don’t let them happen again. Read, read, read – it’s

www.crestleather.com

sales.uk@crestleather.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1706 643 121

Fax:: +44 1706 643 133

18 INSIGHT

What has been the biggest accomplishment in your career?

I think you always come in with a ‘pocket full of dreams’ when you go into a new job or business. But, it is always a moving target and quite challenging. You are in the service business and that is always a hard thing to accomplish. The biggest accomplishment has been learning how to run two companies.

It has been something that, looking back at my previous professional careers, prepared me to this present moment. It is a humbling experience, you learn from the good and the bad experiences, but it is extremely gratifying.

your best source of knowledge, and definitely read about different topics. It makes you a rounded individual. Find a mentor that knows more than you do and become a sponge. Your bosses are there to teach and guide you. Use them wisely. Ask for one-on-one time with them and get feedback on your work. Don’t take it personally, they are there to enhance your skills.

Most importantly, listen to your inner voice, it will tell you what to do – you just need to be quiet and still to hear it.

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Top: In the living room of Aaron and Fernando’s ‘Private Residence’ project, the pair took a sophisticated approach and used a Lindsay Adelman chandelier Above: Lindsay Adelman’s work is beyond a light fixture; they are pieces of art

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with in the future?

Yes, there are many amazing, talented people out there doing amazing work. We always collaborate with local talent. We like to purchase art from local artists and use as many local manufacturers as we can. It gives new, rising artists a platform to showcase their work. We also collaborate with the architecture and design department from our local universities. Students need experience and opportunities to learn. Everyone wins from these collaborations.

What has been the most exciting project you have had the privilege of working on so far?

When we received the call from the governor of Puerto Rico’s office (our White House) to style and design the rooms for the King and Queen of Spain’s visits to Puerto Rico this past February. That was such an honor and a testament that we were on the right path. They loved what we did and the best part was we got everything donated from all our vendors. Everyone responded promptly and it became a joint effort to make these spaces really special.

Can you explain a typical Aaron Stewart Lifestyle client?

Our clients vary in ages and lifestyles but they definitely know what they like. The majority are open to collaborate with us and allow us to try new things. There are many wonderful designers in Puerto Rico. By the time they start working with us, it is because they like our aesthetic and point of view. Clients choose you when they are ready to work with you. It’s a big investment, so they do their homework and by the time they come to our door it’s because they trust our work and vision.

19 INSIGHT

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20 INSIGHT

Left: Aaron and Fernando created a dream master bedroom and master bath for the parents at the ‘Private Residence’ project Below far left: Aaron and Fernando’s clients vary in ages and lifestyles but they definitely know what they like. The majority are open to collaborate with them and allow them to try new things.

Below left: The children’s room at Aaron and Fernando’s ‘Private Residence’ project is so fun and different – a true place to have friends over for sleepovers

What trends are you witnessing currently?

We just got back from Maison & Objet in Paris. There is so much creativity and diversity in products but what we loved the most was the use of proportions and the scale of furniture and light fixtures. Big floor lamps and pendants, beautiful new lines of furniture from Portugal and gorgeous fabrics and patterns. We loved the vintage pieces and saw a lot of new pieces inspired by old 50s and 60s lines. The clear trend is the use of scale and proportions in a room.

Do you have a favourite go-to supplier?

We work a lot with our dear friend Kelly Wearstler. We love her furniture, fabrics, wallpapers and vintage stores all over Europe. We love to mix the old with the new. We also work a lot with Gaston Y Daniela, a beautiful fabric and wallpaper company out in Spain. They make the best fabrics and patterns.

What was the brief that you received for Bahia Plaza Unit?

We were hired to be the ‘brand ambassadors’ for this new high-end, luxury residential development. The direction was for us to develop seven model units, each one with a different feel and personality, alongside the residents’ lounge, pool area, lobby and fitness center. It was quite INEX-ONLINE.COM

a challenge; you needed to ensure that everyone that walked into these units could see a complete lifestyle represented; that everyone could identify with something in each of the seven units.

They were fantastic clients and allowed us to complete our vision and push the envelope. The end result was well-received and they sold 32 units in the first three weeks!

What was the brief that you received for your ‘Private Residence’ project?

This was a great collaboration between the client and us. They were involved in every decision regarding the furniture and the look and feel of the unit. They have two beautiful children, so the apartment had to be child-friendly, but very sophisticated.

We created a dream master bedroom and master bath for the parents and a ‘dream room’ for the children; the children’s room is so fun and different – a true place to have friends over for sleepovers. In the living room, we took a more sophisticated approach and used a Lindsay Adelman chandelier that is perfect for the room. Her work is beyond a light fixture; they are pieces of art.

What can we expect to see from Aaron Stewart Lifestyle over the next year?

Our expectations are to keep growing organically. We feel that there is nothing like the present.

In design you concentrate on the clients at hand. aaronstewarthome.com « aaronstewartlifestyle.com «

See MATCH at Sleep Show, visit Arnold Laver Stand No: G36

22 SLEEP PREVIEW Here: Another example of the merger of craft and technology can be seen in the artwork created by new exhibitor Abi Fawcus Below: Hailing from Prague, Lukas and Robertson breathes new life into forlorn antiques by combining the vintage and quirky with contemporary touches in unexpected ways

Sleep 2016 – investigating the science of design Sleep, Europe’s leading event focused on hotel design and development, returns from 22nd to 23rd November to London’s Business Design Centre to explore ‘The Science of Tribes’, an approach to design that identifies social groups based on the shared values, lifestyles and aesthetic preferences of their members.

S

leep is a mingling of the minds where designers, developers, owners and operators come together to debate the future of the hotel industry through thought-provoking conference sessions. Experience high-style, conceptual installations and discover the hottest new creations exhibited by established and up-and-coming design innovators.

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Awakening the Design Mind The free-to-attend conference features speakers at the forefront of design and hospitality. Acclaimed designer Clodagh will join industry leaders such as Susan Harmsworth MBE, Chair of ESPA, in ‘The Future of Wellness’, a conversation about how good design can support mind and body in not just hotels, but all our environments.

The Cruise Hotels session sees the renowned designer, Adam Tihany, reveal how his expertise in hotel and restaurant design is revitalising cruise ships for modern expectations, and keynote speakers Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard Rützou, Founders of SPACE Copenhagen, will discuss the Scandi gastronomy craze and their designs for the Michelin-starred Noma, Copenhagen, and the recently-opened 11 Howard, Manhattan.

A design for every tribe: Sleep Set competition In 2016, the annual Sleep Set challenge is upping its game as the most international competition yet.

WOW Architects from Singapore and Mitsui Designtec from Tokyo join London-based teams Gensler, Studio Proof and Aukett Swanke, with every team designing a guestroom for a different sociodemographic tribe in partnership with contractors and suppliers who will transform these concepts into built bedrooms. Each group will present their ideas to a panel of judges during a conference session on the second day, with the winner announced that afternoon.

Choose your own tribe: Sleep Experience Bar Creating the 2016 Sleep Bar, the networking hotspot over the two-day event, is interior design and branding agency Superfutures. With carte blanche to let their ingenuity run wild, the studio envisions an immersive experience in which the bar’s design will further analyse the five tribes interpreted in the neighbouring Sleep Set bedrooms.

Beautifully designed products for stylish hotels With a curated gallery of 160 exhibitors displaying inventive designs, visitors are promised a bevy of inspiration for future projects. Sure to bring smiles to guests’ faces, is newcomer Lukas and Robertson. Hailing from Prague, the resourceful company breathes new life into forlorn antiques by combining the vintage and quirky with contemporary touches in unexpected ways. Tradition also meets modernity with Hampshirebased Morgan Furniture’s new Rio collection of tables and chairs, one of the first furniture collections to use 3D-printed materials suitable for contract use. Another example of the merger of craft and technology can be seen in the artwork created by new exhibitor Abi Fawcus who, from her Suffolk-based studio byABI, translates landscape photography into digitally remastered impressions. thesleepevent.com «

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24 EXRATED

The heart of the home – in the garden In any expertly-designed garden, the ultimate way to elevate the outdoor living experience to the next level is the addition of a fully functional, super-sleek outdoor kitchen.

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utdoor kitchens are increasingly being seen in the design of high-end homes, both in the city on urban roof terraces as well as in the leafier parts of towns and countries.

The concept of utilising the garden as a place to relax and entertain as an extra room of the home is now well-established and consequently a longerterm view is now being taken by both homeowners and property developers, who are realising that how we cook outdoors has evolved. The kitchen has long been the heart of the home and outdoor kitchens have become the hub of entertaining outdoors by integrating both cooking and entertaining spaces.

With an outdoor kitchen, the entire food preparation process is revolutionised as it can be moved completely outdoors, along with storage of all the essential equipment; so no more dashing INEX-ONLINE.COM

back inside for tools and forgotten items. It is essential to choose marine grade stainless steel cabinets, specifically designed for use outdoors with magnetic seals that are waterproof and impervious to dust, insects and bugs. It is also important to choose an integrated grill, designed and manufactured to commercial standards, which incorporates illuminated controls and task lighting within the grill – do make sure every element is exacting and best-in-class for life outdoors. Look for brass burners and ceramic briquettes to ensure even heat distribution, allowing to cook an entire roast, not just a few sausages!

Indeed, outdoor kitchens are often more luxurious than the conventional indoor kitchen, as space limitations can disappear outdoors and teppanyaki plates, warming draws and even cocktail stations become feasible luxuries.

If space and budget allows, then an outdoor fridge or even a dishwasher

can be incorporated in the design – but that wouldn’t be everything, of course there must be the kitchen sink too.

Mains water, gas and electricity connections can be taken from either existing points or run from the main property – do consider the location of these services when planning the positioning of the kitchen.

25 EXRATED

Far left: The kitchen has long been the heart of the home and outdoor kitchens have become the hub of entertaining outdoors Below left: With an outdoor kitchen, the entire food preparation process is revolutionised as it can be moved completely outdoors Left: The aesthetic of the kitchen should be tied in with materials used in the hard landscaping of the garden design Below: It is essential to choose marine grade stainless steel cabinets

The aesthetic of the kitchen should be tied in with materials used in either the hard landscaping of the garden design or the architecture of the property to achieve a result which blends the style of the kitchen seamlessly with the exterior design of the home and garden. Cladding in stone, slate or render to match the property should be considered to make sure the memory of the freestanding rusty BBQ is gone forever. Granite makes the most practical work surface as it can handle the heat of the grill and the vagaries of the climate.

Alternatively, for a quick solution, avoiding water and gas installations, choose a ready-to-go, modular, freestanding outdoor kitchen designed with fewer appliances and fueled by bottled gas, hidden within one of the steel cabinets. With a granite surface, contemporary HPL (high pressure laminate) finishes and hermetically sealed cabinets, the island outdoor kitchen has the added benefit of being able to be transported and easily relocated when moving home.

Don’t let the weather spoil things. By covering the outdoor kitchen with a roof, such as the Electric Shade Pergola from Indian Ocean, it will receive outstanding protection from the sun, wind, rain and cold. This sophisticated aluminium pergola has a flat sun and waterproof roof which turns the terrace or cooking area into a usable outdoor space – whatever the weather decides to do. With an easy remote-controlled operating system and silent working of the blades, you can

continue your plans for relaxing or entertaining outdoors, whether you need shelter from rain or shade from the heat of the midday sun.

When closed, the blades form a waterproof roof in normal showers. A gutter system drains the rainwater away towards the columns. These patented blades are designed in such a way that the water is drained off to the sides, even if the blades are opened up immediately after a rain shower.

The sides can be fitted with a range of optional movable wall elements; glass sliding doors, cedar sliding panels and many other features, all tailored to the space.

Indian Ocean offers a comprehensive process to design, build and install the perfect outdoor kitchen from initial concept to completion, specifying only the highest quality equipment and materials. indian-ocean.co.uk « INEX-ONLINE.COM

26 EXPOSE

It’s all in the detail

Luxury furniture supplier KOKET’s principal designers are a group of exceptionally artistic and well-rounded product designers who are led

by KOKET’s Creative Director’s creative eye. Here, KOKET’s Creative Director, Janet Morais, explains what inspired her design for the company’s newly-unveiled Nahema Chair.

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he Nahema Chair’s design was influenced by the mid-century.

With its classic design and elegant, yet quirky, hand detailing, intricately hand-crafted from exquisite gold brass, its beauty is owed to the sultriness of the 1970s. In keeping with the KOKET brand identity, I added an opulent ‘KOKET touch’ to Nahema’s design through the use of the black and gold colour variation.

Nahema surely represents the allure of KOKET as a brand. Commonly, KOKET does not show traces of mid-century modern design. But the truth is, Nahema is a timeless design, however it still applies the seductive ‘KOKET touch’. It represents KOKET’s culture in its playful embellishment and black and gold structure.

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This image:Janet’s Nahema Chair design was inspired by the sultriness of the 1970s, with its black and gold colour variation and Satina Lux White Cloud upholstery fabric Above centre: When designing the Nahema Chair, Janet envisaged it in situ in a charming dining room

During the design process, I was inspired by the Art Deco period and started looking through a collection of vintage design archives, pulling designs from different eras and then adding the opulent ‘KOKET touch’. Many of my inspirations come from the same era, especially from the influence of Art Deco and Oriental design. So, when it came to an era that the Nahema Chair would fit into, the sultriness of the 1970s era was a focal point for me.

Black and gold is a luxury combination and it’s KOKET’s signature. I love this mix. I always start with black and then add pops of gold details. The beautiful Satina Lux White Cloud White, used on the upholstery for the Nahema Chair, was selected from KOKET’s textiles collection. The Satina Lux White gave a very elegant and modern touch to the Nahema chair.

I was also very inspired by jewellery; it felt natural to add a cuff into the hand detailing. KOKET pieces are always detailed.

27 EXPOSE

This new collection differs in the way that the pieces are not as inventive and elaborate as the icons of KOKET’s Guilty Pleasures collection. I’ve been a devotee of the Art Deco, mid-century, modern and Oriental design eras. This time, instead of large, ornamental details, I chose to focus on the timelessness of the design – always with the opulent touch of course. There are still lavish accents visible, but they are more subtle, like the Nahema Chair’s hand detailing. I believe we have become established enough as a brand to apply a more mature approach to design.

When designing this chair, I envisaged it in situ within a charming dining room. My mission with KOKET has always been to empower and seduce with daring designs, all while giving women the ability to express their true style – that’s the kind of client that I see when designing; a powerful woman who’s comfortable taking risks. bykoket.com «

Above: During the design process, Janet was inspired by the Art Deco period and began her design journey searching through vintage archives Left: When it came to an era that the Nahema Chair would fit into, the sultriness of the 1970s was a focal point Right: Janet was also inspired by jewellery for the Nahema Chair and decided to incorporate an intricate cuff onto the hand detailing

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28 COMMERCIAL FURNITURE

Workplace culture sets the scene for furniture specification Oliver Ronald, Sales and Marketing Director at The Boss Design Group, talks about the importance of understanding culture in the workplace and the emergence of settings when specifying furniture.

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t’s long been proven that there is a direct correlation between a healthy, productive culture and a company’s bottom line, and the idea that any company would dismiss its organisational culture in favour of strategy would be putting their success at risk. However, in practice, the majority of companies spend little time thinking about culture when comes to workplace design, let alone doing anything about it. Strategy always wins out.

So, why is culture so important, and especially in the workplace?

The most obvious manifestation of culture in an office is its design.

Today, there has been a significant shift in culture as the old bonds of time and place that once tethered people to an employer have loosened and dissolved. Workplace design is no longer just about the aesthetics, it’s the way in which it conveys and underpins the culture of the organisation.

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The archetypical scene of rows of desks, chairs and meeting rooms is fading fast. Workplace design is all about settings and how people work and are managed, and the technologies that enable their work.

It’s also about finding new and better ways to structure time and to design a space that will bind the happiness, success and wellbeing of individuals.

The traditional daily commute to an office to occupy fixed desk space has long been on the wane.

With the rise of telecommuting, coworking spaces, globalisation and new technology, ‘flexibility’ in the workplace is key. More and more of us are, or will be, working in nontraditional ways and places, ranging from relying on adaptable furniture within the workplace and hotels, to satellite and offshore offices and, of course, home offices.

Workplace design and furniture specification is no longer just about the space available. Employees

Above: Cocoon

by Boss Design can be used for team meetings, collaborative tasks or a base for the day Right: Boss Design’s unique Trinetic task chair offers improved contact and support; better pressure distribution and a better fit for a broad range of user shapes and sizes Above right: Myriad’s ‘chain’ modules enable furniture to be mixed, linked and easily moved around Far right: The Aspect Work Hub from Boss Design offers intimacy and privacy for individuals working in solitude

need to be able to easily switch their mode of focus – be it focusing, learning, socialising or collaborating – in order to stay fulfilled and to be productive. This in turn has led to the creation of a series of designated settings within the workplace.

Typical settings include: welcome areas, a home or place to perform work, collaborative spaces, meeting areas, circulation pathways and even a work cafe – a signature space that can define a company’s culture, improve productivity and become a magnet that attracts employees.

29 COMMERCIAL FURNITURE

Every organisation has its unique character in terms of strategies, culture, challenges and opportunities.

However, when designing workplace space and specifying furniture, the following criteria should be considered: Privacy – whether it’s visual, territorial or acoustic, it’s important that space is created for workers to enjoy privacy from distracting phones and coworkers, either on an individual or team basis. Soft seating has come into its own over the years for this purpose. Personal touchdown spaces, headspace and breakout furniture, that provide ergonomically sound alternatives to sitting at a desk or table, should be common features throughout offices.

Collaboration – conference and meeting rooms are no longer in favour. Instead, there is a growing trend towards glass-fronted meeting pods that avoid the need for fixed partitioning and that help continue the flow of nomadic working patterns and collaboration. Acoustically engineered, these pods offer complete privacy for users and being fully flexible, they can even be relocated to other parts of the office. Some pods boast special lighting systems to enhance wellbeing. These act to change the colour and intensity of white light in the pod in accordance with people’s natural circadian rhythms. As well as helping calm stress, they can help energise and improve concentration and alertness.

or a fixed whiteboard, a variety of technological functions should be made available.

Technology – technology and connectivity is now ubiquitous and almost integral to everything we do. Whilst it’s commonplace to find meeting tables that include discreet and integrated table-top power and data connection points, more and more soft office products that integrate such devices should become part of the specification brief.

Wellbeing – when we feel well, we work well, and given that employees are the engines that keep companies growing, adapting, improving and innovating, employee wellbeing should be a key consideration. From the latest ergonomicallydesigned task chairs that provide dynamic support through fluid movement and require no user adjustment, to stand-up

desks that help boost health, productivity and collaboration, specifying the right furniture is vital to employee health and wellbeing.

Workplace design is no longer just about the aesthetics, and the choice of furniture is no longer just about the space available. Both are closely bound up with the culture of an organisation and the ways in which people work and interact. By creating settings to address individuals’ needs, the scene can be set for optimum performance in the workplace. boss-design.com «

Display – to facilitate communication and collaboration, it’s important that vertical surfaces feature throughout the workplace.

From meeting booths and pods, to standalone media walls that offer TV, video and online facilities, INEX-ONLINE.COM

30 FLOORS

This image: Timeless woods work with a number of different trends Below: Classic interior design looks are most definitely here to stay for 2017

Fashionable flooring With 2016 drawing to a close, David Bigland, Managing Director of luxury vinyl flooring manufacturer Moduleo, predicts the key flooring trends for 2017.

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ext year’s hero trend will be geometric design – with a huge rise in designers already opting for this quirky and eccentric look throughout spaces within the hospitality sector.

Traditionally, designers implemented geometric shapes into their projects through wallpaper and accessories. However, since the launch of our Moduleo Moods collection earlier this 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 10 flooring formats. Up to 110 unique wood and stone-effect designs can be created using the wide range of tile shapes available.

Paired with neutral accents, geometric patterns can add an

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artistic, sophisticated edge to your interior design, with striking contrasts creating dramatic spaces.

They also contribute to a sleek, and creative an overall, ambience.

Geometric flooring offers a striking, contemporary finish which takes centre stage to provide a creative and sleek ambience.

This look is extremely versatile and works well in most spaces – especially pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants.

Grey tones Next year, we’re anticipating the popularity of grey flooring to continue to grow. In recent months, grey has proven to be the go-to choice for bars in particular.

The look is traditional with a modern twist, and is ideal for creating a comfortable and welcoming environment all year round.

www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk Supacord in Blue available in 50 x 50cm tiles, 0.25 x 1m planks, 2m & 4m wide sheets

Heckmondwike It’s all in the label

32 FLOORS

Above: 2017’s hero trend will be geometric design Left: If you’re looking for something a little more industrial, stone-effect products provide a great alternative to costly materials

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.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little more industrial, stone-effect products provide a great alternative to costly materials such as slate.

Slate is a stunning natural material, but it is pricey to install and there are many drawbacks of a real stone floor. Moduleo’s slate range, however, combines the look of natural slate with unique multi-layer technology to create an extremely hard-wearing and stunning floor.

Providing excellent scuff and stain resistance, slate flooring from Moduleo offers excellent heat and sound insulation.

Centre: As vintage and retro trends continue to dominate the hospitality market, traditional woods are certainly still fashionable Right: Moduleo has had an incredibly positive response to its triangle, hexagon and diamondshaped tiles

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Timeless tiles Classic interior design looks are most definitely here to stay for 2017 and beyond. As vintage and retro trends continue to dominate the hospitality market, traditional woods are certainly still fashionable.

Timeless woods work with a number of different trends, which is why we believe they’re so successful. The adaptability of a classic wood, or wood-effect flooring, enables you to complement almost any look. Whether it be a contemporary bar in the city, or a traditional pub in the country, classic woods offer the versatility to look equally at home in just about any environment.

Flooring trends will obviously come and go, but the classic wood-effect is absolutely here to stay.

33 FLOORS

While we’ve undoubtedly seen an upsurge in customers looking for something a little bit different, and responded to these desires, our classic, wood-effect flooring has always been a standout favourite.

Both our Country Oak and Classic Oak designs consistently eclipse the sales of other tiles; which is likely to be a reflection on their versatility, both with surrounding furniture and their broad appeal throughout every season.

All about textures As interior design trends continue to be inspired by the great outdoors, we predict that natural wood-effect products, featuring registered embossment, will continue to be in demand for the year ahead.

As designers look to create a warm and cosy feeling, textured rustic finishes will be on trend for areas of relaxation, such as pubs.

With interior design trends continuing to bring the outside in, wooden floors that appear gnarly and worn will be in high demand for 2017. Rustic wood is an extremely versatile finish, but it can also create an extremely natural finish.

Our Impress collection features registered embossment 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.

The collection has had a lot of success and been installed in countless high-profile locations, such as Slug and Lettuce, in London, and department store, Barkers Home, Northallerton.

Bespoke is better Since the launch of our Moduleo Moods collection, we’ve seen a huge surge in specifiers in the hospitality sector looking to make a statement with their flooring.

Creating a truly unique look is becoming a bigger priority and next year, as the catalogue of products on the market continues to develop, designers will be faced with more options than ever before – making a bespoke look much more accessible.

The Moduleo Moods room visualiser is now live on our website, and thanks to the vast choice of shapes, sizes and colours available, a bespoke look is now available at the click of a button.

We’ve already seen a huge uptake in our clients creating completely bespoke patterns within their spaces – most notably, Young’s Pubs’ Lass O’Richmond Hill pub, in Surrey, Slug and Lettuce’s bar at St Mary Axe, London, and Pizza Express’ recent refurbishment of its Bullring Birmingham eatery.

Moduleo’s luxury vinyl flooring responds extremely well to wear-and-tear, is durable, and an excellent insulator of heat and sound. It is also very lowmaintenance and almost effortless to clean, making it ideal for bars, pubs and restaurants. moduleo.co.uk « INEX-ONLINE.COM

34 RESTAURANT

Restaurant seating and furniture – invest in the best Choosing the right seating and furniture for restaurants can pose quite a challenge. Not only is it important to choose pieces that maximise space to create more covers, it is essential that they offer comfort, flexibility and practicality too.

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oday, customers are looking for a more cohesive experience; where everything from the menu and glassware, to the lighting and wall decoration work well together. Hence, it’s more important than ever to invest in the best seating and furniture to ensure a restaurant’s success.

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Above left: Lyndon Design’s Albany sofas adorn the dining area of the Michelinstarred Number One restaurant at The Balmoral in Edinburgh Above: Lyndon Design’s bespoke upholstered seating blends beautifully with

Of course, whilst luxury, style and comfort are at the top of everyone’s wish list, the type of seating and furniture chosen will ultimately depend on the space available, interior styling and budget, of course.

Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of pieces available today. From casual seating around informal coffee tables, to more formal dining arrangements,

and custom-crafted banquettes, there’s a solution for every space. So, let’s consider what’s on offer:

the contemporary and stylish restaurant interior of The Montpellier Chapter

High tables and bar stools These are a popular choice for more informal restaurants and especially where space is at a premium. Combining great design with functionality, they bring a

hotel, Cheltenham Right: For restaurants that are short on space, custom-made booths offer the perfect solution

35 RESTAURANT

casual feel to any bar or dining area and, when combined with traditional low-level options, they serve to break up the eye-line of furniture.

Formal seating For dining areas that require a more formal seating arrangement, there are numerous chair designs to consider. Available with or without arms, dining chairs can either coordinate with the table design or can be used to create an individual statement. Alternatively, intimate two-seater sofas help draw diners into luxury and relaxation whilst preserving the formality of the occasion. A wide variety of materials and finishes also enable chairs to harmonise with the decor and, by adding upholstery detailing, customised designs can be created to reflect house branding.

Banquettes and booths These offer the perfect solution for awkward spaces or for those establishments that are keen to maximise space. Skillfully designed to fit almost any area and to meet specific ergonomic requirements, they offer endless design opportunities.

Booths tend to be more private and intimate – especially the high-backed designs – and can often provide greater comfort than chairs, thanks to their soft, padded seats and backs.

As well as less traffic around a booth, there is also more room to spread out – an attraction for lunchtime working professionals.

Bespoke furniture ‘Built to fit’ within the wall layouts or joinery items that may already exist, bespoke seating introduces an element of indulgence and exclusivity. Standard seating collections may be customised to create a bespoke effect and to reflect the style and decor of the interior. Upholstery touches, such as vertical and horizontal fluting, buttons, and specialist stitch and panelling facets, can transform seating from the ordinary into the extraordinary.

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36 RESTAURANT

Once the preserve of larger and more established restaurants, bespoke hand-crafted seating is now popular across smaller eateries.

Once discounted on the basis of cost, restaurants now appreciate the benefits of individuality and panache. Indeed, those that have invested in bespoke seating to maximise covers always enjoy a great return on their investment.

Above: The voluptuous surround and inset seat make the Orlo dining chair both comfortable and striking Right: The versatile and contemporary Agent high table with bar stools by Lyndon Design is a popular

Tables Whether glass-topped or wooden, or indeed both, the choice of dining tables can be paramount. Of course, size and shape is equally important, and a mix of circular and rectangular pieces further aids design flexibility and practicality. Coffee tables, side tables and bistro tables are also key furniture items for front of house and, when teamed with coordinating upholstery, they can be instrumental in creating the right first impression.

Materials and fabrics Natural wood is a popular choice for restaurants; bringing both texture and colour to seating and furniture. No longer confined to the frame of the furniture, it helps create a softer and more intimate INEX-ONLINE.COM

choice for more informal restaurants

environment. With beech, oak and walnut leading the way, wood blends seamlessly with both contemporary and traditional styles. Hand-crafted touches – such as comb joints and bevelled edge detailing – give an exquisite finish and provide a timeless appeal for years to come.

The choice of seating fabric is also important. It must offer design appeal and comfort, as well as being able to withstand everyday use and meet the rigours of housekeeping.

Ideally, fabrics should be stainresistant and be easy to keep clean.

Whilst leather can be expensive, it’s a highly durable option that

combines comfort with ease of maintenance. Also, it’s now common to see more vibrant and blatant patterns for restaurant fabrics, with designers often selecting a series of colours, rather than a monochrome approach.

So, whether it’s an upscale French restaurant or a casual diner that’s being newly-designed or refurbished, there’s a much better chance of succeeding if the guests are seated comfortably. There are many reasons why customers make repeat visits to a restaurant; chief among them being food, service and value for money. One thing that will drive them away, however, is bad seating. Every table, chair, booth and bar stool needs to be comfortable, durable and fit with the brand. By investing in the best, customers will never want to leave, and the seating and furniture investment can be enjoyed for years to come. lyndon.co.uk «

DEFINING THE ART OF OUTDOOR STYLING

FABRICS FOR LUXURY EXTERIORS EXTEX fabrics combine a luxurious look and feel, designed to complement and enhance even the most exclusive exterior space, they are suitable for use on all outdoor furnishing applications. The co-ordinating ranges offer over 100 contemporary colours, bringing a perfect style conclusion to any design project.

Discover our extensive fabric collection at www.extex.co.uk

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38 DECORATIVE FEATURES

Psychedelic wonderland With a background in history and philosophy, Dagmar Holub set up Designer’s Atelier in 2008. The company launched its latest collection – The Kaleidoscope collection in collaboration with up-and-coming Textile Designer, Ewelina Mlynarek – at Decorex International this year. Here, Inex talks to Dagmar about Designer’s Atelier’s latest collection and discusses just how important the use of accessories is for interior design schemes.

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inding herself newly-single on the property buyers’ market, Dagmar decided to purchase an apartment in the heart of Bratislava’s old town.

Dagmar got her father involved, which she knew would result in differences of opinions, but this taught Dagmar the art of negotiation; in dealing with differences that are valid, but will not necessarily work.

“I loved the process of transforming my own space, in my own image and it was this project that triggered my career change. As a result, I signed up for an open plan diploma course in interior design with KLC School of Design, London,” explains Dagmar.

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Left: The Kaleidoscope collection was created for Designer’s Atelier

by Ewelina Mlynarek Above left: The Andrew Martin chair was upholstered in

Dagmar was humbled when awards began to pile up: “I attracted the attention of Sir Terence Conran and Philippe Starck – who judged me worthy of second prize in the ‘One to Watch’ Mydeco competition. Most recently, Designer’s Atelier was awarded ‘Best of Houzz 2016’ and Dagmar’s design concept, inspired by the humanoid race known as the ‘Na’vi’ and their environment from the movie Avatar, has been selected to appear alongside three other designs from a set theme of ‘Famous Places That Never Existed’ at Grand Designs Live in Birmingham.

the Summer design for Decorex Top centre: Ewelina playfully used patterns reminiscent of a kaleidoscope Above: Designer’s Atelier’s collection creates a visually stunning impact Middle right: Summer colours are cool, bluebased and delicate Far right: The collection currently consists of two designs – Spring and Summer

39 DECORATIVE FEATURES

Express yourself “Designing a home involves more than just drawing plans and choosing colours or furniture. As important as this may be, it requires decisions about how we want to live. The emergence of a desire to express ourselves is to be taken seriously because of the financial commitment that ownership involves. We find the most pervasive reason for holding back is the element of risk; ‘Be careful!’ ‘Play safe!’ ‘Know your place!’ ‘Don’t use that colour!’ – is what people are likely to hear in the process of becoming themselves.

This is where we step in with our questioning voice: ‘what if you said yes, where would it take you?’

“Personalising though print is putting an individual stamp on a space and its contents and marking a home to let people know about our territory. If things in a client’s home do conform to their standards of beauty and comfort, they are custom-tailoring their home to their own image; imprinting it with their personality and lifestyle.”

Playful patterns The Kaleidoscope collection was exclusively created for Designer’s Atelier by up-and-coming Textile Designer, Ewelina Mlynarek.

Inspired by Dame Zaha Hadid’s parabolic shapes and Alexander McQueen’s Plato’s Atlantis, featuring digital prints with microscopic details of animal skins and extraordinary colours, Ewelina playfully used patterns of great complexity and vivid colours reminiscent of a kaleidoscope, which sees its bicentennial anniversary this year.

Designer’s Atelier’s collection, consisting of Ewelina’s kaleidoscopic imagery, creates a visually stunning impact that blurs the lines between art and design, drawing viewers into a ‘psychedelic wonderland’. It provides a glimpse into another world of strangeness and newness, translating the continuous fluidity of unusual patterns into sculptural sensuality. During the design process, Ewelina also crossed over from architecture to abstract, symmetrical art as a means of expression.

“Both Ewelina and I admire Alexander McQueen for his theatrical, unrestricted and unpredictable approach to fashion and his vision of beauty, which was never orthodox.

The Kaleidoscope collection was inspired by the last collection Alexander McQueen would complete before his death, Plato’s Atlantis (spring/summer 2010), which is widely recognised as one of his finest.

“The world of fashion and interiors are entwined and have been for a number of years now as they both continue to influence each other on a massive scale. Our clothing is our second-skin, whilst our environment serves as a further extension; after all we dress ourselves in clothes, while furnishings dress our homes.

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40 DECORATIVE FEATURES Main: For its launch at Decorex, Designer’s Atelier displayed its Kaleidoscope wallpaper by creating an installation which was quickly photographed and shared across social media Top right: Designer’s Atelier has also produced

before any experiments with patterns and shapes take place. She is driven by curiosity and, as an artist, she can never predict the final outcome while she plays within the design process.”

The Kaleidoscope collection currently consists of two designs – Spring and Summer – and is available in the following products: furnishing velvet and linen fabric, velvet and linen cushions, wallpaper, silk scarves, custom artwork and tableware.

“We produced this variety of products because we wanted to give our clients the freedom to experiment,” explains Dagmar.

linen cushions for ecolovers of clean fabrics Middle:Designer’s Atelier’s recent addition to its Kaleidoscope collection is its fine bone china Top right: Spring and Summer designs are also available as a silk scarf

“Where fashion once had major control over our decor, the two are now working together. I believe right now what we are seeing is the merging of these two worlds.

Much of this has to do with social media, as never before have these worlds been more in tune with each other than now.

Great minds think alike “Ewelina and I met at Heathrow Airport three years ago when she had just completed her degree in textiles and had an internship under her belt at Alexander McQueen’s studio.

Although she was looking for work INEX-ONLINE.COM

opportunities, she was not willing to compromise on her design style which was proving a challenge. As we got to know each other better, Ewelina asked for feedback on her design work and the rest is history,” explains Dagmar.

“When I met Ewelina, she had a message that was in-sync with our brand. Her unrestricted creativity paired up with our unique, creative vision, and a sense of what is needed in the market, resulted in collaboration which took exploration of identity and trust to the very next level. I do not interfere with Ewelina’s creative process, but I am happy to provide a constructive feedback.

Ewelina’s quest for unique expression always starts with extensive research

Colour psychology “When we tried to come up with a product name for Ewelina’s kaleidoscopic imagery, two words that came to mind were ‘Spring’ and ‘Summer’. What inspired this is the natural world and nature’s harmonious colour arrangements throughout the seasons. My own interest in unravelling the mysteries of colour began when working with clients on the psychology of colour.

“In colour psychology there are four main seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter – and each has its own distinct characteristics and personalities. The correlation between the four patterns of colour and human personality gives us a more precise understanding on colour psychology. Spring colours are warm, yellow-based and light. Summer colours are cool, blue-based and delicate. Autumn colours are warm and rich, while winter colours are cool, strong and intense.

Ewelina identifies herself with autumn, while I myself am a very strong winter colour personality.

“With spring, there is a sense of rebirth and return of light, high energy and excitement. One can instinctively sense the liveliness; with a sparkle of sunshine yellow, you get the sense of bringing the outside garden into your space. Emerald green, sky blue, emerald blue and scarlet are the primary colours for this season – the neutrals that support these colours are light grey and cream.

41 DECORATIVE FEATURES

Designer’s Atelier has also produced linen cushions for eco-lovers of clean fabrics and sumptuous velvet cushions with an unsurpassed softness and depth of colour for those touchy-feely, velvet lovers.

Kaleidoscope’s artwork consists of eight patterns, four Spring designs and four Summer designs. Designer’s Atelier’s recent addition to its Kaleidoscope collection is its fine bone china.

“As spring progresses into summer we see more subtlety, nature is maturing and her mood is changing.

The coolness of the summer colour palette has been bleached out by the sun – these colours virtually consist of all tones without clear primary colours. This tonal family comprises maroon, powder blue, viridian and sage green, with supportive neutrals of cool navy, mid-grey and oyster.

Summer tones are light in weight and although some are quite dark, they are never heavy.”

Perfect prints The exclusive Spring/Summer collection of upholstery fabrics, velvet cushions, wallpapers, silk scarves, dinnerware and artwork is printed in the UK using the finest materials.

Upholstery fabrics, velvet cushions, wallpapers and artwork have been printed digitally. And, for Designer’s Atelier’s fine bone china, Dagmar used ceramic silk screen printing.

Designer’s Atelier also incorporated a linen fabric choice into its collection as it’s hypo allergic, since it only consists of natural fibres – and during production, the potentially allergic outer part of the fibre is removed which makes it an ideal choice for those struggling to find clean fabrics. It is inherently anti-microbial and is even resistant to mildew. It also has a very compact formation which means the fibres do not become loosened over time, even after repeated usage, which makes it an ideal upholstery fabric.

The potential for Kaleidoscope designs is limited only by the imagination of a designer. Designer’s Atelier has produced furnishing velvet and linen in both Spring and Summer designs which are suitable for upholstery and soft furnishings. For its launch at Decorex, Designer’s Atelier displayed its Kaleidoscope wallpaper by creating an installation which was quickly photographed and shared across social media platforms.

The importance of accessories “What makes our home uniquely our own is what we have inside. Accessorising is another way to add a personal touch to a space as the items tell a ‘story’ of where the person has been, where their interests llie and reveal the colour personality of the owner.

“Whilst they add colour, pattern and a finished look to a room, there is a much more important role that these seemingly ‘lighthearted’ additions can play. Imagine you are strongly drawn to a particular colour or a pattern you have not used before, one way in which we ask our clients to decide if this is right for them is to introduce a colour or pattern in the form of an accessory.

“Accessories, including printed accessories, are a great way to pull interior pieces together to give a space a finished look. Every room needs a focal point, or a single design element that will instantly draw the eye into the space, and a great piece of art could easily fulfil this purpose.

“For many, the word ‘artwork’ means paintings, wall hangings or sculpture, however there are several types of decorative elements, such as our pyramid kaleidoscope installation, which can make an unexpected visual impact,” concludes Dagmar.

Designer’s Atelier is currently planning to complete its cycle with an autumn and winter kaleidoscope design next year. designersatelier.co.uk «

Top: Ewelina was inspired by Dame Zaha Hadid’s parabolic shapes Above: The Kaleidoscope collection was inspired by the last collection Alexander McQueen would complete before his death, Plato’s Atlantis Right: Upholstery fabrics, velvet cushions, wallpapers and artwork have been printed digitally

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42 AUDIO VISUAL

Gamer’s paradise

Above: Cyberhomes was approached by its client to

Cyberhomes supplies and installs equipment for lighting, heating, security and AV entertainment and integrates them into a simple, easy-to-use control interface. The company’s latest project sees the very latest technology utilised in a personalised cinema/gaming room as part of a substantial residential refurbishment in Essendon, Hertfordshire.

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yberhomes was approached by its client to design and install a dedicated cinema/gaming room as part of a refurbishment to its client’s detached, eight-year-old home in Essendon, Hertfordshire.

This ‘gamer’s paradise’ was briefed to be a comfortable environment.

Cyberhomes made the decision to incorporate a large, soft seating area, rather than formal cinema room seats for maximum comfort. The client also wanted to ensure the room was as future-proof as possible, which meant embracing the very latest technology, in terms of both audio and visual capability.

Texture, materials and colour were all important to Cyberhomes’ client.

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design and install a dedicated cinema/ gaming room as part of a refurbishment Left: Whilst not many game consoles or games support it

Lighting was also equally important; it needed to complement the room, whilst providing control of the natural daylight emitting from the windows to allow the correct viewing conditions, regardless of whether the room was being used day or night.

The lighting control used for the client’s cinema/gaming room is a Lutron Homeworks system. The house already had a Lutron lighting control system, so Cyberhomes was able to easily add extra lighting circuits and blind controls. Cyberhomes also installed a new Control4 control system that allows the tap of a single button to automatically control the lighting, projector and screen; rather than having to control each item separately.

The key to the room’s success is Cyberhomes’ framework, which creates a 100mm space between the walls/ceiling and the frame. This allowed Cyberhomes to install all equipment within the framework, along with the various types of acoustic panels necessary to control the absorption and reflection of the sound.

Importantly, Cyberhomes was then able to use an acousticallytransparent fabric which is stretched over the framework, so none of the equipment or the acoustic treatments can be seen.

Motorised blackout blinds were also installed on the windows which automatically close when the room is in use.

yet, the projector is capable of 4K ultra HD Above right: If the client pauses a movie, the lights gently fade up to allow them to grab a drink or take a break and then fade back down again automatically when they press play Right: Cyberhomes’ latest project sees the very latest technology utilised in a personalised gaming room as part of a substantial residential refurbishment

43 AUDIO VISUAL

The requirement for the fabrics to be acousticallytransparent was an overriding factor, but this still provided the client with a reasonable choice of fabrics and colours.

Samples were provided of several recommended options and a suede-effect was the client’s preference. An added benefit is that the suede-effect fabric generates hardly any reflections of the light from the screen, avoiding the unwanted distractions that other wallcoverings can suffer from.

New wall lights and a ‘shadow gap’ lighting feature in the ceiling allowed Cyberhomes to create just the right amount of bias lighting when watching a movie or playing a game.

Clever programming also ensures that if, for example, the client pauses a movie, the lights gently fade up to allow them to grab a drink or take a break and then fade back down again automatically when they press play.

Cyberhomes was fortunate that the home had a dedicated ventilated plant room, so was able to locate all of the system equipment – Blu-ray players, amplifiers, etc – outside of the room, so there were no concerns about the noise – and heat – being generated by the equipment.

The sound system is Dolby Atmos 7.2.4, which means that there are three speakers at the front of the room (left, centre and right), four surround speakers to the sides and rear of the room, two subwoofers and four speakers in the ceiling that add a genuine height effect to the sound. Increasingly, films are being released with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack and it is starting to be common for the latest games to support this format – so, rain effects or gunfire all around you can sound incredibly realistic and immerse you in the suspended reality of the game.

Whilst not many game consoles or games support it yet, the projector is capable of 4K ultra HD (four times the resolution of a normal HD TV picture) and will also support high dynamic range. Again, these features are just starting to become available in films (such as 4K streaming from Netflix and Amazon, and the new Ultra HD Blu-ray format) and the next generation of gaming consoles will support it

too. Cyberhomes created a discreet connection point below the screen so the homeowner can easily plug in the next generation of gaming consoles as they become available.

To ensure the screen is always the perfect size for either a movie or game, motorised masking was installed. This allows black panels to move in and out at the left and right of the screen so the visible area is always the perfect size.

The screen is also acoustically transparent, which allows for the front speakers and the subwoofers to be located in the perfect position behind the screen where they are completely out of sight.

Cyberhomes has seen an increase in the number of high-end homes that are specifying a dedicated home cinema room. In recent years, this seems to have replaced the swimming pool as the ‘must-have’ luxury feature.

It seems that we are at the point where the generation that grew up with gaming as a main part of their childhood leisure experience are now at the point in their lives where they can afford these types of luxury installations; and playing games is just as important to them as watching movies or major sporting events.

Interior designers and architects are increasingly being asked by their clients to include the latest technologies in their projects, yet they don’t want the equipment to spoil the aesthetics of the spaces they create. Cyberhomes is increasingly working closely with specifiers to enable all the latest technology to be incorporated whilst minimising what can be seen. cyberhomes.co.uk « INEX-ONLINE.COM

44 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Leading the charge with Hamilton USB sockets In today’s connected world, running out of ‘juice’ continues to be a problem. Smart phones, tablets and other devices are constantly in use, whether that be at home, while on the go or in the workplace.

Hamilton Litestat is enabling homes and businesses extra charging capacity with its ‘now-essential’ range of switched socket plates with integrated USB ports.

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n the office, or at a hotel, coffee shop or home, Hamilton’s dual USB switched sockets allow you to charge a phone and a tablet at the same time – with a 1A-rated USB port for mobile phones and a second 2.1A USB port for charging tablets and other devices.

Hamilton’s expertise in integrating technology sympathetically within interior projects is reflected in the quality of plate designs – combining both function and form.

The Hartland collections Slim and elegant with charismatic soft round edges, this best-seller continues to offer the designer a sophisticated, stylish and contemporary solution for both residential and commercial INEX-ONLINE.COM

projects. The Hartland is a metal screw-fixed plate, with Hartland CFX offering a concealed fixing solution (no visible screws). Both plates are available in 11 elegant finishes, including satin chrome, bright stainless, antique brass and four new shades of bronze. Tailormade plate finishes for customised interior projects can also be produced to order.

The Sheer collections A minimalist flat plate with a modern feel that seamlessly integrates into today’s interiors to give ‘top-to-toe’ style without losing continuity of design. Sheer is a screw-fixed option, with Sheer CFX offering a concealed fixing, with both plates available in 11 stylish finishes.

Above: Slim and elegant with charismatic soft round edges, the Hartland collection continues to offer the designer a sophisticated, stylish solution Right: A modern USB twist to an old favourite, Hamilton’s Vogue collection offers a contemporary, but stylised, design

Both Hartland and Sheer collections offer a choice of complementary switch insert finishes.

Hamilton’s Vogue collection A modern USB twist to an old favourite, it offers a contemporary, but stylised, design with moulded, bevelled edges and is finished in white plastic. The Vogue dual USB switched socket plate has a slim profile so minimal back box space is required and the screw cap covers give a sleek finish making them suitable for a variety of everyday applications.

Plus, unique to Vogue, is a single USB switched plate option rated at 2.1A. Gavin Williams, Hamilton’s Marketing Manager, commented: “Today’s youth are driving forward a change towards ‘smart’ wiring products such as USB chargers. They have only ever existed in a 24/7 connected world and expect to have access to technology wherever they go, making the inclusion of such devices within an interiors project an everyday essential.” hamilton-litestat.com « info@hamilton-litestat.com « 01747 860088 «

45 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Stunning new table collections unveiled by Lyndon Design An inspiring new ‘Tables Edit’ sets the scene for Lyndon Design’s stunning collections of hand-crafted wooden tables. Designed to enhance corporate or hospitality spaces, these exquisite collections provide designers with unending possibilities and the opportunity to bring elegance and charm to interior design schemes. 10 distinct table collections convey individual style and personality. From dining and occasional tables; coffee and side tables to low, medium and high tables, plus a new bistro table, the collections ooze beauty and wood craftsmanship, for which Lyndon Design is renowned. Exciting new additions include the ‘Pause’ side table, ‘Wait’ coffee table and ‘120’ low coffee table by award-winning Designer, Mark Gabbertas. lyndon.co.uk 01242 584897

Personalised, clean comfort from GROHE The new GROHE Sensia Arena combines the functions of a toilet and bidet, harnessing the natural goodness of water to refresh and revitalise your skin, leaving you completely clean without the harshness of paper or chemicals. The sleek, wall-hung toilet design looks perfectly at home in contemporary bathrooms and its smooth lines leave dirt nowhere to hide. Enjoy the feeling of lightness and wellbeing with the cleanest toilet in the world. From its sleek silhouette to its technologically-advanced finish, the company believes that with the GROHE Sensia Arena they’ve set the benchmark for the future of personalised, clean comfort. grohe.co.uk 0208 283 2865

Kaldewei extends its Meisterstücke collection Following the successful market launch of the Meisterstücke collection – freestanding bathtubs with fully enamelled panelling – Kaldewei has extended the range with models for corner and wall installation. The Meisterstück Centro Duo and Meisterstück Conoduo bathtubs are now available in variants with two and three-sided fully enamelled panelling. They are exceptionally easy to install as the bath waste fitting is preinstalled by the factory, and a base or pedestal is not necessary. Kaldewei will exhibit at this year’s Sleep event from 22nd to 23rd November 2016 on stand V10.

For more information on the Meisterstücke collection, please visit Kaldewei’s website. kaldewei.co.uk 01480 498053

Unleash your bohemian side with Osmo Those looking for a smooth rustic floor need look no further than the Bohemian range. ESCO’s rustic wood style and Osmo’s smooth finish makes it one of the most popular flooring choices. Bohemia offers a rustic wooden style that features open filled knots for a genuine oak style. The flooring’s surface lines and irregular surface smoothness gives Bohemia a unique look and feel. Planed, filled, sanded and finished with Osmo Polyx-Oil, Bohemian flooring requires no additional coatings and can be ready to walk on hours after installation. Osmo’s Polyx-Oil enhances performance with a durable finish that is created with environmentally-friendly ingredients. osmouk.com 01296 481220 INEX-ONLINE.COM

46 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Left: Timber Effect panels are created from douglas fir planks that are hand worked to achieve different aesthetic qualities Below: The new Linq Hotel features 2500 rooms, a casino, retail space, meeting centre, pool deck, vortex roof and a full service spa – featuring a corridor of custom-finished ArmourFX panels

ArmourFX panels create social media backdrop for Linq Spa, Las Vegas ArmourFX Timber Effect panels were specified for the renovation of the latest Las Vegas strip hotel by Elkus Manfredi Architects. The Boston-based architect has converted the original Imperial Palace hotel into a lavish property specifically designed for a millennial guest.

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he new Linq Hotel features 2500 rooms, a casino, retail space, meeting centre, pool deck, vortex roof and a full service spa – featuring a corridor of customfinished ArmourFX panels. Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal and Director of Interior Architecture at Elkus Manfredi Architects, explored the idea of ‘instagramable’ backdrops within the property. This was done to redefine the hotel’s purpose in the city, and also with the millennial audience’s heavy use of social media in mind.

“The overall challenge for Elkus Manfredi Architects was to reinvent Caesar’s outdated Imperial Palace INEX-ONLINE.COM

hotel property in Las Vegas into an entirely new experience that appeals to the next generation of Las Vegas guests. From the murals on the walls, the thought bubbles in the meeting spaces, the colour-changing 3535 bar, the carpet design in the corridors, VIP area and ‘living room’, to the tile pattern and wallcovering in the spa – the purpose was to create that ‘instagramable’ backdrop,” comments Elizabeth.

Timber Effect panels are created from douglas fir planks that are hand worked to achieve different aesthetic qualities. The panels offer great design options, often replacing exotic or expensive

timber for commercial projects. ArmourFX Timber Effect panels have been used to replace or match shou-sugi-ban Japanese charred planks or, as in this project, mountain pine beetle blue-stain timber.

Crafted especially for decorative wall cladding, ArmourFX Timber Effect panels are available in four designs and colours. ‘Original’ and ‘Shuttered’ highlight the elegant grain of the wood, whilst ‘Rugged’ and ‘Cinder’ are further hand distressed to give a more aged texture and surface patina. All panels are cast in a unique polymer-modified gypsum resin mix for added durability. In the USA, country-specific colours and finishes are available. armourcoat.com « marketing@armourcoat.co.uk « 01732 460668 «

47 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Sofa Workshop collaborates with emerging British talent Sofa Workshop is collaborating with Flock to create a capsule collection of sofas, armchairs and footstools all in Flock fabrics.

Sofa Workshop loves to support emerging British talent, which was why the company couldn’t resist a collaboration with Flock – a company well known for supporting new British designers.

Jenny, Founder of Flock, commented on the collaboration: “I’ve always admired Sofa Workshop for their bold fabric choices and exciting shapes. For a print designer, it’s thrilling to see your designs flat on a big space. Seeing the scale of the pattern on the sculpture of the furniture’s curve is just incredible.” sofaworkshop.com 0800 230 0048

IDS extends flooring portfolio with Malmo luxury vinyl flooring IDS has extended its flooring portfolio with a brand new range of luxury vinyl flooring, Malmo, offering a stylish, high-performance flooring material that’s suitable for a wide variety of commercial and domestic applications. Malmo offers 10 woodgrain designs including classic oak and on-trend greys, in a matt finish. The competitively-priced range offers all 10 designs in 2.5mm design options with a 0.55mm wear layer achieving a heavy commercial classification of 33. Five of the designs are also available in a 2mm option with a 0.3mm wear layer. Malmo is hardwearing and durable with the embossed surface offering the realistic look of wood. idsurfaces.co.uk 0845 729 8298

Choosing the right kitchen tap When purchasing a tap from BLANCO, there are several points a consumer should consider. Water pressure is first, as some taps are not suitable in either low or high water pressure areas. Single-lever taps are becoming more popular due to their simple, concise shape. However, two-handle taps are still popular and BLANCO stocks a range of designs. Many people are now considering filter taps. The under-sink cartridges in the filter taps allow for both standard and filtered supply to be combined within one tap. Finally, BLANCO’s exciting range of Silgranit colours is available to either match or contrast the sink and tap area for a truly deluxe finish to any kitchen. blanco.co.uk 01923 635200

The Innovation Centre chooses Interface for fitting flexibility Interface has provided a modular flooring solution – installed using the company’s glue-less TacTiles installation system for the Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) Innovation Centre. TacTiles are small adhesive squares placed directly underneath carpet tiles to firmly attach them together. This creates a securely fastened ‘floating’ floor system which can be easily lifted, moved or replaced, without causing any damage to the surface of the subfloor. TacTiles were used on 11,000m2 of carpet tiles in the three-storey building to fit Interface’s ‘Walk the Plank’ and ‘Transformation’ collections. An attractive design was created using Cyprus, Hickory, Beech and Ash colourways from the Walk the Plank range, and River from the Transformation range. interface.com 01274 690690 INEX-ONLINE.COM

48 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Graefe opens the door to Mont de la Rocque luxury apartments

Above: For Mont de la Rocque, the doors and panelling provide a high-end finish to the luxurious building Right: Graefe bespoke veneered doors, frames and wall panels have been used throughout Mont de la Rocque’s nine luxury apartments

Mont de la Rocque luxury apartments overlook the stunning golden sandy beaches of St Aubin’s Bay and the historic harbour town of St Aubin, Jersey.

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raefe bespoke veneered doors, frames and wall panels have been used throughout Mont de la Rocque’s nine luxury apartments. Graefe’s Somerville door in straight grain American White Oak was widely chosen throughout the build. The flush veneer was grey stained running horizontally for the full length of the door with a veneered INEX-ONLINE.COM

border running vertically to give a stylish framed look.

A continuous American Black Walnut panelled wall lines the master bedroom and through the length of the hallway. This lavish feature consists of both vertically laid veneer at the top of the panel and horizontal veneer at the bottom. American Black Walnut was crown cut and slip matched to create a distinct symmetrical grain pattern.

The feature wall design allowed the American Black Walnut doors and frames to sit seamlessly within the run of panels.

The penthouse apartment stands out as unique from the other apartments in Mont de la Rocque with Graefe’s Trinity style doors in Ash, with a whitewash finish giving a stylish, contemporary feel. Double glazed Trinity doors open into the kitchen and lounge area and the large vision panels allow light to fill through the entire apartment. The panels are in Graefe’s VP1L style with RG1 beading.

The highest quality materials and craftsmanship has been used throughout the apartment block. For Mont de la Rocque, the doors and panelling provide a high-end finish to the luxurious building. www.graefe.co.uk « graefe@graefe.co.uk « 01844 219609 «

49 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

The view of dreams AGB is seeing real interest in its Imago Lift & Slide system and believes that the recent changes to the Housing & Planning Act 2016 will lead to further growth. AGB makes Imago Lift & Slide the leading hardware for timber lift and slide doors – a popular choice for specifiers for its slimline aesthetics and its ability to create large glazing areas that frame the view. By using Imago, specifiers can achieve superb panoramic glazing cost-effectively, as AGB’s lift and slide door system is engineered with fewer components to simplify the construction for joiners. For more information on AGB’s Imago Lift & Slide system, please visit the Imago website. chooseimago.co.uk 01279 812958

Bross’ Gisa chair inspired

by Nordic language Designed by Giulio Lacchetti, Gisa’s shapes originate from the forms of memory and furnishing heritage, as well as from a solid experience in woodworking, prominent in Bross’ products. Designed as a perfect complement for dining tables, the chair integrates into a traditional path. The Nordic language inspired this product, compact and characterised by an immediate and conversational aesthetic.

The solid ash wood structure, available with a natural finish or stained, makes it an important, but versatile, furniture element that can fit into varied spaces.

The backrest, as well as the seat, is equipped with thin padding and the upholstery, in leather or fabric, strongly determines its image. bross-italy.com +39 0432 731920

Astro’s bathroom highlights at Sleep Among lighting innovations for all hotel areas, Astro will showcase new additions to its portfolio of bathroom luminaires at this year’s Sleep event at the Business Design Centre, London, from 22nd to 23rd November. An alternative take on the bathroom wall light is the new Deauville, which fits perfectly within living/sleeping areas, while the Mashiko range offers new LED options for ceilings and walls in several size and shape options. Also revealed is Astro’s Versailles, which sees a modern heart within a body inspired by mid-century luxury. With mid-power LEDs for effective, energy-efficient illumination, and IP44 rating, it gives a subtlydecorative cue to the bathroom or any other space. astrolighting.com 01279 427001

New Bauhaus-inspired bathroom fittings A new range of bathroom fittings will enable designers to achieve a totally coordinated finish for the increasingly popular industrial interiors theme in residential, commercial and high-spec hotel projects.

The Landmark collection is the latest range of taps, shower controls and accessories to be introduced by Samuel Heath. Inspired by the simplified forms and functional efficiency redolent of the Bauhaus era, Landmark consists of two striking collections, Pure and Industrial.

In keeping with the modern vogue for metallic, Landmark Pure and Landmark Industrial are available in a range of matt and high-gloss finishes, including the new Urban Brass and Stainless Steel/Matt Black Chrome, plus City Bronze, Chrome Plate and Polished Nickel. samuel-heath.co.uk 0121 766 4200 INEX-ONLINE.COM

50 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Inspirational design and clever solutions for the hotel market

Above: BetteLux Shape washbasin and bath Below: BetteArt Monolith with BetteArt bath

Award-winning German steel/enamel bath, shower floor and washbasin specialist, Bette, will be showing how it combines inspirational design and manufacturing expertise with clever solutions for the hotel market at this year’s Sleep event, on stand M3.

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here will be a range of beautifully-designed and colourful products on display, alongside practical solutions to answer the challenges of creating the best hotel bathrooms.

Bette’s baths, shower floors and washbasins are created from natural materials, finished with its highly durable BetteGlaze enamel and have a 30-year warranty.

Sustainability is central to Bette’s approach, and this is confirmed by the company’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which complies with ISO 14025 and EN15804.

Visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to see the quality and smoothness of the Bette enamel finish, as well as a selection of the huge range of colours available.

Products on display will include INEX-ONLINE.COM

one of the company’s many freestanding baths, along with a steel/enamel washbasin from the wide range available. Bette will be using Sleep to highlight its colour flexibility, including the option to match ceramic colours, and so, there will be a move away from the traditional white, with some items shown in stunning colour options.

Also on display will be one of Bette’s flush-to-floor shower areas, the BetteFloor Side, incorporating some of Bette’s most popular and clever solutions for the hotel market. The BetteFloor Side resembles a large steel/enamel tile, is permanently waterproof, easy to clean, hygienic and fits perfectly into the floor tiling pattern. It is available in a huge range of sizes and colours, including new matt colours to coordinate with the latest trends in flooring.

It will be shown incorporating BetteUpstand, an enamelled steel upturn of the edge, which does away with the need for silicone where the shower floor meets the wall tiles, solving a common problem area for hotels with an easy-to-clean and durable alternative. This innovative solution is also available to order on Bette’s built-in baths.

The BetteFloor Side shower area will also show Bette’s almost invisible anti-slip surface, BetteAntislip Pro, which offers a high-level of slip-resistance, but does not detract from the elegant enamelled surface.

With Germany leading the way in sound regulation, this is an area in which Bette has developed extensive expertise through its own sound lab and testing facility. On display will be examples of Bette’s proven sound insulation solutions for shower trays/floors and baths.

Bette offers a large and flexible range of steel/enamel baths, shower floors and washbasins, with a huge choice of sizes and the opportunity to order bespoke sizes to fit a space perfectly. bette.co.uk « info@bette.co.uk « 0844 800 0547 «

51 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Outstanding contemporary crystal lights at The Lighting Store As part of The Lighting Store’s commitment to sourcing unique, beautiful lights, this crystal pendant ticks all the boxes and makes a dramatic focal point. Designed and created in Europe, this exclusive light is available in coloured or transparent crystals. The Lighting Store works hard to find the most beautiful, contemporary and classic lights and often works with some of the world’s leading lighting designers to create bespoke lighting for clients. Whether designing for a mansion or a modest home, The Lighting Store can advise and provide the very best lighting solutions. thelightingstore.co.uk 0208 731 8601

Ted Baker partners with Brink and Campman to launch new range of luxury rugs Ted’s appreciation for a beautiful rug began on the summit of The Altai Mountains. Seeking a light bulb moment and a breath of fresh air, he stumbled upon a magnificently embellished piece of carpet, buried under a snowcapped rock. Inspired by the stylish scrap of tapestry found at 4000ft, each rug in this collection is lovingly hand-crafted, weaving Ted Baker’s signature eye for style with Brink and Campman’s craftsmanship. With iconic prints and head-turning colours, these fashionable foundations offer wall-to-wall flair and make every house a home. With a mixture of rich hues and contemporary designs made with a pure wool and a low cut-pile, these statement pieces are finished with eye-catching detail. tedbaker.com 0345 450 2484

Walter Knoll innovations exhibited at Orgatec At Orgatec 2016, the leading international office and facilities trade fair in Cologne, Walter Knoll exhibited 12 interior innovations for executive offices, conferencing and consulting, open workspaces and public seating. “Our working world is changing. The design of a room is becoming ever more significant. Because the furnishings play a major role in the success of a company – modern and open, formal and informal, alone and in a team,” says Markus Benz, CEO and Managing Director of Walter Knoll AG & Co. KG. “The interior stands for the culture and identity of companies – and is thus always an expression of how the company sees itself and of its esteem for its customers.” walterknoll.de/en 0207 796 5950

High quality and eco-friendly The Dee frosted and clear glass pendant, with black metal detail, is part of an exciting new range of stylish, innovative and cutting-edge designs by Design for the People at Lighting Direct. The Dee lights make an eye-catching design statement with their sleek, smooth, rounded shape, and use two types of glass that diffuse a soft, subtle light. All Design for the People’s lights, by Scandinavian lighting company Nordlux, are made from high-quality, eco-friendly materials. “We love lights by Design for the People as their philosophy is similar to ours at Lighting Direct – to make beautifully-designed, high-quality, reasonably priced lighting accessible to everyone,” commented Charles Barnett, Managing Director at Lighting Direct. lighting-direct.co.uk 0208 731 8601 INEX-ONLINE.COM

52 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Here: MATCH is a revolutionary decorative panel that uses innovative H2P technology and advanced production processes Below: The possibilities are endless and with the ability to create a truly unique space, MATCH introduces a new level of design for hotel and leisure interiors

Vicaima launches new MATCH panel range The new MATCH designer panel range from Vicaima has been creating quite a buzz in the hotel and leisure sector this year, with its first appearance at the Independent Hotel Show, Olympia in October and the upcoming Sleep event, Islington, scheduled later this month.

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he new range is exciting designers and specifiers with panels that remove limitations normally experienced with more commonlyused decorative finishes and allow limitless design possibilities with multiple applications, ranging from wall panels to furniture.

MATCH is a revolutionary decorative panel that uses innovative H2P technology and advanced production processes to create tailormade graphic or pictorial solutions directly onto veneered and other base layers. In this way, a collection of decor elements can be brought together to create synergy to a theme or chosen style, such as wall panels, integrated door systems, displays and furniture, untethering creative flair and removing the boundaries to realising unique concepts.

Depending upon the desired application, Vicaima MATCH is INEX-ONLINE.COM

available in a selection of panel types with differing physical and mechanical properties, appropriate to their desired performance and covered by EN standards. These include plywood, MDF with improved resistance to fire or moisture, among others. The combination between the composition of the product and the advanced manufacturing technology used with the surface materials, allows Vicaima to achieve unparalleled results. This is perhaps particularly illustrated in the use of surfaces utilising natural veneers, where the product is able to reproduce colours and original, unique designs to spectacular effect.

These new MATCH panels have been designed to provide a flexible and cost-effective solution to the hotel and leisure industry, with possibilities that include the reproduction of a myriad of finishes from metallic grilles to marbled

stone or even fabrics like cotton to rustic timber or even ceramics. The possibilities are endless and with the ability to create a truly unique space, MATCH introduces a new level of design for hotel and leisure interiors.

Vicaima products are widely specified in the hotel sector and used in leisure facilities the world over. With a portfolio that includes fire performance and acoustic door assemblies, together with secure by design and wardrobe solutions, Vicaima has plenty to interest the discerning specifier. www.vicaima.com ÂŤ info@vicaima.com ÂŤ 01793 532333 ÂŤ

53 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Louis Poulsen launches copper PH 3½-2½ floor lamp One of the most groundbreaking light designs – PH’s three-shade system – is turning 90. And to mark the occasion, Louis Poulsen is launching a copper, limited edition of the PH 3½-2½ floor lamp. As part of the three-shade family, now numbering over 20 lamps, the copper edition also provides beautiful, comfortable lighting, as well as a unique opportunity to acquire a collector’s item. The lamp comes with two different top shades, one made of mouthblown opal glass and one made of polished copper.

Together with the two lower shades, also made of opal glass, the opal glass top shade provides pleasant, diffuse lighting. louispoulsen.com +45 7033 1414

Style Library Contract to exhibit at Sleep All new collections from Style Library Contract will be on show at the Sleep event on stand M29. On show will be over 23 new contract designs from Zoffany’s new A/W16 Phaedra collection.

The mastery of colour and the artistry inherent in the designs elevates Phaedra to a contemporary position, revealing an edgy sophistication reminiscent of the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of London. The popular Anthology 04 wallcovering collection, of over 50 items, it will be enhanced with the introduction of the Anthology Mesh fabric collection. A sleek, double-width, dim-out fabric, Mesh has a rich colour palette. stylelibrary.com 0844 543 4749

Moduleo transforms Dial House Wilson Development has chosen luxury vinyl flooring from Moduleo for a second project, this time at Dial House, the Norfolk-based Georgian country manor which is now a restaurant and hotel. The developer opted for Mountain Oak from the manufacturer’s Impress collection and Classic Oak from the Transform collection, both of which had Moduleo’s Click with LockXpress system to ensure it was easy to install. Moduleo’s luxury vinyl flooring responds extremely well to wear and tear, is scuff and stain-resistant, and has a slip resistance rating of R10.

It is also very low maintenance and almost effortless to clean, making it ideal for use in the hospitality sector. moduleo.co.uk 01332 851500

Pettine by Antrax IT receives special mention Antrax IT, an Italian company specialising in creating and manufacturing designer radiators and fireplaces, has been awarded a major new international accolade. After the launch of ‘Flaps’ – the creative radiator designed by Victor Vasilev – comes Pettine, the new designer radiator by Andrea Crosetta, which received a special mention in the Bath and Wellness category at the 2017 German Design Award. The German Design Award is a prestigious international accolade given by the German Design Council to excellent designers and companies which have been able to express originality, quality and functionality in their products.

This recognition attests to Antrax IT’s constant commitment to creating products with state-ofthe-art high technology. antrax.it +39 0423 7174 INEX-ONLINE.COM

54 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Humanscale design icon alights in all new colours Humanscale, a leader in commercial LED task lighting, has expanded its award-winning, iconic design offering with its Horizon Colours collection. The sleek, ergonomic and easily adjustable LED light has won 24 design awards. Thanks to its platonic minimalism, organic design and innovative nanotechnology, it has been featured in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, both in New York. Originally offered in Arctic White, Silver and Jet Black, the Horizon table light is now available in Twilight Blue, Dusk Pink, Morning Pink, Sunrise Orange and Bronze Gold. humanscale.com 0207 566 7990

Modern and classic interiors KOLARZ has launched Topazia, a grand, glamorous, classicallyshaped chandelier. The elegant Topazia is inspired by traditional Venetian designs and is created from delicate, hand-blown Murano glass, 24 carat gold-plated arms and is exquisitely hand-painted by skilled artisans in KOLARZ’s European factories. The elegance of the decorative, twisted Murano glass arms, hung with sparkling Murano glass droplets, adds an extra fascinating element to the traditional chandelier shape. Fine craftsmanship and high-quality materials make the Topazia the epitome of opulence and timeless style and the perfect light to grace the finest interiors, whether a bedroom or a ballroom, in a modern or classic setting. kolarz-uk.com 01483 726052

Desso introduces two new collections Inspired by the diversity and democracy of denim, Desso is introducing Jeans, a carpet tile reflecting the textile’s iconic status. Jeans enables designers and architects to create an informal interior environment. The range provides six interpretations of denim. From a light stone-washed effect, to a distinct denim woven look, designers can coordinate and contrast in three different pattern combinations to set a dynamic tone in the workplace. The second addition to Desso’s portfolio, Ridge, is a finely textured carpet tile that offers simple, timeless design.

With its organic design, available in 12 shades, Ridge carpet tiles are equally adaptable, adding an understated touch to any space. ­ desso.co.uk 01235 554848

The Boss Design Group wins leading Export Award Following its triumph at the recent National Recycling Awards, The Boss Design Group continues its winning streak as it celebrates achieving The Furniture Makers’ Company’s inaugural Export Award.

The award is in recognition of the company’s efforts in developing business overseas. The award was presented at an Export and Growth event organised at the House of Commons on 11th October.

A second presentation took place at the Furniture Makers’ Royal Charter Dinner at Skinners’ Hall, London, on 25th October. Boss Design’s export activities were praised by the expert judging panel for having improved the company’s performance, growth, competitiveness, customer perception, and staff engagement. boss-design.com 0207 253 0364

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55 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

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